February 2021 Newsletter

February 15, 2021 Emily Shepard

Minnesota Academy of Science February Newsletter

Wayzata Wins High School Science Bowl

Twenty-eight teams competed on January 23 in the virtual Minnesota Regional High School Science Bowl. Science Bowl tournament manager Kristine Fowler says that the competition took on new relevancy this year, stating that “coaches tell me that practicing for the competition has been a great way to keep their students positively engaged with science and with each other." Wayzata's team will represent Minnesota in the National Science Bowl this spring.

Science Fair & JSHS Volunteer Registration Open

MAS is seeking judges and volunteers for the 2021 Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) and the North Central Regional Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS). This school year has been challenging, yet our students have put commendable effort into their research. Our 2021 events will occur virtually to ensure the safety of all participants. Judges are needed from March 23-28.

"I think it is important to reach out to the next generation of scientists and engineers and encourage them to continue their participation in the field."
- 2020 MSSEF judge on why they volunteer

MAS Endorses Increase Teachers of Color Act

In recent years, Minnesota has been ranked worst in the nation in educational opportunity and achievement gaps. Notably, Minnesota schools also have large racial gaps between students and teachers. Growing evidence shows that teachers of color have positive impacts on student achievement.

Educational equity is a vital aspect of MAS' mission of "advancing STEM by connecting Minnesotans of all backgrounds with resources and opportunities to engage in STEM learning." That is why we are proud to endorse the 2021 Increase Teachers of Color Act, a package of bills aimed at catalyzing the systemic change required to attract, prepare, license and retain more American Indian and teachers of color in Minnesota. You can join our efforts by learning more about the proposed legislations and adding your voice to the conversation.

FORSE Coding Club Lifts Off

With the arrival of two new kano coding kits, our Coding Club at Highwood Hills Elementary School is off the ground! Highwood Hills, a school in southeast St. Paul where 92% of students quality for free or reduced lunch, is one of our five partner schools and organizations participating in our Fostering Opportunities and Relationships in STEM Education (FORSE) program.

Black History in Minnesota STEM

February is a great opportunity to celebrate Black Minnesotans in STEM - past and present. Check out our Black History Month page for events, curriculum, Minnesota resources, and more. Here are some highlights:

A suite of events this February from the National Science Policy Network
Ten Black Scientists teaching resource from PBS kids
Green Card Voice's profiles including Black STEM professionals in Minnesota

MAS Program Updates

Fostering Opportunities & Relationships in STEM Education
Virtual programming is underway at our five partner organizations

Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair *virtual
March 23 - April 2
Volunteer and judge registration is open

North Central Junior Science & Humanities Symposium *virtual
March 23 - April 2
Volunteer and judge registration is open

Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium *virtual
April 24

Science Bowl Coloring Contest

Congrats to Tina from Woodbury High School, the winner of our first-ever Science Bowl coloring contest! Thanks to all who submitted their impressive art. Want to try your hand at this design? Find the PDF by clicking the button below. If you're looking for looking for even more STEM coloring fun, check out the coloring pages we've compiled.

Find a Minnesota Citizen Science Project

Yes, its cold. Yes, its snowy. And yes, winter is a great time to have fun, learn, and contribute to the scientific community by participating in a local citizen science project. Shelf your dreams of tree planting and water quality testing for a few months, and make room for one of the cold weather ready ideas we have listed our citizen science page. From digitizing collections to spying on squirrels to measuring snow drifts, you'll find a plethora of citizen science options!

MN STEM Spotlight: Eureka!

Eureka! is a program through Girls Inc. for girls in the Twin Cities interested in STEM fields. The Eureka! program supports girls in 8th grade through high school graduation, and involves summer and school year components over a five year period. Girls eligible to apply are current 7th graders (8th graders in Fall 2021). The program is FREE, with stipends available.

Public Science: St. Cloud State Astrophysics professor Dr. Annette Lee earns the 2021 American Association for the Advancement of Science Early Career Award for Public Engagement in Science.

Mechanical Engineering: Mayo Clinic physician part of team developing an origami-inspired medical patch for sealing internal injuries.

Wildlife Ecology: Voyageurs National Park and UMN researchers find that wolves' hunting strategies are flexible depending on their prey.

