Showing posts with label Kidz Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kidz Science. Show all posts

Friday, December 19, 2014

STEM: The Gift That Keeps On Giving All Year Round

Students Attending Summer Learning Programs Returned to School in the Fall with an Advantage in Math

Students attending voluntary, school district-led summer learning programs entered school in the fall with stronger mathematics skills than their peers who did not attend the programs, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
While students who attended summer learning programs performed better in math, they did not experience near-term benefits in reading or see significant improvement in social and emotional outcomes compared to their peers. However, the study identified key factors linked to reading achievement.
Summer learning loss disproportionately affects low-income students and therefore likely contributes to the achievement gap between these students and their higher-income peers, according to researchers.
The new RAND findings provide the first student outcome data in a six-year study of summer learning programs in five urban areas, which is the most comprehensive research on summer learning to date. It is part of a $50 million project funded by The Wallace Foundation to examine whether and how two consecutive summers of voluntary, district-led summer programs — offering academic instruction and enrichment activities like arts and field trips — help boost low-income students' success in school. Read more about this here

NGSS: Things to Know in December 2014
1) Resource Update: Classroom Sample Assessment Task for middle and high school were just released. These draft sample tasks, written by secondary teachers of a variety of subjects, provide examples of how content from both NGSS and the Common Core State Standards in Math and English can be assessed together in classrooms. Read more about this here
2) Standard Of The Month: 4-LS1-2: Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways. See where these ides are introduced in A Framework for K-12 Science Education
3) Question Of The Month: I have seen some instructional materials that say they are NGSS-aligned. How can I determine if these materials are truly aligned to the NGSS? Answer: Rubrics such as the NGSS EQuIP Rubric can help teachers and administrators make determinations about whether or not lessons, units, and student materials are truly aligned to NGSS.
4) Building Proficiency: There are many different instructional models that can help students build toward proficiency on the NGSS performance expectations. To learn more, read the recent brief from stemteachingtools.org here

And now to shine the spot light on the real STEM Stars of Region 3!!! Let's take a look at some of the STEM learning activities that our expanded learning program practitioners have engaged the children of Region 3 in:

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Bridges After School/ASSETs Programs



Grade Level of Activity: 6th - 8th Grade

Number of students who took part in the activity: 20

Type of Activity: PongSats

Brief Description: The Bridges program at Winston Churchill Middle school participated in a special project called PongSats. An engineer from JP Aerospace spoke with the students about space and brought along several rockets. The engineer also collected PongSats - decorated ping pong balls filled with grass seed - that the students had created. JP Aerospace will send these ping pong balls into space in a balloon or rocket before they are returned to the students. Students will then observe what affect that zero gravity had on the seeds.

Winston Churchill Students ready for PongSats!!!

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community 
                                                                    Service Center



Grade Level of Activity: 4th thru 6th Grade

Number of students who took part in the activity: 24

Type of Activity: S.T.E.M. - Straw Bridges

Learning Outcomes- Students were able to: 

·      Plan a bridge structure from straws and tape that can hold a cup of marbles.
·      Purchase and budget items from their plans appropriately.
·      Create their structure with materials bought.
·      Test the structures and determine how many marbles their bridges can hold.
·      Discuss and evaluate bridges that held up an abundance of marbles.

SCCSC students working on their straw bridges.

SCCSC students working on their straw bridges.



Contact Gabby Gabourel at (916) 670-9293 or at gabby@sccsc.org for more 
information.


Name of Out -of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community 
                                                                    Service Center



Grade Level of Activity: 4th thru 6th Grade

Number of students who took part in the activity: 70

Type of Activity: S.T.E.M. - Kidz Science Magnet Kit

Learning Outcomes- Students were able to: 

  • Goal Setting
  • Teamwork
  • Improve critical thinking
  • Improve problem solving
  • Effective communication
  • Attraction / repulsion of magnetic charges

Comments: Students enjoyed looking for objects in the classroom that were magnetic. The students liked working together to accomplish their goals and understanding of the project. It was a collaborative activity, which promoted creativity and the kits were very easy to understand and use.

For more information contact Scott Kazer at 916 - 804 - 2628.

