October 2022

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. Last month, over 30 regional educators engaged in free PD from BGSU Math Camp, learned about the Ohio STEM Learning Network Classroom Grant Program, and participated in an educational resource fair from area organizations. See below in the STEM Opportunities section for information on the next STEM Collaborative on November 17th.

The Northwest Ohio Center of Excellence in STEM Education in the College of Education and Human Development at BGSU, in partnership with the Toledo Zoo and Xcite Learning, held the second annual “BioBlitz BG” event for local fifth graders from Bowling Green city schools and seventh graders from Washington Local School district.

“BioBlitz BG” was held in September at Wintergarden Park and taught participants how to observe nature and be active citizen scientists, in an effort to help preserve local natural habitats while learning in an outdoor classroom.

Dr. Jodi Haney, Professor Emeritus of Science and Environmental Education at BGSU and GLOBE Master Trainer remarked, “We were so impressed with the participation and engagement witnessed among ALL participants, and we found the event to be remarkable! It is our goal to engage students in exploration and investigation in nature in order to learn about both living and nonliving components of the local prairie ecosystem and what they and their families can proactively do to maintain its health. Finally, we wanted to inspire students to take action to help protect and preserve both local prairies and planet Earth.”

Mitch Magdich, Education Curator from the Toledo Zoo and director of the zoo’s Project PRAIRIE (PRAiries that InvigoRate Inquiry LEarning) program, was similarly pleased with the outcome of the event. Along with the help from BGSU Early and Inclusive Childhood Education undergraduates, participating students were charged with the task to document as many living organisms as possible (both plants and animals) as they encountered in the Wintergarden Park prairie. The student-collected data was then uploaded to the iNaturalist platform, a learning application dedicated to citizen science and inquiry-based discoveries in nature that is useful for scientific data collection and conservation.

The enthusiastic students also cycled through additional citizen scientist activities during the BioBlitz. Dr. Haney facilitated the students’ observation of clouds and measurement of air, surface, and soil temperatures to compare prairie habitats as part of The GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observation of the Environment). This data was uploaded to the GLOBE Program database and shared with scientists who use GLOBE data to better monitor the earth.

The students took soil, air, and surface temperature measurements to compare the prairie to nearby places like the trail and the woods.

Students also took cloud observations using the GLOBE Observer App in order to learn how different types of clouds have a different impact on the earth’s climate. This app allows any citizen to be a citizen scientist, making important observations used by NASA scientists.

Jenna Pollock, Education Program Manager at NWO, taught students how to make seed drops to plant seeds in their own backyards. After assembling their seed drop bags, students used a provided Prairie Bingo board to explore and make specific observations throughout the prairie.

The results and data collections were sent to the teachers for them to discuss and reflect on this information with their students to further deepen all learning.

Dr. Emilio Duran, Professor, and Director of hopes the “BioBlitz” will continue to grow each year as this year two groups of students participated during morning and afternoon sessions. He stated, “STEM education and inquiry-based learning is as important as ever and engaging young students in this type of activity is part of our mission.”

“BioBlitz BG” was sponsored by NWO, the BGSU College of Education and Human Development, the Toledo Zoo, Bowling Green City Parks, and Lubrizol Corporation.

For more information visit: www.bgsu.edu/nwo/programs/bioblitz-bg.html

Funded through the National Science Foundation and Bowling Green State University, the “Geoscience Education through Authentic Research - GP-EXTRA” grant project offers free place-based Science/STEM education opportunities for 6th – 12th grade students in northwest Ohio.

Jenna Pollock, Education Program Manager at the Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU serves as the program manager. She stated, “Teachers can get their  students involved in an authentic research project focusing on local environmental health issues in Toledo. This three-session program can take place with students right in your classroom facilitated by BGSU scientists. Each session is designed to be one class period and is adaptable/customizable for any length of time.”

GP-EXTRA seeks to directly involve northwest Ohio are junior high and high school students in determining heavy metal contents of soils they and their families may come into contact within their daily lives and to inform them on how to minimize their exposure.

There are three available sessions:

Session 1: Hazards of Lead (risks/health issues of contaminated soils)
Session 2: Lead Around YOU! (students bring in soil samples for analyzing)
Session 3: Leading to Conclusions

Mrs. Pollock added, “If teachers desire additional sessions and guidance with student research project facilitation, this is also available upon request.”

