Sunday, May 3, 2015

#STEMExpo15 in Review!


  The main exhibition hall                           
What do you get when you mix 82 scientists, engineers, educators and professionals from national leading STEM organizations with then add in over 600 excited elementary learners and families? You end up with ONE amazing night of THINKING AND LEARNING! Thank you to all who came out to learn and to all who helped the event run smoothly!

Expo-visitors lined up excitedly to enter!

Words can't possibly begin to explain this year's event so I'll rely on the pictures to tell the story! I don't have pictures (yet) of all of the amazing exhibitors, but I'll add them as I get them. If you have a picture you'd like to share, please send to vanessa.ford@dc.gov .You can also leave your feedback at http://goo.gl/forms/w6Jkwc6kS8 . In the meantime, take a look at some of the pictures and start getting excited for next year's event!


Anacostia Watershed Society had their canoe out and information on their FREE family paddle nights. 


Did you know that #STEMExpo15 was first ever DCPS event to truly follow the DCPS Recycles! Procedures? It's true! Thanks to our DGS team, they weighed all waste, compost and recyclables and determined our outcomes on the spot!  Our totals were: 
                                 Trash 3.53 lb  42%
Compost 0.63 lb 8%
    Recycle mixed 2.97 lb 35%
Paper 1.26 lb 15%
Total 8.39 lb
Total diverted 58%

George Mason University's  Perception and Action Neuroscience Group with their brain waves controlled game! Check it out in action!
                                             

                                     


     Einstein was also at the Expo! He walked around and held two packed shows! What a hit! I can't  
                            wait to invite him back! His www.einsteinshow.com was so much fun!



          The Semiconductor Industry Association ( and Maury dad) shared such cool work!


                                    
The Easter High School Team America Rocketry Challenge group shared their knowledge with the next generation of Ramblers!
ASHRAE National Capitol Region showed up with 8 engineers sharing their knowledge about energy and how heat travels.

The Boston Museum of Science's "What is Nano" program and Engineering is Elementary activities.
Structural Engineers shared their knowledge of architectural design representing the Washington Architectural Foundation!

 George Washington University's hands on biology and matter table!

Johns Hopkins Applied Physical Lab and the popular 3-D printer including all the pieces he uses to put it together!


 NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences at Howard University allowed students to explore
 chemistry and sound waves!
         
                                                     

 The C-STEM team from Bladensburg High School worked great with our young learners, sharing their projects and teaching them to control the robots 
                                               
                                     


NASA had air pressure demonstrations, Mars rocks and 3-D Mars exploration stations... with real  Mars scientists!

                                           
                                  

Army CERDEC and AEOP with waterproof notebooks!


USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service with their safety puppet! Do you know how to keep food safe?


Friendship PCS Online allowed students to explore their extension STEM activities.

Local aquatic animals from DDOE Aquatic Resource Center



The awesome hand-made "Pink Candy Scope" from National Capitol Astronomers!

As always, Labyrinth Games and Puzzles provided amazing instruction on problems solving and collaborative games. 

In addition to the exhibitions, we had three presentations from the US Forest Service and The Organization for Bat Conservation. These amazing presentations allowed visitors to get up close and personal with incredible bats! 

                                     
These shows were very popular and led to long lines. Based on visitor feedback, I'll be working to rectify "show" line situation for next year so that you can maximize your visiting time and not have to wait with tired children for the special presentations.
 
                             

This year our exhibitors really outdid themselves! As I receive more pictures from visitors, I'll add them to this blog post so stop by often.  In the meantime, don't hesitate to explore the websites of our partners and I look forward to see everyone in one year as we celebrate half a century of this event!     
                      

Army CERDEC
     *  Optics and Night Vision Lab
George Mason University: 
* Perception and Action Neuroscience Group
     * Departments of Biology 
     * Biomedical Engineering Department in the School of Engineering & Applied Science
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

THANK YOU to all the visitors and exhibitors! If you'd like to give your feedback on the event, please do so at http://goo.gl/forms/EA3fb2Caxy  .

Until next time,
Vanessa Ford
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Monday, March 23, 2015

YOU ARE INVITED!


   
THE 4th ANNUAL THINK TANK AND STEM EXPO IS COMING!