Name of Out -of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community 
                                                                    Service Center


School Site: William Land Elementary 

Grade Level of Activity: 5th Grade

Number of students who took part in the activity: 20

Type of Activity: S.T.E.M. - Kidz Science Oobleck Kit

Learning Outcomes- Students were able to: 

  • Experiment with reaction of the starch and water
  • Observe and record information about Oobleck material 
  • Experiment with changes of composition of material 
  • Theorize possible uses for Oobleck

For more information contact David Constancio at david@sccsc.org


Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community 
                                                                    Service Center



Grade Level of Activity: Elementary

Number of students who took part in the activity: 80

Brief description: Wenzel ASES students had the opportunity to participate in a supper cool Chemistry show. Students were able to take Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to a whole new level. Students also participated in 180 Degrees program, in which they researched STEM careers.

Super Cool Chemistry Show!!!

For more information please contact Kae Saeteurn at kae@sccsc.org

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community 
                                                                    Service Center


Grade Level of Activity: Elementary

Number of Expanded Learning Staff who took part in the activity: 30 

Type of Activity: S.T.E.M. - Topographic Maps - STEM and Literacy

Learning Outcomes- Students were able to: 

  • Activate prior knowledge about maps and add new vocabulary words to their Word Wall
  • Combine ingredients to make their salt dough for the map
  • Study and imitate the topographic map of California
  • Understand the uses of topography for agriculture, environment, and weather



Please contact Kaycee Moua for more information jaycee@sccsc.org



Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community 
                                                                    Service Center



Grade Level of Activity: Elementary

Number of students who took part in the activity: 20

Type of Activity: S.T.E.M. - In our STEM Club, students conducted two experiments exploring aerodynamics and engineering using the scientific method to predict and test a hypothesis. Students created balloon rockets to propel the balloon from one chair to the other. Students also created "puff mobiles" and had to design and build a car that would be powered by their breath. 

Learning Outcomes- Students were able to: 

  • Describe why a balloon moves forward on a string
  • Explain that thrust is a pushing force created by energy
  • Understand and implement the scientific method
  • Use the scientific method to predict a hypothesis
  • Change a variable to make a new prediction

Students testing their balloon hypothesis!!



Students testing their breath powered car!!


For more information please contact Sarah Heidel at (916) 893-8365

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community 
                                                                    Service Center



Grade Level of Activity: Elementary

Number of students who took part in the activity: 80

Type of Activity: S.T.E.M. - The Sacramento Zoo came by to talk to the students about different habitats around the world as well as things we can do to conserve and protect those habitats. The zoo also brought 4 animals from each of the habitats and the students had an opportunity to look at them up close.




For more information please contact Rian Carroll at rian@sccsc.org



STEM and Other Pertinent Articles:
STEM (and other Integrated Core Content) 
Activities/Videos/Websites/Podcast:





5) Salad Dressing: Science Emulsions (Science Friday Activity)


7) Teach Kids, Not Just Math (Teaching Channel Classroom Strategy Video)

    (Teaching Channel Classroom Strategy Video)

    (Teaching Channel ELA Video)

10) NASA's Space Place: The website offers searchable content by subject area
      and type as it pertains to NGSS. (Website)

11) Wild About Wetlands (Teacher Kits: Free to check out)


STEM Grants:

1) HSA Grant for Educators: The Herb Society of America's mission is to promote the 
    knowledge, use and delight of herbs through educational programs, research, and 
    sharing the experience of its members with the community. The Grant for Educators 
    challenges individuals, groups or small businesses to develop and deliver learning 
    experiences to the public. Each year, the Grant Committee anticipates funding one 
    or two grants for a total of $5,000. (Deadline December 31, 2014)

2) Toshiba America Foundation Grant: Classroom Innovators! Toshiba America 
     Foundation accepts applications from teachers who are passionate about making
     science and mathematics more engaging for their students. $5,000 is the grant 
     award amount (Deadline February 1, 2015)

 3) Community Action Grant: The AAUW is offering Community Action Grants to 
     individuals, AAUW branches, AAUW state organizations, and community-based 
     non-profit organizations that propose programs promoting education and equity for    
     women and girls. One-year grants of $2,000-$7,000 will provide seed money for new 
     projects whose topics include a clearly-defined activity that promotes education and  
     equity for women and girls. Two-year grants of $5,000-$10,000 will provide start-up 
     funds for longer-term programs that address the particular needs of the community 
     and develop girls' sense of efficacy through leadership or advocacy opportunities. 
     Special consideration will be given to projects focused on K-12 and community        
     college girls' and women's achievements in science, technology, engineering, or 
     math (STEM). (Deadline January 15, 2015)

 4) C - Span Student Cam: 
     Deadline: January 20, 2015
    C-SPAN
    Up to $5,000 for students in grades 6-312 (up to $1,000 for their schools) who create 
    winning video documentaries. 

