在萨曼莎·毕比(Samantha Beebe)领导的STEM研讨会上，学生们解开谜题，寻找如何逃离科学实验室的线索, biobehavioral health program coordinator.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -大多数学生不喜欢分形数学这样的科目, 在一个典型的周六早晨，钟摆画和密室逃生. 但“设计你自己的stem日”一点也不典型. The inaugural event held on Feb. 十大网赌靠谱网址平台(Penn State Lehigh Valley)让六年级到八年级的学生得以一窥科学领域的众多就业机会, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
Students chose their top three of 10 possible workshops: Fractal Math; Robotic Basketball; A CSI Investigation: The Role of DNA in Forensics; Designed to Draw; Engineering Design Challenge; Make a Pendulum Painting!; Can You Make a Rainbow from Purple Cabbage?; Zombies are Real: Come See for Yourself!; Reading the Bones: Messages from the Past!; and Ready? Set? Escape Dr. Beebe's Lab!
Larry Musolino, 数学教学助理教授，活动协办人, 他说他听到几个学生互相询问不同的讲习班.
“当学生们进来等待研讨会开始时, 许多人互相询问他们参加过哪些讲习班," he said. 在无意中听到关于DNA犯罪现场或密室的谈话, 学生们会问他们下次能不能参加那个研讨会.’”
穆索利诺说，年轻的学生对其中一些主题的现有知识有着令人难以置信的深度.
“我对这些学生带来的先进知识感到惊讶，”他说. "I was teaching a workshop about fractals, 大多数中学生不熟悉的是什么, and some of the students knew what they were. 我只是对这些学生的一些背景感到惊讶, and that’s a real credit to their teachers.”
Samantha Beebe, 助理教学教授兼项目协调员, biobehavioral health, and event co-organizer, 他说，这次活动的目的是“为那些可能已经有兴趣的学生加油”, or maybe they didn’t have that interest, but the workshops ignited their interest.”
这也让十大网赌靠谱网址平台的教师有机会与不同的学生群体分享他们的激情和专业知识.
组织者说，学生们的热情和喜悦显而易见. Their energy was a highlight of the day for Beebe.
“They were wonderful; enthusiastic, focused and so bright," she said. “他们非常兴奋地分享他们在之前的研讨会中学到的东西——这让我感觉很好. 看到这么一群可爱的学生和那样的热情，真是令人耳目一新. That’s what really stood out to me."
Mark Capofari, lecturer, 项目和供应链管理及活动委员会成员, was on hand to assist with the day’s events. He, too, praised the students’ enthusiasm, 中学老师为学生们准备这一天所做的工作，以及十大网赌靠谱网址平台的教师们领导的研讨会，让学生们全程参与.
“When the students are engaged, up and passionate, it makes the instructors better instructors,” Capofari said. “你好像回到了10岁、11岁的时候，被迷住了.”
Musolino also credited the faculty.
他说:“我们花了很多精力才把这些整合在一起。. “我认为学生们看到了我们教师的专业知识和渴望分享.”
十大网赌靠谱网址平台的学生志愿者一整天都在提供帮助, whether at the registration table, 在车间自己或完成其他任务.
“我们有大约20名(十大网赌靠谱网址平台)学生，”卡法里说. "I was overwhelmed at their eagerness to support, 他们对分配给他们的任务的关注，以确保这是十大网赌靠谱网址平台校区成功的一天. They consistently asked, ‘What can I do?’ and ‘Where else can I help?’ Their support was wonderful. I really have to thank our students, 特别是因为他们必须早起，在周六早上来到校园.”
教学设计师艾琳·格罗齐亚克(Eileen Grodziak)协助完成各种任务，并在逃生室工作坊中提供帮助. 她说，她从家长那里听到的反馈是积极的.
“我听到一位家长问，‘他们让教授做这个?’ Yes, we did! I thought that was really cute," she said. "Everything ran really smoothly.”
该活动对所有利哈伊谷学生开放——公众, 私立和家庭教育，以及以学生为中心的团体，如男童军和女童军. Participating schools were: Southern Lehigh School District; Bangor School District; East Penn School District, including Lower Macungie and Eyer Middle Schools; St. Isidore School, Quakertown; St. Joseph the Worker School; Lehigh Valley Academy; Notre Dame of Bethlehem Middle School; Nazareth Middle School; Parkland School District, including Orefield and Springhouse Middle Schools; Whitehall School District, including Whitehall Middle School, Bethlehem School District, including Broughal, Nitschmann, East Hill and Northeast Middle Schools; St. Jane’s, Easton; Swain School; Providence Hybrid School; and numerous homeschooled students.
Planning has already begun for next year’s event. For more information, contact Beebe at [email protected].
