January 2024

Early in December, the Northwest Ohio STEM Collaborative held a professional development session at Hull Prairie Intermediate School (HPI) in Perrysburg highlighting Project INVENT. This second session (of a four-part series) was facilitated by Jason Hubbard, a STEM Teacher on Special Assignment in Perrysburg Schools. Over 30 educators attended this engaging session. Tagged as an organization that incorporates design thinking and invention programs to empower every student as an innovator, Project INVENT creates learning experiences for the 21st century. Jason is implementing Project INVENT with students in Perrysburg Schools and shared this worthwhile experience. At the end of the session, participants were given a tour of HPI, a state-of-the-art OSLN-designated STEM School.

Comments from the participants when asked, "What did you like about this session?"

The session was very well organized. The speaker was very well excited to share the information over Project Invent. He was able to share effectively. It was very warming to hear about the people that have been helped with Project Invent.

I loved seeing the space at Hull Prairie. His presentation was great and showed another way to engage students!

It was interesting learning about something a teacher is actually using in the classroom.

The examples about items students have created and the discussion of real-world community partners. Plus the chance to view some areas of the school afterward.

It was organized in a way that I could see how it is used in other classrooms and apply it to my own teaching and classroom lessons. The slides were helpful to take with me as reminders of what was covered

This article, by Tonisha Johnson, appeared in the Spectrum News out of Columbus, Ohio.

OWLING GREEN, Ohio — Efforts to get more girls thinking about and pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math continue across the state.

Bowling Green State University is one school at the forefront, making sure girls see themselves in such fields, while inspiring and empowering them. 

Girls from northwest Ohio attended the day-long summit. It gave them an opportunity to take their math, science and artistic skills and put them to the test in hands-on workshops.

Some workshops included constructing insulation for the walls of homes, learning about space science and forensics. Mainly women who serve as BGSU professors and other STEM professionals from the community took the time out to share with the girls about their particular fields, while giving them a chance to explore, ask questions and help one another during the workshops. 

Bowling Green Middle School student Emma Nester learned quite a bit. Math and science have always been something that she’s had a knack for in school. While she came in with an interest in space science, she was looking to gain more insight on the technology side.

“I just want to explore a little bit so I can find out what I want to do in the future,” she said.

Although she’s not sure of the exact field she wants to pursue, she is confident that she wants to be a woman in STEM. That’s why she soaked up everything she could, including her time with other girls she worked with at the summit. 

Grateful for that experience, Nester said she found, “working with someone actually makes me more successful.”

“It just makes it better because you have someone to share your thoughts with,” she said.

That’s especially true for things she works on that appear to be a little tough. Plus, she acknowledged her peers can be more creative in some areas than she is, so when she’s not able to think of something, she knows they’re right there and ready to assist.  

In the meantime, Jenna Pollock, BGSU Education Program Manager for the NW Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education, explained that summits like the one they host plays a critical role in the lives of the girls who attend. For many, it’s their first time on a college campus. Yet, aside from them, they’re being exposed to not only knowledge, but women who have already pursued the path they may desire in STEM fields.

“Knowledge is power. And I’m not just saying content knowledge… their content knowledge is increased, but also just their awareness…their awareness of the world around them and other people around them, that increases their confidence as well,” Pollock said.

She noted that at the girls’ age, it’s the time when they think about their future. Which is why Pollock believes providing accessibility to such information, while allowing the girls to see themselves in fields they may have an interest in, is key. 

See Video Here: https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2023/12/26/girls-and-stem#

This article, By Laren Kowalczyk, is from BGSU News . Mursion is unique to BGSU, and is part of a current grant project of NWO.

The live virtual simulation helps BGSU education majors prepare for human students in the classroom

Future educator Grant Gilkey was standing in front of a classroom about to begin a lesson when a student got up from his desk and walked away.

At another point, a student fell asleep.

Gilkey carefully navigated through both situations, using techniques learned in the nationally-ranked teacher education program at Bowling Green State University to guide the students back to focus.

Despite feeling incredibly lifelike to Gilkey, those experiences were part of a live virtual simulation called Mursion that lets students practice their teaching skills in a simulated classroom environment. 

“We’re going to have to deal with all kinds of situations in the classroom, and it’s really helpful to have a safe environment to practice and get more comfortable in those scenarios,” said Gilkey, a BGSU senior majoring in middle childhood education.

