Free Workshop: Interactive Math Modeling and TI-Nspire CAS for Math Instruction
Funded by CAIMS, BSED, and Penn State Harrisburg
On July 29, 2024, twenty high school math teachers from Pennsylvania’s public schools attended this workshop focused on mathematics instruction that integrates math modeling practices and TI-Nspire technology.
Teachers reported that approximately 8,380 students will benefit annually from this workshop.
Teachers received a classroom set of TI-Nspire CAS calculators that can support 30 students, aligned curriculum and instructional resources to support math modeling and TI-technology instruction, resources for the classroom solutions from Texas Instruments, and free 3-year TI-Nspire CX Premium Teacher Licenses from Texas Instruments Incorporated.
Free Workshop: Teaching Financial Literacy Through Math Modeling
In September 2023, thirty grades 3-5 educators from Pennsylvania’s public schools attended this workshop focused on teaching financial literacy concepts through mathematical modeling practices.
Teachers reported that approximately 9,950 students will benefit annually from this workshop.
Teachers received a classroom set of Legos for 30 students, a copy of the book titled “Building Better Learning: Using the Lego® Serious Play® Method in Education”, access to Lego Serious Play standards-aligned curriculum and instructional resources, and Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Funded by the Link Foundation
Virtual Workshop: Integrating Literacy, Math, and Coding in Grades K-2 Using Sphero Indi
- A Collaboration Among Sphero Education and CAIMS.
- In November 2021, seventy-eight K-2 educators who teach or oversee STEM/STEAM activities in public Pennsylvania schools attended this workshop focused on integrating literacy, math, and computational thinking concepts using Sphero Indi robots.
- Teachers reported that approximately 17,755 students will benefit annually from this workshop.
- Teachers received a classroom set of Sphero Indi robots (a $1,200 value), access to Sphero’s standards-aligned curriculum and instructional resources, personalized training and support from Sphero Education, and Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Teaching Mathematical Modeling through 3D Printing
- In October 2021, thirteen Lancaster County middle school STEM teachers attended this workshop on integrating mathematical modeling practices through 3D printing.
- Teachers reported that approximately 5,000 students will benefit annually from this training.
- Teachers received two 3D printers for their classroom, a class set of math cubes, standards-based instructional resources, and Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- This workshop was made possible thanks to grant funding from the Lancaster County STEM Alliance.
Integrating Biology and Computer Science to Model How A Four Chambered Heart Functions
- In May and June 2021, twenty-eight high school biology, anatomy/physiology, computer science, and technology and engineering teachers from 15 school districts attended this online workshop about using the Texas Instruments Innovator Hub to integrate coding when teaching how a heart functions. Current engineering and medical technologies applicable to the heart were presented by faculty and physicians from the Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Harrisburg.
- Teachers reported that approximately 1,300 students will benefit annually from this training.
- Teachers received a class set of Texas Instrument CX Nspire II calculators, 10 student ready materials kits for the heart activity, standards-based instructional resources from Texas Instruments, and Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- This workshop was part of the C3N grant program.
Strategies for Activating Student Engagement and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) through Computational Thinking
- Presented by national computer science instructional coach and speaker Jorge Valenzuela on June 10, 2021 in collaboration with Sphero Education.
- Watch the video of the presentation
- View the presentation handout
STEAM and Coding with Sphero
- In November 2020, twenty-four teachers from nineteen Title 1 elementary and middle schools attended this virtual workshop to learn about using the Sphero Bolt for teaching standards based, hands-on STEAM lessons. Teachers participated via Zoom with their Sphero Bolts they received.
- Teachers reported that approximately 6,500 students will benefit annually from the Sphero Bolts they received.
- Teachers received a classroom set of Sphero Bolts and charging hub, access to Sphero’s Computer Science Foundations curriculum and online instructional resources, a year of instructional and technical support from Sphero, and Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
>> See the photos from the event
Using the Raspberry Pi for Smart Home Applications
- In March 2020, 40 high school computer science and technology/engineering teachers attended this workshop to learn about using the Raspberry Pi to solve smart home design challenges. This workshop was conducted as part of the Smart Home Research Initiative grant from Penn State Harrisburg.
- Teachers reported gains in their understanding of computer science and engineering design
- Teachers received a Raspberry Pi with an extensive set of sensors, smart home and Raspberry Pi instructional resources, Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and a non-credit course certificate from Penn State Harrisburg.
>> See the photos from the event
Safety Considerations for Designing and Running a Makerspace or STEM Lab Workshop
- In February 2020, Intermediate Unit 13 (Lebanon/Lancaster) and CAIMS co-hosted this event for 13 educators and 3 administrators. This workshop covered safety standards and procedures for designing and overseeing school makerspaces or STEM labs.
- Attendees reported that approximately 11,500 students will benefit annually from the safety information presented at this workshop.
