October 2023

NWO’s Education Program Manager Jenna Pollock hosted 85 Advanced Science 8th graders from Washington Local Schools for a campus experience focused on the earth sciences. The students were provided hands-on lessons incorporating 8th grade science standards within three activity stations. The Tech Pond located near BGSU’s College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering allowed students the opportunity to examine environmental changes taking place over time. Next the students learned about seismic refraction, and visited the university’s earthquake machine, which tracks earthquakes around the globe and in northwest Ohio. The lessons and hands-on activities that the students engaged in at BGSU were created by Dr. John Farver and Graduate Student Lauren Huhn of the Geology Department to provide extra content and an authentic experience for students interested in and majoring in Earth Science and Geology.

The Northwest Ohio Center of Excellence in STEM Education (NWO) in the College of Education and Human Development at BGSU, in partnership with the Toledo Zoo and Xcite Learning, held the third annual “BioBlitz BG” event on a natural habitat prairie for local fifth graders from Bowling Green city schools and seventh graders from Washington Local school district.

“BioBlitz BG” was held in September at Wintergarden Park in Bowling Green and the Toledo Zoo and taught participants how to observe nature and become active citizen scientists, to help preserve local natural habitats while learning in an outdoor classroom.

Dr. Jodi Haney, Professor Emeritus of Science and Environmental Education at BGSU and GLOBE Master Trainer remarked, “We were so impressed with the participation and engagement witnessed among ALL participants, and it is our goal to engage students in exploration and investigation in nature in order to learn about both living and nonliving components of the local prairie ecosystem and what they and their families can proactively do to maintain its health. Finally, we wanted to inspire students to take action to help protect and preserve both local prairies and planet Earth.”

Alex Burris from the Toledo Zoo and co-director of the zoo’s Project PRAIRIE (PRAiries that InvigoRate Inquiry LEarning) program, was similarly pleased with the outcome of the event. Along with the help from BGSU pre-service undergraduates, participating students were charged with the task to document as many living organisms as possible (both plants and animals) as they encountered in the prairies. The student-collected data was then uploaded to the iNaturalist platform, a learning application dedicated to citizen science and inquiry-based discoveries in nature that is useful for scientific data collection and conservation.

The enthusiastic students also cycled through additional citizen scientist activities during the BioBlitz. Dr. Haney facilitated the students’ observation of clouds and measurement of air, surface, and soil temperatures to compare prairie habitats as part of The GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observation of the Environment). This data was uploaded to the GLOBE Program database and shared with scientists who use GLOBE data to better monitor the earth.

The students took soil, air, and surface temperature measurements to compare the prairie to nearby places like the trail and the woods. Students also took cloud observations using the GLOBE Observer App to learn how different types of clouds have a different impact on the earth’s climate. This app allows any citizen to be a citizen scientist, making important observations used by NASA scientists.

Zoo staff taught students how to make seed drops to plant seeds in their own backyards. After assembling their seed drop bags, students then made Prairie ethograms by watching and observing insects in the prairie.

The results and data collections were sent to the teachers for them to discuss and reflect on this information with their students to further deepen all learning.

Jenna Pollock, Education Program Manager at NWO, hopes the “BioBlitz” will continue to grow each year as she stated, “STEM education and inquiry-based learning is as important as ever and engaging young students in this type of activity is part of our mission. We are thrilled with the student engagement with this event!”

“BioBlitz BG” was sponsored by NWO, the BGSU College of Education and Human Development, Xcite Learning, the Toledo Zoo, Bowling Green City Parks, and Lubrizol Corporation.

From Ohio STEM Learning Network

In May, the Ohio STEM Committee approved six schools in the state for five years of STEM school designation.

Hawkins STEMM Academy of Toledo Public Schools earned designation for the first time. The designation shows that Hawkins has exhibited the qualities of STEM education outlined by the Ohio Quality Model for STEM and STEAM Schools.

The Ohio STEM Learning Network reached out to Hawkins for the school’s view on designation, their “superpower in STEM,” and advice for other schools. Prinicipal Aufwiedersehen Winfield and leadership team collaborated on a set of answers. Cynthia Madanski, instructional coach also provided her perspective on several key questions. Their answers also include content from teacher Carey Bryant and Monica Cornell, the intervention specialist who co-led Hawkins’ Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Zero Barriers effort. 

