Midwest Rural-Urban Girls Collaborative: Engaging Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Through Creative Collaboration Skip Navigation Links

Newsletter #5

June 20, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS to MINI-GRANT AWARDEES!

Mini-Grant 1 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Science Works on The Road: Rural Outreach
Grade:
3
Project Description:
Beginning the week of November 13, 2006, Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) will provide seven one-hour educational programs (one per week) to the third grade classes at Kirbyville Elementary, which is located in rural Taney County, Missouri. Each of the seven programs will cover a topic designed to help students prepare for and improve their scores on the Missouri Achievement Program (MAP) science test. Following the seventh week of outreach, Kirbyville students will travel to the Discovery Center for a field trip. This field trip will allow students to tie what they have learned in the classroom to real-world applications through DCS’s hands-on, educational exhibits. The eight week outreach program is designed to not only help prepare for MAP testing, but also to create an enthusiasm for science among students and provide a professional development opportunity for classroom teachers, who are encouraged to be involved in the one-hour programs and glean the information and activities presented for future use in their classrooms. Kirbyville Elementary will assist the DCS educator in administrating pre and post tests to participating students and will also provide MAP test score results to DCS in an effort to measure program impact.
Project Goals:
This partnership allows both Kirbyville Elementary and DCS to strengthen the goals laid out in their educational missions. Kirbyville Elementary mission is: “The students of the Kirbyville School District will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes through a progressive, quality education to become self-respecting, self-sufficient, contributing members of the rapidly changing world in which they live.” Kirbyville Elementary also endorses the fact that “An important part of math and science instruction at the early childhood and primary grades is inquiry-based, experiential instruction, which facilitates developing a natural curiosity about science and mathematics, develops higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, and increases the probability that students will select careers in the areas of math and science.” With this mission in mind, partnering with DCS allows Kirbyville to provide unique educational experiences to their students, who due to their rural location, typically have limited experiences throughout their lives, especially in the STEM subjects. These unique experiences will serve to create an enthusiasm and growing interest in math and science, which can last throughout school-aged years and on into adulthood. Discovery Center’s mission is: “Discovery Center of Springfield is an interactive, hands-on museum committed to inspiring people of all ages with a life-long love of learning and an appreciation of the world and our place in it.” The partnership with Kirbyville Elementary will allow DCS to serve that mission by reaching an audience who has previously seen great benefit from participating in the DCS outreach program, but has been unable to participate recently due to increasing program costs. Partnering with Kirbyville Elementary also allows DCS to measure the impact of the program on children who do not have many other outside influences on their knowledge and attitudes.
Mini-Grant 2 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Women in Science Day
Grade:
9-12
Project Description:
Women in Science Day (national AWIS project) is an exciting one day workshop event which brings young women from all the St. Louis Public School district high schools to the Washington University campus for hands on activities, speakers, tours of facilities (such as the Genome Sequencing Center and Neuroimaging lab), resume and interview workshops, and job shadowing in the lab. Mini-grant funds will pay for transportation from schools to the Washington University School of Medicine campus as well as for meals, and supplies for the activities. This project will be modeled on the successful Women in Science day held in central Ohio since 1981, for more information see http://awisco.osu.edu/WomenInScienceDay2006.html
Project Goals:
The missions of the AWIS and YSP organizations will be combined in order to specifically extend science outreach to young women in the St. Louis public schools. AWIS Mission: Dedicated to the achievement of equity, ethics, and full participation of women in science, technology, and medicine. YSP Mission: The Young Scientist Program (YSP) at Washington University works in partnership with the St. Louis area public schools (Missouri, USA), teaching, recruiting, and mentoring students and teachers primarily from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to strengthen science literacy and promote interest in scientific careers. 1. Enlist AWIS members to join YSP volunteers to help combat science illiteracy in inner-city St. Louis schools. 2. Broaden existing scientific curriculum components available to St. Louis schools. 3. Build a “pipeline” for future scientists and a science related work-force, particularly, enhance the recruitment of under-represented minority students to universities and colleges. The Young Scientist Program at Washington University has been providing science outreach to the St. Louis Public Schools for over 15 years, thus this organization will be of great assistance in organizing the workshop and advertising to the SLPS through its extensive contacts. T he girls will also have the opportunity to meet female scientists and biomedical graduate students that are members of the local chapter of AWIS and learn more about potential STEM careers.
