Marking the second annual UC Davis C-STEM Day, K-14 education will be hosted on Saturday, May 5 2012. A large number of middle and high school students as well as researchers, teachers, educators, and policymakers will be gathered at this event to share knowledge in computing and robotics, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Harry Cheng, professor at UC Davis, serves as the director of the UC Davis K-14 Outreach Center for C-STEM (Computing and STEM Education). Supported by National Science Foundation, the center is focused on bridging the gap between students, to revolutionize school environments, curriculum, assessment and instructional practices, and to improve teacher preparation and professional development through STEM learning.
At UC Davis Conference Center, C-STEM Day event will be hosted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The morning session will include a conference that will highlight the combination of technology and engineering with math and science education. UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi will present a keynote speech, followed by panel discussions on computing and technology, algebra and math. In addition, the event includes professional development program for in-service and pre-service STEM teachers. K-12 students from regional schools will subsequently participate in the RoboPlay Robot Challenge, where robotic solution should be deployed using existing resources at remote locations like a planetary habitat or space station. The topic of RoboPlay Robot Challenge will be revealed only on the day of the competition.
The afternoon session will include presentation of the outcome from the Robot Challenge Competition, and videos from “Robot Show”, "RoboPlay Robot Dance" and other robotics demonstrations. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony.