Apply now! Aspirations in Computing Award

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. 

Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access and plans for post-secondary education. Apply now: The final deadline is November 5!

Application details >

New spaces and places to explore STEAM

Wonderscope Children's Museum just opened in its new home in Kansas City's Red Bridge area with 10 exhibits that reflect Kansas City's weather, sports teams, fountains, agriculture, jazz and barbecue and more. These exhibits plus outdoor spaces offer STEAM experiences for kids ages 10 and under. (Note: You must reserve tickets in advance of your visit.)

Blue Valley Recreation Center has added a new STEAM program called Challenge Island to its line up. Check out one of the Halloween-related programs like the STEAM Tank Hauntrepreneur Day Camp on Oct. 30.

Show students how data drives space exploration

Microsoft and NASA have teamed up for Day of Data activities that will help students see how data literacy plays an integral role in space exploration. Several live astronaut chats are coming up, or you can take students to a virtual Space Data Camp offered through Microsoft Stores.

See the details >
 

Resource Highlight // UMKC STEM Series

A new video series from University of Missouri-Kansas City showcases technologies, experiments and hands-on learning in STEM research on campus. From using zebrafish to help tell us about human development to modeling climate change, the series illustrates real world problem solving.

Watch the series >
 

Resource Highlight // Kaleidoscope Carry Out

Nothing stirs the imagination quite like a trip to Kansas City’s iconic Kaleidoscope. Although Kaleidoscope remains temporarily closed, teachers may request free, fun Kaleidoscope art materials for students in the meantime. Each student’s art sack will include a variety of shapes along with sticker sheets. Some shapes will change to correspond to the time of year. 

Get more info and place your request > 
 

Project Dragonfly applications open for 2021

If you're interested in environmental justice, ecological restoration, participatory education, urban sustainability or similar work, check out this opportunity! Housed at Miami University, Project Dragonfly is an education reform initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. Applications are open now through early 2021 for graduate courses and master’s degrees that offer experiences through zoos and botanical gardens in the United States and in 15 countries throughout the world.

See the details >

Senior Capstone Innovation Experience featured
as best practice in HundrED's Forerunner Report

Kansas City's Project Lead The Way Senior Capstone Innovation Experience is one of the innovations featured in HundrED's and Remake Learning Days' new Learning Across America Forerunners Report. The report highlights 16 system-level best practices that foster innovation at scale in 16 regions across the United States.

Learn more and see all 16 innovations >

Real World Design Challenges for Capstone Innovators

Although the pandemic has changed how the capstone experience will work for 2020-21, it also brings new opportunities. Students seeking a framework to help focus their senior capstone project ideas can take a look at three design challenges organized by KC STEM Alliance and partners this fall:

Sustainability Challenge: In this second annual challenge from Climate Action KC, students are charged with imagining how we might improve food production, food management or transportation to reduce food waste. Download the Sustainability Challenge details.

Clean Water Challenge: Burns & McDonnell joins KC STEM Alliance to challenge students to improve access to clean water for personal, agricultural or industrial use. Check out the three-day water conference organized by Linda Hall Library (details below) for more inspiration. Download the Clean Water Challenge details. 

COVID-19 Challenge: KC STEM Alliance and Black & Veatch invite students to reimagine Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that improves comfort and functionality during sports and activities. Download the COVID-19 Challenge details.

Can you imagine a day without water?

Project Lead The Way Teacher Talks

To connect and collaborate with PLTW educators through this academic year, KC STEM Alliance has created a series of informal Teacher Talks. These Zoom sessions include insights from relevant post-secondary partners and breakout sessions where teachers can compare notes with their peers. 

See the schedule and sign up >

FIRST: Get ready to get in the game!

Although it's sure to be a season like no other, FIRST Robotics is adapting to keep students problem solving, building skills and learning to work as a team in new and different ways. With timing shifting accordingly, it's not too late to get involved in any of the programs.
 

How to start a FIRST LEGO League Explore team // 10/24/20

At noon this Saturday, October 24, you can hop on a Zoom call to find out how to start a FIRST LEGO League Explore team. This program, formerly called FIRST LEGO League Jr., is for kids ages 6 to 10, who learn to design, build and code solutions using LEGO bricks and LEGO Education WeDo 2.0. 

This season, kids in FIRST LEGO League Explore will step into the world of sports, play, and fitness – moving, collaborating, competing and celebrating.

Registration open for all FIRST programs

Stay in the game as a mentor

STEMMys Awards celebrate barrier-breaking women

On Sept. 24, the Central Exchange celebrated women who are making a difference in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine in the Kansas City Region during the 7th annual STEMMy Awards. Congratulations to all, including KC STEM volunteer Sherry Lumpkins, pictured below, who was named Enterprising Innovator.

Watch the ceremony >

Afterschool providers: Join your Kansas colleagues

Remake Learning Days-Kansas City Kick Off

Remake Learning Days Across America officially launched on October 13 with a nationwide celebration. Get ready for the Kansas City regional launch by marking your calendars for 1 p.m. January 13, 2021, and stay tuned for more details!

See the national launch >