Celebrating EARTH DAY in A STEM Way! |
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In this special issue, DFSME celebrates a collaborative effort between STEM educators, advocates, and leaders from across the state of Delaware to recognize Earth Day 2021. We’ve gathered news and events that encompass Earth, Watershed, Climate Change, Agriculture and Environment for educators to share with their students, colleagues and friends. Celebrate!
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“Girls Grow Greens” Students Learn Urban Agriculture, Create Meal Kits & Donate Harvested Food |
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Odyssey Charter School students in grades 6-12 currently participate in a weekly extracurricular program "Girls Grow Greens" during the 2020-2021 school year. They have been equipped with advanced farming technology, including 3-layer Sananbio Radix kits to explore how urban agriculture can be a viable solution for feeding a global population. Students participate in choosing the growth media; select and plant seeds; combine plants and nutrients and water; monitor plant growth; compost; control pests; and harvest 3,300 plants of various greens and herbs each month. In total, students will grow at least 3,000 pounds of fresh, hyper-local produce by the end of the school year. To date, they have harvested 2,000 pounds of fresh produce. 100% of it has been donated to homebound seniors, displaced people, and families with limited access to traditional food bank programs.
Program Leader, Melissa Tracy states, "The program also provides rich opportunities for students to learn more about their own career interests, develop healthier food choices, and make positive changes in our community."
We need to make sure the next generation of women are educated,
encouraged, and empowered to take on the challenge of meeting the world's growing food, fuel, and fiber needs.
— Melissa Tracy
Additionally, inspired by FoodQ pilot in Chicago, the "GGG" students create culturally relevant meal kits featuring simple ingredients and fresh hydroponically grown produce. The meal kit — a box filled with a 30-minute, one-pot recipe and cooking demo — includes all the ingredients to cook a healthy dinner. The recipes are student-friendly and community-informed, incorporating local preferences into nutritionally balanced meals.
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Make a World of Difference!
Earth Week Resources from Stroud Water Research Center
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In Delaware and in watersheds worldwide, Stroud™ Water Research Center celebrates Earth Day 365 days per year while advancing freshwater knowledge and stewardship through global research, restoration, and education. Boots-in-the-water stream study education, on-the-water canoeing and angling education, and stream-to-screen virtual education are just a few hands-on, minds-on experiences on the menu for audiences of all ages! Here in Delaware, an exciting Stroud Center partnership with First State National Historical Park funded by the National Park Trust is sparking lifelong environmental awareness and action among adults (non-formal educators and classroom teachers) and middle- to high-school aged Scouts (Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America).
Freshwater-focused STEM education doesn’t end there! Use these Stroud Center resources to ground your education efforts during Earth Week and all year round:
🌎 Participate in the Stroud Center's Earth Day Celebration, which includes an in-person volunteer opportunity to maintain streamside forests and a special webinar, Intersection of Science and Art.
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OCSBD Pathway Coming Soon!
Update on the Oceans, Climate Science, Big Data Pathway
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Since NGSX first introduced the Oceans, Climate Science, Big Data (OCSBD) Pathway last summer, steady progress has been made. The virtual version of the OCSBD launch is anticipated to be held in June 2021. Work on the OCSBD Pathway's first unit, Sensemaking – The Complexities of Our Climate, the Role of the Oceans and the Work of Scientists began in February, and was piloted by a group of adventurous middle and high school teachers from Delaware.
NGSX is partnering with the Concord Consortium in support of the OCSBD Pathway’s focus on big data. The Consortium has done important work in creating digital tools that help teachers and students explore data. The tool built into the OCSBD Pathway provides an opportunity to explore ocean-based variables such as salinity, oxygen, depth, temperature, and carbon. It is called the Common Online Data Platform, or CODAP for short.
The next pilot, Unit Two: Phenomena, Big Data and Storytelling – Building Understandings about Oceans and Climate will take place in May. Pilot teachers from Delaware will again be study group participants. Abundant thanks to Delaware’s Tonyea Mead for working with NGSX on these pilots as well as the entire OCSBD project.
For more info on registering for the OCSBD Pathway in May, check out NGSX.org.
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Delaware STEM Organization Formed by Middletown Students Grows to National Level |
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Juniors Collin Bowers, Raaj Pednekar, and Victor Shi from Middletown formed The STEM Organization of Delaware (TSOD) to give students around the state a platform to innovate and connect virtually with people interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. The initiative runs an in-home STEM competition in which students create projects that deal with important issues. The competition inspires students interested in STEM and the future of our world — which is why Earth Day resonates with their mission.
