February 2023

Dr. Emilio Duran, director of NWO, Susan Stearns, Assistant Director, and Toledo Public Schools teacher Steve Oswanski presented a professional development workshop at the recent Science Education Council of Ohio Annual Symposium (SECO) Symposium. Titled Research Inquiry through Student Engagement (RISE), the workshop detailed how to ignite student interest in inquiry and how to design and implement an original scientific research project and ultimately, present their research findings. Mr. Oswanski shared video footage of student interviews in which students expressed their enthusiasm for RISE and how it positively impacted their lives in the classroom and beyond.

Designed as an enrichment experience to level up the district's core content and STEM initiatives and to increase awareness of and excitement for STEM disciplines through rigorous inquiry activities, the first of several planned STEM Days was held at Washington Junior High.

Partners for the implementation of the program include all of the elementary schools in WLS, Whitmer High School’s Career Tech Center, and the Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development.

120 Washington Junior High School eighth graders participated, with students rotating around five interactive stations: Bottle Racing, Straw Structures, Wind Tube Challenge, Drone Racing, and Roller Coasters.

Each station was supported and facilitated by WLS students who are involved in the Teaching Professions CTC program, and the Manufacturing and Engineering CTC programs. Additional student support will be provided by BGSU's pre-service teachers enrolled in the Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program in the School of Teaching & Learning. All of these support students engaged with the WLS student participants in a teacher-type role to deepen their understanding of the STEM concepts at each activity station.

Sponsored by the College of Education and Human Development (EDHD), Bowling Green State University (BGSU) held an Educators of Color Panel with local teachers and BGSU students to discuss their viewpoints and to answer questions about diversity in the classroom from the audience. The panel was held for the second year, with educators sharing their experiences as an educator of color in northwest Ohio.

The goal of the panel was to further expose BGSU’s current teacher education majors and others to the different experiences that occur based on identity within schools, and will help students become better educators, support their future colleagues, and learn more about how they can support students of color in the classroom.

Panelists included five current teachers from the Washington Local School district, which is partnering with EDHD and its Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education on the grant-funded Project EDUCATE (Educators of Diversity: Unified and Collaborative to Aspire Teacher Education), an educational model developed to increase and diversify the educator workforce.

Melissa Hall, a panelist who is an elementary school principal, advised the future educators in the audience to check if schools are intentional with their diversity efforts.

The attendance was over-capacity, mostly with BGSU Education majors, some of whom are currently student teaching. Also in attendance were twenty Whitmer High School students who are interested in the education profession and attended with their Teaching Professions teacher. The book “Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain” by Hammond was distributed to those who pre-registered. Attendees were asked to submit questions via a Google form which included how to deal with racist issues in the classroom and others. 

As a public university for the public good, and in alignment with BGSU’s commitment to diversity and belonging, EDHD is implementing a strategic plan which uses leadership and service, integrative and experiential learning, inquiry and innovation, and professional preparation to build a community of inclusion, collaboration, and respect.

Ohio STEM Learning Network offerings:

March 8: CS Workshop for School Leaders and Counselors
Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. Reaching this goal requires commitment and professional supports for school leaders and counselors, as well as teachers. School leaders and counselors, join OSLN on March 8, 2023, from 9:00AM-3:00PM, in Columbus. During this workshop, participants will experience K-12 computer science and computational thinking lessons and get up to speed on computer science policy changes, free resources for schools, and all the details about OSLN’s computer science supports. Read more about the event or register here.

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program
The Integrated Teaching and Learning Program is designed for teams of teachers seeking strategies for effective and meaningful integration of their grade-level content. Program participants will explore, learn, and apply the 5-step Integrated Teaching and Learning Protocol, ultimately creating a year-long integrated curriculum map. This protocol can be combined with any instructional approach, ranging from traditional teaching to problem-based learning. Priority applications close April 3, 2023. Learn more and apply here.

Fostering STEM Institute opens for second cohort
Now recruiting for a second year, the Fostering STEM Institute helps instructional specialists and teacher leaders foster STEM culture and instructional practices in their schools. The institute is designed around essential tenets of effective instructional coaching, transformational professional learning, and quality STEM education.

The Fostering STEM Institute supports the outcomes of other Ohio STEM Learning Network programs, Innovative Leaders Institute and STEM and STEAM Designation process. However, past participation in these programs is not a requirement.

Intended participants come from schools with an established STEM focus but not necessarily from STEM/STEAM designated schools. Participants will leverage and strengthen their existing knowledge of STEM pedagogy to gain expertise in effective coaching practices.

Northwest Ohio STEM Collaborative

The NWO STEM Collaborative aims to connect with area STEM community members, educators, and administrators interested and invested in STEM education to share resources, methods, and ideas to enhance STEM instruction.

The STEM Collaborative encourages participants to learn from peers and local experts and grow as active STEM community members. We are thrilled to announce that we will be visiting the Toledo Museum of Art for a session titled Steamed Up! Art & Science. Space is very limited!

