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Thank You, Science Mentors: October #STEMchat Recap

October 28, 2015 By Kim
Tagged With: #STEMchat

Bayer Making Science Make Sense.Earlier this month we had a great chat on Looking Back and Paying it Forward thanks to our sponsor, Bayer. As participants reflected on our own early STEM experiences, we also had the chance to #SayTKU to our STEM mentors. Each time we used the hashtag in a Tweet to say “thank you,” we fueled Bayer’s campaign to provide science experiences for kids in need. Even if you didn’t make the chat, through the end of November, you can still #SayTKU via your favorite social platform (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and make the same impact!

And now for the recap. Please note this post includes affiliate links.

What was science class like when you were growing up?

Hands-on lesson make the biggest impression. Panelist Stephani Page still recalls her sense of wonder when her class sprouted seeds. Another chatter said that she always engaged in science class because she always thought of herself as a “science person” (and thankfully no one in a position of authority caused her to question that).

Who inspired your interest in science?

The list included family members, teachers, scout leaders and even the late Gene Roddenberry for creating Star Trek’s Mr. Spock.

Bayer is running the #SayTKU campaign through the end of November. You can get involved even if you didn’t participate in #STEMchat. Thank your STEMspirations through your favorite social media platform using the tag #SayTKU and Bayer (@BayerUS on Twitter) Bayer will provide a hands-on science experience for an in-need and at-risk child through Tickets for Kids Charities.

science

What is your favorite hands-on science experience or memory from your childhood?

  • Watching animals grow or hatch
  • Anything with fire
  • Making candy
  • Building things with motors, circuits, erector sets,
  • Designing experiments
  • Chemistry sets and baking soda explosions
  • My first microscope
  • Dissections
  • Catching fireflies, star gazing with my father
  • Science Fairs

Thank science mentors with #SayTKU and Bayer will support a science experience for a child in need.

What are you doing to make a difference in the lives of others when it comes to STEM?

Not surprisingly, STEMchat attracts people who love to share their passion for science. Chatters make a difference through:

  • Mentoring
  • Working (in real life or virtually through Skype or Google Hangouts) with libraries, schools, camps, museums and after school clubs hosting programs, answering questions and doing demonstrations
  • Reaching out to underrepresented populations
  • Creating fun on-line content like blogs and videos for students to watch
  • Supporting teachers and, most importantly encouraging my own children

Panelist Joanne Manaster shares her love of reading popular science books by interviewing science book authors on Read Science! Google hangouts. She also has whimsical science videos (like the Blood Cell Bakery or Gummy Bear Science or Cats in Sinks).

Mentoring is critical for #STEM. What else is needed when it comes to encouraging #STEM?

  • Hands-on learning opportunities
  • Including and reaching out to underrepresented populations
  • Showing how science is a part of every day living
  • Increasing the awareness of community STEM/STEAM programs & clubs in schools that don’t provide the
  • Opportunity! You can’t thrive in a field you know nothing about! Make sure students have the resources to explore and create
  • Equality in upward mobility

Panelist Stephani Page, noted “I think it’s important that people in my position make the path a little easier for others. It’s imperative for people from marginalized groups to offer guidance and help in leveling the playing field.”

What do you think is a key component in any #STEM-related program?

  • Hands-on learning
  • Giving students projects that are meaningful to them that allow for some self-guided learning
  • Allowing students to do things they can feel proud of
  • Show students your passion
  • Removing the stigma around math and science being uncool
  • Don’t just seek to attract kids to STEM; seek to positively change the way that they view themselves
  • Allowing students to be creative and discover new applications for concepts they are learning

It’s important to help make science make sense. How can parents encourage science literacy at home?

  • Demonstrate curiosity
  • Have materials available
  • Find activities in the community you can participate with your child in
  • Use resources like google, library, etc
  • Take time out to experience science with your kids
  • Include science topics in dinner table discussions, reading and bedtime stories

Gear, Tech

Here are the most popular STEM resources mentioned during the chat.

Code Academy – a free website that teaches computer programming

Craic Design – an astronomy app for iOS

Fun Science Demos – a YouTube channel full of lots of fun science experiments

Google Hangout Physics and Astronomy Seminars – list of seminars organized by Dr. William Slaton that are open to anyone to watch

Khan Academy – free lessons and practice in a variety of subjects

Lightbot – a puzzle solving game that uses programming logic

Making Science Make Sense – a website sponsored by Bayer to bring science information and knowledge to educators

Merlin Bird ID App – an app to help you identify the birds you see

MIT App Inventor – from MIT, a website to help you start building you own app

MIT OpenCourseWare – Free access to MIT course materials for anyone to access

NASA Viz – NASA Visualization Explorer is an app to get stories about how NASA is exploring our solar system

#SciStuChat – A Q&A twitter discussion for high school students and scientists

Touch Develop – a free app development tool from Microsoft

Gear, Tech

Books and Blogs

Bayer: Science for a Better Life – Bayer pledges hands-on science learning

Dewey Mac Maker Mysteries – book series about a young boy who solves mysteries while making gadgets

How to Encourage Girls in Technology – an interview with Abril Vela on MomStart.com (read The Maker Mom’s STEM Girl Friday interview with Abril here)

Joanne Loves Science by panelist Joanne Manaster TheMakerMom STEM Girls Friday – articles on The Maker Mom that highlight women in STEM

The Maker Mom blog and Facebook page

math gear

Organizations

The Driskill Foundation – A nonprofit organization to bring hand-on and interactive learning experiences to children

Project WET – Located in Montana, Project WET provides educational resources for water management

Events and Places to Visit

Morehead Planetarium & Science Center – located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; they  host the NC Science Festival– look for the next one in April 2016

STEAM Carnival – located (to date) in California, this is an entertainment show that highlights the art withing STEM

The Marine Mammal Center – located in Sausalito California, their core mission is to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured marine mammals.

Camps and Competitions

campSTEM – directed by panelist David Lockett, this Tenessee, this progam introduces kids to STEM and keeps up the learning when school is on break

The Maker Mom provides a comprehensive list of STEM camps in the Chicago area

US First – Competitions and education to show students that STEM and problem solving are fun and rewarding

STEMchat 3 gears

About Kim

Kim headshot Summer 2012 I’m a Chicago-area mom / empty-nester who is passionate about sharing ideas and resources to raise kids who love Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). I’m a published author, blogger, vlogger, baker and maker. I love to travel, especially on trips that involve hiking and other active endeavors, farm tours, and learning new things in general.[Read More...]

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