Hacking STEM
Microsoft Hacking STEM: In July of 2019, 30 local educators spent two weeks on campus at Microsoft learning computer science side - by - side with software engineers and developers learning foundations for invention and rapid prototyping. Upon return, and into the school year, the team implemented in while simultaneously scaling the work by training others in their schools and districts. Even as the pandemic forced school closures in the Spring of 2020, the work continued through virtual lessons, camps and professional learning experiences for teachers. Through the Microsoft Hacking STEM curriculum teachers continue to learn how to provide instruction which introduces data science through AI, IoT, and machine learning experiences. Hundreds of teachers and thousands of students have been introduced to these critical concepts that can be used to solve local problems and encourage invention, build an entrepreneurial mindset and lead to tomorrow ’ s innovations! We had the very first Day of Data celebration in partnership with the Microsoft Excel team! Biomimicry: Learning lessons from nature to solve everyday problems empowers students to think critically. A two - day workshop was held for 30 local educators to learn how to infuse biomimicry's core principles into secondary science classrooms. Employing these concepts teachers were trained to apply lessons learned from nature as they implement core science concepts into the classroom. During the 19 - 20 school year, teachers across the region implemented projects. The Hackathon and Design Challenge, which was scheduled for the spring, has been postponed due to COVID - 19. Summer Programs: We have developed a series of in - person, hybrid, and fully on - line summer programs for all grade levels. These programs range from being completely coding - based, utilizing robotic and drone simulations and on - line resources to a full Hacking STEM experience where kids received generous packets of supplies and learned breadboarding and circuitry. Over the summer, we reached over 1,000 students across the region in Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Clay, and Flagler Counties through partner organizations, including the National Security Agency (NSA), FSCJ, UNF, Boys & Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts, Communities in Schools, and others. We measured outcomes using our modified PEAR Retrospective instrument and found that participant ’ s likelihood to pursue a STEM career has increased.
STEM2 HUB ANNUAL REPORT ◊ 6
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