I was recently given
the opportunity to attend a STEM Leadership conference sponsored by our local
university and Verizon. Pairs of Mentor
Teachers and their Novice Teachers were invited to attend together. I really
love that the intent was to foster on-going learning relationships with
teachers. Attending workshops in the summer is not always fun...but THIS
opportunity was not only fun- it was inspiring!
If you don't know
much about STEM and why it's important, here's the basic breakdown.
Obviously, this is something we can do something
about- starting in elementary school. So what stops us? For me it is funding
and lack of materials. At this conference I learned that the key to getting
funding for STEM programs in our schools really relies on partnerships with
businesses/corporations. According to our presenters, they have bookoos of
funds available and teachers rarely fill out the grants. So I need to get my
tail in gear!
My favorite speaker of the day was Rose Kirk, Verizon's Chief Corporate
Social Responsibility Officer. I immediately related to her because she is
homegrown (an Arkansas girl!) Verizon supports a number of STEM educational
initiatives, including the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program and the
Verizon Innovative App Challenge. I had
no idea!
Throughout the day,
we participated in several hands-on workshops. This was SO fun! If I am hooked,
I am sure my students will be. I can't wait to integrate STEM activities in my
classroom!
Here we are
transferring fat-head minnows (I did NOT make that name up!) and water fleas
into small containers. We learned how these animals are used to help test the
toxicity of water. It was really cool!
Here we are in a workshop with Vic Dreier, director of
Project Lead the Way. PLTW provides a comprehensive approach to STEM Education
using activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum for students K-12. We got just a taste PLTW and participated in
fun (back-to-school appropriate) STEM Activities.
Here we are with one challenge: Create 2 name tags using
only 2 pipe cleaners, 1 notecard, 1 rubber band, and 1 paperclip.
At the end of the conference we were surprised with free stuff (and not just ink pens and note pads!) Who doesn't love free stuff?!?
Excited Teachers with Kindle Fires and USBs!
Thank you to ASU and Verizon for partnering to get us excited about STEM! If you have the opportunity to attend an event like this in the future, I HIGHLY recommend it! Also, if you are looking for STEM resources in your area, start with your state's STEM coalition.
(:
Mandi
