STEM @ Home with Idaho STEM Action Center

You may not be aware of how much good the Idaho STEM Action Center does for teachers and students in our state.  They offer grants, training, and partnerships in all things STEM.  They took over iSTEM workshops, and each summer hundreds of teachers receive amazing training with experts at 6 different college sites.

They have added the STEM @ Home section to their resources page.  Check out free activities that are meant for home-based exploration.

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”

Rachel Carson

https://resources.stem.idaho.gov/

Loving all the Science sharing out there!

Welcome back to the Science of My Life!  It's been too long, and it took a global pandemic to bring me back to one of my favorite hobbies.  Hopefully, my daily posts will help spread good news, amazing resources, and fun examples of science learning during this global crisis. 

For the past few weeks, I have been sharing basic handwashing protocol with classes using Glo Germ and my handy dandy black light.  So I am sharing this informative video as my first post.  Stay aware, seek credible information, and spread knowledge not fear! 

"Creativity is contagious.  Pass it on."  Albert Einstein

https://youtu.be/I5-dI74zxPg

CSI Challenge Course a great place for Science Methods!

We have started another semester at CSI and ISU, and last week I took my new class of Science Methods students back to the challenge course.  It is a great way to start the semester, because the instructors spend time helping us work through exercises and challenges that remind us to use critical thinking when teaching students.  We use communication, teamwork, support, and experiential learning to move from our "groan zone" to our "grow zone!"  It was a super night with these teachers in training!

Science Camp Physics

The great team of teachers celebrated the last day of Science Camp with a Physics show with Dr. Shropshire and his ISU students.  The kids had a blast!  Stomp rockets helped.  It's been another great year for CSI Science Camp.  

Another great visit with Migrant Summer School students

Friday was a fun day with the young kids at Cassia's migrant summer program.  Since the students were younger, and their English language skills are still developing, we focused on the basics of the scientific process.  Their questions were great, and then we did some activities to strengthen their observation skills.   During their micro scavenger hunt, we searched outside for different colors, textures, and items that they brought in to classify.  Finally, we used the animal cards to talk about living and nonliving things, and food chains and webs.

The teachers are so great with these kids, and I am grateful that we have dedicated professionals willing to spend time with students throughout the summer months.

Pomerelle Star Party and Christ's Indian Paintbrush

We decided to make this date night and we weren't disappointed!   Chris Anderson from the CSI Herrett Center gave a great presentation on astronomy and celestial events!   While the sun was setting,  we could see clear shots of the crescent moon and Venus.  Then Don and I decided to drive up to the summit of Mt. Harrison and see the wildflowers in bloom.  Christ's Indian Paintbrush (rhymes with mist) is only found on 200 acres on this mountain.   It is beautiful!   Now back to Pommy to gaze at more stars!  So glad we came!

Saturn really has rings,  a dragon's tail is found between the Big and Little Dippers, the Garnet star is the most red star we can see with our naked eyes, and light years are mind blowing!

Geology tour at ISU

During my visit to ISU this week I was reminded that there are opportunities everywhere to learn something new about Idaho science.   Outside most of the buildings on the ISU campus, there are big rocks displayed.  Each rock comes from a different county in Idaho, which makes them a geography lesson as well as a geology lesson.  

As I stood next to one of the displays, one of my former CSI colleagues came out of his new office and asked me about them.   He had no idea this geology walking tour existed!   Someday I'll stay long enough on campus to find all the county rocks.    Look around. ..what evidence do you see of Idaho STEM in action?