SciMathMN

STEM Day 2020 Gets Green Light

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STEM Day 2020 is now being planned for the Opening Day of the State Fair, Thursday, August 27, 2020!
This year will undoubtedly be different. Currently the State Fair is confident that we will all be there. Efforts to keep the public and exhibitors healthy are changing as coronavirus’ impact on the state changes and our response evolves. We are monitoring the situation closely and will follow any best practices that are recommended or required. That may mean modifications to the event including the number of exhibitors that can participate.
This application helps the STEM Day Committee determine this summer’s roster of exhibitors. Please read the instructions carefully and provide as much specific and detailed information to assist our committee in its final selections. Full and complete applications will receive priority during the selection process.
You can find the application at https://forms.gle/R2jg7k6Ykv1jXVVe9. The deadline for submission is June 1, 2020.

Distance Learning Resources for Minnesota Teachers and Parents

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The transition to distance learning for Minnesota schools opens a whole new set of opportunities and challenges for teachers and support staff.  Parents who are home are looking for resources, teachers will be trying approaches, seeing what works, what doesn’t, and then looking for more resources.

The Minnesota Department of Education is providing resources across academic areas for implementing the states academic standards.

The Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester has developed an extensive Distance Learning Resource Repository. The repository has links to online museums with robust digital learning resources such as the Smithsonian; Chicago Field Museum as well as National Park virtual tours; online museum collections, exhibits; and a long list of STEM specific resources.

The MDE requirement that this new area of distance learning requires that teaching be equitable for all students including those with special needs such as those requiring special education services, English Language Learners, and those with limited or no access to internet services at home.  The PEW Charitable Trust raises concerns and reviews some of the federal Department of Education guidance.  : Switch to Remote Learning Could Leave Students with Disabilities Behind.

Students without access to high speed internet make up 14% of the population according to recent federal statistics.  Reaching those students presents a different set of challenges.  Many districts have been reaching out to families and even providing school purchased devices.  KQED, the San Francisco National Public Radio affiliate has provided 14 Tips for Helping Students with Limited Internet Have Distance Learning.

STEM Day at the Fair turns 10!

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The best day of the Minnesota summer, STEM Day at the Fair returns Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Dan Patch Park.  STEM Day again kicks off the Fair on opening day expecting over three dozen hands-on exhibitors of all things Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math for young families to discover and … [Continue reading...]