Session 1:
1. Cardboard Boat Regatta - Al Mugno, Northern Highlands Regional High School
The workshop will focus on the design and implementation of a cardboard boat regatta project and event at the high school level. This project and event applies Bernoulli's Principles and buoyancy calculations for the vessels. This capstone activity was done two years ago with Honors Engineering students (junior - senior level) at Northern Highlands Regional High School. (9-12 LEVEL)
2. A Framework for Developing Integrated STEM Curricula - Alek Sadiwnyk, Mount Pleasant Middle School
An exploration of how instructional design, national and state standards, content knowledge, and assessment strategies interact as critical elements of the integrated STEM classroom learning experience. Using the 6 areas of technology as a vehicle to explore common, viable design and engineering challenges, common threads found throughout the content areas will be discussed and elaborated on. This presentation seeks to present a more comprehensive overview of the interplay between the topics unique to each STEM subject area. This presentation offers value to both teachers of technology and engineering, as well as math and science, and builds off of this summer's presentation "Implementing Math and Science Standards in Planning and Practice." (K-12 LEVEL)
3. Graphic Design Learning Activities - Dale Biebel, Washington Twp. High School
This workshop will review a variety of Graphic Design Technology Learning Activities. You will leave the presentation with enough assignments to teach a full year Graphic Design and Photography course. The assignments range from beginner to advanced and can easily be tweaked to fit your school community. (6-12 LEVEL)
4. STEAM Powered STEM - Stephanie Stern, Franklin School - North Bergen
The big idea is to sew Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to the Arts by producing multidisciplinary lessons to teach students in which all subjects can connect. In today's educational landscape, music and arts are being overshadowed with pressures to improve math and science scores - especially with the TIMSS 2011 scores being released shortly. In this workshop, we will focus on a lesson that utilizes Van Gogh, Fibonacci and NASA Satellite images, another lesson that utilizes social science, technology and writing skills in order to demonstrate how teachers are able to collaborate without impeding their ability to teach the skills necessary to educate proficient students. (K-8 LEVEL)
5. NJ Regional Future City Competition - Scott Lubarsky & Satish Patel
The Future City Competition in a national, project-based learning experience where students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade imagine, design, and build cities of the future. Students work as a team with an educator and engineer mentor to plan cities using SimCity™ 4 Deluxe software; research and write solutions to an engineering problem; build tabletop scale models with recycled materials; and present their ideas before judges at Regional Competitions in January. Regional winners represent their region at the National Finals in Washington, DC in February. (6-8 LEVEL)
Session 2:
6. Elementary Engineering and EbD-TEEMS - Chris Anderson, The College of New Jersey's Center for Excellence in STEM Education
This is an informational session designed for teachers and administrators who are interested in the current trends and issues in Elementary (PreK-5) Engineering and iSTEM Education, including the Engineering byDesign (EbD) program underway nationwide. Participants will get a preview of EbD's new elementary TEEMS curriculum, and hear from members of this year first group of pilot teachers currently working with the materials in their classrooms. Sign up in person for the first annual summer training workshops that will make it possible for schools and teachers to join NJ's state consortium, the members of which will obtain the EbD TEEMS curriculum (and access to the online assessment network) for free. (K-5 LEVEL)
7. Digital Electronics - Nate Knauss, Cherokee High School
The purpose of this workshop will be to link STEM subject areas to projects involving the 555 integrated circuit. The presentation will cover information on how the circuits work (with links to algebra and scientific concepts) and design projects involving the application of these circuits for STEM, Technology Education, and Engineering Education classes. (9-12 LEVEL)
8. Skimmers in the Classroom - Janet Armstrong, Rockaway Meadow and Intervale Schools in Parsippany Troy Hills
