FREE STEM Workshops for PreK-8 Teachers

Posted by Arcadia University on May 29, 2017

FREE STEM Workshops for PreK-8 Teachers
Register Online: https://goo.gl/forms/ZlbuaMBjp9X9c2Ai2

Email Dr. Macalalag for the Registration Form at macalalaga@arcadia.edu
Space is Limited.

Come to our Workshops! (Descriptions below)
Workshop #1: Designing Butterfly Wings
Date: Friday, June 23, 2017 Time: 9:30AM—Noon
Location: Arcadia University, Taylor Hall, Room 323

Workshop #2: Investigating and Designing Paper Airplanes
Date: Thursday, August 17, 2017 Time: 9:30AM—Noon
Location: Arcadia University, Taylor Hall, Room 323

Workshop #3: What is your evidence? Discussing the Mystery of the Missing Bees and Designing Hand Pollinators
Date: Thursday, August 17, 2017 Time: 1:00—3:30PM
Location: Arcadia University, Taylor Hall, Room 323

Are you interested in hosting a 3-hour STEM workshop in your school?
See below for information and the list of workshops.

Descriptions of STEM Workshops

Workshop #1: Designing Butterfly Wings
In this session, participants will engage in the design of butterfly wings that was adapted from the Science Buddies’ module called the Butterly Wings: Using Nature to Learn about Flight (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Aero_p049.shtml). Participants will conduct investigations to test variables (i.e. area, material, angle, and overall design) that influence the negative weight. They will use the data from the scientific investigations to develop, test, evaluate, explain, and revise their engineering models. Attendees will engage in problem solving and learn to foster critical thinking and resiliency in their students as they experience the iterative design process to improve their prototypes based on evidence.

Workshop #2: Investigating and Designing Paper Airplanes
Key science and engineering design practices include using evidence from a scientific investigation to design and revise an engineering model and using data to explain, revise, or refute that model. Participants will conduct investigations to test variables (i.e. materials, design) that influence the flight of airplanes. They will use
the data from the scientific investigations to develop, test, evaluate, explain, and revise their engineering models. Attendees will engage in problem solving and learn to foster critical thinking and resiliency in their students
as they experience the iterative design process to improve their prototypes based on evidence.

Workshop #3 What is your evidence? Discussing the Mystery of the Missing Bees and Designing Hand Pollinators
Participants will evaluate evidence from articles that are available online to explain the problems and possible reasons for the disappearance of bees. We will also consider the impact of the missing bees to crops and food supply. In addition to this discussion of socio-scientific issues (SSI), participants will engage in the design of hand pollinators that was adapted from the Engineering is Elementary: Best of Bugs (http://www.eie.org). This module introduces learners to the idea of integrated pest management, parts of lowers, process of pollination, and the design of hand pollinators. Attendees will discuss SSI implications of this problem, conduct investigations to test the different materials to pickup and drop off cornstarch (model pollen), use data to develop their prototypes, and engage in problem solving to improve their designs.

Options for In-School STEM Workshop
(Requirements: Minimum of 15 and maximum of 25 teachers per session.
Note: Only two schools or locations will be selected for FREE workshops.)

Workshop A: Evidence to Design Sails: Highlighting the Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Connections
In this session, we will focus on the use evidence from a scientific investigation to design and revise an engineering model (or prototype) as well as to use data to explain, revise, or refute a model. Participants will engage in the design of sails that was adapted from the Engineering is Elementary: Catching the Wind (http://www.eie.org). This module introduces learners to the idea of force and motion by developing and testing wind related designs. Attendees will conduct investigations to test variables (i.e. area, material, and geometric shape) that influence the speed of sails, use data to develop their prototypes, and engage in problem solving to improve their designs. Finally, we will engage the participants in discussing ways to support teachers in implementing the science and engineering practices in their classrooms.

Workshop B: Improving a Play Dough Process: Chemical Engineering in PreK-8 Classrooms
Chemical engineers are often charged with designing processes, rather than objects. In this workshop, participants will experience how to use the engineering design process to design and improve a play dough. Lesson 1 introduces the problem using a story book, Michelle’s MVP Award, and Lesson 2 engages participants in creating rubrics to evaluate juices available in groceries. Lessons 3 and 4 comprise of the scientific investigation and design challenge to allow participants to plan, create, test, and redesign a play dough. The workshop will end by discussing ways to incorporate STEM-thinking in classrooms.

Workshop C: Investigating and Designing Paper Airplanes
Key science and engineering design practices include using evidence from a scientific investigation to design and revise an engineering model and using data to explain, revise, or refute that model. Participants will conduct investigations to test variables (i.e. materials, design) that inluence the flight of airplanes. They will use the data from the scientific investigations to develop, test, evaluate, explain, and revise their engineering models. Attendees will engage in problem solving and learn to foster critical thinking and resiliency in their students as they experience the iterative design process to improve their prototypes based on evidence.

Workshop D: What is your evidence? Discussing the Mystery of the Missing Bees and Designing Hand Pollinators
Participants will evaluate evidence from articles that are available online to explain the problems and possible reasons for the disappearance of bees. We will also consider the impact of the missing bees to crops and food supply. In addition to this discussion of socio-scientific issues (SSI), participants will engage in the design of hand pollinators that was adapted from the Engineering is Elementary: Best of Bugs (http://www.eie.org). This module introduces learners to the idea of integrated pest management, parts of flowers, process of pollination, and the design of hand pollinators. Attendees will discuss SSI implications of this problem, conduct investigations to test the different materials to pickup and drop off cornstarch (model pollen), use data to develop their prototypes, and engage in problem solving to improve their designs.