Mini-Grant 3 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Junior Camp-In at the Discovery Center
Grade:
3rd thru 6th
Project Description:
Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) and the Dogwood Trails Council have an existing partnership that serves to ensure that DCS provides services to Girl Scout troops in the most efficient and effective ways possible. These services include special events and programs geared toward creating an enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and math among girls from Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. This year, the Discovery Center would like to host its first overnight camp-in for Junior Girl Scouts in November 2006. This overnight event will focus on exposing Junior Girl Scouts and their Leaders to hands-on activities and projects which focus on the area of engineering and related careers. Although formal partnerships have not yet been established, DCS hopes to involve activities and presenters from programs which have already been established to teach students about engineering, including University of Missouri – Rolla’s Project Leading the Way and Missouri Department of Transportation’s school outreach program. Grant funding will allow DCS to provide this first camp-in free of charge for up to 67 Girl Scouts and their leaders. Enrollment will be managed through the Dogwood Trails Council, but will be open to all Girl Scouts and Leaders who wish to attend.
Project Goals:
By reaching these girls at a stage in their lives when they start to consider career choices through a method which is fun, exciting, and memorable, DCS believes the camp-in program can effectively instill a lasting enthusiasm for STEM subjects. By focusing on Engineering, participating Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to explore a career field which is currently in need of more professionals in general; and specifically female professionals. The first camp-in will establish a model which will allow this event to be repeated at minimum, on an annual basis. This new program expands the number of programs Girl Scout Councils can make available to their Girl Scouts, and allows Discovery Center to reach girls who may not normally have the opportunity to experience DCS programs and services.
Mini-Grant 4 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
GIRLS Robot Club (Girls Integrating Robotic Learning)
Grade:
6, 7 and 8
Project Description:
GIRLS (Girls Integrating Robotic Learning) is a robot club for females only at Center Middle School (CMS). The robot club for girls only was implemented in 2005-2006. CMS provides buses for after school activities on Tuesday and Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:45 P.M. There will be approximately 90 girls in 8th grade for fall 2006 with over 150 girls in the 6th and 7th grade at CMS. The anticipated number of students is 20 to 25 girls in 8th grade to participate in the robot club as well as 6th and 7th grade girls. The robot club uses Lego Mindstorms equipment to build and program the robots to perform tasks on an obstacle course. These robotic kits will be assigned to student teams to build, program, record production history, experiment and troubleshoot. Each team consists of a project manager, programmer, engineer and a communications specialist. The technology component will include electronics, sensors, conditional statement, loops, and digital technologies. The math component will enable students to apply math concepts in a real world situation. When robots are programmed to achieve specific goals, students will be applying geometry, measurement, conversion of units, ratios and proportions. In the after school component, girls will be doing more inquiry-based learning including independent, dependent, and control variables. Problem solving will be a huge component as well. First Lego League sponsors team competitions at the local, state and national levels. For the year 2005-2006, Kauffman Foundation sponsored two teams with materials and registration fees for CMS. This year Kauffman will again sponsor the same fees for this club again. The GIRLS club was created to inspire girls to explore deeper into the areas of science, technology, and mathematics. Also, a learning environment for girls without distractions or intimidations was created. The robot club meets both nights but on Tuesdays it will be only girls working with the robots. Thursdays will be open to all students at CMS. Girls need to be more involved than just participating in the robot club or league competitions. These 8th grade girls are encouraged to select and explore a career in math, science or technology. Middle school girls tend to shy away from these areas from a lack of confidence or personal knowledge. If I can teach more girls about the exciting components of these technical fields, perhaps more girls would pursue these careers. I also believe that visiting a college campus would provide a first time experience into an environment that most middle school girls do not think about until late in high school. I want to supply as much knowledge and exposure as possible about technical careers. I believe all girls have the power and capability to pursue bigger dreams if provided more opportunities to broaden personal horizons. Middle school girls may not even realize personal potentials if not enough knowledge is provided in appropriate learning environments. I have the opportunity with teaching math and sponsoring a robot club to provide the girls with new experiences such as visiting a research library and a college campus; building and programming robots; and meeting new people.
Project Goals:
1) Approximately 20-25 girls in the 8th grade will join GIRLS robot club. 2) Girls will visit a professional research library. 3) Girls will visit a college campus and meet female college students in science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields. 4) Girls will team up with a college female student and use email correspondence throughout the school year. 5) Girls will join a First Lego League team for robot competition. 6) Girls will select a research topic relating to a personal career goal. 7) Girls will learn about careers in science, technology, mathematics and engineering. Objectives: 1) Girls will explore science, technology, mathematics and engineering concepts by building and programming robots. 2) Girls will choose a career pathway in 8th grade in Career Connections, a required class for 8th graders at CMS. 3) Girls will visit Linda Hall Library to learn how a research library operates. 4) Girls will write a research paper relating to a personal career goal. 5) Girls will visit Linda Hall Library to research a career related topic. 6) Girls will visit Kansas State University to meet college females in technical areas. 7) Girls will correspond via email with college female students to promote self-esteem and learn about college academic activities.
