Bring STEM lessons to the next level with Appy Hour. From augmented reality to literally holding the world in your hand, the possibilities are endless!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to use augmented reality to bring your projects to life and how to share those projects with your students' families. Find exciting ways to let your students be immersed into new worlds. Learn how to combine subject areas while using these engaging free apps.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Pace (Cross Lanes Elementary School: Charleston, WV)

Learn computational modeling with the EcoMOD curriculum. See how to explore a 3-D virtual ecosystem, and program a beaver agent to build a dam.

TAKEAWAYS:
The EcoMOD research curriculum demonstrates an effective approach for integrating computational modeling and science content. Visual block-based programming interfaces make computational modeling for STEM learning accessible in upper elementary school. The NSF-funded EcoMOD software and curriculum are being made available for download through free license from Harvard University.

SPEAKERS:
Shari Metcalf (Harvard Graduate School of Education: Cambridge, MA)

If you’re new to coding, come get up to speed! By combining coding and hands-on activities, you can learn how to program a robotic vehicle to perform different challenges.

TAKEAWAYS:
Bring coding and hands-on science learning together; Learn creative ways to use the engineering design process to teach science; Write simple code to use a Rover to explore the relationship between speed, distance, and time.

SPEAKERS:
Karlheinz Haas (Science/Math Instructor, Retired: Tequesta, FL)

How are you prepping your kids? If you are letting them make and teaching them coding, then you know they will be OK. Why not attend a session where you can learn both? We will dive into building your own hardware to work with any subject.

TAKEAWAYS:
Students select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks. Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts, or solving authentic problems. Students develop, test, and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process

SPEAKERS:
David Lockett (Meharry School of Applied Computational Sciences: Nashville, TN), Denise Wright (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC)

Discussion centers on the concept of artificial intelligence and how it is taught in the middle school classroom. Emphasis will be placed on real-life examples and how they interact with AI. Resources/technology that support teaching AI will be shared, especially the AI4All movement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create experiences for learners to make positive, socially responsible contributions and exhibit empathetic behavior online that build relationships and community. Attendees will be exposed to a variety of resources that assist educators, so they, may introduce middle school students to AI. Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.

SPEAKERS:
Denise Wright (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC), David Lockett (Meharry School of Applied Computational Sciences: Nashville, TN)

Big data analytics and aerospace are two courses developed at Concordia International School Shanghai to empower students, develop STEM skills, and build community partnerships.

TAKEAWAYS:
Understand two STEM collaboration projects between schools, corporations, and outside organizations. Understand that STEM ecosystems vary from one school to another, there is no one recipe, but there are guiding principles. Gain hands-on experience in building and testing balsa wood planes.

SPEAKERS:
Peter Tong (Concordia International School Shanghai: Shanghai, China), Craig Gingerich (American School of Doha: Doha, 0)

Explore how your students can integrate computer science and biology to address real-world problems through data collection, visualization, analysis, biological modeling, and hypothesis testing. No programming background required!

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn applications of building and using computer simulations of biological systems to introduce students to biological modeling. Collect ecological data using our web app to support a real-world project on pollinator decline and loss of biodiversity Use computational tools to visualize and analyze ecological data to test hypotheses about the effects of environmental stressors on ecosystems

SPEAKERS:
Shari Weaver (The STEM Education Center at WPI: Worcester, MA), Maria Berrios (Auburn High School: Auburn, MA), Maureen Chase (Quabbin Regional High School: Barre, MA), Jennifer Field (WestonHigh School), Carolina Ruiz (Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Worcester, MA)