Girl Power(ed): 5 STEM Activities and Lessons for Girls

Girl Power(ed): 5 STEM Activities and Lessons for Girls

By Kate Began

Empowering girls through STEM activities not only prepares them for a bright future, it’s also a fun way to keep them engaged while they learn. Little girls love tinkering with things and tackling complex topics just as much—if not more so—than the boys.

Unfortunately, some harmful stereotypes just don’t seem to die. While many teachers and parents still choose to dissuade young girls from pursuing STEM subjects, you can do your part by incorporating STEM activities for girls at home or in the classroom.

Ready to spark their interest in science and technology? Here are 5 STEM activities for girls to boost their critical thinking skills and ignite a lifelong passion for the world of STEM:

Learn Chemistry by Making Bath Bombs

Making homemade bath bombs are a relaxing way to explore chemistry and to get your girls in the habit of using scientific methods. Plus, it’s a fun activity to do with your girls on the weekend.

For this experiment, you’ll need the following ingredients:

● Spray Bottle with Water

● Silicone Baking Tray

● ½ Cup Baking Soda

● ¼ Cup Citric Acid

● ¼ Cup Corn Starch

● 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil

● Essential Oil

● Food Coloring

The first step is to combine the baking soda, corn starch and citric acid into a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, essential oil and a few droplets of food coloring.

Use a couple sprays of your squirt bottle on the mixture (it may fizz when you do this) and use your hands to begin molding it. Press the mixture tightly into your silicone baking tray and allow it to sit for 1-2 days.

Next, start experimenting with the bath bombs. Ask the girls what they think will happen when you drop a bath bomb in hot water versus cold water. You can also begin playing around with ingredients and make predictions on how different ingredients affect the bath bombs.





Get Them Interested in Coding

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the computer science field is growing 19 percent faster than average. If you want to give your girls a head start in coding, consider introducing them to Tynker.

Tynker provides 500 hours of curriculum and introduces kids to concepts such as augmented reality, robotics, block coding and more. It’s self-paced, which means that your girls can learn anywhere and go at their own pace.

Tynker is free to teachers, while parents can purchase the coding platform’s programming lessons for as little as $10/month for a yearly subscription. From Coding with Barbie to Goblin Quest, there are a variety of coding lessons and games that will get your kids excited about computer science.


Double-Digit Multiplication Game

Struggling to spice things up and make math engaging? Why not turn math into an exciting board game?

This printable multiplication board game (via MathGeekMama) requires no prep and is easy to explain, so it’s practically guaranteed to become a parent/teacher favorite. Here is what you’ll need:

● Printable Double-Digit Multiple Board Game

● Die

● Place markers

● Calculator

Here is how it works: Player one rolls the die and moves that number of spaces. She then must solve the problem on the space where she landed.

The second player checks her math using the calculator. If she gets it right, she gets to stay on the marker. But if she gets it wrong, she must take two steps back from her original starting point.

To make things more fun for the girls, have them choose their place marker from a bucket of small toys. Remember to provide a variety of toys—not every girl wants a stereotypical pony as a place marker!


Learn About Circuitry

It’s understandable to be nervous about introducing electrical concepts to young kids. If you’re nervous about building your own DIY electrical kits for the kids, there are plenty of affordable kits online that your girls will love.

For example, the SmartLab Smart Circuits is a super fun electronics kit that allows you to safely introduce electronics concepts to kids. From building a glowing circuit to creating a magic message wand, the kit provides a diverse range of simple and complex projects for kids to complete.

All the electrical components are housed inside a plastic enclosure for electronics so that your girls can experiment safely. There are also additional safeguards that prevent incorrect wiring and electrocution, so there is no excuse for not introducing electricity and electronics into the classroom or at home!




Explore States of Matter with Glitter Slime

Making glitter slime is a great way to get girls interested in science and learn about states of matter. This STEM activity is also perfect for when you’re stuck indoors on cold weather days.

