Posts Tagged ‘STEM’

Problem Solving Tools: Let’s Be Creative!

Problem Solving Tools: Let’s Be Creative!

No matter what subject matter you are working on, problem solving and critical thinking are both important skills for everyone. Problem solving is woven throughout our daily lives as we engineer better methods of overcoming obstacles in our pursuit of better living conditions. Across the curriculum, educators can nurture strong product design skills in their […]


STEM Motivators: PBS Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers

STEM Motivators: PBS Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers

Looking for a quick way to hook future STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) fans? PBS Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers are short, golden nuggets of insight into the life of modern day scientists and engineers. From biology to astronomy, to nanoscience and engineers, PBS inspires future innovators andnew discovery, showing the role models […]


STEM Video: Make a Lunar Crater Lab (NASA)

STEM Video: Make a Lunar Crater Lab (NASA)

If you plan to use this hands-on lunar activity in your STEM Discovery classroom and you have video access, NASA’s demonstration is a perfect addition to get the exploration started.

Thanks to NASA JPL for their continued support for teachers and curious future scientists in the classroom!


DNA Science Featured with Mummies from The Past

DNA Science Featured with Mummies from The Past

I found myself among the dead on Friday. The science of mummies and the technology that unravels the mysteries are on display at the Charlotte, NC Discovery Place Mummies of the World Exhibit. Mummies of the World tells the story of the mummies through state-of-the-art multimedia, hands-on interactive stations and cutting-edge 3-D animation taking visitors on a 6,500-year journey to explore the mummies’ history and origins as well as how they were created through both intentional and natural processes. Through computer tomography (CT) scans, researchers have determined that prior to death many of the mummies showed evidence of various ailments and illnesses, some of them endemic among families.


Are You Still In The Pursuit of Science?

Are You Still In The Pursuit of Science?

Did your science or math professor scare the curiosity right out of you? Girls and boys alike are curious by nature. Changing the social norm of hands-on for boys and dress up for girls means equal opportunities for all students to explore the world around us.

A colleague and I are building a new STEM club at our math, science, technology middle school magnet in Central Florida. We have looked at club successes from the past and we have analyzed the decline of some clubs, as well. Bringing together what works and weeding out a long term commitment, we hope will build the science muscles of these targeted learners.
I think “science in small doses” is a good place to begin.

Mapping out a series of units based on key science learning needs for our students on campus is complete. Now we begin our pursuit of the under resourced students mentioned in the NPR interview included in this post.~KayBorglum.com


Cell Phones for STEM: Technology as a Learning Tool in a Tight Economy

Cell Phones for STEM: Technology as a Learning Tool in a Tight Economy

The Reality of Technology in Our Classrooms

Our students were born in a world with satellites and cell phone towers. But the policy in the school yard has that technology tool held hostage in their backpack or back pocket. I bet if I took a survey tomorrow morning, more of my students would have their cell phones in their backpack and less would have a pencil or pen. From the vista of my discovery lab classroom, I see cell phones as an immediate solution to a contagious interest in science and engineering for our students.~Kay Borglum (2011)


Engineering Your Classroom for Meaningful STEM Learning

Engineering Your Classroom for Meaningful STEM Learning

Learning is a dynamic result of combining chunks of information and using that knowledge to create, describe, model, and connect to other ideas in future lessons. Reverse engineering in the classroom divides the lesson into steps on a path to meaningful learning and understanding for both the teacher and the student. Always begin with the end in mind.


Problem-Solving Practice, Analysis of Real World Issues Boost Performance

I see the most meaningful learning happen when the unit of discovery is structured enough to guide them towards a target topic, but flexible in that their own questions energize two things: personal interest and higher quality reflective lab reports.~Kay Borglum, MS


Cell Science in Space: Healthy Solutions for Soldiers and Astronauts

Cell Science in Space: Healthy Solutions for Soldiers and Astronauts

LabTV (NDEP) video features an experiment created at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and blasted into space aboard the Space Shuttle is helping design better ways to treat injured soldiers and keep astronauts healthier.


How Do Your Students Learn? Creating Meaningful Moments in Science Technology Engineering and Math

How Do Your Students Learn? Creating Meaningful Moments in Science Technology Engineering and Math

We are here to inspire a generation with technology at their fingertips. The students entering my classroom are the generation who, for many of them, have been using the computer since they were two years old.


NASA PRE-SERVICE TEACHER INSTITUTE SUMMER of SCIENCE

NASA PRE-SERVICE TEACHER INSTITUTE SUMMER of SCIENCE

During the two-week program students have opportunities to interact with NASA scientists and engineers, engage in hands-on activities and integrate NASA content into standards-based curriculum.


STEM Space Science Resources

STEM Space Science Resources

I had the honor of meeting some very dedicated teachers, engineers, educators and NASA Astronaut Jon McBride today at the Florida Engineering Education Conference, sponsored by The University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science in Orlando, FL. This year’s conference focus was Engineering Space Education .Conference teachers requested some of the STEM Space Science Resources after the panel presentations today. I have included three of the resources mentioned during my presentation today. I will follow up this weekend with the Science and Math Lab grading rubric and Science Literacy Cafe’ student worksheet