Professor Tulika Bose from Boston University’s Physics Department invites high-school physics teachers to bring their classes to visit and learn about current research in particle physics based on BU’s use of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. Up to 24 students may attend each session (9AM-noon, followed by pizza lunch), offered each day, March 2-5, and smaller groups from various schools may be combined. This program is offered free of charge through BU’s COSMIC CONNECTIONS and is recommended for high-school juniors and seniors enrolled in physics classes. Teachers may apply online. For further information, contact Cynthia Brossman at cab@bu.edu or 617-353-7021.
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STEM Certificate Program: PTC’s Professional Development for K-12 Teachers
Since 2013, product-design software company PTC has provided professional development for K-12 teachers via the Massachusetts STEM Certificate Program. This program offers strategies and resources to help teachers integrate design and engineering across all subjects — and develop inspiring project-based curricula using industrial-strength software tools. The training is a combination of online webinars and onsite sessions at PTC’s headquarters in Needham. It starts with a Foundations phase, in which participants explore industry and classroom STEM concepts, followed by an Authoring phase, in which participants develop a STEM curriculum tailored to their own classroom instruction. Newton North HS Science teachers Matt Anderson and Anndy Dannenberg joined the program in the autumn of 2013. This year, the following Newton teachers are participating:
- Newton North HS: Kevin Brosnan (Science), Stephanie Chmura (Math), Garrett Tingle (Career & Tech Ed)
- Newton South HS: Suzy Drurey (Science), Divya Shannon (Math)
Horace Mann Science Night!
More than 90 students displayed exhibits at Horace Mann Elementary School’s Science Night last Friday. In addition, the New England Section of the Optical Society of America demonstrated a giant kaleidoscope, light pens, and prisms. And FIRST Lego League introduced students and parents to their robotics programs and core values. Yes, those very intent observers in white lab coats and colorful wigs are Horace Mann teachers.
Click on the photo to zoom in on a great evening.
MIT Museum Hosts “Feb Fest” During February School Break
During school vacation week (February 16-21), the MIT Museum will celebrate National Engineers Week with Feb Fest — a week of engineering-specific activities, workshops, and afternoon demonstrations led by MIT students. Some programs are free with Museum admission ($10 for adults, $5 for youth, students, and seniors). Others cost $10 per student and require pre-registration by February 6. Tickets for other programs are available to the first 25 people, 30 minutes before the event. All programs take place at the MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
MIT Edgerton/Draper ‘Science on Saturday’ for Grades K-12, Feb. 7: Physics
MIT’s Edgerton Center and Draper Laboratory hold a free Science on Saturday program about monthly for elementary, middle, and high school students — as well as their parents and teachers. On February 7, the program will be focused on physics (PDF), with explanations of rockets and lightning bolts work, presented by the MIT Physics Department. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The program includes a one-hour presentation at 10AM followed by hands-on activities at 11AM. No pre-registration is necessary but seating is limited and first-come, first-seated. It’s held in MIT’s Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge.
Anatomy and Chemistry for Girls in Grades 1-3, Tuesdays
Newton Community Education’s program, Girls Science Club/Anatomy Academy, engages girls in Grades 1-3 in aspects of chemistry and anatomy. It’s presented by Wicked Cool Science and held at the Newton Boys & Girls Club, 675 Watertown Street, 2:30-3:30PM on Tuesdays from now through May 19. Registration is $225.
Discovery Museums: Apply by Feb. 6 to be a Science Communication Fellow
The Discovery Museums in Acton seek STEM professionals to become Science Communication Fellows. Twice a year, the museums accept 8 educators or STEM professionals as Science Communication Fellows in their Portal to the Public program — part of a nationwide program of 36 participating museums. Training takes 10 hours across two Saturdays and is currently tuition-free. Applications (PDF) for the spring cohort are due February 6. Fellows work with education professionals to develop fun, engaging activities to help non-scientists understand their work and then share the results in public programs. Fellows receive free museum membership, a chance to improve communications skills, and membership in a national network of science and museum professionals committed to increasing public understanding and appreciation of STEM. This video explains the program from the points of view of Fellows, parents, museum staff, and kids. Since 2013, twenty-three professionals — from 15 corporations and universities — have become Fellows at the Discovery Museums. A few positions remain for STEM professionals in this spring’s training.
NNHS and NSHS Science Teams at MIT Science Olympiad
Newton North and Newton South Science Teams were among more than 50 teams — including 17 teams nationally ranked — competing in the Science Olympiad Invitational at MIT on January 24. Newton North came in 12th overall — and 1st in Astronomy, 4th in Geologic Mapping and Scrambler, 5th in Entomology, and 6th in Technical Problem Solving. Newton South came in 31st overall — and 2nd in Chemistry Lab, 5th in Bungee Drop, and 6th in Anatomy and Physiology. The tournament was an extremely competitive practice run before the State Olympiad on March 21 in Worcester.
Engaging Math: Summer STEM Day Camp, Open House, Feb. 11
The Studio of Engaging Math in Brighton will hold an open house on Wednesday, February 11 (6PM – 8PM) for its STEM Summer Camp for kids 6 through 12 years old. This day camp runs in four one-week sessions over July 6-31, 9AM-4PM (extended day is 8:30AM-5PM) and includes daily playground time and weekly museum field trips. Activities include design challenges, construction sets, science experiments, strategy games, brain teasers, origami, 3D modeling software, and introduction to programming. Location is 167 Corey rd, suite 215, Brighton. A second open house will be held Saturday, March 14, noon to 3PM.
DUST — Online Game for STEM Inquiry — is Now Live
DUST is a new alternative-reality game designed to teach students 13-17 years old about STEM inquiry. This collaborative online experience launched last week and will play out over the next seven weeks. In its fictional world, students are charged with solving the mystery of why a meteor shower has caused adults around the world to collapse. DUST was created by the National Science Foundation, Brigham Young University, and the University of Maryland. Students can register at fallingdust.com, and adults can register at the same site either as passive observers or as active participants using pseudonyms. There’s a start-up kit for educators, which includes a Read Me First document, introductory presentation, and lesson plans linked to NGSS and Common Core standards. An educator’s website is at dustgame.byu.edu.