Central GYSTC Offerings
LaTrina Howell
478-301-5601
478-233-1404
Howell_LR@mercer.edu
- Mercer UniversityStetson Hall1501 Mercer University DriveMacon, GA 31207
Opened in 1995 as the Heart of Georgia, Youth Science & Technology Center, the Central Georgia Youth Science & Technology Center is a Regional Center for GYSTC, Inc. which is a private, not-for-profit educational organization designed to increase interest in and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for serious study, particularly among elementary and middle school teachers, students and parents in typically underserved areas in the state. Central GYSTC has been relocated to Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Among the many educational programs they offer elementary and middle school teachers and students, some favorites include Saturday Science Adventures, Summer Science Camps, and Family Science Programs. The Center provides a variety of professional development programs and STEM kits for K-8 teachers and students.
See Central GYSTC offerings below. If you are interested, would like more information, or to register, please contact LaTrina Howell at: Howell_LR@mercer.edu or 478-301-5601
Virtual In-Class Field Trips:
These VIRTUAL IN-CLASS FIELD TRIPS will provide a standards-based lesson which will allow students to develop an understanding of the content and do a hands-on experiment. Consumable supplies will be provided for all students. The cost for an entire class is based upon class size. Cost for each student is $5.
To register, please contact LaTrina Howell at: Howell_LR@mercer.edu or 478-301-5601
Kindergarten - Second Grades
Little Owls Night & Day (SKE1)
In this lesson, students will watch Day turn into Night and back into Day again, students will make and record observations on what objects can be seen and what changes occur.
Kite Day (SKP1)
In this lesson, students will use their senses to compare and classify materials according to their physical attributes. Students will use their observations to design and construct a kite. The STEM career of engineer will also be introduced.
Parts of a Plant (S1L1)
In this lesson, students will develop their understanding about the basic needs of plants. Students will develop a labeled model to identify the parts of a plant. The STEM career of botanist will also be introduced.
Toy Inventor (S2P2)
In this lesson, students will construct a model to represent a push or a pull. They will also communicate whether their design uses a push or a pull.
If you are interested and would like more information or to register, please contact LaTrina Howell at: Howell_LR@mercer.edu or 478-301-5601
Third - Fifth Grades
Finding Fossils (S3E2)
In this lesson, students will investigate what the Earth looked like long ago and how fossils are formed. Students will use their knowledge to make their own fossil.
Sound Investigation (S4P2)
In this lesson, students will investigate sound using different objects. Students will explore how sound is made and changed.
Zip to It (S4P3)
In this lesson, students will use knowledge of force, friction, motion, and gravity to build a device that will carry a small ball from the top of a zip line to the bottom. Students will learn the phenomenon of how zip lines work.
I’ve Got Your Back (S5L1)
In this lesson, students will classify organisms as vertebrates or invertebrates. Students will investigate how having a backbone allows organisms to move in various ways.
If you are interested and would like more information or to register, please contact LaTrina Howell at: Howell_LR@mercer.edu or 478-301-5601
Sixth - Eighth Grades
Across the Universe (S6E1)
In this lesson, students will develop their understanding about how the views of the universe evolved. Students will conduct a scavenger hunt through a planetarium as well as observe current astronomical conditions. The STEM career of astronomer will also be introduced.
Strawberry DNA (S7L3)
In this lesson, students will use strawberry cells and extract DNA. Students will investigate how DNA is used to construct an organism why it is the “blueprint for life.”
Balloon Racers (S8P3)
In this lesson, students will use their creativity and pretend they are competing for a spot on an engineering team where they must design the fastest balloon racer using their knowledge of physics and the materials on hand.
If you are interested and would like more information or to register, please contact LaTrina Howell at: Howell_LR@mercer.edu or 478-301-5601
Professional Learning Opportunities (K-5):
Novel Engineering: Where Literature Meets the Engineering Design Process
This session will show you how to take children's books and turn quickly turn them into a STEM lesson. Science, Math, and other lessons can start with a children's book and become an engaging, hands-on STEM lesson. If you are looking for more engaging ways to teach your core subjects using STEM, consider some of the literature you use in your classroom and see how Novel Engineering can allow your students opportunities to dig deeper into the texts. (additional dates as requested) (cost per teacher $49)
On-going
TBD (as requested)
Virtual Session
If you are interested and would like more information or to register, please contact LaTrina Howell at: Howell_LR@mercer.edu or 478-301-5601
STEM Essentials Workshop:
The STEM Essentials Workshop models a practical and hands-on approach to STEM instruction. Utilizing the 5E Instructional Model, these lessons are essential to any science classroom because they are engaging, affordable, and re-usable. Each lesson emphasizes the Georgia Standards of Excellence while also showing how to make 3D connections in ways that promote student passion for and understanding of STEM endeavors. Like your students, you will create, design, collaborate, and solve as you engage in relevant hands-on explorations.