STEM
September 25-October 2, 2013

Find the latest STEM resources from Iowa Public Television.

Geospatial Revolution: Food Deserts

Grades: 7-12

Food deserts is a term used to describe a region where the population has poor access to healthy, fresh, nutritious food. They exist in both rural

and urban areas and are turning into a public health concern. GIS technology is supporting the solution to this problem by vividly identifying the problem area and influencing policy-making. This video segment from Penn State Public Broadcasting's Geospatial Revolution describes one Philadelphia community's successful efforts at doing the same.

Should We Grow GM Crops?
Grades: 9-12

This FRONTLINE/NOVA: "Harvest of Fear" poll asks users to consider a series of arguments for or against growing genetically modified (GM) crops, and then vote on whether they think GM crops should be grown. A tally of votes is presented at the end so each user can see where other users stand on the issue.

What Do You Get From That?

Grade Range: PreK-1

Cows give us the milk we drink every day. We use that milk to make lots of other things we enjoy like ice cream, cheese, butter and cream. In this video, children learn about different animals on a farm and the everyday items we get from them.

Race Against Limits
Grade Range: 4-13+

In the Baltimore Harbor, there is a school that can help acclimate just about anyone to sailing a boat. The Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore instructs many different people on the basics of sailing. They focus on instructing inner-city children and those with disabilities and handicaps. The Downtown Sailing Center even has specific boats with accommodations for those with various handicaps, such as those due to spinal cord injury for example. Each year, there is a hosted activity called, "Ya Gotta Regatta." This event is a race, but not necessarily just a competitive race. It's a place where all learners can demonstrate the skills they've acquired about sailing. Every participant has a chance to be a winner and feel confident about themselves.

Voyager Becomes First Spacecraft to Enter Interstellar Space
Grade Range: 7-12

NASA has announced that the Voyager 1 spacecraft, which left Earth in 1977, is now the first man-made object to ever reach interstellar space.

Architecture 2030
Grade Range: 9-12

Learn about efforts to protect the environment by changing the way buildings are planned, designed and constructed. Buildings are responsible for almost half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Can a collaborative effort - government leaders, architects, regulatory agencies and building suppliers - avert a climate crisis through policy change and education? Architect-turned-activist Ed Mazria may have the answer. His Architecture 2030 organization is galvanizing commitment to a carbon-neutral building sector by the year 2030.

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