STEM+Nov+2008+schedule

Thank you for attending the SECOND ANNUAL STEM FOR GIRLS THINK TANK - NOVEMBER 2008. We enjoyed having you and hope you will return next year! This year's Think Tank was sponsored by The Harpeth Hall School, Holton-Arms School, Lenovo, Virtucom, The Parent Company, Gresham Smith & Partners, and Street Dixon Rick Architects.

Special thanks to Brad Rathgeber of Holton-Arms School for coordinating facilitators and school presentations.


 * __1-2 p.m. Early Registration__**

__**Afternoon Sessions - Optional**__

__**Workshop on Project-Based Learning using the Legacy Cycle - presented by Stacy Klein, Vanderbilt University School of Engineering **__2-4:30 p.m. This workshop, presented by last year's keynote speaker, will focus on the research-based Legacy Cycle method of teaching. Stacy will review the literature with participants, discuss the specifics of the model, and show examples from STEM-based courses. Additionally, attendees will participate as students in the introductory activities of a Legacy Cycle unit in order to experience the method in action. $20 registration fee. Cost is $20. Registration required.

__**Mathematics Workshop**__ 2-3 p.m. Engaging math activities for all ages of math students - This session will give insight into engaging activities for both middle school and upper school levels. Students at all levels benefit from working together through problem-solving activities in math. A plethora of challenging and interesting problems will be presented as well as a format for students to write individually about the problem-solving process. There will also be a presentation of using the Smartboard and Geometer's Sketchpad in a math classroom. Tad Wert and Reney McAtee, presenters. Free. Registration required.

3-4 p.m. This session will introduce participants to an original curriculum module developed this summer at the Vanderbilt University Biomedical Engineering RET Site Project created through the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Teachers program. This module introduces nanotechnoogy and nanoparticles and enables students to describe and identify different analytical instruments used to measure properties of quantum dots. Students also study these nanoparticles in relation to current cancer research. Melinda Higgins, presenter. Free. Registration required. 2-3 p.m. Forensic Science: An Investigative Approach to Teaching Science Process Skills - This session demonstrates an experiential learning unit on forensic science. Participants will engage in several process skill- focused activities modeling a variety of investigative techniques. These techniques will then be put to practice in an effort to solve a mock criminal investigation. Free. Registration required.
 * __Science Workshop__**
 * __CSI Workshop - canceled__**

3-4 p.m. An Introduction to Lego Robotics - This hands-on workshop is for beginners who want to see what the fun is all about! Participants will learn how to program robots to do one or two basic moves. No experience necessary. Melissa Wert and Adam Romary, presenters. Free. Registration required.
 * __Robotics hands-on workshop__**

Thursday, November 13:
8:15 Registration and breakfast 8:45 Opening session and keynote by Dr. Catherine Didion, Senior Program Director at the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) 10:15 - 4:45 Discussion groups and demonstrations 11 - 11:45 Computer Science - demo of Alice and Scratch by Cindy Salkeld and Jill Pala, Girls' Preparatory School 1 - 1:45 - Science and Engineering - Patty Hunt and Sue Sadler, Hathaway Brown School 1:45 - 2:30 Mathematics demo - canceled 2:30 - 3:15 Engineering demo by Licia Kovach, Laurel School and Chris Lee, Holton-Arms School Noon - lunch and school tours 5-6 Cocktail reception Attendees on their own for dinner and evening entertainment. We will have suggestions and hosts/organizers for a few local restaurants and clubs.

Friday, November 14:
8:00 Breakfast 8:30 - 9:30 Panel of University Students in STEM fields 9:40 - 10:45 Presentation by Dr. Lisa Damour from Laurel School's Center for Research on Girls (CRG) reporting on research they are conducting on how to engage girls in the STEM fields. 11:00-12:30 Discussion groups 12:30 - 1:15 - lunch 1:15 - 2:00 Final session with reporting out to entire group 2:00 Evaluation and wrap-up