MASS STEM WEEK 2024 DESIGN CHALLENGES
If you are looking for programming to implement during STEM Week (and beyond), watch this Information Session recording to learn about state-sponsored Design Challenges and other opportunities open to participants across the Commonwealth!
The following organizations on this page received grants to develop STEM Design Challenges for educators and their students.
Wade Institute for Science Education
Extreme Zoo Makeover: A STEM Approach to Habitat Design
We will be offering a two-tiered engineering design challenge, which includes the original Extreme Zoo Makeover: A STEM Approach to Habitat Design. This Design Challenge will engage students in grades 5-8 in a unique experience that integrates science and engineering concepts in a series of inquiry-based investigations that lead up to a student-driven challenge. The Design Challenge is designed for middle school students but is easily adaptable to elementary or high school. The Wade Institute is partnering on this Design Challenge with the Lloyd Center for Environment and Buttonwood Park Zoo.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Design Challenge: Your local Zoo wants a makeover! As we learn more about animals’ needs, we’ve realized the Zoo’s old habitats are no longer adequate and it’s up to you and your engineering team to redesign them. You must find a way to 1) design habitats that meet the specific needs of the animals for which you are designing them, 2) engineer an enrichment item for your animal species that will stimulate natural behaviors, and 3) create an interpretive sign and interactive features that will engage the public in your animal habitat.
The challenge culminates in the design, construction, and presentation of a model zoo habitat for a chosen animal. All STEM Design Challenge participants will receive a curriculum guide for the Challenge that includes both pre-challenge investigations and the Design Challenge itself.
We will be offering a two-tiered engineering design challenge. The new, second level of the challenge will guide students to develop plans that incorporate Arduino sensor technology in their habitat designs.
Anyone who registers for the Design Challenge will receive a curriculum packet that includes both pre-challenge investigations and the Design Challenge itself. With these two challenges, the Wade Institute welcomes new participants as well as former participants who would like to build on the Extreme Zoo Makeover challenge with their students this year.
Registration Information:
Please note: While we welcome out-of-state participants to join in this Challenge, we will not be able to provide non-Massachusetts educators with a materials kit. The Curriculum Guide will be available for any teachers participating in the Challenge.
Cost: FREE
Challenge Partners: Lloyd Center for the Environment; Buttonwood Park Zoo
Participants must pre-register for the Design Challenge.
Design Challenge Website | Registration
Questions? Email us at wadeinstitute@wadeinstitutema.org
Kids in Tech
STEM Goes Green: How Human Activities Impact Water Resources
This year for Mass STEM Week, students from all over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will participate in a special project, ‘STEM Goes Green: How Human Activities Impact Water Resources.’ This program will deepen their understanding of environmental engineering and sustainability, focusing on how human activities affect water systems. Participants will explore careers in green engineering and environmental science, learning how professionals design solutions to reduce water pollution, conserve resources, and manage ecosystems. Students will have fun applying engineering principles to create eco-friendly designs using everyday materials while addressing real-world environmental challenges.
For more information, to register, and to download classroom materials, visit: https://kidsintech.org/stem-week-2024/
Pre-Challenge Questions?
We are here to answer any questions you might have about implementing this STEM Challenge! Email: Info@kidsintech.org
The STEM Education Center at WPI
"I Am STEM" Lesson Library
Bring STEM to your classroom during MA STEM Week, 2024! The I am STEM – STEM I am lesson library engages students, grades PK-7, in solving problems in books and is designed to empower students to become proud problem solvers. With continued support from the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, 8 new lessons will be added to the library and will include a new caregiver ‘Connections’ letter and lesson rubric.
The I am STEM PD is FREE and open to any PK-7 educator (in and out of school) interested in implementing a design challenge with their students. This interactive and engaging 90-minute session will introduce you to the problem-solving process, show you how to navigate the library, and allow you to briefly explore grade-level lessons and try out an activity with colleagues.
Dates/Times:
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!
Tues. 10/1 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Fri. 10/4 from 9:30 – 11:00 am
Tues. 10/8 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Mon. 10/14 from 9:30 – 11:00 am
Thurs. 10/17 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Learn more: https://wp.wpi.edu/iamstem/upcoming-training/
Contact Donna with any questions or for more information.
Museum of Science
Engineering Plastic Filters: An MA STEM Week Design Challenge
The Museum of Science, Boston’s YES (Youth Engineering Solutions), and EiE (Engineering is Elementary) has created an engineering challenge for youth ages 8–12, and it is designed to be completed in one hour.
During this challenge, youth consider the effects of plastic pollution as they engineer filters to reduce plastic waste entering the ocean. Youth work in small groups and use everyday materials to create a filter that can catch plastic pollution as it enters a model bay.
This challenge is an abbreviated version of a longer unit developed by Youth Engineering Solutions.
For more information, visit: https://www.mos.org/events/mass-stem-week
For the complete Engineering Plastic Filters unit and additional resources that may be relevant and translated in Spanish, visit yes.mos.org.
PBLWorks
Carbon Busters
Carbon Busters was created for middle school and high school students and educators and is a high-quality, meaningful K-12 applied project-based learning experience – with added emphasis on flexibility to meet educators and students where they are!
Students will have the opportunity to focus on a specific room in the school to redesign to make the room more energy efficient. They answer the driving question, "How can we redesign our school to significantly reduce carbon emissions and create a more energy-efficient future?" As a final product for this challenge, students can work with their school to create a proposal for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Challenge.
Upcoming Educator Professional Learning Opportunities
Educators, learn more about the project by attending one of the following webinars*:
- Thursday, September 5th from 4:00-5:30 pm
- Tuesday, September 10th from 4:30-6:00 pm
- Tuesday, September 24th from 4:00-5:30 pm
*There is also an option in the registration form for educators to request the project materials if they cannot attend one of the upcoming webinars.
Educators can register here: 2024 STEM Week PBLWorks Webinar Registration
Please contact Jason Colombino, Director of District & School Leadership at jason@pblworks.org, with any questions.