Photo by Daniel Parsons
Dr. Matt Nehring describes to STEM participants how to run the world with electronics.
The Adams State University Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Saturdays begin September 16. These free interactive sessions will stimulate imagination and curiosity of students.
All sessions are designed with specific grade-level, developmentally appropriate lessons in mind. Registration is required for the sessions.
Sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. until noon. Enrollment is limited.
September 16
Exploring Infectious Disease with Molecular Tools
Dr. Adam Kleinschmit, assistant professor of biology
Grades 9-12
Enrollment cap is 16
October 14
Learning to Run the World with Electronics
Dr. Matt Nehring, professor of physics
Grades 4-6
Enrollment cap is 10
November 11
Investigations in Sweet Chemistry
Dr. Alexey Leontyev, assistant professor of chemistry
Grades 9-12
Enrollment cap is 8
November 18
Radioactivity in our World
Sandra Wagner
Grades 11-12
Enrollment cap is 10.
Registration for all sessions is required. Once registered, participants will receive the location of session and any other pertinent information. Only parent/guardian authorized registrations will be accepted. Session registrations are limited to 2 sessions per student. No cost to participants.
Workshop Information:
Exploring Infectious Disease with Molecular Tools:
Participants will mimic a foodborne infectious disease outbreak investigation and design an experiment using molecular tools. Specifically, the session will train participants to think like an epidemiologist in order to determine the most likely source of a bacterial foodborne outbreak. The participants will learn to use micropipettes to disperse small volumes of amplified DNA into an agarose gel in order to separate and view genetic markers for identifying the presence/absence of the infectious bacterium in potentially contaminated food samples.
Learning to Run the World with Electronics:
Using the Littlebits platform of electronic building blocks, students will learn about electronics, build complex circuits and design a motorized cart. Students will develop technical and engineering skills while exploring creative solutions to problems.
Investigations in Sweet Chemistry:
Is milk sweet? Does it have sugar in it? Is it the same kind of sugar that you can find in candies? How can you prove it? Maybe we can run some tests to confirm it? In this activity, we will isolate milk sugar from dry milk and then run a series of tests to identify it. This method is called qualitative analysis and is often used in chemistry to test for the presence or absence of a certain compound.
Radioactivity in our World:
The session will include an overview of what ionizing radiation is and where it comes from (sun and earth). Visual demonstration of radioactive particle cloud chamber. Hands-on use of alpha, beta, and gamma sources to determine effects of time, distance, and shielding on activity. Discussion of beneficial uses of radioactivity: x-rays, cancer treatment, food safety, nuclear power.
For more information or a reservation form, contact Jayson Mitchell, STEM activity coordinator, at 719-587-7586 or stemcenter@adams.edu. Registration forms at STEM Saturdays.
