STEM Night Success Why, When, and Where to have it

Transcription

1 STEM Night Success Why, When, and Where to have it Lindsey M. Swagerty University of Arkansas; Tara M. Hodge Monitor Elementary, Springdale School District

2 What is a STEM night? An evening of hands-on science, math, technology, and engineering activities for students and their families to complete together. Includes a range of activities that can include a specific theme, connections to STEM careers, a range of STEM topics, or a connection to grade level learning standards.

3 Welcome to ISEA STEM Day!!! Complete 3-4 stations in 15 minute rotations Complete the activities individually as well as small groups Think about your students as you go through each station. How would they react? What would they enjoy? What would you need to modify for your school? If time allows, redesign and test. We have plenty of materials!

4 WHY HOST STEM NIGHT? Establish the End Goal Generate an excitement for STEM and PBL for students and their families Encourage a school culture for STEM learning Increase parent and student awareness of STEM fields and careers Demonstrate how STEM and Project-based learning fit into grade level learning standards What would success look like for your event? These questions should guide your planning and event.

5 Items to Consider Budget Successful STEM nights can be facilitated with any budget. Items to Budget for: Supplies, Door Prizes, Food, Vendors, Compensation Transportation Food RSVP s Availability of school and teachers Time Stations/Activities Photographer

6 Community Partnerships WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE? University Local Co-Op Teachers/Students from other grades Robotics, Engineering, Teacher Education, and Technology Clubs Parents/Volunteers Science and Math district curriculum specialist STEM Center Business/Industry Chamber of Commerce

7 STEM Stations RECOMMENDED Quick hands-on activity Accessible to all ages Opportunity to design and build Requires a short list of readily available materials Wide-range of topics covered NOT RECOMMENDED Talks or presentations Displays from companies that don t include a hands-on component Overly time-consuming or extensive activities with multiple steps Same type of activities for all stations

8 STEM Stations In order to keep things moving we suggest having at least 6-8 different stations Activities should also have multiple solutions/testing areas Approx. 2-3 adults at each station to monitor and explain the challenge Have a separate bin for each station with all needed supplies

9 Location Using multiple locations Gives you a larger space for stations. Can detour from the learning and fun by having to search. However, to manage traffic, you can blockade hallways, post signs, and assign volunteers to direction traffic. Think of where the best location for each station would be Using a large open space such as a cafeteria or gym Set-up stations along the perimeter of the room to allow for flow of traffic. Add some extra seating area for elderly or young children. Create a welcome area where volunteers will monitor sign-in sheets and direct families.

10 Get the word out! Students are your best option for having a great turnout. Teachers can talk about the event during class and they may even wish to have a STEM lesson the day of the event for a school-wide STEM Day. Consider advertising through the school website, class newsletters, flyers, phone calls, and announcements. For marketing, include a timeframe and some of the specific activities. Notify your district media specialist. Incentives for attendance

11 PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR! Take a moment to recognize your efforts! What was successful and how you do you know? What should be repeated next year? What could be modified or improved? Share your experiences with others in your district and community.

12 Let s Build a Boat How can you design and build a boat with just one sheet of foil that will support as much weight as possible? 1. Design and build your boat 2. Float your boat in a tub of water and add washers one at a time to the boat until it sinks. In your station group what design was able to hold the most weight? Why? Think about your design and the designs of your group modify your original design to hold more weight than your first attempt. Were you successful? Boat designers have to consider buoyancy as well as friction when deciding on the shape of a boat s hull. A boat designed for speed must have enough displacement to stay afloat, but surface area has to be minimized to decrease the effects of friction. On the other hand, an object designed to carry a heavy weight, such as a cargo ship, must be designed with greater displacement. Marine engineers and naval architects design, build, and maintain ships from aircraft carriers, submarines, sailboats, and tankers. Marine engineers work on the mechanical systems, such as propulsion and steering. Naval architects work on the basic design, including the form and stability of hulls. Let s Build a Boat How can you design and build a boat with just one sheet of foil that will support as much weight as possible? 1. Design and build your boat 2. Float your boat in a tub of water and add washers one at a time to the boat until it sinks. In your station group what design was able to hold the most weight? Why? Think about your design and the designs of your group modify your original design to hold more weight than your first attempt. Were you successful? Boat designers have to consider buoyancy as well as friction when deciding on the shape of a boat s hull. A boat designed for speed must have enough displacement to stay afloat, but surface area has to be minimized to decrease the effects of friction. On the other hand, an object designed to carry a heavy weight, such as a cargo ship, must be designed with greater displacement. Marine engineers and naval architects design, build, and maintain ships from aircraft carriers, submarines, sailboats, and tankers. Marine engineers work on the mechanical systems, such as propulsion and steering. Naval architects work on the basic design, including the form and stability of hulls.

13 Straw Rockets How can you design a rocket launcher to travel the farthest distance? 1. Using the template, cut your design and assemble your straw rocket. 2. Design your nose cone using the Play-Doh How does the angle you at which you launch your rocket affect the distance it travels? How does the weight of the nose cone affect the distance it travels? Think about your design and the designs of your group Modify your original design to increase the distance traveled. Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more. Straw Rockets How can you design a rocket launcher to travel the farthest distance? 1. Using the template, cut your design and assemble your straw rocket. 2. Design your nose cone using the Play-Doh How does the angle at which you launch your rocket affect the distance it travels? How does the weight of the nose cone affect the distance it travels? Think about your design and the designs of your group Modify your original design to increase the distance traveled. Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more.

