August 2024

The Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU and the Project EDUCATE (Educators of Diversity: Unified and Collaborative to Aspire Teacher Education) grant project were recently featured in a news story on local television for its impact on creating the next generation of teachers of diversity. The video below discussed the groundbreaking BGSU Life Design curriculum introduced at partner school district Washington Local’s Whitmer High School and their teaching professions program.

https://www.13abc.com/2024/08/06/bgsu-wls-partner-create-next-generation-school-teachers/

Each year, the Ohio STEM Learning Network hosts a design challenge where students collaborate to create a workable solution to key issues facing our world. Any school in Ohio can participate in the challenge. The design challenge is the perfect starting point to begin implementing high-quality STEM education best practices in a classroom.

This year’s statewide design challenge continues a partnership with an exciting space program called Starlab. Students will explore what it means to live and work in space. 

#OhioSustainsSpace Design Challenge

How do we improve the sustainability of life in low-Earth orbit, such as living aboard the Starlab space station?

Develop a plan, system, or product to positively impact the sustainable use of materials, habitable space, and/or energy. Demonstrate how these improvements could translate to more sustainable living on Earth.

The Ohio STEM Learning Network offers a range of supports to help teachers bring the challenge to classrooms.

• Connect to industry through the Expert Link and SpaceBytes programs offered in partnership with Starlab
• Guidebook with step by step directions, links to background information and more
• Official kickoff event on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 at The Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus
• State showcase on February 20, 2025 at Battelle’s main headquarters in Columbus, Ohio
• Optional sticker design contest where students can use their creativity and imagination 

Register and other details

Sept. 12 kickoff event

The Ohio Afterschool Network has partnered with the Swanton Public Library to expand their STEAM Club, an afterschool and summer program that serves youth from kindergarten through high school. Through an OAN Moonshot Ohio grant, the library was able to broaden its resources to include a 3-D printer, snap circuits, robots, terrariums, STEM kits, and curriculum, as well as update the Builder’s Station in the children’s section of the library. The Swanton STEAM club’s activities span from technology to ecology, and they engage many community partners along the way, such as Center of Science & Industry (COSI), Eco Discovery, the local chamber of commerce and PBS, as well as local business, such as, Fort Myers & Sons, Nature’s Nursery, Sadoskis produce, and the Toledo Zoo.

https://swantonpubliclibrary.org/

OSLN Professional Development for Ohio Teachers

The Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) offers professional development to all Ohio teachers looking to bring the critical ideas of computer science and computational thinking to their students. No matter the grade level, OSLN offers programs that can inspire students, connect to relevant standards, and build life-changing skills.

Elementary program: OSLN Computer Science K-5 Program (Grades K-5)

Elementary teachers, learn to enhance math, ELA, and science instruction with computer science. Learn more and apply.

Middle or high school programs: Code.org Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10), Code.org Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12), and Code.org Computer Science A (Grades 9-12) From broadening participation in middle school to college-level programming, OSLN has brought nationally tested professional learning programs backed by Code.org to hundreds of Ohio teachers. 

Get the support you need to bring computer science education to your school or take students further. Learn more and apply.

Learning Blade

Unlock the Future: Join Learning Blade's Intro to Coding Webinar!
Learning Blade, provided to Ohio students by the Ohio STEM Learning Network, is hosting an "Introduction to Coding" webinar on July 11 at 11:00 a.m. This webinar is designed for educators teaching coding to middle school students and will cover essential coding concepts and curriculum integration. Plus, learn about the new short course this fall on understanding AI and ethical practices!

Event Details:
Date: July 11
Time: 11:00 am
Registration: Register Here (https://edynamiclearning.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tZctdemuqDwqHNKLv4M9vzdwQtnMoMrj9M62)

Create a Free Account: LearningBlade.com/OH (Free for Ohio educators!)

Learning Blade® offers interactive online lessons and resources for 5th to 9th graders to explore STEM, CTE, and Computer Science careers. The "Intro to Coding" course includes 20 hours of student learning with robust teacher lesson plans.

Presentation Proposals are now being accepted for the 41st Annual Women in STEM program at BGSU!

Thursday, October 17, 2024

The goal of the Women in STEM program at BGSU is to provide a rewarding experience for 6th - 8th graders that connects STEM education to the real world and sparks an interest in pursuing STEM majors in high school and beyond and ultimately STEM careers.

There will be groups of approximately 15 -20 students with adult supervision in each break-out session. Sessions should include innovative and creative hands-on activities that are fun-filled and engaging. We would like to foster a collaborative growth-minded atmosphere in the breakout sessions that gives students opportunities to interact with one another and YOU as a STEM academic/career role model. 

We provide classroom and/or lab space, AV equipment, and support.

The deadline to register is September 19th, 2024.

Registration link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iRuC_BiqlIvVSmc14qBRwtyQCk5WEtjW6L2M7qrpUvg/viewform?edit_requested=true

Calling All STEM Professionals - Ready to Make A Real Impact

Step into a math or science teaching role with the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

Supported by a grant from National Science Foundation (NSF), BGSU’s Noyce program is your pathway to:

• Transform Futures: Inspire and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers.
• Get 95% of Your Program Funded: Comprehensive support for your transition into teaching.
• Learn Online: Flexible, all-online program to fit your schedule. (School Visits in Person.)
• Achieve Upward Mobility: Long-term career growth in education.

BGSU’s Noyce program runs from August to August, online for convenience. Participants will also engage in field school observations and teaching experiences for practical learning in person as well as in virtual simulations trainings. Upon completion, Noyce grads will earn an Ohio teaching license in a middle or secondary STEM area such as mathematics, biological sciences, or general science. 

Join Us! Make a difference where it’s needed most. Apply now to start your journey with BGSU’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program! 

For more information visit the website at bgsu.edu/teachstem

Discovery Education STEM Careers Coaltion

The STEM Careers Coalition from Discovery Education is an alliance of industries and nonprofit organizations that provides access to STEM resources and connects students to industry professionals. The free resources are intuitive, easy to use, and tailored to be turnkey. The search features and filters make the career profiles and videos quick to find. There are suggested grade levels for each video and activity, linked questions, and suggested additional resources to follow up to the lesson. 

https://stemcareerscoalition.discoveryeducation.com/

https://www.lucasswcd.org/workshops.html

Verizon Innovative Learning HQ

Verizon Innovative Learning HQ offers engaging and cutting-edge resources to support educators and students around the world. This completely free-to-use resource gives you access to 350+ K-12 lessons and activities across all subjects. From stop-motion animation to orbits modeled using augmented reality to in-depth looks at cells and other organisms, there are hundreds of STEAM-focused lessons to choose from.

https://www.verizon.com/learning?cid=search&cmp=knc:ggl:ac:vil

STEAM lesson plans for LEGO Education Solutions

With 400+ lessons ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade, these LEGO-based STEAM lesson plans are another versatile classroom tool. Combining coding and LEGOs into interactive stories, students get to investigate a wide variety of STEAM concepts right at their desks as they follow along with the demonstrations.

2025 Future City Competition

Registration is open for the 2025 Future City competition from DiscoverE. Future City asks middle school and, for the first time this year, high school students to imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue. Teams complete deliverables and present their work at regional competitions. Winners of the regional competitions attend the national competition in Washington, DC in February.

Learn more at FutureCity.org!