2013
AweSTEM! 2013 focused on looking at best practices and exemplary activities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as well as looking at ways to effectively integrate STEM subjects with each other as well as across grade levels. Participants additionally heard from the range of opportunities for them at WPI.
Below are the activities presented by the K-12 educators along with their contact information. For information on the opportunities presented by WPI, please check your booklet for each website.
Opportunities at WPI
Explore opportunities for educators at WPI in our STEM Education Center booklet (PDF).
Integrated STEM
EARLY PHASE: QUABOAG REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Presenter: Madeline Wheeler, Quaboag Regional School District
Email: mwheeler@quaboagrsd.org
Shared Information (PDF)
ESTABLISHED: DOHERTY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL - ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY
Presenter: John Staley, Worcester Public Schools
Email: staleyj@worc.k12.ma.us
Brochure (PDF)
Learning Fair Project (PDF)
Learning Fair Science Assignment (PDF)
Learning Fair Timeline History Assignment (PDF)
Elementary School
SCIENCE
Presenter: Lynn Fiandaca, Leominster Public Schools
Email: lynn.fiandaca@leominster.mec.edu
Activity: Tree Farm
Tree Farm Unit (PDF)
Making Brochures (PDF)
Creating and Maintaining a Holiday Tree Farm (PDF)
Balsam Fir and Fraser Fir Slides (PDF)
Balsam Fir and Fraser Fir Research (PDF)
Balsam and Fraser Fir Research Response Sheet (PDF)
TECHNOLOGY/ENGINEERING
Presenter: Devon Rehm on behalf of Martha Cyr, WPI
Email: mcyr@wpi.edu
Activity 1: Make an Alarm!
Make an Alarm! Directions
Activity 2: Sneaking Up on Sneakers
Sneaking Up on Sneakers Directions
MATH
Presenter: Colleen Mucha, Quaboag Regional School District
Email: cmucha@quaboagrsd.org
Activity: Reciprocal Math
Reciprocal Math 1 (PDF)
Reciprocal Math 2 (PDF)
Reciprocal Math 3 (PDF)
Reciprocal Math Desk Cards (PDF)
Problem Solving Method (PDF)
Hamster Problem (PDF)
Middle School
SCIENCE
Presenter: Kelly Graveson, Douglas Public Schools
Email: kgraveson@douglas.k12.ma.us
Activity: Space Week
Overview of Space Week Part 1 (PDF)
Overview of Space Week Part 2 (PDF)
Promising Practices Description (PDF)
Other Resource: NASA for Educators
TECHNOLOGY/ENGINEERING
Presenter: Dave Hagberg, Westborough Public Schools
Email: hagbergd@westborough.k12.ma.us
Activity: Technical Writing and Geometry
Technical Writing/Geometry Project (PDF)
Geometric Shapes and How to Define Them for Technical Writing (PDF)
Student Assessment of Technical Writing Project (PDF)
Technical Writing Materials List (PDF)
Technical Writing Guidelines (PDF)
MATH
Presenter: Christine Robbins, Auburn Public Schools
Email: crobbins@auburn.k12.ma.us
Activity 1: Siege Machine
Siege Machine Lesson Plan (PDF)
Siege Machines Writing Activity (PDF)
Catapults (PDF)
Trebuchets (PDF)
Activity 2: Marble Track
Marble Track Lesson Plan (PDF)
High School
BIOLOGY
Presenter: Brian Dempsey, Acton-Boxborough Regional School District
Email: bdempsey@abschools.org
Activity: Protein Project
Protein Project (PDF)
Project Opener (PDF)
Protein Project Slides (PDF)
Examples of Proteins (PDF)
Grading Score Sheet (PDF)
CHEMISTRY
Presenter: Jackie Bonneau, Mass Academy
Email: bonneau@wpi.edu
Activity 1: Candy Atoms
Activity 2: Patterns - More is Better
Patterns (PDF)
Periodic Table (PDF)
Other Activities
Don't Be Dense About Density (PDF)
Goggles Song (PDF)
Sweet 16 Chemistry Compound Tournament
Periodic Table Writing (PDF)
pH Home Test (PDF)
What Element is This? (PDF)
TECHNOLOGY/ENGINEERING
Presenter: Ryan Dailey, Hudson Public Schools
Email: rdailey@hudson.k12.ma.us
Activity: Mobile Workbench Project
Mobile Workbench Project Directions (PDF)
Rubric (PDF)
MATH
Presenter: Nancy Lowery, Shrewsbury Public Schools
Email: nlowery@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Activity 1: U-Substitution Integral Puzzles
U-Substitution Integral Puzzles Directions (PDF)
Activity 2: Size Transformation Investigation
Size Transformation Investigation Directions (PDF)
Activity 3: Triangle/Quadrilateral Identification Activity
Triangle/Quadrilateral Identification Directions (PDF)
PHYSICS
Presenter: Nick Nicastro, Wachusett Regional School District
Email: nick_nicastro@wrsd.net
Activity 1: Copenhagen
Copenhagen Directions (PDF)
Follow-up (PDF)
Glossary (PDF)
Activity 2: How to Build a Lou-Vee Aircar
Aircar Directions (PDF)
Aircar Rules (PDF)
Aircar Eval (PDF)
Aircar Rubric (PDF)
Activity 3: Universal Gravitation
Universal Gravitation (PDF)
Gravitational Field Worksheet (PDF)
Planetary Ellipses Exercise (PDF)
Planets Lab (PDF)
Planets Lab Chart (PDF)
TMP Centripetal Accel. Vector (PDF)
Activity 4: The Physics Behind Light-Emitting Diodes
Planck Lab (PDF)
Plancks Student Worksheets (PDF)