 5) Letters About Literature:
     Deadline: January 15, 2015     Letters About Literature (LAL) and the Center for the 
     Book in the Library of Congress 
     Up to $1,000 for students in grades 4-12 who write a 
     letter that explores an inspiring book, short story, poem, 
     essay, or speech.


 6) P.E. Equipment Grants:
     Deadline: March 1, 2015     Batters Up USA
     Free baseball and softball equipment for local organizations serving youngsters up to 
     age 13.

 7) Grant Wrangler Database


STEM Professional Development / Misc. / Events / Contest:

 1) Region 3: Commitment to Quality: Expanded Learning Program Conference
    (January 26, 2015)

 2) After School Gets Techie with Weebly
     (February 12, 2015)

More Professional Development opportunities being planned for 2015


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: After School): mdrewes@scoe.net
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Thursday, June 5, 2014

Regular Day and After School Program at Lyman Gilmore Middle School Take Student Learning to New Heights!


Everyone has heard of the Wright Brothers and their engineering feat of building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier than air human flight, on December 17, 1903. Have you ever heard of Lyman Gilmore? Do not feel bad if you have never heard of this gentleman before and his often questioned place in history. Not many people outside of Nevada County will know the answer to the question of "Who was Lyman Gilmore?"

Lyman Wiswell Gilmore Jr. ( June 11, 1874 Beaver Creek, Thurston County, Washington - February 18, 1951) was an aviation pioneer. In Grass Valley, California, he built a steam-powered airplane and claimed that he flew it on May 15, 1902. Due to the requirement of a heavy boiler and the dependency on coal as a power source, the flights would have been short. Proofs of his claim were lost in a 1935 hangar fire. There are photographs from 1898 showing Gilmore's machine, but none showing it in the air. The claims of the aircraft achieving flight are unconfirmed and given the weight evident by the grounded aircraft photos, the possibility of flight is highly disputed.

Gilmore is also known for the steam engines that he was granted two patents for in 1902, as well as, opening the first commercial airfield (Gilmore Airfield) in Grass Valley. There is now a middle school named in his honor on the site of the airfield.

On May 21, 2014 over 1,000 students from Grass Valley School District gathered at Lyman Gilmore Middle School to help celebrate the 112th anniversary of Lyman Gilmore's supposed maiden flight. The regular day staff, the after school staff, local businesses, and the community came together to put on the Second Annual Flight Day. The event not only included a fly over by roughly 15 local pilots, but it also included many hands-on, inquiry-based activity booths where the students were able to explore and learn about the principles of flight as well as engineering.

Here are a few photos from the day as well as a video of the fly over.



Lyman Gilmore Mural "Flying into the Future"

Students Learning about Lyman Gilmore.


Wooden Model of a Plane that Aerospace Museum loaned for Flight Day.


Phil Romig and Mark Drewes explaining the principles of flight.

Students were provided with a passport to get stamped at each booth they visited.

Junior Eagles Flight Instruction Program hosted a booth.

Students made RAFT Hoover Crafts.


Students making RAFT Parachutes.


Local engineers are on hand to inform students about possible careers.

Students checking out a fully functional eagle bike.


Students making their "Towering Towers" out of straws.





For more information on Grass Valley's Flight Day please email Carol Viola at cviola@gvsd.k12.ca.us.
Other STEM Expositions and Activities in Region 3 include:

 Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Center For Fathers and Families / Roberts Family Development Center

 Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District

 Grade Level of Activity: K thru 8th grade

 Number of students who took part in the activity: 300

 Type of Activity: 2014 TRUSD ASES STEM Fair
Learning Outcomes- Students were able to: 
  • Students were able to explore scientific themes and topics based on their areas of interest 
  • Students were able to confirm or refute their hypothesis using the scientific method
  • Students were able to show case their findings at the district STEM Fair


The community came together to support the TRUSD ASES STEM Fair. 



