Author Archive: wwtfstemsympos

Microgrant Presentation – Todd Bauer

Posted on by
PRESENTATION
BIOGRAPHY

Name: Todd Bauer
Project Category: Conference Attendance
Project Description: Steve Spangler Science at Sea Program: Alaskan Cruise
Teaching Subject: Chemistry & Biomedical Sciences
MICROGRANT PROJECT ABSTRACT

Issues addressed: Interdisciplinary
Topic: Attendance at the Steve Spangler Science at Sea program to Alaska
Rationale: I chose this project as an engaging way to learn new material and teaching techniques regarding topics of biology, earth science, zoology and chemistry that would be applicable to many classes at my school and be exciting for my students to learn more about.
CLASSROOM PROFILE

  • Students taught: 130
  • Student demographics: 5% African American, 24% Hispanic, 71% White

SCHOOL PROFILE

  • Large school
  • Rural
  • Traditional Public school
  • Enrolled students: 2,103 students
  • Free/Reduced lunch eligible: 44%
  • Demographics: 73% white, 22% Hispanic, 2% African American, 3% other

Microgrant Presentation – Olivia Birdsall

Posted on by
PRESENTATION
BIOGRAPHY

Name: Olivia Birdsall
Project Category: Curriculum Development Project
Project Description: PBL student unit focusing on how students could improve the quality of the fields by addressing drainage and irrigation systems while also conserving water and costs
Teaching Subject: Mathematics
MICROGRANT PROJECT ABSTRACT

Issues addressed: Interdisciplinary PBL
Topic: Interdisciplinary Middle School PBL – Irrigation and Drainage Systems
Rationale: Our school pushed for student teams to implement an interdisciplinary PBL. My team created a PBL to support the athletic grounds crew design new environmentally friendly and cost-effective irrigation and drainage system for our school’s athletic fields. Students would present to district grounds crew, turf biologists, and landscape engineers.
CLASSROOM PROFILE

  • Students taught: 75
  • Student demographics: 38.5% Hispanic, 33% White, 22% Black, 5.4% Multiracial, and 1% Asian

SCHOOL PROFILE

  • Large school
  • Urban
  • Traditional public school
  • Enrolled students: 1,256
  • Free/reduced lunch eligible: 81.5%
  • Demographics: 38.5% Hispanic, 33% White, 22% Black, 5.4% Multiracial, and 1% Asian

Microgrant Presentation – Mofoluwake Laleye

Posted on by
PRESENTATION
BIOGRAPHY

Name: Mofoluwake Laleye
Project Category: Conference Attendance and STEM-Related Materials/Supplies
Project Description: The grant was applied towards purchasing chairs and STEM materials and attending the NSTA conference
Teaching Subject: Chemistry
MICROGRANT PROJECT ABSTRACT

Issues addressed: Classroom Management and Teaching

Topic:  Attend the National Science Teachers Association conference; join the American Chemical Society; purchased laboratory materials and set of chairs for the classroom.

Rationale/Why this project? (25-50 words): My desire to create a better learning experience motivated me to do the project.At the beginning of the school year, there was a significant increase in the student population due to the closure of neighboring schools. The available resources were insufficient to support learning, and the classroom setting was not as conducive to STEM learning experiences. Students were seated on laboratory stools for long stretches and resources for hands-on activities had to be shared between classes/teachers. This affected student learning and academic performance.

CLASSROOM PROFILE

  • Students taught: 135
  • Student demographics: Black/African American 47%, Hispanic 34%, White 18%, Other 1%

SCHOOL PROFILE

  • Large
  • Urban
  • Traditional public school
  • Enrolled students: ~1,045
  • Free/Reduced lunch eligible: ~60%
  • Demographics: Black/African American 48.2%, Hispanic 26.5% White 17.6%

Microgrant Presentation – Kelly Lo & Amanda Bierhorst

Posted on by
PRESENTATION
BIOGRAPHY

Name: Kelly Lo and Amanda Bierhorst (co-recipient)
Project Category: Conference Attendance
Project Description: Attending the PLTW Summit in Anaheim, CA
Teaching Subject: Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science and Engineering
MICROGRANT PROJECT ABSTRACT

Issues addressed: Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science and Engineering
Topic: Attended PLTW Summit which featured sessions on topics such as: grant writing; recruitment and retention; lesson ideas and techniques; demonstrations of latest technologies; classroom resources. The Summit provided networking opportunities with peers and those committed to empowering students to thrive in our evolving world.
Rationale: PLTW Summit presented a professional development opportunity for us to enhance our skills while strengthening contacts in the PLTW program. Our attendance at this conference was a professional investment that supported streamlined practices, real-world solutions, and a network of peers to call upon.
CLASSROOM PROFILE

  • Students taught: 160
  • Student demographics: 87% white
  • Demographics: 39% Black, 29% Hispanic, 27% white

SCHOOL PROFILE

  • Medium-sized school
  • Rural/Suburban
  • Traditional public school
  • Enrolled students: 1,572
  • Free/Reduced lunch eligible: 35%
  • Demographics: 87% white

Microgrant Presentation – Kaitlyn Faust

Posted on by
PRESENTATION
BIOGRAPHY

Name: Kaitlyn Faust
Project Category: STEM-Related Materials/Supplies
Project Description: Ideas on Increasing Student Engagement…And How The Current Times Are Changing That- a look at proposed ideas for increasing engagement and collaboration while managing current circumstances
Teaching Subject: Biology/Zoology/Environmental Science
MICROGRANT PROJECT ABSTRACT

Issues addressed: Engagement in Biology
Topic: Ideas On Increasing Student Engagement In Science (Or Any Class)…And What That Looks Like Now
Rationale: To increase student collaboration and engagement through a variety of pedagogical strategies that have been acknowledged to increase engagement and performance particularly among low-performing students. Engagement strategies include visualization of learning, online collaboration, and increased lab technologies. Updates are ongoing as we manage distance learning.
CLASSROOM PROFILE

  • Students taught: 130
  • Student Demographics: 95% Caucasian, 1% African American, 4% Hispanic

SCHOOL PROFILE

  • Medium-sized school
  • Rural
  • Traditional public school
  • Enrolled students: 1,064
  • Free/Reduced lunch eligible:2%
  • Demographics: 1% African American, 1% Asian, 87% Caucasian, 11% Hispanic