STEM from the START Launches New Episode: Ultra-Awesome Animals

(Durham, NH, April 16, 2019) - A new episode of STEM from the START is available for download from the New Hampshire PBS early education initiative - stemfromthestart.org. The latest episode, Ultra-Awesome Animals, follows the adventures of The Quinks, three quizzical creatures from outer space as they explore why animals have different traits that help them live and thrive. They visit Hickory Nut Farm in Lee, NH, to learn about goats, visit with Dr. Heather York at the Maine Veterinary Medical Center in Scarborough, Maine, and see how OrthoPets, a company in Westminster, Colorado, builds an orthotic for a dog.

"STEM from the Start, Mission: Ultra-Awesome Animals was engaging and impactful for my class of first grade learners," said Bedford school district teacher, Christina Donahue. "The students were engaged as scientists who explore phenomenon, observe animal traits, and engage in scientific discussion using their background knowledge and experience as evidence. They were delighted by the Quinks and especially loved the humor in the videos. The mission involving the goats was particularly interesting to them and allowed them to dig deeper into the differentiation of traits in a particular species. The STEM culminating activity at the end allowed them to be creative and take risks as problem solvers.”

“As an educator, the Discovery Guide was easy to follow, the video allowed for appropriate pacing in the classroom, and the lessons were appropriate for my students and the standards I'm required to explore. We'll look forward to continuing work with STEM From the Start."

The engaging online video and interactive accompanying Discovery Guide are for parents and educators of our youngest learners. "This resource couldn't come at a better time with recent school closures," said NHPBS President and CEO, Peter Frid. "We partnered with some of the best science educators and researchers to produce this episode. It's also a lot of fun. Kids will identify with at least one of the characters."

STEM from the START is an innovative, online video-plus-activities curriculum supporting the Next Generation Science Standards for K-2 learners. Online streaming of the video production (produced in partnership with Learniverse, LLC.), the Discovery Guide, and additional resources are publicly available for FREE at stemfromthestart.org. The production features kid-friendly animated characters called QUINKS in a Discovery Mission on Earth. The Quinks questions and adventures inspire Discovery Breaks where children can figure out a variety of things on their own.

One of the biggest champions of the project was Barbara A. Hopkins, a New Hampshire science education consultant and BioFab Education Workforce Development Project Manager working with the Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education at UNH. She says, "The goal of STEM from the START is to nurture children's natural curiosity and love of discovery while laying the groundwork for ongoing success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It's critical that we expand students' personal advocacy for their own questions about our world and their early career aspirations. This production helps to build children’s foundational science knowledge and skills, and discover the work of scientists, engineers, and others actively learning about and improving our world." 

STEM from the START Mission: Ultra-Awesome Animals was sponsored in part by the Office of the Secretary of Defense through ARMI (BioFabUSA) and was accomplished under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-003.

Special New Hampshire PBS Educational Resources:

Learn At Home from NHPBS is a collection of leading resources to help parents, students and educators enhance learning at home. Explore a new theme every day featuring videos, lesson plans and activities to engage learners of every age. nhpbs.org/learnathome.

Photo: Sophie R., a NH Seacoast resident

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Carla Gordon Russell
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