i-STEM at North Idaho College

Strand Provider: Jan Smith

Keywords: K-8, NGSS, science, STEM, astronomy

Strand Description: Discover “Earth’s Place in the Universe” through the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. Participants in this strand will explore a plethora of resources including NASA-sourced lesson materials that are aligned to Idaho Science Content Standards and NGSS along with data sets that allow for interpretation of light pollution, or the lack of it. Our Idaho dark skies will provide a “phenomenal” context for K-8 students’ learning of astronomy content. Pedagogy is focused on a series of hands-on 5E inquiry activities that include field experiences in local and/or portable planetariums as well as instruction on how to use telescopes that you can use with your students to explore the night sky. Participants will receive a kit of materials that can be used in multiple ways in varying classroom settings along with access to web-based lesson plan resources developed specifically for Idaho STEM teachers.

Your kits will/may include: The kits will provide materials for participants to engage in the unit activities with their students. Our participants receive their kits and use them throughout the week to engage in inquiry-based NASA lessons (that are provided) and available on our project website for Idaho teachers. Each participant will receive training on how to use a Unisteller EVScope, which will be available for use through their regional iSTEM library. Additionally, we have provided additional kits materials to our participants as a part of our project and visited schools to do outreach programs.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment

Strand Provider: Brett Hoagboam

Keywords: Drones, FAA Regulations, Aerial Photography, Aerial Cinematography, 107b Certification

Strand Description: Unmanned aerial systems (drones) have revolutionized a wide variety of applications from imaging, data collection, public safety, agriculture and science. Although the technical aspects of drone operations are wildly diverse, the core principles of flight, safety and management of the national and global airspace are mostly the same. In this strand, we will explore the fundamentals of drone operations, FAA regulations and Drone etiquette while incorporating some basic photography and cinematography techniques to add an element of fun to the training. With the knowledge and experience gained while attending this strand, educators will have a basic understanding of drone operations to share with students who may find interest in a career with drones.

Your Kit will/may include: DJI Mine SE Drone. Beginner aerial camera system for basic video and photography. This will expose educators to actual implementation of the skills they have learned in the strand for a
real-world application of their new skills.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment

Strand Provider: Julie Anderson

Keywords: STEM, PBL, science integration

Strand Description: Teachers will engage in Project Based Learning while creating a unit of study for their students. We will look at all the standards, pull in the ones that are relevant to the project and then determine a great phenomenon and a hands-on learning tool that will engage their students. Teachers will learn how to find great resources to help them build this unit of study and future ones. We will address the key elements of PBL and help teachers learn about tools that will make their projects more effective and engaging. Bring your teaching partner and a unit/topic you already teach, and you will leave with a PBL with a STEAMY twist in your unit!

Your kits will/may include: Design engineering through Project Based Learning is a process that is extremely important for teachers to use to engage their students across the curriculum and prepare them for future careers. We felt these tools would be valuable for teachers in their classrooms with projects, after school events and in a makerspace.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment

Strand Provider: Melissa Stroupe

Keywords: Cross-curricular, STEAM, hands-on

Strand Description: Get ready to piece it all together to create a deeper understanding! We are going to start small and build our way towards gaining multiple ideas for you to implement into your classroom in a variety of content areas. You will be given a file of resources that you can start using them in your classroom right away. We will learn about some creation ideas, stations, and challenges that you can have your students try for high levels of learning, engagement, rich conversations, while they are learning to solve real world problem. We will be exploring how this can work in your elementary classroom whether for a specific grade level, special classroom, or intervention. We look forward to creating lifelong partnerships within our community, all while having a lot of fun!

Your Kit will/may include: Our kit is a tote full of LEGO brand building blocks and baseplates! There are different Lego kits, allowing for different opportunities to build, but also using them in multiple different builds. These pieces are tied to specific tasks that we do with the educators. The idea is that they have stations and enough blocks so they can use all the materials day 1 of school. We also have our participants partake in each of the activities to allow for rich conversations on how to implement in our classrooms, create new ideas for their specific standards, and become more comfortable with LEGO blocks. They can use all the materials given year after year. As Plato has said, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than a year of conversation,” and we build on this statement with our stations. We get teachers comfortable with the idea of incorporating student lead discussion and problem solving. We also show and explain different strategies to try with our young learners, to help create problem solvers and critical thinkers.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment

Strand Provider: Kathryn Schiffelbein

Keywords: STEM, Funding, Grants, Class Visits, Engineering, University of Idaho

Strand Description: Need extra funding to integrate STEM activities in your classroom? Want engineering and computer science college students to mentor and inspire your students? The University of Idaho College of Engineering K12 STEM Outreach Team collaborates with educators state-wide to write grants, visit classes, lead STEM activities, and mentor K12 students. Our team of 18 college ambassadors engage and inspire kids to develop engineering and computer science skills in the classroom and at co-curricular events. This year we want YOU to be part of the development process for STEM collaboration! Educators will leave our iSTEM strand with a grant proposal ready to finalize and submit, a 2024-25 STEM activity and class visit action plan in coordination with our K12 STEM outreach team to engage and mentor K12 students, a STEM activity kit with instructions and materials, and connections with non-profit and industry partners for future funding opportunities. This workshop is for educators new to grant writing, unfamiliar with funding opportunities, and eager to collaborate in STEM education.

Your Kit will/may include: Kits will include instructions and materials for three STEM activities to be used in the classroom during College of Engineering ambassador class visits during the 2024-25 academic year. The materials and instructions for each activity will be included in the kits. The budget provided is an estimate based on average costs and typical materials used for activities.

