eGFI - Student Blog » Grades K-5

Students’ Summer: Girls’ Engineering at Fresno State. 12-16 July, 2010

als — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:41:11 +0000

Dates: 12-16 July, 2010. Level and eligibility: San Joaquin Valley girls, grades 1-12. Cost : $250, ($200 for Girls SEE Alumni). Application deadline: May 28, 2010.

Girls Summer Engineering Experience (Girls SEE)

The Lyles College of Engineering at California State University, Fresno, is offering central San Joaquin Valley high school girls an opportunity to attend the 2010 Girls Summer Engineering Experience (SEE), a week-long day camp for high school girls interested in engineering or construction management. Structured hands-on activities, speakers, technical workshops and field trips, will make this a fun filled educational experience for all participants.

Girls SEE, which runs July 12-16, is available to girls entering grades 10-12. Applications are due by May 28, 2010 and notification of acceptance into the program will occur by June 4, 2010. Activities are designed to build upon leadership skills while promoting a female science- and math-based community.

Applicants must submit:

Completed application form.
Unofficial high school transcript.
One-page personal statement demonstrating passion for science and mathematics.
Letter of recommendation from an instructor.

Click here for the online application, or visit the Website.

Cost of the camp: $250, ($200 for Girls SEE Alumni)

For more, and updated, information, please check the Website, or contact: Lisa Craig, Pathways, Student Services, Lyles College of Engineering; 559.278.1076; girlssee@csufresno.edu

Smithsonian’s Spark!Lab for Inventors. Washington, DC

als — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:36:49 +0000

Spark!Lab

Everybody can envision the “Eureka!” moment of invention, when the idea suddenly strikes and—BOOM—there’s a new product ready to change the world. Spark!Lab, the newest hands on space for families and others visiting the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, shows the real story behind an inventor’s work.

For online access, visit the Spark!Lab Website for activities and experiments, inventor profiles, and a list of resources.

What is Spark!Lab?

Spark!Lab is a hands-on invention activity center where visitors learn that invention is a process and that everyone is inventive. The fun activities incorporate history, science, engineering, technology, and art to help kids and families learn about the history and process of invention. Young visitors can play games, conduct science experiments, explore inventors’ notebooks, and even invent! Lab bench experiments are offered at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Where is Spark!Lab?

Spark!Lab is located on 1 West of the National Museum of American History on the National Mall. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, every day except December 25.

What age group should visit Spark!Lab?

Visitors of all ages are invited to visit. Most activities have been designed for children ages 6-12, though younger and older visitors can also learn from the wide range of activities. Spark!Lab has a section designed especially for children under the age of 5 and their parents/caregivers, though these children are invited to explore the rest of Spark!Lab under adult supervision. Children under the age of 13 must have an adult with them in Spark!Lab.

Are there school programs in Spark!Lab?

There are no scheduled school programs in Spark!Lab, but teachers are invited to visit with their groups on a space-available basis. Groups larger than 15 students can be split into smaller groups and rotate through Spark!Lab and several other exhibitions in the Museum. For more information about planning a group visit, please contact sparklab@si.edu or see http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/educators/visiting.cfm.

Who can participate in the lab bench experiments?

Anyone is welcome to participate in the lab bench activities. For safety reasons, children under the age of 5 must have an adult accompanying them.

When are the lab bench experiments offered?

Experiments are held at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., although the schedule may be altered according to other programs and events at the museum on a given day. Check the Spark!Lab schedule on the day you visit.

A sampling of Spark!Lab’s online experiments and activities:

Design and Play a Drum: Make a drum from materials available at home or school. Look in your recycling bin for inspiration.

Invent a Musical Whirligig
Since antiquity, people have used their imagination and common materials to invent toys, many of them active, kid-powered, and noise making–like the whirligig.