BGSU is the only university in Ohio using Mursion, a mixed reality platform that blends artificial intelligence with live human interaction to provide students with authentic application of course content.

As one of Ohio’s largest producers of teacher education graduates, BGSU has long been regarded for the caliber of its education program — a reputation that has been bolstered with the addition of Mursion. BGSU teacher candidates also log more than 500 hours of field classroom experience before student teaching, far exceeding the state's minimum requirement of 100 hours.

“If you ask administrators and teachers around the region and throughout the state of Ohio, they’ll tell you BGSU teachers are among the most highly prepared,” said Dr. Art Lewandowski, assistant teaching professor in the School of Inclusive Teacher Education and coordinator of the adolescence to young adult social studies education program.

Practice makes perfect

The College of Education and Human Development began using Mursion in Fall 2019, and it has grown in popularity every year since.

Nearly 200 simulations were run during the 2022-23 academic year, and that number is expected to increase this academic year, said Beth Ash, project manager for Project IMPACT, the initial funding mechanism for Mursion.

There are more than a dozen education-focused virtual simulations, which allow students to practice classroom management, student engagement and small group work techniques, among many other skills.

“Students are still nervous when they do the simulations, but it’s not the same level of nervousness of being in a classroom,” Ash said. “That’s why it’s so beneficial for them. They can work through various scenarios and get more comfortable in their future roles as teachers.”

Click Here for full story: https://www.bgsu.edu/news/2023/11/teaching-avatars-live-virtual-simulations-help-bgsu-education-majors-prepare-for-human-students-in-the-classroom.html

Ohio STEM Learning Network Offerings

Grow STEM in the classroom with the OSLN Teacher Academy

Bring the best in STEM learning to the classroom with the Ohio STEM Learning Network Teacher Academy. This program will take educators deep into STEM best practices. Over a year-long cohort experience, participants will hone their confidence and ability to build a strong STEM culture and identity, embed design thinking, leverage authentic problem-based learning units, and strengthen community partnerships. 

The priority application deadline is March 11, 2024. Join the cohort today.

Fostering STEM Institute opens for third cohort

Now recruiting for a third 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 includes both workshops and a residency opportunity.

Priority applications close April 1, 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Battelle Climate Challenge

Want to help save the Earth? Join the Battelle Climate Challenge! Teachers of 9-12th grade students, guide your students to research past and future impacts of climate change in your community, then develop a proposed action to help build a more climate resilient community. Entries are due January 19, 2024 by 8:59 PM Pacific Time.

Submit at https://www.futureengineers.org/battelleclimatechallenge or share this summary.

The 2024 Ohio STEM Innovation Summit centers on community

Join OSLN on June 4, 2024, for a day devoted to fostering connections and collaboration, aimed at strengthening the Ohio STEM community and empowering educators within it.

The 2024 summit will focus on professional learning with sessions led by teachers, administrators, and partners from across the state. The Ohio STEM Learning Network has revamped session tracks to match the Ohio STEM designation rubric and quality model that form the foundation of STEM/STEAM designation:

•  Culture for Learning
•  Learning and Teaching
•  Pathways to Success in Careers
•  Disadvantaged and Underrepresented Groups in STEM

Share experiences and ideas by applying to lead a session.

Learning Blade free STEM awareness curriculum

This supplemental curriculum provides interactive and engaging lessons on various STEM topics by exposing students to STEM, Computer Science, and CTE.

Designed for students in grades 5-9, Learning Blade can help teachers foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding of careers. Please see the link below for more information:

https://osln.org/how-we-help/classroom-opportunities/stem-career-awareness-platform/

GP-EXTRA 

Attention 6th-12th Grade Science/STEM Teachers and Administrators: 

• Are you looking for engaging scientific activities for your students? 
• Would you like to get your students involved in an authentic research project on local environmental health issues in Toledo? 
• Would you like to increase your students’ knowledge of scientific fields and careers? 

BGSU’s Geology department in conjunction with NWO STEM is proud to offer GP-EXTRA, a FREE place-based science opportunity to all schools in Northwest Ohio. This three-session project focuses on lead contamination in our community and gives students authentic, hands-on opportunities in science. Students learn about lead-based hazards, collect samples from their homes, analyze them, and apply knowledge to real-world applications. 

