Family STEM Night 2019
On Wednesday, December 4, 2019 the Bushy Park PTA hosted a Family Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Night. We had unique kid-friendly presentations from experts in STEM disciplines and a special demonstration by Glenelg High School's Robotiators.
Presentations
BLOOD: We learned about what makes blood so special that we can't live without it! We discussed the basic parts of blood, its major functions, and how it moves around our bodies.
Presented by: Judith DeBose, MD
COOKING IS SCIENCE: We learned how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker: how to measure, mix and create ice cream using rock salt to turn cream into a frozen treat in just a few minutes.
Presented by: Abby Peterson, MAc, LAc
CRYPTOWHEEL 101: This talk introduced students to the basics of substitution cryptography. Using a cipher wheel, students matched separate alphabets to determine the ‘slide’ of the alphabet. Students were then challenged to solve a simple substitution cipher to put their new skills to the test.
Presented by: Candice Gerstner
DRONES 101 (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration and Innovation 101): We learned about different types of UAS (commonly referred to as Drones), innovative uses of UAS, along with the importance of flying UAS safely, responsibly and lawfully. We discussed U.S. Federal Aviation Administration rules, programs, research and partnerships for integrating UAS in the national airspace while keeping the public safe and secure. We discussed how STEM education (Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, etc.) is key to the evolution of UAS/Drone technology for public and commercial benefit. Students were asked to share ideas on new ways they could use UAS/Drone technology to benefit society.
Presented by Sabrina Saunders-Hodge, Director, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) UAS Research Division
MAKER SPACE: Students visited Ms. Carey's "Maker Space" where they created, explored, built, and programed with a variety of materials.
Presented by: Christine Carey
MINDFULNESS: We introduced the science of mindfulness and connection to health and brain science (neurology). How does our physical activity/posture/facial expressions effect our brain and moods?
Presented by: Lesley S. Hanes, MD MSc
PAINT WITH MATH: Students created an art masterpiece with them as the star. They learned how art and math can come together to create a fun experience for all ages. They stepped inside the artwork using the Artificial Intelligence (AI) mirror.
Presented by: Josh Sullivan, Ph.D.
PARKER SOLAR PROBE: We learned about the coolest (and hottest) mission under the sun! During Parker Solar Probe's journey, it will swoop to within 4 million miles of the sun's surface, facing heat and radiation like no spacecraft before it. Launched in 2018, Parker Solar Probe is already providing new data on solar activity and making critical contributions to our ability to forecast major space-weather events that impact life on Earth. At its closest approach, Parker Solar Probe will be hurtling around the sun at approximately 430,000 miles per hour, making it the fastest man-made object ever, almost three times as fast as the current record holder. That's fast enough to get from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. in one second!
Presented by: Prisca DeRosa
RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY: Renewable Energy is any energy source that is naturally replenished, like that derived from solar, wind, geothermal or hydroelectric action. Energy produced from the refining of biomass is also often classified as renewable. Coal, oil or natural gas, on the other hand, are finite sources. Learn about the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources and technology and the different common types of Renewable Energy Technology.
Presented by: Jammie Whitfield, CCM
ROBOTIATORS 888: Students saw a demonstration of Glenelg High School robotics team's latest inventions. They talked to high school students and learned how they can get involved.
Presented by: Ray Gerstner and Glenelg High School’s Robotiators
THE PROMISE OF GENE THERAPY: Our genes hold the instructions for how to build all of the parts of our bodies. Sometimes there is a mistake in that code and can cause part of body to be made differently which can cause problems. Scientists are building medicines that can correct the mistakes in order to help the body make everything they way it should be. Students learned about the types of diseases that can be corrected with gene therapy, and the tools that are being used to make these new medicines.
Presented by: Jessica Carmen, Ph.D.
Hand-outs
Family STEM Night Parent Guide
Family STEM Night Coloring Book
Resources
BLOOD:
What's Blood? (for Kids) Nemours KidsHealth
American Society of Hematology
Book: A Drop of Blood (Let's Read-and Find-Out Science 2) by Paul Showers
COOKING IS SCIENCE:
Scrumptious Science: Making Ice Cream in a Bag
Video: The Science of Sugar and the Chemistry of Baking
CRYPTOWHEEL 101:
Video: Decoding the National Cryptologic Museum
DRONES 101:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration & Innovation
MAKER SPACE:
MINDFULNESS:
Mindfulness Activities for Young Children
Mindfulness and the Brain
Mirror Neurons: How Kids Learn
Video: Short Explanation of Mirror Neurons
Video: Mirror Neurons
PAINT WITH MATH:
Play with Music: A.I. Duet
PARKER SOLAR PROBE:
RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY:
ROBOTIATORS 888:
Glenelg High School's Robotiators 888
THE PROMISE OF GENE THERAPY:
Video: What is DNA and How Does it Work?
Thank you
The Bushy Park PTA would like to thank our presenters for sharing their time, expertise and passion.