Make a Yo-Yo from Recycled Stuff

Thomas Edison said, “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” With these words of wis dom in mind, we challenge you to create your own yo-yo using items found in your recycling bin

Event: CSM VEX Robotics Challenge

als — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:35:41 +0000

When: Saturday, Apr 10, 2010
Where: 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, MD

The College of Southern Maryland, La Plata campus will be using the popular VEX Robotics Competition Clean Sweep game in their Senior division robotics competition. The Junior division is called “The Save the Bay Robotics Competition,” and it consists of eight robotic challenges designed to mimic the types of tasks a robot would accomplish if it was cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. The Junior division is for elementary and middle school students, while the Senior division is for high school students.

This is a regional event that draws teams from Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Registration is by invitation. Please contact the college for information on attending. Visit their website for more information.

Contest: Trash to Treasure, PBS Design Squad

als — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:21:25 +0000

Eligibility and Level: U.S. citizens, ages 5-19. Contest Deadline: September 5, 2010.

Turn your trash into treasure and be on TV! The PBS Design Squad Trash to Treasure Competition Challenge invites kids ages 5-19 to recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into an out-of-the box invention.

The invention should do one of these things:

Move things or people, or
Protect the environment, or
Be used for indoor or outdoor play

Get Started

1. BRAINSTORM some ideas. Look at the world around you for inspiration. What problems do you see that your invention could help solve? Need help Brainstorming? Check out last year’s winning invention: The Home Dome.

Next, think about these questions:

What’s the name of your invention?

What is it made of? Remember, you have to use at least two different recycled materials (“trash”).

What does it look like? How does it work?

How does it make the world a better place?

How did you come up with your idea?

2. DESIGN. Try making some models of your idea with simple materials, or draw your idea out on paper. Test it out. Does it work the way you want it to?

3. SUBMIT. Ready to submit your idea? Great! You can send in a photo of your idea, or sketch a picture of it online. Decide which you want to do, then visit the Website to proceed. Got Questions? Read the Contest Help page.

Prizes

Three winners will come to Boston to see their designs built by Continuum, a design consultancy. Winners will appear on the Design Squad show and Web site.

25 FINALISTS will be featured on the Design Squad Web site.

DOWNLOAD the Contest Flyer (PDF)

Read the Official Rules and visit the Website for complete information

Summer Camps: Columbus, OH. All ages

als — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00:57 +0000

Camp COSI

The Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, OH, offers several summer science and engineering camps for kids of all ages. Teens can explore amusement park technology, robotics, and video games. Pre-teens can explore planet Earth, aeronautics, and animal adaptations. Even the little ones can dig for dinos, visit a local watershed, and build and launch boats. Prices and dates vary. Please check the Website for complete information and registration.

Students’ Summer: Robotics at Madison, Wisconsin. July – August

als — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:02:32 +0000

Dates: Four sessions, from July 26-August 20; please see below. Location: Madison’s Memorial High School, Madison, Wisconsin. Level: Students grades 4 through 8. Cost: $500.

2010 BadgerBOTS Robotics Summer Daycamp

The 2010 BadgerBOTS Robotics Summer Daycamp will be held at Madison’s Memorial High School for students in grades 4 through 8th. Campers, who do not need any previous experience, are encouraged to enroll with friends to increase their enjoyment of the camp experience and to promote continuing interest in robotics as well as possible participation in either our LEGO League or High School level programs.

Our goal is to provide an enjoyable environment where campers experience the pride of solving complex problems through science and engineering while learning about a thematic challenge and robotics.

The camp is designed to teach campers everything they need to know about basic principles of design, programming, and the engineering process through the creation of LEGO robots to overcome mission challenges. The mission based activities allow students of all ability levels and experience to learn new skills and build a genuine pride in their accomplishments. The camp includes fieldtrips to the planetarium for robots in space and possibly other local sites.

All sessions are Mondays to Fridays only… no weekend sessions!

Session One: July 26-Aug 6, 8 to Noon
Session Two: July 26-Aug 6, 1 to 5 PM
Session Three: Aug 9 – 20, 8 AM to Noon
Session Four: Aug 9 – 20, 1 to 5 PM

To apply and to inquire about scholarship, please check the Website, and the page of documents for application.

