STEAM Ahead
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DODEA STEALTH SCIENCES GRANT
March 2024
Check out the following information for ...
- Family Events & Activities
- Student and Teacher Contests
- Resources for Families & Educators
- Volunteer Opportunities
STEAM Challenges
Elementary School
JH/Middle School
Stealth Sciences STEAM Clubs
Thank you Chena Lakes Park Rangers, Jessica Prince and Mark Hamlyn,
for sharing your careers with our STEAM Clubs!
Stealth Sciences STEAM Family Nights
Events & Activities
March is Music in Our Schools Month!
Below is a list of performances planned around the school district to celebrate music education.
North Pole Area Band Concert
- Tuesday, February 27, North Pole High School @ 7 PM
Fairbanks Area Choir Concert
- Wednesday, February 28, Lathrop High School @ 7 PM
North Pole Area Orchestra Concert
- Thursday, February 29, North Pole High School @ 7 PM
Fairbanks Area Jazz Concert
- Friday, March 1, West Valley High School @ 7 PM
North Pole Area Choir Concert
- Monday, March 4, North Pole High School @ 7 PM
Fairbanks Area Band Concert
- Tuesday, March 5, Lathrop High School @ 7 PM
Fairbanks Area Orchestra Concert
- Thursday, March 7, Lathrop High School @ 7 PM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NATIONWIDE CALL FOR STUDENT PERFORMING ARTISTS
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking student performing artists (such as bands, choirs, color guards, dancers, drumlines, poets/spoken word artists, soloists, theatrical performers) currently enrolled in elementary, middle, or high schools, who exemplify resilience, diversity, and excellence and are interested in showcasing their talent. No formal training or experience is necessary.
PI Day is March 14, 2024
STUDENTS! ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE HEALTH CAREER FIELD?
We are walking every Thursday, 7 pm at the Big Dipper Indoor Track.
FREE EVENT!
Mush for Kids, the premier family event in Fairbanks, is a free event held each spring in Fairbanks.
Mush for Kids endorses the Strengthening Families five protective factors by providing a day filled with fun activities and resources for families. There are fun events for all ages, including:
Dog sled rides for children ages 4-12 years old
Dog sled rides are every half an hour from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. There are 50 tickets for each time slot, so be sure to arrive early to secure your child (ages 4-12) spot!
Puppy petting pen
Various local performances on the main stage
20+ local providers offering fun games for the kids and free resources for the parents
And more!
Contests
March 2024 Student Deadlines
UAF Arctic Innovation Competition
Alaska's Original Idea Contest
Cub Division is for anyone under 12 years old.
Arctic Jr Division is for teens, ages 13-17.
Submission deadline – 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024.
For more information, click here!
Deadline: March 1, 2024
For more information: click here!
Deadline: March 4, 2024
For more information, click here!
March 2024 Teacher Contest Deadlines
Math in Action Lesson Plan Competition
Teachers! Math is everywhere, and we want to see how you bring math to life in your classroom. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants to you to submit a lesson plan that demonstrates how math can be applied in the real world, highlighting its relevance and importance in everyday life. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes how we use math in the real world.
Interested educators are invited to submit an original lesson plan to https://orausurvey.orau.org/n/MathInAction.aspx.
- Lesson plans will be scored using a rubric (.PDF), and winners will be announced late April!
- Teachers must teach in the United States, a U.S. Territory, or a DoDEA school to be eligible to win.
- Teachers are eligible to win 2 ORISE competitions in a 12-month period.
Note: Lesson plans submitted for the competition may be shared with other educators via the ORISE website. Plans are subject to revision and edits by ORISE staff before they are shared, so please submit in an editable format (Not PDF).
To view the current ORISE lesson plan library, visit https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/curriculum-for-the-classroom.html.
Deadline: on or before 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time, Sunday, March 31st, 2024
Resources for Families & Educators
STEMtoSky
STEMtoSky is designed to facilitate virtual connections between Air Force Airmen and K-12 classrooms. We hope to share the importance of STEM careers in the Air Force.
Educators can participate in STEMtoSky in a variety of ways including:
For more information, click here!
Get your classroom ready for the total solar eclipse!
Teachable Moments: The Science of Solar Eclipses and How to Watch with NASA
Lesson: Grades 1 - 8: Model a Solar Eclipse
Collection: Moon Lessons for Educators
Student Activities: Grades K - 12 Make a Pinhole Camera
Collection: Moon Activities
Connecting Middle & High Schoolers with Pilot Mentors to learn about STEM
Connecting middle and high schoolers with volunteer Pilot Mentors to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). We inspire America’s youth to pursue STEM and aviation careers with a unique flight experience.
For more information, click here!
SAME Engineering & Construction Camps
For more information, click here!
Deadline to apply: March 15, 2024
FNSBSD Educators!
