STEMCARE

What is STEMCARE?

STEMCARE is a collaboration between Mylan-A Viatris Company and West Virginia University to develop and implement programming to instill a growth mindset in West Virginia’s youths through personal application of problem-solving skills gained from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). No matter the issue at hand, students will grow in their confidence and intellect, ultimately making them more curious, active, resilient and engaged (CARE). 

What is growth mindset?

Growth mindset is the understanding that people can improve their abilities and intelligence through dedication, practice and hard work. It refers to growth and development, such as learning from mistakes, not just “trying harder.”

Why is growth mindset important?

Children’s beliefs about their intelligence directly affect their success. Children with a growth mindset understand that challenges are opportunities to grow and making mistakes is an important part of learning. Because of this, they are much more likely to enjoy learning and reach higher levels of achievement.

The good news is research shows that the brain changes and develops throughout life, a concept called neuroplasticity. We can generate and strengthen connections in the brain when we work hard to solve a problem or learn something new.

Watch a video of Ohio County 4-H'ers exploring STEMCARE growth-mindset activities.

Parents and teachers can instill a growth mindset in children in several ways ...

• Model a growth mindset. It is important for adults to model a growth mindset and use growth mindset terminology.
• Intelligence is like a muscle; it grows stronger with training. Explain to children that the brain can get stronger and smarter, the more they work it.
• Celebrate mistakes. It turns out that making mistakes, reflecting on the thinking behind the mistakes, trying new strategies, asking for feedback or additional resources and correcting our mistakes is one of the very best ways our brains learn.
• Harness the power of the word “yet.” If a child says, “I can’t figure this out,” reply with “You haven’t figured it out yet. What could you try next?”
• Praise the process (not the person). When we focus our praise on the learning process, children are empowered to keep trying. Try saying, “Great job! You must have worked really hard on that.” or “I like the way you tried different strategies to solve that problem.”

To learn more, visit mindsetworks.com.

Why is Mylan-A Viatris Company involved?

Mylan and Upjohn combined in 2020 to form Viatris, a new global pharmaceutical company formed that sees healthcare not as it is, but as it should be. Viatris believes it has a unique opportunity to actively play a part in advancing positive change that benefits a large span of stakeholders - not only as it relates to access to high quality medicine but beyond. This includes providing for West Virginia's children to embrace a brighter tomorrow and make a difference in their home state. Colleagues at Viatris tackle problems every day and believe that similar problem-solving skills can help students face challenges in school, at home or in their community. 

Learn more at  Viatris.com.

STEMCARE Lessons with Videos

Looking for fun and educational activities for classrooms, camps or kitchen tables? Search no further. Each activity includes instructions, a step-by-step video, and a full lesson with educational standards.

STEMCARE Next Up

Whether you're just starting high school or that episode is about to end, you're going to hit graduation day with a ton of options in front of you. Curious about which episode you'll play next? There one where you take a job? The one where you go off to trade school or college?

Next Up makes it easy to engage with experts all over West Virginia to ask anything you want to know about life after high school. It's a project designed to help teens like you take an active approach to exploring their future with knowledge, confidence and resiliency. Submit a question or watch experts answer other teen's questions.

Recent 4-H STEMCARE News

Annette S. Boggs STEAM Education Center

In the Summer of 2021, the Annette S. Boggs STEAM Education Center at WVU Jackson's Mill opened to provide year-round programming and hands-on activities that focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and math for West Virginia youth and educators. The 6,000-square-foot facility was designed by VanNostrand Architects PLLC and features a science classroom, a makerspace classroom, and a technology room that houses 3-D printers, laser cutters, and other specialty equipment. Since opening, more than 1,500 youth from across the state have visited the center to participate in various STEAM events and activities. The building is open year-round for group visits from schools and youth organizations to provide hands-on science lessons, design-based learning activities, coding and physical computing lessons, innovative maker space projects, and other unique learning opportunities. If you are interested in booking a visit to the Annette S. Boggs STEAM Education Center, contact Emma Gardner.

Free Engineering Design Kits for K-5th Grade Teachers

Do you want to teach engineering to your K-5th graders but don't know where to start? Let us help! Here's the Scoop: Engineering Trash Collectors and Sky's the Limit: Engineering Flying Technologies are engineering design units designed by the Museum of Science, Boston for students in K-2nd and 3rd-5th grade, respectively. In Here's the Scoop, students are introduced to engineering through a design challenge and a story of a duck named Danny. They must help Danny by designing a trash collector that removes trash from a model pond. In Sky's the Limit, students dive into aeronautical engineering by creating models of flying technologies for NASA. Teachers need no prior experience teaching engineering to lead either unit. STEMCARE is offering training, resources, and usage of these kits to WV educators free of charge. If you are currently teaching in a public West Virginia elementary school (K-5th grade) and would like more information on how to use these kits in your classroom,  contact  Suzanne McDonald .

Here's the Scoop Training Videos

STEMCARE Partners with Energy Express and WVPB

STEMCARE has partnered with Energy Express for the last three summers to bring numerous STEM-related videos to West Virginia Public Broadcasting. From balloon cars to binary bead bracelets, the series offers many hands-on STEM activities for the entire family. View all of the STEM videos from Seasons 1-3 of the Energy Express on WVPB shown here, and be on the lookout for Season 4, debuting in July 2023.

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