Contact: Benjamin J. Senson; email: bsenson@madison.k12.wi.us; phone: (608) 663-6379; Fax: (608) 442-2198; Mail: Memorial High School, Attn: Ben Senson, 201 S. Gammon Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53717

Event: Robot Fest, Nat’l Electronics Museum, Linthicum, MD. April 24, 2010.

als — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:38:27 +0000

Date: April 24. Location: National Electronics Museum, Inc. Linthicum, Maryland. Cost: Free

Robot Fest 2010

Saturday, April 24, 10am-3pm
Free Admission

Robot Fest is a free, one-day annual event that promotes creativity, technology, engineering and the sciences. RobotFest is for students of all ages and for those with the unquenchable urge to create new, previously unseen forms from lifeless electronics and mechanical parts of metal and plastic.

In the early years we focused on the demonstration of robotic projects, but more recently we have expanded into realms where technology is used in any creative fashion. We welcome the hackers, hobbyists, and makers, and those who are not content to sit back and watch yet another screen, be it on a phone, handheld, laptop, desktop or TV. If you are inexplicably drawn to sites like makezine.com, hackaday.com and instructables.com, we want you. See something new. Ask questions. Awaken your creative instinct.

“History of the Nation’s Defense Electronics.” National Electronics Museum, Inc., 1745 West Nursery Road Linthicum, Maryland. Phone: 410-765-0230

Workshop: Parents, Kids, and LEGOS. Tufts U., March 6

rxt — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:25:33 +0000

Date: March 6, 2010, 9:00-12:00. Level: Grades K-12. Location: Tufts University CEEO on the Medford Campus. Cost: $75

Tufts University Center for Engineering Education

Parent and Child Workshop

On March 6, 2010, Parent and child teams will build and program their own LEGO inventions. There will be challenges for experiences and new users.
Cost: $75

Download registration form here. Contact Elissa Milto (elissa.milto@tufts.edu) with questions.

CEEO programs are designed to give students the chance to participate in individual and small-team design projects while fostering an understanding of the design process and related principles. Students use LEGO bricks and accompanying icon-based software as they design, build, and program their robotic creations. Although the program is educational, we want the children to enjoy themselves and have fun. Instructors are a collection of CEEO staff with engineering, education, and child development backgrounds, and Tufts engineering students.

Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach, 474 Boston Ave., Curtis Hall – Basement, Medford, MA 02155

Competition: Siemens Change the World Challenge

als — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:50:01 +0000

Deadline: March 15, 2010

Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

As citizens and future stewards of our planet, today’s students are in a unique position to become active agents of environmental change. The good news is that many are very interested in learning about and taking responsibility for their environment and their future.

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge gives students the opportunity, tools and inspiration to become those agents of change. Through March 15, 2010, elementary and middle school classes across the country will be challenged to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements in their classroom or school. Top prizes will include a chance to appear on TV, a grant for the sponsoring school, a trip to New York City for the teacher, and more.

The purpose of the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is to:

• engage students in identifying and solving local environmental problems
• utilize their creativity
• involve their community
• recommend how others could use this solution in their communities

Challenge Description

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge consists of six easy steps:

Step 1: Choose It! Student teams of 2-3 conduct research to learn about the issues that affect their community and select one issue that they truly want to impact.

Step 2: Research It! Students access a variety of resources to learn all they can about their issue and develop a problem statement that explains why and how it is a problem in their community.

Step 3: Plan It! Students propose a feasible, measurable solution to positively impact their issue and an action plan to help them carry it out.

Step 4: Do It! Students work together to implement their action plan.

Step 5: Analyze It! Students explain what they’ve found out so far.

Step 6: Share It! Students make recommendations for how their plan can be replicated or expanded in similar communities across the nation.

Teams should consist of a teacher or other adult mentor and two, three, or four students. The mentor can enter multiple teams into the Challenge, but each team should have its own unique solution and results, and may choose to work on different local environmental problems.

