National Lab Day and the MSP Program Jan Cuny National Science Foundation National Lab Day 1/13/09 National Lab Day and the MSP Program NLD Video Jan Cuny National Science Foundation National Lab Day 3/31/10

I want to persuade you to spend time in the classroom, talking and showing young people what it is that your work can mean, and what it means to you …. to think about new and creative ways to engage young people in science and engineering … encourage young people to be makers of things, not just consumers of things. -- President Obama April 2009

Net Day Precedent 20,000 volunteers helped to wire 20 percent of California schools to the Internet 2,500 wiring kits were donated by telephone companies Net Day Precedent Net Day

A national barn-raising for hands-on STEM learning. What is National Lab Day?

A nationwide initiative to form local communities of support around STEM teachers, and connect them to STEM-based professionals who will share their expertise and their excitement and passion for disciplines. What is National Lab Day?

NLD1 GOAL: Establish ongoing relationships between teachers, volunteers and STEM- based professionals

NLD Partners Partners + over 200 Professional Societies, organizations, and federal agencies, with over 6 million members

Alternative Energy Resources. I am looking for any classroom projects that are cross- curricular on alternate (renewable) energy resources.

LED Light vs Fluorescent Light on Hydroponically Grown Basil. Basil plants will be grown in a hydroponic system. Plants will be exposed to either LED light sources or fluorescent light sources. The vitamin C content of the basil plants will be assayed, using indolphenol. We are looking for experts or hobbyists willing to answer questions regarding maintenance of the hydroponic system and /or about in assay techniques and data interpretation.

Math and Science Lab Design. 7th grade students will be using math concepts such as scale, geometry and measure to design a math/science lab for our growing school, introducing pre-algebra students to the practical applications of interior design. We have an available space that is currently in disrepair. Our design might be considered for this space if it was close to professional quality and took very little space. We need an engineer to advise and an architect to critique plans.

Citizen Schools. We are all experts! In our careers, in the computer lab, on the basketball court, in the garden, or in the kitchen – YOU are an expert at something. Citizen Schools gives you the opportunity to teach what you know - in your professional career or personal pursuits - to help middle school students learn real world skills and get excited about learning. Remember that teacher who sparked a passion in you? Here’s your chance to do the same.

Help with a science fair, Olympiad, or festival Skype with a child Dinner with a scientist

NLD and the MSP Program MSP “is designed to improve the content knowledge of teachers and the performance of students in the areas of mathematics and science by … Bringing … teachers together with scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to improve their teaching skills; …” National Lab Day can help!

What could your MSP do? Promote, and facilitate the participation of the schools you work with Help us to identify the NLD needs of those schools Develop multidisciplinary projects and/or projects that cross school boundaries

What could your MSP do? (cont.) Disseminate your great projects and best practices through the NLD site Encourage the faculty at your universities and colleges to get involved Encourage graduate students on your project to take the lead in organizing other graduate student involvement

What could your MSP do? (cont.) Have undergraduates in service learning projects get involved; Start service learning projects Enlist the support of community organizations and businesses in your area Prepare teachers to better provide high quality, hands-on, inquiry-based science

What could your MSP do? (cont.) Prepare scientists to work effectively in classrooms Prepare teachers to work effectively with scientists Help us to understand what makes a successful (or unsuccessful) NLD project Come up with other ideas and let us know what they are Give us feedback on NLD

Put your project on the map!

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