Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Building Regional Partnerships

STEM enthusiasm is contagious.   We just need to help people catch the vision of an integrated, dynamic, creative educational platform designed to encourage young people to envision themselves as future scientists, technology experts, engineers and mathematicians.  One connection leads to another and, suddenly, a partnership emerges.

On Friday, January 11th, regional stakeholders met to celebrate just such an emerging partnership.  The chemistry is simple:  mix together enthusiastic educators with eager business and professional people--apply a catalyst like the Governor's STEM initiative--and BOOM.  Opportunities break out all over.

Read more about Friday's event from Nate Robeson in the Sioux City Journal.

In My eSTEMation...

In my eSTEM-ation, engineering is elementary and elementary kids can engineer, after all.
 
To be honest, if you had asked me three years ago for my perspective on teaching engineering to elementary students, I would have laughed out loud.  Engineering requires a solid understanding of calculus, physics and thermodynamics. Even the most advanced high school students grapple with the abstract concepts of energy and entropy.  So,  how could elementary kids be expected to learn engineering?

Now, however, I am beginning to appreciate that teaching engineering to elementary kids is about designing, building, creating, innovating, questioning, solving and--most importantly--shaping an understanding of the interface between human ingenuity and our fragile planet.

I have seen the STEM-magic that happens in an elementary classroom that is alive with engineering and exploration.  I am now realizing that boys and girls who love engineering while they are still just boys and girls will be motivated to tackle the rigors of physics and calculus when they become young men and women. 

In my eSTEM-ation, engineering is elementary!

Spotlight: Advisory Board Member Weber

It doesn't take long to fill a room with the sounds of learning--when you bring boxes of robot parts and laptop computers.  Northwest Iowa Advisory Board member Wade Weber from the Iowa State Extension has become a regional robotics guru.   He arrives with a veritable bonanza of LEGO robotics kits and a seasoned ability to teach the engineering design process.  Weber uses a student centered approach to teaching and learning which immediately engages learners of all ages and abilities.
Recently, Weber volunteered his time to lead a January Term class for the students at Spirit Lake High School.   By the end of the day, the students were able to construct a robot and program it to perform simple maneuvers--some students were even able to utilize the robotic sensors to begin their own experimentation. 
Of course, the "end-goal" isn't really about the robots.  Instead, Weber works to promote a spirit of inquiry, innovation and creativity in people of all ages.  The "Vision Statement" for ISU Youth Programs is to promote"A world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change."

You can attend a Robotics Training with Wade Weber on February 26 and 27!  More Info HERE.  

It's tweetable: KidWind Kits Arriving!

A tweet is a beautiful thing---especially from a STEM educator who has just opened up several boxes filled with fantastic STEM resources from a KidWind Scale Up grant!