Please see the Website for specific instructions, rules and guidelines, resources, and information about past winners.

Learn about another great resource from the Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education called Siemens Science Day. Teachers can find videos, tools, and hands-on activities to help reinvent their science class.

Animation Workshop, Tufts U., Mass. Feb 17-19 Posted on January 15th, 2010 by ASE

als — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:12:05 +0000

Date: Feb. 17-19, 2010, 9:00-3:00. Level: Grades 3-6. Location: Tufts University CEEO on the Medford Campus. Cost: $300

Tufts University Center for Engineering Education

February Break Animation Workshop

February 17-19, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This 3-day workshop will provide students grades 3-6 with the opportunity to create animations using animation software designed at the CEEO (www.samanimation.com). Students will use materials such as LEGO, clay, and whiteboards to design and create movie sets. Students’ final project will be to create a movie of their choice. Students will bring a copy of their movie home.

Date: Feb. 17-19, 9 am – 3 pm

Location: Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach

Cost: $300

Download registration

Contact Elsa Head (elsa.head@gmail.com) with questions.

Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach, 474 Boston Ave., Curtis Hall – Basement, Medford, MA 02155

Student Program: Olympic Legos. Tufts U., Grades 1-6. Jan. 23

als — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:30:35 +0000

Date: Jan 23, 2010. 9:00-12:00 – Grades 1-3, 1:00-4:00 – Grades 4-6. Location: Tufts University CEEO on the Medford Campus. Cost: $50

Tufts University’s Center for Engineering Education

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Olympic LEGOs

January 23, 2010
9:00 am -12:00 pm: Grades 1-3
1:00 am -4:00 pm : Grades 4-6

Students will work to design, build, and program LEGO robots to participate in the LEGO Winter Olympics. Students will work in pairs to design and program their robots. They will have access to various craft materials and the usual robotic LEGOs. Students will share their work during the last 20 minutes of each session. Families are invited to visit as they share.

Location: Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach

Cost: $50

Download registration form here.

Contact Elissa Milto (elissa.milto@tufts.edu) with questions

Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach, 474 Boston Ave., Curtis Hall – Basement, Medford, MA 02155

Cool School Challenge

als — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:05:54 +0000

The Cool School Challenge is a FREE innovative program that motivates students, teachers, and school districts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. By conduction audits of classroom energy, solid waste, and transportation behaviors, students identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and shring their carbon impact.

Program Awards:
2009 EPA National Clean Air Excellence Award
2008 President’s Environmental Youth Award

Program Highlights:
To date, participating schools have reduced their potential CO2 emissions by 925,597 lbs!

Location: Any school

Date: Any

Time: Any

Age Group: Grades 3-12

Websites:
http://www.coolschoolchallenge.org
http://www.facebook.com/coolschoolchallenge
http://www.twitter.com/cool_school
http://www.youtube.com/coolschoolchallenge

Contact Information:
Mike Wierusz, MAT, LEED AP
info@coolschoolchallenge.org

StarHouse Discovery Center: Jr Science & Astronomy

als — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:42:44 +0000

Our mission is to promote and provide hands-on science, astronomy, and technology experiences to children, parents, teachers, and administrators. Junior Science and Astronomy will continue using the model used by Junior Engineering in providing day long science and astronomy activities for students in the elementary schools and providing continuing education programs for teachers at that level. Each year we hope to continue to reach: 100,000 children and 750 teachers in 200 elementary schools.

Location: Logan, UT, Jr Science & Astronomy will be able to travel throughout the Intermountain West

Date: On-Going.

Time: TBD

Age Group: K-6, students, parents, teachers, & administrators.

Website: http://starhousediscovery.org

Contact Information: Laura Swift Lind 801-971-0587
Neil Dabb
Arno Copely

Essay Contest: R U Curious? Grades 1-12, Cambridge, Mass.

rxt — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:28:38 +0000

Application deadline: Feb. 12, 2010; level: ages 5-18.

