Virtual STEM Week 2020 Resources

Host: FitMoney

Design Challenge Description: Using real-world problems, students learn strong financial literacy components to create entrepreneurial success. Students and teachers would identify a STEM-related problem and use financial literacy and business plan skills to construct a plan to solve it.

Contact Name and Email: Jessica Pelletier, Executive Director: jpelletier@fitmoney.org

Host: Gale Force Education

Website: https://www.need.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Empowered-Design-MA.pdf

Design Challenge Description: Middle and high school-focused engineering challenges centered on the theme of providing electrical energy to communities via the power grid. Projects focus on the world of wind, renewable energy, and provides material kits to all students.

Contact Name and Email: Michael Arquin, Director & Founder, KidWind Project: michael@kidwind.org

Host: Kids in Tech

Design Challenge Description: Deepen students’ understanding of the architecture of the internet and how it is designed to withstand both physical and electronic attacks. Middle and high school students will engage with hands-on curriculum and computer science kits and online activities.

Contact Name and Email: Olu Ibrahim, Executive Director: info@kidsintech.org

Host: MIND Research Institute (in partnership with STMath)

Website: https://www.mindresearch.org/math-makers

Design Challenge Description: Focused at elementary levels, students engage in math-related games and work with local game design industry leaders. Students then launch their games and capture gameplay data that will receive feedback.

Contact Name and Email: Kim Mogavero, Director, Social Impact Grants & Compliance: kmogavero@mindresearch.org

Brandon Smith, Product Director – Lead Mathematician, MIND Research: bsmith@mindresearch.org

Host: Museum of Science

Design Challenge Description: Four different UN-backed Sustainable Development Goal grade band challenges including Clean Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Life Below Water, and Life on Land. Early ed, elementary, and middle school focused.

Contact Name and Email: Lisa Urovitch, Government Relations Officer: lurovitch@mos.org, grants@mos.org

Host: Wade Institute for Science Ed: National Marine Life Center

Design Challenge Description: Middle school-focused challenge where students find themselves stranded on a desert island and will need to find a way to move water to the encampment and filter it so it is safe to drink. Students engage in several engineering design tasks like circuit building, wind and solar energy.

Teachers will receive support through a professional development workshop, a curriculum guide, and a kit of materials for the challenge. Schools will develop their water transportation and filtration system models during STEM Week (October 19th – 23rd) and then students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their functional models during a virtual showcase!

Website: www.wadeinstitutema.org/stem-week-survivor-island-challenge 

Contact Name and Email: Sandra Ryak-Bell, Executive Director, Wade Institute for Science Education: sryackbell@wadeinstitutema.org

Danielle Kempe, Director of Development, Wade Institute for Science Education: Dkempe@WadeInstituteMA.org

Host: WPI STEM Education Center

Design Challenge Description: Using the Seeds of STEM PK-K and Engineering a Story curriculum that integrates STEM concepts with literacy tools, students will see themselves as capable problem solvers as they identify STEM problems in books and use the engineering design process to find solutions.

Website: WPI STEM Education Center – PD for STEM Week

Contact Name and Email: Mia Dubosarsky, Director, Professional Development at Seeds of STEM, STEM Education Center at WPI: mdubosarsky@wpi.edu

• For STEM Week Challenge 2020, Students are tackling real-world problems, virtually – Sign up by Sept. 9th!The STEM Week Challenge, brought to you by One8 Foundation and its program Mass STEM Hub, will meet K-12 students, teachers, and schools where they are – whether virtually or back in the classroom. STEM Week in Massachusetts is October 19-23, but the STEM Week Challenge is flexible to schools’ schedules!

  Mass STEM Hub and One8 have teamed up with ST Math, Innovative Learning Partners and Project Lead The Way, and PBLWorks to create high quality, project-based, flexible learning materials to help you engage your students in this year’s MA STEM Week.

  Elementary students will be designing and developing their own math game – one that drives math knowledge and meaningful connections, while middle schoolers will be creating adaptive devices for persons with paralysis and high school students will be tackling the spread of COVID-19 by designing an app. Each with input and support from engaged and exciting industry partners: New England Aquarium, Dell Technologies and the Bionic Project, and Partners in Health and IBM, respectively.

  Want to sign up your school or classroom? Participation is free and includes virtual teacher training, ~10 hours of meaningful, flexible content, industry connection opportunities, and more.

  Visit STEMWeekChallenge.org to learn more and sign up by September 9^th!

  Any questions, please reach out to stemweek@mass-stemhub.org.