Summer STEM/STEAM Opportunities:

MO Institute of Natural History:

This summer, join MINS for a week of exciting dinosaur fun. Children who have completed grades 1-5 can sign up for Dino Camp. They get to explore the museum and learn about the world of dinosaurs. Each day, there will be hands-on experiences with real bones, fun learning activities, giveaways, and snacks. At the end of the week, each camper will be recognized as an official MINS Amateur Paleontologist! https://www.monatsci.org/copy-of-dino-camp-2020

July 5- 9, 2021 Session 1: Grades 1-2 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Children who have finished 1st & 2nd grade Session 2: Grades 3-5 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM Children who have finished 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade Sessions are limited to 15 campers per session, so register early

Discovery Center- Springfield:

Numerous week long summer camps: https://www.discoverycenter.org/programs/camps/

Wonders of Wildlife:

Numerous Edventure classes: Summer Camps for Kids | Wonders of Wildlife | Springfield, Mo.

Dickerson Park Zoo:

Numerous Z.E.B.R.A. Classes: Education – Dickerson Park Zoo

The Butterfly Place:

Students will explore more than 1,000 live free-flying butterflies up close with hand-held nectar flowers. The Butterfly Palace

Ancient Ozarks History Museum & Nost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail

Find yourself face-to-face with prehistoric creatures and LOTS more: The Johnny Morris Conversation Foundation | Field Trips (visitozarks.org)

Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Naturalist-led programs available: Springfield Conservation Nature Center | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)

Springfield-Greene County Parks

Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park and Springfield Botanical Gardens: Check out LOTS of opportunities, Springfield-Greene County Park Board | Official Website

City Of Springfield Environmental Services

Field Trips are designed to give students a better understanding of human impact on the environment by visiting facilities that are vital our city. email: laurie.davis@springfieldmo.gov website: Environmental Services | Springfield, MO - Official Website (springfieldmo.gov)

SUMMER FUN!

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Applications Now Available for 2023 Missouri Agribusiness Academy

The 2023 class will convene in St. Louis for a hands-on look at careers in agriculture.

 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Agriculture is offering 30 high school students representing 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, as well as farm families, throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA). MAbA is a competitive program for sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related degrees and careers.

The first leg of the 2023 MAbA will be held June 5-9, and marks the program’s 34th year. Students interested in participating must submit an application by March 1, 2023.

 For applications and guidelines, as well as more information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the Department online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov. Missouri Agribusiness Academy (mo.gov)

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STEAM addresses the Ozarks crisis situation

A majority of the Ozarks students do not possess a basic knowledge of math and science.

Missouri fourth-grade students' math skills rank in the bottom third nationally (Source: National Center for Educational Statistics).

Math scores of eight-grade students have declined in national assessments, ranking Missouri below thirty-four other states (Source: national Center for Educational Statistics).

In 2013, 54.1 percent of Missouri's Algebra II students scored at proficient or advanced in math, down 2% from 2012.  And from 55.1% in 2012 to 74.7 % in 2013- Biology End of Course tested at proficient or advances in science (Source: DESE School Accountability Report Card 2013).

As a result, the need for post-secondary remediation in math has increased significantly in recent years.  In 2004, more than 30 percent of first-time college freshman were enrolled in remedial math classes at Missouri's public institutions (Source: MERIC analysis of DHE, EMAS data).

According to 2013 data from the Department of Economic Development- Missouri Economic Research & Information Center, 34% of job openings in 2012/2013 in Missouri
were STEM related occupations.  It is projected that we will see an 11.1% increase for science-intensive jobs in our state by 2018.  Here’s the question- Where will we get the workforce to supply these jobs and what will we do to make sure our students are prepared?  Already we are behind in producing the amount of students in STEM needed
to meet the current demands.  If you look at our high school Missouri Assessment Program scores- only 28% meet all four ACT college readiness benchmarks (72% English, 49%reading, 45% math, and 41% science).  In the Ozarks region alone the Biology End of Course Test ranges from 42%- 87%.