- Attendees received a copy of the latest national STEM education safety guide, a classroom set of safety glasses and goggles, Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and a non-credit course certificate from Penn State Harrisburg.
Ultimate STEM, STEAM, and Makerspace Activities Workshop presented by TeacherGeek®
- In November 2019, twenty-six elementary and middle school teachers attended this workshop on using TeacherGeek® materials to teach standards based, hands-on STEM design challenges. Methods for integrating literacy into STEM were also presented by Penn State Harrisburg’s Literacy Education faculty.
- Teachers reported that approximately 1,100 students will benefit annually from this training.
- Teachers received a shirt, sets of TeacherGeek® tools, classroom sets of three different TeacherGeek® STEM activities, standards based lessons and worksheets, Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and a non-credit course certificate from Penn State Harrisburg.
>> See the photos from the event
9th Annual South Central PA Robotics Competition
- In November 2019, approximately 50 students from over a dozen school districts participated in this event organized by Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering, and Technology.
- CAIMS supported this event by providing a number of free BoeBot kits for schools to compete.
- More information about the competition results and future competitions can be found here
Teaching Computer Science through Engineering Design Workshop
- In May 2019, forty elementary and middle school teachers attended this workshop on using the Crumble microcontroller to teach computational thinking through hands-on engineering design challenges. Examples of integrating literacy into engineering design challenges were also highlighted.
- Teachers reported that approximately 14,000 students will benefit annually from this training.
- Teachers received a flash drive with instructional resources, four Crumble microcontrollers and sensor kits for their classrooms, Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and a non-credit course certificate from Penn State Harrisburg.
>> See the photos from the event
Teaching Math Modeling through 3D Printing Workshop
- In March 2019, sixty middle school teachers attended this workshop on using 3D printing and design to teach standards based mathematical modeling concepts. Examples of integrating other STEM concepts through 3D printing were also highlighted.
- Teachers reported that approximately 24,000 students will benefit annually from this training.
- o Teachers received a flash drive with instructional resources, a 3D printer for their classroom, Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and a non-credit course certificate from Penn State Harrisburg.
>> See the photos from the event
Spheros (Coding Devices)
Awarded to seven school districts for students to learn computer coding to solve mathematics, science, and technology problems.”
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Project with Middletown School District
Engineering Ambassadors
Assisted with this program in Steelton-Highspire 7th grade.
NIH SEPA/CREST
SEPA CREST is a National Institutes of Health program (with our partners from the College of Medicine) that was founded in 2008. It provides services to both students and science teachers in Middletown, East Pennsboro, Steelton-Highspire, and Susquehanna Township School Districts.
In July 2012, participants spent six days in a residential experience in Juniata College’s Environmental Center at Raystown Lake with 16 students and five science teachers from Susquehanna Township. Also providing expertise in science specialties were four faculty researchers from the College of Medicine, two faculty from CAIMS+, and science faculty from Juniata College. Read more about this session in Penn State Medicine.
Summer 2013 saw these Susquehanna Township students and teachers in residence at the Penn State Harrisburg campus which served as a base of operation for student in the biofuels laboratory, simulation laboratory, science seminars, and field trips.
Steelton-Highspire students participated in a two-week shared experience in the engineering laboratories on Penn State Harrisburg’s campus and in the research laboratories as well as other health care facilities in the College of Medicine.
While it may be years before the students fully recognize the impact of the week’s curriculum, their responses in a focus group session with an evaluator confirmed that this experience was influential. Along with getting to know their students through a collaborative experience, the collegiality was strengthened among the science teachers, which can be difficult to facilitate in secondary school settings due to scheduling conflicts. Moreover the teachers reported dramatic changes in the science content and pedagogy they would be implementing in their own classrooms.
The NIH grant also provided Penn State master’s level courses to teachers in the participating schools and continues to support the participating schools with laboratory equipment and guest teaching of advanced science content in high school science classes.
Catalyst IV STEM
Developing Capacity to Enhance Mathematical Literacy
for STEM through Innovative Mathematics Instruction
STEM Integration in Mathematics, Science, and Special Education Teachers grades 6-12
Funding Sources
- In July 2015, teachers experienced core mathematics lessons taught through the lens of each STEM discipline. This was achieved through collaboration with industry leaders, STEM faculty and students, and teacher education faculty from Penn State Harrisburg. Mathematical literacy lessons were created by the teachers suit their grade-level and school context.
- Teachers received Act 48 Continuing Professional Education hours from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the option to receive graduate credit through Penn State Harrisburg, a voucher for instructional materials, year long mentoring, and the opportunity to join a network of local math teachers working to advance mathematical literacy.
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Dr. Jane Wilburne, Co-Director
Mathematics Education -
Dr. Amanda Thomas, Co-Director
Mathematics Education -
Dr. Daniel Borsch
Biology -
Dr. Rick Ciocci
Mechanical Engineering -
Dr. Linda Null
Computer Science