Do you want to see your students actively engaged, working together, and having fun while learning? Skimmers in the Classroom is a problem based, hands-on S.T.E.M. project engaged in with two fourth grade classes last year. Initially each team of students was given oak tag skimmer hulls to put together. Their challenge was to develop and design a sail to make the skimmer travel a specific distance in certain ways in the classroom. Logs were created; the scientific method was followed, along with a plethora of experimentation. We will work through this project together so you will be able to immediately share it with your students in your schools. Skills included: creative and critical thinking, teamwork, measurement, understanding of friction and resistance in physics, note taking, scientific method, revising, research, and public speaking. (K-5 LEVEL)
9. STEM Project Management - Randall Andre, Washington Middle School - Wayne
This workshop will demonstrate how a hands-on design and build assignment can combine team building, problem solving, career education, Language Arts, and all STEM components into a single fun and challenging project. Some of the specific topics discussed will include: purchase order management, logistics management, financial management, cost estimation, design tools, supply tracking, employee time management, direct/indirect costs, and project engineering considerations. Specific projects examples will include designing and building a gravity powered vehicle (Grade-6), bridge design and build (Grade-7), candy dispenser build (Grade-8). (6-12 LEVEL)
10. Teaching STEM Using Underwater Robotics with LEGOs - Adam Scribner, Stevens Institute of Technology
WaterBoticsTM is an underwater robotics curriculum, developed with NSF funding that uses the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® system and is targeted at middle and high school students. This presentation will include a demo of sample robots constructed by teachers and students, details of the curriculum and implementation considerations, and information about how to get involved with the project. (www.waterbotics.org) (6-12 LEVEL)
Session 3:
11. The Thomas Edison Invention Challenge - Ken Zushma, Heritage Middle School
Come by and learn about the Thomas Edison Invention Challenge. It is a competition that provides resources to teachers and schools while encouraging invention and innovation. Come hear how the challenge is structured and how it can be implemented in your school. (6-12 LEVEL)
12. Geocaching In and Out of the Classroom - Doug Carnegie, Kittatinny Regional High School
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online this class will serve as an introduction to the basics of Geocaching. We will cover what it is, how it works and it's applications to teaching in a K-12 environment. We will also go over equipment and basic rules of the game. (K-12 LEVEL)
13.STEM Design Challenges for Young Problem Solvers - Tara Staab, Montgomery Lower Middle School
This workshop will outline several small design challenges for young problem solvers that involve simple tools, basic materials, and STEM concepts. (K-8 LEVEL)
14. Roebling Museum and Technological Literacy- Mark Wallace, High Point Regional High School & Patricia Millen, Executive Director of the Roebling Museum
John Roebling was a civil engineer and is famous for his wire rope suspension bridge designs, in particular, the design of the Brooklyn Bridge. Information on the museum and activities being designed to improve the technological literacy and ingenuity of students in NJ. The Roebling Museum exhibits the history of the John A. Roebling's Sons Company, the Roebling family and the village of Roebling. Its focus is not only on the industrial and technological achievements of the company but on the unique social history of its workforce and the town it created. The Museum bridges a storied past to the present by providing exhibits and programs directed at the interests of the worldwide public while also serving as a valuable resource for school curriculum enhancement programs and academic research. (K-12 LEVEL)
15. STEM - Challenges and Solutions for Local School Board Members - John Henry & Pattie Maillet, New Jersey School Boards Association
iSTEM is more than an acronym for "integrative Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics." It's a teaching and learning delivery method enabling students to make connections beyond discipline boundaries. It is motivating and creates a setting for innovation, problem solving and systems thinking while establishing high expectations for student achievement. Board of Education decisions can play a major role to help support an iSTEM approach that will help students develop leadership qualities and skills that will prepare them to meet the challenges and needs of tomorrow's workforce. This session will feature:
- Current STEM initiatives underway at NJSBA * Funding for iSTEM * Identifying Challenges and presenting strategies for BOE to overcome obstacles * How industry partnerships can help support iSTEM and extend resources
(K-12 LEVEL)