Growing a STEM Program

Vera AbreschJulie Lemke

Growing a STEM Program

S.T.E.M.•Science•Technology•Engineering•Mathematics

Realistic Projects…•Help students

discover the value of academic courses.

•Encourage student motivation.

New Experiences…•Reach different

learning styles.•Build confidence.•Create interest in

future jobs.

Using Technology that’s Already Part of Student’s Lives…•Develops critical

thinking & problem-solving skills.

•Encourages team work.

Why Do It?

Our STEM StoryVera Abresch

• Mentor Teacher in Science• Attended AFRL Teacher Institute

Julie Lemke• 1st-Year Teacher Excited about

Technology but NEW to Teaching Science

• Encouraged to Attend AFRL Teacher Institute

• STEM encouraged both of us to broaden the scope of our student projects.

• We began brainstorming ideas and problem-solving together.

• We started writing grants to fund our growing technology needs, and each of us was successful!

• We worked together as a TEAM and continue to work together even though we are a state apart!

Our STEM Story

Blade Design(Earth

Science)Goal:Design a wind turbine

that produces the most energy.

Blade Design(Earth

Science)• S: Alternative Energy Investigation (Wind),

Experimental Design• T: Multi-meter (Determine electrical output),

Vernier Probes (Graph voltage and current output)• E: Wind Turbines Design (blades, angles, quantity,

placement)• M: Estimated Surface Area, Data Analysis, Wind

Power Formula

• Grade Level: 6th and Up (possibly 5th)• Amount of Time: 6 45-min periods • Needed Equipment: Kit from KidWind, Fan • Approximate Cost: $70 per kit (1-2 kits per

classw/ additional $10 per hub (1 hub per group) Watch for

SALES!

Blade Design(Earth

Science)

Blade Design(Earth

Science)

Ecosystem Jars (Life Sciences)

Goal:Build a self-

sustaining, closed ecosystem that can support one

or more secondary consumers

• S: Ecosystems, Element Cycles, Organism Identification, Energy Transfer, Limiting Factors

• T: Microscopes, Vernier Light & Temperature Sensors

• E: Ecosystem “Building”• M: Data Gathering, Graphing,

& Analysis

Ecosystem Jars (Life Sciences)

Ecosystem Jars (Life Sciences)

• Grade Level: 6th and Up (possibly 5th)• Amount of Time: 1-2 45-min period per week

(approx. 7 weeks)• Needed Equipment: Big Jars (Pickle), Microscopes

(Light, Dissecting, Digital Microscopes), Thermometers or Temperature Probes, Light Probes, Mud and Water from the Environment

• Approximate Cost: Depends on your current Science supplies (Adaptable to your situation!)

Roller Coasters(Physical Science)

Goal:Design a roller coaster and calculate different

types of energy.

Roller Coasters(Physical Science)

• S: Potential & Kinetic Energy• T: Vernier Photogate, Tools,

Google Sketch-Up, Online Roller Coaster Games

• E: Designing, Building, & Testing Roller Coaster

• M: Gather & Analyze Data, Velocity, Calculate Potential & Kinetic Energy & G-Forces, Measure Mass

Roller Coasters(Physical Science)

• Grade Level: 8th Grade• Amount of Time: 10 45-min class

periods• Needed Equipment: Vernier

Photogate Sensor or Stopwatches, Balance, Meter Stick, Tape Measure, Ball Bearings, (Student are responsible for any building materials)

• Approximate Cost: $45-Photogate

ZOO WEBPAGE(LIFE SCIENCES)

GOAL:Design a zoo enclosure for an animal based on your city’s climate.

ZOO WEBPAGE(LIFE SCIENCES)

• S: Biomes, Food Webs, Animal Habitats & Needs

• T: HTML Programming, Webpage Creation, Google Sketch-up or Paint, Inspiration

• E: Zoo Enclosure Design for Chosen Animal• M: Temperature & Rainfall Data Analysis,

Programming Logic

ZOO WEBPAGE(LIFE SCIENCES)

• Grade Level: 6th Grade and Up• Amount of Time: 2 45-min class periods

per week (approx. 10 weeks)

• Needed Equipment: Computers, Internet, Inspiration

Software, Google Sketch-up or Paint

• Approximate Cost: None!

ZOO WEBPAGE(LIFE SCIENCES)

EXAMPLES:Siberian Tiger

Zebra

Koala

Piranha

Poison Dart Frog

Boe-Bots(Physical Science)

Goal:Build and program a robotic car to complete any number of tasks!

Boe-Bots(Physical Science)

• S: Electricity, Electromagnetic Radiation, Sound & Frequency

• T: PBASIC Programming, Binary vs. Analog, Google Sketch-up, Skype

• E: Build Robot Using a Breadboard• M: Rotational Velocity Calculation, Measurement,

Proportional Analysis, Directionality, Detection Distances vs. Resistance

Boe-Bots(Physical Science)

• Grade Level: 8th Grade • Amount of Time: 10 45-Min Class Periods

MINIMUM • Needed Equipment: Boe-Bot Kit (2-3 students per

kit), Computer, Free Software, Batteries (9V and AA)

• Approximate Cost: $160 per kit w/ bundling discounts Parallax

Video:

Support for Your Program (Funding & Continuing Education)

• PTL• Targeted Fundraiser• Air Force Research Laboratory

(AFRL) and other Military Bases• Society of Automatic Engineers

(SAE)• Businesses (Sandia Labs, Intel, GE,

Dow Chemical, etc.)

Grants• Follow the directions.• Think of a creative angle.• Be willing to spend the time.• Seek honest criticism.• Just try! And try! And try again!

Tech

nolo

gy:

It’s

Not

Just

Com

pute

rs!

• Vernier Probes and Sensors• Digital Cameras, Flip Cameras• Microscopes (Light, Dissecting, Digital)• Graphing Calculators• Robots• SMART Board & SMART Response

System• Document Cameras• IPods and IPads

Helpful Software & Internet Programs

• Google SketchUp• Noodle Tools• Skype• Scratch• Wordle

• Inspiration• Logger Lite & Logger Pro

(Vernier Probes)• Movie Maker, PhotoStory,

and other similar programs

www.stem-lea.wikispaces.com Along with other great resources!

Find this Presentation on the WEB!

Vera AbreschChrist Lutheran School

Albuquerque, NM

Middle School Math, Science & Technology

vkabresch@yahoo.com

Julie LemkeSt. John’s Lutheran School

Denver, CO

Middle School Language Arts &

Technology

julie.lemke@stjohnsdenver.org