May 2024

Staff members from NWO attended the Prairie Learning Showcase at Hawkins STEMM Academy to celebrate the learning students have conducted in their school’s prairie throughout the academic year. Students’ work was on display throughout the school and in the prairie and butterfly tent.

In early May, a GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Midwest Student Research Symposium was held at the Toledo Zoo, combining nearly 400 students from northwest Ohio and the Midwest regional states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The symposium offered the chance for students to discuss research projects with STEM professionals, share ideas and learn from peers, and explore STEM careers. These symposia are held every spring in each of GLOBE's six U.S. regions.

As part of the program, students created a research project involving the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and pedosphere. After a year of collecting data using GLOBE protocols, they presented their research project results at the Symposium, which was held over three-days. The students also collected environmental data at the Zoo and presented those findings as well.

Jodi Haney, Professor, Emerita BGSU, GLOBE Master Trainer and organizer of the event stated, “Students in grades 5 to 12 shared the results of their hard work in GLOBE research investigations. We were so very impressed with the quality of the presentations, the kindness and focus of students, and of course, with the dedication and passion from all of the educators.” Dr. Haney is also owner of Xcite Learning, a co-sponsor of the event.

Project PRAIRIE The Toledo Zoo program works with schools and their districts to have students install and study native prairie habitats.

The Toledo Zoo’s Project Prairie, Xcite Learning, The Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education (NWO) at Bowling Green State University’s College of Education and Human Development, The University of Toledo’s GLOBE Mission EARTH, Youth Learning As Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES), and The Ohio STEM Learning Network co-sponsored the event

This article is from Ohio STEM Learning Network

Ohio educators, seize this opportunity to enhance your teaching skills in computer science. Today is the final day for priority applications for a range of courses from the Ohio STEM Learning Network including Computer Science Discoveries, Computer Science Principles, and Computer Science A. Elementary teachers can also apply for the Computer Science K-5 Program. After May 1, 2024, applications will be approved as space allows.

Here’s a letter from Amanda Whitmore, a Technology Integration Specialist and STEAM support in the Youngstown City School District. Amanda’s experience with our Code.org workshop has empowered her to integrate computer science into her district’s curriculum. Read on to discover her journey and the impact of computer science education in her classrooms:

I am a Technology Integration Specialist and STEAM support in the Youngstown City School District. I work with K-5 teachers to help support them with integrating technology into their lessons. I also work with the STEAM specialist to create their pacing guides and support them with their lessons. In previous years I was a general education teacher in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades, as well as a STEAM teacher in grades K-5.

Last year, I decided that one of my weaknesses was coding and computer science.

When I heard about the OSLN Code.org workshop, I knew it would help me grow in this area. I chose to join to make new connections and to get more ideas for our STEAM curriculum and pacing guide. What I didn’t realize was how this was actually going to fit my job as a Technology Integration Specialist instead. I received a tool belt full of amazing activities and lessons to help support the teachers in K-5 with their standards using computer science.

Computer science has become very important due to the need in future careers. In order to do this, I have to show the teachers the benefit of teaching it in their classrooms. Teachers in our district should know and understand the importance of teaching scholars computer science and how it will benefit them in the future. I will be using the activities learned and Code.org to support the teachers. I started with our annual technology conference. I held two presentations that gave teachers ideas and examples using Code.org.

I am very excited about the outcome of the cohort. I am excited to get teachers involved in more computer science learning and use it in their classrooms. The colleagues and friends I made during the cohort have been supportive throughout the beginning of the school year and it is great to have that support when needed.

Click here for complete article.

BGSU PICNICS/Parents Involvement with Children, Nurturing Intellectual Curiosity in Science

Open to Students in 9th – 12th grades

PICNICS provides summer science based experiences for high school students, 6-week stipends, real world, cutting-edge research in BGSU Science Labs and much more. Please see website for more information and registration: https://www.bgsu.edu/pre-college-programs/summer-academic-and-youth-programs/academic-summer-programs/picnics.html

Ohio STEM Learning Network Offerings

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

Registration information: 2024 Ohio STEM Innovation Summit

OSLN Professional Development for Ohio Teachers

The Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) offers professional development to all Ohio teachers looking to bring the critical ideas of computer science and computational thinking to their students. No matter the grade level, OSLN offers programs that can inspire students, connect to relevant standards, and build life-changing skills.