Additional Information:
Timeline: August – recruit girl members for GIRLS (Girls Integrating Robotic Learning) Club, after school club meeting Tuesday/Thursdays, approximately 20-25 girls. GIRLS meet Tuesdays with just girls only. Thursday will be open to any Center Middle School (CMS) student and the GIRLS members also. August to May – GIRLS will use Lego Mindstorms robotics equipment to build a robot to complete an obstacle course by programming and problem solving. GIRLS will use club time after school. September – GIRLS will work with a Career Connections teacher at CMS to establish career pathways. Each girl will select a career to follow during the year. Kauffman Foundation will sponsor registration fees and equipment costs for 2 teams to register with First Lego League using Lego Mindstorms. October – GIRLS will visit Kansas State University for a college campus tour with lunch, meet female college students in science, engineering, technology and math fields, receive introduction to girls summer programs and meet an “e-pal” to correspond via email for the school year. October – GIRLS will visit Linda Hall Library for a facilities tour and introduction to research opportunities concerning science, engineering, technology and math fields. Girls will have a career path selected and explore different research topics relating to personal career goals. December – First Lego League competitions for robot teams. GIRLS will have two teams for competition. January, 2007 – GIRLS will select a science, technology, math or engineering topic to research according to a scoring guide for a professional middle school research project. Each 8th grade math student is required to produce some form of a mathematical project. Girls will receive a grade for this project through an interdisciplinary unit from the middle school team teachers in science, math and communication arts. February, 2007 – GIRLS will visit Linda Hall Library and conduct research as it relates to personal career goal topics. March, 20007 – Research projects will be submitted for grading purposes. May, 2007 – GIRLS will attend the Conference to display artifacts including a robot demonstration, informational posters, display research papers and other documentation regarding the year’s activities. Center Middle School: CMS will provide teacher support. I have a classroom for the club meetings and will work with CMS for club sponsorship. I have classroom digital cameras, a classroom web site for robot club updates and publicity; Center School District has a publicity person to help provide community updates regarding girls’ participation and CMS has a display case for robot advertising and recruitment. The robot club already has 6 sets of robot equipment for the girls to begin work in August 2006. CMS will donate materials and labor to build a table for the robot challenge.
Mini-Grant 5 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Brownie Camp-In at the Discovery Center
Grade:
1st thru 3rd
Project Description:
Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) and the Dogwood Trails Council have an existing partnership that serves to ensure that DCS provides services to Girl Scout troops in the most efficient and effective ways possible. These services include special events and programs geared toward creating an enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and math among girls from Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. This year, the Discovery Center would like to host its first overnight camp-in for Brownie Girl Scouts in October 2006. This overnight event will focus on exposing Girl Scouts and their Leaders to a wide variety of hands-on science activities, exhibits, and careers. Grant funding will allow DCS to provide this first camp-in free of charge for up to 67 Girl Scouts and their leaders. Enrollment will be managed through the Dogwood Trails Council, but will be open to all Girl Scouts and Leaders who wish to attend.
Project Goals:
By reaching these girls at a young age through a method which is fun, exciting, and memorable, DCS believes the camp-in program can effectively instill a lasting enthusiasm for STEM subjects. The first camp-in will establish a model which will allow this event to be repeated at minimum, on an annual basis. This new program expands the number of programs Girl Scout Councils can make available to their Girl Scouts, and allows Discovery Center to reach girls who may not normally have the opportunity to experience DCS programs and services.
Additional Information:
It is hoped that by providing this grant funding with scholarships that the Dogwood Trails Council has available, this program will be provided free of charge for up to 100 girls and their leaders, as 100 individuals is the maximum capacity for the event.
Mini-Grant 6 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Teaching Science Through Phonics
Grade:
1st grade/ 7th and 8th grade female tutors
Project Description:
A group of twelve 7th and 8th grade girls who we consider to be at risk for dropping out of school and not achieving to their full potential will be identified. We will purchase classroom sets of the literature "The Quirkles" which is designed to teach science concepts to early elementary students. Two girls will be assigned to each of our four first grade classrooms. The girls will work with that classroom throughout the school year. They will read and share "The Quirkle" l iterature with the students and conduct hands on activities with those students. As a culminating activity, the first graders and their tutors will take an all day field trip to the Springfield Discovery Center.
Project Goals:
The project will increase the science content knowledge of the Fairview first graders. Many elementary teachers have expressed that science content is being sacrificed because of the focus on reading. "The Quirkles" literature teaches science concepts in conjunction with phonics and reading skills. In addition, this program is designed to increase the interest in science and the confidence in a group of middle school girls. Becoming tutors to the first graders will empower the girls and give them a sense of purpose. It also will increase the knowledge of basic science concepts in the middle school girls who have to learn in order to teach.