100% of teachers last year reported their student's problem-solving skills and critical-thinking skills increased because of this program, and students reported an increase in knowledge, interest, and attitudes towards science! In addition, 100% of teachers surveyed at the end of last year would recommend GP-EXTRA to others! Sample activities, testimonials, and further information can be found on the GP-EXTRA website.

Toledo Zoo Education Department is hosting a Principal and Administrator LuncheonCode for Her program for 5th - 8th grade girls; five Sundays January through April 2024.

Learn about educational programs the Toledo Zoo has for teachers and students. You will enjoy presentations by Zoo educators about overnight experiences for school groups and about our virtual/hybrid programs that bring the Zoo to your classrooms! Enjoy lunch in the Great Hall and explore the Orchid Show displays.

Location: Great Hall of the Museum of Natural History
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 12-1:30pm.

Details:

• Principals and Administrators who cannot attend are welcome to send another representative.
• Attendees are invited to peruse the orchid displays in the ProMedica Museum of Natural History following the luncheon (the Orchid Show is concurrent with the luncheon).
•  Parking will occur in the main parking lot off the Anthony Wayne Trail (address is 2 HippoWay, Toledo, OH 43609 for directions).
• Those with special dietary needs, please contact Lisa Runyan (contact information is on the invitation).

RSVP by Jan. 31 at: https://connect.toledozoo.org/education/res/principal-luncheon

Download flyer (pdf)

Free STEM Challenges for Students

Power to Explore Challenge, NASA is calling on K-12 students in the United States to research Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), a type of nuclear “battery” used in space exploration, and dream up a new RPS-powered space mission to a destination with limited or obstructed access to light. Grand prize winners from each grade category (3 total) will receive a trip for two to NASA’s Glenn Research Center to learn about the people and technologies that enable NASA missions. Every student who submits an entry will receive a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual event with NASA experts where they’ll learn about what powers the NASA workforce to dream big and explore. https://www.futureengineers.org/powertoexplore

The Battelle Climate Challenge asks students to research past and future impacts of climate-related hazards in their community, and then develop a proposed action to help build a more resilient community. The grand prize winner will present their poster at the Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference in Washington, D.C., and receive a $5,000 STEM grant for a U.S. nonprofit organization, public library, or public school. The 2nd - 5th place finalists will receive a $1,500 STEM grant for a U.S. nonprofit organization, public library, or public school. https://www.futureengineers.org/battelleclimatechallenge

BGSU Department of Computer Science

Code for Her program for 5th - 8th grade girls; five Sundays January through April 2024.

These sessions/activities will be related to topics of cybersecurity including concepts such as cyber-bullying and the importance of creating safe passwords. For more information please see: code4her.org

Personalized Learning Framework PD 

Personalized Learning is a learner driven approach to education that empowers students to take ownership of their learning, and is an essential component of STEM education.

Learn about the Personalized Learning Framework as it relates to STEM education and the STEM Quality Model.

February 15th, 2024
BGSU Levis Commons, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Heather Townley

Registration: https://forms.gle/F33jXi5poNLiqqqi6

BGSU Educators for IMPACT WINTER VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

Hosted by BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development

January 20, 2024, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the website.

Keynote Address: Dr. Katie Peters of Washington Local Schools, Sticks and Stones vs. Empathic Connections

Free and open to pre-service teachers, K-12 educators and administrators, and college faculty. 

Register here.

The Northwest Ohio STEM Collaborative

Calling all STEM-thusiasts!

The Northwest Ohio STEM Collaborative is a network of individuals who are interested and invested in STEM educational opportunities for the youth of northwest Ohio. This group is open to all educators, administrators, and community partners looking to learn, grow, and share about STEM education and opportunities.

SESSION 3 DETAILS

You are invited to Ottawa Hills Jr./Sr. High School for the opportunity to explore some of the unique and innovative STEAM spaces, as well as to learn more about the STEAM courses and curriculum used at the school. There will also be time during this session to ask questions and engage in conversation with one another about common problems of practice that STEM/STEAM teachers experience. 

Date: February 6, 2024
Time: 3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Ottawa Hills Jr./Sr. High School
2532 Evergreen Road, Ottawa Hills, OH 43606

Cost: Free

Registration link: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ek4wn992192a81da&oseq=&c=&ch=