1. Sphero Ball Kits: Each participant will receive five Sphero ball kits to implement coding activities in small groups in their classroom.
2. Hover Craft Activity: Each participant will receive two hover craft kits (serving 16 students each) to implement in the classroom.
3. Penny Boats Activity: If funding is possible, each participant will receive supplies to implement a Pennie Boats activity in the classroom.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment

Strand Provider: Lynette Leonard

Keywords: Engineering, Design, STEM, 3D Printing

Strand Description: This strand introduces and gives hands-on experience to educators in developing a solid foundation in 3D design and fabrication. Utilizing design thinking and the engineering design process, educators are prepared to go back to their learning environments and introduce this project-based learning opportunity to a team of students to compete in an IDX competition. Participants can also take a 3D printer back into their classroom and continue developing ways to incorporate design and printing with Idaho content standards and cross cutting concepts.

Your Kit will/may include: A 3D printer 3D tools Spool of filament Calipers for design challenges All these tools will provide the educator with the tools to compete in the IDX program as well as incorporate 3D printing in their classroom lesson plans.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment

Strand Provider: Brian Sullivan

Keywords: Health Science, Certifications, AHA, ARC

Strand Description: The STEM Teacher Certifications class is designed to equip STEM educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively in emergency situations, especially those involving cardiovascular events and severe trauma with life-threatening bleeding. Each participant will experience the scope, sequence and delivery of each certification which will assist in any lay person implementation as well as encouraging further pursuit of becoming a certified instructor. The course is divided into three portions, American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support, American Red Cross First Aid for Severe Trauma – STOP THE BLEED® and Industry tour. STOP THE BLEED® is one of our nation’s largest public health campaigns. Its goal is to save lives by training people across the country how to stop traumatic bleeding.

Your Kit will/may include: The kit provided through our strand includes essential resources and equipment to support educators in implementing what they learned at the training. Each item in the kit plays a vital role in strengthening the knowledge, skills, and abilities of participants and ultimately their school (and beyond) emergency response capabilities, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and all individuals in need. By providing this comprehensive kit, educators will have the necessary resources and equipment to implement what they learned at the training effectively. The AHA HeartCode Blended CPR course is a comprehensive training resource that equips individuals with industry recognized up-to-date CPR skills. This course follows the guidelines set by the American Heart Association (AHA) and provides participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond effectively in emergency situations. The AHA BLS Certification Card serves as tangible proof of an individual’s successful completion of both the AHA HeartCode Blended cognitive and skills session CPR course. This certification enhances professional development, is an industry standard and demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high standards. Laerdal Bag II BVM Adult #4 and Laerdal Bag II BVM Infant #2; These devices are crucial for maintaining proper airway management in emergency situations involving adults, children and infants, respectively. They provide effective ventilation support, ensuring the delivery of oxygen to patients in need. By having both adult and infant-sized devices, participants can provide appropriate care to individuals of different age groups present in schools. Stop The Bleed Kits (2ea); Severe bleeding incidents require immediate access to adequate supplies for stopping the bleeding and providing initial care. Having two Stop the Bleed Kits ensures preparedness for situations where one kit may not be sufficient. These kits contain essential items such as tourniquets, gauze, and pressure dressings, which can save lives by controlling bleeding effectively until further medical assistance arrives. First Aid CPR Rescue Mask Kit 2-pack: These kits include rescue masks that provide a barrier between the rescuer and the victim during CPR administration. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination and increases the rescuer’s confidence in performing rescue breaths. Having a 2-pack allows participants to equip multiple responders simultaneously, enabling collaborative work in emergency situations. Quick Access FAK Module Bag: This bag facilitates organizing and accessing bleeding control supplies efficiently in Stop the Bleed response scenarios. It allows for easy organization and transportation of essential bleeding control supplies, ensuring they are rapidly and readily available when needed. This minimizes response time and enhances the overall effectiveness of participants’ emergency response efforts. The added items are of value to all and will help with organization, storage and rapid deployment of CPR and or FAST if needed.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment

Strand Provider: Kellie Taylor

Keywords: Easy to use hands-on coding

Strand Description: Wanting to bring coding to your elementary classroom? Don’t know where to start? This strand will demonstrate the ease of coding with Makecode and provide a classroom set of materials to integrate into your classroom instruction. Poetry writing, data collection, social emotional learning, math facts, animal counter, music projects and more are all possible and enjoyable for both students and teachers. You will leave iSTEM with the knowledge, materials, and lessons to start the new school year integrating coding and computer science concepts into your classroom. Learn how to code with micro:bits to develop coding skills, create your own lessons, or use existing lessons to facilitate year-long coding and computer science lessons in the classroom that also teach core concepts. Explore the connections between computer science and core content instruction to maximize the use of classroom instructional time. The course is geared toward teachers working with students in grades 3rd-5th but is a great resource for teachers of all grades and content areas looking to introduce students to coding, physical computing, and computer science concepts. Educators will leave with resources and knowledge to integrate and implement their own coding and computer science lessons and projects in their classrooms which can also be shared with their schools.

Your Kit will/may include: Participants will receive 20 micro:bits, alligator clips, jumper wires, micro servos, speakers, copper tape, LED bulbs, and a storage case to store them all in addition to a book or two.

Setting(s): Formal Classroom, Informal Learning Environment