Dr. John Farver, BGSU Geology Professor, is leading the project which adheres to Ohio Science Standards Applications.

For more information, please see: https://www.bgsu.edu/nwo/current-grant-projects/GP-EXTRA.html

BGSU Planetarium Fall/Winter Offerings

Visit the Planetarium on the BGSU campus for the following events:

• “The Sun Show” and “Sunstruck” - double feature now through November 12
• “We are Stars” November 13 - 29
• “Secret of the Star” December 2 - 16
• “Sistine Chapel” December 3 & 10
• “The Alien Who Stole Christmas” December 3 & 10

Area school classes and other groups can arrange presentation of planetarium programs between now and early May. More than 100 different additional programs are available for all ages from pre-school through adults. These include full-dome shows, classic multimedia shows, live interactive programs, and workshops. Further information is available in the Teacher’s Guide.

For more information: https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/physics-and-astronomy/bgsu-planetarium

Geoscience Education through Authentic Research - GP-EXTRA

FREE Place-Based Science/STEM Education Opportunity for 6th – 12th grade students

Attention Teachers: Would you like to get your students involved in an authentic research project focused on environmental health issues locally in Toledo?

Consider participating in BGSU’s GP-EXTRA Geoscience Education through Authentic Research) Project. This three-session program can take place with students right in your classroom facilitated by BGSU scientists. Each session is designed to be one class period and is adaptable/customizable for any length of time.

Please see: https://www.bgsu.edu/nwo/current-grant-projects/GP-EXTRA.html

Ohio STEM Learning Network Design Thinking Workshop

Dive into Design Thinking on Saturday, November 5th, 9AM - 1PM, with lunch included. 

Join facilitators from the Ohio STEM Learning Network, the PAST Innovation Lab, to learn about the Design Thinking process and how to engage your students in authentic problems. Plus get a sneak peek at the 2023 Design Challenges for the Statewide Design Challenge and STEMfest @ The Works!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXZ9AWbQg5zfhcJFjp4x7Gv3mm2zob-9Msyx3IbVRXs9WPkQ/viewform

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

Date: November 17, 2022

Time:  3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

Location: Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West, 2275 Collingwood Blvd. Toledo, Ohio 43620

Cost: Free

Questions: Please contact Natalie Crotte with any questions regarding the NWO STEM Collaborative.

Registration: Please use the button below to register. Contact Lisa Peluso with any questions regarding registration.

Upcoming sessions will be held at BGSU's Levis Commons Campus (Perrysburg) from 3:45 pm - 4:45 on January 19, and March 16.

SESSION 2: Registration November 17

GrowNextGen Hands-on Life Science Workshop

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 9 am to 4 pm • Columbus 

Chickenology: Explore genetics to breed the best brood

Experience hands-on lessons that will engage your students and connect with your science standards! This STEM-based curriculum uses immersive learning experiences for your students to dive deep in the future evolution of our food. See how environment influences heredity, and explore the evidence that suggests T. rex as our modern chicken's and turkey's ancestor.

For more information: https://grownextgen.org/events

EngineerGirl Writing Contest

For most of the 20th century, popular culture discouraged most women and minorities from participating in science and engineering careers. Those that defied tradition made valuable – sometimes historic – contributions to projects that shaped our world today. For the 2023 EngineerGirl Writing Contest, we’re asking students to choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and write a piece that shows how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. The contest is open to all youth in grades 3-12 and submissions have a chance to win up to $500! The deadline is February 1, 2023.

Learn more at EngineerGirl.org/Contest

Congressional App Challenge

U.S. middle and high school students in congressional districts nationwide gain hands-on practice with coding and computer science by designing apps.

Competition deadline is Nov. 1, 2022.

https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/

Ohio Department of Education Science Meetups

The science team will continue their virtual Meetups during the 2022-2023 academic year.  

This year’s series is developed for:

• Teachers new to science instruction
• Those who want a refresher
• Individuals who support new science teachers

The intention is to provide an overview of science curriculum and instruction in Ohio, as well as create a cohort of support and resources for new teachers of science. Meetups will occur on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month from 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. with the exception of December, which will occur on December 13, 2022.

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscumvqTkrHdDQhCO8BMQNWeIngmw6NZ7R