{"id":256,"date":"2017-10-05T17:05:35","date_gmt":"2017-10-05T17:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/stem\/?page_id=256"},"modified":"2025-11-05T21:42:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T21:42:34","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/stem\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn more about us<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>Finding Our Way is a<\/em><\/span> hands-on learning program that gets students involved in the environmental sciences of their surroundings and fosters lifelong interest in protecting our environment. Finding Our Way is a STEAM outreach program between Western Connecticut State University Department of Biological Sciences and local public school teachers. Programs are also offered in the summer depending on the availability of funding.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Ridgefield Playhouse Documentary Screening<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Tuesday, November 18, doors open at 6pm, screening at 7pm, panel discussion to follow<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

FREE REGISTRATION<\/a><\/h3>\n

NRWA, the Pollinator Pathway, and local partners are thrilled to host this screening of the new documentary, THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD, from High Plains Films.<\/p>\n

\u201cTHE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD is a passionate and comprehensive deep dive into the ecological crisis facing flying insects and the ripple effects on global biodiversity.\u201d Doc Screenings International Film Festival<\/p>\n

The film introduces viewers to a diverse group of scientists, nature lovers, gardeners, farmers, and general bug enthusiasts\u2013including some local Pollinator Pathway organizers\u2013exploring the importance of flying insects amid rapid declines in their numbers.<\/p>\n

The film documents the mysteries of the declines alongside creative and heroic human efforts to change the course of evolutionary history. What is causing this extinction crisis? What can be done to reverse the trend? THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD attempts to find answers to those questions and more.<\/p>\n

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Dive Deep into the Long Island Sound<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Long Island Sound Mentor Teachers Elizabeth Brown and Curt Hayes from the Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy will lead a \u201cDive Deep into Long Island Sound\u201d workshop at Meigs Point at Hammonasset Beach State Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. Participants will explore contrasting environments to investigate adaptations, energy transfer, and the gathering of evidence to support a scientific argument. All activities incorporate NGSS standards and Ocean Literacy Principles. Educational materials and lots of resources are included!<\/p>\n

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Click HERE<\/a>\u00a0for the agenda and registration information!<\/p>\n

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Make a difference and join FrogWatch!<\/a><\/h2>\n

Connecticut\u2019s Beardsley Zoo invites residents to become Citizen-Scientist volunteers and participate in a \u201cFrogWatch\u201d census in area wetlands. In a collaboration between the Zoo, The Maritime Aquarium, and Yale\u2019s Peabody Museum of Natural History, volunteers will make regular visits to wetlands in their neighborhoods and keep a frog log to record the frog and toad calls they hear. Working with experts, volunteers will learn about local frog species, then visit wetlands once or twice a week for about 15 minutes each night this spring and summer. \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

FrogWatch Training<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nDuring this training, participants will learn about citizen science, the important role amphibians play in the ecosystem, and how to identify ten species of frogs heard in Connecticut. After the training, participants will be sent a virtual assessment they need to complete in order to become a certified\u00a0FrogWatch\u00a0Volunteer.<\/p>\n

All trainings are held from 7:00-8:30pm and are free with suggested donation.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Join us for the Danbury Regional Pollinator Pathway Meeting! <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On January 16th, 2025 at 4pm, Science Building Room 125.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Special Guest Speaker: <\/strong>Ethan Skuches<\/span>
\nJoin us for an engaging talk by Ethan Skuches about the Native Plant Propagation Program<\/strong> at The Preserve at Vassar. Discover the fascinating work behind cultivating and preserving native plants in this inspiring initiative. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and connect!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2024 Highlights<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

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Demystifying Climate Change –<\/strong><\/span> Science At Night With NOAA\u2019s Tom DiLiberto<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Recent climate events have us all wondering what the future holds for our homes and communities. Please join us for an evening Climate 101 talk with expert, Tom DiLiberto, who will dispel myths, answer questions, and share best practices and solutions for a changing climate that can help build resilient communities.<\/p>\n

Visit the event page<\/a> for more information as well as the event recording<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Aquatic Restoration Research Symposium Winners<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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We are happy to announce the winners of the 2024 Aquatic Science Restoration Symposium at Danbury High School. The group project\u2019s name was \u201cGo Green or Go Home\u201d and earned the title of best poster, idea, and proposed solution for the current issue of storm water management at Danbury H.S. One of the group members, Gabriella Judnarine, is also a former Spring Watershed Steward Ambassador (SWSA), and we are proud to have had the opportunity to mentor her in the watershed sciences. In her words, \u201cthe program was an amazing opportunity to understand the environment and real-life issues that are going on in our community. With the steps we took as a group, we hope to motivate others to join in on the movement to better our community and the change starts with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congratulations to Gabby and her group!<\/p>\n

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Chemistry Day at WCSU<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Part of our program\u2019s goal is to connect you with other departments. This year we had an opportunity to engage Danbury High School chemistry students in college level experiments and meet faculty members. Check out this video highlighting what they did!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chemistry Day Video<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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2024 Finding Our Way WCSU-DPS Spring Opportunities!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Paid Opportunities for High School Students<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Announcing the 2024 SWSA Spring Program. This program is open to all Danbury High School students, preferably in aquatic sciences or past SWSA students. If you are interested in working outside this spring, please apply!<\/p>\n

Link to apply is below as well as four forms that need to be completed and sent to\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>silvamar@wcsu.edu<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Apply Here:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. 2024 SWSA Student Online Application<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Forms for download:<\/p>\n

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    1. SWSA Medical Release form<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. 2024 SWSA Student Application<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. SWSA Photo Release<\/a><\/li>\n
    4. SWSA Student Information Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      Aquatic Restoration Research Symposium!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      In the spirit of last year\u2019s winning project titled \u201cUnlocking the potential of water quality through biodiversity and impervious surfaces\u201d, we are happy to announce the 2024 Aquatic Restoration Research Symposium happening on May 22nd<\/sup><\/u> and 23rd<\/sup><\/u> (9am-12pm) at the Danbury High School.<\/span><\/p>\n

      *Prize money for best symposium group project*<\/span><\/p>\n

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      Announcing the 2024 WCSU Environmental Stewardship Competition for Middle School Students!<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      A student competition focused on Environmental Stewardship, sponsored by WCSU Finding Our Way STEM Outreach Office.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

      Application Entries Due: 22 April 2024\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      Reports Due: 3 June 2024<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      Winners Announced: 11 June 2024<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      Download the\u00a02024 Stewardship Application<\/a>,\u00a02024 Stewardship Competition Details<\/a>, and the provided\u00a0Final Report Project Timeline 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

      Want to see how you will be graded?\u00a0See the grading rubric here.<\/a><\/p>\n

      Email completed forms to<\/span>: guimaraes007@wcsu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

      Final Projects must include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      1. <\/strong>Stewardship Report 2.<\/strong>\u00a0Project Timeline\u00a03.<\/strong>\u00a0Pictures of the project or other evidence<\/p>\n

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