Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti

   Regional Superintendent 

   DuPage County Schools

Regional Office of Education

421 N. County Farm Rd

Wheaton, IL  60187

630.407.5800

STEM News You Can Use


March 2023

NEWS

Help Monitor Monarch Eco-systems in Local Forest Preserves

The DuPage Monarch Project is looking for volunteers to help map the monarch habitat and food sources in local forest preserves during the month of April. Teams of three will walk the forest preserve and record plants that support our state insect, the Monarch butterfly. Contact Lonnie Morris at [email protected].


Using Stories to Support Mathematical Thinking in Young Students

Mathematical thinking is more than numbers and computation. It requires discussion and interpretation. Providing context for mathematical problems through literature supports students’ learning. (monkeybusinessimages/istock)


Boeing Engineers Set New Record for Paper Plane Flight Distance

It's official: The Guinness World Record for farthest-flying paper aircraft now belongs to two Boeing aerospace engineers. The new record is 289.9 feet, beating the previous record by over 30 ft. Read more.

EVENTS

STEM Network Meeting - March 22, 2023, 4:00 - 5:15 pm at Lakeview Junior High, DownGrove

Be sure to register and attend this session to connect with other STEM educators and share your STEM journey. The topic for this meeting is STEM Labs, but if time permits, other topics and questions are welcome.


Minecraft Education: Craft, Code, and Learn - March 22, 2023, 3:30 - 4:30 pm (virtual)

Many of your students already love Minecraft. Explore how to leverage Minecraft Education as a learning powerhouse rich with ready-made lessons and built-in collaborative projects. Details and registration.


Technology Coordinators & Coaches Support Group - Tuesday, April 11, 2023; 12:00-3:00 pm

Meetings are geared toward those that work alongside educators and students using technology to support and enhance student learning (technology coordinators, technology and instructional coaches, and lead technology teachers). Register here.


STEM-tastic Teaching Showcase - April 22, 2023 at Elmhurst University

This conference presents and inspires best practices for culturally relevant pedagogy in STEM teaching and learning across all grade levels. Lesson ideas incorporate problem-solving, the arts, questioning, content-area literacy, hands-on activities, visual supports, and collaborative inquiry. PDH's are available for teachers. Use this link for more information.


Summer Research Experience - June 19 - August 11, 2023

Middle-school, high-school, and community-college teachers are eligible to apply and engage in research, develop a network of scientific colleagues, learn scientific and technological developments, and discover ways to transfer this knowledge to their classroom. Participants will be matched with center faculty based on research interests. Applications accepted through March 31, 2023. This opportunity is offered by the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Northwestern University.

RESOURCES

Spotlight on STEM Trunks

SET Dice Game

Set Dice offers three different ways to play requiring players to create sets by using numbers, colors, and symbols or shapes. Go a step further by having your students create their own game! Appropriate for students in grades 2-12.



Questions about or requests to reserve STEM Trunks? Email Mary Biniewicz.

STEM Spotlight - Education Week

Download this curated collection of articles innovative technologies and initiatives that can increase student engagement, the benefits of teaching coding skills, how a NASA supported program is preparing students for STEM careers, and more. Available for a limited time so download today!


DiscoverE Shares Messages Matter Study

DiscoverE conducted a year-long research project to find out what today’s teens and their parents think about engineering, how they view engineering and a potential career in STEM, and what resonates and motivates them to consider engineering. Access the Executive Summary or the Full Report for more information.


April Topics to Consider


There are many other topics and special dates that can create some intriguing STEM-related learning experiences with and for your students - National Richter Scale Day, National Gardening Day, National Sense of Smell Day to name a few. Who knew?


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Direct newsletter questions, comments, and suggestions to Dr. Mary Biniewicz.