Engage our youngest scientists by exploring and carrying out real scientific investigations on a variety of accessible insects and other nearby nature. Answer questions like “Do crickets have personalities?” and “Do ants have senses?”. This strand will introduce you to a variety of insects which can be used in the classroom, along with exploring how science works and connecting with a real UA insect scientist. Experience the fun of real discovery, and learn to design and execute hands-on activities that will help your students to notice, wonder, and use the science and engineering practices to answer testable questions, and practice evidence-based reasoning. Wear the student hat as you explore what doing science can look like for elementary-level scientists and then put on your teacher hat to consider how these projects can be tied into reading and math activities, as well as modifying projects to fit with your particular situation and the scientists you teach. All experiments and materials used are easily accessible, and teachers attending this strand will receive a STEMAZing Kit worth over $275 to bring all of the activities they are using to life in their own classrooms.
STEMAZing Kit Pickup (UPDATED): Due to the live crickets, and optional Madagascar hissing cockroaches, all participants must pick up their STEMAZing Kit either Monday, June 7th from 8am-5pm or Tuesday, June 8th from 7-8:15 am at the Pima County School Superintendent's Office (200 N Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701). Kits will not be mailed to participants.
Audience: K-5th Grade Teachers from Southern Arizona
(In order to maximize the impact of this workshop, only educators who work directly with students will be allowed to register and receive a kit. Please contact DaNel Hogan if you would like to attend but are in an administrative role.)
Facilitators: Dr. Anna Dornhaus – Professor in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at UArizona and Sarah Hitchings – STEMAZing Teacher Leader and 2nd Grade Teacher at Hendricks Elementary School (Flowing Wells USD)
Location: Zoom - link will be sent the week before the institute. You must have the ability to join the sessions via Zoom. Please download the most recent update to Zoom.
Cost: $75 for three days of world-class professional development AND a STEMAZing Kit valued at more than $275
Course Dates: Tuesday, June 8 - Thursday, June 10, 2021
Daily Schedule for Virtual STEMAZing Institute Strand
8:30 am – Zoom Meeting Opens
9:00 am – STEMAZing Session 1 Synchronous on Zoom
11:00 am – 30 minute lunch and 1.5 hours of asynchronous activities offline
1:00 am – STEMAZing Session 2 Synchronous on Zoom
3:15 pm – End of Day
Special thanks to the 2021 STEMAZing Institute title sponsor, Tucson Electric Power! The generous STEMAZing Kits of equipment and supplies teachers receive would not be possible without their continued support.
This workshop is part of the STEMAZing Institute. The STEMAZing Project’s philosophy on teacher professional development is simple: It must be hands-on and engaging – putting the educators in the seat of the students to experience STEM lessons firsthand. It must provide the educators with the equipment and supplies they need to implement the lessons and activities in their classrooms the next day if they choose. It must be facilitated by master educators who have themselves been in the classroom.
Media Policy:
The Pima County School Superintendent's Office and its partners often take photographs and videos during events and workshops as they occur. By registering for this event and/or workshop you are granting permission to use these images to promote our programs in print, on the web, and on social media.
Payment Policy
Payments must be received five (5) business days prior to the start of the class. Payments can be in the form of a check, credit card, P-Card, or a school purchase order. Registrations within the five (5) day window must be paid immediately upon registering for the course.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancellations must be submitted in writing five (5) business days prior to the start of the class to receive a refund. Cancellations must be emailed to BOTH: danel.hogan@pima.gov AND AR-schools@pima.gov. No refunds will be given for “no shows.” If courses are cancelled due to low enrollment, refunds will be issued to the individual or the school.
Attendance Policy
You are required to attend all sessions of the STEMAZing Institute strand. If you miss a session without prior consent from the organizer, you will be asked to return your STEMAZing Kit or you will be charged for its full value.
