July 2023

What’s happening at NWO?

NWO: Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education

In June, NWO earned a “Portrait of a Panther” Certificate from school district partner Washington Local Schools (WLS). The award merits the contribution of empathy, critical thinking, communication, integrity, adaptability and learner’s mindset to the WLS curriculum. Jenna Pollock, Education Program Manager received the award at the WLS Board Recognition ceremony. Katie Spenthoff, Director of Curriculum & Instruction at WLS stated, “If science and technology are the wave of the future, then NWO STEM is at the forefront in developing the learners to orchestrate it! Our students engaging in experimentation and creation are just brimming with ideas after a day with NWO STEM. Thank you for creating a true learner’s mindset in the students of WLS! Those in the administrative office agree that as much as Jenna is around and involved with the many facets of our curriculum department, we should give her an office space!”

K-16 STEM in the NEWS

Northwest Ohio students get introduction to manufacturing, trades job

JEFF SCHMUCKER, The Blade

As U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown toured the first day of manufacturing camp on Monday at Owens Community College in Perrysburg Township, the lawmaker decided to test the middle school-age children with some questions and maybe pass on some knowledge, too.

It turns out the lawmaker got “schooled,” at least in two instances.

The first was when Senator Brown (D., Ohio) was informed that some fifth through eighth graders were already learning algebra in school and asked to solve some equations.

And on the second equation, he realized one of the campers had the correct answer, and he was mistaken.

The second instance was when the lawmaker competed against some students using the spinning tops they designed and created using the college’s Dana Advanced Manufacturing Center equipment. No matter which top Mr. Brown used, the students were able to make theirs spin longer.

“They were better at it,” he conceded afterward. “I got a little better at it as I tried, but I need a little practice.”

The “Making It” Wood County S.T.E.M. Manufacturing Camp is one of 36 camps in 26 Ohio counties being put on this summer as part of a partnership between Mr. Brown’s office, schools, and manufacturers.

Most of the other camps, including one in Toledo, were held throughout June. The Owens camp runs throughout the week, during which time the 16 students enrolled will learn about machining, agriculture, food, glass, and solar through workshops and field trips to companies, such as First Solar, and Penta Career Center in Wood County.

“It’s really exposing [students] to what a life in manufacturing can be,” Mr. Brown said. “We do manufacturing better in Ohio I think than any other state, and I want children and young kids to geta chance to learn these skills, and that’s what they choose to do for a living.”

Quinton Robert, Owens’ dean of workforce and community services who oversees the camp, said students spend their days using the electrical labs, machines, and other tools to give them a “little taste” of everything in hopes of sparking an interest in such jobs.

“It really is a tremendous camp in giving a lot of kids here, and really throughout the state of Ohio, an opportunity to be introduced to manufacturing at a very impressionable age,” he said. “You have to plant the seeds early these days for us to really build that work force of tomorrow.”

Owens President Dione Somerville said the camp also provides an opportunity to bring the college’s partners together to interact with the youths and, potentially, recruit a future employee.

“It’s important for us in terms of our mission with economic development, workforce development to be able to have this partnership, and we’re very grateful to all of our partners,” she said. “It allows us to live our mission in serving the community and workforce development and helping us develop a talented workforce.”

Casey Schultz, an application engineer for the Toledo area HAAS Factory Outlet, was one of those instructors Monday, noting it was the first time he participated in the camp.

He said he enjoyed interacting with the students and seeing their interest as they used various machines to make their spinning tops and fidget spinners. And as a bonus, he got to spend the day with his daughters Bailey, 9, and Avery, 8, who joined him as his helpers.

“I look back at when I was their age, and I didn’t know what [computer numerical control] machining was,” Mr. Schultz said. “So it was pretty cool to have them be able to see the part complete after it was just a piece of raw material.”

Community STEM in the NEWS

Celebrating the first ever Ohio STEM Innovation Summit

From the Ohio STEM Learning Network blog

What a day! The first ever Ohio STEM Innovation Summit was a rousing success. Hundreds of educators joined from across the state to advance opportunities for students and grow’s Ohio’s future innovative workforce.

