Minnesota Science Teachers Association Convention

So, this past weekend was the MnSTA convention at the Mayo Civic Center. I truly enjoyed the convention, especially with my middle school specialty being science, and even avoided not getting towed away because I mixed-up Friday morning with Saturday morning- thanks to Katie B.!

I spent my time at the following workshops:

Lego Robotics.
My only regret was that I didn’t get a photograph of me kissing the robot I was working with! This was, by far, the highlight of the convention for me.

Incorporating science curriculum in the classroom with help from NSTA

Integrating concept of nanotechnology in the classroom
This workshop was targeted toward high school teachers, but I attended anyways. I was interested in how to integrate nanotechnology in the primary/middle school classroom. The speaker told me to contact her on ways to do this since it was not mentioned in the workshop.

Ocean currents and their role in our climate

Fieldtrip
Of the various fieldtrips throughout the region to choose from, I chose the wind farms near Leroy, MN. I rode along, luckily on a coach bus, with Sara and Katie B. It was very cold on Saturday in the middle of these barren fields, but was interesting none the less. Anyone have 2.5 million dollars to purchase and set-up a single wind turbine?

-Kelly James Schrandt