Using Sphero robots in the classroom to enforce mathematical concepts and connections related to geometry, trigonometry, and basic algebra and introduce students to basic programming concepts. Students can explore through different tasks that deal with rate of change, distance formula (Pythagorean Theorem), angle of rotation (basic trigonometry), and related topics while applying those concepts to a physical activity. The Sphero tools also allow students with different programming experiences to tailor their work to fit their skill level from basic (block programming) to advanced (Java). The tasks also promote collaboration between students to problem solve issues on the fly as they work to reach a common goal or compete to outdo other groups.

Links to session materials:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17LHTsbq4DhLGNCMUO-GCbyHt_woYpLW1hn4Ul1tLx7Q/edit#gid=0

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SpLaxtrlk_4ASU2dwxay3sQgo0CITgufwUJlSMgacEo/edit

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/dld4f1cbgm

Learn how your school or district can host your own robotics competition/showcase for students in grades K-8. Students of all ability levels program and engineer as they compete against other teams within the district. There are many advantages to hosting your own district event. Leave this session with a clear plan / materials for a competition this year!

Link to presentation slides:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ajBRtk_bA5iQyO0V1iRLR2TtiqhPaY0ijU3YE_8flxg/edit#slide=id.g5da9679ea7_1_12092

STEAM ideas centered around popular children's books. Ideas will be shared on engineering projects to be done with these stories, as well as science, technology, math, and science connections as well. Sample engineering plans will be shared, as well.

Link to presentation:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRxyhAzqegTko3lRxe7t6sE2wqGfqpfjEO6okpcXe_LNZWDOQSAfje44uDqCusLug1RBCIx_wHMjhL3/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p

This session will highlight several successful social studies lessons and strategies utilized by the presenters to engage high school social studies students (grades 9-12). These lessons are intended to spark student engagement and collaboration. Lesson plans will include historic newscasts, 3D printing, and social studies music videos. These lessons can be tailored to fit the needs of any secondary social studies learner.

Links to session resources:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ealIUkEl0QGMu-PkWp0RFohy9Aq4ooZ1ASsX8N0L-8c/edit#heading=h.85gvaiy8bs39

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jf977UcTqums34WXfeJ_VUBIgkhEiD3p_gQNoH9Y3Vw/edit#heading=h.85gvaiy8bs39

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10UU-YsQZa3ccmn9r9-mTyzUxuYDzYAU3ZF4IYauFdhM/edit#heading=h.85gvaiy8bs39

Tools that are considered to be the favorites for our Digital Integration Facilitators and teachers across the district will be showcased. Let me show you how we use these tools in the our classes to enhance our STEM learning.

Link to presentation slides:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQTP5Btz7rTRlAoX_I7V3HC5gKxhAflX6pD5MZfa2CF0RccZmKNWMlZqeS7yYAKCg6T9lTD2DIMXxE7/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p

Underrepresented minorities and women in STEM need GRACE. Incorporating GRACE into our middle and high school lessons will help students successfully make the transition from high school to college, and college to career. In this session, we will explore the five elements that could help students combat the frequently reported obstacles faced by STEM college students; such as racial bias, feelings of isolation, difficult coursework, and lack of mentors. GRACE represents skills that K - 12 educators can explicitly teach students to ensure their future success in a STEM field.

Students will be given a task to complete such as popping a balloon. They will be required to create a simple machine with 5-7 moving parts, made from common household materials, to complete the task. Leading up to this project, students will have learned about simple machines and Rube Goldberg. This project will help students be able to explain how simple machines such as inclined planes, pulleys, levers and wheel and axels are used to create mechanical advantage and increase efficiency. (7.P.2.4) The team of students that creates the machine that completes the task in the most whimsical way will be awarded a certificate.

STEM can be added to any lesson to expand knowledge. As a STEM teacher in a standards based lab it is important that I can incorporate and embed state standards into every lesson or project I do. in the session I will walk through designing a lesson across curriculums and grades using your standards and incorporating engineering and problem solving.

Do the egg drop challenge with Strawbees! Have the students be innovative designers and construct a model for the egg with the Strawbees so when it is dropped, it will not break. The students are learning about force and gravity. Using technology they can gather information to look at how they can develop the best model.

The presentation will have specific lesson examples with explanations of how each is evaluated by the Triple E Framework. There will also be lesson examples to give the attendees an opportunity to practice their own Triple E evaluation skills. Attendees will gain access to a plethora of resources.

Link to presentation slides:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19WIQh-HqnY-vEajbroInPmSz0Gh6T7IhwnRWG5X5TEA/edit#slide=id.p

http://www.artandlinearequations.weebly.com

This Project-Based Learning experience blends art and linear equations to help students make connections and extend their knowledge from a very basic understanding of y = mx + b to a true understanding of how slope and y intercept look differently in both equation form and graphed. Students get to use their creativity while at the same time make some major connections:
1) How do equations that have opposite slopes look on a graph?
2) What happens when two equations have the same slope but opposite y intercepts?
3) How does scale factor affect the appearance of the art?

I used this with my 6th grade honors class (preparing for Algebra I in 7th grade) but it would be appropriate for any middle school grade level and I even had a 5th grade teacher state that she would modify this lesson to teach graphing lines which I may also do with my standard 6th grade students!

This session will focus on making connections between mentor texts and STEM lessons. Examples will be provided that have been used within the classroom and STEM lab. The Engineering Process will be reviewed, as well as t he impact that STEM integration has made on students.

Link to presentation slides:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xxPdYi58uo86zAhK5YH_hIj_o-IdtR3p5nxI_v1-2uQ/edit#slide=id.p

Come see how VR can immerse students in learning. VR field trips can build interest, activate prior knowledge, and expose kids to the world beyond experiences. Get your hands on a set of virtual reality goggles to check out existing Google Expeditions & learn how TourCreator can take you even further.

The Ozobot ShapeTracer 1 activity will build beginner to intermediate OzoBlockly skills.

Link to presentation slides:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KNFzNwDivJ-5x4_glrRvWzXy44GvTCC4EqsMWIqF4qo/edit

In this lesson, students will observe water in different forms as the teacher performs demonstrations of melting, evaporation, and boiling. Students will record their observations in their science journals.