Here is what you’ll need to make glitter slime:

● 1 Small Jar

● Glitter

● Clear Elmer’s Glue

● 1 ½ Tablespoons OPTI-FREE Contact Lens Solution

● ½ Tablespoon Baking Soda

To make the slime, pour the Elmer’s glue into a bowl, followed by the baking soda, contact solution and then the glitter. Mix the ingredients together with a spoon until the slime becomes tough to stir.

Use your hands to finish mixing the slime. If the slime is a bit sticky, add a little contact solution to it.

Let the girls play with the slime for a few minutes and then start asking them questions. What will happen to the slime when it’s left on a flat surface? How far can it stretch before it breaks?

If the girls are older, you can use this opportunity to explain polymers and non-Newtonian fluids. For girls who are younger, this is still a great activity that will introduce them to using basic scientific methods.

Final Words
With coding, robotics and real-world science becoming a common sight in today’s classrooms, it’s never been more important to get girls interested in STEM subjects at an early age. Inside each girl is a passion for science and technology that is waiting to be brought to life.

With these fun STEM activities for girls, you can foster their interest in STEM and provide them with the confidence they need to purse a male-dominated field. With any luck, they will go on to become the next Marie Curie and Edith Clarke.

Kate Began serves as the Sales and Marketing Manager for Polycase. Kate oversees the customer service representatives, assists with product development and leads the marketing efforts from the Avon, Ohio headquarters.



RELATED:

STEM Resources (lots)

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE SPENCER KIPER ON WINNING LOUISIANA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND THE FUTURE OF STEM INSTRUCTION

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Ozobot Classroom - STEAM learning management system coming this Fall

Ozobot, makers of robots that empower coding and STEAM education for grades K–12, recently unveiled its new Ozobot Classroom learning management system.



Launching this fall, Ozobot Classroom will offer teachers an even better way to bring coding into lessons on any subject and at any grade level—with features that include an educator dashboard, real-time insights into student progress, a curriculum builder, and more. It will be the first LMS of its kind, delivering powerful insights into student engagement both with and without screens.

Once teachers create an account, they will be guided through training in Ozobot’s 2 Ways to Code: on-screen with OzoBlockly visual programming and screen-free with Color Codes. From there, educators can manage students and bots, access standards-aligned lesson recommendations, assign activities and digital badges, and use real-time insights into students’ online and offline activity to inform their teaching strategies.

As the only learning management system that provides insights for screen-free activities, teachers can keep up with their students' progress in real time. Once students have started interacting with their robots, Ozobot Classroom will then provide lesson recommendations and build a curriculum based on the individualized student data. 

Ozobot's Evo Educator Entry Kit and Evo Classroom Kit, which are compatible with the new Ozobot Classroom, were also selected as finalists for the 2019 SIIA CODiE Awards. The SIIA CODiE Awards recognize the top innovative products and services in the education and business technology industries. For more information on Ozobot's coding and STEAM products, and for a sneak peek at Ozobot Classroom, please visit https://ozobot.com/



Related:

STEM Resources for Education 





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The Future of STEM Education: 5 Innovative Ideas About to Break Through

The Future of STEM Education: 5 Innovative Ideas About to Break Through

by Kate Began


With our world becoming increasingly technology-driven, there is growing demand for workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. To meet this demand, there has been ongoing discussion on how to best educate our kids for a STEM-focused future.

How can we best equip our kids with the necessary skills to face future challenges? While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to teaching STEM, researchers and educators are always searching for innovative ideas to help kids develop in-demand skills.

STEM education will only become more important moving forward. To best prepare our kids for a tech-driven future, here are five innovative ideas that educators are testing out:

Highly-Specialized Elementary Teachers
As it stands now, math and science teachers are forced to cover a wide breadth of topics geared towards preparing students for the future. The main problem is that many elementary teachers are woefully unprepared to cover in-depth topics that ignite their students’ passion for STEM.