The organization's success in Delaware grew to the national level within a year. It is now called The STEM Organization of America (TSOA), and is open to all high school students across the country.
The organization was honored at the 2020 Delaware STEM Educator Awards on March 4, 2021 and shared their video “Hope for the Future”.
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One project that takes a deep dive into creating a cleaner environment is titled Measuring the Effectiveness of Delaware’s Commitment to Increasing Healthy Vegetation in Protected Areas by Priya Gupta from Caesar Rodney High School. She analyzed how effective the state of Delaware was at increasing the amount of healthy vegetation in its protected lands between 1990 and 2019. Using mathematical tools and data analysis, she created a report of Delaware’s healthy vegetation so others could better understand the environment around us.
“By planting native species in protected regions and reducing the amount of pollutants, our Delaware wildlife can thrive,” said Priya, who won first place in the Mathematics Competition.
2019 Satellite Image of Delaware
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Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference
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Climate change is one of the most important and urgent issues facing humanity, and educators fill an important role by providing research-based information and resources to students in their classes and programs.
In early 2020, a group of partners created the first Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference (MACCEC). This partnership included Delaware Sea Grant, the NOAA Environmental Education Training Center, New Jersey Sea Grant, Virginia Sea Grant, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve — Maryland, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve — Virginia, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Goucher College. The partnership and project were an outgrowth of the Climate Change Academies previously hosted as part of the NSF funded Maryland and Delaware Climate Change Education Assessment and Research program (MADE-CLEAR). These Academies brought together formal and non-formal educators from across Maryland and Delaware to learn, as well as to develop and support the integration of climate change education programming.
The inaugural MACCEC was a huge success with almost 300 educators in attendance. Though the conference focused on the mid-Atlantic region, attendees joined from across the country and around the world. The participants represented schools, nonprofits, and government agencies; registered educators taught pre-K to college students, adults, and community members.
The MACCEC planning committee is hoping to build upon the success of their first meeting and is planning a second, virtual Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference June 28-July 1, 2021.
To learn more about the conference visit the MACCEC website. The cost for full attendance is $20. Scholarships are available for Mid-Atlantic educators. The conference will be accepting session proposals until April 23. Click here to register.
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New! Wastewater Remediation Summer Program
Increasing the Interest of Teachers and Minority Middle School Students in STEM
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Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River are the two major watersheds in Delaware which serve recreational needs of Delawareans, as a resource for wildlife, and as a vital source of freshwater. Watersheds are at risk due to contamination from sewage overflow and direct discharge of pollutants into the waterways.
Wastewater is generated from toilets, sinks, showers, etc. and is managed through regional treatment plants or septic systems. Septic systems use soil to filter pollutants before returning water to the ground. Regional plants treat water from pipes before releasing cleaner water into rivers and streams. The resulting water from both scenarios feeds into watersheds.
There is a movement to introduce young and diverse career seekers in Delaware into the workforce as older workers are looking to retire. Dr. LaTia Scott, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Delaware State University, has formed a collaboration with Kent County Regional Resource Recovery Facility to establish the Biology, Bioinformatics, Chemistry Academy Research Scholars (B2-CARS): A partnership to address human health through wastewater remediation Summer Program.
This program is supported by a five-year $1.3 million Science Education Partnership Award from NIH NIGMS. The goal of the program is to use hands-on wastewater remediation projects to increase the interest of underrepresented middle school students in STEM, increase the rate at which they pursue STEM in high school and college and, ultimately, pursue a STEM career. This program will also provide middle school STEM teachers with professional development in biology, bioinformatics, and chemistry.
For more info about the 2021 Summer Program for middle school teachers and students in Delaware, please contact Dr. LaTia Scott, Delaware State University at lescott@desu.edu or 302.857.7363.
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DNREC to Use Plastic Bags to Make Park Benches |
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In 2020, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation converted its plastic carry-in carry-out bags at Delaware State Parks to corn and paper products. Left with an excess of plastic bags, the Division worked with Eco Plastic Products of Delaware, a non-profit organization, to have the plastic bags turned into benches for Delaware State Parks.
Each bench will be made of 127 pounds of plastic bags – approximately 30,000 bags. The excess plastic bags weighed about 2,000 pounds, the equivalent of about 450,000 plastic bags and enough to create 15 benches. The benches will be placed throughout Delaware State Parks with informational plaques about the benches and Division’s Carry-in, Carry-Out Trash-Free Parks Program.
