Cougar Cub Inventor's Workshop - A Look Back #vted #stem #edchat

On Thursday evening, Richmond Elementary School had their first Inventor's Workshop. Students and over one hundred families from RES and Bolton Smilie schools had the opportunity to learn and create together. Sponsored by the Vermont State Science and Math Fair and the Society of Women Engineers, we were able to bring a large variety of interesting scientific equipment to our school. Inspired by the maker movement, this workshop was intended to allow students and families to make, create, learn, invent, craft, recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, science and technology. Activities were facilitated by enthusiastic teachers and engineers and tasks were open ended and creative. The idea that materials and a space to learn provides students with the raw materials to ignite learning was evident as students problem solved and created alongside their families.

We'd like to thank:

Tricia Finkle, Vermont State Science and Math Fair Coordinator

Grade 3 Teachers

Beth Redford

Jeanne Agner

Joanna Elliott

Illeen Gilbar

Diane Kane

Katie LeFrancois, Bolton Smilie Grad 1/2 Teacher

Stephanie Yum, Engineer

Pamela Gillis, Engineer

Elle Mountain, UVM Engineering Student

Emily Austin, UVM Engineering Student

Jim Neeson, Engineer

Karee Wiltshire, Bolton Smilie Staff

Amanda Repp, Susan Whitman, Raechel Barone, Playdoh Makers

Toby Beane

Families and Students of RES and Bolton Smilie

The whole event was sponsored with the support of the Vermont State Science Fair and Vermont Society of Women Engineers.

We'd be remiss if we didn't recognize the significant work and dedication of Darcie Rankin, the RES Enrichment Teacher.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Be sure to check out some of Scratch projects from the night at : http://scratch.mit.edu/users/resvtlibrary/

At RES the next whole school science event will be our family science fair on Thursday March 12th. Celebrating our fifteenth year of this event, families are invited to work together with students to create a project to share with others. Wondering where to go with your inspiration from the Inventor's Workshop? Why not channel that great energy into planning an awesome science fair project!

Additional Resources:

Scratch
http://scratch.mit.edu/

Squishy Circuits
http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/apthomas/SquishyCircuits/

Vermont State Science and Math Fair (Grades 5-8)
http://vssmf.pbworks.com/w/page/5426544/FrontPage
Champlain Maker Fair
http://www.champlainmakerfaire.com/