The STEM Educator Symposium, held during STEM Week on March 1, will provide professional development and resources for STEM educators from a variety of formal and informal settings. The Symposium, brought to you by the Missouri AfterSchool Network and the Missouri Math and Science Coalition, invites afterschool professionals, classroom teachers, STEM coordinators, science museum, library staff, and other STEM partners to attend. Thanks to funding from the STEM Next Opportunity Fund, there will not be a registration fee for the virtual STEM Educator Symposium.
Click on the title of the sessions to enter the Zoom rooms.
| Schedule | Schedule | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Content | |
| 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Morning Collaboration | |
| 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Welcome / Keynote Presentation – Dajae Williams | |
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Lunch — Collaboration Time | |
| 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | State of STEM in Missouri-Brian Crouse | |
| 1:00 -2:00 PM | Afternoon Sessions A | |
| Oh the Math that They’ll Know – Math Games for your After School Program (handout available below for session) | SOAR with Drones | STEM on a Shoestring |
| Hydroponics | Maker Spaces | |
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Afternoon Sessions B | |
| Feathered Friends: Hands-on Bird Activities for Your Afterschool Program | Mizzen By Mott | eSports |
| 3:00 PM | Reflection and Wrap Up (Recording) |
Session Descriptions
Keynote – Dajae Williams
Dajae has experienced much success in the STEM field and one thing that remains consistent is the lack of diversity and representation. To fight this, Dajae has made it her life’s mission to expose as many students to STEM as she can. She does this through hip hop and the music WILL leave you with no choice but to dance. Dajae plans to take this music mainstream under her brand “Listen Up Education”. Tell Kid z Bop and Disney to watch out!
The State of STEM in Missouri
Brian Crouse, Missouri Math and Science Coalition, Missouri Chamber of Commerce
This panel session will feature Kimberly Erskine (Ameren), Chris Bray (Boeing), and Kate Polokonis (STEM STL). Join us to hear their thoughts on the State of STEM in Missouri.
Oh the Math that They’ll Know – Math Games for your After School Program
Jane Filler, Box Cars And One-Eyed Jacks Inc
Now more than ever we need students to be engaged in meaningful hands-on games and activities with manipulatives that intrigue and capture their attention. After two years of interrupted instruction we need to provide great activities to help rebuild the learning loss and gaps. BRING A DECK OF CARDS AND 6 REGULAR DICE and get ready to play our favorite games that cover the following concepts: operational fluency and basic fact practice for +. – and X, place value. The games are easy to integrate into your program and easy to differentiate for your students. Keep your math program rolling with these fun and engaging games. COME PREPARED TO PLAY. https://drive.google.com/file/d/19ZD5N7fheR7JolcAvMJZI6hjGdjMfkkr/view?usp=sharing
SOAR with Drones
Willa Williams EdD, MU Extension Field Specialist in 4-H Youth Development
It is easy to incorporate aerial drone technology into your program with an emphasis on safety, skills, and careers. By following the steps in SOAR (safety, operation, applications, and research) students will learn aerial drone skills, learn about careers and future careers that will use the technology, and complete a service learning project using UAVs.
STEM on a Shoestring
Becky Simpson, MU Extension CES in 4-H Youth Development
STEM learning activities in the after-school setting can be incredibly expensive. This session will explore stretching your programming dollars and ideas about STEM. Presenter will share ideas for STEM programming and how to do them on the cheap.
Feathered Friends: Hands-on Bird Activities for Your Afterschool Program
Kaitlin Edwards, MU Extension 4-H Youth Program Associate
This presentation will be about implementing environmental education in your afterschool program. Participants will come away with easy to implement hands-on activities about birds, such as beak adaptation simulation, bird Olympic games, bird feeder and nest creation, citizen science, and nature journals & observations. Your students will have a blast becoming Junior Ornithologists!
Mizzen by Mott
Kristin Stayer, Mizzen by Mott
Mizzen teams up with robust content partners to host over 1,500 pieces of instructional content that inspire learning in youth and professional development resources that equip afterschool educators. Mizzen content is comprehensive, connected to standards and reviewed by practitioners to align to their design and delivery needs. Join us to look further at the STEM resources accessible on the Mizzen platform and how you can access and use the content for your program.
eSports in Afterschool
Darren Cordray, West St. Francois County R-4 School
This session will discuss the benefits of starting an eSports program in your after school program as well as the hurdles you will face establishing it.
Integrating Hydroponics into the Afterschool Setting
Dr. Janelle Stanek, Warren County R-III School District
Learn how to integrate Hydroponic Planting into the afterschool setting as well as how to turn this adventure into an entrepreneurship opportunity for your students. Find Your Place in MakerSpaces Stephanie Valdivia, Laquey Hornets Afterschool
This session will include different ways to promote growth and learning in a self-guided MakerSpace class. We teach MakerSpace in elementary as well as high school so you can take these tips for all.