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Happy Fall! Find out about resources, articles, conferences, and more in this issue.
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Elementary Robotics Workshop
November 10 in Marion OH

The Ohio Technology and Engineering Educators Association, in conjunction with RAMTEC of Ohio will be hosting a robotics workshop for grades K-12 on Saturday November 10 at their facility in Marion OH.
 
I will be hosting an all-day session on elementary robotics with Laurie Green, who has had extensive experience with LegoDacta LOGO, RCX Robolag, NXT Robolab, Raspberry Pi and several programming languages.
 
Our tentative schedule will include a discussion on the importance and means of integration of robotics at the elementary school level, various robotics and related resources suitable for elementary age students and time for hands-on activities to familiarize participants with some of the various elementary robotics resources available.
 
I would really appreciate your help in making this a meaningful session for other elementary educators. Please let me know ASAP:
 
1) if you would like to present at a session as to what you do with robotics on the elementary level.
 
2) what robot systems, websites, books, groups, competitions and other resources are you familiar with and would recommend to others?
 
Thanks for helping us make this a valuable workshop for fellow educators. Your input is needed and appreciated!
 
Please contact me at
bobclaymier@gmail.com.

Makerspaces and Fab Labs
From LinkEngineering

Makerspaces do two things at once: they help kids understand as creators and innovators. Both things empower kids to see the world around them with fresh eyes and to see themselves changing their world. While making is a creative process, it is free from the aesthetic pressures of art projects. 
 
Learn more about Makerspaces, fab labs, and other related resources at
 

https://www.linkengineering.org/Explore/LE_Blog/56959.aspx
 

Teach Engineering
Curriculum Search

Search the Teach Engineering site for lessons, activities, units, sprinkles (short design briefs) and maker challenges for grades K-12
 
https://www.teachengineering.org/curriculum/browse

Makerspace and STEM projects don’t have to be complicated or expensive.  In fact, some of the best projects use recycled or repurposed items like cardboard or soda bottles.  Free project materials are the best!
 
We've compiled some of our favorite simple and easy projects that are great for school or library makerspaces.
 
Learn how to make an electric boat out of a soda bottle, create a car from cardboard and many more.
 

https://www.makerspaces.com/25-makerspace-projects-for-kids/

Getting Started with Programming with Code.org

 

Over 750,000 teachers and over 25 million students that have used Code.org globally, making it the most broadly used coding education platform and computer science curriculum in K-12.
 
Step 1: Choose a course
On Code.org, you’ll find courses for all grade levels - from pre-readers to seniors in high school, and everyone in between. All our courses are available at no cost. Looking for a quick activity? Try starting with an Hour of Code.
 
Step 2: Set up your classroom section
Set up a classroom section to view your student’s progress, print login cards for your students, manage their accounts, and print certificates they can bring home when they finish the course.
 
Step 3: Start teaching
Try out one of the lessons yourself! We also have daily lesson plans you can use to guide your students, unplugged activities for your class you can do without a computer, and forums to connect to other teachers.
 

New to teaching computer science?
We provide high-quality professional learning workshops for educators, led by experienced Code.org facilitators in locations across the US. We've prepared tens of thousands of new teachers to teach CS across grades K-12. Find a professional development workshop near you.
 

https://code.org/

History of Flight

How did we learn to fly like the birds?
 
That is a question not many can answer. Most of us have heard of the Wright Brothers and their part in Aviation history. However, the story does not start there. 
 
If we look back, it should come to no ones surprise that we achieved flight long before our famed duo. Our history is filled with inventors, astronomers, engineers and many other who were fascinated by the concept of flight. Each one with their own contribution. Whether they improved another's design or made their own, each idea brought us closer and closer to where we are today.
 

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/historyofflight.html

Food security is our 2019
Ohio Design Challenge topic

Did you know that Ohio has 28 million acres of land and 14 million of them are used in agriculture? Did you know that agriculture is the number one economic driver in Ohio—bringing in over $105 billion dollars each year?

