K-12 Newsletter

January 2015

Hello!

SEEDS instructors provide great role models to girls interested in science, engineering, technology and math.

This is the second newsletter to parents and families of children who participate in K-12 outreach activities sponsored by Wichita State University College of Engineering.

Our college students are back for the spring semester, which means our outreach programs are up and running again. You can now register for our Saturday workshops for 4th-8th graders on our website, www.wichita.edu/SEEDS. The engineering students who work for SEEDS (Science and Engineering Educational Development for Students) will also be busy presenting hands-on science activities throughout the Wichita area. In addition to doing classroom visits by request, the SEEDS staff will also regularly be at after-school programs at Brooks, Jardine and Mead Middle Schools.

We will also be teaming up with Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, Upward Bound Math and Science, Real Men, Real Heroes, and the Urban League of Kansas to present to youth served by those organizations.

One of our favorite things to do is hand out a few of these Future Shocker, Future Engineer t-shirts at every event we attend. You can't buy these shirts; you can only get them at one of our events. If your child receives one, please send us a photo of him or her wearing it to post on our Facebook page!

This year's Future Shocker Engineer t-shirt.

There are so many ways to nurture your child's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects. Even more opportunities follow below. To get the word out, please

share this newsletter with anyone you think might be interested. (Friends can sign up for the newsletters here.) If you know of other upcoming events, please let us know and we will spread the word. And as always, for up-to-the minute information, follow us on Facebook by clicking the link above.

Science and Engineering Fair

You still have time to register for the Wichita Regional Science and Engineering Fair to be held at Exploration Place on Friday, February 20, 2015. Students in 4th-12th grade are eligible. Registration fee is only $10. The deadline for registration is February 2, 2015. For more information visit Exploration Place's website. Winners of the regional fair will advance to the state fair being held in Wichita on March 27-28.

Winners in the Engineering & Inventions category will be eligible for WSU Engineering Summer Camp scholarships valued at $175-$500 each.

SWE Engineering Expo

On Saturday, February 21, 2015 the Society of Women Engineers will once again host an Engineering Expo featuring fun, hands-on activities for kids from kindergarten through 8th grade. The Expo runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be held in the Exhibit Hall at Century II.

The event is free for children and parents.

Engineering Summer Camp Registration

The 2015 Engineering Summer Camps will offer more opportunities than ever before for 4th-12th graders looking to explore engineering. There will be four camps for high school students, new camps in computer programming and new camps with a focus on art and music. Prices will range from $175 for half-day camps, $350 for full-day camps and $500 for overnight camp. Scholarships will be available. Registration will open Monday, March 2, 2015. Register at www.wichita.edu/engineeringcamps2015

Shocker Mindstorms Challenge

On Saturday, March 7, 2015 WSU's Colleges of Engineering and Education will host the

15th Annual WSU Shocker MINDSTORMS Robotics Challenge. Teams of students, in grades 3-8, or ages 8-14 from across the state of Kansas will have the opportunity to complete courses designed by Shocker Engineering students. Many student organizations, faculty members, professional educators, engineers, and industry professionals volunteer their time to make this event a success. The Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge is free and open to the public. Learn more at www.wichita.edu/mindstorms

Kansas Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is an elementary, middle, and high school team competition in which students compete in events pertaining to various scientific disciplines, including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Over 6,700 teams from 50 U.S. states compete each year. Wichita State hosts the Kansas Science Olympiad state championship on Saturday, April 4, 2015. (Exact time and location to come.) See what the excitement is about and learn how to get involved with a team next year. Learn more.