Anna Truong – Exploring STEM Day

1. A Pigment of Your Imagination

Pigments are what give paint its own special color. They’re made from items found in nature, like plants or insects, or they can be invented in a laboratory. In this session, you’ll discover unique pigments from everyday items using science (and happy accidents) to create your own work of art.

• Brooke Wright, Regional Program Manager (PreK-9), National Inventors Hall of Fame
• Katie Kirkpatrick, Math Consultant, Tri-County ESC

2. Up, Up & Away!

Did you ever wonder how a rocket flies? We will work in engineering teams to design and make rockets out of paper that will fly incredible distances. How high will yours fly?

• Laura Grimm, Retired STEAM Teacher, Dalton Local School District

3. Bots Like to Move it, Move it!

Think you can code with just markers and paper? Learn to program Ozobots with just color codes and your imagination. You will also use the Ozobot coding language to program your bot to navigate a maze or move along a geometric shape. Come make your robot “move it, move it”!

• Heather Guarnera, Asst. Prof. of Mathematical & Computational Sciences, College of Wooster

4. Pawsitively Powerful Training

Ever wondered how animals learn amazing tricks and helpful skills? Discover the science behind clicker training, a fun and positive way to teach animals new behaviors. You’ll get to see it firsthand and try it out yourself. Get ready for a pawsome experience that will put you in the mind of an animal!

ALLERGY notice: There will be a dog present at this session

• Karen Wimbrush, PhD, Assoc. Prof. of Agricultural Technologies, The Ohio State University
• Celia Flinn, MD, Retired Pediatric Cardiologist

5. Let’s Get Snacky With It!

Your team will be provided ingredients and criteria of a balanced snack – but it’s up to you to formulate the dish and explain how your creation is the snack. Taste-testing will close out the session! Allergy notice: Excludes the major 8 allergens, yet a variety of foods are used, so proceed with caution.

• Kirsten Kurtz, RDN, LD, Registered Dietitian, Wooster Community Hospital

6. Delicious or Dangerous?

Our animal friends sometimes eat the strangest things! What happens when our pets eat something they shouldn’t? Let’s explore some common household items that could be dangerous to our pets. Then help diagnose the cause of the belly ache!

• Shannon K. Walsh, DVM, Co-Owner/Veterinarian, Mairs Small Animal Clinic

7. Spawn to Supper: Growing Mushrooms at Home

Did you know you can grow delicious oyster mushrooms right at home? In this hands-on session, you’ll learn the basics of fungi farming and how mushrooms grow. Plus, you’ll get to prepare and take home your own jar inoculated with oyster mushroom spawn—ready to grow into tasty mushrooms!

• Erika Lyon, Educator for Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension

8. Make a Computer Program from Scratch!

Have you ever wanted to make your own interactive stories, games, or animations? Get started with Scratch, a programming language & online community where you can create all of these – and share them with others!

• Peggy Winkler, Software Engineering Manager, PRC-Saltillo

9. The Humpty Dumpty Experiment

Can an ordinary egg survive a two-story drop without turning into eggnog? Compete to see who can build an egg-packaging device that protects Humpty Dumpty from his great fall!

• Laura DeGroot, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physics, College of Wooster

10. The Science of Cosmetics

Do you really want to put that on your face? Learn about the science that goes into developing cosmetics and hear about the chemistry behind it all while you make your own natural lip balm!

• Jennifer Faust, PhD, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, College of Wooster

11. Call the Plant Doctor!

Did you know that plants get sick too? Would you like to be a plant doctor on call and help a plant figure out what is wrong? We will conduct a diagnostic triage through use of microscopes and visual observations to diagnose the problem and identify which microbe is threatening the health of our plant.

•Francesca Rotondo, PhD, Program Director, The Ohio State University
•Jennifer Wilson, PhD, Research Scientist, USDA Agricultural Research Service
•Soledad Benitez-Ponce, PhD, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University

12. Master the Sound Waves

Ready to be a podcast content creator? With your voice and your creativity, create your own audio episode from scripting, to recording, to editing.

• Emily Armour, Educational Technologist, College of Wooster

13. Seeing Colors in a New Light

Have you wondered why colors appear more vibrant, fade over time, or “glow in the dark”? Or why a picture looks different in sunlight versus inside? We will look at different types of artists’ pigments to explore why we see colors as we do, what creates extra pop in fluorescent materials, and how different lights change how colors appear.

• Sarah Sobeck, PhD, Professor of Chemistry, College of Wooster

14. Caring for your Critters

Learn what a veterinarian does to diagnose someone’s sick pet and determine how to send their “best friend” on the road to recovery using the tools of the trade including a physical exam and digital X-rays.

ALLERGY notice: There will be a dog present at this session.

• Kristen Wellert, DVM, Ark Veterinary Hospital

CANCELED ~~15. They’ll Pay Me to Watch Animals??!!~~

Do you like to watch animals? Did you know that studying animal behavior could be your job? There are so many exciting opportunities in this field! In this session, you will learn some of the fundamental skills for the scientific study of animal behavior as we watch animals found far away and in our own yards.

• Laura Sirot, Professor of Biology, College of Wooster

16. Spine Design

In this hands-on session, discover how your spine sends messages to keep your body working properly. Explore acupuncture and pressure points that can help you relax, decrease headaches, and let your best energy flow smoothly. This fusion of Eastern and Western medicine will give an insightful look at alternative healthcare around the world.

• Katie Dossi, DC, Chiropractor, Bloomington Chiropractic

17. Not your Grandma’s Wound Care

Abrasions, avulsions, and penetrating trauma – oh my! We will look at different types of wounds, how to treat them, when to definitely call 911, and how wounds can be simulated for medical education.

Note: Simulated wounds with fake blood used in this session.

•Danya Morris, MA Ed., NRP, Director, Cleveland Clinic Akron General EMS Education Program

18. Upside Down & Right Side Up

We’ll explore the physical, emotional, and mental benefits of the yoga practice, especially when we get upside down! After discussing the science behind inversions and how yoga benefits the brain and body, we will put these concepts into practice with our bodies!

• Cassie Gibson, Yoga Teacher, Flex Yoga

19. Five Stars at the Bug Bistro!

Have you ever wondered what insects like to eat? Join us in encountering the fascinating world of insects by spending time with the creatures of the United Titanium Bug Zoo. Safely interact with fascinating insects and help us discover their favorite snacks!

• Jeni Filbrun, Program Manager, United Titanium Bug Zoo, The Ohio State University
• Carrie Elvey, Community Outreach Specialist, United Titanium Bug Zoo, The Ohio State University