the network for middle school math and science teachers

STEM Student Showcase

Hi,

I wanted to create a STEM Student Showcase wiki for teachers to post examples of student work/projects related to STEM. Just beginning to work out the details and need some help.

Any comments? Suggestions? Ideas?

Thank you.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MariaD on March 13, 2011 at 9:37am

I would suggest you partner up with an existing project where there is a significant community of teachers and students. Off the top of my head, I would suggest Art of Problem Solving or Curriki.

Good idea, Davilla. Please let me know how I can help.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Jenkins on March 14, 2011 at 3:47pm

A few ideas to get the ball rolling-

This link will take you to a previous MSP2 thread about a STEM service learning energy audit that my students completed last year. Please read through the comments for additional information.

A couple of other projects-

Indian Valley Fight to STEM Hunger Day. The day before Thanksgiving I take my STEM class outside (including tables, chairs, netbooks, probeware, etc) and we learn about insulators. We do this by creating our own "clothes" and shelters out of everyday items and fasting for the school day. The temperature is generally in the 20's/30's and the kids generally only start with jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Most importantly, the community drops off donations of food and blankets/coats for us to donate to needy area residents. *Obviously the parents are involved and we have our nurse check on us throughout the day.

More to follow......

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Permalink Reply by Davilla Riddle on March 14, 2011 at 5:17pm

Thank you for the suggestions!!!

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Permalink Reply by Mary Henton on March 15, 2011 at 11:36am

I bet the STEM Hunger Day makes quite an impact! I'm going to share this with some colleagues here in Westerville that are incorporating service learning, study about hunger and food production into math and science classes.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Jenkins on March 15, 2011 at 1:29pm

Hi Mary- It really is a good thing. Plus the kids love the fact that we have class out on the front lawn. lol

A couple of our other activities from the past year.......

We created a thermal image map of our building and provided a list of suggestions to our school board and maintenance department as to make our building more efficient (heating/cooling). This involved writing a grant for and receiving a $2,500 thermal imaging camera. We were then fortunate enough to visit our local firehouse whereas they explained the dynamics of thermal energy and provided tips for when we surveyed our structure. They then explained how TICs worked and how they use them in real life situations. The best part of our visit was when they took us through demos and activities that they had set up to help train us in the use of TICs.

International land mine detection project- this was our most recent......We learned about the forces of flight through a biomimicry unit that I helped create for the Dayton Regional STEM Center. We then learned about sensors through a handful Lego programming challenges. The capstone activity was our visit the Aero/Astro Research Labs at Ohio State University. It was here that international team of engineering students caught us up to speed on their land mine detection project. We were able to discuss and even offer inputs on their project to develop an air vehicle/sensor solution. They even took us on a tour of the facilities and had hands on activities (one involving their $20,000 detector!) planned for my class. It was a great day.

I'll continue to post regarding some of our larger projects. Obviously I have oversimplified for the sake of this entry, but would be more than happy to share any details. I would also love to know what others are doing so that I can continue to try to provide my students with unique and authentic challenges.

p.s. I am thinking about doing a unit on biomechanics/artificial limbs. I'm still working things out in my head, but was thinking about reaching out to the Human Effectiveness Directorate at the AFRL or an area (Dayton/Columbus) hospital for assistance. Then maybe have my students actually work with a veterinarians office to help design “vehicles” for handicapped animals to move around more effectively. I'm still early in this thought process, so any ideas would be appreciated........

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Permalink Reply by Davilla Riddle on March 15, 2011 at 6:18pm

Wow, thank you for the great ideas!!!

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Lippman on March 19, 2011 at 5:18pm

What a great idea. These may be additional points to visit for ideas, possible collaborators, and more ways you can consider going with your students.

1.) STEM: Virtual Projects to Inspire Lessons in Your Classroom | Edutopia

virtual science projects from students across the country.
www.edutopia.org/.../science-technology-engineering-math-student-work- samples

Davilla, you may want to find and connect with Betty Ray from Edutopia, and some of the posts on her blog are going to complement your interests. Betty Ray's Edutopia URL

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Lippman on March 20, 2011 at 10:26am

Davilla, your work spurred looking for additional student product. Facebook and website of interest: a contest called STEMposium. Facebook page is active and has links to student videos that were finalists.

"This is STEM innovation contest open to students and teachers. Anyone can submit a video of their idea for STEM education and 20 finalists will be featured at the final STEMposium event in April."

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Permalink Reply by Davilla Riddle on March 20, 2011 at 7:35pm

Thank you Sandra for the great links! I will check them out.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Henton on March 23, 2011 at 6:30am

Yes...thanks, Sandra, for this link. Looks like it will be a great event. I'm not going to be able to watch. Do you know if April 1 showcase will be recorded and available to see afterwards?

Sandra Lippman said:

Davilla, your work spurred looking for additional student product. Facebook and website of interest: a contest called STEMposium. Facebook page is active and has links to student videos that were finalists.

"This is STEM innovation contest open to students and teachers. Anyone can submit a video of their idea for STEM education and 20 finalists will be featured at the final STEMposium event in April."

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Lippman on March 23, 2011 at 8:15am

Hi Mary, What a great question - - with so much archived post-events today, I'll try to find out!
Mary Henton said:

Yes...thanks, Sandra, for this link. Looks like it will be a great event. I'm not going to be able to watch. Do you know if April 1 showcase will be recorded and available to see afterwards?

Sandra Lippman said:

Davilla, your work spurred looking for additional student product. Facebook and website of interest: a contest called STEMposium. Facebook page is active and has links to student videos that were finalists.

"This is STEM innovation contest open to students and teachers. Anyone can submit a video of their idea for STEM education and 20 finalists will be featured at the final STEMposium event in April."

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Lawson on March 30, 2011 at 9:26am

Davilla, what a great idea you have.

...and what a treasure of suggestions from MSP2 participants!! This looks like a hot topic for STEM educators and an active area for MSP2.

As I was reading, I was thinking about the fortunate young adolescents who have had the opportunities to participate in these events! We are all enriched by the efforts of these educators!

Rebecca