Overview of STEM Outreach at Normandale Community College

1. STEM OutreachSTEM Outreach
atat
Normandale Community CollegeNormandale Community College
Summer 2008 – Winter 2010

2. BackgroundBackground
Normandale instructors train in Project
Lead the Way curriculum (2007, 2008)
Shakopee High School PLTW Instructor
Brad Thorpe suggests Normandale host a
STEM event for middle school girls
$7500 funding for STEM outreach
initiatives provided by the Minnesota
Center for Engineering and Manufacturing
Excellence (MNCEME) Summer 2008

3. STEM GirlZZ Rock!STEM GirlZZ Rock!
42 girls entering grades 6 – 8 fall of 2008
Workshop Theme: Biotechnical
Engineering
Breakout Sessions: Biomedical Devices;
Yeast Mobile; EKG – Signature of the
Heart
STEM Faculty Panel Discussion
Plant Tour to Starkey Labs, Eden Prairie

4. WATT’S Up? STEM Energy!WATT’S Up? STEM Energy!
62 boys and girls in grades 6 – 8
Workshop Theme: Energy
Keynote Speech on Wind Turbines
Breakout Sessions: Solar Cars, Wind
Turbines, Coating Glass, Energy
Measurement
STEM Faculty and Engineering Panel
Discussion
 http://animoto.com/play/rxeboe0MIgHjcxJq06wiSg

5. Introduction to AutomationIntroduction to Automation
13 Normandale TrIO participants from
Richfield High School (grades 10 – 12)
Theme: Simple Automation and Robotics
featuring use of PLTW materials and
equipment
5 afterschool sessions in April
Plant Tour to MTS in
Eden Prairie

6. Wind Up Your Day with Wind Energy!Wind Up Your Day with Wind Energy!
52 boys and girls entering grades 5 – 9
fall 2009
Workshop Theme: Wind Turbines
Guest Speaker from KidWind Project
Breakout Sessions: Simple Motors,
Windmills, Wind Turbines
Guest Speaker from
KidWind Project

7. ZAP GirlZZ EnergiZe the Future!ZAP GirlZZ EnergiZe the Future!
35 girls entering grades 5 – 9 fall 2009
Workshop Theme: Wind Turbines
Women’s STEM Faculty and Engineering
Panel Discussion and Society of Women
Engineers
Breakout Sessions: Simple Motors, Gears,
Wind Turbines

8. Wind Up Your Day … Wind Energy! (2)Wind Up Your Day … Wind Energy! (2)
22 boys and girls in grades 5 – 8
Workshop Theme: Wind Turbines
Keynote Speech by KidWind
Breakout Sessions included: Simple
Motors, Simple Generators, Wind Turbines
Guest Speaker from
KidWind Project

9. Bright Futures Start with STEM!Bright Futures Start with STEM!
57 boys and girls from Indian Mounds
Elementary (Bloomington) ESL program in
grades 2 – 5
Workshop Theme: Engineering
Sessions led by The Works: Basic
electricity, boat design, bridge design

10. FeedbackFeedback
Positive responses!
 Student – “I think this was a well-planned, well-laid
out camp.”
 Small group leader – “I hope this camp is continued
for several years to come because when I see girls
gain confidence, it makes the whole camp
worthwhile.”
 Small group leader – “I think you did a fantastic job
of giving each of these kids an opportunity
to see how fun and important a career in the STEM
field could be for them!”
 Parent – “I was very impressed by the program and
look forward to similar programming in the future
that my daughters can be involved in.... Kudos!!!!”

11. FindingsFindings
Survey Results Summer 2009
 Favorable attitude about science
◦ 92% Boys/Girls 91% Girls-only
 Favorable attitude about math
◦ 88% Boys/Girls 75% Girls-only
 Increase in favorable interest in Engineering / Tech
◦ 90% (+6) Boys/Girls 93% (+20) Girls-only
 Increase in favorable interest in Wind Energy
◦ 86% (+6) Boys/Girls 88% (+32) Girls-only
 Parents promote STEM careers
◦ 61% Boys/Girls 53% Girls-only
 Frequent hands-on learning experiences in school
◦ 55% Boys/Girls 50% Girls-only

12. Workshop Expense ~$5.5KWorkshop Expense ~$5.5K
GirlZZ Workshop Costs Breakdown
◦ $4000 Compensation (100 hours faculty time, 8
hours MS teacher time, KidWind Presentation,
Society of Women Engineers Presentations,
Recognition for assistants and small group leaders)
◦ $750 Materials/Equipment (KidWind Wind
Turbine Kits, equipment purchased for July
workshop re-used at Girls’ workshop)
◦ $450 Food (Breakfast snacks, lunch)
◦ $700 Souvenirs (bag, t-shirt, notebook, marker)
◦ $300 NCC Administration Costs (5% for
Business Office, IT, Security, Duplicating Services)
◦ $800 Registration Fees Collected

13. Best PracticesBest Practices
 Hiring middle-school teachers to lead presentations
◦ WATT’S UP? (Shakopee HS and JHS)
◦ Wind Up Your Day! (Bloomington MS and Elementary)
 Collaborations with outside STEM Organizations
◦ KidWind Project, Society of Women Engineers, The Works
 Support from Normandale Students
◦ Pre-Education Students, Multicultural Services
 Support from Normandale faculty
◦ Keynote, Panel Discussions, Lead Presenters
 Support from Industry Participants
◦ Lead Presenters, Adult Room Helpers, Panel Discussions

14. IssuesIssues
 AUDIENCE RECRUITMENT
◦ ESL and TrIO student group events were easiest to plan and
coordinate
◦ Collaboration with schools has not produced the numbers
anticipated
 COLLEGE BUSINESS PROCESSES
◦ Payment arrangements have been tricky and frustrating
 STEM FACULTY SUPPORT
◦ Attempts to bring in other STEM faculty challenging
 SUSTAINABILITY
◦ Financial: Future of STEM events dependent on varying levels
of grant support
◦ Personnel: STEM Event coordinator not a college funded
position

15. SummarySummary
STEM workshop formats demonstrated:
Positive STEM learning experience for students
Effectiveness of Elementary, Middle-School and
High School Teachers as workshop presenters
Parent enthusiasm to connect their child with
more opportunities related to STEM
Industry participants welcome and enjoy these
opportunities for involvement