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?

What is the Idaho State Grant Consortium?

Today I was able to attend the Affiliate meeting for ISGC.  Basically, each state has a direct connection to NASA and they work to connect amazing resources with students, teachers, and researchers throughout the state.  Our Idaho Space Grant is managed by great people at UI.    They work with affiliate partners including BSU, ISU, NNU, College of Idaho, and CSI, as well as Discovery Center of Idaho, EIEC, IASE, and other groups who provide support and trainings.

Please check their website at idahospacegrant.org.  There are funding opportunities for all ages, and great resources for teachers.  

A dedicated team from CSI was awarded a NASA ORBIT grant for two years.  Part of their project includes semester long workshops for HS juniors and Seniors and CSI students.  The Spring program was a great success, and applications are now being accepted for Fall semester.

Micron STEM Innovations Conference

I spent a great day in Boise attending the Micron UI STEM Innovations Conference.  It is generously supported by both partners, so the conference is free to attendees.  This year the theme focused on partnerships so I presented about the Science Camp model that we use at CSI.  Local teachers run the camp while earning Professional Development credit and content confidence during training days.  Other presentations included everything from job outlooks for STEM majors, great ideas for elementary teachers, and learning to use CODE.org and Scratch for computer programming.  I had a great time!  

Science Camp continues in Burley!

What a busy and wonderful day for Science and Engineering!  I could hardly keep up with our classes today as they worked on so many projects.   In 2-3 grade, they built different kinds of catapults with legos,  and then popsicle sticks.  In 4-5 grade, they learned all about chemical reactions and air pressure.  They blew off poppers and tested diet coke with mentos, and even made lava lamps.  In 6-7 grade, they chose the best day to build and fly a kite.  I have seen some great team building exercises, and the teachers have been so awesome!  I am grateful for this team of dedicated professionals because they are willing to try new things and say YES to GAMES!

Idaho STEM Teacher Award Opportunity!!

Know a great STEM teacher? Nominate them for the INDEEDS Award!

A coalition of Idaho’s leading industries have partnered with the Idaho State Department of Education and Idaho State Board of Education to improve a prestigious awards program to recognize and reward Idaho’s teachers who are working hard every day to grow the next generation of leaders in science and technology.

Formerly known as the GIANTS Award, the new Industry’s Excellent Educators Dedicated to STEM Awards Program –referred to as INDEEDS – has been unveiled this year to better reflect the critical role business and industry play in identifying, recognizing and rewarding excellent science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) teachers across Idaho.

INDEEDS is proudly sponsored by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Micron Foundation, Washington Division of URS, Hewlett-Packard Company, Idaho Power, and LCF Enterprises, with support from the Idaho Technology Council, Discovery Center of Idaho, Idaho State Department of Education, and Idaho State Board of Education.

The new award also will help duplicate their successes within local schools and communities.

Every school principal can now nominate up to one teacher in his or her school for the INDEEDS Award. If you know a deserving teacher, encourage your principal to submit a nomination!

Two Idaho teachers will receive the INDEEDS Award each year. Each INDEEDS awardee will receive:

• A $2,000 individual cash prize to recognize and reward his/her personal success, and
• A $2,000 grant to expand STEM activities within his/her school and community.

All INDEEDS awardees also will be publicly recognized at the Idaho Technology Council’s Annual Hall of Fame and Innovation Awards Banquet in October.

Nominations are due to the State Department of Education no later than April 3, 2014 at 5 p.m. MST. Check out the INDEEDSwebsite for more information.  

Here’s what leaders in education, business and industry are saying about the INDEEDS Award:

“There is an inseparable link between a growing, robust economy and a high-quality education system. For this reason, I am grateful Idaho’s industry leaders remain committed to improving Idaho’s education system by working to recognize and reward our talented teachers through the INDEEDS Awards Program,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.

