k 12 activities

ASHRAE’s K-12/STEM Subcommittee works to advance the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the K-12 student population.

ASHRAE is a member of The National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition. The Coalition's objective is to support new and innovative initiatives that will help improve the content, knowledge, skills and professional development of the K-12 STEM teacher workforce and informal educators. They also strive to improve the resources available in STEM classrooms and other learning environments. ASHRAE is dedicated to ensuring quality STEM programs for teachers and students all around the world by encouraging its members to get involved with their local school systems.
A committee of ASHRAE members was dedicated to this topic to research STEM issues as it pertains to specific age groups. Through extensive research, this committee put together a recommended course of action for ASHRAE role in the STEM initiative:

• Relay the importance of member involvement in STEM related activities from the leadership of the Society.
• Tailor our message to fit Gen Y's deep and compelling belief in sustainability and the environment.
• Energize the Society as a whole by launching the STEM program through ASHRAE's student branches.
• Have both YEA and ASHRAE members serve as mentors to the Student Branches.
• Implement an incentive program to inspire and motivate student branches to action.
• Develop a consortium of STEM organizations to take advantage of existing programs and initiatives.

Read the full ASHRAE STEM Report: Building our Future through ASHRAE's Role in STEM Education
Question or Comments? kthomson@ashrae.org

Student Activity Chairs: How to reach your local schools
Tips on how to help promote STEM to elementary, middle, and high schools in your area

K-12 Stem Leadership Award
The award is earned if each of the Chapters Officers and its K-12/STEM Champion or Chapter Student Activities chair participate in one qualifying K-12/STEM related activity within their Chapters area. Winners are recognized at their CRC and receive PAOE points.

Request materials for your classroom visit here
Brochures, posters and some logo items are free if available. There is a limit of 25 items per request.

ASHRAE STEM Kit
To advance the art and science of HVAC&R, the Student Activities committee has developed three STEM kits which include instructions and materials for activities aimed at K-12 students. The kits are available at no charge to Chapters wanting to lead a STEM activity in a K-12 classroom for approximately ten students. There is a limit of one of each kit per Chapter per year.

Sling Psychrometer – demonstrates how to build a sling psychrometer and directly measure two properties of air: dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature.

Pressure Drop – demonstrates pressure loss in a duct system utilizing straws. Students blow into a short piece of a straw and a several long straws taped together to simulate pressure loss in a duct system.

Central Arizona Chapter Virtual Pressure Drop Activity

Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions – demonstrates the principles of endothermic and exothermic reactions using chemical hot and cold packs.  Reusable hot packs are also included to demonstrate reversible reactions. 

Hold Your Water STEM Kit – Students design and build a device to safely drop a cup of water, retaining as much water in the cup as possible. Students learn that engineers solve problems under constraints.

Lego STEM Kit – demonstrate the phases of building construction, the roles involved in a project, and the communication challenges that teams deal with.

Gamification – demonstrates the STEM subjects with the incorporation of game elements, like point and reward systems, to tasks as incentives for students to participate. Access to gamification website included.

ASHRAE Recommended Classroom Visits/Projects 
They are separated by grade level (some may overlap, this is OK!).  Remember you get PAOE points for your activities!

Request materials for your classroom visit here
Brochures, posters and some logo items are free if available. There is a limit of 25 items per request.

ASHRAE Honorary Student Membership
The Honorary Student Membership card designates student participation in a Chapter sponsored K12/STEM event and does not provide actual member benefit. The card template is designed to work with an AVERY 5390 Name Badge Insert Refills that are available to purchase from major office supply retailers.

Information to share with K-12 Students, Teachers, and Parents
A brief overview of HVAC&R along with age appropriate resources

• Discover Engineering
  DiscoverE (formerly the National Engineers Week Foundation) helps unite, mobilize, and support the engineering and technology volunteer communities. Their aim is to increase their collaborative footprint in K-12 education and celebrate with the public as it discovers the value of engineering education and careers. In partnership with DiscoverE, ASHRAE is working to promote engineering to middle school aged children, particularly young girls, by being an active driver of and participant in DiscoverE programs:
  • Engineers Week
  • Girl Day
  • Future City
  • Global Day
• STEM Scouts
• NAWIC - National Association of Women in Construction
• ASHRAE: Shaping Tomorrows Built Environment Today
• Want to make a difference in the future?
• Bill Nye Science Guy Home Demos
• Engineer Your Life
• GEMS
• My College Options
• Teach Engineering
• Engineer Girl
• Engineering Education
• Girl Start
• The Future’s Channel
• Accredited Engineering Programs
• FETCH
• Kids Thirteen Online
• Resources for Teachers
• Teaching Guide: The Presentation
• Teaching Guide: What to Expect in a Classroom?
• Teaching Guide: General Description of Engineering
• Teaching Middle School Science
• Science for All Children, by the National Research Council