STEM Mobile Innovation Center Workgroup
Spring 2012
Workgroup will:
1) Set a mission and goals for the group
2) Brainstorm and discuss ideas for STEM activities with a focus on specific disciplines (Physics,
Biology, Chemistry, and Astronomy) but not limiting to described disciplines in STEM
3) Develop a work template for activities
4) Develop specific core activities
5) Include student participation in the design and implementation
Mission:
To develop comprehensive, interactive STEM activities and projects to be delivered from MVC’s STEM
Mobile Innovation Center focused on engagement and outreach for K-20 students.
Goals:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Design age-appropriate (or grade-level) STEM activities for K-3; 4-6; 7-8; 9-12; 13-20 (Higher Ed).
Deliver hands-on, interactive STEM activities
Develop a materials and supply list for the mobile labs
Provide direction and input into the Scope-of-Work (what we will need) to be used in the
bidding process for planning and build-out of STEM Mobile Innovation Center.
Sample Template
Discipline/s
Chemistry
Grade level/s
K-3
Activity Title &Description
Ask the children to guess how much
salt it takes to float an egg. Record
their suggestions on a board. Pour
water into a glass until it is
approximately three-quarters full.
Gently drop in the egg. Begin pouring
salt into the glass, one teaspoon at a
time. Count how many teaspoons it
takes until the egg floats. Allow the
children to try other safe chemicals to
see if they cause an egg to float.
Students might like to try pepper,
sugar, lemon juice or flour. Allow them
to try the experiment using a boiled
egg and an unboiled egg. Then,
instruct the students about how and
why salt causes an egg to float.
SLO/s
1
2.
Gaming/Simulation:
(2) Large screen monitors on outside of lab
(2) Xbox gaming systems with Kinect. It is strongly recommended to not have controls but used
Kinect.
Xbox has Wi-Fi capabilities and will link directly up to online Flash presentation on
Gaming/simulation program at MVC
In the lab itself, gaming/simulation program information will continuously feed on big screen in
student access area (resource center for STEM programs and information)
Matt Fast is the lead STEM faculty for the project.
Student Access Area (Mobile STEM Resource Center)
3 computer work stations with STEM resources, websites, program information, interactive STEM
modules
Brochures, program info
Career and Transfer Info
Counseling and Outreach
Special STEM program feeds
Meet and greets with STEM students, faculty, staff, University reps, etc…
Faculty training sessions (K-20)
ExploreLearning Project (GIZMOS)
ExploreLearning provides powerful interactive content that helps faculty use research-proven
instructional strategies more effectively, more easily and more often. ExploreLearning is interactive,
online simulations for math and science education in grades 3-12; also used in College programs and
courses. Gizmos: help students develop a deep understanding of challenging concepts through
inquiry and exploration; are research-based, flexible tools used by teachers across all 50 states in a
wide variety of ways. Gizmos are ideal for small group work, individual exploration, and whole class
instruction using an LCD projector or interactive whiteboard; designed to supplement your existing
curriculum; are adaptive and individualized; easy for faculty to use; and engage students and faculty.
The project will include coordination and development of an ExploreLearning program with K-12
school sites within area Districts (VVUSD; MVUSD; RUSD) funded through Title ZIII/STEM. Dr. Marsh
is the lead MVC STEM faculty for the project. K-12 faculty will have the opportunity to receive
training on the use of GIZMOS and ExploreLearning in and out of the classroom. Interactive activities
and follow-up activities and programming will be integrated into the Mobile STEM lab.
Training for faculty will begin Winter 2013.
With ExploreLearning’s research-based programs, data will be easily accessed and shared with K-12
and MVC to measure outcomes and program results.
Project-based Activities
Multi-disciplinary STEM case studies will be presented to groups K-20 using hands-on activities and
interactive approaches to problem solving. STEM case studies may be designed from 1 to 4 hour
modules, engaging students in the process and experience results immediately that will be shared
and discussed. Dr. Werner-Fraczek is the lead STEM faculty for the project
GIS Exploration (and Geography programs)
Description pending planning discussion May 17, 2012. Dr. Carlos Tovares is the lead STEM faculty
on the project.