2018-2019-STEAM-Superheroes - Flipbook - Page 3
Welcome to STEAM Superheroes!
MIT Challenges 2018-2019
The collaboration between MIT and Nord Anglia seeks to enhance the teaching and learning of science,
technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) by connecting MIT innovation and culture to
Nord Anglia schools. STEAM Superheroes is the theme of this year’s MIT Challenges!
Superheroes have extraordinary talents, abilities, and skills—just like Nord Anglia students! But superpowers
are in the realm of fantasy and science fiction… right? When you look around MIT through the eyes of a
superhero, you will see elements of heroism all across campus: High tech gadgets and wearables, animalinspired improvements, and life-saving technologies.
Each of the three STEAM Superheroes challenges present the work of an MIT professor and a graduate
student researcher as a snapshot into the goings on at MIT. Nord Anglia students will then tackle a project
of their own, using the professor and their process as inspiration.
• Epic Identity featuring Prof. Leia Stirling: Students will learn about wearable technology and
its ability to improve human performance.
• Super Natural featuring Prof. Anette “Peko” Hosoi: Students will closely observe the natural
world and understand the physics behind an animal’s adaptation, then apply that knowledge
to engineering design.
• Medical Marvel featuring Prof. Chris Voigt: Students will tap into the potential of applying
engineering principles to biological problems to improve human health
The MIT Challenges—in-school experiences for Nord Anglia students based on MIT research—are a major
component of Nord Anglia Education’s collaboration with MIT. The MIT Challenges are an opportunity to
bring a taste of MIT to each and every school, teacher, and student in the Nord Anglia family. Each MIT
Challenge embodies the teaching and learning culture of MIT, is rooted in the research of MIT professors
and graduate students, and makes that research relevant and accessible to Nord Anglia students. Since
2016, MIT has designed three challenges per year, which have been implemented in Nord Anglia schools.
The binder begins with resources for school leadership, who will guide the vision for implementing the
MIT Challenges in their school. There are overviews of the STEAM Superheroes, planning templates
to work through, and background about the pedagogy used in the challenge design. Continue reading to
find resources for teachers who will implement each MIT Challenge. You will find an introduction to the
MIT professors and graduate students who inspire us, along with project ideas and outlines of learning
processes. These project ideas are suggestions to be adapted to suit the needs of each school. Have
fun and don’t forget to use #NAEMIT so we can follow along!
#NAEMIT
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