July 2020
K-16 STEM in the NEWS
Award-winning paper by two BGSU faculty members outlines benefits of combining art and STEM education
Art and robotics advance problem-solving skills at Toledo Museum of Art camp
Adding art into science, technology, engineering and math education helps students engage in authentic problem solving, according to a paper authored by 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, were recognized by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) for the top overall article.
The article, titled “Building Problem-Solving Skills through STEAM," references the work they did in a collaborative summer camp with the Toledo Museum of Art.
Schnepp said the 2019 camp taught coding and computing within the context of interactive art to about a dozen underrepresented students in STEM. Schnepp provided the coding and computing expertise; 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.
The first four days of the camp were at the museum, where students incorporated coding and computing into art, and the final day was a visit to campus where participants saw applications of art and robotics, visited research labs and presented their projects to members of the University community.
The camp, which was to return for the third year in 2020, was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
STEM Opportunities
Science Education Council of Ohio
SECO is excited to invite educators to participate in a two day Virtual Science Symposium on Thursday, July 30 and Friday July 31, 2020 from 8:45am - 1:00pm. For more information visit https://bit.ly/SECOSummer2020
#ThrivenotSurvive
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NSTA Virtual STEM EXPO
NSTA's STEM20: Virtual Event will highlight strategies and resources that are perfect for distance learning in the high school classroom.
Learn about flexible, easy-to-use digital resources for high school education that will open up new possibilities for teaching and learning. Come away with best practices in distance learning. NSTA's STEM20: Virtual Event will feature an engaging array of sessions, panels, and presentations focused on the latest developments and insights on the most important topics and issues affecting the STEM education community today.
Each day of the four-day event will concentrate on a different grade level:
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Battelle for Kids
Recovery and Renewal: Preparing your School System for the Future of Education
The COVID-19 crisis and the pursuit of social justice are impacting all relationships, institutions, and systems fundamental to our society, not the least of which are our school systems.
This moment in time demands that communities and their education systems respond to not only what is urgent now, but also the redesign of the education system—a renewed system that is resilient and stands ready to meet the unique needs of today’s 21st century learners. Battelle for Kids believes a systems approach is necessary to ensure every component part of the system is aligned to ensure equitable student outcomes and enduring transformation. To assist school systems in shaping a renewed, 21st century system, see developed questions to guide discussion and action planning here:
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2020 PBL Ohio Institute
July 28 @ 8:00 am - July 31 @ 3:00 pm
PBLWorks’ fifth annual PBL Ohio Institute is being hosted online by PBLMatters. Just like PBLWorld, the PBL Ohio Institute will offer a pre-conference option of Project Slice on July 28 AND PBL 101; PBL 201; PBL Coaching, and PBL Leadership workshops, July 29-31. The Institute will also offer keynote presentations by Andre Daughty, students from the Dayton Regional STEM School and featured aspects of “Out of the Gate”, a PBLWorks Higher Education partnership with Otterbein University faculty and pre-service teachers.
For more information: https://www.pblmatters.org/pbl-ohio-institute.html
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100kin10's STEM Mentor Toolkit
100Kin10 is a national network committed to solving one of our country’s most pressing challenges – giving kids a great STEM education – by adding 100,000 more, excellent STEM teachers to America’s classrooms by 2021.
For information on a new resource for providers of teacher professional development. Please see: https://sites.google.com/view/stem-mentoring-tool-kit/home?authuser=0
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S2TEM Centers SC: Computational Thinking Across the Curriculum Online Course
July 16-20, 2020
Learn to engage students in computational thinking, a new framework for problem-solving guiding learners to solve any challenge through an analytical and methodical approach. Engage in activities for supporting computational thinking in the classroom, and in e-learning environments.
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Picture-Perfect STEM Online Workshop
These live sessions led by the authors of the Picture-Perfect STEM series will introduce teachers to strategies and resources for making STEM come alive in the K-5 classroom!
A train-the-trainer add-on is available.
http://www.pictureperfectscience.com/training/upcoming-events-4/
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Imagination Station to host Aerospace Engineer LIVE on Facebook
What: Conversation with NASA Aerospace Engineer, Ashlie Flegel.
When: Friday, July 17, 2020 at 10am
Where: www.facebook.com/ImaginationStationToledo
Ever wonder what it’s like to work for NASA? Turns out you don’t have to be an astronaut to make it happen. In fact, America’s space agency is home to many different exciting careers that make a difference in how and where we travel.
Imagination Station will host a LIVE conversation with Ashlie Flegel, a University of Toledo graduate and an aerospace engineer at the NASA Glenn Research Center. She’ll join Chief Scientist Carl Nelson on Facebook and give viewers an insight into her job, answer questions and inspire young engineers to work hard and follow their passions.
For the last 11 years, Flegel has held a number of positions that explore machines that transfer energy, from a Mechanical Test Engineer to an Aerospace Research Engineer. Most recently, she’s taken on the role of Advanced Aircraft Engine Icing Technical Lead at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Her team works to advance our understanding of aircraft engine and airframe icing which will improve detection and prevention of icing on an aircraft.
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Lesson Study in Mathematics and Science Teacher Education Conference
Are you a mathematics or science teacher educator interested in a Lesson Study in the context of preservice teacher learning and professionalism? Check out the call for applications to join others who are building shared knowledge in this area.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TamWCDysHj-gDy-zRUMuHfzyOdBzsI6x/view
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NWO STEM Activity
I Want To Hold Your Robotic Hand
This month's activity is brought to you by the Challenger Learning Center of Lake Erie West. www.esclakeeriewest.org/challenger-learning-center
What You Need
- Tape
- Scissors
- Styrofoam Plate (large enough to cover hand and wrist)
- Standard drinking straws
- String
- Duck Tape
- Rubber Bands
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue sticks
What To Do
- Trace your hand and wrist on the Styrofoam plate and cut it out (make sure your hand has a wrist as this is where you will hold onto the hand, you could also glue a popsicle stick here for a better grip)
- Cover one side of your hand with duck tape, this will be the palm side of your hand.
- Draw lines on their hands where their joints are located (use the wrinkles where their fingers bend as a reference). Bend each joint.
- Glue a piece of string to the tip of each finger, long enough that it goes beyond the wrist of the hand. This string will go through each straw piece in the next step.
- Cut a straw into small pieces. You must have one small straw piece for each joint. You will then glue the small piece of straw to each joint on the inner palm side of the hand (duck tape side).
- Thread the string through each straw.
- Place a rubber band on each joint on the opposite side of the hand ( the non duck taped side).
- Pull each string to move one finger or all the strings to make a grasping motion.
The Science
A robot is a machine that collects information from its surroundings. It uses that information to follow instructions and to complete a task. Today’s Robots have multiple sensors and are able to make their own decisions based on given information. Robots come in all shapes and sizes. The jobs they do are also varied. Some robots are used in factories. Others are experimental robots that use artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence allows robots to behave more like human beings and to act independently in a changing environment. Today, robots are used in hospitals, space and ocean exploration, and other dangerous areas.
Additional Notes:
When using a Glue Gun always ask an adult for help.
Updated: 03/16/2021 01:50PM