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Making STEM Connections to Ignite Student Interests

Presented by

Julie Hellweg Outreach Program Manager II

UWSP Continuing Education

Dr. Christopher Cirmo Dean of the College of Letters & Science

UWSP STEM Career Day Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

Held annually in fall for 9th through 12th graders

and

Women & Science Day

Held annually in spring for 7th and 8th graders

UWSP STEM Career Day Friday, November 5, 2010 Return by September 17th 2010

Proposal Form and Checklist for Presenters If you have a STEM-related presentation and would like your topic to be considered for the UWSP STEM CAREER DAY this year, please complete the proposal form below. Once completed, print a copy for your records. UWSP Continuing Education staff uses this information for marketing pieces, the program booklet, to form the agenda and schedule, and to fulfill audio visual and material needs of each presenter. Overall, this form is very valuable in terms of coordinating logistics for the event. PLEASE take the time to fill out this form completely. The more information you provide, the better we will be able to serve you.

(as you would like it to appear in print): A) PERSONAL INFORMATION

First Name: Last Name: Professional Title: Company Name: Company Phone: Company Address: Company City, State and Zip Code: Home Address: Home City, State and Zip Code: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Email Address: Preferred way to be contacted: Check two options of phone/email: Company Phone Home Phone Cell Phone Email

Check one option for address: Company Address Home Address

B) PRESENTATION INFORMATION (Hands on activities are encouraged)

ALL TITLES SHOULD BE TYPED AS YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO APPEAR IN PRINTED MATERIALS. TITLE of Workshop: (limited to 70 characters including spaces) Workshop DESCRIPTION: (limited to 400 characters including spaces) Check the SESSION(S) you can present: Workshop #1 (10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) Check all the workshops you can present: Workshop #2 (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Workshop #3 (1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.) Due to the expansion of this program, we no longer allow requests to cap class size (exceptions are some lab rooms). Most rooms on campus fit 20-40 students. Courses average 25-35 students. For the next two questions, please fill out your preferences for class size and volunteer help. Check all that apply.

I am willing to present to 20-30 students I am willing to present to 30-40 students

I would like volunteer campus students to support me with my presentation (helping with hands-on activities, handing out materials, etc.)

How many volunteer campus students would be helpful to you?

I will provide my own volunteers and will provide this many: (Indicate a number, so they can be included in the lunch count.)

C) ROOM SET-UP

Will your presentation involve food or drink? Yes No Does your presentation REQUIRE a lab? Yes No Please note: presentations with food or drink are not required to be in a lab. Laboratory rooms are extremely limited on campus.

What equipment do you need in the lab? (off campus presenters: please be very specific: i.e. ability to wash hands; we will need to fill glasses

of water; we will need to be close to an exit or close to a bathroom; etc.)

On Campus faculty and staff only:

If you have a room preference, please indicate the room number next to the building:

CCC: CPS: DUC: SCI: TNR: HEC: Are you aware of a need to have a seating cap in the room you indicated? Yes No If yes, please specify a seating cap number , and reason for the seating cap, if known: I will work with the UWSP department that handles reservations for this room and I will reserve it.

Yes No I indicated a room preference above and I am fully aware of the material and lab resources I am able to utilize within that room. Yes No In addition to what is already available in the room, I will need Continuing Education to provide the following:

D) A/V NEEDS

Check the EQUIPMENT needed for your presentation:

No Audio/Visual Needs VCR & Monitor Computer and Data Projector Chalkboard/Whiteboard

Flip Chart/Easel/Markers Easel Only Other

We strongly recommend a test run of all software and presentations prior to the event to allow for troubleshooting problems. * If you require software other than Microsoft Office, please let us know no later than two weeks prior to the event. We recommend using the campus software and equipment. Most campus rooms come equipped with computer and projector. Laptops and projectors are available for use in rooms not equipped with technical equipment, but are limited.

Do you plan to eat LUNCH with the participants? Lunch is provided. Yes No Do you need a parking permit for campus? Yes No A $15 stipend per session is allocated to all presenters. Presenters can use their stipends to donate to student scholarships or receive compensation. I would you like to: Donate my stipend to student scholarships Receive my $15 compensation (Please note: UWSP faculty and staff can choose to donate a payment to a UWSP student organization account, only after direct payment to the presenter has been made first.)

PLEASE PRINT A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS.

Example Proposal Form

Women & Science Proposed Course Titles

• The Polymers of Custom Nail Polish!

Presented by: Karyn—Engineer-Project Lead

• A Baby is Born and the Nurse Behind the Scenes Presented by: Kathy and Laurie—Aspirus Wausau Hospital

• Change your World - Females in Engineering Presented by: Kelly—Paper Science and Engineering Department

• Explore a Career in Wild Land Firefighting Presented by: Kayla—Wildland Firefighter

• Origami Kites Presented by: Jessica and Kathleen—UWSP Students

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Feb. 27th, 2010

The Women & Science Experience

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Women & Science 7th and 8th Grade Spring Enrollments

303

202 257

213

295

236 181

451 405

313

495

398

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Women & Science 7th and 8th Grade Fall Enrollments

243 278

136

218

127

220

114

186

100

0

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

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Women & Science Research Conclusion Submitted by Erica Weisgram, PhD. Department of Psychology, UWSP

“Overall, girls had a good experience with the program indicated by their increase in their confidence in science and feeling that science is important. Although there were no significant changes from pretest to posttest in their interest in science on the measure given, nearly 70% of students said that they became more interested in science as a result of attending Women & Science Day and over 90% of students felt it was a good experience as indicated on the overall evaluation.”

