Virtual STEM Fair: June 8, 2021
World Ocean Day

If Water Has Memory, Then What Does That Mean For Our Oceans?

Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, but how much do we really know about this precious substance? Together, we will explore the hidden structure of water, the properties of waves, and the exciting potential that lies within a single raindrop. We will observe a live demonstration, review cutting edge experiments, and ask BIG questions. Bring your curiosity and imagination-and just add water!

Speaker: Shannon Petree

Shannon has worked as a Science Content Developer on behalf of Savvas Learning Company for the last six months. Prior to this she was a STEM curriculum director, Pearson Science Specialist, HeartMath Project Manager, and Health Rhythms Facilitator; discovering how physics of the past can reimagine our future.

Let's Talk Turtles!

Join marine biologist Rachel LeCates as she discusses her journey from a small country in Central America to working at a sea turtle hospital in Texas. This presentation will include some turtle-y awesome four-flippered guests!

Speaker: Rachel LeCates, Sea Turtle Conservation, Inc.

Rachel LeCates was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She moved to York, Pennsylvania when she was eight years old. Her love for science and the environment started at an early age. She graduated with a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In 2019, she served as both a summer and winter intern at Sea Turtle Inc. where she was later hired as a staff member in the education department.

What makes the oceans move?

Let’s explore together how energy creates movement of ocean currents and how those currents can distribute pollution around the globe.

Speaker: Michael Comer

Michael Comer, currently the Director of Science Marketing at Savvas Learning Company, began his teaching career as a middle school science teacher in Dobbs Ferry, NY. His expertise is in providing rich and meaningful classroom experiences linking the facets of inquiry teaching with hands-on learning. He has presented internationally, training science teachers in STEM educational practices from the Middle East to the Far East, including a two-year Professional Development series for Master Science Teachers in Bangkok, Thailand for the Institute for the Promotion of Science and Technology. Michael has authored four books-Developing Visual Literacy in Science K-8, STEM Lesson Essentials, STEM Lesson Guideposts, and STEM Teaching and Learning in the K-2 Classroom.

Experimenting with Paper Folding

Students will be challenged to fold a piece of paper as many times as they possibly can. Then they will design and carry out an experiment to test whether the number of folds depends upon any one of several variables. They will learn how to make hypotheses, design valid experiments, collect data, and draw conclusions—then determine whether they need to rethink and redesign their original experiments.

Materials to Gather:

• Several sheets of paper—of various thickness if possible
• Pen or pencil
• Note paper

Speaker: Michael Padilla

Michael Padilla has taught science in middle and secondary school and has been a leader in middle grades science teacher education. He served as president of the National Science Teachers Association, the world’s largest science teaching organization, in 2005-6. Padilla is a long-term author with Pearson, now Savvas, and is a lead author of the Savvas elevateScience™ K-8 programs.