SciMathMN

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.

Xcel Energy Encourages Teachers and Students to Take Action for Earth Day

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Xcel Energy is encouraging teachers and students to take action for Earth Day by participating in the School Education program this month. Benefits of participation include:

·       A FREE multimedia presentation and brand new Teacher Guide aligned to both Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards and the common core standards for fifth grade.

·       Students and teachers each receive a FREE Take Action Kit of products to install with their families and save energy at home.

·       Teachers receive two high-quality instructional posters with colorful images and classroom activities.

·       Teachers who return brief student surveys about the Take Action Kits will earn classroom mini-grants of $50.  The more teachers who participate, the more a school can earn!

The School Education program is available to 5th grade classes in your school free of charge. The program is sponsored by Xcel Energy, and is conducted by National Energy Foundation and AM Conservation Group. Teachers may register immediately. Please visit thinkenergy.org/xcelenergy to register call (800) 616-8326 x 151 for more information.

The US House of Representatives Student App Challenge

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Modeled after the Congressional Art Competition, the House Student App Challenge promotes Computer Science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education by recognizing and incentivizing our nation’s young programming talent.

The House Student App Challenge is open to all high school students in participating districts. The inaugural App Challenge will run from February 1 to April 30, 2014.

View details here.

North Hennepin Community College First Annual Tech Fest

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North Hennepin Community College is excited to host a Tech Fest on February 18, 2014, from 5:30-10:00pm in its Center for Business and Technology!

Local tech companies, such as The Network Guys, Microsoft, Northhighland Worldwide Consulting, Pure, Independent Filmmaker Project MN, Cengage Learning, and many more will demonstrate their innovative products and services. Additional highlights include:

  • A live Hackathon led by Native X to create a mobile app
  • Career Exploration Fair, featuring the fine arts, computer science, business, entrepreneurship, and marketing, as well as the research and development of new technological products and software
  • The Pixar Story documentary film
  • Google Glass demonstration
  • Q&A with Tetris Master Ben Mullen

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. The first 200 to register will get free pizza and soda!