Read on for highlights from the event, a brief survey on 2024 dates, a special video compilation, and our photo album. This first statewide summit for STEM was the culmination of a year of incredible progress for the Ohio STEM Learning Network thanks to our partners, Battelle, the Ohio Department of Education, State of Ohio, and thanks to you.

Thank you to every educator who attended the Ohio STEM Innovation Summit. We commend your unwavering commitment to STEM education and your tireless efforts in shaping the future of our students. The summit achieved resounding success because of you. Let’s continue collaborating, learning from one another, and striving for excellence in STEM education. Together, we can make a profound impact on the lives of Ohio’s students and create a brighter future for all.

Highlights from the first Ohio STEM Innovation Summit

Tickets completely sold out before the end of early bird sales.
24 professional development sessions connected educators to new, classroom-tested ways to make STEM learning come alive.
Author, television science promoter, and YouTube educator Steve Spangler wowed us with amazing science demonstrations and his idea of creating a child’s “best day ever”
Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted shared the state’s vision for a globally competitive workforce, made possible by dedicated educators like you.
Jessica Voltolini from the Ohio Department of Education shared the department’s support for STEM and introduced participants to Ohio’s Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Chis Woolard.
We recognized Mary Beth Schram, India Wilson, Dr. Robin Fisher, and the partnership between Goodyear and National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM High School as winners of the 2023 Ohio STEM Excellence Awards.
We celebrated the designation of three new schools: Hawkins STEMM Academy, Indian Hill Elementary School, and Indian Hill Primary School
Our new partners, Starlab, joined the network to announce the latest Statewide Design Challenge

For more information click here!

STEM Opportunities

Ohio STEM Learning Network

STEM Rural Ohio Fellowship opens its second year

Rural teachers, join a cohort of teachers building locally-relevant lessons that inspire students and make a difference.

With a cohort of other rural educators, participants will learn about their local STEM educational landscape. They will reflect on community challenges and make new connections. By the conclusion of the program, the study of place-based learning will guide teachers in developing new targeted solutions to address current needs in their home communities. Applications close August 11, 2023. Join the cohort.

Ohio STEM Learning Network Design Challenge

Design challenges are activities or competitions that students participate in to solve real-world problems. Through the challenge, students engage in creative problem-solving, boosting skills like collaboration and grit.

For many schools, participating in the statewide design challenge was the perfect way to begin implementing high-quality STEM education best practices.

Competition opens August 7th, for more information: https://tinyurl.com/4hp7hu49

Technology and Engineering Showcase

The Ohio Technology and Engineering Educators Association (www.oteea.org) in partnership with Columbus State Community College (https://www.cscc.edu) will host a Technology and Engineering Showcase on Saturday August 12, 2023 from 10 AM to 3 PM at CSCC.

The intended audience for the CSCC Showcase is:

P-20 educators, parents and students who want to learn about STEM programs, events, competitions and resources available for the 2023-24 school year
The general public who wants to learn about additional STEM related government / educational groups.
High school students and recent graduates, and people already in the workforce who are looking for careers in STEM, design, construction or the trades, such as welding or cabinetmaking.

The Ohio Technology Summit

The Ohio Technology and Engineering Educators Association (http://www.oteea.org), is hosting the Ohio Technology Summit on October 20, 2023 at River Valley High School , 4280 Marion-Mt Gilead Rd, Caledonia, OH 43314, Caledonia, OH 43314.

The OTS is where education leaders and technology experts converge to exchange techniques and strategies for teaching and learning success. At OTS educators have the opportunity to explore the hands-on integration of technology across the curriculum — from kindergarten to college.They are seeking educators, organizations and businesses who are active in STEM education to present at the Summit.

There is no cost for presenters. 8 foot exhibit tables are available for $100. Admission is $75 and includes lunch. OTEEA members get a 25% discount.

More information can be found at https://www.ohiosummit.org/

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is providing more free and flexible computer science resources for our community!

