Great Plains STEM Education Center

The 2-day workshops are $150.00 per person which include 1 Continuing Education Credit. You can Register here.

Most workshops can be taught at your location (minimum of 10 participants, maximum of 15 participants).

STEM- Enhancing your Classroom Series: Exploring and Engaging Your Students in Physical Oceanography
Instructor: Gary Ketterling & Jefferi Jones
Explore physical and biological science concepts using physical oceanography as the vehicle. Learn about our oceans and how they translate into our everyday global lives through the use of laboratory activities. The modules used in the course were developed by the American Meteorological Society in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Navy, and the Maury Project. Each participant will receive the ten reproducible modules and labs. Topics covered include Wind-Driven Ocean Circulation, Density-Driven Ocean Circulation, Ocean Tides, Deep-Water Ocean Waves, Shallow-Water Ocean Waves, Coastal Upwelling, and Measuring Sea Level from Space, Ocean Sound, Pressure Blocks, and El Nino-La Nina.June 4-7 Ben Franklin Middle School, Fargo. $250/2 credits
Deadline to Register is: May 18th 2012

STEM - LEGO Mindstorms NXT & First Lego League (Middle School)
Instructor: Pete Gjovik
In groups of 2-3, participants in this workshop build and program real-life robotic solutions. The software is icon based and incorporates a Robot Educator step by step guide to programming, from beginner to advanced levels.FIRST Lego League is for potential leaders to help them introduce their students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society. June 12-13 Valley City State University $150/1 credit
Deadline to Register is: May 30th 2012

STEM - Museum of Science, Boston-NCTL - Building Math - Amazon (MS-Grade 8)
Instructor: Jamie Wirth
The Building Math workshop provides participants with innovative practices for integrating engineering with math to help middle school students develop algebraic thinking. Students apply math in the design of survival products on the Amazon. June 14-15 West Fargo Location TBD $150/1 credit
Deadline to Register is: May 30th 2012

STEM-Engineering the Future: Design a Building of the Future/Electricity and Communications Systems (Grades 9-12)
Instructor: Lana Fornes
In the project, Design a Building of the Future, teachers will learn the engineer problem solving method with connections to mathematics, mechanics and construction skills, and energy concepts will be covered. Students design a multi-functional, efficient structure using these skills and concepts. In the project Electricity and Communication Systems, teachers continue to use the engineer problem solving methodology with connections to electricity and electrical systems, and the use of electronic, optics and communications concepts. Students explore electricity and apply their understanding to a series of design projects.June 19-20, Valley City State University $150/1 credit
Deadline to Register is: June 5th 2012

STEM - Museum of Science, Boston EiE - Earth & Space Science (Elementary)
Instructor: Roger Skophammer
This workshop aims to foster engineering and technological literacy among children using a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-tested curriculum from the Boston Museum of Science that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science topics. This workshop promotes K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, but also connects with literacy and social studies. Some of the units covered include Catching the Wind: Designing Windmills; A Stick in the Mud: Evaluating a Landscape; Now You're Cooking: Designing Solar Ovens; It's a Long Way Down: Designing Parachutes, plus other units available. June 21-22 Valley City State University $150/1 credit
Deadline to Register is: June 5th 2012

STEM-Engineering the Future: Design the Best Organizer in the World/Improve a Patented Boat Design (Grades 9-12)
Instructor: Lana Fornes
In the project, Design the Best Organizer in the World, teachers will learn the engineer problem solving method with connections to engineering, mathematics and manufacturing skills and concepts. In the Project, Improve a Patented Boat Design, teachers continue to use the engineer problem solving methodology with connections to hydraulics, pneumatics, thermodynamics, energy transfer, motion and manufacturing concepts in the design of a model patented boat.June 26-27, Valley City State University $150/1 credit
Deadline to Register is June 12th 2012


STEM - LEGO WeDo & Junior First Lego League (Elementary)
Instructor: Roger Skophammer
This workshop will feature the WeDo robotics concept. Participants will build LEGO models featuring working motors and sensors, connect them to a computer, and use a simple programming tool to program behavior. Junior FIRST Lego League is for potential leaders to help them to introduce their students to the exciting worlds of science and technology. Participants will work with LEGO elements to design and build challenge solutions; preparing them to lead a team into the next Junior FLL challenge.July 11-12 Valley City State University $150/1 credit
Deadline to Register is: June 27th 2012

STEM-Enhancing your Classroom Series: Forensics in the Classroom (Conducting your own CSI Investigation)(Grade 6-12)
Instructor: Carrie Leopold
This class is designed for educators to learn hands-on forensic activities to be used directly in their classrooms. Labs will include fingerprint analysis, microscopy of hair and fibers, blood analysis and DNA profiling. This two day professional development opportunity will help prepare teachers for creating a forensic unit in their own classroom! Assistance for implementation in your classroom will be available. July 16-17 Optional (can observe or participate in Forensics camp for students on July 18 or 19) NDSCS along with VCSU will be implementing this workshop. Valley City State University $150/1 credit($175 for workshop and to attend 1 of the student camp dates)
Deadline to Register is: July 2nd 2012

Registration for the workshops is available online.



Please contact Gary Ketterling , GPSEC Coordinator with any questions or to register for workshop.