STEM Presentation, December 3, 2012, Dr Sheida Sharifi

We kicked off our STEM Speaker Series with an in depth explanation of pathology, the different areas of pathology and what it is that a Pathologist does.  We would like to thank Dr. Sheida Sharifi, Pathologist at Mount Auburn Hospital and Assistant Professor of Pathology at Tufts Medical School for providing us with this information. We also saw slides of healthy and unhealthy cells...one was even heart-shaped and one looked like Mickey Mouse!

  

                

DIGITS Visitor

On June 1st, last Friday, we were fortunate to have a guest speaker from the DIGITS Project.  DIGITS is a STEM education program that pairs STEM professionals--individuals who work in science, technology, engineering and math-based companies--with sixth grade classes throughout the state to increase students' interest in math and science subjects and careers.  Our speaker, Sandra Kogan, works for IBM as a software design engineer.  She used a loaf of bread, butter and a knife (roll of paper towels, container and a plastic knife) to show us the importance of being able to translate an activity into computer instructions so that an activity can be performed correctly.  Additionally, we learned what her interests were in middle school and how she ended up working at IBM.  One activity we did was to categorize different jobs into four major categories:  engineering, life sciences, computers/software/telecommunications and energy/environment.  It was an hour well spent!

STEM Speaker Series: Data Collection in Environmental Studies

Environmental Science is interdisciplinary because many scientists with different training are needed to solve complex problems: ie., physicists, chemists, biologists, meteorologists, and oceanographers to name a few.  Elaine's mom, Yixian, showed us how data is collected from the Ipswich River Watershed. We learned how important collecting data is when monitoring the environment.

STEM Speaker Series: Psychiatry and Community Mental Health

Elizabeth's mom, Barbara Cannon, gave an interesting and very informative talk about mental illness on Tuesday.  She went over several cases and how these cases would be diagnosed and treated.  You could tell by her enthusiasm that she really loved what she does: using her head, hand and heart!

Careers in Social Sciences

STEM Careers in the Social Sciences: Aging Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, International Affairs, Interdisciplinary Social Science, Political Science, Public Administration and Sociology.

Christina Lee, Ella's mom, who has a PhD in Psychology, spoke with Team 6-4 on Tuesday, about the Social Sciences, specifically Psychology.  Listed below is the education necessary as well as some of the tasks involved:

Ph.D. in Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology (Masters too—not research) 

Tries to understand human behavior and emotions

Focus on neuropsychology

Precise measurements

Balance clinical with scientific rigor

Ethics 

Publish findings for public/other psychologists 

Alleviate suffering 

             The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research.

             Ella's mom did the Stroop Test with us which tests selective attention, processing speed and cognitive flexibility.   Check it out!

STEM Speaker Series - Eric Miller

Abigail's Dad, Eric Miller, gave an informative, interesting perspective on some of the things that electrical engineers do.  As he said, we need more people with training in engineering to fill the jobs that are available in this career.  Below is a video which captures just a few of the many points he shared with us.

Acoustics: Science of Sound

A slide from the PowerPoint presentation-

Mr. Barbone, John's dad and professor of mechanical engineering at Boston University, spoke to us about acoustics, the science of sound. 

This music box showed how sound is created by vibrations.

CICU Presentation/Happy Valentine's Day

David Patkin's mom, Lynn, did a wonderful presentation on the Heart...coincidentally tomorrow is Valentine's Day!

Why Math?

 

Continuing with our STEM Speaker series, Judy Dolan, a math teacher at Newton South and Emma's Mom, prepared a terrific powerpoint on "Why Math?".

January 9, 2012 - Isolating DNA

Nikhat Zaidi, a biochemist for Biorad Laboratories, did a wonderful presentation on isolating DNA.  The following two slides explains the beginning of what we did to isolate our own DNA!