Microgrant Applications are Live! Lots of Opportunities for Educators!
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🍂Happy November!
Hello, {{Constituent First Name}}, Please see this month's updates from the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub.
STEM Hub News
✂️Rube-a-Thon Recap - A Great Success!
On October 6th, the STEM Hub partnered with Columbia Gorge Community College to host a Middle School Rube Goldberg Challenge. 130 middle school students came together to tackle the annual Rube Goldberg Institute Challenge of "Put Toothpaste on a Toothbrush."
The STEM Hub would like to give a special thanks to the educators, industry professionals, and community volunteers who made this event possible, including Catherine Loke and Charlotte Chapman (Insitu), Jack Perrin (Gorge Makerspace), Christy Christopher (Columbia Gorge ESD), Rosa Grabos (Keynote Speaker, Amazon), Greg Paul (community member), Dylan McManusand Kylie Brunton (CGCC).
⚛Oregon Science Teachers Association (OSTA) Conference Recap
The STEM Hub and ten educators from across the region joined together for a full day of science and computer science learning at the 61st Annual Oregon Science Teachers Association Conference on October 14th. We heard an amazing message from Mr. Fascinate about embracing new technology in our schools and programs. We also shared in viewing the eclipse, exploring new strategies and curriculum, and walked away with bags full of classroom materials!
Teachers viewing the eclipse at OSTA
Are you a PreK, Kinder, or 1st Grade Teacher interested in facilitating parenting education in our communities?
Through a partnership with Four Rivers Early Learning & Parenting Hub & Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, participating educators will provide five 2-hour virtual sessions for parents to support them in understanding math concepts and strategies specific to a grade level.
Teachers will create and facilitate workshops and provide support to families. Workshops can include an explanation of standards, hands-on activities, and real-time support in answering parents’ math questions.
Sessions will be on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (January - May) from 5-7 PM. Facilitating teachers would receive a $3,000 stipend and session support/guidance from the STEM Hub.
Interested? Email jcucuel@cgesd.k12.or.us
📣Educator Spotlight - Highlighting Achievements of Local Educators
Have an educator you would like to nominate for our monthly spotlight?
Let us know! Email Nicole at ntolmie@cgesd.k12.or.us
Educator Opportunities
🔭2023-2024 Microgrant Applications are LIVE!
Each fall, STEM Hub Microgrants are awarded to fund equity-focused, STEM-related projects or initiatives that will have a lasting impact.
PreK-college teachers, administrators, and out-of-school educators inGilliam, Hood River, Wasco, Wheeler, and Sherman counties may apply. Educators in Klickitat & Skamania (WA) counties are eligible to apply; however, priority will be given to Oregon educators.
This year, the microgrant application will be divided between three categories (listed below). Within the one application, applicants must select the most relevant category for their respective request(s).
1. General STEM-Related Project Requests
2. Robotics-Specific
3. Field Trips/Industry Site Visits
Visit our website to review the selection criteria and more details.
Learn how Chat GPT can serve as our very own teaching assistant, helping us with daily tasks like crafting emails, writing lesson plans/activities and developing formative assessments for our students in this virtual workshop.
VEX Robotics coaches are invited to attend an informal, virtual collaboration session. The second meet-up is scheduled for Thursday, November 9th from 7-8pm. Stipends can be provided to OR educators only.
For more information, or to receive a Zoom invite, please reach out to Kate: kwurster@cgesd.k12.or.us
Science teachers are welcome to join the Stile team for a FREE evening of drinks, networking, snacks, and games while learning about the new science curriculum for Oregon. Bring yourself, a friend, or a colleague!
Monday, November 13th; 4-6 pm
pFriem Brewing: 707 Portway Ave #101, Hood River, OR 97031
🤖 Volunteers needed for a VEX Robotics Tournament on Sat. Nov. 18th
Wasco County 4-H Oregon is in need of a variety of volunteers for a VEX IQ Robotics tournament on Saturday, November 18th. The tournament runs from 8 am - 3:30 pm on Saturday, Nov. 18th with set-up the night before. Volunteer roles include welcomers/team queuing, judges, referees, scorers, and skills field managers. For questions or to volunteer, please contact Lu Seapy at seapyl@oregonstate.edu or call 541-298-4004.
🤖Gorge Tech Alliance-Sponsored Competitive Robotics Team Mini Grants
In collaboration with the Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA), the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub welcomes competitive robotics coaches (OR & WA) to apply for mini grants to support team-related expenses.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
👵Gorge Women in STEM (GWIS) is Seeking New Members
The Gorge Tech Alliance helped start Gorge Women in STEM (GWIS) in late 2017 as a group dedicated to connecting and supporting women working in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math in the Gorge. The GTA is seeking a few regular volunteers to provide input on planning events and attend quarterly meetings.
👩🏫Gorge Tech Alliance - STEM Educator of the Year Nominations Due 11/20
The Gorge Tech Alliance is now accepting nominations for their annual awards program to recognize outstanding achievement among STEM Educators of the Gorge. Nominations must be submitted by November 20th, 9:00 a.m. to be considered. The winners will be announced at the GTA’s Winter Party and Awards Ceremony on December 12th.
🔬MS/HS Student Opportunity: NW Science Expo System (science fair) & Regeneron ISEF Informational Workshop - November 15th, 4-5 pm
An opportunity from theOregon Science Teachers Association (OSTA) to engage your students in a phenomenal science/STEM experience by having them work on projects eligible to participate in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Learn how to engage students in authentic research and projects, the types of projects that qualify, and an introduction to the paperwork process to help you be able to focus more where it counts, on getting your students excited and ready to participate in authentic science and engineering and showcase their work at the fair! Travel and registration costs for ISEF are covered by sponsors.
🔬Lending Library New Window Opens Nov. 1st - Reserve Your Items Today!
The Lending Library is a FREE resource to Oregon Educators across our 5 counties (Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler)). All items are educational and will inspire STEM in your students!
✈️Airport Design Challenge - A Free Online Challenge for K-12 Students
The Airport Design Challenge is an online challenge open to all students at no charge. The Airport Design Challenge allows students the opportunity to collaborate virtually, learn about their local airports and the aviation industry, and complete developmental tasks in a popular gaming platform. With the support of FAA professionals, mentors, and judges, students progress through various online learning modules. The final task is for them to share their innovative ideas on how they would improve local airports and facilities to better serve their communities.
The enrollment period is ongoing.
Students can participate as a team, or individually.
👨💻Amazon's Future Engineer Scholarship is Now Open - Apply by Dec. 15
High school seniors planning to attain a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, or other computer science-related field of study can apply for up to $40,000 towards an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science and an offer to complete a summer internship at Amazon!
Applications are now OPEN and will close on December 15th at 4:00 pm EST.
📪Do you have a STEM event or STEM news you’d like us to share in our next newsletter? We’d love to partner with you to create a greater awareness around STEM & Career Connected Learning initiatives that are happening in our 5-County Region and beyond.
Submit your event here and a member of the STEM Hub will review it!
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