COSAM News Articles 2021 October Help your K-12 student gain STEM skills and share the tradition of the Iron Bowl

Help your K-12 student gain STEM skills and share the tradition of the Iron Bowl

Published: 10/12/2021

STEM careers continue to grow in demand according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. High paying careers in STEM occupations with a median salary of $89,780 will grow by 10.5 percent through 2030.

The Alabama Math, Science, and Teaching Initiative (AMSTI) offers an engaging opportunity for parents and teachers to encourage students to gain hands-on experience with STEM skills while showing support for Auburn University.

In this year’s AMSTI Iron Bowl STEM Challenge, all students in grades K-12 can work together to create activites includeing:

“The Iron Bowl is a tradition rooted deep within the Auburn Family,” said Brad Estes, math specialist at AMSTI. “Parents and teachers can have fun celebrating the Iron Bowl while helping students to develop and refine valuable STEM skills.”

“Sit Back and Relax: The Ultimate Fan” gives students the ability to create a life-sized stadium or folding seat. Students can incorporate university colors and make a seat that every fan will be envy of.

“Let’s Hear It for the Team: The True Fan” is a way to inspire students to bring out their musical talents. Students would create a musical instrument that plays at least three different notes.

“Looks Like Team Spirit: Firing Up the Casual Fans” gives students a chance to create their very own fan gear using up-cycled materials. Students can create shakers, foam fingers, noisemakers and more out of the recyclable materials.

After students create their AMSTI Iron Bowl STEM Challenge project, parents or teachers can post it to social media with the handle @AMSTI4all by Tuesday, November 23. Include this hashtag to show your support for Auburn, #AIB21wareagle.

The university with the most support will be announced on social media before the actual Iron Bowl game.

All activities also have a computer science element. AMSTI offers access to the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Course of Study online. Student and family resources are available for K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grades. Teachers will find tools for each grade, K-8, plus additional information can be found for the classroom by K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 grades.

“These activities are a fun way to support the Auburn Family while learning STEM skills that will help students prepare for rewarding and well-paying careers,” explained Estes. “Students gain life-long skills while showing their unwavering pride for the Plains.”

The STEM Iron Bowl is brought to your by AMSTI, LearningBlade^®, Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics Office of Outreach and the Southeastern Center of Robotics Education.

For more information, contact Brad Estes via email at sbe0010@auburn.edu.