Workshop Titles and Descriptions: STEM Exploration Day for Boys
The following is a list of workshops offered at STEM Exploration Day for Boys on Friday, November 20, 2015. Using the Student
Workshop Selection Form, student attendees should rank eight workshops that interest them and then select two workshops they
do not want to attend. Registration is open to the first 400 students who register by October 30, 2015.
This document and the student selection form are located at the following website:
http://www.uwsp.edu/conted/ConfWrkShp/Pages/STEM/Boys.aspx
Airplane Design Challenge
Presented by John Thompson, AirVantage Aviation and Pete Arnold, Civil Air Patrol
You and your team will design and build a rubber-band powered airplane from "junk parts" and compete against other teams to fly it to a target.
Arduino Uno Fun and Games
Presented by Gary Kilgas and Richard Breen, Mid-State Technical College
Introduce yourself to Arduino Uno, an open-source platform that consists of a circuit board and software that runs on your computer to write and upload computer
codes. Students will use the Spark Fun Inventors Kits and laptops to perform project and program development, creating interesting games and electronic projects.
Building a Better Potato
Presented by Dennis Halterman, USDA; Paul Bethke, USDA and UW-Madison; and Ana Christina Fulladolsa, UW-Madison
Ever wonder what goes into making perfect French fries, chips, and tater tots? There’s actually a lot more involved than you think. Hands-on experiences will allow
you to participate in laboratory techniques that we’re using to make potatoes easier to grow, more nutritious and extra tasty!
Digital Relationships: How to Use Social Media Professionally
Presented by Dr. Brian Casey, Sarah O’Donnell, and Brigitta Altmann, Stevens Point Area School District
Social Media is very important for professionals in IT, management, public relations, business, and marketing. Students will be introduced to the concept of
professional use of Facebook, Twitter, Google plus and LinkedIn and will be given examples of professional use of these tools to share ideas, connect and collaborate.
A digital citizenship activity will be included as well as discussion of positive digital footprints.
Explore Your World with Geocaching
Presented by UW-Stevens Point campus students
Geocaching is a worldwide craze! Players hide and then seek hidden treasures and can compete against other players around the globe. We will head outside and
use GPS navigation, maps, and clues to solve our own mystery! Learn how to use a smartphone to find coordinates where geocaches can be found. A smartphone is
not required, but if you have one to bring, install Google Maps prior to the event.
Exploring Environmental and Natural Resource Career Fields
Presented by Bobbi Kubish and Jessica Tomaszewski, College of Natural Resources
Want to make a difference in the world in the areas of sustainability, climate change, water pollution, or endangered species? Learn about the variety of
environmental and natural resources careers and then get your hands dirty and find some macro-invertebrates, study skins and more. College of Natural Resource
students will be here to share their experiences with you too!
Fun with Tessellations
Presented by UW-Stevens Point campus students
This workshop will explore a beautiful connection between art and mathematics. We will explore the art of making tessellations! We will be making tessellations
from pictures or tiles, commonly in the form of animals and other life forms, to cover a surface of paper.
Head for Safety: Impact Test Your Helmet
Presented by Sue Hall, American Chemical Society and Gail Pucci, Science Teacher (retired)
How can athletes withstand blows to the head and still be “in the game”? Test the polymer plastic materials used in making external head gear for football, baseball
and cycling and test foams used on the inside to prevent head injuries. Learn how the National Operating Committee for Athletic Equipment choses the best materials
and discover which ones prevent the highest impact.
I <3 Exercise Science
Presented by Tiffany Akins, Health Promotion and Wellness, UW-Stevens Point
Imagine getting ready to take the field; you can’t contain your excitement to compete! You feel the familiar thump, thump, in your chest, and your mind is already
visualizing victory! So…how does your heart respond when you’re active? During I <3 Exercise Science we will investigate your heart’s activity during physical activity
and other various activities. Come prepared to have fun and love your <3 in a whole new way!