Invasive Species: Duluth's Large Lakes Observatory researchers find that quagga mussels have drastically altered the phosphorus cycle in the Great Lakes.

Materials Science: UMN-Twin Cities team develops new one-step process for creating self-assembled metamaterials.

Conservation Biology: DNR expands Minnesota's Bison Conservation Herd partnerships.

Ecology: UMN-Twin Cities scientists study the impact of herbivore grazing on excess grasses caused by fertilizers.

Limnology: Science Museum of Minnesota staff researches Blue Green Algae on Minnesota's remote lakes.

STEM Education: Jessica Marquardt, an elementary educator from Kasson Mantorville Public Schools, wins the 2020-2021 STEM Forward Outstanding Educator Award.

Aquaculture: UMN's Sea Grant program studies the potential for a sustainable Minnesotan food-fish aquaculture industry.

Public Science: Izaak Walton League coordinates volunteers to monitor the impact of road salt throughout Minnesota.

Mechanical Engineering: UMN-Twin Cities team develops advanced simulation to investigate how air conditioning spreads COVID-19 aerosols.

Medicine: Team including UMN-Twin Cities researcher studies the role of nutrition and companionship to reduce pain in mice with sickle cell disease.

New York Times 2nd Annual Student STEM Writing Contest, through March 2

We are Water Exhibit, Hmong American Partnership’s Little Mekong Plaza in St. Paul, through March 8

The Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Minnesota Geological Society, February 15

Birds in Ojibwe Legends, Urban Bird Collective, February 15

Animal Encounters in a Virtual World, Center for Great Lakes Literacy, February 16

Why & How to Report Invasive Species, Sustainable Forests Education Cooperative, February 16

Women Leading in Technology: Find Your Fierce and Aim for Success, MnTech, February 16

Our Plant Relatives, A Wintertime Storytelling, Dream of Wild Health, February 17

New Energy: Conversations with Early-Career Energy Researchers, UMN Institute on the Environment, February 17

Composting, River Bend Nature Center, February 17

Afrofuturism in Science Policy and Education, National Science Policy Network, February 17

Wild Learning Online sampler session, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, February 18

STEM in Career and Technical Education, SciMathMn, February 18

Illuminate The Lock: Madweyaashkaa , Mississippi Park Connection, February 18-20

Virtual Mars Star Party, Bell Museum, February 19

Human in the Data Symposium, UMN Institute for Advanced Studies, February 19

15 Strategies for Communicating Science and Data to Non-Scientists, Lake Superior Reserve, February 23

Creating Inclusive STEM Experiences, Discover Engineering, February 23

Minnesota Youth Climate Action Summit, Climate Generation, February 23 & 24

Advancing Ag: Building Resilience Against Extreme Weather Events, UMN Southwest Research and Outreach Center, February 24

Teach Outdoors Weekly Workshops: Winter Animal Tracking, Teach Outdoors Minnesota, February 24

Examining the Organization of Health Services and Men’s Engagement in HIV Care in Malawi, UMN Institute on the Environment, February 25

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, Discover Engineering, February 25

Science Policy Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, National Science Policy Network, February 27

Resilient Ecosystems, Resilient Communities: 11th Annual St. Louis River Summit (virtual), Friends of Lake Superior Reserve, March 1-3

2021 Schoolyard Gardens Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, March 1-5

Dene Ch’anié: Indigenous Perspectives on Planetary Health, UMN Institute on the Environment, March 3

Bird Communication, Wilderness Inquiry, March 3

International Festival of Owls (virtual), International Owl Center, March 5-7

What IS Social Justice Teaching in the Science Classroom Series, National Science Teaching Association, March 6, 13, 20 & 27

Nature Journaling Academy for Kids, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, March 11

Virtual Youth STEAM Showcase, Minnesota STEM Partnership, March 12

iNaturaist and the CGLL BioBlitz, Center for Great Lakes Literacy, March 16

Indigenous Star Knowledge Symposia: Spring Equinox, Native Skywatch, March 20

Bluebird Citizen Science Training, Bluebird Recovery Program of Minnesota, March 20

The Talk Climate Institute, Climate Generation, March 23-24