Women & Science: Students

“I got to learn more about what I love!”

“I created my own world.”

“I can do everything a guy can do.”

“Being with just the girls no boys. . .that was the best part.”

“I really enjoyed the video game animation and design class because I could take my experience home with me and use what I learned on my computer.”

“My favorite part of W&S was learning new things and meeting new people.”

“It was very exciting, hands on and you got to learn new things in a fun manner!”

Women & Science: Presenters & Teachers

“Best keynote speaker I’ve seen! Great ‘gadgets’ and hands-on things for the girls.”

“The keynote instructor was a dynamic speaker. Also, very fun and informative.”

“This conference motivates the girls to continue good grades, self confidence, and goals.”

“Wonderful program! This is the 2nd year we’ve come…I brought my Girl Scout troop! Wonderful for showing what girls can do!”

STEM Career Day Proposed Course Titles

• From Chemiluminescence to Fireworks, What Can Happen When Atoms, Molecules, and Materials Interact with Light and Heat? Presented by: Dr. Jason, Dr. Jim, Dr. Robin—Chemistry Department

• Mathematics and Art-Create a Tessellation! Presented by: Dr. Susan—Mathematical Sciences Department

• Who Done It? Dive into the World of Forensic Science Presented by: Andrea—Mathematical Sciences Department

• Video Game Animation & Design Presented by: Dr. Trudi, Computer Information Systems Department

• How to Build a Better French Fry Presented by: Shelley—Research Geneticist

• Bugs in the Museum: How Do We Get Them, Why Do We Want Them, and How Do We Present Them? Presented by: Jamee—Biology Department

Nov. 7th, 2009

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The STEM Career Day Experience

STEM 2009: 9th & 10th Grade 2010: 9th-12th Grade

157

284

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Fall09 Fall10

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STEM: Students

“I enjoyed the Chemiluminescence to Fireworks workshop the most because of the cool hands-on activities, especially the flame testing!”

“I think that EVERY speaker was AMAZING and very interesting and all of the topics I heard really inspired me to want to do something involving that subject.”

“I really enjoyed the speakers and topics.”

“Manufacturing the Best Frog was very interactive and the professors asked questions that made us think and analyze our results.”

“I enjoyed all of the activities because they were hands-on, creative, and involved team work.”

STEM: Presenters & Teachers

“Thank You!”

“A very enlightening and useful program!”

“Really good organization overall and great spirits and cooperation from the presenters”

“Good variety of session choices.”

“It was lots of fun.” “STEM career day is awesome.”

“GREAT, GREAT time! I hope to come back again! Thank you.” “Definitely worth it.”

“It was beneficial and fun.”

Past Keynote Presenters

• Dr. Christopher Cirmo

~UWSP Dean of the college of Letters & Science

~“Welcome to UWSP”

• Dr. Robin Tanke

~UWSP Chemistry Department Professor

~“Does it Dissolve or Not: A Property of Matter Scientists Seek to Observe, Explain, and Utilize”

• Sue Hall

~Polymer Ambassador, American Chemical Society

~“Science is like a Green Leafy Vegetable”

~“ Science comes in a variety of subjects, like green leafy vegetables, you may not like all of them, but it’s good to try them. You may be surprised to find several that are exciting and could eventually lead to your future career. Choices you make now can greatly impact your future.”

“Does it dissolve or not? A property of matter scientist seek to observe, explain and utilize.”

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Example Keynote Presentation: Dr. Robin Tanke

• Does food coloring dissolve in water?

• Does food coloring dissolve in shaving cream?

• Is food coloring more attracted to paper or shaving cream?

• How can I take advantage of the properties of water, shaving cream, paper and food coloring to make something beautiful?

Spring Program 2011

Fall Program 2010

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Websites

Women & Science:

http://www.uwsp.edu/conted/women_science/

STEM:

http://www.uwsp.edu/conted/stem/

STEM = SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS

What kind of people go into the STEM fields?

Biotechnology Cryogenics

Mathematics Science Education Forestry

Chemistry Health Science

Physics Astronomy Geography

Soils Biology

Water Resources Paper Science & Engineering

Which of the following have nothing to do with science?

Cell phone use Video games

Tsunami in Asia Wildfires in CA

President’s Climate Change Initiative Biofuels production

Forensic Evidence Analysis Iranian Nuclear Capability

Lighting for Football Stadiums Stem Cell Research

H1N1 HIV

Spongebob Squarepants The Chinese in Sudan and Libya

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STEM university graduates are

highly employable, well paid.

Some things you might study here at UWSP………………

A Supernova millions of light years across

An Adenovirus one millionth of a meter

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For More Information Contact

Dr. Christopher Cirmo E-mail: ccirmo@uwsp.edu

Phone: 715-346-4224

Julie Hellweg E-mail: jhellweg@uwsp.edu

Phone: 715-346-3730

Administrative Support

• Dean & Chair Soliciting Student Participation

~Extra credit

~Picture in annual report

~Newsletter articles

~Resume item

• University Support

• Keynote Speaker – Dean

• Call for Proposals

• Chair Solicitation

• Counts as Faculty Service

(in evaluation)