How can you empower your students to see themselves in STEM by putting their skills to the test to solve real-world problems that can occur due to extreme weather events? Engage your students in a unique experience that integrates science concepts and the engineering design process in an exciting way! Join the Wade Institute for Science Education, Salem Sound Coastwatch, and Lloyd Center for the Environment from October 18-22, 2021 for the STEM Week Challenge: Hurricane Heroes! Storm City, Massachusetts.
 
What’s the Challenge? Imagine that a category 6 hurricane has hit Storm City, MA. The city has been flooded by 14 inches of rain and faces several problems that MUST be solved by your engineering team! You must find a way to evacuate people to safety and move floodwaters out of homes and businesses that are without electricity using an innovative design or an alternative source of energy. Students will be challenged to: 1) build a transport vessel that will move 25 people and remain afloat for five minutes and; 2) build a water movement system using gravity or alternative sources of energy to move water 2 km away from homes and businesses.

Teachers, your students won’t have all the fun! Experience Hurricane Heroes! Storm City, MA from the student perspective during an inquiry-based, interactive pre-challenge professional development workshop. Learn how the phenomena-based challenge will allow you to use grade-level appropriate science and technology concepts that address Massachusetts curriculum standards and incorporate engineering concepts with physical and earth science disciplinary core ideas.
 
Pre-Challenge Teacher Workshop
Hosted by: Wade Institute for Science Education; Salem Sound Coastwatch; Lloyd Center for the Environment
Option 1: Saturday, September 18th (8:30 AM - 1:30 PM ET)
Option 2: Tuesday, September 28th and Wednesday, September 29th (3:30 PM - 6:00 PM ET)
Location: Virtual Session(s)
Cost: FREE
Support: All registered teachers will receive a curriculum guide and support from the three sponsoring organizations. Massachusetts teachers who participate in the pre-challenge teacher workshop will also receive a kit of materials for the challenge.
 
The Massachusetts STEM Week is sponsored by the Executive Office of Education and the MA STEM Advisory Council. The STEM Week Challenge is funded by a grant from the MA STEM Advisory Council. Hurricane Heroes! Storm City, MA is designed for middle school students but is easily adaptable for upper elementary or high school students. It can take place in your classroom or in remote learning settings. During the week of October 25th, students will have an opportunity to participate in a virtual challenge showcase to share their innovative solutions to real-world problems.
 
Register for just the Challenge, or for both the Pre-Challenge Teacher Workshop and the Challenge. Sign up at wadeinstitutema.org or email wadeinstitute@wadeinstitutema.org for more information.