Read on for an in-depth look at Hawkins, its mission, its community partners and the process involved in achieving designation:

Q: Tell us about your school, its students, its mission and the community that it serves.

Principal Winfield: Hawkins STEMM Academy promotes high academic achievement through project-based learning, which ignites students to become innovative thinkers and problem solvers. We are part of Toledo Public Schools, our doors are open to all learners.

We use a student-directed process to creatively solve real-world problems while integrating science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Located next to Toledo Botanical Garden Metropark, our vision is a welcoming, flexible, nurturing atmosphere emphasizing students as engaged participants in the natural world. We are “In Sync with Nature.” Our learning is rooted in stewardship, inclusion, curiosity, perseverance and community.

Cynthia Madanksi: We have a higher percentage of students with disabilities and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) than other schools in Ohio, and we view that as a strength. We believe that STEM education is for all students. 

Q: Why did you seek the statewide STEM School Designation? What was involved in seeking the designation, and, as principal, what did you learn from the process?

Principal Winfield: When I became principal, Hawkins was in the process of seeking STEM designation. As a first-year principal, I learned it was necessary to serve the school by connecting and collaborating STEM with students, parents, teachers and community partners. I strongly feel that STEM education plays a significant role in today’s complex world, drives innovation and creates job opportunities for our youth. 

Q: What do you consider your school’s “superpower” when it comes to STEM education, and what could other schools learn from your successes?

Principal Winfield: Our inclusion of special education and general education classes work hand in hand on PBL and STEM classes. Learning is collaborative and project based in a way where kids are solving real-world problems. 

Another superpower is our location. Our theme is “In Sync with Nature,” and we live and breathe it. We have Toledo Botanical Garden on one corner, a nature and science career based high school on the other and a prairie in between.

Cynthia Madanski: What a fun question! Our superpower is how students, staff, family members and our community members live our Core Values every day. Our learning is rooted in community, and students are working side by side with architects, engineers, zoologists, business owners, park rangers and experts with a wide variety of careers in our own community.

Our relationship with the community is reciprocal; our students solve problems for our partners. Students use resources inside and outside of our school to solve authentic problems. In addition, students collaborate with members in the community while learning to be accountable for their own actions. 

At Hawkins STEMM, we have freedom to learn outside our school walls with our community partners. Stewardship is a core value that helps us stay “In Sync with Nature.” Our students learn to care for our surroundings and understand the impact we have on the environment. We nurture and show empathy for others. Projects work to promote positive change to conserve, preserve and restore the environment.

As a school community, we are especially proud of our core value of inclusion. We believe everyone can do STEMM. Every single person who walks through our doors is a valued member of the community. We also believe everyone has the ability to find and demonstrate their individual purpose.

To be engaged in STEM education, our students need to have perseverance. We do not give up despite difficulties, failure or barriers. Students learn that our first attempt is not our best attempt, and we embrace problem solving. We embrace the fact that we can succeed and have the strength to remain dedicated to a purpose, idea or task.

Our final core value of curiosity connects everything we do. Our students and educators have a sense of wonder and are aware of the world around us. We have a strong desire to learn new things. Finally, we use critical thinking and our Hawkins STEMM design process to explore things that spark our curiosity. 

These Core Values took significant time and rich discussions to develop. My advice to other schools to learn from this success is to be sure every stakeholder is a part of developing the STEM identity and habits of mind for your school.

We spent a full day together, off site, and started by completing a design challenge. Next, groups brainstormed the Core Values we needed to display, and want our students to develop, to be successful at the challenge. Several iterations were shared, and passionate discussions happened to defend and argue values that are appropriate for students in all grade levels.

Definitions for each core value were created, and a graphic was approved for a schoolwide poster. Our core values posters were shared with all of our community partners and are posted in every classroom. Taking the time to create our Core Values was a defining moment for our school and was a turning point in our STEM journey.