To combat this problem, some schools are choosing to employ teachers who specialize in robotics, coding and other in-demand fields. With a greater depth of knowledge on a subject, teachers can help build confidence and STEM literacy in students.

Although the idea of specialized elementary teachers is far from becoming widespread, the groundwork for these teachers is currently in the works. Already, we’re seeing universities such as Arizona State University offer specialized STEM education programs to help teachers feel confident teaching STEM subject matter.






Game-Based Learning
Educators have long been using game-based learning strategies to boost student engagement. If your classroom was ever divided into two teams and pitted against each other for a trivia game, you’ve experienced game-based learning.

Today’s game-based learning is far more sophisticated. To prepare students for a future in STEM, some educators are bringing immersive technology into the classroom and utilizing it for game-based learning.

For example, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have the power to transform STEM education. With these technologies, students can take a virtual field trip to the International Space Station, hear our heart pump blood through our cardiovascular system or observe the innerworkings of advanced electronics housed inside stainless steel enclosures.

Encouraging Infant and Toddler Math Education
Amazingly, even infants and toddlers can learn from STEM-based activities. Exploring new colors, shapes and textures with your child are technically science and math-based activities that invite your child to explore new concepts. Asking your toddler open-ended questions (as opposed to “yes” and “no” questions) is another simple way to begin preparing them for the world of STEM.

Why bother encouraging STEM skills at such an early age? Early introduction to STEM concepts has repeatedly shown to benefit children in all areas of education.

According to the National Research Council, early math knowledge can boost a child’s math comprehension later in life, as well as their reading comprehension skills. By integrating STEM learning earlier, parents can give their child a head start for their future education.





Enhancing STEM Experiences Through Inclusive Learning Spaces

A learning environment which sparks creativity and innovation in kids is critical to our future success in STEM education. The biggest question facing educators is which learning environment is best for STEM education?

While researchers have all sorts of different ideas on what makes the ultimate STEM learning environment, most will agree that the classroom must be flexible, inclusive and technology-based. A classroom which is open to discussion and which embraces failure is key to a positive STEM experience in young kids.

Today, teachers are slowly becoming educated on teaching soft skills in STEM. These skills refer to non-technical skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and problem-solving.

Soft skills are growing ever more important in our technology-based world. No matter how sophisticated our automated systems become, humans are still valued for their creativity, flexibility and motivation.

Getting the necessary funding for these inclusive, high-tech spaces remains a significant challenge for school districts. However, a classroom which embraces hands-on learning and has connectivity is key to successful STEM education.

At-Home STEM Visits

Preparing our teachers and classrooms for STEM is only half the battle. As a child’s first teacher, parents play a critical role in facilitating a child’s learning and career opportunities in STEM.

To help parents integrate STEM learning into the home, some schools are partnering with organizations that conduct at-home visits. These visits are meant to ensure that kids have the tools and resources they need to succeed in a high-tech world.

The Puerto Rico-based Flamboyan Foundation between schools and parents. The private family foundation, which also has a facility in Washington D.C., work with the school’s principal to increase family engagement and empower students to learn STEM topics.

Although foundations such as Flamboyan aren’t uncommon, they are yet to become widespread. But with growing importance on STEM education, we will no doubt see more schools utilizing these types of services to encourage STEM learning at home.

The Future Begins Now


STEM is already a pervasive part of our lives. Each day, STEM-related skills are used to solve the complex challenges that society is currently facing.

Challenges related to climate change, health care delivery and sustainability are all issues that our kids will need to face in the future. If we are to successfully meet the demands of tomorrow, we must foster a passion for STEM-related concepts through early education.

Kate Began serves as the Sales and Marketing Manager for Polycase. Kate oversees the customer service representatives, assists with product development and leads the marketing efforts from the Avon, Ohio headquarters.