“Our primary mission at the Micron Foundation is to spark a passion for STEM education in youth in the hopes of helping develop next-generation engineers, and we’re thrilled to help recognize and encourage the teachers who do this every day,”said Dee Mooney, executive director of the Micron Foundation.

“The Idaho Technology Council is proud to support the INDEEDS Awards Program to recognize Idaho’s teachers who are working to build the future technology leaders in Idaho and across the country,” said Jay Larsen, President and Founder of the Idaho Technology Council.

“Businesses need competitive employees with STEM skills. We want to recognize and support those teachers and schools that spark students’ interest in STEM pathways,” said Dr. Lorna Finman, President of LCF Enterprises and founder of Discover Technology.

Engineering Night at Burley High School (Noches de Ciencias)

I received this information last week, and have found out a little more about the activity.  A team of engineering students from UI is coming to present and provide hands-on activities for interested high school kids on March 14 from 6-8 PM.  They request that students do the online registration, and teachers are welcome to come watch and get ideas for their classes.

For more information go to facebook.com/UofISHPE

Idaho STEM Pipeline

Yesterday I went to a meeting in Boise to hear summaries about the 2012 iSTEM Institutes.  They were very successful, and there were 370 teachers in Idaho that participated.  The amazing team at INL and BSU are ready for another successful year, and I am looking forward to participating again in summer 2013.  Teachers, the spots fill quickly, so be looking for announcements by February on the Dept of Ed website. 

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/

http://www.idahostem.org/

Another great resource that we all need to use is the idahostem.org website.  It will continue to improve as we share opportunities throughout the state.   And there is SO much going on!

Busy Fall Schedule of SCIENCE!

Well, I am back to blogging!  I hope you have missed me at least a little as I have adjusted to my new job with College of Southern Idaho.  I will be catching up this week so that families and teachers can be aware of all the great activities and resources available this time of year.

I am presenting at the Fall Conference of the Snake River Association for the Education of Young Children in October.   The focus of the conference is STEM, so I have some fun ideas for the day.  Follow the link to register if you are a preschool teacher, parent, or student.

http://idahoaeyc.org/affiliatesmain.php?inner=sna

Science Camp Going Strong!!

We are 2 days in and having a great time!!  We have about 100 kids in Twin Falls and a great group in Gooding.  Here are a few highlights from Dr. Shropshire's visit today...the kids loved the stations.  The student union hasn't been that rowdy since Spring Term ended!

5th Grade STEM Day in Declo

We had another great STEM Day for our 5th graders!  This activity was created to give the students a fun and interesting day since the field trip budgets have been cut.  There were 6 classes taught by professionals and parents in STEM fields, and 20 other parents volunteered in some way!  That is great for our kids!  The classes taught were Chemistry and Ecology, by CSI instructors, EMT/Ambulance....thanks Maggie from Malta!, Robotics with the Declo HS FRC team coaches and kids, Math games with a DJHS teacher and mom, and the Physics of Flight...aka the SLING SHOT class!  The students rotated all day and finished with prizes and cottan candy.  I am so grateful for the support I received...everyone helped to pull this off!

Updated! ISU hosting a Science and Engineering Festival Sat 4/28

I have been waiting to post the details for this event, but I am so excited for this activity that I am giving you the information this week so you can make plans to attend.  The National Science and Engineering Festival is next weekend in Wash DC, and Idaho is the only state in the Intermountain West that is hosting a satellite event.  It is totally FREE to attend, and there are many booths set up for families to experience a variety of activities.  Next week I will introduce you to the Science Cheerleaders, because they are just so awesome at cheering for the National Festival in DC.

Here is the homepage for all the activities...we are so excited to go!!

http://isu.edu/isef/index.shtml
http://www2.isu.edu/headlines/?p=3765

Southern Idaho Tech Expo this weekend

Southern Idaho Technology Expo 2012 - Bringing the latest in technology and innovation, the first annual Southern Idaho Technology Expo (S.I.T.E) will be held April 20-21 at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds. The show will feature innovative technologies available right here in the MagicValley! Admission is FREE to the public, and there will be door prizes for the first 100 attendees. Additionally, Filer Mutual Telephone has donated a 46" Sony Bravia HDTV to give away at the show. If you are interested in a booth, or have questions, please contact Justin at Filer Mutual Telephone Co 326.4331.