Our state is a huge producer of food, but each day one in three Ohioans does not know where their next meal will come from. This is called food insecurity—not having access to sufficient, healthy food. Food security is the opposite—having access to sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. As our world population grows, this problem will become more and more prevalent. Scientists predict that we will have 9 billion people on earth by 2050, and we need to begin to reconsider how we grow, transport, and consume food to ensure that we can feed billions of people as our population grows.

For the past the past two years, the Ohio STEM Learning Network has invited Ohio’s K-12 students to participate in a statewide design challenge, and this year we’re doing it again.

This year’s design challenge partners are the Ohio Soybean Farmers and Ohio Corn and Wheat.

This year’s challenge is to:
Work as a team to imagine, design and prototype a solution to increase food security in your life, community, or world. Improving local access to food will prepare us for the greater challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050.
 
Solving this challenge will require thinking beyond opening more grocery stores—we are asking you to consider systemic approaches to food production from biotechnology, food production and environmental considerations. Here are some examples of the different systems that impact food security.
 
For more information on the Food Security Design Challenge, go to
https://www.osln.org/2018/08/food-security-is-our-2019-ohio-design-challenge-topic/

How to Run An Effective Design Challenge

At the surface, it seems there is only one question in a design challenge, but we know teachers have many questions about what it takes to organize, plan and run a successful design challenge.  Where can teachers and schools find answers?
 
https://www.osln.org/2018/09/how-to-run-an-effective-design-challenge/

OSLN STEM Calendar for 2018-2019

The school year is off to quite a bang! In addition to our upcoming convening on the Food Security Design Challenge, the OSLN calendar is full of STEM events.
 

https://www.osln.org/2018/09/check-out-upcoming-fall-events/

Computer Science in Elementary School

Introductory Course through CET, 1223 Central Parkway
Cincinnati OH 45215
October 2, 2018, 8:30 AM to 4 PM
 
Code.org has developed elementary school curriculum that allows even the youngest students to explore the limitless world of computing. Courses blend online, self-guided and self-paces tutorials with “unplugged” classroom activities that require no computer.
 

https://studio.code.org/pd/workshops/4562/enroll
 
or contact Gary Greenberg,
ggreenberg@cetconnect.org

STEM expansion among changes in Chillicothe City Schools

When Chillicothe City Schools students return to classes this week, they will encounter an ever-evolving Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program that will turn its attention beyond school walls in several ways.
 
"We do want to work more this year with community-based problem solving," said Kathy Payne, STEM consultant for the school district, in an interview a couple weeks before the start of the school year. "One of the things that we will do that Dana Letts will be working on with the K-6 is each grade level will have a community-based problem to solve, and we're working on those right now. That is a part of STEM, solving community problems."

Letts, a STEM instructional specialist, worked with teachers in the Kindergarten through sixth-grade levels last year on instructing students in STEM thinking.
 
"It's introducing our children to the engineering design process," Payne said. "We want them to imagine, to design, to plan, to improve, to share. That's a different way of thinking, a different way of teaching."
 

https://www.chillicothegazette.com/story/news/local/2018/09/04/stem-offerings-expanding-city-schools/

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! The 2019 Virginia Children's Engineering Convention will be held February 7-8, 2019, at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. In 2018, over 750 teachers, principals, and central office staff attended the convention. We invite you to join educators from across the Commonwealth of Virginia at this annual statewide staff development initiative.

Participants will experience STEM-based instructional practices that contribute to the development of technological awareness. Workshops will focus on experiences that enable children to:

  • explore how people create, use and control technology;

  • apply knowledge in mathematics, science, English, and history and social sciences in solving problems associated with design, engineering and technology;

  • use tools and materials to develop technological literacy and self-confidence.

