October 2023 STEM Newsletter

Texas Education Agency sent this bulletin at 10/04/2023 09:19 AM CDT

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Texas Lone Start STEM

October 2023

K-12 STEM Newsletter
Solar Challenge

Texas Solar Car Challenge Teams

Texas STEM Announcements

K-8 Technology Applications TEKS

The technology applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) consist of five strands that prepare students to be literate in technology applications by Grade 8: computational thinking; creativity and innovation; data literacy, management, and representation; digital citizenship; and practical technology concepts. Communication and collaboration skills are embedded across each of the strands. 

The 2022 adopted K-8 technology applications TEKS are scheduled for implementation beginning with the 2024–2025 school year. A copy of the 2022 adopted TEKS can be found in the Texas Administrative Code. The Texas Education Agency has developed a series of STEM one-pagers to support understanding key concepts in STEM education. The development of STEM one-pagers that align with the K-8 technology applications and can be found in the STEM toolkit.

Technical Reading and Writing in STEM (PDF)

Computational Thinking (PDF)

Design Thinking (PDF)

Texas EcosySTEM

 

Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME)

Texas EcosySTEM non-profit member

For nearly 50 years, the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, or TAME, has offered out-of-school time engineering programs to spark students’ interest and support their long-term success in engineering education and careers. TAME is recruiting educators interested in leading TAME Clubs for middle- and high-school students! TAME provides the curriculum, structure, and toolkit of materials to make it easy to lead an engaging afterschool program: Access to a complete engineering curriculum; Toolkit of supplies for hands-on engineering learning activities; Participation in regional TAME Engineering Competitions* (at no cost to Clubs); TAME Scholarships for graduating seniors planning to major in STEM.

How to Register a TAME Club by October 10:

First, the Club Leaders will register the Club by visiting this page on TAME’s website, reviewing the instructions, and completing the online form at the bottom of the page.

Second, each student registers for the Club by visiting this page on the TAME website, reviewing the instructions, and completing the student registration form at the bottom of the page.

Contact Leslie Diamond, Leslie.Diamond@TAME.org, for more information.

Upcoming Events

October Mobile STEM Lab Visits:

Dallas ISD – Region 10

Denton ISD – Region 11

Dawson ISD – Region12

Leon ISD – Region 6

November Mobile STEM Lab Visits:

Beaumont ISD – Region 5

Burkeville ISD – Region 5
Michelle Sedberry

Contact Information

Michelle Sedberry
Statewide STEM Coordinator
Texas Education Agency

Texas EcosySTEM STEM Leads, Education Service Centers 

STEM Lead Contact Information

Texas Education Agency Curriculum Standards and Student Support For general curriculum questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.                

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STEM Newsletter Subscription

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STEM Night

Diboll ISD Texas Mobile STEM Lab Visit and STEM Night

The Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory kicked off the 2023-2024 school year in Diboll ISD, located in educational region 7.

The HG Temple Elementary and Intermediate campus in Diboll, Texas, enjoyed working through the engineering design challenges presented in the Texas Mobile STEM Lab.  Students in grade 5 created a wobble bot that wobbled, lit up, and made sounds.  Students in grade 4 built a retaining wall with various types of soil to prevent their "homes" from flooding. Grade 3 students created catapults which delivered a care package to a castle. Grade 2 students were challenged to build the tallest beanstalk that could support Jack. The Texas Mobile STEM Lab provided our students in a rural area with hands-on problem-solving experiences.
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The campus and the Texas Mobile STEM Lab hosted a Family STEM Night with over 200 participants during the visit. The campus welcomed families in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 2 to experience the Texas Mobile STEM Lab and engage in take-home STEM activities led by teachers. The Naranjo Natural History Museum also participated by providing fossils that students could use to make fossil imprints. The family engineering design challenge brought all components of the engineering design process into fruition with the True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Families designed a house that had to withstand the Big Bad Wolf's Sneeze.  Our families and campus are very appreciative and thankful to TEA for granting us this learning opportunity.

A special thanks to Nikki Miller, principal, for providing this opportunity and write-up about the event.  
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Solar Car

As a courtesy to our readers, the following information from an external stakeholder has been included.

Texas Solar Car Challenge

The Solar Car Challenge (SCC) is a project-based STEM initiative designed to motivate students in science, engineering, and alternative energy. The SCC education program teaches high school students how to set up their projects, plan a budget, develop communication skills, design and engineer a vehicle, and drive a roadworthy solar car. 

At the end of each 15-month education cycle, students have the opportunity to showcase their solar cars. On even-numbered years, teams get to race at the famous Texas Motor Speedway; on odd-numbered years, teams drive cross country. Each year, these driving events help motivate students of all ages and inspire young minds to achieve all they can.

The Solar Car Challenge: Students build a car powered with the sun and drive that car at the top National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) facility in the country. The SCC will help students and teachers achieve this goal and help a solar car project succeed.

The SCC invites educators to participate in the challenge as a team advisor, mentor, volunteer, or sponsor. School districts interested in participating in the 2023-2024 Solar Car Challenge are invited to attend an overview meeting at the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Marriott and Golf Club scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2023. There will be an opportunity to attend virtually. For more information, visit http://www.solarcarchallenge.org or contact Dr. Lehman Marks at marks@solarcarchallenge.org.

STEM Program Highlights

If you have a statewide STEM event or program you would like to feature in the STEM newsletter please send your information and picture to michelle.sedberry@tea.texas.gov. 

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