Check out the Stealth Science Student Engagements (Guest Speakers) Resource List!
For more information, click here!
STEAM/STEM Resources
For more information, click here!
For more information, click here!
For more information, click here!
The Exploratorium’s Summer Institute for Teachers
Spend three weeks (June 10–28) at the Exploratorium in San Francisco learning how to introduce more inquiry into your classroom. Collaborate with other teachers to deepen your own practice, build content knowledge, and support a more equitable learning environment. Explore natural phenomena related to human perception, physical science, life science, Earth science, and the environment. Engage in activities that promote noticing, wondering, and experimenting so you can build understanding and create equitable and anti-racist science classrooms.
Applicants must be current in-classroom science teachers of grades 6–12 and should have at least three years’ experience teaching science in a classroom. Educators of color and educators working in public schools, especially Title I schools, are encouraged to apply.
The Summer Institute is free of charge; attendees pay only for travel, food, and lodging. Each participant will be awarded a $2,500 stipend after completing the institute. Six graduate-level semester units of continuing education credits are available for a fee.
Application Deadline: March 4, 2024
Climate & Equity Education: Summer Institute for Learning & Teaching
Application Deadline: Monday, March 4, 2024
Dates of Institute: Sunday, July 21-Saturday, July 27, 2024
High school teachers are invited to apply for a one-week, all-expenses-paid institute on the beautiful coast of Maine.
Teachers will:
- explore the inequitable impacts of climate change
- be inspired by sharing best practices for teaching climate equity
- build community
- converse with scientists
- enjoy the tranquility of Maine woods and seashore
- leave with a renewed sense of hope and purpose about making a difference!
Questions? Email: climateandequity@terc.edu
Apply for the 2024 National Summer Teacher Institute
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 31, 2024
Event Dates: July 21-26, 2024
Location: Alexandria, VA
Apply to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) to:
- Work with USPTO experts, inventors, and teacher ambassadors to explore IP, innovation, and STEM concepts: creativity, problem solving and critical thinking, and collaboration and teamwork.
- Design and build prototypes as part of a week-long invention project.
- Learn how to engage students in authentic, real-world projects and problem-based learning across all fields of study.
- Collaborate and share best practices with educators from across the country.
- Receive free, ready-to-use, educator-tested teaching materials, lesson plans, and activities to take back to your classroom.
The application and program are free! If selected, flight, lodging, and meals are covered for teachers who live more than 50 miles from Alexandria, Virginia. Teachers who reside less than 50 miles from the NSTI venue will receive all the benefits of the program except travel and lodging support.
Where do I get more information and apply? Interested individuals can find more information about the program and apply on the NSTI webpage. Check out this Instagram reel to see NSTI teachers in action. Apply for the Summer Teacher Institute today!
New! Computer science basics self-paced professional learning module w/CODE.ORG
Designed specifically for K-5 teachers new to computer science, this self-paced module will give you the confidence and expertise to bring CS into your classroom! In two 60-minute modules, you will:
- Master the essentials of block-based coding, algorithms, sequencing, loops, and conditionals in a straightforward and engaging way.
- Get creative with code! Learn about sprites, events, and behaviors to bring vibrant projects to your classroom.
No prior experience? No problem! This module will help any teacher overcome hesitancy and become a confident coding educator. Share this with teachers you think might be interested and explore this and other modules on our self-paced professional learning page.
Self-paced professional learning module: Teaching the Design Process
Our standalone, self-paced professional learning module, Teaching the Design Process, is now live! This professional learning experience will lead you through everything you need to know to teach CS Discoveries Unit 4 - the Design Process. Students will learn all about user-centered design, designing with empathy, and digital/virtual prototypes. Check it out here: Teaching the Design Process.
Free virtual professional learning workshops
Have you wanted to bring computer science to your classroom but don’t know where to start? Code.org has released new self-paced professional learning modules to help you strengthen skills and boost your confidence. Explore all the self-paced modules, including the new ones, here!
Join us to explore the self-paced modules and jumpstart computer science in your classroom.
- Computer Science Basics for K-5 Teachers (appropriate for gr. Kk-5)
Monday, March 4th
8pm - 9:15pm EST / 5pm - 6:15pm PST - Teaching the Design Process (appropriate for gr. 6-10)
Thursday, March 14th
8pm - 9:15pm EST / 5pm - 6:15pm PST
Volunteer Opportunities
Click on pictures to go directly to the volunteer sites!
Register to be a 2024 Interior Alaska Science Fair judge at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejvjA9Gml-yLk5smn9LnfdC5lc7-lQeLn0ryRHxdFhEOTbSw/viewform
DoDEA Stealth Sciences grant
Email: georgia.sandgren@k12northstar.org
Website: k12northstar.org/military
Location: 520 5th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 452-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/militarystudentsupport