center4stem.org http://www.center4stem.org The Center for Excellence in STEM Education Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:23:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Green Ideas for a New Semester http://www.center4stem.org/2010/02/green-ideas-for-a-new-semester/ http://www.center4stem.org/2010/02/green-ideas-for-a-new-semester/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:23:13 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=664 Handouts and Instructions (PDF)

On Saturday, February 20th, the Center for Excellence in STEM Education, in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton/Mercer County, held the first training session for the Spring 2010 semester of the Future Engineers of Trenton program, funded by the Edison Venture Fund.
Approximately 30 teachers from around the state attended the training, which was a continuation of the fall, “Go Green with STEM” theme. Topics included organic farming, hydroponics and aquaponics systems, classroom greenhouses and strategies for successful design-based learning in the STEM classroom.
Our first presenter, Chris Anderson-the Design/Technology/Engineering instructor at Gateway Regional High School and President of the New Jersey Technology Education Association (NJTEA), explained the environmental benefit of using hydroponics, and presented the effectiveness of utilizing existing nutrients without using excess water from outside sources.
See his blog for more details:

First Chris Anderson explained the environmental benefit of using hydroponics, and presented the effectiveness of utilizing existing nutrients without using excess water from outside sources. He then demonstrated how a hydroponics system works with the existing set up in our STEM classroom.

He then had each attendee create their own mini-system using a two-liter soda bottle, an scrap of cloth, a nutrient rich seed starter, clay pellets and distilled water.
Our next presenter, Michael Anderson, showed our participants how to build their own passive solar greenhouse. Attendees split up into groups of two, and each pair received a 2×3 piece of corrugated plastic, clear plastic sheeting, duct tape, and cutting and measuring materials. Once the teams assembled their structure, they added variables to it such as tin cans spray painted black or white, and filled with different types of insulation.
Each attendee left the workshop with new tools and activities to use this semester, and a fun new way to approach pre-engineering with an emphasis on environmental awareness.

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2010/02/green-ideas-for-a-new-semester/feed/ 0 New Go Green Workshop http://www.center4stem.org/2010/02/614/ http://www.center4stem.org/2010/02/614/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:34:41 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=614 February 9, 20108:00 amto3:00 pm

Go Green…

with Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

Winter 2010

Saturday February 20, 2010

9am-3pm

The College of New Jersey, Armstrong Hall Room 102

Download Flyer (PDF)

This is the second workshop offered in the Go Green series.  No prior attendance/experience is necessary to participate.
Learn hands-on, middle school STEM activities including how to build a
solar greenhouse, composter, hydroponic system and more!
Receive:
  • A stipend for attending
  • Complimentary light breakfast
  • Complimentary catered lunch
  • Professional development hours
  • Free resources and materials to take home
Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 17, 2010 to:
Jeanette Alicea at The College of New Jersey
vegaj@tcnj.edu / (609)771-3336

Please include your name, school, grade/subject you teach, email and phone number where you can be reached.
This FREE workshop is sponsored by The Future Engineers of Trenton program at The College of New Jersey.
]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2010/02/614/feed/ 0 TCNJ Cultivates Future Engineers with Solar Car Competition http://www.center4stem.org/2010/01/future-engineers-solar-car-competition/ http://www.center4stem.org/2010/01/future-engineers-solar-car-competition/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:10:16 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=565 On Saturday, January 23, 2010, the Future Engineers of Trenton program, in partnership with The College of New Jersey, held a Solar Car Competition at the headquarters of the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County. Participating students from several Trenton middle schools, including PJ Hill, Mott, Grant, and Monument, gathered at 10:00am to race their solar cars on a lighted track, borrowed from TCNJ’s School of Engineering.

Each student that participated in Saturday’s event attends weekly after-school sessions of the Future Engineers program at their respective schools, which double as Boys & Girls Club after-school satellite sites. With the guidance of their Future Engineers Instructors, students built solar powered cars over the Fall/Winter 2009 semester, one of several hands-on activities they did after researching alternative forms of energy.

