Month: April 2016

Robot Theatre Play

Robot Theatre Play
Robot Theatre Play

Kids at Dollar Bay Elementary School are putting on performances this week using two robots. The students have been working with Michigan Tech graduate students as part of the school’s Great Explorations program.

The graduate students are supervised by Assistant Professor Philart Jeon, who coordinates the Mind Music Machine Lab. The group is giving children exposure to technology and the arts.

The theatrical performance is taking place after National Robotics Week.

Watch the interview in Michigan Tech Unscripted: Science and Research.

Celebrate Lake Superior

The Lake Superior Celebration is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 at the Great Lakes Research Center.

This event is to celebrate the work of the following 17 Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) school -community teams. Many Michigan Tech departments and faculty serve as LSSI community partners and/or advisors.

Schools involved:

  • Washington Elementary (Bessemer)
  • LL Wright High School (Ironwood)
  • EB Holman K-8 School (Stanton Township)
  • Lake Linden Hubbell Middle/High School
  • Jeffers High School (Adams Township)
  • L’Anse Middle School
  • Baraga Middle/High School
  • Houghton Middle School and High School
  • Hancock Middle School and Barkell Elementary
  • CLK Elementary and Washington Middle School (Public Schools of Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw)
  • Chassell Elementary and High School
  • Dollar Bay Tamarack City Elementary and High School

Hands-on Recycling Activities led by Michigan Tech students:

  • Ride the HEET bike & lift the bridge!
  • Paper-Making
  • Garbage Pizza
  • No-Waste Lunch
  • SMOG City, water quality testing, designing pumps

 Local Resources:

  • World Water Day art display
  • Copper Country Recycling Initiative
  • Plastic Recycling Enterprise
  • Alternative Energy Enterprise
  • Engineers Without Borders
  •  UP Food Exchange

 Celebrate

  • LSSI student showcase and presentations
  • North Woods Kids (K-12) from the Western U.P. art exhibit
  • Cake, lemonade, and refreshments
  • Live music

Sponsored by the Western U.P. Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, Copper Country Recycling Initiative and Funded in part with a grant from the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.and Michigan STEM Partnership.

Find out more here.

Chadde Presents on Engaging Families in STEM

NSTAChadde Presents in Nashville

Joan Chadde, director of the Center for Science & Environmental Outreach, presented “Engaging Families in STEM” at the National Science Teachers Association conference in Nashville, on April 1 with co-presenters, Tenesha Moore, Detroit Public Schools Office of Science and David Heil, Foundation for Family Science & Engineering.

Chadde shared the Family Engineering: An Activity and Event Planning Guide, the product of a National Science Foundation Informal Science Education grant received by Michigan Tech (Neil Hutzler, PI). Family Engineering  actively engage parents and elementary-aged children in hands-on engineering activities in order to create the next generation of problem solvers.

From Tech Today.

After School Science Classes Start Thursday

GLRC STEMThe next session of After School Sciences begins Thursday. The six-class sessions will meet from 4 to 5:30 Thursdays beginning April 7 and running through May 12, at the Great Lakes Research Center.

These hands-on explorations are taught by Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach education specialist, Marcy Erickson.

Physics of Motion (grades 2-5)

Explore motion in our world through investigations involving the principles of physics.  Students will construct rockets, roller coasters, aqueducts, and catapults to discover the relationship between energy and motion through engaging, hands-on activities.

Cost: $75/student; pay by credit card by calling Michigan Tech Cashier 487-2247. (Your space is not reserved until payment has been received.) Register online or at wupcenter.mtu.edu. Call with questions to 7-3341 or email Joan Chadde  

Note: Houghton school bus will drop off students at the GLRC by 3:45 pm. Please email Shari Tapani or call 482-0456 to arrange for your child. 

After School Programs are coordinated by the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach.

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.