Generating Interest in STEM through Hands-On Activities

Generating Interest in STEM through Hands-On Activities

Susan G. Nelson, CMP, CAE

Executive Director, SeaPerch Program

Current Situation

Source: NSF “Science and Engineering Indicators 2010”

• Based on a book• Curriculum

designed in 2003 by MIT

• Funded by ONR as part of the NNRNE

• AUVSI Foundation manages program

One Solution - SeaPerch

What Is SeaPerch?

SeaPerch is an educational TOOLSeaPerch is fun and HANDS-ONSeaPerch is a CURRICULUMSeaPerch teaches STEMSeaPerch TRAINS teachersSeaPerch Focuses on DIVERSITYSeaPerch can CHANGE kids’ MINDSSeaPerch is the Navy’s Signature Outreach ProgramSeaPerch can help find the NEXT GENERATION of STEM Professionals

HowStudents learn design and engineering principles by building an underwater ROV (Sea Perch) and participating in a SeaPerch Challenge

– Fun, educational, challenging

– Varying levels of sophistication allow broad appeal

– Integrates engineering & technology into the classroom

– Introduces maritime, robotics, STEM careers into the classroom

Basic Curriculum• Ship and Sub Design• Buoyancy• Displacement• Motor Movement• Soldering• Vectors• Circuits and Switches• Ergonomic Design• Depth Measurement• Biological Sampling• Attenuation of Light

National Science Education Learning Standards

• SeaPerch meets many of the national learning standards

• Maps to the new Common Core standards

• Visit www.seaperch.org to see how standards map to you

• Provides a curriculum and activity guide that maps to standards, provide lesson plans and activities, and gives teachers suggestions and ideas for classroom

Delivery Methods

• In-School Curriculum• After School Programs• Out-of-School (Scouts, 4H,

Boys & Girls Clubs Sea Cadets)

• School clubs• Summer Camps

Kit Components• PVC Pipe• Wire• Small motors• Film canisters• Wax• Switches• Small Propellers• Circuit Board

components• Other items

Current Cost (as of May 2014 - subject to change)

Cost of Kits• $169 per individual SeaPerch Kits• $235 per Teacher Tool Kit

Sources of Funding (Ideas)• School District• Parents (Lab Fees, Club Fees)• Grants• Sponsors

SeaPerch ChallengeVehicle Performance• Maneuvering (obstacle

course)• Recovery• Advanced Recovery

Innovative Design• $20 budget for design

enhancement (optional)Team Presentations• Student team oral poster

presentation on the design and engineering process, lessons learned, teamwork experience

SeaPerch MissionAwareness

Interest

Pursuit

SeaPerchRobotics, Underwater Robotics, Maritime EngineeringScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Careers

Formal CurriculumInformal ProgramsUndergraduate Education (STEM)Masters/ PhD (STEM)Masters/ PhD (NA/ME)

SeaPerch ParticipationEducation (Apply/ Graduate)Internships (e.g., CISD)Grants, ScholarshipsPost-doctoral PositionsCareers

Public at Large

Potential Candidates

SeaPerch Reach through 2013

• Curriculum• Provides a ready-made solution to

kits• Affordable• Water• Mentor/Teacher Training• Navy-Relevant• Partnership with NDEP and NAVSEA

allows for in-class mentoring and support for teachers

• Online resource for ordering materials, gathering metrics, training teachers/mentors, providing curriculum and activities

• Customer Service/Tech Support

Program Assessment

• Metrics and Analytics

• Pre and Post Student Assessments

• Teacher Evaluations

How Can You Help?• Mentor at a local school

• Judge or volunteer at a SeaPerch event

• Purchase SeaPerch kits for use in your designated school or program

• Financial Sponsorship

Questions? For more info, visit www.seaperch.org

Thank You