March 2020

K-16 STEM in the NEWS

First Annual Women in Technology Held at BGSU

The Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development held the first annual “Women in Technology” event in collaboration with BGSU's College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering. This daylong program for female high school students in northwest Ohio, was held on Friday, March 6th, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on BGSU's College of Technology campus.

“Women in Technology” provided young women a variety of engaging hands-on activities that allowed them the opportunity to learn and interact with successful STEM faculty at BGSU. Students enjoyed lunch on BGSU’s campus and experienced the innovative lab spaces in the College of Technology. Students also experienced interactive hands-on sessions in collaboration with BGSU faculty and students in:

• Architecture & Environmental Design
• Construction Management
• Mechatronics Engineering Technology
• Visual Communication Technology

80 students from nine regional high schools attended. “Women in Technology” was sponsored by BGSU, BGSU’s College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, and Baker Concrete Construction and was organized by the Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education (NWO) at BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development.

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Community STEM in the NEWS

Engineer for A Day   

SSOE Group, a global project delivery firm for architecture, engineering, and construction management, hosted 31 students from local area high schools; Tecumseh, Dundee, and Ida, as part of Engineers Week. Focused on promoting entry into the engineering profession, Engineers Week took place February 17 – 21, 2020 in locations across the country. Engineers Week is a way to increase the understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers and helps address the shortage of talent in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers by increasing public dialogue about the need for engineers and other STEM professionals.

Visiting students experienced hands-on learning from a team of engineers and technical experts when they spent part of their day at SSOE’s world headquarters in Toledo for the “Engineer for a Day” program. Students attended a luncheon at The University of Toledo College of Engineering before meeting at SSOE. While at SSOE, they had the opportunity to participate in team building activities, gain insight into the different engineering disciplines, and learn what it takes to become an engineer—and potentially a future employee of SSOE.

First, the students heard opening remarks from SSOE President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Vince DiPofi, PE. The program then began with an overview of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), and learning the important role of technology. After the overview, students participated in a LEGO exercise that taught them the value of VDC. The activity simulated traditional building in a 2D model and then was repeated in a 3D model using virtual reality as a tool. This helped the students visualize the project more accurately, resulting in reduced errors and time savings. Next, the students heard a demonstration on electrical engineering titled “Let’s Build a Motor”, exposing them to the motor effect and electromagnetism. The day concluded with “Construct a Building Frame", and using household items, students were split into groups and given structural guidelines. They tested their structures at the end to see who constructed the most stable structure with a faux seismic test.

During the program, students also learned about SSOE’s Student Co-op / Internship Program. This program provides college students with resume building experience, a competitive wage, and college credits. Over the past 3 years, SSOE has hired more than 175 students in the Student Co-op / Internship Program for full-time positions at 20+ offices. In addition, SSOE has been named a “Great Workplace” by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work^® for 4 consecutive years.

About SSOE Group
As a Top 10 Engineering / Architecture firm for the past 7 years (BD+C), SSOE focuses on delivering Great Client Service to clients through a full range of project delivery solutions. They have been named a "Great Workplace" (Great Place to Work^®) and one of the "Best AEC Firms to Work For" (BD+C).

With more than 20 offices around the world, SSOE is known for making its clients successful by saving them time, trouble, and money. Over the company's 70-year history, it has earned a reputation for providing quality project solutions to semiconductor, automotive, food, chemical, glass, manufacturing, healthcare, power, and general building industries—with projects completed in 40 countries. Visit www.ssoe.com for additional information and career opportunities.

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STEM Opportunities

Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) Student Essay Contest

for Grades 6-12  

2020 OSLN Essay Contest Prompt: Tell OSLN about a problem in your life or community. How did you solve it? Or, how will you solve it?

Participation Requirements

• Students must currently be in grades 6-12.
• Students must currently attend an OSLN-designated STEM school (see directory).
• Essays must be under 800 words.

Essays must be submitted by 11:59PM on Sunday, April 5th at the Typeform at the following link (http://tiny.cc/8621iz). Note: You cannot save drafts in this form. We suggest writing the essay in Microsoft Word or Google Docs and then copying and pasting your essay into the form.

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Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams

High school students, educators, and mentors receive up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. Applications open now through April 6, 2020.

InvenTeam students rely on inquiry and hands-on problem solving as they integrate lessons from science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to develop invention prototypes. Interactive, self-directed learning coupled with STEM curricula are essential for experiencing invention.

For more information: https://lemelson.mit.edu/inventeams?utm_source=Teachers+Newsletter+February+2020&utm_campaign=eGFI+Teachers+February+2020&utm_medium=email

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INFOhio New Grades 6-12 Digital Content Learning Pathway

INFOhio Campus is the go-to place for personalized training and development for INFOhio.

As one of the PD choices in INFOhio Campus, the INFOhio Learning Pathways offer educators flexible, collaborative PD. Take one class in a pathway and earn contact hours, or take all the classes to earn contact hours and a digital badge.  

The new 6-12 Digital Content Learning Pathway focuses on inquiry and applying INFOhio’s Dimensions of Inquiry when using INFOhio's digital content and web tools and currently contains three classes worth a total of eight contact hours.  

For more information: https://www.infohio.org/campus

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INFOhio Social and Emotional Learning
    

With over 75,000 lesson plans, printable, videos, teaching strategies, and other instructional resources, INFOhio's Educator Tools is a great place to find resources to support Ohio's Social Emotional Learning Standards - and at no cost to Ohio teachers.  

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Grow Next Gen Virtual Farm Trip

Take your class on a virtual field trip to learn more about modern farming and connect with a real Ohio soybean farmer.

• See the farmer in action!
• Engage in a live video tour of soybean fields
• Ride in a tractor and/or combine
• Ask questions about planting, seed germination, management, and harvest
• Discover the uses and benefits of Ohio soybeans
• Understand the challenges farmers face and the decisions they must make
• Learn about current topics like GMOs, water quality, and nutrient management

https://grownextgen.org/virtual-field-trips

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NWO STEM Activity

Toilet Paper Tube Light Bulb 

This month's activity is from Hooked on Science: https://www.hookedonscience.org/  

SCIENCE SAFETY     

PLEASE follow these safety precautions when doing any science experiment.

• ALWAYS have an adult present.
• ALWAYS wear the correct safety gear while doing any experiment.
• NEVER eat or drink anything while doing any experiment.
• REMEMBER experiments may require marbles, small balls, balloons, and other small parts. Those objects could become a CHOKING HAZARD. Adults are to perform those experiments using these objects. Any child can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Keep uninflated or broken balloons away from children.

What You Need

• Electrical Tape
• 8 "D" Batteries
• 0.7 mm Pencil Lead
• Mason Jar
• 2 Wires with Alligator Clips
• Toilet Paper Tube

What To Do

• STEP 1: Use the electrical tape to secure all of the "D" batteries together in a series.
• STEP 2: Use the electrical tape to secure the alligator clips to the sides of the toilet paper tube.
• STEP 3: Place a 0.7 mm piece of pencil lead between the alligator clips at the top of the toilet paper tube.
• STEP 4: Place the Mason jar over the toilet paper tube, alligator clips, and 0.7 mm piece of pencil lead.
• STEP 5: Close the circuit by touching the ends of the alligator clips to the ends of the batteries. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by electric currents. Apply scientific ideas to refine your toilet paper tube light bulb, which converts energy from one form to another.

Explanation

• The electrons, from the battery, flow through the alligator clips and pencil lead, creating a closed circuit. The pencil lead or filament becomes so hot, it glows, weakens, and eventually breaks.