Mini-Grant 7 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Encouraging Gainesville Girls in Science 7-11
Grade:
1st grade/ 7th and 8th grade female tutors
Project Description:
EGGS – Would be used to take approximately 10 junior high girls and 10 high school girls on a 2 day trip to Rolla, Columbia, and Saint Louis, Missouri. This trip is designed to encourage girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. During the field trip the students will observe female scientists in their chosen field. Being from a rural area, students do not have scientific role models to look up to and emulate. This trip would give students the opportunity to observe actual female scientists and learn about options available to them in the field of Science and Mathematics. These students would observe college professors doing research and female scientists employed by large and small businesses. Gainesville R-V School will provide students, transportation and supervision during the trip. Two teachers will accompany the teacher-selected students. Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia will provide information on female professors doing research and connect these professors with the teachers at Gainesville R-V. They will also set up hands on lab activities for the students of Gainesville R-V to be conducted at the University of Missouri Campus with the assistance of female graduate students majoring in science. The Students of Gainesville R-V that attend this trip will present information to other Gainesville R-V students upon returning to school. The presentation will encompass all aspects of the trip.
Project Goals:
By working with the Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Gainesville R-V School District will gain access and contacts with professional women in the field of Science and Mathematics. Gainesville R-V provides all the academics necessary for a female to achieve a career in Science or Mathematics; however the school cannot provide role models for the female students.
Mini-Grant 8 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Thayer STEM Academy
Grade:
6-12
Project Description:
Selection Process The Thayer STEM Academy will accept applications from girls in grades 6-12 for the Fall Semester. (August 2006-December 2006) Applicants will be drawn from a pool of teacher recommended girls based on the following criteria: Previous grades in science and math, previous attendance, and overall teacher recommendations. An overall total of 35 applicants will be selected from an original pool of 42 recommended students. If quotas of seven students per grade are not met, then the application process will be opened to include boys. Meeting Times: The Thayer STEM Academy will meet from 3-5 twice weekly for 15 total weeks during the Fall 2006 Semester. This will allow for adequate time to cover required curriculum for the STEM Academy. There will be a total of 60 hours that the Thayer STEM Academy will be in session during the Fall 2006 semester. Attendance: There will be an attendance roster maintained throughout the course of the academy. Each student will be told of the importance of attendance and will receive incentives to maintain an 80% attendance rating. Each student completing the Thayer STEM Academy will receive, free of charge, a Thayer STEM Academy T-Shirt, certificate of completion, and a chance to attend the end of semester STEM field trip at no charge to them. Curriculum: Curriculum during the Thayer STEM Academy will cover a variety of areas. These areas will encompass five broad scientific disciplines: Physical Science, Life Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology. Physical science may include, but is not limited to: Aeronautics, Astronomy, and Chemistry. The Life Science curriculum may include but is not limited to: Forensic Science and Biology. Mathematics curriculum may include Geometric Design/Probability. Engineering will include units in Structural Design and Aeronautical Design. Finally, the Technology Unit of the Thayer STEM Academy will include exposure to robotics design, function and programming. The Thayer STEM Academy seeks, through its curriculum, to reinforce Missouri State Standards for Content Knowledge as well as the knowledge that the National Science Foundation promotes. Collaboration: Collaboration with MRU partners will encompass three main categories: guest speakers, field trips, and teaching curriculum specific units. Although the primary responsibility of the curriculum implementation will lay with the STEM Academy instructors, reinforcement of the knowledge of the curriculum will be obtained from the collaborating partners Missouri State University. A guest speaker will be obtained from MSU for each of the broad categories of instruction. Each guest speaker will not only provide a fun and interesting activity for the students in which they can participate, but they also will provide encouragement and promotion of women in each of these areas. Students will hear either from women in the field or about successful women in the field. The guest speakers will also discuss career options and scholarship opportunities for women in each curriculum area. Discovery Center of Springfield: At mid-semester, (some time during the month of October), there will be a field trip to the Discovery Center of Springfield. The Discovery Center will provide on-site instruction and reinforcement of two curriculum areas. By the point in the STEM Academy, at least two major curriculum areas will have been covered. These will be the two areas instructionally supported by the center. These areas will be selected from two (one from each) of the on-site programs. Body works and Science Works are programs that not only reinforce STEM curriculum, but reinforce Missouri Show-Me Standards and Grade Level Expectations. Although Boeing, The Challenger Learning Center, and the St. Louis Science Center are not listed as collaborating partners, each of them will play a vital role in curriculum implementation, as well. The Fall Semester STEM Academy will culminate in a field trip to St. Louis, which will include visits to all three sites above.
Project Goals:
The Thayer STEM Academy will seek to expand or strengthen services to girls in the following ways: Guest Speakers Guest speakers, (preferably women) will provide insight to careers in the various fields, training necessary, and encouragement for the female students to enter STEM fields by providing insights into various employment and scholarship opportunities. Field Trips: Field trips relating to STEM areas will be provided as argumentation to academy curriculum. This will give participants a closer look at each of the STEM areas by allowing them to have interaction and hands-on experiences in each of the disciplines. Structured programs with the field trips will further enhance each of the curriculum areas.
