Summer STEM Institute
KSU and Manhattan-Ogden USD #383 Partnership
USD #383 Manhattan-Ogden and the K-State College of Education are gearing up for the Summer STEM Institute – with more topic options than ever before!
Interested in VIRTUAL activities, check out
Summer STEAM Virtual Academy
Follow the link above to see class offerings and Registration link.
Manhattan-Ogden USD #383 and the College of Education partnered in 2011 to provide a STEM Summer Institute on the KSU campus. In June of 2011, the Institute gathered 169 6th–9th grade students, 20 USD #383 faculty and staff, 39 KSU pre-service students and staff to participate in STEM learning activities. Since 2011, STEM has experienced consistent growth in students, faculty, and partnerships. STEM 2014 opened enrollment to 5th grade students, which brought us to new levels of enrollment and enthusiasm.
The 2020 Summer STEM Institute, the 10th Anniversary of the program, was an institute like no other. As COVID-19 led to the closing of school buildings, the Summer STEM planning team moved forward, lining up the largest selection of topics since its inception. When KSU closed its campus to all summer programs, the team, with the support of USD 383 administration, asked the teachers who had committed to teach in-person classes if they would be willing to go online. While they hoped to provide a few options, they never dreamed that 20-some teachers would sign on. Within days, the team began shifting directions, not only taking it online, but altering enrollment and opening it up to out-of-district students as well.
Students participating in STEM enjoy a variety of field trips and experiences both on and off campus. Campus, community departments and agencies provide authentic learning experiences. For example, Riley County Police Department detectives create a crime scene each week for students to “process” as they learn about science, technology and skills involved in Crime Scene Investigations. Kansas STARBASE offer students a variety of topics with continued focus on robotics. STEM Summer Institute includes a field trip to Ft. Riley, featuring how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math connect to the military.
We hope you'll explore this site to learn more about the program and the partnership that has helped make it all happen. We also encourage you to contact us to see how you can become involved.
Become part of the USD #383/KSU STEM Summer Institute Partnership!
Through promotion on our annual t-shirts and by Board of Education recognition, we will share our appreciation in this partnership as we welcome you aboard. Here are just a few ways you can help out:
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Sponsor a Child
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Sponsor a Class (determined by you and teacher)
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Donate Volunteer Time to a STEM Summer Institute Class
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Donate Resources to a STEM Summer Institute Class
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Sponsor a Bus for STEM Summer Institute Transportation
For more information on partnering, please contact: USD #383 Teaching and Learning at 785-587-2000 ext. 1850.
Help provide this program to K-State preservice teachers and middle-school students for years to come!
Contact Dr. Lori Goodson, KSU STEM Institute Coordinator at lagoodson@k-state.edu or Matt LaGree, College of Education Director of Development at mattl@ksufoundation.org.
The STEM Team
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Dr. Lori Goodson – lagoodson@k-state.edu
Assistant Professor and KSU College of Education STEM Coordinator -
Dr. Paula Hough
Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, USD #383 Manhattan/Ogden -
Duke Harmon
Technology Coordinator, USD #383 Manhattan/Ogden -
Kaylee Myers
Instructor, College of Education, Kansas State University - Calista Speake
Coordinator, Virtual STEAM Academy, Kansas State University