RELATED:


STEM Resources (lots)

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE SPENCER KIPER ON WINNING LOUISIANA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND THE FUTURE OF STEM INSTRUCTION































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Cyberpatriot - national youth cyber education program

​CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. ​At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation's largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks. Other programs include AFA CyberCamps, an elementary school cyber education initiative, a children’s literature series, and CyberGenerations –a cyber safety initiative geared toward keeping senior citizens safe online.

These are excellent, free resources and more for K-12 educators and students.

​The CyberPatriot Programs are:




THE NATIONAL YOUTH CYBER DEFENSE COMPETITION​
At the center of CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, which puts teams of high school and middle school students in ​the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. Through a series of online competition ​rounds, teams are given a set of virtual operating systems and are tasked with finding and fixing cybersecurity vulnerabilities while maintaining critical services. The top teams in the nation earn all-expenses paid trips to Maryland for the National Finals Competition where they can earn national recognition and scholarship money.​​


AFA CYBERCAMPS
Held during the summer months, AFA CyberCamps emphasize fun, hands-on learning of cybersecurity principles that are relevant and applicable to everyday life. Though camps, students learn the importance of cyber safety and how to protect their personal devices and information from outside threats. Standard AFA CyberCamps teach beginner students the basics of cybersecurity, while Advanced AFA CyberCamps incorporate more complex concepts geared towards students who have previously participated in a camp or in the cyber defense competition.



ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CYBER EDUCATION INITIATIVE

The CyberPatriot Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative (ESCEI) is a set of three interactive learning modules aimed at increasing the awareness of online safety and cyber​security principles for K-6 students. The modules, which are available for download at no cost, can be presented in a classroom setting or at home. Supplemental activities are also available.




CYBER EDUCATION LITERATURE SERIES
The Cyber Education Literature series was launched in December 2017 with the publishing of its first book, Sarah the Cyber Hero. The book is a pre-K reader for younger children that pioneers the topic of cybersecurity to a early elementary youth. Digital​ and hard-copies of the book are available for purchase on Amazon and BookBaby.com.



CYBERGENERATIONS​CyberPatriot's newest program, CyberGenerations, the Senior Citizen's Cyber Safety Initiative, is designed to teach older individuals about password hygiene, malware and ransomware, marketing and fraud scam, and social media awareness. More importantly, CyberGenerations offers resources to victims of cyber scams. The program can be done as a self-paced guide, or it can be presented as a workshop in a group setting.

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Live Total Solar Eclipse Coverage from the Exploratorium on July 2

On Tuesday, July 2, 2019, from 12:23 to 2:46 p.m. PDT, the Exploratorium, in partnership with NASA, will broadcast a total solar eclipse from the NSF’s Cerro Tololo Observatory in Chile. The broadcast will be available to downlink, online, in the museum's award-winning eclipse app, and onsite at the Exploratorium. Visitors to the Exploratorium can enjoy programs in both English and Spanish, a data-driven sonification by composer Wayne Grim, lectures by Exploratorium staff educators, and other eclipse programming.

Exploratorium has a large variety of other resources for educators as well.





WHO:           The Exploratorium in partnership with NASA

WHAT:          Live coverage and explanation of the total solar eclipse

WHERE:       Downlink, online, Total Solar Eclipse 2019 App, NASA.gov, and onsite

WHEN:         Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 12:23-2:46 p.m. PDT


Staff experts are available for interview before the eclipse.

Isabel Hawkins is an astronomer and educator with a PhD in astronomy from UCLA.  She spent 20 years as a researcher and science educator at the University of California, Berkeley, Space Sciences Laboratory, before coming to the Exploratorium. Isabel has published more than 100 articles on a variety of astronomy and education topics, and in 2009 she received the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Klumpke-Roberts award for her work in astronomy education and public outreach. Available for interviews in Spanish.

