Science educators explore STEAM lessons during immersive visit to OSF Jump Simulation & Education Center
Key Takeaways:
- Science educators from across Illinois explored hands-on STEAM activities at OSF Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center, gaining classroom-ready ideas and resources.
- OSF HealthCare highlighted free educational tools and activities that inspire student interest in health care and STEAM careers.
- Educators discovered new engagement strategies, including 3D printing, augmented reality, and simulation-based learning
Science educators from across the state experienced a firsthand look at innovative STEAM learning opportunities during a state Board of Education Science Educator Summit at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center in Peoria. The day-long visit was part of a week of other experiences including the Riverfront Museum and the Peoria Zoo.
At Jump Simulation they discovered new ways to bring science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into their classrooms. The visit was designed to connect teachers with real-world learning experiences and classroom-ready resources. Participants divided into groups for specialized activities including the Wing It: An Inside Look at Muscles & Bones workshop and the Tour with Heart Pours Experience.
During the Heart Pours Experience, educators explored multiple floors of the Jump Simulation & Education Center dedicated to simulation, innovation, and health care education. Organizers, including Katie Smith, coordinator of OSF Innovation Labs, say the experience highlights how interdisciplinary collaboration drives solutions to complex health care challenges.
Smith pointed out the goal of OSF STEAM programming is to create a pipeline for future health care workers. That can happen, Smith said, when teachers and their students have what she calls “ah-ha” moments as they realize what they thought was too complex is really not.
“Things like doing belly surgery laparoscopically but instead of on a belly, you use a cantaloupe. Or doing a shark dissection or making a robot hand that can actually work. Those types of things that we do here really, really inspire children but also inspire adults along the way too.”
Free resources through OSF STEAM website
The summit also highlighted many free resources available to educators at steam.osfhealthcare.org, not only for middle and high school-age children, but for younger children as well.
“We have books that are PDF form you can print out. We have YouTube videos. We have [smart phone or tablet] applications that are free and we have all the dissection materials and things like that there too. Teachers can use them. People can use them at their homes if they want to do something fun for the summer with their child,” Smith suggested.
Teachers also participated in a unique hands-on activity by creating their own heart model with guidance from engineering professionals. Chicago public middle school teacher Misty Richmond said the day helped educators like her connect with technologies and innovations first-hand to see how they could apply to classroom lessons.
“They [OSF simulation specialists] were sharing stories about how they use some of these 3D models to help them [surgeons] practice for a surgery they’re going to do and so being able to have a student be able to experience something like that it’s like, ‘Wait, we have a 3D printer at school. We can made a heart. And I’m like ‘Yes, they can send us the molds!' So, then we could make those kinds of things at our own school. And so just being able to make those connections for myself and then being able to extend those opportunities to students.”
The tour of the Innovation Labs and simulation spaces also had Richmond’s creative ideas flowing.
“An experience like today especially really opens your eyes to possibilities. And so, while we’re doing a lot of hands-on activities, I think it also makes you think about your own experiences in learning and how you can think about bringing experiences like this to your students so that they get to have the same excitement that you’re having.”
Workshops spark strategies for future lessons
Following the morning sessions, educators reconvened for a series of collaborative learning opportunities, including a Microscope Makers Space workshop focused on innovation and design thinking. The session provided participants with practical strategies and activities that can be implemented directly in the classroom.
Additional sessions introduced teachers to augmented reality technology and demonstrated how AR can be used to enhance student engagement and visualization of scientific concepts. Participants also received an overview of STEAM resources, digital materials, field trip opportunities, and educational partnerships available through OSF HealthCare.
The day ended with a question-and-answer panel and planning session, allowing educators to discuss curriculum integration, explore program options, and identify future opportunities for student engagement. Streator High School forensic and physical science teacher Nate Nugent has lessons he’ll share with other teachers.
“Being able to take these activities back to the school and even share them with my co-workers like, ‘Hey you should do this in your anatomy classes, and this is a place you should definitely check out.’ This was really eye opening.”
Organizers hope the summit will strengthen connections between schools and community partners while expanding access to innovative, medical pipeline-building STEAM experiences for students throughout the state.