Waffle Bytes

I am looking for teachers that are willing to participate in a classroom challenge with their students! This challenge is open to all K-12 classrooms and student clubs in participating REMC12E districts. (This is nearly all school districts in Branch and Calhoun county.  Not sure if your district is included?  Email me to ask! Title: Build Model Test Course for New Vehicles Type : Engineering and Programming Challenge Challenge/Problem to Solve : You have been asked to develop a model test course for new vehicles. This course will test the controllability and speed of the vehicles as they move through the course. Challenge Parameters : Challenge is limited to 8-10 teams  Students must create all elements for the challenge  The designed course must contain the following:  An incline and decline of at least 24”  At least 4 turns, 2 each left and right  Tests for the model going slow, medium, and fast speeds  Time Frame : approximately...

From  Brenda Kragt - A session has been scheduled to show teachers the tools and exercises involved with the MDOT-TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) Program.  All exercises are aligned to educational benchmarks.  Training is scheduled for: Date:    Monday, January 22, 2018 Time:   8:00am-3:30pm Location:  1501 E Kilgore Rd, Kalamazoo MI 49001 Teachers (grades 6-12) who attend will receive two modules of their choice.  Materials are replenished by MDOT.  Also, students in 7-12 th  grade become eligible to participate in our annual Bridge Challenge, and graduating seniors who’ve used the tools can apply for our Civil Engineering Summer Internship.  As always, there is no cost for the training or modules.  We’d love to see more schools/classrooms involved with TRAC!   The opportunities for both exposure to civil engineering (for middle and high school classrooms) and for students to...

This week I just found out about WKAR's Curious Crew TV shows .  If you teach science at the lower level - or have a kid that is curious - these shows are worth checking out.  From the site: "Inquisitive kids take a hands-on approach to investigating principles of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with award-winning educator Rob Stephenson." The show has several kids that test & learn about different science principals using household items.  In addition to the shows (which can be streamed on the site, or watched on live TV), there are "Curiosity Guides" that teachers (or even parents) can use to recreate or explore what is seen on the show further.   Check it out!

Novel Engineering looks like a great way to collaboratively teach Literature with Engineering! From the website: An integrated approach to teaching Engineering and Literacy "Inspired by kids and grounded in research, Novel Engineering is an innovative approach to integrate engineering and literacy in elementary and middle school. Students use existing classroom literature - stories, novels, and expository texts - as the basis for engineering design challenges that help them identify problems, design realistic solutions, and engage in the Engineering Design Process while reinforcing their literacy skills.... [S]tudents develop projects based on texts they read in English Language Arts or other content classes, such as history. The characters become their clients and students pull from the text to scope problems and set constraints as they engage in engineering design. Teachers play a pivotal role in supporting their students' engagement by providing a supportive,...

For 6-12 th grade math, science, or civics teachers in Michigan. (from MDOT_TRAC) What : 1 day free MDOT-TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) Training  When: Tuesday, November 17 Time: 8:00am-3:30 pm   Where: the Marshall MDOT office; 15300 West Michigan Ave.; Marshall   Registration : Contact information provided at end of page For this FREE training and hands-on tools provided by MDOT:   Educators will learn to use (and will receive) hands-on math and science tools/exercises. Supplies are replenished as used.   Six SCECH hours are also available for the training. At least 1200 Michigan teachers have been trained to use these tools.  The program is used in 26 of the 50 states and is available for use in grades 6-12.  Training covers civil engineering related exercises involving these concepts: Environmental (settling and filtering) Motion (laws of motion, impulse) Magnetic Levitation (rea...