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Biological Toolkit
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Students complete hands-on, inquiry-based activities using laboratory equipment and processes to culture yeast, separate molecules through gel electrophoresis and synthesize and isolate “proteins.” Through designing a biological system using an electronic database, exploring the very basics of our genetic code in DNA and debating the ... Read More
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Climate Change
Illinois Math and Science Academy
This unit engages participants in a variety of investigations to help establish basic understandings regarding climate science literacy. Exploration through real-time and virtual experiments, the use of web based applications, as well as modeling and engineering experiences will help participants identify the facts, issues, and ... Read More
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Dive In! Oceanographic Engineering
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Through inquiry-based explorations, students will engineer solutions to aquatic challenges. Engaging in island construction, growing crops through aquaculture, and examining ocean “ownership” will afford learners the opportunity to participate in various aspects of the engineering design cycle.
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Engineering: Design & Build
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Student led teams conceptualize, build, test, and acquire knowledge while becoming familiar with the engineering design process. Using an open-ended inquiry approach students are able to foster their creativity. Students learn to apply multiple skills and develop the habits of innovators. Now available in Spanish!
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Fighting Fire with STEM
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Students become cadets of Fire Academy Rescue and embark upon an exploration of the concept of fire, tactics, forensics and innovations in fire rescue. Students engage in hands-on activities that help construct their knowledge on how fire starts and how to manage it. Students will ... Read More
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Mars: Manifest Destiny
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Students will consider the enormous challenge of planning a permanent, sustainable colony on Mars. To do so, students will explore gravity and orbital mechanics, the environmental conditions on Mars, and spaceflight hardware currently in development. They will also participate in citizen science projects, analyzing actual ... Read More
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Materials Science – Living in a Material World
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Students are on an eight thousand year journey to see how the development of Materials Science has shaped the course of human civilization. Explore the world of man-made objects by examining relationships between molecular structure and materials properties. From Stone Age tools to modern carbon ... Read More
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Medieval stem
Illinois Math and Science Academy
This curriculum is an exploration of science, math and technology that was developed, altered or utilized by civilization during medieval times. This time period helped lay the foundation for modern science and mathematics. Technological advances abounded. This curriculum focuses on agriculture, society and epidemiology, engineering, ... Read More
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Organized Sound: STEM in Music
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Students explore the science and math behind music structure and production. Sound waves, vibration, and other aspects of music creation are investigated as students engineer their own musical instruments.
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Out of the Silo: Agronomic STEM
Illinois Math and Science Academy
This curriculum explores STEM topics in the context of agronomy, the science and technology of producing and using plants for food and fuel. Students will investigate plant genetics, soil science, crop management systems, new technologies, and other issues at the forefront of agronomic research. Data ... Read More
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Secret comunications
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Ciphers, codes and modes of delivery come together in this unit to foster inquiry into the subject of cryptology. Important capacities such as persistence and tenacity are practiced as students combine critical observations skills with logical analysis strategies to solve “secret” messages and share encrypted ... Read More
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Synthetic Scorecard: Building the Future of Biology
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Biology, engineering, and technology will intersect in in this curriculum. Investigations will familiarize students with various equipment and techniques used in these fields of study. Protein folding, population densities, gel electrophoresis, case studies, design challenges and more will be explored throughout the curriculum.
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Take Flight:Investigating the Aviation Industry
Illinois Math and Science Academy
In this curriculum, middle-school students will be immersed in the various facets of the aviation industry ranging from aircraft design and assembly, airport structure and runway design, navigation, air traffic control, and airline efficiencies to the economic and environmental impact aviation has on their lives.
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What’s the Story, Data?
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Information is all around us and constantly being generated. “Big data” concepts of volume, variety, and velocity of data will be explored and students will create a unique data visualization to convey the story of data they collect. Finally, data will be critically analyzed to ... Read More
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You Be The Judge
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Welcome to an introduction of some basic principles involved in chemistry, the application of chemistry as well as practices required to create and carry out meaningful investigations. After students have experienced the concepts in a lab setting, they will have a chance to apply their ... Read More
The IMSA Fusion Program is a teacher professional development and STEM enrichment program for students in grades 3-5 and 6-8. By design, each of the 15 IMSA Fusion curricula are inquiry-based, problem-centered, competency-driven, and integrative. The learning experiences focus on helping students “learn how to learn” and emphasize collaboration, mathematical thinking, and experimental scientific thinking. Topics relate to student interests and modern real-world topics, and therefore arouse curiosity and a need to explore mathematics and science concepts and skills. Participating teachers are supported with ongoing professional development to deliver the curriculum with confidence while enhancing their toolbox with pedagogy-rich instructional methods.
The goals of the IMSA Fusion Program include:
Maintain or increase students’ interest, involvement, and literacy in science and mathematics
Enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers in science, mathematics, and technology; stimulate excellence in schools
Stimulate excellence in schools’ science and mathematics programs
Help increase access to programming for students who are historically under-resourced in science, mathematics, and technology and for all areas of the state.
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