SciMathMN

Science standards review committee moves towards first draft

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The standards committee for a fifth time on October 3rd.  This meeting included a change in venue, meeting at the new Bell Museum.

The meeting opened with a review of the significant work that the committee has already done.  This includes an overview of the standards development process, reviewing current Minnesota standards against other states standards, developing a draft of the required career and college statement, reviewing the NGSS standards, and examining the public feedback on the current standards.

The committee then had an extensive discussion on how best to organize standards within the requirements of Minnesota state law.  After much discussion the committee chose to prioritize student practice expectations emphasizing what students would know and be able to do.  Having already decided to use anchor standards across all of K-12, then worked across grade levels to suggest what performance expectations should be placed broadly at what grade level.

Discussion among some committee members included the challenges that many schools face in finding appropriately licensed teachers to teach science classes.  The graduation requirement that students take three years of science between 9th and 12th grades was also raised as a factor in both standards writing and student opportunities.

MDE staff reminded committee members of several items to keep in mind as the committee works.  First, by law the standards must include the contributions of Minnesota’s Native American tribes and communities.  Consultation with Native American leaders will be an important aspect of the process as standards are developed.  As the committee works the standards they develop must be understandable to the public and must be able to be assessed.  Additionally according to Minnesota law standards must be grade level specific.

The committee voted heavily to empower the writing group to begin writing standards from the Next Generation Science Standards practices for this first draft.  MDE will be hosting a number of public feedback sessions across the state after the initial draft of new standards is released November 9.  It is understood that “the first draft is never the last draft”.

The committee meets next on Thursday, November 1 at MDE, Conference Center B, room 17-18.  The first draft of standards is due to be released November 9.

STEM Day at the Fair returns August 23rd

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STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair returns August 23

STEM Day (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) returns for the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair, Thursday, Aug. 23, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., in Dan Patch Park just outside the grandstand.

State Fair visitors will find over 30 exhibitors with hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations designed for children of all ages, including a new Girls Zone, a First Robotics Competition Zone, and a performance stage.

Exhibitors and stage performances have been chosen to represent a broad range of science and technology to show visitors how everyday objects, systems and buildings are driven by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Visitors will be able to sit in the cockpit of an F4 jet and learn what it’s like to drive a MNDOT snowplow in their training simulator.

STEM Day at the State Fair is an initiative of SciMathMN, a nonprofit statewide organization that advocates for effective, engaging, and rigorous STEM education opportunities for all Minnesota students to prepare them for citizenship, career, and college. Organized by volunteers, STEM Day at the State Fair is supported by Boston Scientific, Smiths Medical, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Seagate, MTS Systems Corporation, and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT).

“Kids love to explore their world. That tinkering, exploring, and questioning is an interest in STEM,” said Jim Davnie, executive director of SciMathMN. “Minnesota companies already have more jobs requiring STEM skills than they can fill, and the gap is growing. STEM fields offer a variety of rewarding career paths and STEM Day at the State Fair is designed to showcase this diversity.”

2018 STEM Day at the State Fair Participants
3M Visiting Wizards America’s Fun Science
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Minnesota American Public Works Association – Minnesota Chapter The Bakken Museum
Bell Museum Boston Scientific
Challenger Learning Center of Minnesota Code Savvy
Emerson
First Robotics Competition Zone Girls Inc. at YWCA Minneapolis High Tech Kids
iBrics – Experiential Learning for the 21st Century Market Science
Midwest Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) Minnesota IT Services (MNIT)

Minnesota MATHCOUNTS
Minnesota State High School Mathematics League Minnesota Zoo
MTS Systems Corporation
NASA’s MN Space Grant Consortium Northern Star Scouting – STEM Northrop Grumman Corporation Osseo Area Schools Kidstop
Play Quiz Bowl
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Minnesota SciGirls / Twin Cities PBS
Science from Scientists Science Museum of Minnesota SciMathMN
Seagate Smiths Medical
Society of Women Engineers – Minnesota Chapter
The United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol, Fort Snelling Cadet Squadron The Works Museum
“WOW Wind Power” / Blattner Energy / YIMA Aviation STEM Academy

Performance Stage
9:15 AM University of Minnesota Raptor Center 10:15 AM University of Minnesota Physics Force
11:15 AM Minnesota Department of Education – Presidential Award Finalists Recognition 11:25 AM Science Museum of Minnesota
12:15 PM University of Minnesota Raptor Center 1:15 PM The Bakken Museum
2:15 PM Science Museum of Minnesota 3:15 PM Concordia Science Academy 4:15 PM The Bakken Museum

Sponsors
Platinum sponsors: Boston Scientific, and Smiths Medical Silver sponsor: Seagate Technology, Northrop Grumman Corporation T-shirt sponsor: MTS Systems Corporation
Tote bag sponsor: Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT)

For more information
Visit STEM Day at the State Fair on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/STEM-Day-at-the- Minnesota-State-Fair/213598361997441