University of Cincinnati Foundation - STEM Collaborative
51 Goodman Drive, Suite 100, P.O. Box 19970
Cincinnati, OH 45219
3d Printers and STEM Bicycle Clubs
The 3d Printers and STEM Bicycle Clubs are 10-week, hands-on, STEM focused programs to expand students’ problem-solving skills and expose them to STEM career possibilities utilizing mentors. Both programs strengthen critical thinking and resiliency skills as the students follow curricula that reinforce math and science principles taught during the school day. Students are immersed in the design process as they either use 3D printers to solve problems they’ve identified in their community or reverse engineer a new bicycle that they get to keep when rebuilt. GCSC partners with schools in the Tri-state area who have a critical need for high-quality, afterschool programming and encourages club leaders to seek out and include students that are underrepresented in STEM fields. These two STEM learning programs directly serve over 600 students per year.
Program Goals:
2022-23 Goals:
1. Reconnect with and deepen relationships, with school partners, that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. School partners should see GCSC as a resource for increasing pathways toward STEM skills and opportunities for their students.
2. Students increase their problem-solving, making, technical, and collaboration skills. They become more confident in their ability to pursue, and have more positive attitudes toward, STEM learning.
3. Support educators with high-quality, hands-on STEM learning best practices and resources to support in-school, afterschool, and at-home STEM learning.
4. STEM, business, and other volunteers engage meaningfully with students to inspire students to pursue STEM learning and careers.
All GCSC programs build students’ confidence, problem-solving and technical skills, and awareness of STEM career opportunities. (See https://greatercincystem.org/.) Other over-arching GCSC objectives include:
1. High-quality STEM experiences are more available for students under-represented in STEM: lower-income students, students of color (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Mixed Race) and girls.
2. More educators and families improve their skills and confidence nurturing student STEM learning and interest.
3. More and stronger partnerships are forged to benefit students, schools, and communities.
Program Results:
During the 2022-23 school year, GCSC served over 480 students in the Tristate area through the 10-week, at-school, afterschool 3d Printers and STEM Bicycle Clubs.
• Over 285 students from 17 Greater Cincinnati area schools participated in the 3d Printers Club.
• Over 195 students from 15 Greater Cincinnati area schools participated in the STEM Bicycle Club.
The 3d Printers and STEM Bicycle Clubs support students to increase problem solving, design, making, technical, and critical thinking skills while becoming more confident in their STEM knowledge and gain more positive attitudes about STEM.
Student surveys revealed that 89% of students learned about design and making things, 69% reported their technology skills improved, and 72% reported they are more interested in STEM as a result of their participation in the 3d Printers Club. As a result of their participation in the STEM Bicycle Club, 65% of students reported they can use skills learned in the club to create solutions and solve problems, 67% are more interested in STEM, and 61% are more confident. On a 5-point scale, leaders of both clubs reported that students can use the skills learned in the club to create solutions and solve problems (4.7), students are more confident (4.6), and students are more interested in STEM (4.5) as a result of club participation.
Website:
http://www.grantercincystem.org Amount: $20,000
Date: October 2022