Elementary program: OSLN Computer Science K-5 Program (Grades K-5)

Elementary teachers, learn to enhance math, ELA, and science instruction with computer science. Learn more and apply.

Middle or high school programs: Code.org Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10), Code.org Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12), and Code.org Computer Science A (Grades 9-12) From broadening participation in middle school to college-level programming, OSLN has brought nationally tested professional learning programs backed by Code.org to hundreds of Ohio teachers. 

Get the support you need to bring computer science education to your school or take students further. Learn more and apply.

INFOhio Summer Challenge

Summertime is right around the corner! Extend student learning with fun summer activities and resources on INFOhio's Summer Learning page. 

Challenge families and students to take the INFOhio Summer Challenge: Animals of the Ocean this summer to learn facts and do some fun activities all about ocean animals.

https://www.infohio.org/blog/item/summer-fun-with-infohio-s-beach-bingo

INFOhio Online Resources for Educators/Curated Collections

Ohio PreK-12 Open Space

Empowering Ohio educators to create and share resources that promote innovative and collaborative learning.

https://openspace.infohio.org/curated-collections

C2S2 Summer Online Professional Development

Communication and Connection for Safer Schools (C2S2) is excited to offer online, summer PD sessions. Participants may register for individual or multiple sessions. 

• June 11 9:00 am - 10:30 am Programs to Support Social and Emotional Learning with Angie Rechtine
• June 11, 2024 at 1:00 – 2:30pm Gaming, Gambling, and Online Safety with Jeanine Lindquist and Kelly Garza of Zepf Center
• June 12, 2024 at 9:00 am - 10:30 am Top 10 Teaching Practices to Support Social and Emotional Learning with Angie Rechtine
• July 15, 2024 at 9:00 am - 10:30 am Empathy for Educators with Lisa Handyside, Sherri Horner, Mariana Mereoiu, and Alicia Mrachko

Full descriptions of each session can be found here.

C2S2 Independent Module Professional Development

Communication and Connection for Safer Schools (C2S2) is excited to offer professional development through self-paced, independent module completion. Register for individual or multiple modules. Once registered, receive instructions on how to complete the module(s). The module completion window will run from June 1 – July 31.   A full list of modules and their descriptions here.  A certificate for 2 contact hours is available.

BGSU Summer Camps

Discover summer learning opportunities for youth in third grade through high school with Summer Academic and Youth Programs at Bowling Green State University.

VIRTUAL CAMPS & PROGRAMS

• Academic Enrichment Camp (Grades 3-8)
• Forensic Science (Grades 9-12)
• Future Med: Exploring Health Careers (Grades 9-12)
• Veterinary Medicine (Grades 9-12)

IN-PERSON CAMPS and PROGRAMS

• BG: Cyber Guardians (Grades 8-10)
• Discovering Hidden Health Professions (Grades 9-12)
• Explore Nursing (Grades 10-12)
• Firelands: Allied Healthcare Career Camp (Grades 9-12)
• Ignite STEM (Grades 3-8)
• Media and Podcasting (Grades 9-12)
• Pre-Law Camp (Grades 9-12)
• Summer Music Institute (Grades 7-12)

BGSU conference on Technology/Education

CREATE! – June 6, 2024
8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

2024 CREATE! Conference. creativity. technology. instruction.
We are pleased to invite you to take part in the 2024 CREATE! Conference on June 6, 2024.

CREATE! was conceived to provide educators with an opportunity to explore and discover real-world, standards-based lessons that incorporate creativity, technology and 21st century skills. Lessons containing these characteristics result in engaging, inspiring, student-centered learning. This year’s conference keynote presentation will focus on artificial intelligence in education.

https://createconference.net/

Chickenology - life science the way middle grades students learn

Deep science. Fun challenges.

GrowNextGen is uniquely equipped to supply grade 5–8 classrooms with unforgettable STEM learning. Developed by teachers through a partnership with Ohio’s poultry farmers, Chickenology leads students through ALL the 8th grade life science standards using: 

• games
• simulations
• engineering challenges

Learn about the chickens’ story of science at the Chickenology workshop on July 31 on the campus of Otterbein University.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chickenology-workshop-tickets-891022120147