From the desk of Arturo Luján
Dear STEM Community,
In this month's edition of our STEM newsletter, we are delighted to spotlight the remarkable STEM fairs held at each school site and the district-wide STEM fair that recently took place. These events showcased the creativity, innovation, and hard work of our students, highlighting their passion for STEM subjects. We extend our sincerest congratulations to all participants and express our gratitude to the dedicated educators who supported and guided them throughout this journey as well as the Santa Fe Alliance for Science for their outstanding contributions in making these fairs a great success.
Additionally, we are excited to feature various STEM initiatives from around the state, illustrating the collaborative efforts to enhance STEM education and opportunities for our students. These initiatives reflect our collective commitment to fostering a thriving STEM ecosystem and preparing our students for success in an ever-evolving world.
As spring break approaches, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a restful and rejuvenating break. It's a well-deserved time to recharge and reflect on the incredible work we've accomplished together. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to STEM education, and I look forward to continuing our journey of inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
Warm regards,
Arturo E. Luján
STEM Coordinator for Santa Fe Public Schools
School Fairs
The recent STEM fairs held at each of the 14 participating school sites were nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the incredible talent, creativity, and ingenuity of our students. From innovative projects to hands-on demonstrations, these fairs provided a platform for students to explore their interests in STEM subjects and showcase their learning to peers, parents, and the community.
For many students, the STEM fair was an opportunity to delve into topics they are passionate about and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. From building robots to conducting scientific experiments, students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and determination. Their projects not only demonstrated a deep understanding of STEM concepts but also highlighted their critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
Behind the scenes, school STEM coordinators played a pivotal role in organizing and coordinating these events. For some, it was their first experience spearheading a STEM fair, while others brought years of experience to the table. Despite the varying levels of experience, each coordinator rose to the occasion, ensuring that their school's STEM fair was a resounding success.
A special thanks to Amy Stone, Brenda Dominguez, Carmina Armijo, Celange Santiso, Daisy Padilla, David Dawson, Giddel Ruiz Bravo, Hope Cahill, James Romero, Jennifer Northup, Jeri Lyn Manzanares, Justin Damm, Kimberly Martinez, Levi Northup, Mariah Ortega, Marion Markham, Megan Auer, Michelle Garcia, Rae Sue Vigil, and Tanya Garcia. From securing resources to coordinating logistics and providing guidance to students, these coordinators worked tirelessly to create an engaging and enriching experience for all involved. Their dedication and commitment to STEM education were evident in the seamless execution of the fairs, leaving a lasting impact on students and attendees alike.
As we reflect on the success of the STEM fairs, we are reminded of the importance of providing opportunities for students to explore, innovate, and discover their potential in STEM fields. These fairs not only celebrate the achievements of our students but also inspire them to continue pursuing their passions and aspirations in STEM. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the students, educators, and coordinators who made these fairs possible and look forward to the continued growth and success of STEM education in our schools.
2024 District STEM Fairs was a complete success!
The district STEM fair held at the Santa Fe Community College on February 22nd was a testament to the remarkable talent and dedication of our students, educators, and community partners. Hosted with precision and enthusiasm, the event showcased 143 projects, including 124 board projects and 19 digital projects, each representing the ingenuity and passion of its creators.
One of the highlights of the fair was the invaluable contribution of the Santa Fe Alliance for Science. For many years, this organization has generously dedicated their time and expertise to judge the fair, providing invaluable feedback and support to our budding scientists and innovators. Their commitment was recognized during the award ceremony, where they were honored for their unwavering dedication to advancing STEM education in our community.
Dr. Kelly Trujillo and the faculty from Santa Fe Community College played a pivotal role in organizing additional attractions during the fair. From coordinating a thrilling scavenger hunt to mesmerizing planetarium shows, their efforts added an extra layer of excitement and engagement to the event, captivating attendees of all ages.
The evening event saw the enchanting science demonstrations by Mr. Science himself, Hubert Van Hecke, which drew the attention of both children and adults alike. His captivating presentations showcased the wonders of science in a fun and interactive manner, inspiring curiosity and wonder among all who attended.
