Pathfinders Maker Education Resources

Infosys Foundation’s online platform supports K–12 teachers interested in bringing dynamic computer science and maker education to their classrooms. The platform presents streamable computer science lessons for grades K–5; lessons and activities introducing students to careers in Information Technology, versioned for grades 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12; and activities to engage students and families in coding experiences at home. In addition, a three-part video series highlights Design Thinking tools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The elementary video shows students how to design solutions for a storybook character based on the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985) by Laura Numeroff, while the middle level video focuses on helping students learn how to redesign better household objects. At the high school level, the video discusses the basic steps of the invention process and helps students to see themselves as inventors. 

Feathered Friends Activities

Bring science to life in your classroom with the Feathered Friends downloadable document from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Perfect for elementary educators, this collection of easy-to-use and fun activities will help you teach science content year-round through your local birds. Ten monthly lessons introduce students to local birds, cover topics from habitat to migration, and include a home-connection activity to sustain the learning. Each lesson teaches students how to identify one or two birds while encouraging students to explore the outdoors and practice science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills. (E-mail registration is required to access the document.)

Physics Meets the Monsters

Produced by San Francisco’s nonprofit science organization Wonderfest, this animated series encourages students to enroll in middle school and high school physics, considered a gateway subject to STEM careers. Each part of the three-part series tackles a common stopping point keeping students from enrolling in physics. In part one, students learn the many ways superhero Physics combats Bor-e-doom, a villain draining energy from unsuspecting people, especially teenagers. In part two, superhero Physics comes to the rescue with useful skills students can use to battle the dangerous Careera and her many tentacles of worry that snare students’ minds (standardized tests, grades, extracurriculars, teacher recommendations). In part three, superhero Physics disarms the villain Mister Rhee with experiments, tools, and high-powered technology.  

ORISE Season of STEM Activity Plan Competition

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants your help to provide STEM activity plans for students that can be completed at home during the holidays. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM activity plan that incorporates household items for an opportunity to win supplies to start or enhance your own classroom makerspace! Three teachers will be awarded a classroom makerspace filled with maker tools and supplies. (Deadline November 30) Prizes include

• Ozobot Evo Coding Robots
• LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor
• Makerspace Tools and Supplies: construction paper, Origami paper, cardboard sheets, glue, hot glue gun, utility knives, wire cutters, modeling clay with tools, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, sequins, feathers, toy wheels, duct tape, ribbon, and more

The Bee Conservancy’s Beginner Beekeeper Program

The Bee Conservancy is offering three scholarships to eCornell's Beekeeping Essentials Course. These scholarships will be awarded to aspiring/beginner beekeepers with little or no beekeeping experience whose work advances environmental stewardship, food justice, or education. (Deadline October 31)

Awardees of this program will receive

• Tuition and enrollment in eCornell’s Beekeeping Essentials 5-week instructor-led course to be taken February 1 through March 7, 2023, at no cost to the recipient; 
• Knowledge about honey bee biology, the fundamentals of beekeeping, how to start/observe/support hives, and problem solving. By the end of the course, you should feel ready to house honey bee hives of your own;
• Mentorship from The Bee Conservancy’s certified Master Beekeepers; and
• A Beekeeping Essentials Certificate from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, awarded to individuals who successfully pass the course.

High School Mentors Needed for U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad 2024–2026 Program 

The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) program is seeking high school chemistry teachers with background in one or more of the areas of organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, or biochemistry to serve as mentors. Successful candidates should have laboratory and classroom experience with highly motivated students on or above the AP Chemistry level. Applicants must be prepared to make a three-year term commitment. The American Chemical Society pays an honorarium and most expenses associated with the study camp and the IChO. Experience with the USNCO is not a prerequisite for selection.

Teachers may obtain an application and additional information at https://www.acs.org/olympiad, or contact Margaret Thatcher, program specialist, at USNCO@acs.org or 202-872-6328. If you are interested, submit an application, available on the USNCO website, and your resume by January 6, 2023. Applicants must arrange to send three letters of recommendation directly to Dr. Lily Raines, manager, Office of Science Outreach, Education Division, at USNCO@acs.org by January 19, 2023. 

DOE’s Office of Science Accepting Applications for Summer 2023 Undergraduate Internships

Applications are currently being accepted for the Summer 2023 term of two undergraduate internship programs offered by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science.

• Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program
• Community College Internships (CCI) program

Undergraduate students in SULI and CCI discover science and technology careers at the DOE national laboratories and gain the experience needed to transition from intern to employment. Interns work directly with national laboratory scientists and engineers on research or technology projects that support the DOE mission. SULI is open to full-time students attending four-year institutions and community colleges or recent graduates within two years of receiving their bachelor’s degree. CCI is exclusively for community college students. Both programs are stipend-based and offered three times annually in fall, spring, and summer terms. (Deadline January 10, 2023)

A summer internship fair sponsored by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists and hosted by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education will take place on October 25 at 1–6 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) (register here). Prospective SULI and CCI applicants can engage with recruiters and scientists from DOE National Laboratories.

In addition, two application assistance workshops will be held for each program. The first workshop will introduce the program and application process, and the second workshop will highlight the research opportunities and internship experience at the DOE national labs. The dates and times for the workshops are

• CCI program (register here for both workshops) 

1. October 31 at 2–3pm ET 
2. November 7 at 3–4pm ET   

• SULI program (register here for both workshops)

1. November 2 at 2–3pm ET
2. December 5 at 3–4pm ET