Mini-Grant 9 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Sisters in Science
Project Description:
Sisters in Science is an after-school program designed to increase enthusiasm in STEM-related topic areas among girls in grades 3 through 5 at McBride Elementary School. This grant application applies specifically to the Sisters in Science program at McBride Elementary. For this MRU partnership, the Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) will deliver nine one-hour programs on-site at McBride Elementary to the Sisters in Science after-school program. Topics covered will include Energy, Electricity and Magnetism, Body Systems, Matter, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geography, and Culture. The nine programs will be delivered once per month, September through May, and will culminate in a year-end field trip to the Discovery Center.
Project Goals:
Both organizations will see positive results from this partnership. Students involved in the program will gain knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm in STEM-related topic areas. Classroom educators involved in the partnership will gain professional development opportunities through observing and participating in each of the nine programs to collect activities, knowledge, and teaching methods they can continually utilize in their classrooms. The after-school setting creates an opportunity for teachers and students to work together in a more close-knit group to further develop, budding interests in STEM. This partnership allows the Discovery Center to further their mission of creating a love for life-long learning. The unique long-term contact timeline of the partnership also allows the Discovery Center to measure the success and effectiveness of their educational programs in a more in-depth method. This partnership would mark the first long-term formal partnership between McBride Elementary and Discovery Center of Springfield. This would also be the first collaborative of its kind within the Springfield Public School system.
Mini-Grant 10 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
C.A.R.E. Careers and Research in Engineering
Grade:
9 thru 12
Project Description:
The Upward Bound Math Science Regional Center (UBMS) and the Wichita State University College of Engineering will collaborate to introduce female summer program participants to STEM related research opportunities. The UBMS Regional Center’s program serves 50 students entering grades nine through twelve that have limited family incomes and have the potential to be the first in their families to complete a four-year degree. Sixty percent of the participants are girls. In addition, the program has a growing effort to balance the needs of both rural and urban students. Students from small rural communities suffer from the same lack of resources and opportunities in mathematics and science as students from inner-city urban areas. Significant consideration is given to participants who are minority or from small rural communities in the four-state area. Roughly 20 percent of all participants are from areas noted as small towns or rural. The major objective of the Math and Science Center is to prepare motivated STEM students for the college experience, and to demonstrate the relationship between higher education, responsibility to community and respect for oneself and others. Naturally, the academic aspect of the program is critical and is held to the highest standard. Equally important, however, is a student’s ability to contribute to the scholastic and social communities of which she is a part. The program offers both an academic year component and a summer residential component. During the academic year, regional students maintain contact with the UBMS office and attend workshops presented in their home communities. Contact usually takes place via the internet, use of a toll free phone number or by a staff member visiting a student’s home school. Students that live in the Wichita Metropolitan area participate in the Leadership Academy held on the WSU Campus. The Academy attempts to prepare UBMS students for community leadership, both socially and academically. Students participate in bi-weekly Academy Seminars to sharpen their skills through community service, guest speakers, presentations, and academic and post-secondary planning. Students in need of academic assistance also attend tutoring sessions on a weekly basis. The Center’s six-week residential summer program is specifically designed to assist youth who have the potential to complete a four-year degree in a math or science related field, discover their aptitude, and decide a course of action towards post secondary graduation. The ultimate goal is to have students return to their schools and communities with a renewed interest in science, math, and computer technology. The summer session is not to be considered your typical “summer camp.” It is a challenging educational program designed to provide students with the opportunity for academic enrichment in a college setting. For six-weeks, participants attend a variety of courses designed to foster critical thinking, research and experimentation, and the art of presentation. All courses are hands-on in nature. The curriculum includes core areas of study such as Engineering Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Behavioral Sciences. Students also enroll in a skill appropriate math course and an electronic media class. Students’ academic enrichment is supplemented with field trips, cultural and social activities, career and academic counseling, guest speakers and leadership skill development. During their six-week stay, students are housed in the WSU Residence Halls. The setting provides students with a unique opportunity to develop a community that holds very high expectations of its members. The UBMS program retains responsibility for recruiting participants, administering the residential component and reporting outcome measures. The WSU College of Engineering will assume responsibility for revising/ updating the current UBMS engineering track curriculum, securing lab space for experimental learning and supplying faculty research mentors.
Project Goals:
The UBMS program currently has a curriculum for students enrolled in the pre-engineering track that is heavy on lecture and theory and light on hands-on interaction and career information. This collaboration will allow the UBMS Center to secure equipment that will assist with the delivery of core content as well as bring the resources, primarily in the form of faculty and labs, to the UBMS participants. This move to strengthen the curriculum and expand services will better maintain enthusiasm for pre-engineering sciences and motivate student to take on further study in STEM areas.