Special recognition is also due to Dr. Kersti Tyson from the LANL Foundation, who served as the ceremony master, guiding us through an evening filled with celebration and recognition. A special thanks to Flor Lujan from Communities in Schools for her contributions in the coordination of the District STEM Fair. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Sandra Shoshani, Jim Amann, Dean Gerber, Bruce Abell, Barbara Bianchi, Doug Reilly, Suzanne Rodriguez, Tom Hirons, Judy Reinhartz, Tobey King, and Kathy Brechner for their invaluable contributions as the heart and essence of the Santa Fe Alliance for Science.
As we reflect on the success of this year's STEM fair, we look forward with anticipation to next year's event, eager to continue fostering a culture of innovation, discovery, and excellence in STEM education. With the continued support of our community partners and dedicated educators, we are confident that the future of STEM in our district is bright and full of promise.
Contributing Article: "SFPS Dominates the Environmental Engineering Category at Regionals" by Dr. Ruby Estrada
As the Sustainability Program Specialist for the SFPS Sustainability Office, I have consulted with classrooms regarding science fair projects since I began working for SFPS. I also help the SF Alliance for Science judge STEM Fairs at various schools -- to include being a judge at District level. This year, I was invited to accompany our teachers and students to Regionals.
Whether teaching in the classroom or judging at STEM Fairs, I am always delighted to see projects that focus on environmental and sustainability solutions, e.g., alternative energy sources, natural disaster remediation, solutions to pollution… especially since the natural world is intrinsically linked to our own health and well being. Eco-anxiety data tells us that students innately feel the effects of climate change and fair better (pun intended) when they actively and conscientiously play a role in protecting our planet -- to include simple outdoor exploration with, in, about, and for nature. I believe we will continue to see an increase in student submissions related to the preservation of our natural world.
At Regionals this year, Jose Luis Hernández's students from Kearny Elementary, swept the Environmental Engineering category with three out of four wins, as depicted below. Mr. Hernandez guided his winning students this year through solutions focused projects to real life and real world problems in sustainability that mitigate methane gas emissions; battery remediation from landfills; and ocean clean-up. We also had students who placed from Nina Otero Community School and El Dorado Community School in various other categories such as Environmental Science, Plant Science, and Physics & Astronomy, respectively.
Congratulations and mega gratitude to everyone for their hard work to make these fairs a great experience for our students. Undoubtedly, STEM Fairs are rich, formative learning experiences for our students as they continue to utilize and develop their STEM design skills.
Re-Envisioning Math Pathways Working Group Recommendations
At the beginning of the 2023 calendar year, a working group was convened and tasked with creating modern and innovative mathematics pathways aligned with students’ goals and aspirations. The working group reviewed the latest research from other states and from academic research publications, bringing their classroom expertise or postsecondary and workforce experience into the conversations. The group has worked for several months on developing the recommendations for re-envisioning high school math pathways.
The group is releasing their discussion drafts recommendations for public feedback. We invite you to read the drafts and provide feedback. The public will have opportunities to hear from working group members during the in-person and virtual listening tour.
See the website for discussion drafts recommendations, listening tour schedule, and how to submit feedback.
Deadline:
March 18th, 2024
University of New Mexico's Project ECHO for Education STEM Programs
UNM's Project ECHO for Education is proud to present a suite of STEM programs tailor-made for educators just like you. These programs have been designed to enhance your ability to engage, educate, and empower your students in the world of STEM. What's more, they're completely virtual and free. Whether you're an early childhood educator, a STEM specialist, or a classroom teacher looking to develop your STEM teaching skills, there's something here for everyone.
Let us offer a glimpse of what’s to come:
Early Childhood STEM NM ECHO Program
A series of eight virtual sessions designed to encourage curiosity and play-based exploration of STEM concepts with young children and families.
Frequency/Time: Weekly on Thursdays, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM MT.
Elementary Numeracy NM ECHO Program
A series of monthly virtual sessions designed to encourage curiosity and play-based exploration of early numeracy concepts with children and families.
