Category Archives: Resources

Zervas School Receives STEM Grant

Posted on February 16, 2019 by newtonstem in Resources

The family of Cynthia Zervas, wife Dr. Frank Zervas (principal of the former Beethoven Avenue School), has generously donated $5,000 to Zervas Elementary School to establish the Cynthia Zervas STEM Center at the school and purchase classroom kits for building students’ skills in STEM. The School Committee formally accepted this donation at its most recent meeting.

DiscoverE Resources for Engineers Week (Feb. 17-23) and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Feb. 21)

Posted on January 27, 2019 by newtonstem in Resources

DiscoverE.org offers a substantial catalog of over 450 free activities for Engineers Week (February 17-23) and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (February 21), as well as free kits (poster, classroom activities, and other resources) to support teachers for Engineers Week and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day ($2 shipping charge per kit).

Free, One-Week Curriculum: Resisting Scientific Misinformation

Posted on January 26, 2019 by newtonstem in Resources

Resisting Scientific Misinformation is a free, one-week curriculum for Grades 6-12 designed to help students learn to guard against misinformation. It was created by Andy Zucker (former Senior Research Scientist at the Concord Consortium) and Penny Noyce (Tumblehome and STEM Next), with video production assistance from NOVA staff at WGBH, and it consists of four lessons and homework. Most of the class time is spent not in videos or lectures but in activities such as researching to investigate a variety of “scientific” claims. All materials, a teacher guide, and a one-page introductory flyer are freely available online.

Boston Tech Mom: Math Programs for Kids in Mass.

Posted on January 26, 2019 by newtonstem in After School, Resources, Summer

Boston Tech Mom (“a parent’s guide to raising a future techie”) has published a very useful, comprehensive list of Math Programs for Kids in Massachusetts — for both year-round and summer.

Newton Free Library Makerspace Starts Open Studio Hours

Posted on January 20, 2019 by newtonstem in Resources

The Newton Free Library’s Makerspace will offer public Open Studio hours starting in February, so that people of all ages can share ideas and knowledge using the Makerspace’s 3D printers, sewing machines, serger, die-cutting machine, etc. It’s in the back of the library, near the teen space. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All are invited to join the Makerspace’s online Meetup to stay connected.

  • Mondays 3PM-6PM (but not the first and fourth Mondays of the month)
  • Wednesdays 2PM-9PM
  • Thursdays 9:30AM-Noon
  • Fridays 2PM-5PM

An Interactive Periodic Table of STEM Occupations? Yes.

Posted on January 20, 2019 by newtonstem in Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, has created an interactive Periodic Table of STEM Occupations, showing for a variety of sample occupations: required education levels, forecasts of employment growth, median annual wages, and links to lots more details for each.

Edge on Science: NASA’s New Horizons Fly-by on New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 30, 2018 by newtonstem in Resources

The Edge on Science email newsletter doesn’t just talk about its excellent STEM programs. This month the newsletter tells us about the historic fly-by that NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft will make on New Year’s Eve — running by Ultima Thule in the Kuiper Belt. It also includes related links and at-home experiments. Sign up at the Edge on Science site.

New England Sci-Tech: STEM Programs and Maker Space in Natick

Posted on November 18, 2018 by newtonstem in Resources, Summer, Vacation Programs

New England Sci-Tech is a non-profit STEM education center and maker space on the Natick/Wellesley line (16 Tech Circle in Natick), launched last June. It offers classes and workshops in a wide range of STEM fields, amateur radio licensing, maker lab space, summer and after-school programs, public astronomy nights, educational support for schools and home-schoolers, tutoring, support for science fairs and other student STEM projects, space rentals for birthday parties, and more. Sign up for its mailing lists or become a member (rates of $25 to $75 per month).

‘Hour of Code’ Coming Up Dec. 3-9! Create Your Event Now

Posted on November 18, 2018 by newtonstem in Events, Resources

The worldwide project, Hour of Code, introduces programming to millions of people each year as part of Computer Science Education Week, December 3-9. Of the 119,885 Hour of Code events currently registered for this year, Newton has registered events at Angier, Horace Mann, and Memorial Spaulding Elementary Schools, Bigelow Middle School, and Mount Alvernia Academy. The Newton Public Schools is organizing events and linking to curriculum materials appropriate for elementary grades K-1, 2, 3, 4-5, as well as secondary grades at Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. Boston Tech Mom has more information.

Maker Skills Workshops at MIT, Dec. 5, 6, 12

Posted on November 4, 2018 by newtonstem in Events, Resources

The MIT Edgerton Center offers one-day, hands-on Maker workshops for teachers (of all grade levels) to obtain skills in Making. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is required. For more information, email edgerton-k12-maker@mit.edu.

  • 3D Modeling and Printing, Basic – December 5
  • 2D Modeling for Laser/Vinyl Cutting – December 6
  • Electronics for Makers – December 12