Cambridge Science Festival’s Curiosity Challenge

Students ages 5 to 18 are invited to take the Cambridge Science Festival’s Curiosity Challenge. Write an essay, draw or take a picture about your curiosity and tell us how it prompted you to explore your world. Then enter your essay or artwork in the Curiosity Challenge by submitting it at any Cambridge Public School or Cambridge Public Library branch or at the MIT Museum by Feb. 12, 2010.

Winners will be honored at the Curiosity Challenge Celebration at the Cambridge Science Festival May 2nd 2010.

Great scientists and innovative technologists are immensely curious – they want to know how to prevent disease, if there is life on Mars, how to create social communities on a global scale, and what sociable robots tell us about ourselves. They are eager to acquire knowledge – it’s the mark of a true scientist.

We know that the future Eric Landers, Phil Sharps, and Eileen Collins are in school right now, learning to read, write and make a positive contribution in life. But we are curious. We want to know more about these future scientists.

C’mon! Dare to take the Curiosity Challenge

Downloads for the 2010 Curiosity Challenge:
2010 Detailed Submission Guidelines
Labels for your Submission

Event: Girl Day at UT-Austin, Feb. 20

rxt — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:13:53 +0000

Level: Grades 1-8. Date: Sat., Feb. 20, 2010, 2-5 p.m. Pre-registration opens: Jan. 2010.

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Girl Day) is celebrated internationally during Engineers Week each year. Girls are encouraged to join their families and teachers at UT for an afternoon of engineering fun. Girl Day gives 1st through 8th grade students a chance to have fun doing grade-specific, hands-on engineering activities; meet students, professors and engineers from industry; and see what it’s like to be an engineer

Activities for 1^st-3^rd graders, 4^th-5^th graders and 6^th-8^th graders are housed in UT’s engineering complex. Students are encouraged to build and experiment at their own pace with all of the age-appropriate activities in their specific building. Engineering information will be available for parents/counselors/teachers, who are expected to stay with their students throughout the day.

Students are invited to take breaks throughout the day to explore open activities and the TAME Trailblazer Trailer. Pre-registered students who participate in at least six activities will get an awesome Girl Day T-shirt upon completing an evaluation form.

Science Sessions in NYC

rxt — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:04:40 +0000

The American Museum of Natural History in New York City offers a number of science workshops and courses for students and teachers alike. Check out the ones coming up this January and February:

Courses in the Sciences

Level: students grades 9-12. Dates: January 4–February 12

Costs: Once per week course: $150; Twice per week course: $300 (Half-price and fee waivers available based on need.)

Description: Venture into vast regions of space, dive deep into the microscopic world of DNA, or track the evolution of dinosaurs. This unique program lets New York City high school students interested in science choose from a broad range of topics including biodiversity, genetics, anthropology, earth science, astronomy, and more.

Robots in Space III (Advanced)

Level: students grades 2-3. Dates: Tues-Thurs, Jan. 4–Feb. 12; 4–5:30 pm

Costs: $90

Description: If you’ve already taken Robots in Space I and II, or are already familiar with the Lego Mindstorms kit, this class will take you to the next level. Take on the biggest challenge in the robot series. To register, call (212) 769-5200 or click here. For more information, call (212) 313-7893.

Astrofavorites: The Earth and Space Collection

Level: students pre-K and K; and grades 1 and 2. Dates: Three Saturdays: January 16, 23, 30 11 am–12:30 pm (pre-K and K) and 1:30–3 pm (1st and 2nd graders)

Cost: $90

Description: Explore the wonders of our planet and solar system in these popular children’s workshops. Enjoy “Earthly Adventures,” “Solar System Adventures,” and “The Sun and Its Energy” on three consecutive Saturdays.

To register, call (212) 769-5200 or click here. For more information, call (212) 313-7893.

Fossils and DNA Camp

Level: students grades 4 and 5. Dates: Monday – Friday, Feb. 15 – 19, 9 – 4 p.m. Cost: $450.