Mini-Grant 11 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Constellation Club goes on a "Mission" to the Kansas Cosmosphere
Grade:
K-12
Project Description:
Constellation Club will be sponsoring a bus trip to the Kansas Cosmosphere facility in July. Federation of Galaxy Explorers are our national "parent" organization, and support each of our efforts.
Project Goals:
We will be encouraging the girls to interest in the fields of aerospace, science and math. This trip will broaden their horizons in the science field. Seeing the cosmosphere, its museum, its I-Max and space camp facility will deepen their knowledge base in the area of aerospace.
Mini-Grant 12 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Sisters in Science
Grade:
3-5
Project Description:
Sisters in Science is an after-school program designed to increase enthusiasm in STEM-related topic areas among girls in grades 3 through 5 at Horace Mann Elementary School. This grant application applies specifically to the Sisters in Science program at Mann Elementary. For this MRU partnership, the Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) will deliver nine one-hour programs on-site at Mann Elementary to the Sisters in Science after-school program. Topics covered will include Energy, Electricity and Magnetism, Body Systems, Matter, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geography, and Culture. The nine programs will be delivered once per month, September through May, and will culminate in a year-end field trip to the Discovery Center.
Project Goals:
Both organizations will see positive results from this partnership. Students involved in the program will gain knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm in STEM-related topic areas. Classroom educators involved in the partnership will gain professional development opportunities through observing and participating in each of the nine programs to collect activities, knowledge, and teaching methods they can continually utilize in their classrooms. The after-school setting creates an opportunity for teachers and students to work together in a more close-knit group to further develop, budding interests in STEM. This partnership allows the Discovery Center to further their mission of creating a love for life-long learning. The unique long-term contact timeline of the partnership also allows the Discovery Center to measure the success and effectiveness of their educational programs in a more in-depth method.
Mini-Grant 13 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
The Aquatic Factor/Critter Science Investigation - Summer 2006
Grade:
7-12
Project Description:
Girl Scout Council of the Flint Hills will be offering two camps this summer related to biology and water quality. Dr. David Edds will donate his time to take the girls to local lakes and streams. Throughout the overnight camping experience, the girls will collect samples. Then they will take their "finds" and questions to the Emporia State University biology lab. "What did I find? Is it edible? How did it get there? What purpose does it serve in nature? Is it harmful to people?"
Project Goals:
Girls will develop a natural interest in the importance of maintaining a healthy aquatic environment, and the importance of clean water for community health. Using our model of "By girls, for girls", each girl in the small group will have the opportunity to do hands on investigation with the support of Dr. Edds. The resources at Emporia State University are always a positive reinforcement with girls.
Mini-Grant 15 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Women in Mathematics Project
Grade:
9-12
Project Description:
Math Club at Leavenworth High School will invite girls with talent in mathematics to participate in at least 6 visits to workplaces of professional women and to Sonia Kovalevsky Day at Emporia State University. Sponsor will also work with mathematics department to identify enrichment materials and possible methods for acceleration for high-ability students. Emporia State University collaborators will assist in locating women willing to host groups of high school girls and discuss professional responsibilities. Dr. Yanik's active participation in the Association for Women in Mathematics makes her a good resource for assistance with locating these professionals. ESU will also host SK Mathematics Day.
Project Goals:
This project is designed to help girls envision themselves in mathematics-related careers. In order to do so, girls need to believe these careers are rewarding and enjoyable, and to see that women are successful in these positions. Participation and success by girls in mathematics competitions will also be reviewed.
Additional Information:
Only about 30% of math club members are girls. Of those, 40% are international students despite the fact that international students make up only about 2% of the school population. This was our first year to participate in Great Plains Math League, and only 1 of 5 students who qualified for state were girls. Our school had only 1 AIME qualifier from 1999-2004, 3 in 2005, and in the first year of Math Club, 10 AIME qualifiers in 2006. However, only 3 were girls. Low-income students and underclassmen/women are underrepresented in Math Club.
Mini-Grant 16 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Robotics, Mind Over Mindstorms
Grade:
6-12
Project Description:
Collaborators: Douglass Gifted Program, Douglass Middle School and Science City at Union Station Douglass, USD 396, Gifted Department: The gifted facilitator will teach a unit on Robotics centered on Mindstorm robotics (4 classroom sets currently available in classroom), where the grade 9-12 female gifted students will create, program, and modify vehicles to perform a variety of tasks, such as complete a maze, go in a straight line for 20 feet, and freestyle. After the rubric for mindstorms has been met by all the student with a score of 80% or better, the students will compose a one-page descriptive or technical writing sample focusing on what learning had been accomplished through the lesson. Science City at Union Station: A field trip to Kansas City Science Museum will conclude the unit. The Museum will provide a tour and feature the "Robotics" theme in October of 2006. The Museum will, for $9.00 per student and teacher (gifted facilitator is a certified teacher) provide the Robotics unit, tour, Imax show, and display unit. The students would then compose an additional paper on the impact and learning goals achieved through the concluding activity at Union Station. The papers would be evaluated utilizing the 6-Trait Writing Rubric, by the gifted facilitator (gifted teacher). Finally the high school female students would develop, organize, and facilitate a Mindstorm Robotics display for the entire middle school population to increase the interest in engineering and mathematics at the Middle School level. It is the responsibility of the Douglass school district to provide sponsors, meals and lodging, transportation, one DMX Mindstorm Robotic kit and entry fees through the $1,000 mini-grant.
