SU to host science conference for middle school girls May 11
Approximately
150 seventh-grade girls will participate in the Cumberland Valley ESTEEM
conference at Shippensburg University May 11.
Cumberland
Valley ESTEEM (Exploring Science,
Technology, Engineering, Earth Science, and Mathematics) is a career
awareness program that offers seventh-grade girls an opportunity to explore careers
in those science fields. The free program brings the students together
with professional women from academia, medicine, government agencies, business
and industry for a day of workshops and discussion.
It is jointly
sponsored by Shippensburg University, Wilson College, Gannett Fleming, the
Mathematical Association of America and the Pennsylvania Alliance for Geographic
Education.
The girls
will participate in a variety of workshops, each with hands-on learning
opportunities, including identifying aquatic insects, learning about squid
anatomy, experiencing paper engineering, participating in a disc tossing
experiment and de-constructing a computer.
The
workshops and the presenters are:
- “How’s
That Work?,” Carol Wellington, professor and chair of the computer science
department, Shippensburg University. Students will disassemble a variety of
computer components to figure out how they work.
- “Getting
Buggy,” Tammy Piper, watershed specialist for the Franklin County Conservation
District, and Kristen Kitchen, watershed specialist with the Cumberland County
Conservation District. Participants will catch insects from the nearby Burd Run
and then use the insects to help determine the condition of the stream.
- “The
Amazing Geo-Race,” Claire Jantz and Jan Smith, associate professors of geography/earth
science, Shippensburg University. Students will race across campus using maps
and GPS to overcome roadblocks, face challenges and follow clues to solve a
mystery.
- “Probability
and Geometry: A Carnival Game Exploration,” Kate McGivney, professor
of mathematics, Shippensburg University. The interactive disc tossing carnival
game will use simulation and technology to help determine the best way to
increase the odds of winning.
- “Engineering
Pop-up Cards,” Karen Adams, associate professor mathematics, Wilson College.
Participants will make pop-up cards and learn to understand how simple angles
and positions change the way paper folds flatly and pops up.
- “I Like
to Move It, Move It!,” Amy Stahlman, physical therapist, Summit Health.
Participants will use various items used in physical therapy including a
therapy ball and a balance
board to learn about physical therapy.
- “Solving
Murders with Science!,” Kristen Clemens, forensic chemist, Cumberland County
Forensic Laboratory. Participants will learn to interpret blood types and do
DNA analysis, and look at fingerprints, and
fiber and hair analysis to solve a crime.
- “Marine
Science Exploration: How Is a Squid Able to Survive in the Ocean?,”
representative from the National Aquarium, Baltimore. This hands-on program
emphasizes how the form and function of the squid’s basic anatomy helps this
efficient predator survive in the ocean.
The conference
also provides teachers with professional development opportunities. The first session “Engaging Girls in Math and
Science” discusses research on the ways educators can improve the learning
environment for girls in math and science classes. The second session will focus on increasing
student exposure to 3-D spatial visualization.
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