Students exploring the STEM displays.

Students were able to ride a hover craft.




Students receiving their STEM awards.

For more information on TRUSD ASES STEM Fair please email Jeremy Combs at Jeremy.Combs@twinriversusd.org.



Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center


Grade Level of Activity: K thru 8th grade

Number of students who took part in the activity: 150

Type of Activity: Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center ASES STEM Expo

Learning Outcomes- Students were able to: 

  • Students were able to explore scientific themes and topics based on their areas of interest 
  • Students were able to confirm or refute their hypothesis using the scientific method
  • Students were able to show case their findings at the district STEM Fair
  • Students were also able to share the engaging STEM activities that they and their peers were exposed to over the 2013-2014 academic year
  • Students were also able to show case their STEM enrichment clubs (such as the Will C. Wood Middle School Lego Mindstorms Club)

Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center ASES STEM Expo.

Lego Mindstorm Will C. Wood display.

Students taking part in the interactive STEM booths.
Students explaining the STEM activities.
Students team up to take part in the Engineering Watercraft Challenge.

Students testing out the design of their water craft.


Awards were handed out for the Water crafts that held the most washers.


For more information on Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center ASES STEM Expo please email Josh Yang at josh@sccsc.org.

Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Wheatland School District ASES Programs

Name of District: Wheatland School District

Grade Level of Activity: 4th thru 8th grade

 Number of students who took part in the activity: 50

 Type of Activity: Ice Boats

 Instructor Notes: The STEM activity is called “Ice Cube Boat Races”.  You start out by preparing the boats in advance (i.e.  fill cube trays with water, cover the trays with aluminum foil, place the toothpicks through the foil into the middle of each cube, and place in the freezer). In order to conduct the races you will need: ice cubes with toothpicks, construction paper, scissors, a tub/long container, tape, and water.  Have students make a sail for their boat (or their team’s boat) and tape it to their toothpick. Fill the tub/long container with water and put it on the table for the students to easily conduct their races.  Have students (typically two at a time) put their boats in the water, and have them blow their boat to the other side; the boat that gets to the finish line the fastest wins.  This type of activity leads to various discussions – we discussed the impacts of the size and shape of the sails (and no sail at all), the amount and direction of wind power needed, and what would be different if we raced in a different substance (other than water).  The students enjoyed the competitions as well as talking about the different variables that would affect their boats’ sailing successfully.  We will definitely do this activity again.

Students preparing to race their Ice Boats.
Students providing the wind for their Ice Boats.



More Ice Boat racing.

For more information on the Ice Boats activity please contact Caitlyn Spina at cspina@wheatland.k12.ca.us.
STEM and Other Pertinent Articles:
1) Tech Leaders Call on Gov. Brown to Increase K-12 Computer Education




STEM (and other Integrated Core Content) 
Activities/Videos/Websites/Podcast:




4) Science Centers: Power STEM Learning

 5) Engineering is Everywhere (Free Middle School Curriculum)

 6) Want to build a website or be more web savvy? Start with fundamentals.
    (Code Academy Lessons Free)

 7) Want to build an app or a game?
    (Code Academy Lessons Free)

 8) Targeted Reading Intervention Series (Grades K-3)
    (Free to check out from California After School Resource Center)

 9) Playbooks Reader's Theatre Series (Grades K-12)
    (Free to check out from California After School Resource Center)

 10) NASA Explorer Schools 
      (Free online Lessons, Videos, Activities, Chats)
      (Grades 4 thru 12)

 11) Youth for Human Rights (Free Curriculum)
STEM / Misc. / Events / Grants / Contest:

 1) Hungry For Music (Ongoing) 

 2) Batters Up USA (Sports Equipment) 
    (Applications Accepted July 1, 2014)

 3) ABC for Fitness (Activity Bursts for the Classroom) (Ongoing)

 4) We Give Books (Online Digital Books for Children Up to Age 10)
    (Ongoing)

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-William (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: After School) @ mdrewes@scoe.net











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