Redbull Stratos

If you didn’t see the Live showing of the RedBull Stratos Jump see it here.

This jump was not only important for Felix Baumgartner, but it also had several scientific discoveries. For example, Felix’s fall caused him to travel so fast that he broke the sound barrier. This jump has also helped scientists better understand the human body and what it can withstand. 

This jump was a hug success setting/breaking 3 world records:

  1. First free fall to break the speed of sound, the fall was recorded at 1,342.8kph
  2. Highest free fall at 128,000 feet, and
  3. Highest manned balloon flicht at 128,097 feet

For mor information, images, and videos visit redbull.com

(Source: )

Apple iRing

This concept by Victor Solo, uses bluetooth technology to allow you to control some features of your iPod or iPhone. This ring has a lock feature (to avoid unintentional use), and touch sensitivity that allows you to control volume, the play/pause feature, and skip tracks. 

It is unbelievable that within a couple of decades, this concept can go from being too ambitious and impossible to being completely possible.  The technology is already there, we have been using bluetooth and touchscreen technology for nearly 20 years. If concepts like this are obtainable, what can we come up with next?

Northern Illinois University’s STEM Fest

Check out this event coming up this October 20th. This event features hands-on activities and exhibits for kids of all ages. It’s goal is to provide interest and knowledge in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Similar to our Family Science Day event, this October event features competitions, halloween themed science such as haunted physics and a laser lunacy lab.

Click here for more information on NIU’s STEMfest. 

Click here to check out CeMaST’s Family Science Day Event.

Family Science Day 2013 Given the success of the last two years, we have moved to a larger venue. This years event will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2013 in Redbird Arena at Illinois State University. The event will take place from 1-5p.m. and expects to have even more exhibits and activities than the previous years. This year, our goal is to attract more of the middle school age demographic with a focus in Robotics. We will have a few different competitions specifically for middle school students to participate in. These competitions include video, fashion, and community competitions. Students can also participate in our STEM challenge course that will be held at the event. We are also looking forward to having some robotics demonstrated to celebrate the national robotics week. Including a recycling robot and much more. Students in the Arts Technology Department will also be providing us with a technology showcase featuring interactive exhibits and/or activities that demonstrate how technology can be used in modern settings such as gaming, web, and more.  Also new this year, we are excited to have the World-renowned Museum of Science and Industry from Chicago come to our event. They will be giving live demo shows and providing hands on exhibits. While we are still planning for this event at this time, we are excited to move to this year’s new location and to provide many more exhibits and activities.  View high resolution

Family Science Day 2013

Given the success of the last two years, we have moved to a larger venue. This years event will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2013 in Redbird Arena at Illinois State University. The event will take place from 1-5p.m. and expects to have even more exhibits and activities than the previous years.

This year, our goal is to attract more of the middle school age demographic with a focus in Robotics. We will have a few different competitions specifically for middle school students to participate in. These competitions include video, fashion, and community competitions. Students can also participate in our STEM challenge course that will be held at the event.

We are also looking forward to having some robotics demonstrated to celebrate the national robotics week. Including a recycling robot and much more. Students in the Arts Technology Department will also be providing us with a technology showcase featuring interactive exhibits and/or activities that demonstrate how technology can be used in modern settings such as gaming, web, and more. 

Also new this year, we are excited to have the World-renowned Museum of Science and Industry from Chicago come to our event. They will be giving live demo shows and providing hands on exhibits.

While we are still planning for this event at this time, we are excited to move to this year’s new location and to provide many more exhibits and activities. 

This incredible Recycling Robot will make an appearance at this year’s Family Science Day Event. Join us April 13th, 2013 to check it out.

Click here to read more about Family Science Day 2013.

Benjamin Mee In addition to our Family Science Day 2012 event, CeMaST welcomed Benjamin Mee, author of We Bought a Zoo, to campus in conjunction with Milner Library and the Sage Foundation as part of ISU Speaker Series. Benjamin Spoke about his experience in purchasing and running the Dartmoor Zoological Park, located in Devon England. In addition to his presentation, the event also included a pre-event family fun carnival, a Q&A session, a book signing, and a special free movie showing of the Movie We Bought a Zoo, starring Matt Damon and based on the novel written by Benjamin Mee.  View high resolution

Benjamin Mee


In addition to our Family Science Day 2012 event, CeMaST welcomed Benjamin Mee, author of We Bought a Zoo, to campus in conjunction with Milner Library and the Sage Foundation as part of ISU Speaker Series. Benjamin Spoke about his experience in purchasing and running the Dartmoor Zoological Park, located in Devon England. In addition to his presentation, the event also included a pre-event family fun carnival, a Q&A session, a book signing, and a special free movie showing of the Movie We Bought a Zoo, starring Matt Damon and based on the novel written by Benjamin Mee. 

