Amber Quirk

Regional Superintendent

DuPage County Schools

Regional Office of Education

421 N. County Farm Rd

Wheaton, IL 60187

630.407.5800

STEM News You Can Use

May 2024

NEWS

New Geothermal Technology and Clean Power Generation

Long confined to regions with volcanic activity, geothermal promises to become a much more versatile energy source thanks to new technologies. Read more.

2024 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to Miryah Fields, senior at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, who is among this year's scholars. Miryah will receive a college tuition scholarship, a paid internship offer at Amazon after their freshman year of college, engage in networking opportunities with their peers and Amazon employees, and other great benefits. Click here for more information about the program.

Argonne Scientists Tackle Climate Change

While Earth Day is officially celebrated one day per year, global warming is something many think about year-round. In a special report, Fox 32's chief meteorologist Emilly Wahls finds out what a group of Argonne scientists is working on to fight some of the causes and effects of climate change.

EVENTS

Baxter Center for Science Education - Spring and Summer Opportunities

The Baxter Center provides a variety of professional learning opportunities for high school and middle school educators. Build your lab skills and connect with a community of local science teachers. All workshops are FREE and eligible for ISBE PD hours. Learn More & Register.

Math-ish! Book Talk with Jo Boaler - May 8 or 9, 2024

Mathematics is a fundamental part of life, yet every one of us has a unique relationship with learning and understanding the subject. Working with numbers may inspire confidence in our abilities or provoke anxiety and trepidation. Stanford researcher, mathematics professor, and the leading expert on math learning Dr. Jo Boaler argues that our differences are the key to unlocking our greatest mathematics potential. Dr. Boaler is hosting two free webinars to coincide with the release of her new book, Math-ish! Finding Creativity, Diversity, and Meaning in Mathematics, to be released on May 7th. Learn more or register for the book talk here: https://www.youcubed.org/math-ish/

Technology Center of DuPage Summer Camps!

Technology Center of DuPage is proud to announce that 7th, 8th & 9th Grade Camp Registration is now open for the Summer 2024 Session. If you or friends/family have 7th, 8th and/or 9th grade students interested in Game Coding, Culinary or Robotics, check out the Summer Camp Session information by clicking the links below.

Unleashing the Power of AI in Education - June 11, 2024 in Addison

Interested in Attending? Complete this form. Click here to RSVP and ensure you are among the first to receive notification when we open registration.

Rocketry and Avionics - Taking Data to New Heights - June 10-13 or June 24-27, 2024

Experience the thrill of rocketry for yourself as you learn to integrate rocketry with avionics curriculum in your classroom. This free, dynamic workshop at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will guide you through modules focused on developing foundational knowledge, predictive modeling, and fabrication skills. The opportunity includes 20 PD hours, housing and modules. Seats are available for novice and advanced learners but are limited. For more information, contact Heather Arnett at hrb2@illinois.edu.

UIC Elementary Mathematics Specialist Coursework - August 24, 2024 Kick-off Meeting

UIC is offering a new Elementary Mathematics Specialist cohort in Fall 2024! The kick-off face-to-face meeting will happen on the UIC campus on Saturday, August 24, 2024. After that, remaining class sessions will be virtual on Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 pm. Early Spring 2025, some of the class meetings will be in person at UIC. Registration will open towards the end of June. See the flyer for a brief description and website link. Email Kathleen Pitvoric kapitvor@uic.edu to be added to the list when enrollment opens.

RESOURCES

NSTA Resources

The National Science Teaching Association provides some excellent free resources. Explore the possibilities. Resources stretch across grade levels, from early childhood through high school.

Paper STEM Activities

Are you wondering about some ways in which you can effectively engage your students students in meaningful but short learning segments? Consider these paper activities to see if one, or more, might fit your needs.

DuPage County Farm Bureau Container to Food Project

The Bureau has launched “Grow Your Own Food — A Container to Food Project,” in collaboration with the College of DuPage, Ball Horticulture, Midwest Groundcover, Country Financial, Compeer Financial, and the DuPage County Fair Association. This initiative is poised to make a significant impact on approximately 4,000 DuPage County fourth-graders this spring. For more information about this and other Bureau projects and work, call Kara Norton, executive director, at (630) 668-8161 or visit the website.

STEM Starters

Have you explored our collection of STEM Starters? On our web page, you will find links to more than 90 activities designed to begin class, end class, initiate conversation, or just to have fun.

The DuPage ROE STEM Squad - We Are Here to Support You

Below is a list of some ways in which the STEM Squad can support you and your students. If something is not on the list, simply ask and we will do our best to assist. Email Mary Biniewicz for more information.

Loan one or more STEM Trunks designed for K-12 students.
Work with you to help plan a STEM event or STEM Club activities.
Arrange to facilitate an activity at your STEM event.
Conduct an after-school STEM workshop for students in Grades 5-8.
Support an in-classroom activity for your younger students.

Visit our website for more information and resources!

Direct newsletter questions, comments, and suggestions to Dr. Mary Biniewicz.

STEM Fun and Learning in DuPage County

Enjoy these photos of some of the events supported by the DuPage ROE STEM Squad.