Idaho Gov and First Lady Honor STEM teachers

My new friend, Dick Jordan of Timberline HS in Boise, is one of the winners!  Congratulations!

http://educationidaho.blogspot.com/2012/04/first-lady-governor-honor-stem-teachers.html

Teachers...Great Interactive STEM Activity for your class!

STEM Opportunity:  Have your Students Travel Across the Pacific Without Leaving the Classroom!

On March 21, 2012 – a team of University of Idaho university researchers and graduate students will sail out of Cabo San Lucus, Baja headed for Nuku Hiva in French Polynesia where they’ll be making landfall on about April 12th. Through a satellite connection to Education Basecamp based in Moscow, ID, there will be daily uplinks to the expedition website for science classes regarding the natural and cultural history of the Pacific via an Iridium SAT phone and BGAN.  Classes that follow the trip across the Pacific will find value in tracking a variety of physical and biological ocean and atmospheric conditions: wildlife sightings of all types, air temperature, water and air clarity, particulates, wind speeds and directions, ocean currents, sea state (swell and wind waves), clarity, color, plankton counts and variety (day/night variations, plus latitudinal/location changes) etc.

This journey will kick off a series of expeditions focused on climate change across the world, directly looking at climate data from Northern Hemisphere latitudes and connecting with classrooms investigating the same ideas.  This will provide invaluable cause and content for teachers to follow an expedition, take measurements in their classrooms, and start their own Adventure Learning journey connected to the MATRIX of climate science principles. It will also inspire students to engage in science and to ask the question, “Where will you AL@?”

The development site for this project can be found here:

http://alatlatequator.wordpress.com/  and the full site launch will be March 1, 2012.  An example of a completed expedition can be found here- http://alatuimainsalmon.wordpress.com/  and includes many examples of the excitement that this approach elicits from students, teachers, and community members.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Crystal A. Kolden

Assistant Professor of Geography

University of Idaho

ckolden@uidaho.edu

Updated: Idaho iSTEM Institute Video and General Information

This year, Integration meets Innovation at 4 regional iSTEM Institutes.  CSI will be hosting the week-long conference in June this year, and registration opens soon...look on the State Dept of Ed website by March 1.  They expect the conferences to fill within a few days, so if you teach in any of the STEM fields, check the dates and plan on an amazing week with serious "swag" for teachers!!  My experience last year was one of my first posts on this blog, so check that for more information on what to expect.

I just got the list of classes that teachers can sign up for...so email me if you want to know!!!  Be ready to register on March 1...don't wait even a few days...because the conference will fill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNYQiGqvB58

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/teachers/events.htm

Discover Engineering Day at BSU

This looks like an awesome day for the "E" in STEM!  I am hoping the weather is good enough for a road trip to Boise, because this free family event will be totally worth it! 

http://coen.boisestate.edu/DiscoverEngineering/

Here is the flyer...
http://coen.boisestate.edu/DiscoverEngineering/files/2012/01/Discover-Engineering-Day-flyer12_NM.pdf...

Way to go Idaho Power for sponsoring these events, then posting about them on FB.  Way to get the message out!  Go STEM!

Another Great IDAHO STEM Website!

Thanks to TJ for providing this website and FB page for STEM events and news.  I am already excited about the information posted.  In fact, there is a cool science teacher symposium at USU on Monday. It looks so great!  I will check this new online resource and share what I find, but better yet, like it on FB and you will get reminders yourself!!

https://sites.google.com/site/idstem/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Idaho-STEM/283411208345640

Awesome!  Have a great weekend!