Description: Who are we, and where do we come from? Take an exciting journey through human evolution and learn about our ancestors from early primates to the first hominids. Explore the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins, learn about DNA, and use fossil evidence – and have fun doing it!

To register, call (212) 769-5200 or click here. For more information, call (212) 313-7893.

Visit the AMNH website.

Event: Girls STEM Day, U. Akron, Feb. 13, 2010

rxt — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:25:41 +0000

Date: Feb. 13, 2010, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. (registration: 7:30 a.m.); Grade Level: Grades 1-6; Registration deadline: Jan. 15, 2010. Cost: $6. Location: University of Akron Student Union, 303 Carroll St.

Kids Career Day is a half day program designed to involve girls in grades 1-6 in activities related to engineering, science, technology, and math careers. Each activity showcases professional women currently employed as scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Enjoy a morning filled with the fun side of science and math sponsored by Lockheed Martin, The University of Akron, and Girl Scouts.

As part of the event, some participants will learn how asphalt is formulated and they will make chocolate asphalt. Others will learn about thermoplastics or make their own mini hovercrafts. Women engineers, mathematicians, chemists, physicists and geologists will lead the morning’s activities and discussions. In addition, “mathemagician” Dr. Arthur Benjamin will perform his combination magic-math tricks. Benjamin, who earned his Ph.D. in mathematical sciences at Johns Hopkins University, is a professional magician who has appeared on several international television and radio programs.

“Girls need to see that science, engineering, mathematics and technology comprise a large part of the world around them. New discoveries happen every day that result in the improvement of the human condition. That is what makes this day so fun and exciting,” says Heidi Cressman, director of UA’s Women in Engineering Program (WIEP). “We want students to walk away knowing that the possibilities are endless for women who choose careers in these fields.”

Students interested in attending Kids Career Day must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. Registration, which ends Jan. 15, 2010 and costs $6, can be completed online. Or, prospective participants can obtain registration forms at Stark and Summit county libraries, by calling 330-972-7701 or by making a request to hec9@uakron.edu.

The event is sponsored by Lockheed Martin Akron, the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio and UA’s Women in Engineering Program. The UA College of Engineering’s current 2,042 undergraduate enrollment represents a 54.9 percent increase in enrollment between fall 2004 and fall 2009, making it the fourth fastest growing college of engineering in the country (among the 150 largest; source: American Society for Engineering Education) and the fastest growing in the state.

National Society of Black Engineers Jr.

als — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:27:37 +0000

The National Society of Black Engineers Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Program is designed to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and to encourage students in grades K–12 to attend college and pursue technical degrees. PCI provides activities to help students discover firsthand how engineering and technology relate to the world around them and discover the excitement of academic excellence, leadership, technical development and teamwork. The NSBE Jr. membership is $5.00 annually, and students may join individually if no charter exists at their school.

For teachers, the website offers downloadable curriculum units on simple math and science lessons (grades 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12), college prep lessons, and a tool kit for developing and evaluating a successful mentoring program.

Membership benefits include:

• College Admissions Preparation – materials to help for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT, and college application information, such as how to get into college, financial aid information, etc.

• Sponsored technical competitions such as: Try-Math-A-Lon, PCI Science Fair, and Engineering Design Competition

• Scholarships and Awards for NSBE Jr. members in middle and high school who have excelled academically and expressed an interest in pursuing a career in engineering and related fields. Check the website listing for other scholarships, as well.

• NSBE Bridge Subscription – NSBE’s Pre-College magazine

• Conference Discounts – NSBE Jr. Students are encouraged to attend regional conferences and the National Convention, where programs are designed especially for PCI students.