Project Goals:
Douglass is a small rural school with little opportunity to interact with the technology or diversity that will prepare our female students for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. By collaborating with a large metro museum, our District will be able to strengthen the concepts learned through Mindstorm robotics into practical applications. In addition, by acclimating our 'small town' female students to a larger, more diverse population, our students will be better prepared to contribute in a global workforce. Our monoculture, homogenous population is not reflective of our national society and we would benefit greatly by interactive with a diverse community.
Mini-Grant 17 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
You Can Do It: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Grade:
6-12
Project Description:
Description: Students in the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. will visit one company per each STEM family and identify the needed skill set for those careers. They will write a short paper on what they learned that was new to them and how they are using the experience to formulate their career thoughts and plans.
Project Goals:
To have a realistic understanding of what is required of students in fields of study in STEM areas of careers.
Mini-Grant 18 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Animate the Future - Part I
Grade:
6-12
Project Description:
The Animate the Future program provides 18 girls from rural schools in Missouri the opportunity to create computer animations while learning about object-oriented computer programming. In Part I, the students and their teachers will attend a session at Drury University in September. During this session, they will learn how to use the Alice programming system. They will learn about careers in computer science and gain an introduction to computer programming. In Part II, in February they will participate in a workshop for building an advanced project. In May they will present their completed projects at the closing conference for the Midwest Rural-Urban Girls Collaborative. In Part I, Dr. Browning will provide a tutorial in September (tentatively Thursday, September 14, 2006) on the Drury campus. Debbie Wallace will bring 9 students from Buffalo and Louise Rackley will bring 9 students from Cabool, for a total of 20. Students and teachers will work together at their schools throughout the fall semester with support from Dr. Browning. Here is the proposed schedule for the September tutorial: 9 to 9:30 am: welcome; opportunities in computer science; introduction to Alice 9:30 to 11 AM: tutorial on using Alice. Drury students will be available to help. 11-12 noon: lunch and a brief walking tour of campus 12 to 1:30 pm: workshop where the students make their own Alice project.
Project Goals:
This project will enable the Mathematics and Computer Science Department of Drury University to reach girls in rural areas. We will provide the teachers in those areas support for introducing the girls to the career of computer science.
Project Title:
Animate the Future - Part II
Grade:
6-12
Project Description:
The Animate the Future program provides 18 girls from rural schools in Missouri the opportunity to create computer animations while learning about object-oriented computer programming. In Part I, the students and their teachers will attend a session at Drury University in September. During this session, they will learn how to use the Alice programming system. They will learn about careers in computer science and gain an introduction to computer programming. In Part II, in February they will participate in a workshop for building an advanced project. In May they will present their completed projects at the closing conference for the Midwest Rural-Urban Girls Collaborative. In Part II, Dr. Browning will provide a workshop in February (tentatively Saturday, February 10, 2007) on the Drury campus. Debbie Wallace will bring 9 students from Buffalo and Louise Rackley will bring 9 students from Cabool, for a total of 20. The February workshop will also run from 9 am to 1:30 pm with a break for lunch. Students and teachers will work together at their schools throughout the spring semester with support from Dr. Browning. The students will present their final projects at the MRU meeting in May.
Project Goals:
This project will enable the Mathematics and Computer Science Department of Drury University to reach girls in rural areas. We will provide the teachers in those areas support for introducing the girls to the career of computer science.
Mini-Grant 19 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Changes in Ecosystems and Interactions of Organisms With Their Environments
Grade:
3-8
Project Description:
The 5th graders of the Florissant/Ferguson School with members/chaperones from the Sprig and Twig Garden Club will study changes in ecosystems and interactions of organisms with their environments. They will identify and study all populations living together within a community and how they interact with other organisms or with the environment (e.g. pollination, shelter, seed dispersal, camouflage, migration, hibernation, defensive mechanism).

Through a full day field trip at, Shaw Nature Reserve, a division of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the students will explore the fascinating ecosystem that once covered 40% of Missouri. They will learn the history of this unique grassland community and investigate some of the inhabitants that make up this ecosystem. They will find plants that were used by Native Americans and pioneers for medicine. Concepts covered: Basic needs of life, food chain, plant and animal adaptations, plant usage and pioneer prairie life.

