August 2021

Adding art into science, technology, engineering, and math education helps students engage in authentic problem solving, according to two Bowling Green State University faculty members.

Dr. Jerry Schnepp, associate professor in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, and Dr. Thomas Roberts, assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development, facilitated a collaborative camp this summer that taught coding and computing within the context of interactive art to about a dozen underrepresented students in STEM.

Last year, they were recognized last year by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).

Dr. Schnepp provided the coding and computing expertise and Dr. Roberts, who is experienced with summer camps and pedagogy, designed clear learning outcomes and assessments; and educators at the museum shared art in the museum and developed art projects to align with the lessons.

“These informal learning opportunities provide an ideal setting in which students can engage in authentic problem solving by providing access and opportunity to authentic environments and professionals,” Schnepp said.

In addition to learning about art, coding, and computing, the students also developed communication, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills, and the creativity to solve problems.

Dr. Schnepp went on to say, “We were very happy with the camp. We reworked the curriculum from the previous two sessions, and the students were able to complete more projects. We held the camp at the Toledo Museum of Art and the students were really engaged and did some very creative work!”

Code 4 her Computer Science Mentorship Program for Girls

Each girl (5th through 8th grade) will learn to program with Lego EV3 Robots at 5 mentoring meetings on Sundays 1:30 – 4:30 pm, held in Hayes Hall on the BGSU Campus. The students will work with the same BGSU student mentor and member of BG Women in Computing student organization. Cost: $125.00 (missed meetings cannot be made up). Dates are: August 29, September 19, October 10, October 31, and November 21.

For more information: http://code4her.org/

Toledo MetroParks Fall Field Trips

Metroparks will help students get outdoors, learn new skills and explore natural and cultural history in northwest Ohio. Programs are designed to connect students to nature through the hands-on discovery of concepts tied to Ohio’s Learning Standards. There are also opportunities to enhance Project Based Learning units through authenticity, public products, and content expert speakers. If field trip costs are a barrier, the Nature Express fund can provide up to 60% of the cost of bus transportation to Chapter 1 schools where 60% or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunches. Visit the link provided for more details and to request a program!

 https://metroparkstoledo.com/discover/group-and-school-programs/

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code continues to offer a free program for 3rd-12th graders to learn computer science and join a sisterhood of students using technology to change the world.

This school year, they will deliver a Clubs experience that’s better than ever, designed to support learning and community building whether in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid environment.

In addition to over 120 hours of free plug-and-play coding curricula and activities, Clubs provide additional benefits to enhance your experience. Get inspired and head to the application to start your free Club today!

Astro Access

Outer space is not just humanity’s future: it's a call to rethink life on Earth today. In zero gravity, what is standing up? What is lying down? What does it mean to be unable to walk if no one there is walking? How does that shift our understanding of disability?

Astro Access announces the launch of Mission: AstroAccess, a new SciAccess program bringing a diverse group of disabled space enthusiasts on a historic ZERO-G parabolic flight! Participants will complete targeted tasks during the program’s flight to help answer basic questions about how disabled people can live and work in outer space. Mission: AstroAccess’ crew of disabled volunteers will take flight on October 17th, 2021, as the first step in a progression towards increasing diversity in space and the greater STEM fields. 

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

They are dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in space exploration, not just for the benefit of marginalized communities, but for the benefit of all humankind. The tasks conducted during this program will help inform accessible design to make extended space travel safer for everyone.

Toledo Zoo Wild Toledo Teacher Monarch Kits

The Toledo Zoo Education Department is taking preorders for Wild Toledo Teacher Monarch Butterfly Kits that will be available for teachers to use in the classroom with their students. Kits are $10 each and come with 2 monarch butterfly caterpillars, a 32-ounce rearing container, a starting supply of milkweed, a detailed care sheet and Monarch Watch butterfly tags that will allow students to tag the adult monarch butterflies before being released. Kits are available by pick up at the Zoo only beginning in late August. Teachers will be notified by email when kits are available for pickup. A limited number of kits will be available so get your orders in now to assure availability.

Orders are online only at https://connect.toledozoo.org/education/res/monarch-kit. No phone in orders will be accepted. 

For more hands-on experience with monarch butterfly rearing and tagging, teachers can opt to sign up for a two hour professional development class that will take place on Saturday, August 28, 10am-12pm. The $15 fee includes hands-on experience with monarch caterpillars and an opportunity to tag an adult monarch butterfly. You can sign up at the same link.

Questions can be directed to Josh Minor at Joshua.minor@toledozoo.org or 419.385.5721 x2046.

ChickQuest workshop

September 15 @ 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Challenge students to use Science, Engineering, and Technology to investigate the life cycle of an embryonic chicken egg!

ChickQuest, a Classroom Journey Through the Life Cycle of Chickens, is a 4-H School Enrichment Program that challenges students to use Science, Engineering, and Technology to investigate the life cycle of an embryonic chicken egg. From monitoring living eggs to observing fluffy chicks, these lively activities pique curiosity, encourage collaboration and communication, and provide young scientists with unforgettable experiences. The Ohio Soybean Council, Meyer Hatchery, and OSU Extension want to provide this curriculum for 50 elementary teachers in Ohio during the 2021-2022 school year. Each teacher will receive:

• Teacher Guide
• Science logbooks—(set of 25 student logbooks)
• Incubator and egg turner
• Fertilized egg coupon
• A kit that includes experiment supplies
• One day of professional development training for the teacher
• 7 CEUs for attending this workshop.

Click here for more information and to register for the workshop.

Toledo Zoo Virtual Programs 

The Toledo Zoo is bringing the Zoo to classrooms through a virtual learning experiences that connects with Zoo educators and animal ambassadors at the zoo through tours & classroom lessons. Register groups for a custom session with up to 75 participants for $50. Programs are offered Monday-Friday. Preset times are available for quick registration, but dates and times are flexible.

Contact us at education@toledozoo.org for custom times.