• Leadership, Academic, and Technical Development

• Opportunity to meet other NSBE Jr. members from around the world

• Access to free Microsoft Software

K-12 Essay Contest: Survival Design

als — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:38:56 +0000

Deadline: March 1, 2010. Level: K-12 (divided by category). Prizes: publication on the website, and cash awards ranging from $500 to $100

Entries must be submitted using the Online Submission Form

In this essay contest of EngineerGirl!, National Academy of Engineering, students are challenged to think like an engineer to solve a survival problem. In their essays, they must describe how to use the contents of a backpack and the surrounding environment to create shelter, gather food and water, or summon rescue. Please see the full description here or on the website for the specific requirements of this contest.

Contest Description:

If you have to be stranded somewhere with someone, you might want to hope you are stranded with an engineer. Engineers think big and solve problems with whatever resources they have available so they would be great companions on a deserted island. Try this exercise to see if you can think like an engineer:

During a field trip to a national wildlife refuge (or national forest), you and a friend get separated from the rest of the group and realize that you are totally lost.

Your guide told you earlier that if you get lost: stay where you are, stay safe, and wait for someone to find you. It’s getting late, and the temperature is dropping. When you dump out the contents of your backpack you see the following:

A cell phone (with no signal)
Two large rubber bands
A scarf/bandana
An empty plastic bottle
A spiral-bound notebook
Two retractable pens
Two pencils
A pack of gum
A comb
A nail file
A mirror

Items in the environment include:

Trees, leaves, sticks & twigs
Rocks
A small stream
Dirt
Pine needles and pine cones

In your essay, describe how you would use the contents of your backpack along with clothing or accessories you are wearing and items in your environment (Use no more than 3 items that are not included in the backpack.) to address ONE of the following challenges:

Create a shelter
Gather food and water
Try to get the attention of a rescue party

Contest Guidelines

Who Can Enter?

The contest is open to individual girls and boys in each of three categories (Choose your category by grade level unless you are unsure of your grade):

3rd grade to 5th grade (Ages 8-11)
6th grade to 8th grade (Ages 12-14)
9th grade to 12th grade (Ages 15-18)

If you are a prior winner and have received a cash prize from EngineerGirl! in any of the above grade categories, you may not enter again in the same age group.

How Do I Enter?

Write an essay which addresses the requirements in the contest description. Essays should be written clearly. They may be shorter than, but should not exceed, the word limit listed below:

500 words for grades 3 – 5
750 words for grades 6 – 8
1000 words for grades 9 – 12

Submit your essay through the Online Submission Form on the EngineerGirl! website, and include all required information.

When Is the Deadline? Entries must be received by 6:00 p.m. (EST) on March 1, 2010.

What are the Awards? All winning entries will be published on the EngineerGirl! website. (Please review our publication agreement before you submit your essay.) In addition, all winners will receive the prizes listed below:

First-place winners will be awarded $500.
Second-place entries will be awarded $250.
Third-place entries will be awarded $100.
Honorable Mention entries will not receive a cash reward but will be published on the EngineerGirl! website.

Additional Rules

Essays will be judged on the basis of creativity, feasibility, and usefulness of the design as well as the author’s ability to communicate ideas. You may wish to preview the scorecard for the selection criteria.
All essays must be the original work of the author submitting the entry and must not have been published anywhere else.
A contestant may enter only one essay.
No contestant may win more than once in a single age category.
All entries will be read by a panel of judges, whose selections will be final.
Management, employees and families of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) are prohibited from winning any prizes offered by EngineerGirl.
Entry in the contest grants the NAE non-exclusive rights to publish winning essays in full or in part on the EngineerGirl! website. (publication agreement)

Entries must be submitted using the Online Submission Form

Sponsorship: The 2010 EngineerGirl! Contest is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Northrop Grumman Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and Bechtel.

Connect A Million Minds

als — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:36:31 +0000

Use your zipcode to search for STEM opportunities in your community at www.connectamillionminds.com. The website also challenges parents, after-school program administrators and community members to pledge to connect children in their lives with the wonders of science and math. Time Warner Cable has set a goal of connecting 1 million children by 2014. On the website, participants can watch video case studies of inventors and technologists talking about their projects, and post photos and narratives about their STEM experiences, creating a community of people who share a common interest and passion for scientific pursuits.