Ron Hipschman has hosted eclipse coverage for the Exploratorium for over twenty years. He has worked as an exhibit developer, author, teacher, and webcast host since joining the Exploratorium in 1971. He currently works on the Exploratorium’s Environmental Initiatives.

Read this advisory on our website.

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NASA STEM on Station - lesson resources with the International Space Station

NASA is an amazing resource for STEM education. They have multiple sites and programs, with multimedia and lesson resources for educators.

NASA also has a speakers bureau that will provide engineers, scientists, and other professionals to speak to audiences around the country. You can also request an astronaut to come and speak to your class. It is free, but there are some conditions. It is an easy process.

A new resource that is really exciting and fun is the STEM on Station resource. This is education's connection to the International Space Station and includes lesson plans, videos and news. There are opportunities to connect with the space station and research conducted there as well as other great resources.

This is a great resource for any teacher, not just STEM.


More resources:

NASA - Find lots of great educational resources

Lots of great STEM Resources

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The Big Guide to STEM - free guide with resources from educators

"The Big Guide to STEM" is a free e-book containing resources and STEM ideas from educators on integrating STEM/STEAM into the classroom.

It also contains a collection of top 10 STEM lists:

* Top 10 STEM apps
* Top 10 STEM tech products
* Top 10 STEM blogs and online communities
* Top 10 STEM websites
* Top 10 STEM events
* Top 10 STEM Software Solutions
* Top 10 Resources for STEM Funding
* Top 10 STEM Resources for Girls

This is a great resource for any teacher at all, but especially those working with STEM courses or projects.

http://news.mimio.boxlight.com/stem-guide


Although it's published by Boxlight, the only company info is in the
logos. Sunshine Nance, Boxlight’s VP of Marketing, has made it her
mission to facilitate STEM education, including helping to organize the
Georgia Girls STEM Collaborative and working with the STEM Atlanta Women
group. So, this guide is part of a heartfelt mission for her.


Related:

STEM Resources 


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Vernier Software & Technology Launches Go Direct Sensor Cart

Vernier Software & Technology Launches Go Direct Sensor Cart

Vernier Software & Technology recently launched the new Go Direct® Sensor Cart for middle school, high school, and college physics students. The wireless dynamics cart allows students to easily explore force, position, velocity, and acceleration using Bluetooth® wireless technology.

This is a great way for students to explore and gain an understanding of kinematics and dynamics.

www.vernier.com/gdx-cart

Related:

STEM Resources

Physics Resources

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CK-12 Concept Maps - see the connections between math and science concepts

CK-12, one of my all time favorite, free resources for teachers, has a very cool new feature called "Concept Maps".

 "Concept Maps" uses visual concept mapping to show connections between different concepts in math, science and connections between math and science. It is very easy to use and is a great way to help students see these connections, make their own connections, and see why learning these different topics is so important.

Just search for a topic and suggested items appear. Select one and see the concept map. Math and science are color coded so you can tell which is which.

Here is one on Bio and Forensics:

Here is one on Newton's 2nd Law of Motion:

This is an excellent resource for helping students better understand concepts and connections.

Make sure you also check out all of the other great resources CK-12 has to offer.

More great resources on CK-12 and what it has to offer for teachers and students. 
Digital, interactive textbooks, simulations, virtual labs, assessments, games, and much more.

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Northrop Grumman Foundation’s Fab School Labs Contest is officially open for submissions! Win a dream STEM Lab.

Northrop Grumman Foundation’s Fab School Labs Contest is officially open for submissions!

The contest is designed to drive student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – otherwise known as STEM - by giving public middle schools the opportunity to create the STEM lab of their dreams, made possible by a grant of up to $100,000 for each.

Over 200 schools participated in last year’s inaugural contest, and the five winning schools are in the design and construction phase of creating the science lab of their dreams.

Please see the press release below, and check out the Fab School Labs page, for more information on the contest.

