About this D2D series
STEM@GTRI is partnering with The Flying Classroom’s Captain Barrington Irving to develop and deliver a series of virtual interactions between our world class faculty and K-12 students and teachers across Georgia. These interactions will engage students in GSE-aligned learning related to the research and engineering of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and Georgia Tech. Ranging in grades 4 – 8, these interactions anchor a miniseries of research-related STEM learning experiences developed by our STEM@GTRI team.
Each interaction is moderated by Captain Irving. They will last approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour and are optimized to be accessible for students in face-to-face and virtual classrooms, making it possible for any student to engage in this year’s D2D interactions.
The STEM instructional toolkit surrounding each D2D will focus on authentic and timely math-science connections in each grade level. Each interaction will also feature a problem-based learning experience centered around computer science to further support authentic STEM learning in Georgia’s classrooms. Teachers will be supported in using these curricular resources with just-in-time synchronous and asynchronous professional learning.
Upcoming Interactions
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What happens when there's no toilets? This interaction will feature Mr. Kevin Caravati and Dr. Ilan Stern of Georgia Tech Research Institute. Learn about how scientists and engineers are solving sanitation issues in places where conventional toilets just won't work. Often the subject of bad jokes, we'll explore how toilets are actually one of the most important aspects of public health and preventing the spread of disease! |
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What's happening on Georgia's coast? This interaction will feature researchers from Savannah State University. We'll learn about Georgia's unique coast and barrier islands, and the forces that shaped (and are still shaping) them! |
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Is being a sloth the best way to study an ecosystem? This interaction will feature Dr. Magnus Egerstedt of Georgia Tech. Human scientists are often loud, fast-moving, and very obvious to animals that would rather us not see them. Maybe the best way to explore an ecosystem is to act like another animal - maybe something slower... like a sloth? Join this D2D to learn about a robot designed after one of the world's slowest animals and how it could be used to study ecosystems! |
Archived Interactions
Severe Storms and Hurricanes
September 17, 2020, 10:00 am
GTRI researchers, John Trostel and Jessica Losego, discussed how they are using new tools to detect storms earlier and how storms are formed and what makes them so dangerous.
Standards: S4E4a,b,c; MGSSE2.0a.2; CSS.CT.3-5.5 (2,4)
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Exploring Antarctica with the Ice Fin Robot
September 24, 2020, 10:00 am
This interaction featured Dr.Mick West of GTRI. He discussed how researchers are using creative engineering to create robots that explore some of the harshest environments on Earth. Students learned about exploring Antartica with the Ice Fin robot.
Standards: S5E1a,b,c; MGSE.5.NBT.5, 6; CSS.CT.3-5.5 (2,4)
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Exploring the Universe
October 8, 2020, 10:00 am
This interaction featured Dr. Jim Sowell of Georgia Tech. He discussed how astronomers explore the universe using much more than just the naked eye. Student learned about the various ways astronomers learn more about the unique and innumerable celestial objects in the night's sky.
Standards: S6E1a,b,c,d,e; MGSE6.RP.1, 3, 3c,3d; CSS.KC.6-8.15 (1-3)
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Nanotechnology in Medicine
October 22, 2020, 10:00 am
This interaction featured Dr. Younan Xia of Georgia Tech. Students learned more about how nanotechnology is being used in medicine to identify, target, and repair cells, tissues, and more. We also discussed what nanotechnology is, and what the future looks like for this new and growing field.
Standards: S7L2a,b,c; MGSE7.RP.2, 2a, 2b, 2c; CSS.CT.6-8.37 (1,2)
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Renewable Energy & Piezoelectrics
November 5, 2020, 10:00 am
Dr. Ilan Stern and Captain Barrington Irving shared how piezoelectrics convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Students found out about there uses and ways scientists and engineers are finding new applications for these curious crystals.
Standards:S8P4; S8P2; MGSE8.F.1; MGSE8.F.2; CSS.KC.6-8.1
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