SciMathMN

MnSTA Adopts Position Statement on Elementary Science

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The Minnesota Science Teachers Association (MnSTA) strongly supports the concept that science must be a basic component in the daily curriculum of every elementary school student at every grade level. In the last decade, numerous reports have been published calling for reform in education. Each report has highlighted the importance of early experiences in science to allow students to develop lifelong curiosity for the natural world and problem-solving skills that empower them to participate in an increasingly scientific and technological world.

In their recently released position statement on Elementary Science, MnSTA recommends that every elementary student in Minnesota should receive the equivalent of at least 3 hours of science instruction per week.

See the full position statement.

2016 NSTA Regional Conference in Minneapolis

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Sign up for the National Science Teachers Association’s 2016 Area Conference on Science Education in Minneapolis: October 27–29! The conference themes focus on STEM instruction across the curriculum, teaching science in a connected world, and elementary science and literacy connections—and will explore ideas and practices that enhance three-dimensional teaching and learning. There will be over 275 sessions many focused on the conference strands:  STEM instruction, Connecting Elementary Science and Literacy, and Teaching Science in a Connected World.

Learn more about the conference at http://www.nsta.org/conferences/area1.aspx

MN STEM Teacher Center Update

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SciMathMN is currently assessing funding needs for both for maintenance and expansion of the content and features of the MN STEM Teacher Center, home of the MN Math and Science frameworks (www.scimathmn.org/stemtc). We are also considering the needs the Center will have when the Minnesota science and mathematics standards are reviewed and revised in the next few years, which will likely result in the need for significant changes to the content on the site and opportunities for enhancing the site.

So, who are the local users of the STEM Teacher Center website? Obviously the STEM TC is visited by folks from all over the world. But through the use of Google Analytics, we can track where the traffic comes from over time and dig into the patterns that we find in hopes of improving the experience for users. Our analysis shows that traffic typically mirrors school calendars, with site visits dropping during the summer months and on weekends. Interestingly though, there is a marked increase in page visits on Sunday evenings during the school year as teachers prepare for the upcoming school week.

The image below is a screenshot of the traffic pattern for MN visitors for one month from August 6, 2016 to September 6, 2016, just as the school year is beginning. In the image you will see cities around that state where visits originated, and the size of the dot reflects the number of visits from that city.

stem-tc-google-analytics-map-for-aug-6-sept-6-2016If anyone has a passion for data and would be interested in helping SciMathMN track and analyze the STEM TC site use, please consider joining us. You can contact committee chair Mike Lindstrom at mike.r.lindstrom@gmail.com.

 

6th Annual STEM Day at the State Fair

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STEM Day at the Fair was a great success again this year!  This year, thanks to generous support by MTS Systems, we offered an event app allowing parents to connect with our exhibitors and performers throughout the year.  The app is live and can be found at stemdaymn.org. It includes the schedule of our great mix of returning performers and new ones.

The Minnesota STEM Network’s 6th annual STEM Day at the State Fair in Carousel Park was brimming with STEM activity made possible by exhibitors active in the STEM Network and our generous sponsors, 3M, Boston Scientific, MTS,  and Thomson Reuters. Over 7,000 people came through Carousel Park on STEM Day making it the best attended in our six year history.

State fair stage 2010

Thanks to our committee, exhibitors, and sponsors for the time, effort and investment in STEM Day.  We look forward to another fun-filled day next summer!  Please thank our generous sponsors.

Download the flyer to share with your networks and audiences!

2015 Annual Conference

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April 14 – 15, 2015
Continuing Education and Conference Center
St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota
Full conference session details

Also join us for a Social Hour on April 14 at Stout’s Pub from 5pm – 7pm

For the 2015 conference, the Minnesota STEM Network is partnering with Ignite Afterschool network to feature Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in afterschool and the development of 21st Century skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communications.  This two-day conference brings together these networks to ensure every Minnesota young person has access to high quality STEM Education and opportunities to build 21st century skills in afterschool.  Attendees will share high quality practices, build partnerships, and advance policy to increase student engagement in and outside of the school day.