The College of New Jersey’s Center for Excellence in STEM Education, in the School of Engineering, receives funding from the Martinson Family Foundation to facilitate the Future Engineers program, which cultivates science, technology, engineering and math knowledge and career awareness among Trenton youth. The race was judged by TCNJ staff members Susan Harrison, Michael Anderson, Alison Goeke and Brianna Kurowski

Andre Thomas, the Manager of the Center for Energy and Environmental Training at Isles, Inc. attended the event as the guest speaker. Isles, Inc. is an award-winning, nonprofit community development and environmental organization based in Trenton. Thomas spoke to the students about current trends in the environmental engineering profession, relating these trends to the research, design and product development students have implemented in the Future Engineers program.

First Place for fastest car in the Solar Car Competition was awarded to Joshua Lopez and Joseph Vasquez from Monument School.

Second Place was given to the Lightest Car that also made it to the finish line. James Munn from Mott School received the trophy with his car weighing in at 107 grams.

A Third Place trophy went to Aaliyah McCleese and Breeina Griffin from PJ Hill School for Best Overall Design.

Students, parents, instructors and program staff celebrated with lunch after the Award Ceremony. All participants in the day’s events received a prize pack and a certificate to take home.

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2010/01/future-engineers-solar-car-competition/feed/ 0 New Workshop – Bats and the Environment http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/new-workshop-bats-and-the-environment/ http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/new-workshop-bats-and-the-environment/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:30:57 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=459 December 4, 20094:00 pmto6:30 pm

Bats and the Environment

Presenter: Nick Beykirch

Friday, December 4, 2009 (Free), 4 to 6:30 pm, Room: Armstrong 112

“Going green” is the new buzzword on everyone’s lips-attend this workshop and learn how to practice green methods of pest control!

Learn how a manufacturing system can be utilized to design and produce bat habitats from recycled materials. Each participant will leave with a completed bat house, plans, and various resources that can be used when completing the activity. The impact of bats on the environment as a means of pest control will be a key part of the presentation.

All participants will receive:

  • Complimentary snacks and beverages
  • Professional development hours
  • Free resources and materials to take home

Contact:

Jeanette Alicea

vegaj@tcnj.edu / (609) 771-3336

Please be sure to include the workshop title, your name, school, district, grade,

email address and contact phone number.

RSVP by November 24th
Please note:  If you do not receive a confirmation please contact the office to be sure that you are registered.

Register now – vegaj@tcnj.edu or call 609-771-3336.

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/new-workshop-bats-and-the-environment/feed/ 0 New Workshop – Classroom Management http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/new-workshops-bats-and-the-environment/ http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/new-workshops-bats-and-the-environment/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:36:56 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=445 December 8, 20094:00 pmto6:30 pm

How to Reach Your Urban Middle School Student

Presenter: Ed Butler

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 (Free), 4 to 6:30 pm, Room: Armstrong 102

Ed Butler has been a teacher in an urban environment for over 20 years.  His methods in reaching his students have made his teaching experience rewarding for both his students and himself.  Come see what works for him!

Topics will include:

  • Understanding urban students
  • Finding what sparks their interest
  • Techniques to help engage students
  • How to keep them motivated
  • How important is structure
  • Discipline techniques
  • Types of free after-school programs and activities students can attend
  • How to get parents involved

All participants will receive:

  • Complimentary snacks and beverages
  • Professional development hours
  • Free resources and materials to take home

Contact:

Jeanette Alicea

vegaj@tcnj.edu / (609) 771-3336

RSVP by November 30th

Please be sure to include the workshop title, your name, school, district, grade, email address and contact phone number.

Please note:  If you do not receive a confirmation please contact the office to be sure that you are registered.

Register now – vegaj@tcnj.edu or call 609-771-3336.

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/new-workshops-bats-and-the-environment/feed/ 0 MST Alum Teaching in Honduras http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/mst-alum-in-honduras/ http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/mst-alum-in-honduras/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:25:52 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=435 Kourtney Burris, recent graduate from TCNJ Department of Education has been working with students in the Honduras.  She remembered an Design engineering activity building towers from newspapers that she thought the children might enjoy as their science project.  She learned this in Prof Burroughs’ Math / Science / Technology science methods course.  It was huge success with the kids even if there weren’t quite enough materials to go around.  Consequently, a Science Package to Go has been mailed to her young children complete with lessons and booklets in hopes they will continue to enjoy science and even more investigations!  Prof Burroughs’ class this Fall 2009 will be writing the children encouragement, their first experience with long-distance learning!