Date: March 16th, 2023
Time: 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Location: Toledo Museum of Art
Cost: Free
Questions: Please contact Natalie Crotte with any questions regarding the NWO STEM Collaborative

Summer 2023 Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Educator Program

Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

Bowling Green State University
College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering
(June 12 -July 25, 2023) 

Program Overview:
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to increase interest in STEM fields. The grant provides funding for a six-week paid summer program in robotics and advanced manufacturing research for educators currently teaching in high school and community college STEM Subjects. 

Selected Program Participants will: 

• Receive a $6,000 stipend, $200 one-time travel stipend, lunch/snacks. 
• Receive $500 upon curriculum implementation during the following academic year. 
• Engage in a research project with faculty mentors and graduate students. 
• Attend research presentations, curriculum development workshops, and industry tours. 
• Develop an instructional module to teach a topic related to their research. 

Program Participant Requirements: 

• Educators currently teaching in high school or community college STEM subjects. 
• Available and able to commit to six weeks June 12-July 25, 2023 (excluding holidays)
• Mon – Fri, 9am-4pm (Mon-Thurs: on campus at BGSU, Fri. Remote). 
• Willing to incorporate classroom activities and learning outcomes in the following academic year. 
• Completed application including required supporting documents (personal statement, resume, letters of reference). 

Details and link to apply 
Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing NSF/RET Webpage and Application 

*Deadline to apply: March 1, 2023
*Applicants to be notified by: March 15, 2023 

Principal Investigator: Dr. MD Sarder, msarder@bgsu.edu
Recruiting: Melissa Partin-Harding, mpartin@bgsu.edu, 419-372-2439 

ESC of Lake Erie West Teacher CAMP (Creating Authentic Meaningful Partnerships)

Teacher CAMP is a week-long, immersive experience for educators of grades 4-12. Participants will explore in-demand occupations by visiting and meeting with local business and industry partners. Teachers will develop authentic curriculum-connected activities to take back to the classroom. A community of practice and shared resources will provide additional support throughout the school year.

Fast Facts:

• June 12, 2023 - June 16, 2023
• Daily hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Main location is the ESC of Lake Erie West
• 35 Contact Hours available upon program completion

Flyer and Registration Link: https://conta.cc/3Cx7Bz9

Toledo Zoo Teacher Open House!

February 21
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
At the Toledo Zoo's
ProMedica Museum of Natural History

Learn more about how the zoo can engage students in unique hands-on learning experiences both in the classroom and during field trips. Meet with staff members, sample program activities, learn new teaching techniques, and meet other professionals during this night at the Zoo! All open house participants will receive a curriculum guide with activities for use in the classroom and the zoo, a voucher for one free program, and entrance in drawings for additional education programs. Refreshments will also be provided.

Participation in the event is $5 per person.
Can't make it to the Zoo? Sign up for our free information packet and mailing list.

Registration for the mailing list and the event can be done here: https://connect.toledozoo.org/education/res/teachers

Ohio State University Stone Lab Feed the World Workshop

Stone Laboratory, Ohio Sea Grant’s education and outreach facility on Lake Erie, serves scientists from across the Great Lakes region, offering lab facilities, field work equipment, research vessels and housing for researchers studying Lake Erie.

The workshop will consider agriculture’s role in improving water quality and focus on how STEM is contributing to the future of food and energy security and our environment. Meet industry experts and take a science cruise on Lake Erie! Learn how advancing technologies help produce more with less. Each teacher will receive over $250 worth of classroom lab supplies. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feed-the-world-2-day-workshop-2023-stone-lab-tickets-512051940137

NASA Free STEM Activities

Educator Guide: Educator Guide: STEM Activities for Families | NASA/JPL Edu - Easy to implement engaging activities for families (as a follow-up to after-school activities.)

Activity Toolkit: Engineering is Elementary's NASA Partnership free units - A suite of free NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space while helping them see themselves as capable problem solvers.

The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program

This program is available to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college, and rising college sophomores and juniors, who pursue degrees in one of many agriculture-related disciplines while attending an 1890 land-grant university. Major efforts have been made to develop an electronic application platform for Students to apply. Students can learn more, access the applicant guide and apply online at USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. (https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/1890NationalScholars). 

The application deadline is Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Sylvania STEM Center Summer Camps

Summer Camps Are Live
Our Summer Programs are live for grades 1-8.

Please see website for summer programs and other offerings:
https://www.sylvaniastem.org/summer-camp

Chickenology workshop (middle & high school)

May 1, Columbus

This STEM-based curriculum uses immersive learning experiences and real genetic samples for students to dive deep in the future evolution of food. See how environment influences heredity, and explore the evidence that suggests T. rex as modern chicken's and turkey's ancestor.

For more information: https://grownextgen.org/events/chickenology-workshop

GLOBE Mission Earth Professional Development Opportunity for Teachers

Solar Eclipse Training: Learn how to collect GLOBE data during the Solar Eclipse occurring on April 8, 2024. Space is limited, date and time TBD during the summer of 2023. By participating in this PD, you will be trained in GLOBE Atmosphere protocols, including: Clouds, Air Temperature, and Surface Temperature. GLOBE is the perfect citizen science tool to utilize to track the impacts of an eclipse on these phenomena as it passes over.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6otr4ruUbKweHLxceFBDwI2KAA17TUmd2Ify28TBFrlr5vw/viewform