Conference Themes for Sessions & Workshops:

  • Systems Building and Partnerships
  • Integrating 21st Century Skills and STEM
  • Sharing Your Stories & Successes: Date, Evaluation, and Messaging

Keynote Presentations:

Tuesday, April 14
Lisa Regalla, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Maker Education Initiative
Keynote:  Nurturing Young Makers

Dr. Lisa Regalla is the Deputy Director at Maker Education Initiative. In her previous role as the National Program Director, she led Maker Corps, a program that builds the capacity of youth-serving organizations to engage youth and families in making, and Maker VISTA, an AmeriCorps initiative that builds thriving Maker Hubs within high poverty communities. Prior to Maker Ed, Lisa worked at Twin Cities Public Television where she was responsible for the educational content presented on television, in person, in print, and on the web as part of the Emmy-Award winning series, SciGirls and DragonflyTV: Nano. Lisa received both a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.A. in Theater from Lehigh University before earning her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida.

Wednesday, April 15
Martin Storksdieck, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Research on Lifelong STEM Learning, Oregon State University
Keynote:  STEM Learning Is Everywhere: Reflections on a Radical Learner-Centric Approach

Prior to joining Oregon State University in June of 2014, Martin directed the Board on Science Education at the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. There he oversaw studies that addressed a wide range of issues related to science education and science learning, from informal learning to reforms in K-16, and provided evidence-based advice to decision-makers in policy, academia and educational practice. Martin works in the intersection of research, practice and policy.  He has previously worked for education and policy non-profits in Germany and the United States. He holds Master’s degrees in biology and public policy, and a Ph.D. in education.

These Keynote Speakers are  made possible by the Federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, NCLB, Title IV, Part B, CFDA 84.287C, administered through the Minnesota Department of Education.

We thank our sponsors:

PLATINUM SPONSORS

logo_3M_110x58   BostonScientificBlue

21st CCLC image      LU_UW_logo_local_V_locked_RGB  Youthprise_logo_vert-4c(1)

SILVER SPONSOR

STEMfinity Header

 

Exhibitors and Sponsors: Please contact Matthew.Ramirez@state.mn.us for more information.

President Obama Announces STEM AmeriCorps Expansion

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As part of a recent White House Science Fair, Americorps announced a major expansion of STEM AmeriCorps to spur student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math education.

A new summer program will place 256 AmeriCorps VISTA members in six Southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia) to connect 18,000 at-risk students in low-performing schools to STEM opportunities. Americorps is also joining with US2020 and Citizen Schools to support 25 AmeriCorps VISTA members serving in seven cities to increase STEM opportunities for girls, underrepresented minorities, and children from low-income families. This expansion builds on existing STEM AmeriCorps partnerships with FIRST, Maker Education Initiative, Citizen Schools, Teach for America, and other organizations.

Altogether, these efforts engage tens of thousands of students in STEM learning – building ladders of opportunity and helping our nation compete for the jobs and industries of the future.

Mounds View Kids Envision Future of TCAAP

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Chippewa Middle School, a part of the Moundsview School District has been partnering with the redevelopment team of the old Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) on a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) project. The event held at the school on February 19th and 20th put the entire seventh grade student body in touch with the team. Professionals from Ramsey County Public Works, Property Management, Parks and Recreation and the County Manager’s Office; the City of Arden Hills; the environmental engineers; and master planning consultants acted as mentors to the students in a project that let the kids try their hand at designing systems on a redeveloped TCAAP of the future.

Groups explored the buildings and roads as well as environmental issues, including recycling, parks, trees and watersheds. Each team of two classes had to design their own part of the project while interacting with other groups. The student’s collective vision for the future was very interesting to witness, and everyone had fun learning and dreaming.

Although a virtual tour was used to show off the site this winter, redevelopment officials have set aside an onsite trailer as a classroom for the program to continue this fall. The school would like to make this a multi-year effort as it lends its self to the STEAM model and TCAAP is located in the center of the Mounds View School District.