 MORE STEM RESOURCES for SCHOOLS

                               NEWS RELEASE 

                                                              Contact:         Mark Root

Northrop Grumman Corporation

703-280-2739 (office)

571-425-2132 (mobile)

                                                                        mark.root@ngc.com

Rosalie Hagel/Kate Fisher

                                                                        Finn Partners

                                                                        954-765-3636

                                                                        fabschoollabs@finnpartners.com

                       

Northrop Grumman Foundation 2016 Fab School Labs Contest Now Open for Submissions

Starting May 1, public middle schools can enter for a chance to win one of five grants up to $100,000 each to fund a dream technology lab or science classroom

FALLS CHURCH, Va. –May 4, 2016 – The Northrop Grumman Foundation is welcoming submissions now through June 17, 2016 for the second year of its Fab School Labs online contest. The school lab makeover contest provides public middle schools with an opportunity to make their ideal state-of-the-art science lab a reality with grants of up to $100,000 each.

The Northrop Grumman Foundation invites teachers, principals and school administrators to enter their eligible school by visiting www.FabSchoolLabs.com, where they can learn about the contest and submit their application, along with photos and video to help tell their story. Finalist schools will be chosen and their videos will receive online votes of support through the Fab School Labs Facebook page to assist with the final selection process. The winning schools will then team up with Fab School Labs contest partner, Flinn Scientific Inc., to design a state-of-the-art science lab or classroom complete with all of the tools, resources and furnishings needed to incorporate new and innovative methods and subject matter.

The contest is designed to drive students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by giving public middle school teachers and school administrators the chance to create the STEM lab of their dreams and provide students access to the latest learning tools and technologies that will stimulate as well as teach.

Inadequate funds to purchase equipment and an overall lack of facilities are frequently cited problems by teachers and educators as it relates to science and mathematics education at the elementary and middle school level, according to the National Science Board and other education sources.

“It is an honor to once again offer five schools, teachers and their students the chance to receive a new, state-of-the-art science lab or classroom,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president, global corporate responsibility, Northrop Grumman, and president, Northrop Grumman Foundation. “The amount of support received from students, teachers and the communities by our 2015-2016 winners was overwhelming, and we look forward to rallying more communities during the 2016-2017 school year.”

In addition to the website, teachers are also encouraged to follow the competition at www.Facebook.com/FabSchoolLabs.

Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to expanding and enhancing the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students globally. They provide funding to sustainable STEM programs that span from preschool to high school and through collegiate levels, with a major emphasis on middle school students and teachers. In 2015, Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation continued education outreach efforts by contributing more than $17 million to diverse STEM-related groups such as the Air Force Association (CyberPatriot), Conservation International (ECO Classroom), the REC Foundation (VEX Robotics), National Science Teachers Association and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.  For more information, please visitwww.northropgrumman.com/foundation.

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3D CAD and 3D Printing with Chromebooks

Everyone who reads this blog knows I'm a huge fan of Chromebooks, especially for education. One area that I get asked about often is 3D CAD and 3D Printing. So here is some info. I am by no means an expert on 3D printing though.

Tinkercad is a completely web-based, 3D CAD system that works on Chromebooks. I've used it and found it easy to use and pretty powerful (and I've used systems like CATIA, Pro-Engineer and SolidWorks). You can easily download the STL file to use with the 3D printer. Tinkercad also has some great resources to help you learn how to use it.

I haven't found a 3D printer that would work directly from a Chromebook, but even Windows laptop schools connect a powerful desktop to their 3D printer to do the rendering and printing and allow the student to use their device for other things while the job runs. Some printers even have built in support for accessing files from media devices like flash drives so you can print direct.

So, students can do their designs on the Chromebooks, and then the files can be accessed on the desktop PC and printed on the 3D printer.

Two more things Chromebooks can do!



Related:

What can you do on a Chromebook? Pretty much everything.

Google Resources for Education

STEM Resources for Students and Educators



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