    GET YOUR OWN FLIER HERE!
Over 60 scientists, engineers and STEM professionals will engage your child in many exciting activities! You and your child will be able to....

        use night vision goggles!                                                   complete missions with NASA!  
        get up close with live bats!                                                 become a beekeeper! 
        problem solve with games!                                                use a 3-D Printer!  
        explore the Anacostia River Watershed!                         hold local aquatic wildlife!                  
        create a human solar system!                                             explore rocketry!                              
        become an architect!                                                          take on a chemistry challenge!
        Learn from Einstein!                    
        learn how MRI's teach us about our bodies and much, much more!    

 When: April 28, 2015 from 6-7:45pm                    Where:  Maury Elementary School
                                                                                                             1250 Constitution Ave NE
                                                                                                              Washington, DC 20002
                                           

                                                 FREE and right off the D6 bus line!

                    WHO WILL BE EXHIBITING AND WHERE WILL THEY BE? PLAN NOW!


See you there!
How do I learn more about the organizations exhibiting?
Click on the links below to see who will providing hands-on, engaging STEM activities for you when you arrive? Click on each link to go to their website... and get excited!

Army CERDEC
     *  Optics and Night Vision Lab
George Mason University: 
* Perception and Action Neuroscience Group
     * Departments of Biology 
     * Biomedical Engineering Department in the School of Engineering & Applied Science



                                                     WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Designed like an exhibition hall, experts from over 25 STEM organizations will engage students, families and community members in activities that represent their work. The Expo is designed to make STEM accessible to ALL learners, from preschool up! This event is completely free and most  organizations also bring items that visitors can take home with them.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Vanessa Ford at vanessa.ford@dc.gov or @maurythinktank . You can also look at last year's Expo HERE!

  
Do you have fliers I can print to give to my school or community members?
YES! Email me at vanessa.ford@dc.gov and I will send to you!

Are you planning to attend but not a Maury family?
Yay! I'm thrilled you will join us! Please consider emailing me at vanessa.ford@dc.gov to help me make an estimate of how many people are coming! I want to ensure I have enough "Swag Bags" and other goodies for all our visitors!

How do I get updates about the event?
I will update this blog post as organizations confirm so bookmark this! You can also find updates by following me on Twitter @maurythinktank for updates on our program!
See you soon!

-Vanessa Ford


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Saturday, March 14, 2015

STEM-TASTIC!

Rainforest "growing" for PS-Kinder Habitat Study
Things have been truly STEM-TASTIC in Think Tank recently. Each class is delving deeper into exciting topics ranging from habitats to electricity, ecosystems to environmental engineering! In an effort to update all on what's happening, I'll provide a little synopsis of each grade level with a few pictures.

Before you continue though...
                                                  APRIL 28, 2015 from 6:00-7:45pm
                                                                 Maury Elementary
                                                           1250 Constitution Ave NE
                                                              Washington, DC 20002
The 4th Annual Think Tank and STEM Expo is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever! ( You can even buy Expo Swag ahead of time to support our program funding! Take a look HERE!) Stay tuned for more details in the coming week and get excited by perusing pictures from last year's event. If you are interested in volunteering at the event or representing as an exhibitor, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at vanessa.ford@dc.gov .

Kinders explore "pushing" with air and straws
 PreSchool-Kindergarten: Our youngest students are building their very own rainforest in my classroom! Preschool and PK are focusing on the parts of the rainforest and the the animals and plants that call the Rainforest home, while our Kindergartens are extending that learning to looking at the way humans are impacting this important habitat. Stop by the Think Tank room to see our rainforest grow!

 1st Grade:  These young scientists have just finished learning all about light-- what it goes through, what blocks it, how it moves and what it's used for. They have built inventions that change light and collaborated to solve problems using only a flashlight and mirrors! They are on to study sound next... a study where being LOUD is encouraged! They will love it! 1st grade will also continue their partnership with The Anacostia Watershed Society as part of their Junior Rice Rangers program.


