Information on S.T.E.M.=Science, Technolgy, Engineering and Math

I live on the opposite side of the state but have done a lot of research on this.

Do you have a local science center similar to our Carnegie Science Center?

Have you checked your local colleges and universities for outreach programs?

Carnegie Mellon University offers CMITES workshops in the Philadelphia Area. https://www.cmu.edu/cmites/

Here's information about the spring workshops:

C-MITES classes will be returning to the Philadelphia area.

May 3, 2014: Glenside Elementary, Glenside, PA
Planned classes include:

Art and Architecture, 4th-5th grades
Game Design for Minecraft, 5th-7th grades

May 10, 2014: Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA
Planned classes include:
American Math Idol, 3rd-5th grades
Bubbleology, 3rd-5th grades
Incredible Anatomy, 4th-6th grades
Playing with Probability, 5th-7th grades
Game Design for Minecraft, 5th-7th grades
Pathology 101, 7th-9th grades

Here are other sites that I have found that might provide what you're looking for:

http://www.discovere.org/
http://www.discovere.org/our-programs/girl-day
http://www.qolt.pitt.edu/k-12/discoverydays.php
http://www.scitechfestival.org/mainsf.asp
http://www.mathsciencesuccess.org/southwest-pennsylvania/...
http://www2.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/Students/
http://aspire.swe.org/index.php
http://www.clairton.k12.pa.us/res_view_folder.aspx?id=f6b...
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/geographyga...
http://www.cs2n.org/competitions
http://www.economicspa.org/#!programs/cihc
http://www.engineergirl.org/GetThere/ClubsAndPrograms/252...
http://www.carnegielibrary.org/teens/stem/ForGirls.cfm
http://www.funbrain.com/where/
http://www.mensaforkids.org/play_template.cfm
http://mrsleach.wikispaces.com/Elementary+and+Middle+Scho...
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/
http://www.mathsisfun.com/games/games-2.html
http://www.stemfinity.com/index.php?route=common/home
http://www.idtech.com/weekends/
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/slow_motion_science_v...
http://www.pjas.net/
http://www.mathplayground.com/

This is a really cool local program for girls. Maybe you can find something similar in your area... http://canteengirl.org/exploreyourfuture/tours/future-tours/

There is also a website by the Carnegie Science Center that currently seems to be out of order. Maybe try back at another time. www.braincake.org

There is a program called "Expanding Your Horizons" which is a "STEM" workshop program offered at different universities around the country. My daughters have attended the local one a couple of times over the last couple of years. They are taught by women in the STEM fields & the girls get to do some really fun experiments. The parents can also attend classes about how to find colleges, scholarships & programs for girls in the science fields.

I was just reading the EE times not too long ago, they had an article that said "Why do STEM grads have a hard time finding a job?' It basically said 50% of grads in USA can't find a job in STEM because companies are pulling grads from overseas. WHY- because USA colleges don't not offer the hands on experience that other countries do. So it is important to get them involved in projects. Let them build their own computer from components. Look for lego robotics teams, talk to college professors of STEM , or even homeschoolers, to see if there are any working groups or clubs building stuff like robots, 3D printers, etc... when they get older have them do volunteer work at STEM companies (internship.)

Just Google search it, there is lots of info.

There are a number of scientific expedition type of things which have classroom components, and kid interfaces with real scientists in the field. i.e. a treck to the norht pole, a climb up everest, identifying and counting animals in a sq meter of the rainforest, tagging sea turtles, tracking migration patterns etc. That might be a good avenue.

You can look into national science programs and agencies, like nasa, the NIH, the CDC, the NOAA, the FDA, the EPA and their local counterparts and see if they have an educational/ youth arm.

In Blue Bell, you might have some college, high school or local businesses which would have some programs or materials.

If you are open minded, you can go to some unconventional sources and ask science technology engineering and math types of questions-

starbucks, the local stadium, the town dump, the toy shop.
ask them how they use science, technology, engineering and math.
whether it is food storage satefy and handling concerns, logistics, orders, merchandizing, grass seed, staff payroll, advertising, watering technology, equipment, automation and controls or even forecasting the toy market. all of these things require the use of some combo of STEM.

Best,
F. B.

Our district put the 'A'rts I STEM...STEAM. Our school district (Methacton) which is next to Wissahickon has parents/professionals come in to the middle school to give lessons. Perhaps ask your school district for additional resources.

Here is a thread with some links: http://learningcenter.nsta.org/discuss/default.aspx?tid=3...