RAMSP Spring Educator Forum

 
Rochester Area Math Science Partnership (RAMSP) is hosting a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) forum to provide engaging peer-to-peer learning opportunities about STEM on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. The STEM Forum is open to all SE Minnesota educators, business partners, and community members.
 
Lee Schmitt, Associate Director for Professional Development and faculty in the Hamline University School of Education, will provide the keynote speech. Schmitt will address the history and impact of STEM education, and how STEM can be redefined to assist in forming an effective, school-wide approach for all teachers and students.
 
Breakout sessions include teachers from Pine Island Public Schools sharing their model of hosting K-4 Makerspace Nights, a way to connect with community. Dr. Thomas Meagher, Owatonna Public Schools, will discuss findings related to the 2018 STEM Leader Symposium and share results regarding STEM, STEAM, & ESTEM teaching and learning and how these STEM tenants are executed on a regional level.
 
IBM’s Teacher Advisor with Watson will be on hand to showcase how Watson is using augmented intelligence to help teachers improve their curriculum planning and teaching skills to educate children more effectively. Don’t know what Watson is or how it helps educators? Learn more here: http://teacheradvisor.org
   
RAMSP History
 
The Rochester Area Math Science Partnership (RAMSP) started in 1991 as a public private venture created to improve participation and achievement in math, science and technology among K-12 students. RAMSP was originally organized by Vernon Johnson, Rochester Public Schools Superintendent, Kay Batchelder, Rochester Public School Board President, Dr. Robert Waller, Chief Executive Office of the Mayo Foundation, and Larry Oserwise, IBM Rochester General Manager. RAMSP provided special classes and demonstrations in schools given by Mayo Clinic and IBM employees, student programming opportunities at Mayo Clinic and IBM's sites, training for teachers, and use of computer and science equipment.
 
In collaboration with Mayo Clinic, the Mobile Science Labs were created to connect high school classrooms, healthcare careers, and STEM using traveling trailers filled with equipment and supplies to conduct science experiments. Also the RAMSP Speakers Bureau was formalized and expanded to include industry experts of all STEM related fields that are available to speak in SE Minnesota area classrooms.
 
In 2017, RAMSP dissolved as a stand-alone non-profit and joined the fabric of Southeast Service Cooperative's programs and services.
 
 
Southeast Service Cooperative has operated since 1976. It is a public, non-profit cooperative of over 100 member schools, local governments, and non-profits impacting over 82,000 students and almost 18,000 employees in eleven counties to mobilize resources and add value through collaboration. To learn more about the Southeast Service Cooperative, visit www.ssc.coop.