(Source: cemast.illinoisstate.edu)

Family Science Day 2012

Over 1,200 people attended our second annual Family Science Day that was held as part of Siblings weekend on Sunday April 22. 2012.  Since the event took place on Earth day, our event focused on the theme of sustainability and energy conservation.

With more than 80 exhibits, including NASA speaker Jim Simek, the St. Louis Science Center, and a transportation showcase that included everything from classic cars to electric and solar vehicles. We were proud to showcase these classic vehicles along side alternative fuel vehicles of today such as the Chevy Volt (offering the opportunity to test drive), the Nissan Leaf, the Mitsubishi “I”, and the Tesla roadster.

The event was a huge success and we expect to expand for future events. 

(Source: vimeo.com)

Family Science Day 2011

Over 1,400 people attended the first annual Family Science Day event that was held on Sunday April 17th, 2011. Over 50 exhibitors participated in this event, which included segway rides, State Farm Research Development Center, the Mitsubishi “I” electric car, NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow, an antique steam engine tractor, and much more.

            In addition to all the interactive exhibits, there were also four live demonstration shows. Miller Park Zoo showcased some of their animals while Physics on the Road demonstrated just how cool Physics can be. The Normal Fire Department Technical Rescue Team was on hand, rappelling from the top of the field house., and the St. Louis Science Center showed those in attendance all about fire and combustion.

(Source: vimeo.com)

Family Science Day  One of CeMaST’s signature events, Family Science Day has been a huge success. The event was developed as a way to educate and inspire pre-K through 8th grade students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by encouraging scientific discovery through the use of hands-on-activities, displays, and demonstrations. CeMaST organized this event in partnership with the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Challenger Learning Center.    Family Science Day 2011 Family Science Day 2012 Benjamin Mee author of We Bought a Zoo  Family Science Day 2013 View high resolution

Family Science Day

 One of CeMaST’s signature events, Family Science Day has been a huge success. The event was developed as a way to educate and inspire pre-K through 8th grade students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by encouraging scientific discovery through the use of hands-on-activities, displays, and demonstrations. CeMaST organized this event in partnership with the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Challenger Learning Center.   

Family Science Day 2011

Family Science Day 2012

Benjamin Mee author of We Bought a Zoo 

Family Science Day 2013

(Source: cemast.illinoisstate.edu)

Expanding Your Horizons Purpose The Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Conference is an annual, fun-filled day intended for girls and boys in grades 5 through 10, and their parents and teachers. The conference is held on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Stevenson Hall serves as conference headquarters. Most workshops are held in other campus buildings within a short walk of the Stevenson. Students will be escorted by ISU students. Some of our goals are… to act as mentors and role models for women and young people by providing support, encouragement, and assistance in the development of their careers in science and mathematics (science and mathematics are defined to include all fields in the physical, biological, behavioral, medical,technological, and social sciences) to create an atmosphere of active communication, support, and assistance among women pursuing careers in science and mathematics to foster further development of their professional skills to strengthen the partnership between teachers/counselors and parents in providing a supportive learning environment for young women and encouraging students to pursue the limitless career opportunities that await them.

Expanding Your Horizons

Purpose

The Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Conference is an annual, fun-filled day intended for girls and boys in grades 5 through 10, and their parents and teachers. The conference is held on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Stevenson Hall serves as conference headquarters. Most workshops are held in other campus buildings within a short walk of the Stevenson. Students will be escorted by ISU students.

Some of our goals are…

  • to act as mentors and role models for women and young people by providing support, encouragement, and assistance in the development of their careers in science and mathematics (science and mathematics are defined to include all fields in the physical, biological, behavioral, medical,technological, and social sciences)
  • to create an atmosphere of active communication, support, and assistance among women pursuing careers in science and mathematics
  • to foster further development of their professional skills
  • to strengthen the partnership between teachers/counselors and parents in providing a supportive learning environment for young women and encouraging students to pursue the limitless career opportunities that await them.