Infusing Makerspace Technology into STEM Content

Grade Level(s): K-16

Date(s): March 27, 2019

Location: NC Center for Engineering Technologies (NCCET) 1990 Main Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602

Cost: $65/participant

Description: Calling all Makerspace Facilitators, Science and Math Teachers, CTE teachers and anyone else who may be interested! Often, Makerspace facilitators are not specialists in science or math and may not recognize the teachable moments that a design project offers. Although students may become excited when something works, they don’t always understand why it works so that they can improve upon it or fix it if it breaks. If their widget doesn’t work, they may feel like a failure because they don’t understand enough of the content to identify the problem and correct it. Conversely,  STEM teachers know their core content very well, but they may not know how to effectively use Makerspace tools and coding skills within their curricular areas. Not only do these tools and skills increase excitement about learning, they allow students to interact with the content so that they truly understand it.

Join The Science House for an innovative STEM Professional Development program that infuses Makerspace technology and engineering practices with the NC science and math core objectives for grades 6-12! The program uses Project Based Learning (PBL) activities to help students develop problem solving skills, tenacity, and resiliency as they apply grade level content in a cohesive and integrated STEM-based project. 

At the heart of any STEM program, there should be an attention to data, both collecting data and analyzing data! Once you create something that works, how do you optimize efficiency, use less energy, make it faster? When someone invents a widget, someone else will capitalize on that device to improve it or adapt it for different audiences.  Teach your students to look for continual improvement using Vernier data collection devices. This program will focus on wireless Vernier technology, Little Bits, and Sphero, LEGO and other robots. Content includes electricity and circuits; wind, thermal, and solar energy; motion and forces; magnetism; sound and light. Once teachers have completed this PD session, they are eligible to borrow class sets of equipment from The Science House Outreach Offices for free! This program qualifies for new Digital Learning competencies!

Contact(s): gina_barrier@ncsu.edu

Application Deadline: March 15, 2019