Displaying 6 results
Dog Mode Design Challenge
Introducing students to real-world engineering problems is a key component to engaging them in the science classroom. In this project, students solve the problem of saving pets from a hot car. Many students are aware of this issue and would have many ideas on how this could be achieved. This projects gives them the tools to help solve such a problem by building a model and finding a solution.
Participants in this session will get to build the model themselves to see how information from sensors (input) can determine what should be done (output) through simple lines of code. No coding or engineering experience is needed, just imagination and logical thinking.
Projects like these can expose students to STEM Careers. The exposure to coding and engineering design can also get them interested in doing more in the STEM field.
Takeaways: Solve a real-work problem with coding and engineering design - no prior experience needed.
Speakers
Jessica Kohout (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)
Engineering for Us All: Exploring the "Why," "What," and
"Who" of Engineering
“You’re good at math; be an engineer.” Isn’t there more
to it? Who is an engineer? Engineering helps society by solving
problems. Let’s explore “why.”
Takeaways: Learn that engineering is more than math + science and take away classroom activities addressing engineering identity, ethics, and society (not your typical engineering activities).
Speakers
Ken Reid (University of Indianapolis: Indianapolis, IN)
Chickenology: Food Delivery Challenge
Participants will use sensemaking and the engineering design process to solve a real world food production problem in a small scale format. This lesson introduces the Food Delivery Challenge, in which participants must design a gravity feeder
to carry food (chicken feed) to twelve hungry chickens for over 24 hours. To accomplish the task students must design and build a model of an efficient gravity feeder using the materials available to them. The scenario presented to the class: One of the feeders in your uncle’s barn has broken down, and a new one will not arrive until next month. You must create a gravity feeder to satisfy 12 chickens for 24 hours consistently to ensure the health of your flock.
Participants will research, design, build and test their design before presenting to the group for feedback, Participants will then use the feedback to redesign for an improved feeder.
Takeaways: 1. Use the engineering design process to collaborate, design and build a gravitational feeder system that will feed 10 pounds of feed over a 24 hour period.
2. Present your design plan, and final product to the class for feedback.
3. Provide feedback to the design team for design improvement.
Speakers
Leah LaCrosse (McCormick Junior High School: Huron, OH), Heather Bryan (Education Projects, LLC: Columbus, OH)
Dumpster Dive with STEM
Connect the human impact of trash pollution to engineering design. Get your students thinking critically and creatively as they collaborate in real-world problem-solving.
The global real-world issue of human-generated trash polluting local bodies of water is the main focus of this hands-on session. Using our partnership with the Howard County Conservancy, our students learn about their local watersheds and contribute to a Watershed Report Card. Students see how trash that is often found on our local schoolyards can affect our watershed, and they design a working model for trash removal in a local tributary.
Basic coding will be used to design programs that will control sensors and motors through a microcontroller, thus removing the trash from the water source. The model will utilize solar and water power to move the trash into a separate receptacle. Various sensors will also be used to monitor water levels and determine the outcome of the program.
This session will allow participants to find ways to increase the environmental stewardship of their students while incorporating engineering design into the science classroom. This project allows authentic integration of technology, mathematics, crosscutting concepts, science practices, and easy implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards.
Takeaways: Design a project that enhances STEM skills in students such as collaboration, curiosity and creative problem solving.
Speakers
Jessica Kohout (Howard County Conservancy: Woodstock, MD), Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)
Evaluating STEM Curricula with Equity and Inclusivity in
Mind
Explore EiE’s curriculum design principles for
inclusivity and NSTA’s sensemaking pillars as tools to evaluate curricula for
inclusivity and equity.
Takeaways: Participants will leave this session with a framework for evaluating curricula with equity and inclusivity in mind.
Speakers
Diana Christopherson (Museum of Science, Boston: Boston, MA)
Using NSTA's Sensemaking Model with Engineering Design Challenges
Using NSTA's Sensemaking model we can design instruction that develops student knowledge and skills in the SEP. By completing units with Engineering Design Challenges we can integrate all the aspects of student learning in an Authentic Assessment. Combining these tools may build student competence, confidence, and identities in science and STEM. Experience and get the materials from one well tested example involving climate change effects.
Takeaways: Combine student resources and interests with DCIs and practices to solve problems facing their own communities, powering learning and building identities as skillful science students.
Speakers
Robert Wallace ( : No City, No State), Rob Wallace (Teacher PD and Curriculum Design: Kenner, LA)