 
The Virginia Children's Engineering Convention provides over 90 excellent professional development sessions and international keynote speakers for teachers to learn about STEM-based best practices in PreK-5 instruction, and strategies for implementing the Profile of a Virginia Graduate.
 

http://www.cpe.vt.edu/vcec/

Makerspace for Elementary Librarians PD series

Starting on October 2nd, we will begin our monthly Makerspace for Elementary Librarians series. This group will meet at the beginning of each month to explore different ways to integrate makerspaces and design thinking into their curriculum. Participants will leave each session with new design challenges and classroom equipment including: Legos, Lincoln Logs, ‘inex, Magnalites, Keva Planks, and a cache of engaging books to get your students excited for their new challenges!
 
Visit wosu.pm/F2F-PD to sign up today!

Elementary STEM Journal

Winner of ASAE's Gold Circle Award for Most Improved Journal and produced electronically four times each school year, The Elementary STEM Journal (formerly Children's Technology and Engineering) is a dynamic, practical journal for anyone interested in technological literacy in Grades K-6. Redesigned to allow ITEEA to nearly double the amount of content to provide more hands-on activities. The Elementary STEM Journal is a theme-based journal. Article submissions are welcomed and can be sent to kdelapaz@iteea.org
 
Information on subscriptions to the Elementary STEM Journal can be found here
https://www.iteea.org/File.aspx?id=116280&v=392658ae

HANDS ON. MINDS ON

The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision science competition encourages K-12 students to imagine what technology might be like in the future while experiencing scientific process and discovery in an engaging, hands-on way. Let's empower the next generation of inventors, scientists and leaders.
 
It's not too late to register your teams! Deadline for submissions is February 6.

 
https://www.exploravision.org/?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=NSTA&utm_campaign=ExploraVision19&utm_content=9+12

Graduate Resources for
Women in STEM

Graduate Resources for Women in STEM, is geared toward helping women access this exciting career sector. Because the gender gap is an issue that people are becoming more aware of, we have created a guide that talks about the resources available for women in this underrepresented field.
This guide provides numerous STEM scholarships for women going into grad school, tips for helping applications stand out, and support resources for women in the field. There is also a great expert Q&A that addresses common questions for women interested in STEM. You can look at the guide here:
 
Graduate Resources for Women in STEM -

https://www.gograd.org/resources/women-in-stem/

Check out how these educators used the Hummingbird Robotics Kit and Finch Robot in their classroom to inspire creative robotics!
 
https://www.birdbraintechnologies.com/
 
Robots are an incredible and transformative learning tool. To help inspire students to become critical thinkers, creative makers, and collaborative & communicative teammates with robotics, our team has put together a reading list to empower budding innovators and creators of any age.
 
From books about real life robots and innovators, to books celebrating persistence and problem solving, this list has something for every K-12 classroom.

 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/180caWlRJkjd3ppYudrB4PFPP7AQnn2Xa/edit
 

Black Swamp Math Teachers' Circles started in 2006 and have since spread across the United States. Math Teachers' Circles bring together teachers and mathematicians to enrich the teachers' experience of mathematical problem solving. There are four goals:

  1. Increase the confidence of math teachers in problem solving.

  2. Deepen teachers' content knowledge through exploring mathematically rich problems and develop an arsenal of techniques to solving unfamiliar and challenging problems.

  3. Form long-term professional relationships among teachers and mathematicians, through regular, highly interactive meetings.

  4. Provide support for teachers who want to bring richer mathematical experiences to their students.

 
We would love to have you be part of this great adventure in mathematics. The 2018 sessions are FREE and open to K - 12 math teachers and college faculty/staff in northwest Ohio. 
 
All meetings are from 6:30 - 8:30 PM on the following dates: (no need to attend both). Meetings will be held at BGSU in Business Administration Building Room 115

  • Monday, October 22, 2018

  • Monday, November 26, 2018

 
If you would like more information, please contact Dr. Debra Gallagher, Bowling Green State University, at 
dgallag@bgsu.edu or 419-704-1920.
 
To register go to

https://goo.gl/forms/5Vv9z1wSIIYr12vG3

2019 EECO Conference Call for Presenters
"Say Yes to New Adventures"


 
April 4-7, 2019 • Mohican State Park
 
"Say Yes to New Adventures"
2019 EECO Conference Call for Presenters

http://www.eeco-online.org/event-3076327

Strands:
Stewardship, Conservation and Responsibility: Presentations in this strand can focus on anything that teaches future care for the environment or current environmental practices.
 