Intro to Sonic Pi
Presented by Sasithorn Zuge, Computing and New Media Technologies, UW-Stevens Point
Students will be introduced to programming music with the use of Sonic Pi. Sonic Pi is used to create simple songs for things like a ringtone. Everyone will have time
to explore and create their own music. Bring a USB flash drive if you want to save your own work.
Let's Make a Comet
Presented by Adriana Durbala and Sebastian Zamfir, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UW-Stevens Point
We will outline a simple recipe for building a comet in the laboratory using very familiar ingredients. We will try to understand how and when comets form
conspicuous tails.
Making and Breaking Secret Codes
Presented by Andy Felt, Department of Mathematics, UW-Stevens Point
Learn the science of encryption-making secret codes and breaking them. You will get a chance to make your own code.
Medical Investigators
Presented by the School of Health Care Professions, UW-Stevens Point
Become a highly sought after medical detective. Work your way through a medical case with lots of hands-on activities. Ultimately, students will be able to solve the
medical mystery using clues given and lab results obtained from hands-on exercises.
Mice, Ice and Rats
Presented by Betsie Graham, Department of Biology, UW-Stevens Point
We will conduct a brief metabolism experiment using live mice- comparing the metabolism of a “warm mouse” to that of a “cold mouse.” Each group and if possible,
each student is responsible for animal handling briefly.
Renewable Energy and the Curse of the Second Law
Presented by Kenneth Menningen, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UW-Stevens Point
Learn why most engines are flawed, even those powered by renewable energy, and what can be done about it. You will even build your own electric motor!
Roller Coaster Design
Presented by Jill Steffek, Oshkosh Corporation
Ever wonder how your favorite roller coasters work? Local engineers will talk with you about the various engineering degrees. Then you will design and build your
own model roller coaster and learn the physics principles behind how roller coasters work.
Save the Frogs!
Presented by SAVE THE FROGS! Student Chapter, UW-Stevens Point
Frogs are environmental indicators and many of them are becoming endangered or extinct. There are many threats to frogs such as disease, habitat loss, and
pollution. Come and learn all you need to know about conservation and ways to preserve amphibian populations. Through discussion, find out what you can do to
help conserve. There will be preserved specimens and frog trivia.
Skyscraper Challenge
Presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Learn about civil engineering by using materials supplied to build the tallest skyscraper possible. Your skyscraper needs to support a load of a golf balls, stand on its
own and must be strong enough to withstand wind! Skyscrapers will be measured from the floor to the bottom of the golf ball. Plan your material use wisely!
Starship Earth
Presented by Adriana Durbala and Sebastian Zamfir, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UW-Stevens Point
This workshop starts with an interactive planetarium presentation focused on the daily and annual motions of the Sun, reasons we experience seasons, our time daily
(a.m., p.m.), seasonal variations of daylight hours and meridional altitude of the Sun, lunar phases, and sky phenomena such as aurorae, meteors, and cometary tails.
In the second half, students will use computers to predict the rising and setting time for the Moon in various phases.
STEM Shuttle: Giving Students Space to Learn!
Presented by the Shuttle Crew, Dream Flight U.S.A.
Students will work in pairs experiencing a wide variety of hands-on activities as they move from station to station on board the popular STEM Shuttle. Guided by
shuttle teachers, students will design a space station, use a robotic arm, and get a feel of how difficult it is working in space.
Using Nanochemistry to Tackle Important Societal Problems
Presented by the Department of Chemistry, UW-Stevens Point
Chemistry is the central science-it plays a pivotal role in many important areas of science including biology, physics, geology, medicine, and engineering. Come and
learn how chemistry can be utilized to solve important problems that we face as a society. We will be using nanochemistry to build a colorimetric sensor and
construct a solar cell.
What is Herpetology?
Presented by the Herpetology Society, UW-Stevens Point
Students will be introduced to a variety of animals and will learn about what it means to be a herpetologist. Students will also learn a sample of frog calls native to
Wisconsin.