What is the STEM Club
Over the past many years Bitburg Middle School has had a Technology Club. However, that club began to dwindle a couple of years ago. Two years ago, I began a science club for all students, parents and teachers at Bitburg Middle School. My intent with the club was (and still is) to foster a love for science. For that reason, the club is not typically standards driven. It is instead driven by the straight-forward questions, the hands-on interest, and the down-to-Earth fun that science can and should be.
When first I started the science club, I was very focused on long-term project-based activities. However, this year I want to focus on more short-term experiments, fun activities, and student-driven inquiry. Some of the initial ideas I have which may be incorporated are:
When first I started the science club, I was very focused on long-term project-based activities. However, this year I want to focus on more short-term experiments, fun activities, and student-driven inquiry. Some of the initial ideas I have which may be incorporated are:
- Junk Box Wars The idea of Junk Box Wars comes from the Learning Channel's television program called "Junkyard Wars." Teams of scientists will be provided a task to complete (e.g., design a chain that will support the most weight). During the course of the next week, they will have the opportunity to develop the best design of which they can think, without knowing the specific materials they will be able to use. At the next meeting of the STC, each team will then be given their "Junk Box" which contains the items (identical for each team) from which they can construct their design. They will then have a limited time to adapt and build their design from the material they were given. At the end of the time limit, each design will be tested. Awards will be given to winning teams.
- Insect Scavenger Hunt/Collection
- Bald Eagle Days
- Geocaching and The Amazing (GPS) Race
- Raft Rally
- Drop Zone
- The Big Freeze
- (Science) Survivor
- (Bitburg) CSI / Bobcat Forensics Lab
- Digging Into Paleontology
Who is the STEM Club?
All BMS students, their parents, and teachers are welcome to participate in the STEM Club. Obviously, the club's purpose is to nurture within our students a life-long interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. So, when competing in various challenges, only student design and creation will be eligible. Parents and teachers can certainly create their own designs - they will simply not be eligible for direct competition against student designs and creations.
How much does the STEM Club cost? When and where does the club meet?
Cost: $0!!!!!!
Where: Room 514 (Bobcat Labs), Bitburg Middle School [unless otherwise indicated for specific activities]
When: every Tuesday afternoon @ 3:00. (Most meetings will be for about an hour - some may go longer, especially on competition days.)
Where: Room 514 (Bobcat Labs), Bitburg Middle School [unless otherwise indicated for specific activities]
When: every Tuesday afternoon @ 3:00. (Most meetings will be for about an hour - some may go longer, especially on competition days.)
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