2nd Grade: Ms. Bomba and I collaborated to create a study around solids and liquids that was meant to end in beautiful ice sculptures. As with many endeavors, they don't always work out as planned, so we learned lessons 
(like ensure a long cold snap before starting a unit) but we all, students included, reveled in the lessons we learned from failure! These students will help us figure out a better way to complete this unit next year and now we have moved on to looking how how solids and liquids interact with each other. Come see their experiments hanging outside Think Tank!


Measuring liquid for the experiment.
3rd Grade: Environmental Engineering is the focus as our 3rd graders take on saving "Greentown", a fictional town where the frogs and plants are dying. This is one of my favorite Engineering is Elementary units! They have been tasked with determining the cause, testing the pH of soil and water samples and making recommendations to the mayor for what needs to be done. They will then use this knowledge and apply it to real-life concerns around oil spills and other environmental disasters. 3rd grade students were also visited on Friday, February 7th by Rep. Paul Tonko ( D-NY) who, with his staff and members from the Boston Museum of Science, worked alongside our budding engineers to solve the problem You can see the write-up about their visit here http://eie.org/news/us-rep-tonko-engineers-better-future or http://legacy.mos.org/nctl/news_article.php?r=6220 . 3rd graders also just started their wonderful partnership with The Anacostia Watershed Society for their Rice Rangers program. Students have planted native rice in their classrooms, will grow it over the next month and then transplant the plants into the wetlands surrounding the Anacostia!


4th Grade: Electricity and other forms of energy are the big focus right now! These students are exploring circuits, switches and energy transfer in a hands-on way! They are combining their knowledge of other forms of energy ( kenetic, sound and light) with electricity and will be creating inventions that use and transfer more than one kind at a time! Stay tuned!
Completing a performance assessment- fix the broken circuit!

5th Grade:  In a collaboration with Mr. Ludes, students have explored the three main interconnected domains of ecosystems ( decomposers, consumers and producers) and are looking at what is needed to keep balance within them. They will apply this to an environmental engineering challenge and then shortly after, switch their focus to chemical and physical changes. Our eldest students are now only $1200 away from reaching their total goal of going to Space Camp!! They have worked so hard on this project. Thank you for all your support! If you know of anyone interested in providing support, they can still do so by going to www.mauryelementary.com/spacecamp  
On a final note, two days ago I had the honor of talking on a small panel with the US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at The National Science Teachers Association 2015 National Conference. Thank you to NSTA and The US Department of Education for the invitation. It was wonderful to share my passion for STEM with the Secretary and the many teachers who attended the session. I shared just how important it is that we, as a country, make STEM education a priority at ALL levels for ALL students! 


 Until Next Time,
Mrs. Ford
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

#SoSTEM 2015!



Our awesome 5th grade at The Annual White House State of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (SoSTEM) Address, January 21st, 2015.
On January 21st, Maury Elementary's 5th grade was lucky enough to attend the 3rd Annual White House State of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (SoSTEM) Address!

Before you read any farther, just take a look at the video below. This video shows one of our amazing 5th graders talking LIVE to astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

                               

Now that you likely got chills ( or tears like I did during the event) let's take a step back to look at what led up to this moment.

Now in it's 3rd year, #SoSTEM brings together leading experts in the sciences for an intimate conversation with students. This year's focus was" Women in STEM" and included amazing women scientists from a number of fields. Initially, 8 students were invited to attend, but then my students wow-ed the event organizers with their Space Camp video!

              This is the student newscast used to help earn funds for Space Camp! Full link HERE!

Given that this event included NASA leaders such as former astronaut and leader of NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, as well as Chief Scientist of NASA Ellen Stofan, the #SoSTEM organizers graciously invited our entire class! Moreover, they provided two students with press passes, allowing them to interview Administrator Bolden, Dr. Stofan and Chief US Technology Officer Megan Smith prior to the event's official start. They interviewed the speakers with the student reporters from National Geographic for Kids and Time for Kids!


Dr. Bolden shakes hands with the student reporter pool!




                                     
                                                                    Hard hitting questions!
Dr. Stofan holds a Mars Curiosity model and speaks about the future of NASA.

When asked after what she was thinking, one of our Maury reporters said " I was thinking, I'm going to work for you!" #FutureAstronaut
The entire class arrived shortly after and took part in an inspirational and informative conversation with Administrator Bolden and Dr. Smith. Just then, the students heard the sound break up and the voices of astronauts echoed through the room! Our students were among the first in line to ask them questions!