The afternoon will be spent on an exploration called, “earthwalks”. An instructor will lead the children through special activities using their five senses. Based on the season, the students might use their sense of touch to identify a natural object or make a scented “tea bag” to take home or use a mirror to simulate how different animals see. The five senses will be awakened during this light and comfortable approach to nature.
Project Goals:
Offer students the opportunity to experience and investigate the nature world under the guidance of skilled staff and volunteer teacher naturalists. Program designed to encourage inquiry, explorations and problem solving. Instructors lead hands-on investigations that enable students to discover, gather information, ask questions, and begin to formulate their own answers.
Mini-Grant 20 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Lady Tigers Discovery Club
Grade:
Designed for grade(s) five
Project Description:
An after school math and science club for girls in fifth grade as a pilot project, with the intent of continuing and growing the club in future years>

The Discovery Center will provide 7 one hour instruction in the following areas:
  • Batteries Not Included traces digestion and the importance of nutrition.
  • Crack the Case explores forensics with DNA.
  • Simple Machines emphasizing levers and inclined planes.
  • Chemistry Capers exposes physical and chemical changes.
  • Matter Matters explores fun experiments with dry ice.
  • Geology Rocks investigates rocks and minerals.
  • Engineering and the related careers.

A culminating activity will include a year-end field trip to The Discovery Center for further STEM enrichment in their interactive exhibits as well as a program including a distance learning video conference with NASA.
Project Goals:
To increase students' science and math knowledge and exposure to hands-on experiments, help prepare students for the MAP test, and create enthusiasm about careers for girls in the science, technology, engineering, and math professions.
Additional Information:
The group of girls participating would include gifted and girls at-risk for failure as well as girls with learning disabilities. This project would enhance the participant's knowledge that they may otherwise not gain from the regular classroom environment.
Mini-Grant 21 (Awarded!)
Project Title:
Empowering Girls
Grade:
7-8
Project Description:
Description: The BIG AREAS that students learn about in 7th grade Science are as follows:
  • Matter (atoms, molecules)
  • Energy (transfer of energy; types such as heat, nuclear, chemical, light, sound, electrical, mechanical; renewable and nonrenewable energy resources)
  • Electricity (basic circuits and wiring)
  • Weather and Climate (including the water cycle -- evaporation, surface run off, groundwater flow)
  • Force and Motion (types of forces i.e. gravitational, frictional, buoyancy, applied, magnetic; Newton's Laws; speed; simple machines; work; mechanical advantage)
  • The Universe (objects and their motion)
  • SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (science process skills, investigation and experimentation, reasoning, and critical thinking)
  • Impact of Science, Technology and Human Activity (identify and evaluate physical, social, economic and environmental problems using science and technology)

Talking with my colleagues who teaches 8th grade, their BIG AREAS are:
  • Matter (chemical and physical properties, periodic table)
  • Cells and Body Systems (both plants and animals)
  • Disease (causes and effects, infectious and noninfectious)
  • Reproduction and Heredity (basic genetics)
  • Rock Cycle and Plate Tectonics
  • SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
  • Impact of Science, Technology and Human Activity

In the summer of 2006, 25-35, 7th and 8th grade school girls from the rural community of Buffalo, Missouri, along with urban 4-H members from the Springfield area will explore the Southwest Power Station run by City Utilities, the largest municipal utility in the State of Missouri. They will tour the Power Plant leaving with a great understanding of how electricity is generated, allowing the girls to see science and math skills with life application.

City Utilities has two water treatment plants. Fulbright and Blackmon.

Fulbright’s tour will be unique because of the historic aspects of the building itself. The girls should find this tour very interesting and they will get an explanation of the filtering process that happens to make the water safe for drinking. The water system control room is also located at Fulbright they will see and understand how we monitor the entire water system of Springfield from the computers and control panels.

Blackmon – At this facility they will see more math and science application because CU has a working laboratory at this facility. Blackmon also has all the filtering ponds, like Fulbright, where they take the raw water and filter and prepare it for drinking. CU has "high-tech scientific" equipment in the lab that is used for testing and analyzing water samples to make sure all the drinking water standards are met and maintained. This will be excellent life application of science and math skills.

Amy Ruggeri has been contacted to be a featured luncheon speaker. Amy's title is Sr. Engineer, Natural Gas & Water Planning. Amy went to engineering school at Rolla and is a great speaker and would relate very well to young women. She is a very successful career woman, wife and mother. I believe her job requires working with a lot of modeling and planning software to figure out what the natural gas and water needs of the Utility will be in the future. She then helps calculate what the Utility needs to do to make sure we can meet the predicted needs.