Frequency/Time: Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM MT.
Integrating STEM NM ECHO Program
A free virtual professional development opportunity providing teachers with scientific habits of mind and crosscutting concepts to use alongside their existing ELA and math instruction.
Frequency/Time: Thursdays, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM MT.
Math K-8 NM ECHO Program
A virtual professional development opportunity for K-8 math educators to increase student discourse and sense-making through cognitively guided instruction.
Frequency/Time: Every Monday, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM MT.
Science K-8 NM ECHO Program
A virtual professional development opportunity for K-8 science educators to increase student discourse and sense-making by sharing strategies, activities, and lesson components.
Frequency/Time: Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM MT.
These programs offer a unique chance to elevate your teaching methods, network with fellow educators, and stay updated on the latest STEM trends and innovations. We believe that every student deserves a dynamic STEM education, and these programs are your gateway to achieving just that virtually and at no cost.
Join us in this transformative journey towards inspiring the STEM leaders of tomorrow. To register for any of these programs or to learn more, please click the program “Learn More” above for details.
We look forward to seeing you at UNM's Project ECHO for Education and witnessing the incredible impact you'll make in the world of STEM education. Together, we can ignite a passion for learning that will shape the future.
Research Opportunities for Science Educators (ROSE 2024)
Are you interested in performing cutting-edge research in state-of-the-art facilities? Would you like to learn the latest in the development of scientific theories? Would you like to know more about research opportunities at the University of New Mexico? UNM has partnered with the NM PED to create a program designed to bring science teachers to UNM for an intensive five-week program working in an existing research group (Monday, June 10 to Friday, July 12). Participants of the program will receive a stipend of $1,200 per week for five weeks. Housing will be provided on campus for those that do not have local housing. All participants will receive a UNM parking pass and access to the library and other institutional buildings.
To learn more about individual research opportunities, please see the list of abstracts at our website (www.unmrose.unm.edu). This opportunity will allow you to participate in an active research project that seeks to answer important discipline-specific scientific questions. Prior experience in research is not a requirement to participate in this program. We continue to expand the program, and previous applicants and ROSE Scholars are invited to apply in 2024. Research topics include Chemical Synthesis, Bioengineering, Nanochemistry and Nanoscience, Molecular Modeling and Computation, Energy Science, Photochemistry, Electrochemistry, Biochemistry, Drug Design, Materials Science, and many others. We look forward to receiving your application.
Please direct questions to unmrose@unm.edu. Full consideration will be given to applications received by March 1, 2024. We plan to send notifications to accepted scholars as early as March 8, 2024, and this will continue until the cohort is complete.
Applying is easy! We only need your name, your school, email address, and short answers to a few simple questions:
Nominate an Outstanding Science Teacher
The NASA TechRise Student Challenge invites 6th-12th grade student teams to submit science and technology experiment ideas to fly on a rocket-powered lander or high-altitude balloonStudents attending U.S. public, private, or charter schools – including those in U.S. territories – are challenged to team up with their schoolmates to design an experiment under the guidance of an educator. A total of 60 winning teams will be selected and awarded $1,500 to build their experiment, an assigned spot on a rocket-powered lander or high-altitude balloon flight, and technical support from Future Engineers. The challenge offers participants hands-on insight into the payload design and flight test process, with the goal of inspiring a deeper understanding of space exploration, Earth observation, coding, electronics, and the value of test data. This is a wonderful way to get hands-on with a NASA project this school year, and we encourage teams of all skill levels to apply.
Prior Flights and a Winner From Your State:
You can view the portfolio page and short video of Monte Del Sol Charter School from New Mexico showcasing their winning experiment from the NASA TechRise Challenge 2022-23. You can also read more about the NASA TechRise flights that launched on June 14th, July 21st and July 24th .
Arturo E. Luján, SFPS STEM Coordinator
Email: arlujan@sfps.k12.nm.us
Website: www.sfps.info/page/stem
Location: B.F. Young Professional Center
Phone: (505) 467-2515
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