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2009/11/mst-alum-in-honduras/feed/ 0 New Workshop – Go Green with STEM! http://www.center4stem.org/2009/09/new-workshop-go-green-with-stem/ http://www.center4stem.org/2009/09/new-workshop-go-green-with-stem/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:57:42 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=383 September 26, 20099:00 amto3:00 pm

Workshop Flyer

In this workshop you will learn hands-on, middle school STEM activities , and build structures that harness wind, solar and geothermal energy!

Each attendee will receive:

· A stipend for attending
· Complimentary light breakfast
· Complimentary catered lunch
· Professional development hours
· Free resources and materials to take home

Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 23, 2009 to:

Jeanette Alicea at The College of New Jersey

vega@tcnj.edu / (609)771-3336.

Please include your name, school, grade/subject you teach, email and phone number where you can be reached.

This FREE workshop is sponsored by The Future Engineers of Trenton program at The College of New Jersey.

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2009/09/new-workshop-go-green-with-stem/feed/ 0 “Colors in Drops of Water” and “Balls & Ramps” taught by TCNJ Science Methods Students at Howley Pre-School http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/colors-in-drops-of-water-and-balls-ramps-is-taught-at-howley-pre-school-by-tcnj-science-methods-students/ http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/colors-in-drops-of-water-and-balls-ramps-is-taught-at-howley-pre-school-by-tcnj-science-methods-students/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:20:23 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=369 As part of their field experience with learning the methods of teaching science to elementary children, students from Ms. Burroughs’ MST 202 course visited a pre-K school in Trenton to work with 3 and 4 year olds learning physics and chemistry concepts. The children were enthusiastic participants in lessons designed to let them explore the possibilities of drops of water or investigating how different wheels behave when rolling down ramps. The college students practiced the lessons before teaching them; but after that, were on their own as to how they worked with their small group of children. They learned many things about keeping children on task and fielding questions. Insights gained included a better understanding of “age appropriate” science and students were able to adjust their teaching so that each child shared many new ideas as they worked creatively. Children are natural investigators and highly inventive. If the college students thought these young children would be passive learners, they were pleasantly surprised! Science explorations will be welcomed back in these classrooms anytime!

[[Show as slideshow]]


]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/colors-in-drops-of-water-and-balls-ramps-is-taught-at-howley-pre-school-by-tcnj-science-methods-students/feed/ 0 Franklin Elementary Second Graders Investigate Mealworms http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/franklin-elementary-second-graders-investigate-mealworms/ http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/franklin-elementary-second-graders-investigate-mealworms/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:15:31 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=365 If you think insects are yucky, ask Ms. Posner’s second grade class at Franklin elementary school what they think! These mealworms provided the children with endless opportunities to investigate behaviors, size, responses to smell and touch and a wonderful chance to interact personally through touch and sight with safe and gentle living creatures. Students took data, wrote endlessly in their journals and drew careful pictures of their new friends. While there were a few squeals initially, the students quickly settled into doing some very cool experiments with scent attraction, color choices and avoidance behaviors. What had to be the most fun thought was to have a mealworm tickle as it crawled around your finger!

[[Show as slideshow]]

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/franklin-elementary-second-graders-investigate-mealworms/feed/ 0 Dunn Middle School Students Dissect Piglets http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/dunn-middle-school-students-dissect-piglets/ http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/dunn-middle-school-students-dissect-piglets/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:17:51 +0000 admin http://www.center4stem.org/?p=358 Teachers Enrique Riveras and Jeff MacCleod of Dunn Middle School thought it would be a great idea for their science students to experience the careful dissection of fetal pigs. They called upon Ms. Burroughs, science methods instructor, for some expertise in instructing the students on the proper use of dissecting tools and procedures for identifying organ systems. Ms. Burroughs gathered up supplies and made instruction booklets for the class as she planned a way to make this process of discovery an important and exciting time for the students. She needn’t have worked too hard, for – after a small introduction and some debriefing on what they would find – Dunn students enthusiastically dug into their fetal pigs. They were having such an excellent time that they had to take pictures of each other! Cell phones everywhere were snapping pictures of pans, intestines, successful pinning’s and organs. These photos were placed in a poster Ms. Burroughs created for them, and was proudly displayed at the school entrance during their science week.

[[Show as slideshow]]

]]> http://www.center4stem.org/2009/07/dunn-middle-school-students-dissect-piglets/feed/ 0