STEM Speaker Series #1

 We began our parent STEM speaker series with one of our parents, Dmitry Genis, doing a wonderful presentation on the history of computers.

Speech Introduction

  Mr. Genis emphasized how important math is in STEM careers as well as how important it is to be able to collaborate and communicate with others.  A real bonus was a video he showed us on how robots are programed to deliver items from where they are stocked in a warehouse in order for these items to be shipped to customers.  In fact, we will be taking a field trip to his company in the spring!

YouTube Video

  

iRobot Field Trip

Natick Labs Field Trip Questions/Comments:

This is a unique opportunity to communicate with the STEM professionals who work at the Natick Labs. Please post any questions/comments you have about what you saw on the field trip. For example, a question I might ask is: How do they get people to test food like we did. Or, I might make a comment like: I appreciate the time Donna Bulger spent planning the field trip for us, and I think it would be a good field trip for next year.

There are four people with whom you can direct questions/comments: Donna Bulger, Zack, Katelyn D'allesandro (the lady who explained the MRE's) and Jennifer Rourke (the lady who explained the computer software).

Assignment: Answer the following questions on the blog.

STEM Blog:

1. What is STEM?

2. Would you be interested in a STEM career and why?

3. Revisit the STEM blog and share a couple of thoughts as you revisit the blog regarding your impressions of the presentations.

4. Read: Math, Tech and the Women Who Don’t Love Them. What is the main theme in this article?

5. Go to the web site: www.engineergirl.org. You will see a link to: Profiles of Women Engineers. Click on that link. Five women appear. Also, there is another link: More Profiles of Women Engineers. You will find an alphabetical list of many, many more women engineers. Choose several women. (Several means more than 2.) Read about them. Pick one and, in your own words, write about her. You will see that most of the biographies are divided into the follow categories:

What I Do

Why Engineering?

My Day At Work

The Best Part of Being an Engineer

Proud Moments

Challenges

My Family

Dreams and Goals

Inspiration

Hobbies

Want to be an Engineer?

School Days

6. Why did you choose this woman?

7. The following is a list of engineering careers:

• Agriculture
• Communications
• Computers
• Construction
• Energy
• Environment
• Machines
• Materials
• Medicine
• Space
• Transportation

Read about them. Which one interests you and why?

8. Go to the following website: www.engineeryourlife.org/cms/6171/6174.aspx

You will see 7 short videos. Watch them. Pick one and write about her including why your choose her.

9. And….last but not least…Read what some of the other girls in this project wrote. Make at least two comments.

P.S. Both websites are chocked full of great information. Spend some time looking through all the links.

Stem Presentation: Dr. Birkbeck

Stem Presentation: Dr. Birkbeck

This was our second STEM presentation this year. We were fortunate to meet Anthony's grandfather, Dr. Birkbeck. Dr. Birkbeck's profession, plastic surgery, and his hobby, restoring antique cars, have many similarites. Please watch the video. Watching the video will refresh your memory of the presentation. As you watch the video you will be reminded of Dr. Birkbeck's many interests, his education and his involvement in STEM.

After you watch the videos (3), please respond to the question below anytime between now and 9:00 pm Sunday:

What do you think was the coolest thing Dr. Birkbeck talked about and why do you think so?

Stem Presentation: Dr. Pandolfi

This was our first STEM presentation this year. Dr. Pandolfi spoke with us about his involvement with the Mars Rover which was launched in 2003. Watch excerpts from his speech and respond to the two questions below the video. If you would like to watch the entire Mars Rover video shown by Dr. Pandolfi, click here.

You can also visit the official NASA site on the Mars Rover: click here....

Or...if you have questions and would like to get answers: click here....

When you respond to these two questions, please reread what you have written to make sure it makes sense.

1. Why was it crucial to the success of the mission that everyone involved was a team player who was able to work well with others (even if they didn't particularly like one or two of the individuals)?

2. There were many STEM careers involved in the planning and executing of this mission. Which one do you think was/would be the most interesting and why?

Thinking Ahead

Tomorrow's STEM presenter:

Think about a question you want to ask the STEM presenter.

Click COMMENT below and write in your question.