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), Outdoor Learning, & Careers:Presentations in this strand should focus on programs and projects that translate curriculum into the outdoors, inspire students to pursue environmental career paths, or resources that are available to make connections to existing and future careers in the environment.
 
Strategic Growth for Organizations: Presentations should focus on strengthening, improving and sustaining organizations including: funding, staff, volunteers, and program development.
 
Adventure and Outdoor Skills:  Presentations should focus on opportunities that give participants useable skills to for exploring the outdoors in new or exciting ways.
 
Strands are flexible and all new or exciting proposals are encouraged.
 
Please submit your session proposal by returning the attached application by October 5, 2018 to be included in the program. Electronic submissions are preferred and greatly appreciated. Please return submissions to Amanda Kriner, Richland County Park District, 2295 Lexington Ave. Mansfield, OH 44907 or email
akriner@richlandcountyoh.us. Questions should be directed to Amanda Kriner at the preceding address, or at (419) 884-3764.  You will be notified of the status of your proposal in December.  Thank you for your submission and we look forward to working with you!
 

Invention Convention for 2018-2019
Superintendents - register your school, district or student organization for Invention Convention, the no-cost, premiere, STEM-aligned program: REGISTER TODAY!.  Registered schools/districts are provided access to the tools, curriculum and the support needed to operate Invention Convention, with top inventors advancing to the state Invention Convention & Entrepreneurship Competition, July 28, 2019 at the Ohio State Fair.  Top qualifiers at states will have the opportunity to advance to the National Invention Convention & Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE) and other competitions. 

Check out the new curriculum available this year provided through the national Invention Convention program, by STEMIE Coalition.  Follow this link to the National curriculum:
 www.inventionconvention.org

NWO SYMPOSIUM -
Registration is now OPEN!

NWO Symposium on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Teaching
November 17, 2018
8:45 AM - 3 PM
Olscamp Hall @ BGSU 

2018 NWO Symposium Strands
1. STEM in the Community: Thinking Outside the Classroom
2. Putting Creativity to Work: Teaching STEM With Innovation
3. Integrating Technology in the Classroom
4. Teaching and Learning in SCIENCE
5. Teaching and Learning in MATHEMATICS
6. Teaching and Learning in ENGINEERING 

NEW Highlight for 2018
The Symposium will host an Education Resource Fair, where local educational resource providers will showcase classroom resources and services available for teachers and students.


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLvLZMzIGbd8pBE3Z6uqMFKXL0_rrUHznbwkpibWHArgAWQA/viewform


For more information visit the Symposium website at: bgsu.edu/nwoSymposium
 

Girls Who Code is offering their first-ever in-school resource: Women in Tech Lesson Plans are available for download. Teachers can download free lesson plans and posters on the Girls Who Code website. The lessons provide content profiling contemporary and historical women in STEM for educators across the country.  
 
Please visit:
 https://girlswhocode.com/women-in-tech-lessonplans/  

Webinar: Level Up Your MakerSpace

 

Looking for new ideas, tools or projects to reinvigorate inventors in your makerspace?

You’re in luck!

Join makerspace expert Nicholas Provenzano (aka: “The Nerdy Teacher”) to learn how to take your school or library makerspace to the next level. 
 
We’ll explore new tools, techniques, project ideas, and best practices to engage your young makers.

After hearing how this makerspace director and educator has grown his makerspace and offerings over the years, you’ll get tons of new ideas to take back to your makerspace.
 
The webinar was Monday September 17, but you can register to see the archived video at
http://e.littlebits.com/lnwebinar-level-up-makerspace




That's it for this newsletter.
 

Please let me know of elementary STEM events, resources, or professional development opportunities that you would like to see in an upcoming edition of the STEM is Elementary newsletter!


Bob Claymier

www.stemiselementary.com

bob@stemiselementary.com






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