Post by jasong on Jan 27, 2014 13:38:16 GMT -6
Hi everyone, at our first meeting we mentioned that STEM club will be funding projects related to STEM fields. These projects are intended to be a fun way for any interested members to learn about a specific STEM topic as well as doing something tangible in their field. Projects like these
(research and experimentation) looks great on a resume or application to another college, and they will help develop research and critical thinking skills that will be useful in any STEM career.
A note about V.P.'s: The club's four Vice Presidents should be your go-to people for bigger projects. They will serve as advisers and leaders to project groups, and can, if they (the group) wish, participate in the projects. The V.P. will serve as a connection between the STEM board and the project group.
Here's a guide to starting projects.
Step one: find a group of like-minded, interested students and brainstorm a potential topic for the projects OR if you're unsure who to connect with, or can't make it to STEM's general meetings you can bring a project idea to the Vice President (Jason, Jyotsna, Patrick, Alex) of the field relating to the project.
Step two: Flush out your idea. Get together with some other STEM club members, take some time to work on your idea and refine it into something doable. Ideas can be anything STEM related that's safe, fun, and something you want the other club members to take part in. The Vice Presidents are here to offer guidance and assistance, use them to help turn your idea into a cool project.
Step three: Figure out what you need: If your project needs STEM club funding, let a V.P. know and the STEM board will determine if it's something we should fund. Depending on how much funding is needed, the board may need more information - For instance, if you're asking for $300 we're going to want to know exactly what it's going to be used for, but we want to fund every project that needs it!
A few notes about STEM projects:
(research and experimentation) looks great on a resume or application to another college, and they will help develop research and critical thinking skills that will be useful in any STEM career.
A note about V.P.'s: The club's four Vice Presidents should be your go-to people for bigger projects. They will serve as advisers and leaders to project groups, and can, if they (the group) wish, participate in the projects. The V.P. will serve as a connection between the STEM board and the project group.
Here's a guide to starting projects.
Step one: find a group of like-minded, interested students and brainstorm a potential topic for the projects OR if you're unsure who to connect with, or can't make it to STEM's general meetings you can bring a project idea to the Vice President (Jason, Jyotsna, Patrick, Alex) of the field relating to the project.
Step two: Flush out your idea. Get together with some other STEM club members, take some time to work on your idea and refine it into something doable. Ideas can be anything STEM related that's safe, fun, and something you want the other club members to take part in. The Vice Presidents are here to offer guidance and assistance, use them to help turn your idea into a cool project.
Step three: Figure out what you need: If your project needs STEM club funding, let a V.P. know and the STEM board will determine if it's something we should fund. Depending on how much funding is needed, the board may need more information - For instance, if you're asking for $300 we're going to want to know exactly what it's going to be used for, but we want to fund every project that needs it!
A few notes about STEM projects:
- Each group is responsible for the work required for a project, but STEM learning is about community, so all club members can, if they choose, offer assistance and insights into projects.
- Projects can be educational as well as fun, so each group should keep the club informed on their progress.
- Projects (specifically research) look great on a resume or application to a university: Groups should discuss whether their data/research can be published as academic research, if the group agrees the V.P. will assist in that process.
- *scary bullet point* When you propose a STEM project, that requires a non-trivial amount of funding (at the board's discretion), you are agreeing to see the project through to it's end, and to do the duties outlined in the proposal. STEM funding is NOT infinite, and must be used responsibly - All funds given to a project group must be used solely for the project and nothing else.
- most importantly: Have fun, these projects are supposed to be a fun way to learn more about STEM and gain experience doing rather than watching.