                              
                               
                              

         
Following this amazing experience, the all-woman panel of scientists took the stage. The format was perfect for our inquisitive students. Student questions drove the rest of the hour. Below are official NASA photographs from this portion of the event. What a panel!
Associate Director for Science at the Office of Science and Technology Policy Dr. Jo Handelsman, standing left, moderates a panel discussion with, from left, National Park Service Ranger Lynne Murdock, NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan, Kathy Pham of U.S. Digital Service, Presidential Innovation Fellow working with the Department of Veterans Affairs Rachel Harrison Gordon, and Sea Level Rise Researcher Nicole Hernandez Hammer.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Kathy Pham of U.S. Digital Service, right, speaks as NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan looks on. 
Dr. John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
As we dismissed, the organizers had a special surprise for the student reporter teams... a quick visit to the White House Briefing Room! It was much smaller than expected and it was powerful to stand where the President stands for all his press conferences!

5th grade student reporters

This experience was truly one that will impact our students for years to come. Thank you to OSTP for this experience. This 5th grade group is one to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if they will be the ones leading #SoSTEM 2035 inspiring the next generation!


For more video and pictures from the event, check out these links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PJ18YaSfO4&feature=youtube_gdata
Blog: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/01/22/microbes-apps-and-backflips-space-3rd-annual-white-house-state-stem-event-kids
Full set of photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/sets/72157650006430290/
NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/press/2015/january/nasa-joins-white-house-from-ground-and-space-to-discuss-state-of-stem-education/


To Infinity... and BEYOND!
-Mrs. Ford
@maurythinktank



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Monday, December 1, 2014

Ocean and Motion!

Oceans.....
 Motions....
Preschool student exploring ocean and motion!
It is incredibly important that our youngest learners have the opportunity to make meaning of the world around them through play. In this way, they learn to collaborate, ask questions, problem solve, be creative and  ultimately become inspired to learn.
The calm "ocean" before the storm ( of learning)

Listening to shells in "scuba mask"
When I create new units for our preschool through kindergarten classes, I often begin by asking them what they want to learn about. Their answers range from cheetahs to princesses, buildings to bugs. I then work to see what categories those items fall under, and what meaningful STEM-based learning experiences I can create to capture their interests.

It just so happened, that this time the students picked things that fell into two big categories.... the ocean and how things move. Our OCEAN AND MOTION unit was born! Because Kindergarten standards have an important unit on pushes and pulls  it was only natural that my classroom would become a world of oceans and motions for all preschool through Kindergarten students. At the same time, Donors Choose had a Chevron "Fuel Your School" partnership so I was able to purchase all of the ocean and motion materials we needed! Thank you to our additional donors as well!
Student reads "Coral Reefs" by Author Jason Chin who did a school visit!
Always great to have my husband take time off work to volunteer! "Shell balance" has been a favorite center
At the beginning of each class, we start with a motion song. This helps give the students vocabulary to explain the way things move, or patterns of their movement, as they explore in different sci-centers.

Even if students are in a center where movement is not explicitly explore (say making patterns in sand with shells) they can then explain the shape of the paths the shells made--zig-zag, curved etc.


Modeling sand + shells = awesome
"This is what it looked like after the water rolled over it"- 5yo

In Think Tank, students choose from sci-centers. Each center has an activity that is based on either oceans or the way things move... or both! Students are encouraged to explore, ask questions and collaborate to make the most of the experience. Who knew there was so much learning to be done with seashells alone!
                                    
                                                3 year old sorts seashells in the "ocean"


As students explore a concept, I also ensure they MUST do so together! My favorite part of the video below is not the engagement of the students, or the testing they are doing, but when I hear a students say, " Ok! Your turn!" Those collaborative skills are just as important as content goals!

       


Students will have a few more weeks to explore the world of oceans and motion before we head on our next adventure! If you want to come and visit and explore with us, the door is always open... just bring your flippers and scuba gear!

Up next? PARTNERSHIPS! From Beekeeping to US Forest Service, Author Jason Chin to Birds of Prey, partnerships have been in full swing!  Stay tuned!

Until next time,
Mrs. Ford



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