DO STEM Conference 2025

Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast by the Amber Rose Restaurant.

Ready to shift into high gear? Learn more about how our "Girls in Gear" initiative is fueling the dreams of young women in Central Indiana. By providing access to new technology at the STEM Experience Center, we're empowering the next generation of female engineers, mechanics, and innovators.

Cooking is both a craft and a science-driven profession that requires a deep understanding of STEM concepts. I aim to present this as a career option to my students. Come see how Westbrooke Village is teaching STEM through cooking!

Resources Povided: Lesson plans and food samples

Grant funded opportunity by Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) with the purpose of supporting the expansion of Manned and Unmanned Aviation in STEM classes in Ohio. Find out what area schools are doing to bridge the gap between workforce needs and student pathways.

Join us for a post-festival presentation highlighting how the Earth Day Festival engaged kids in fun, hands-on activities that sparked creativity and environmental awareness. From showcasing how plants distribute water throughout the stem with colorful water, children embraced eco-friendly practices and collaborated with peers to learn about sustainability. This session will showcase the meaningful interactions that took place and how these experiences inspired young minds to take action for the planet. Gain insights on how these moments can help nurture the next generation of environmental leaders.

Interested in teaching your students how to create 3D models and start 3D printing? Are you new to 3D design? Come and learn the basics of 3 different programs for 3D modeling and how you can tie this into your curriculum. Build up your students’ skill and passion toward advanced manufacturing.

 Resources Provided: Learn how to use TinkerCAD, Codeblocks, and SelfCAD. Get lesson ideas for incorporating 3D modeling into the curriculum.

Inspire your students to think like scientists and engineers with this hands-on STEM approach. Test variables, make predictions, and design the perfect rocket.  See how this STEM approach can be used to create any design challenge in your class. Receive resources to transform your STEM lessons today!

Resources Provided:
Lesson Plan, Student Handouts, Data Poster Template,  Example Straw Rocket Kit, Additional Resources

"Join us on an inspiring journey through the creation and development of makerspaces in K-12 education, catering to students from the youngest learners to high school. In this session, we will explore how to establish a vibrant STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) culture within your school community, starting with the foundation of hands-on exploration for our youngest learners and progressing towards sophisticated projects for high school students.
Discover how to cultivate a maker mindset among students of all ages, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and innovation. We'll share practical strategies for designing makerspaces that are accessible to all students, regardless of their background or ability, ensuring equitable opportunities for hands-on learning experiences.
Learn from our experiences of self-funding and securing grants to acquire essential tools and equipment for the makerspaces. We'll discuss the selection and integration of various machines and tools, from basic crafting materials to advanced technology like 3D printers and laser cutters, to support diverse learning objectives across grade levels. Through real-world examples, we'll highlight the transformative impact of makerspaces on student engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Discover how these dynamic learning environments empower students to become active creators, innovators, and critical thinkers in an ever-evolving world. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to enhance existing makerspaces, this session will provide practical insights and inspiration to help you build and sustain a thriving culture of making in your K-12 educational setting."

Discover how hands-on hydroponics lessons can inspire young minds and bring STEM concepts to life! In this session, we'll share our experience hosting an engaging activity day for 2nd-3rd graders, where students set up a functioning hydroponic system and tracked plant growth using custom-designed workbooks. Participants will get a chance to build their own mini hydroponic systems — just like we did with the kids — and take home ideas for integrating this fun, educational project into their own classrooms. Join us to explore how hydroponics can nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific discovery in young learners!

Refined over the past 10 years, Ohio State’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) has developed an experiential learning program for undergraduates. This program utilizes real work from real customers executed by students under the watchful eyes of staff mentors. Learn more about CDME’s program and how it could impact you.  

Join us for an engaging session where innovation meets impact. Explore how Purdue students are tackling real-world problems and delivering tangible solutions to the community using data and machine learning. This interactive session highlights real-world examples of the Krenicki Center's Learn-Work-Earn Model, showcasing how cross-sector collaboration, hands-on projects, and data-driven solutions drive impact. Leave with actionable strategies for building collaborative frameworks between education and industry.

Participants will receive copies of the presentation slides, resource links for additional reading materials and online tools, and a sample community project plan template

Get back to the basics with craft sticks in a whole new way using reusable connectors that unlock the creative, reusable potential of craft sticks in your classroom.

https://www.nurcs.com/

In this presentation, Sinclair Project Manager Ryan Nichols will discuss his strategies for teaching future-proofed workplace skill help students envision the future of work. A case study and model for teaching using AI to teach self-directed learning, generative AI, and inquiry-based learning will be presented including successes, challenges, and learnings. A key focus for this presentation is inducing sustainable change, including on our physical and work environments. Ryan shares best practices for encouraging lifelong learning for students of all ages, preparing for the interdisciplinary and tech-enable future of work. He will also discuss opportunities for paid student work through Sinclair's Built Environment department.  

Discover how COSI and Ohio Invention League equip students with invention education, problem-solving skills, and intellectual property awareness. Learn how to engage with these programs, bridge STEM education and workforce needs, and leave with ready-to-use classroom activities to inspire future innovators.  

Resources Provided: Participants will receive access to digital resources, as well as templates for design challenges

Life Science companies in Ohio are here and growing! Attend to learn what you can do to help prepare your students for the exciting jobs in this workforce. Discover how you can encourage your students to be the next innovators in biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, labs, digital health, gene and cell therapy, agricultural biotechnology, and research throughout Ohio. Will participate in completing one of the FREE resources for BioPathways, a program from Ohio Life Sciences.  

Resrouces: Free activities, free invite to attend a 2 day workshop 

Join the Dayton Chief Science Officers (CSOs) as they present their cutting-edge action plan for advancing cybersecurity and fostering innovation in local schools and communities. This session will highlight key initiatives, including interactive and educational activities designed to engage participants in both cybersecurity and coding.
The CSOs will guide you through a Cybersecurity Card Game, a fun and immersive experience that simulates real-world cyber threats. Learn how to defend against attacks, develop strategic thinking, and gain insights into the evolving field of cybersecurity.

Additionally, dive into the world of coding with the micro:bit, a compact and versatile tool that empowers you to create simple yet impactful digital projects. The CSOs will lead you in hands-on exercises, demonstrating how coding can be both accessible and exciting for individuals of all skill levels.

This session is perfect for educators, students, and professionals looking to explore the integration of cybersecurity education and coding innovation, all while supporting the Dayton CSOs' vision for a safer and more digitally savvy future.

Attendees can take a step into the future of advanced manufacturing and design where they can witness a Markforge 3D printer in action as it demonstrates cutting-edge additive manufacturing. Attendees can explore the process further by taking part in a hands-on activity to work with unprocessed 3D prints, using tools to learn about post-production of 3D printed items. Then, using metrology tools, they can measure and compare prints produced by two different 3D printers to learn about accuracy and quality control, as well as the varied abilities that lie within different 3D printing technologies.

Additionally, interactive tablets will showcase augmented reality applications, allowing attendees to visualize digital data layered over physical objects to highlight how modern technology is revolutionizing the way we design, manufacture, and inspect products.