Happy August!

Hello, {{Constituent First Name}}, please see this month's updates from the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub!

STEM Hub News

STEM Hub's Summer 2023 Programming Recap

Thank you to our region’s school and community-based organizations for supporting STEM education for youth this summer!  We are thrilled to have partnered with the following programs and initiatives during summer months:

• Region 3 Migrant Education Program (Wasco, Sherman, & Gilliam Counties)
• Region 6 Migrant Education (Hood River)
• Roots School & Makery
• Dufur School District
• A05 Robotics (Hood River Valley High School) 
• Hood River County School District's Summer School

Little learners at Roots School & Makery participated in a wide variety of STEM activities hosted by Elementary STEAM Leader, Sarah Grace Bendinger.

Students at Dufur School District experimented with paper circuits during summer programming.

Approximately 45 educators with Region 6 Migrant Education participated in STEM education training.

MS Educators: SAVE THE DATE! Middle School Make-A-Thon! 

The STEM Hub will be hosting an in-person Make-A-Thon on Friday, October 6^th from 9am-1pm at the Columbia Gorge Community College Campus in The Dalles for 7^th grade students in our region. Students will participate in teams in a Rube Goldberg style event called a Rube-A-Thon! If you think you'd be interested in bringing a group of students to the event in the fall, please  complete this quick Interest Form. 

2023 STEM Symposium - Spaces Still Available! Register Today!  

We have spaces available in our upcoming August workshops!  Explore offerings for K-12th grade educators. The STEM Symposium is a summer professional development and training opportunity for Columbia Gorge Educators. 

Learn More and Register Today!  

Vex Robotic Coaches - Thank YOU!

Thank you to the amazing VEX Robotic Coaches who joined us in July for hands-on training! Educators from Hood River, North Wasco, South Wasco, Wasco County 4H and Dufur joined in on the fun.  Special thanks to Lu Seapy from Wasco County 4H and REC for hosting us! 

If you are interested in learning more about robotics programs throughout the region, please visit: www.gorgestem.org/gorge-robotics or email kwurster@cgesd.k12.or.us.

Director Cucuel joins Oregon Science Teachers Association 

Congratulations to Julie Cucuel, STEM Hub Director, for her recent appointment to serve our region’s Science teachers as Regional Director of the Oregon Science Teachers Association! We look forward to seeing you all at the 61st annual OSTA Conference held in Gresham on October 13th & 14th.

To register for the conference or learn more about OSTA please visit: https://oregonscience.org/

OSTA Board of Directors pictured below.

Educator Opportunities

Interested in helping to support the STEM Hub’s mission?
We invite you to join one of our Collaboratory Committees! The committees provide an opportunity for you to provide feedback to the STEM Hub's work, and connect with partners who may be able to support you in your own efforts & initiatives!  Connect with others who share your passion of ensuring quality STEM experiences for youth in the Gorge!

Upcoming Meetings:

• Career Connected Learning (CCL) Collaboratory: Wednesday, 8/23, 4-5pm
• Empowered Educators Collaboratory: Thursday, September 28th, 7-8pm

Learn More & Apply Here 

OR HS Science Teachers: Paid PD Opportunities

The Portland Metro STEM Partnership (PMSP) and Greater Oregon STEM Hub (GO STEM) will be holding numerous professional learning opportunities for the High School Science for All, aka "Patterns" courses (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). Thanks to the WRAP (Well-Rounded Access Program) grant, Oregon high school science teachers who participate are able to receive $50/hour to attend school year PD sessions.

For more information contact: susan.holveck@pdxstem.org

More Information

Educator Resources

Oregon Computer Science Teachers Association - FREE CS Webinars in August!

• 8/7/23  6:00 pm - Physical Computing with Micro:Bits
• 8/10/2023, 6:00 pm - Applying AI in the Classroom

Learn More and Register

Educator Professional Development: Amazon Future Engineer 

• BootUp PD: Free Computer Science student projects and teacher resources Learn More

• MS Computer Science PD: Multiple resources for learning and teaching CS: Learn More

Youth & Community Opportunities 

CGCC Aviation Maintenance Technology Open House; Monday, August 21st

Prospective students and community members are encouraged to join the Aviation Maintenance Technology team for a site visit and tour on Monday, August 21st at the Aviation Maintenance Technology Open House 4:00-5:00 pm at 3600 Crates Way, The Dalles.

Register Here 

Introductory Robotics 2-Day Workshop from Google: Sept 16th-17th

Google is sponsoring a 2-day introductory robotics workshop for 6-8 grade middle school students on September 16-17, 2023 at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center in The Dalles.

This workshop is for any middle school student in grades 6-8 who is interested in robotics and STEM topics.  Best suited for students with beginner or limited experience with robotics.

The focus of these workshops is to give kids a chance to experience STEM and work with a group to build a robot over the course of the 2-day weekend in a fun and inclusive environment. 

Robotics instructors will support students through the robot building process, with everyone having a chance to have a friendly competition with their robots on day 2.  Google will provide breakfast, lunch, snacks, all robotics supplies, and a full two days of inspiration and STEM curriculum.

Location: Fort Dalles Readiness Center, 402 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058

Dates: September 16-17, 2023

Time: 8am-4pm daily

Learn More & Register Here

MS/HS Students: American Rocketry Challenge

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year. 

The contest gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems. 

Teams can include 3-10 students who are currently enrolled in grades 6 through 12 in a U.S. school or homeschool. A single school or a single U.S. incorporated non-profit youth or educational organization (excluding the NAR, Tripoli Rocketry Association, or any of their local chapters or any other incorporated rocket organization), may apply to be a team.

Registration is Now Open!

Learn More

See Rules

MS/HS Students: NASA’s Student Launch Rocket Competition

Student Launch is a research-based, competitive, experiential exploration activity in which (MS/HS and college/university) teams compete in a 9-month timeline to design, build, launch, and fly a payload(s) and vehicle components that support NASA research on high-power rockets.

August 14, 2023 - Request for Proposal (RFP) released.

See Activities and Schedule

Learn More