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Applications Due by April 26
Project SEED Virtual Summer Camp
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American Chemical Society (ACS) is hosting a nationwide virtual STEM summer camp for high school students this summer, called Project SEED. One eligibility criterion is that the student’s family income must not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. DuPont is supporting Project SEED by sponsoring a virtual cabin, and we’re encouraging our community partners to spread awareness of the summer camp.
This 6-week virtual experience is a great opportunity for students to immerse themselves in STEM and chemistry-related research with like-minded high school students from across the country. The virtual experience focuses on the following objectives:
· Lab preparedness
· Exposure to chemistry careers and the sub-disciplines of chemistry
· College readiness and professional development
Applications are due by April 26. Be sure to let ACS know you heard about the Project SEED Virtual Camp from DuPont!
To learn more about the Virtual Summer Camp experience, click here for the student brochure. The following links will also provide more information:
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Outstanding Delaware Graduating Seniors
headed for STEM Majors
Presented by Boeing and FAME, Inc.
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STEM Signing Day celebrates high school seniors who choose to pursue STEM education at technical programs, two-and four-year colleges, and universities. It's the STEM answer to the question: What if students committed to STEM had the same sort of fanfare as student-athletes?
April 29, 2021 • 3:30 PM
Are you an underclassman that would be interested in applying next year? Create a Tallo profile to receive information when the application opens up for 2022.
For more info about STEM Signing Day, April 29, 2021, click here.
To watch last year's STEM Signing Day ceremony click here.
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Project Participation Deadline April 29
Delaware Teachers Academy Curriculum and Feedback Pilot
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The Delaware Department of Education, Career & Technical Education, and STEM workgroup is seeking high school K12 Teacher Academy educators to participate in a curriculum pilot and feedback project. The project will begin in August 2021. Educators will be asked to implement specific educational lessons and resources from Educators Rising.
Lesson and course content centers around culturally responsive practices and a social justice stance that inspires a Grow Your Own Teacher recruitment model. A stipend will be provided to Teacher Academy educators (up to $2,000) who are interested in the project.
Educators should email their resume and indicate their interest in this project by Thursday, April 29 to Jinni Forcucci, Education Associate; Education & Training and Culinary & Hospitality at virginia.forcucci@doe.k12.de.us.
Multiple educators will be selected for the project. Educators who are selected will be notified by Friday, May 14, 2021. There will be an orientation meeting in early June 2021.
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Thursday, April 22
Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support and inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment.
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Earth Day April 22 – 11 a.m.
Brandywine Zoo’s “Earth Day Virtual Field Trip”
Recommended for Grades 3-13
Learn about the diversity of animals and nature
in their native countries and ecosystems around the globe!
Fee: $5 per household, $15 per classroom
(Classroom registration includes worksheets for your students!)
Earth Day April 22
Soggy, Scruffy, and Shared: How Art Can Help Shape Land Use
Stroud Center Virtual Event “The Intersection of Art and Science Series - Episode 1”
Thursday, April 22, 12:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom video conferencing
The event is Free, but you must pre-register to receive the connection information.
April 23
Earth Week Volunteer Event
Springtime is maintenance time for our riparian forested buffers! Help us to do some
maintenance on buffers throughout the King Ranch region.
Friday, April 23, 12:30 p.m.
King Ranch region, Chester County, PA
To RSVP and receive parking instructions,
April 30
Delaware DigiGirlz Day Registration Deadline
May 4
Delaware DigiGirlz Day
Delaware DigiGirlz Day is now open for registration (limited attendance)
For information & registration details, click here.
May 4
Teacher Appreciation Day
May 2-8 Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5
JA Inspire: Delaware’s First-ever Virtual Career Expo
Junior Achievement of Delaware’s Career Expo is now accepting registrations from Schools and Teachers interested in providing this Work-Based Learning experience to grades 7-12
with access to digital content through August 2 to participating students.
Parents may also register their students if a particular school is not participating.
To register & receive Prep Activity required for FREE Student Login to JA Inspire, click here.
June 14-15
Sustainable Choices, Sustainable Watersheds
Applying the MWEE Framework to Food and Fiber
This virtual two-session educator professional development workshop will focus on tools, resources, and ideas that pertain to sustainable choices you and your students can make around food and fiber while using the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) framework.
Save the Date! October 8-9, 2021
STEM & Math Equity Conferences
Featured Speakers include:
Dr. Michael Flynn, Mt. Holyoke College
Dr. Ilana Horn, Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College
Save the Date! November 4, 2021
7th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards
Apply Now for the 2021 Delaware STEM Educator Awards!
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STEM Legacy
STEM Sustainer
STEM Network
STEM Business
STEM Friends
STEM Gifts in Kind
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Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036
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©2021 Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education
501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.
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