|
|
|
Can you say WOW?
Emmalisa wants to be a biologist. Anna plans to study astropysics. Nicholas thinks he'll become an electrical engineer. David hopes to study video game design.
These are exactly the outcomes we were seeking in organizing the SE MA STEM Expo. 500 students grades 5-8, over 100 STEM professionals, and 200 teachers and school district representatives converged on Bridgewater State University to attend the May 24 Expo. Twenty-seven school districts from Canton to the Cape were represented. Among the activities students participated in were cleaning up a mock oil spill, building a structure out of spaghetti and marshmallows, conducting a mock well-baby checkup, and creating a computer game.
Sophie, of Brockton, commented on her favorite display. "Definitely the robot cars," she said. " It's great to see how all that technology combines to create an instrument you can use." Sophie plans to become a biomedical engineer.
The SE MA STEM Network plans to continue working with school districts who attended the Expo throughout the 2012-13 year. The network will help educators share models, connect to resources, and acquire professional development to build their local STEM plans and projects.
Not already involved? Districts can still join! And local busineses, educational organizations, and other community leaders can connect to established district teams. Contact Katherine Honey, khoney@comcast.net or (508) 316-1480 to get involved. |
|
Do You Feel Like You're Missing Something?
Are you wondering how to get ongoing news about the Expo--learn how other districts are following up with lesson plans for their students--view the videos from the event or share them with your students--
You can! LIKE US on Facebook (click the icon on the right) and you will receive SE MA STEM updates several times a week!
SHARE with us about how you're following up with your students who attended. Canton Middle School had their students take photos at the Expo and created a STEM display for their lobby. Here is the Powerpoint of their project: Canton Middle School PPT.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!
|
Save the Date: Massachusetts STEM Summit
Thursday, October 18, 2012, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
More than 750 attendees are expected at the ninth Massachusetts STEM Summit. The event will bring together leaders from the state's education, business, and government sectors to share information and ideas on early, elementary, secondary, higher, and informal education as well as to address education/workforce alignment. |
Next Generation Science Standards
The window for public comment is closed, but you may still want to review the Next Generation Science Standards being considered for adoption in Massachusetts: click here . Massachusetts began a revision of the state Science and Technology/Engineering standards in 2009, then joined a multi-state effort in 2011, with a draft released for review in June 2012. There will be a second draft and chance for public review in Fall 2012; the standards are expected to be finalized in early 2013. To learn more about the process visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/omste/review.html. |
|
BSU Students Win MA Space Grants
Four BSU students were awarded NASA Massachusetts Space grants of $4,500 to work on research projects with BSU mentors using the research resources of the new Conant Science Building during Summer 2012. Joseph Fitzgerald, a Physics major, will explore advanced optical theory and telescope design. Timothy Kiesel, a Geological Sciences major, will study data from NASA and USGS to develop techniques that can be used to explore the Earth and other planets. Alexander Medeiros, a Physics major, is making observations of three asteroids to confirm the rotation rates of these objects. Kathryn St. Laurent, a Physics major, is contributing to international efforts to find planets outside our solar system.
The Massachusetts Space grant consortium seeks to promote space-related research and education, and to recruit a diverse population of students to pursue their interest in space.
· More information? Please contact Martina Arndt . |
Cape and Islands WIB Partnering with Google to Help Small Business
In an effort called Grow Your Business Online sponsored through the Massachusetts Workforce Board Association, the Cape and Islands WIB is offering an easy way for small business to get onto the internet. Research shows that about 60% of small businesses in Massachusetts do not have a website. Google and their partner Inuit will pay for a domain name and web hosting for a free, three-page website for the first year; after that, the web site can be continued at a low rate.
· More Information? Interested businesses can access the program by visiting www.gybo.com and following the prompts.
|
Registration Open for the 2012-2013 Real World Design Challenge
The Real World Design Challenge is a FREE annual aviation design competition for teams of 3-7 high school students. The goal of the program is to transform STEM education in the United States by providing professional science and engineering and learning resources to students and teachers.
The Challenge starts in the fall, but you can sign up today. Challenges will be issued on the RWDC website in September 2012; Engineering Design Notebooks will be due in January 2013 for the State Challenge. Teachers that sign up a team will receive $1 million in professional engineering software as well as access to mentors from industry, government, and academia.
For more information, or to register go to Real World Design Challenge. |
|
SouthCoast Girls Opt for Science through Greenlight for Girls
"I think it's awesome," said 10-year-old Jayleana Borges of New Bedford who sat with fuses dangling from her ears and bits of Oscar-the-Grouch-colored mask on her face."It makes you want to be... an engineer." Keeping Jayleana's dream alive represents a core goal for Greenlight for Girls, an international nonprofit that hosted this event with UMass Dartmouth's Kaput Center for research and innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) Education. The free event drew about 150 girls, ranging in age from 10-15, who participated in a wide variety of STEM workshops.
|
|
Connect With Earth Science Organizations
Want to organize a field trip or a classroom presentation led by a professional geoscientist for Earth Science Week? Now is the time to reach out to potential partners and invite them to collaborate during Earth Science Week 2012 (Oct. 14-20). To recommend an organization (or have one removed), contact AGI's Filla Baliwag (baliwag@agiweb.org).
· More Information? Use AGI'S online Earth Science Organizations database to identify potential geoscience partners near you, access relevant information, and network with colleagues. |
Classroom Videos from Khan Academy and MIT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has announced a new initiative in collaboration with the Khan Academy. Through the MIT+K12 program, MIT students will create short, interesting videos about STEM subjects aimed at K-12 learners. The videos are available directly through MIT or through the initiative's MIT's YouTube channel. |
Share your news!
We want to include all the cool stuff happening around our region. Plus, we'd love to share your news, as well as suggestions for things you find interesting. So ... Let us know! Email your news, events, and other interesting tidbits to southeaststemnetwork@connectsemass.org.
Plus, don't forget to register your organization in the SE MA STEM directory so that people seeking your STEM services can find you:
And be sure to check out the network website at :
Our mission is to connect southeastern Massachusetts students, educators, employers, and STEM advocates to resources and to each other. |
|
|
|
|
  
Help us spread the word about STEM education! Click on the forward icon to share The Petri Dish with colleagues!
|
|
|