Whether you're looking for last minute summer programming or planning for the school year ahead, Girls Who Code has great opportunities. Sign up to start a Girls Who Code Club, and receive access to training, comprehensive resources, and over 120 hours of easy-to-use and flexible coding curriculum for 3-12th graders! Clubs curriculum feature coding tutorials for all skill levels, inspiring women in tech, community-building activities to increase confidence, and project-based learning related to activism. No prior coding experience to get started! Plus -- all genders are welcome in this girls-supportive environment. Learn more about the Clubs program here or join a webinar here.

NWO STEM Activity

How To Make a DIY Solar Oven

Brought to you by Home Science Tools https://www.homesciencetools.com/article/how-to-build-a-solar-oven-project/

Wondering how you might be able to better use or recycle all those cardboard boxes? Use the Sun's energy to heat up a tasty treat with this simple pizza box solar oven! Have you ever heard the expression that it's so hot out you could fry an egg on the sidewalk? Have you ever wondered if it's true? Find out with this easy, fun, and delicious solar oven science project that uses only household items and a pizza box - aka your very own DIY solar cooker. Plus, learn about absorption, insulation, and the Sun's energy.

What You Need:

Cardboard pizza box
Box knife or scissors
Aluminum foil
Clear tape
Plastic wrap
Black construction paper
Newspapers
Ruler or wooden spoon
Thermometer
An adult to help with cutting

What You Do:

1. Use a box knife or sharp scissors to cut a flap in the lid of the pizza box. Cut along three sides, leaving about an inch between the sides of the flap and the edges of the lid. Fold this flap out so that it stands up when the box lid is closed.

2. Cover the inner side of the flap with aluminum foil so that it will reflect rays from the Sun. To do this, tightly wrap foil around the flap, then tape it to the back, or outer side of the flap.

3. Use clear plastic wrap to create an airtight window for sunlight to enter the box. Do this by opening the box and taping a double layer of plastic wrap over the opening you made when you cut the flap in the lid. Leave about an inch of plastic overlap around the sides and tape each side down securely, sealing out air. If you use a plastic bag, cut out a square big enough to cover the opening and tape one layer over the opening.

4. Line the bottom of the box with black construction paper.Black absorbs all known wavelengths of light and converts them to thermal energy (heat). The black surface is where your food will be set to cook. How much you need will depend on the size of the pizza box you're using to make your solar oven.

5. To insulate your oven so it holds in more heat, roll up sheets of newspaper and place them on the bottom of the box. Tape them down so that they form a border around the cooking area. It may be helpful to also tape the rolls closed first. The newspaper rolls should make it so that the lid can still close, but there is a seal inside of the box, so air cannot escape.

6. The best hours to set up your solar oven are when the Sun is high overhead—from 11 am to 3 pm. Take it outside to a sunny spot and adjust the flap until the most sunlight possible is reflecting off the aluminum foil and onto the plastic-covered window. Use a ruler to prop the flap at the right angle. You may want to angle the entire box by using a rolled-up towel.

7. You can make toast by buttering a slice of bread then letting the Sun do the rest. Cooking a hot dog or making nachos with chips and cheese are also fun treats to make in your solar oven! It would also work great to heat up leftovers. So the paper at the bottom doesn't get dirty, put what you would like to cook on a clear plastic or glass plate. A pie plate would work well. Place the thermometer inside your oven before you close it, so you can check the temperature.

8. To take food out of the oven, open up the lid of the pizza box, and using oven mitts or potholders, lift the glass dish out of the oven.

Science Lesson:
The heat from the Sun is trapped inside of your pizza box solar oven, and it starts getting very hot. Ovens like this one are called collector boxes because they collect the sunlight inside. As it sits out in the Sun, your oven eventually heats up enough to melt cheese, or cook food!

How does it happen? Rays of light are coming to the Earth at an angle. The foil reflects the ray and bounces it directly into the opening of the box. Once it has gone through the plastic wrap, it heats up the air that is trapped inside. The black paper absorbs the heat at the bottom of the oven, and the newspaper makes sure that the heat stays where it is, instead of escaping out the sides of the oven.

Your pizza box solar oven can reach about 200° F on a sunny day and will take longer to heat things than a conventional oven. Although this method will take longer, it is very easy to use, and it is safe to leave alone while the energy from the Sun cooks your food.

Click here to get the full instructions!

Updated: 07/17/2023 09:20AM