Scientific American’s World Changing Ideas Video contest solicits 2-5 minute videoes about innovative ways to build a cleaner, healthier, safer world. Deadline: September 15, 2010. Participants must be 18 or older.

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Filed under: K-12 Outreach Programs | Comments Off on Video Contest: Build a Better World

Tags: Science Contest, Video contest

In partnership with the Myoo Create community, Levi Strauss & Co. is running a competition for designers everywhere to respond to the challenge of how to design the world’s most innovative, covetable, and sustainable air-drying solution for clothing. They’re offering $10,000 prize money to be distributed among the finalists for the most effective solutions, as well as an audience with experienced designers and eco-innovators.

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Filed under: For Teachers, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, K-12 Outreach Programs | Comments Off on Competition: Solution to Air-Dry Clothes. July 31, 2010

Tags: Competition, Competitions for Students, Competitions for Teachers, Environmental Engineering

The STEM Clubs Network, which caters to schools in the United Kingdom, also provides best practice information, professional advice, shared resources, tips, and more for starting and running STEM-based extracurricular clubs for the middle and high school levels.

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Filed under: Web Resources | Comments Off on Website: STEM Clubs Network

Tags: Internet Resources, Organizations, Outreach for Schools, STEM Clubs, STEM education, STEM subjects, Teaching Aids, Web Resources, Website

In this detailed .pdf from the HandsOn Network, teachers and educational leaders interested in starting math and science clubs find instructions, advice and tips, a sample agenda, and additional web resources. Math and science clubs can give students a safe environment to learn and interact with others with similar interests. They can also provide a safe place for students to explore and discover, especially for those who may not have strong support at home.

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Filed under: Web Resources | Comments Off on Resource: Math and Science Club Step-by-Step Guide

Tags: Internet Resources, Math, Mathematics, STEM Clubs, Web Resources

Would you believe that slime is a member of the Space Shuttle team? As an advanced viscoelastic material, slime is an amazingly lead-proof hydraulic fluid used in all critical positioning systems in space. Check out these slime recipes from the Inamori School of Engineering, Alfred University.

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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5 | Comments Off on Activity: Making Slime

Tags: Chemistry, Class Activities, Physical Science, Physics

The egg drop is a fun and dramatic way to get students involved in engineering design. After a discussion of safety features, students experiment packaging an egg to produce a design that will allow it to fall from a considerable height without cracking.

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Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans | 2 Comments »

Tags: Engineering Design, Grades 5-12, Lesson Plan, Packaging Engineering, Physical Science, Physics, Safety engineering

In this activity for grades 6-8, students learn about the dynamics of hot air balloons. Working in groups, they construct a working model, then use a hair dryer as the heat source to demonstrate the principle that hot air rises. Activity courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration.

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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8 | Comments Off on Activity: Float a Hot Air Balloon

Tags: Class Activities, Physical Science, Physics

STEM clubs are sprouting up in schools across the nation, cultivating curiosity about STEM subjects and building a pipeline of much needed future professionals. These clubs appeal to a wide array of students and are a great way to develop teamwork, leadership, and other life skills.

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Filed under: Special Features | Comments Off on Feature: STEM Clubs Build Popularity

Tags: Informal Learning, STEM education, STEM subjects

The latest X-Prize Foundation multimillion-dollar engineering and invention contest will tackle the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, with entrants proposing solutions to shorelines and open water sullied by oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which has been gushing since April 20, 2010.

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Filed under: K-12 Education News | 1 Comment »

Tags: Competition, Competitions for Students, Competitions for Teachers, Energy and Environmental Technology, Environmental Engineering, Organizations, Science Contest