How to create your own STEM Day by Annette Fernandez

Find a Central Location for your event. Speak with community stakeholders to get permission to utilize public venues.

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

Hoke County Schools announces the Indian Education STEM Day, set for October 5, 2024. This exciting event will offer hands-on activities, workshops, and exposure to STEM careers for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The event will take place at the Hawk Eye Cultural Center located at 5700 Red Springs Rd., Red Springs, NC. the event is from 9:00am-2:00pm. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided, therefore RSVP is required.

Have Enrollment Forms for Special Interest Groups. Sample of a Federal 506 Form

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

A completed 506 form ensures that funding is granted to the school system and enrolls the student in the Indian Education Program. There are also Federal Funds available for Migrant Workers or APYN funds for military connected students. Check to see if you have a local Active! Group in your community.

Connect with local College Representatives. Most colleges have clubs that have funding for community outreach programs.

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

We were able to contact college STEM Clubs to participate in the learning event.

Triangle Women of STEM from Duke University-Kaleidoscope (microscopes and a variety of specimen trays), Meet your Microbiome (dissecting infectious diseases and building a DNA sequence), and Decoding Cosmetics (students were able to make their own body lotion and facial scrub utilizing natural ingredients).

UNC at Pembroke Physics and Chemistry Club- Puffer Fish and Elephant Toothpaste (understanding chemical reactions)

NC State University 4-H Club-Bird Seed Bomb (understanding the importance of pollinators)

Check with your local school district for STEM related clubs. We invited Hoke High School STEM Clubs to participate.

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

We were able to touch base with some of the STEM Clubs at our local high school in order for members to share their 'islands of expertise'. The clubs that were represented during STEM Day included:

Future Farmers of America-Extracting DNA from blueberries and cherry tomatoes

Future Teachers Club-Tangrams, Bee Bots, Building a Fort

Invite Community Resources/Vendors

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

Our community supported our event tremendously. Check with your local Health Department, Dental Clinics or even the Art Council or even local newspaper journal. We did not include art in our STEM DAY, but it has been suggested that we turn our STEM into STEAM. These are the local community resources and the activities they shared with our students.

State Employee's Credit Union (Raeford Branch)-Check Writing and Checkbook Balancing

Museum of Natural Science- PH Effects on Soil, Eating Super Greens

Luna Tree-The science of Soap Making

Emerging Technology Insitute- The Future of Robots (robotic dog and drones)

Create a Schedule of Events/Activity Map

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

We divided students by grade levels into learning group. We were anticipating 58 students. Initially we wanted students to follow the schedule in order to prevent crowding at a single station. Each student was given a map with the locations of each event. The students were also given a schedule of the day events. Due to our lower turnout (27 students with their family) we were able to allow students to free flow throughout the day.

Make sure to have signed waivers and photo releases

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

We requested that parents stay with their children so we can ensure sufficient supervision. We also requested that parents sign a Liability Release since we were serving a snack and a Photo Release so we can take pictures to post on social media.

Impact of informal learning environments on STEM education-Views of elementary students and their parents

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

Anand, N., & Dogan, B. (2021). Impact of informal learning environments on STEM education—Views of elementary students and their parents. School Science and Mathematics, 121(6), 369–377. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12490

Informal STEM learning at home and in community spaces

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:36:05 UTC

Morris, B., Hassinger-Das, B., DeWitt, J., & Todaro, R. (2024). Editorial: Informal STEM learning at home and in community spaces. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1383075–1383075. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1383075

Create an Event Flyer with RSVP QR Code

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 18:48:35 UTC

This flyer was distributed to all students that had 506 Forms on file. The event was publicize on social media using the school district Facebook page, the Indian Education Facebook page, and it was shared by local community pages and elders. Make sure to include the age groups invited to your event. Our flyer did not specify the age groups and parents mentioned not bringing older siblings thinking that the event was geared solely towards elementary students.

Science festivals: do they succeed in reaching beyond the 'already engaged'?

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-07 21:23:26 UTC

Bultitude, K. (2014). Science festivals: do they succeed in reaching beyond the ‘already engaged’? Journal of Science Communication, 13(4), C01-. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.13040301

Create a Family Survey (Google Form) for Feedback

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-08 17:58:03 UTC

Surveys are a great way to improve for the next event. We did not collect participants emails. We also recommend asking students to complete an Exit Ticket.

Waccamaw Siouan STEM Day 9/7/24

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-08 23:32:09 UTC

It started with an invitation to attend the Waccamaw Siouan STEM being held on 09/07/2024. After attending this event, we wanted our students to have access to new learning opportunities and resources.

Additional Resources to help you plan

annettefernandez1 — 2024-10-21 17:39:52 UTC