Mathematics Awareness Month began in 1986 as Mathematics Awareness Week with a proclamation by President Ronald Regan, who said in part:
"Despite the increasing importance of mathematics to the progress of our economy and society, enrollment in mathematics programs has been declining at all levels of the American educational system. Yet the application of mathematics is indispensable in such diverse fields as medicine, computer sciences, space exploration, the skilled trades, business, defense, and government. To help encourage the study and utilization of mathematics, it is appropriate that all Americans be reminded of the importance of this basic branch of science to our daily lives."
Visit this website to find out about current women who are working in the mathematics field.
Here are a few math resources to engage your youth in to celebrate the month:
1) Printable Math Manipulatives and Games (Grades 1-6)
2) Offline Math Games (Grades 1-8)
3) Printable Math Games (Grades 1-8)
4) Math Activities for Kids (TK to 8th)
Now let's take a peek and see how a few expanded learning programs in the region have been engaging youth in STEM / enrichment learning activities.
Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider:
Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center
Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District
School Site: Frontier Elementary
Grade Level of Activity: K - 6th
Number of Students who took part in the activity: 30 students
Type of Activity: Talent Night Performances
Learning Outcomes: Students were able to:
- Students took on leadership roles such as Team Captains and Choreographers
- Students learned to work collaboratively alongside their peers as well as The Center’s Frontier Elementary School Team Leader(s) to develop an ideal line up, coordinate costumes, and assist in stage productions
- Students utilized Art, Dance, Music, and Physical Activity to put on a performance
- Students had access to authentic leadership roles with choreography, script-writing, music editing, and implementing their ideas
- Students were able to take on the responsibility of preparing the necessary resources needed for the performance process
- Students creatively showcased their skills and talents to an audience
- Students were encouraged throughout the development process of the performance and showed understanding of the benefits of their hard work and diligence
For more information on this activity please contact Lily Kobzar the expanded learning
program manager at Frontier Elementary at lily@sccsc.org
program manager at Frontier Elementary at lily@sccsc.org
Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider:
Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center
Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District
School Site: Orchard Elementary School
Grade Level of Activity: 2nd - 3rd
Number of Students who took part in the activity: 20 students
Type of Activity: Bubbles Kidz Science Kit
Learning Outcomes: Students were able to:
- Learn about water surface tension
- Learn about how soap affects surface tension
- Learn about the properties of soapy water
- Observe the differences between bubbles made with soap vs. glycerin
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| Expanded Learning students exploring different types of bubble solution.
For more information on this activity please contact Adrian Perryman the expanded
learning program manager at Orchard Elementary at
adrian.perryman@twinriversusd.org.
|
Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider:
Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District
School Site: Del Paso Heights Elementary School
Grade Level of Activity: 1st thru 6th
Number of Students who took part in the activity: All the students
Type of Activity: Engineering Design Challenge at the 3rd Annual STEAM Expo
Learning Outcomes Students were able to:
- Work as a team and come up with a unique and interactive project to showcase the day of the event
- Implement innovative ideas when it comes to competing in the engineering design challenge
- Gain experience in competition through an event that challenges their thinking and creating abilities in regards to incorporating as many machines as they can into their Rube Goldberg machine
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| Expanded Learning students showcasing their gravity inspired Rube Goldberg Machine. |
For more information on this activity please contact Julio Roman the expanded
learning site coordinator at Del Paso Heights Elementary School at julio@sccsc.org.
Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider:
Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District
School Site: Hiram Johnson High School
Grade Level of Activity: 9th thru 12th
Number of Students who took part in the activity: 20 students
Type of Activity: Coding for STEM
Learning Outcomes: Students were able to:
- Understand the basic skills needed in the field of computer coding
- Learn the technical aspects of coding
- Explore the complexity of computer coding through an online program with guidance from an experienced teacher
- Exercise creative license in class projects
For more information on this activity please contact Emily Belko the expanded learning
program manager at Hiram Johnson High School at ebelko@sccsc.org.
Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider:
Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center
Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District
School Site: Pony Express Elementary School
Grade Level of Activity: 1st thru 6th
Number of Students who took part in the activity: 60 students
Type of Activity: Dry Ice Bubbles
Learning Outcomes: Students were able to:
- Learn about the properties of dry ice
- Learn about about carbon dioxide in its solid and gas form
- Learn about the process called sublimation
- Learn about what accelerates the sublimation process
- Observe sublimation as an energy source
- Learn about the commercial uses of dry ice
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| Expanded Learning students learning about dry ice bubbles. |
learning program manager at Pony Express Elementary School at Ashley.johnson@sccsc.org.
STEM / Expanded Learning and Other Pertinent Articles:
1) Scientist take on New Roles in K-12 Classrooms
(Article by Sarah D. Sparks, Edweek, February 7, 2017)
2) The Education Week Spotlight on Equity (Edweek Resource)
3) How the New Budget Funds STEM in ESSA
(NGSS for States by States Webpage)
4) 7 Simple Steps to Create a Positive School Climate
(Article by Peter DeWitt, Edweek, April 2, 2018)
5) Yes, the Social Safety Net Matters for Student Performance
(Article by Anna Gassman-Pines and Laura Bellows, Edweek, March 29, 2018)
6) 5 Approaches to Closing the Soft Skills Gap
(White Paper by the Avid Center)
7) Supporting Students with Chronic Trauma
(Article by Micere Keels, Edutopia, March 23, 2018)
8) Teaching English Language Learners: A Complex Endeavor
(Article by Carly Berwick. Edutopia, March 9, 2018)
9) In High School, the Kids are Not All Right
(Article by David Tow, Edutopia, March 7, 2018)
10) Using Science to Bring Literature to Life
(Article by Amy and Edward Kang, Edutopia, February 22, 2018)
STEM / STEAM / DACA / Educational Resources etc.:
1) Free K-5 Teacher STEM Resources (Discovery Education)
2) Free 6-8 Teacher STEM Resources (Discovery Education)
3) Free 9-12 Teacher STEM Resources (Discovery Education)
4) After School Webinars (On-demand) (Free) (Afterschool Alliance)
5) Afterschool STEM Hub Online Resources (Afterschool STEM Hub)
6) Summer Learning Resource Guide Center
(National Summer Learning Association)
7) Summer Matters (Reports, Tools, Topics, etc.) (Summer Matters)
8) DACA Resources for families who reside in the city of Sacramento
(City of Sacramento)
9) Immigration Unit Activity Plans (Grades 1-5)
(Edjustice) (Educator's Guide to Pancho Rabbit)
10) Resources for Educators Supporting Dreamers
(Edjustice)
STEM / Non-STEM Grants:
1) #SchoolsNotPrisons DIY Grant (Sol Collective) (Due: April 16, 2018)
(15) $5,000 community grants will be awarded)
2) Home Depot Community Impact Grants
(Open Until December 31st 2018) (Grant Awards up to $5,000)
3) Innovation and Research 3D Printing Grant (Open / Rolling)
4) Toshiba STEM Classroom Grants (Open / Rolling)
5 Discover Engineering Collaboration Grants (Open / Rolling)
6) Teacher Awards for Literacy (Due June 1, 2018)
(Grant Awards: $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000)
7) Siemens STEM Fab Lab Makeover (Due: April 27, 2018)
8) Library Innovation Grant (Due: April 15, 2018)
9) The Impact Foundry (Grants Page)
10) CAN Grants Page (Grants Page)
11) Wells Fargo Community Grants (Grants Page)
Professional Learning Sessions / Contest / Conferences / etc.
1) Artivisim (Free) (May 16, 2018)
2) 5th Annual Beyond the Dream Conference (Free) (May 12th)
3) Operation Recognition Essay Contest (Deadline: April 24, 2018)
($500 Scholarship) (Available to public high school students in Sacramento County)
More to come in the upcoming weeks
Thanks again for all that you do in the field. Please keep us posted about STEM
events / activities in your area. Please feel free to contact us at any time.
Monica Gonzalez-Williams (SCOE: Region 3: After School Regional Lead):
mgonzalez@scoe.net
Phil Romig (SCOE: Science Curriculum Specialist): promig@scoe.net
Mark Drewes (SCOE: Project Specialist II: Expanded Learning) mdrewes@scoe.net