See full story here: https://osln.org/2023/10/staying-in-sync-with-nature-hawkins-stemm-academys-stem-approach/

Statewide Design Challenge

Computational Thinking PD

Computational Thinking (CT) is a framework that describes a set of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Using CT, “students develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and test solutions”. CT may be considered a precursor to developing computer programming skills, having much broader applications. The skills, attitudes, and approaches that make up CT are fundamental, universal, transferrable, and particularly appropriate and useful in the modern computer age.

Facilitated by Dr. Jerry Schnepp, this professional development session will prepare educators to enrich their pedagogy and assessment with CT. Participants will learn to apply CT concepts to promote creativity and innovation in their classrooms and to imbue students with essential mindsets for 21st century careers.

This session will be held at BGSU Levis Commons 

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Date: Thursday, November 30th, 2023 BGSU Levis Commons, 1655 N Wilkinson Way, Perrysburg, OH 43551
Light dinner, refreshments provided
Cost: FREE 

Space is limited for this program!
Please register to attend: https://forms.gle/HK8m8JMtfnAJVqjA6

Ohio STEM Learning Network Design Challenge

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.

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

Register on OSLN.org to receive a free guidebook detailing the challenge process from start to finish, including how students can connect their solutions to programming from the Ohio Academy of Science.

Battelle Climate Challenge

Want to help save the earth? Join the Battelle Climate Challenge! Teachers of 9-12th grade students, guide your students to research past and future impacts of climate change in your community, then develop a proposed action to help build a more climate resilient community. Entries are due January 19, 2024 by 8:59 PM Pacific Time. Submit at https://www.futureengineers.org/battelleclimatechallenge or share this summary.

National expert Dr. Mike SanClements will join 2023's student winner, Ashley Nguyen of Westminster High School in Southern California, for an upcoming webinar.

Learning Blade free STEM/CS career exploration resource

Learning Blade is an online platform that provides interactive and engaging lessons on various STEM topics while exploring high-demand careers. Designed for students in grades 5-9, it offers a unique learning experience that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and exploration of STEM careers. Learning Blade also includes a 20-hour "Introduction to Coding" course designed for middle schools. 

This comprehensive STEM/CS middle school resource aligns with Ohio's educational standards grades 5-9 and offers a wide range of "Missions" covering topics such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and much more. With over 400 online career-oriented lessons and offline project-based lessons, Learning Blade brings real-world applications to the classroom, inspiring students to pursue exciting STEM opportunities and career paths. (See Learning Blade's Mission Diagrams). Please see the website for more details: https://osln.org/how-we-help/classroom-opportunities/stem-career-awareness-platform/

INFOhio PreK-12 Digital Library

INFOhio is Ohio’s PreK-12 Digital Library, providing quality digital content and web tools to teachers, parents, and students at no cost. These resources include:

• Capstone Interactive eBooks - more than 800 titles for grades 3-6, featuring books like All About Earth: Exploring the Planet with Science Projects and Amazing Life Science Activities.
• ScienceFlix - complete units of study on STEM topics such as Climate Adaptation, Coding, Robotics, and Scientific Method. More than 80 units support students in grades 6-8.
• STEM & Career eBook Collection (Gale) - more than 70 eBooks for grades 7-12 provide information on 21st Century careers, responsible technology use, and social and emotional learning.
• Science Online - articles, diagrams, learning modules, interactive virtual experiments, timelines and biographies aligned with STEM topics. Appropriate for students in grades 7-12 
• Today’s Science - more than 6,000 high-interest, current science news articles and research topics connect the world to the STEM classroom

Lucas Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD)

Involve students in their community with the Caring For Our Watersheds education program that engages students in preserving and improving their local watersheds through student-led solutions. This program is curriculum-based and an excellent way to bring project-based learning to the classroom. Plus,students and their schools can win cash-prizes!

Additional information is posted on the Lucas SWCD Website at www.lucasswcd.org/caring4watershed

Engineer Girl

For the 2024 EngineerGirl Writing Contest, we’re asking students to write a piece exploring the lifecycle of an object that they use in their daily life. The contest is open to all youth in grades 3-12 and submissions have a chance to win up to $1,000! The submission deadline is February 1, 2024. Get all of the details at EngineerGirl.org/Contest.