14 Missile Launchers How can you design a missile launcher to travel the farthest distance, while maintaining accuracy and reliability? 1. Design and cut your missile fins using the materials provided 2. Practicing safety, use the hacksaw to make two perpendicular fin slots 3. Secure your fins with tape How does the angle at which you launch your rocket affect the distance it travels? Think about your design and the designs of your group Modify your original design to either increase your accuracy, reliability, or distance traveled. Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more. Missile Launchers How can you design a missile launcher to travel the farthest distance, while maintaining accuracy and reliability? 1. Design and cut your missile fins using the materials provided 2. Practicing safety, use the hacksaw to make two perpendicular fin slots 3. Secure your fins with tape How does the angle at which you launch your rocket affect the distance it travels? Think about your design and the designs of your group Modify your original design to either increase your accuracy, reliability, or distance traveled. Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more.

15 Maintaining Neutral Buoyancy Challenge1: Design a Helium Balloon weight that allows your balloon to hover at eye level for 30 seconds. 1. Use the materials to create a perfect neutral buoyancy What affects the balloon? (Gravity and lift) What do you know about these two forces when a balloon is neutrally buoyant (i.e., when it hovers)? (The force of gravity equals the force of lift.) Why do the balloons rise? (Air is denser than helium it has more particles per unit volume than helium does. The denser air pushes the less-dense helium aside, producing an upward force called a buoyant force.) How is neutral buoyancy an example of Newtons 1st Law? (If the forces of lift and gravity are equal and opposite, the balloon won t rise or fall.) Challenge 2: How can you use this knowledge to quickly modify a new solution for a different balloon? Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more. Maintaining Neutral Buoyancy Challenge1: Design a Helium Balloon weight that allows your balloon to hover at eye level for 30 seconds. 1. Use the materials to create a perfect neutral buoyancy What affects the balloon? (Gravity and lift) What do you know about these two forces when a balloon is neutrally buoyant (i.e., when it hovers)? (The force of gravity equals the force of lift.) Why do the balloons rise? (Air is denser than helium it has more particles per unit volume than helium does. The denser air pushes the less-dense helium aside, producing an upward force called a buoyant force.) How is neutral buoyancy an example of Newtons 1st Law? (If the forces of lift and gravity are equal and opposite, the balloon won t rise or fall.) Challenge 2: How can you use this knowledge to quickly modify a new solution for a different balloon? Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more.

16 Let s Build a Boat Challenge: How can you design and build a boat with just one sheet of foil that can support as much weight as possible? 1. Design and build your boat 2. Float your boat in a tub of water and add washers one at a time to the boat until it sinks. In your station group what design was able to hold the most weight? Why? Think about your design and the designs of your group modify your original design to hold more weight than your first attempt. Were you successful? Boat designers have to consider buoyancy as well as friction when deciding on the shape of a boat s hull. A boat designed for speed must have enough displacement to stay afloat, but surface area has to be minimized to decrease the effects of friction. On the other hand, an object designed to carry a heavy weight, such as a cargo ship, must be designed with greater displacement. Marine engineers and naval architects design, build, and maintain ships from aircraft carriers, submarines, sailboats, and tankers. Marine engineers work on the mechanical systems, such as propulsion and steering. Naval architects work on the basic design, including the form and stability of hulls.

17 Straw Rockets Challenge: How can you design a missile launcher to travel the furthest distance? 1. Using the template, cut your design and assemble your straw rocket. 2. Design your nose cone using the Play-Doh How does the angle you launch your rocket affect the distance it travels? How does the weight of the nose cone affect the distance it travels? Think about your design and the designs of your group Modify your original design to increase the distance traveled. Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and space craft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more.

18 Missile Launchers Challenge: How can you design a missile launcher to travel the furthest distance, while maintaining accuracy and reliability? 4. Design and cut your missile fines using the materials provided 5. Practicing safety, use the hack saw to make two perpendicular fin slots 6. Secure your fins with tape How does the angle you launch your rocket affect the distance it travels? Think about your design and the designs of your group Modify your original design to either increase your accuracy, reliability, or distance traveled. Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and space craft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more.

19 Maintaining Neutral Buoyancy Challenge1: Design a Helium Balloon weight that allows your balloon to hover at eye level for 30 seconds. 1. Use the materials to create a perfect neutral buoyancy What affects the balloon? (Gravity and lift) What do you know about these two forces when a balloon is neutrally buoyant (i.e., when it hovers)? (The force of gravity equals the force of lift.) Why do the balloons rise? (Air is denser than helium it has more particles per unit volume than helium does. The denser air pushes the less-dense helium aside, producing an upward force called a buoyant force.) How is neutral buoyancy an example of Newton s 1st Law? (If the forces of lift and gravity are equal and opposite, the balloon won t rise or fall.) Challenge 2: How can you use this knowledge to quickly modify a new solution for a different balloon? Aerospace Engineering is the field of engineering surrounding the development and testing of aircraft and space craft. Aerospace Engineers develop airplanes, helicopters, satellites, missile systems, propulsion systems, high-tech Unmanned Air Vehicles, and more.