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Resources to Celebrate National STEM Day

Today is National STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Day - a big day for our organization and the students, teachers and schools that we serve. At MIND Research Institute, our mission is to mathematically equip all students to solve the world’s most challenging problems and in doing so, prepare them to become the future STEM workforce.

Jobs in STEM fields will expand faster than non-STEM jobs, growing to more than 9 million by 2022. Our students need the emotional intelligence, adaptability, resilience and other skills necessary to succeed in STEM. But first, they need to be introduced to these topics in ways that will spark their curiosity to learn more.

National STEM Day gives us an opportunity to engage kids in STEM subjects and further develop their skills. To help you celebrate, we've rounded up some favorite STEM resources and events from our partners.

Rockwell Automation and Jay Flores

The world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information believes in making STEM exciting, fun and cool. They have a great page of STEM resources that’ll show you how to encourage students to get involved in STEM. They also have their very own STEM Ambassador, Jay Flores! His Twitter feed is full of uplifting quotes, engaging tweetchats and lots of photos from his STEM adventures around the world.

Rockwell Automation also puts on Automation Fair® each year where attendees are able to engage with product, technology, application, and industry experts to help solve current business challenges, from application to enterprise. This year's Automation Fair will be held November 14 and 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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MIND colleagues and ST Math students participate in the 2017 Automation Fair

Ford Motor Company

For more than 30 years, Ford has been inspiring students to seek knowledge, be curious and solve problems. On the Ford STEAM Experience landing page, you can learn about the numerous programs the company’s designed to inspire the next generation of thinkers and makers. They also offer video tutorials for hands on STEM activities that can be done with objects found around your house.  

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Ford volunteers spend some time with JiJi at a Family Math Night with MIND

Cisco

Have you checked out Cisco’s “Global Problem Solvers: The Series” yet? It’s a free program available from Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility. This animated program introduces students to complex problem solving through critical thinking, social entrepreneurship, team collaboration, and the use of technology to accelerate impact. There are two seasons currently available and a teacher resources page to help you get started.

Global Math Project and James Tanton

Global Math Week by Global Math Project might be over for the year, but that doesn’t mean your students can’t participate in the mathematical experience of Exploding Dots! This activity is provided in full technology, low technology, and no technology versions and will help you see mathematics like you've never seen it before.

One of our favorite things about Global Math Project is the encouraging voice behind it. If anyone can inspire a love for math, it’s James Tanton. His enthusiasm for the subject is contagious and shines through in every conversation we’ve had with him. A research mathematician with a Ph.D. from Princeton, James aims to promote uplifting joyful genuine math thinking and doing. Check out his Twitter feed for daily math puzzles and overall mathematical motivation.

Mass STEM Hub

Mass STEM Hub (a project of the One8 Foundation) provides schools with access to and support for premier STEM programming that engages students and prepares them for college and 21st century careers. While the majority of their programming is state-focused, all students can benefit from their Virtual Design Challenge.

At the beginning of each month, Mass STEM Hub posts a new design brief for the Virtual Design Challenge. Students are encouraged to design a prototype and then test and refine their design while sharing their ideas with others for feedback. Photos and videos of students’ designs can be uploaded for judgement and possible prizes. This challenge is a great way to develop students’ STEM skills and to engage them in the design process.

Embrace the Day

There are so many corporations, foundations and individuals out in the world who are championing STEM education and giving us great tools to engage students. The above are just a few and we’re proud to call them our partners. We hope that the resources we shared will inspire you today and throughout the rest of the year.

How are you celebrating National STEM Day? We'd love for you to share stories, videos and photos with us by tweeting @MIND_Research.

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Kelsey Skaggs

About the Author

Kelsey Skaggs was the Communications Manager at MIND Education. She enjoys highlighting the work of colleagues and partners who champion MIND's mission.

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