Bloomington Normal STEM Initiative

July Mission - Composting

7/14/2021

Compost is a mixture of ingredients used to fertilize and improve soil. Compost is commonly prepared by decomposing plant and food waste, recycling the organic materials so that the mixture is rich in plant nutrients and beneficial organisms such as worms and fungal mycelium. - wikipedia

Career Pathways

Sponsor Organizations

Badge Locations

Bookmobile

Crumbaugh Library - Le Roy, IL

HOW TO PLAY

Download your full Mission Packet below, follow the directions to discover, experiment, and explore. Once complete, turn in to a badge location (as noted above) to retrieve your badge!

Mission Packet (K-2)

Mission Packet (3-8)

CAREERS

Elizabeth Reed, Director of Sustainability at ISU talks with BNExplorer Guide, Siri about composting.

APRIL MISSION - RENEWABLE ENERGY

4/15/2021

Renewable energy is energy that has been derived from earth's natural resources that are not finite or exhaustible, such as wind and sunlight. Renewable energy is an alternative to the traditional energy that relies on fossil fuels, and it tends to be much less harmful to the environment source="https://justenergy.com/blog/7-types-renewable-energy-future-of-energy/#:~:text=Renewable%20energy%20is%20energy%20that,less%20harmful%20to%20the%20environment."

Career Pathways

Sponsor Organizations

Badge Locations

Bloomington Public Library
BPL Bookmobile
Crumbaugh Library - Le Roy, IL

HOW TO PLAY

Download your full Mission Packet below, follow the directions to discover, experiment, and explore. Once complete, turn in to a badge location (as noted above) to retrieve your badge!

MISSION PACKET (K-4)

MISSION PACKET (5-8)

CAREERS

Angie Luginbuhl, with Legacy Solar Systems talks with BNExplorer Guide Satvika about renewable energy.

EXPLORE

If you want to see renewable energy in the real world, in Normal-Bloomington, IL, Twin Groves Wind Farm is a great place to check out!
https://www.edpr.com/north-america/twin-groves-wind-farm

March mission - erosion

1/19/2021

Mission Erosion: Erosion is something that affects us all. Through simple runoff that may wash away dirt, to serious landslides that can harm property or even take lives, erosion comes in many forms. While some erosion is 100% natural, such as the water erosion that caused the Grand Canyon to form, other erosion is caused due to things we do in our day-to-day lives. https://www.ejprescott.com/blog/the-importance-of-job-site-erosion-control

Career Pathways

Sponsor Organizations

Zeller Electric
Halo Solar

Badge Locations

McLean County Y.W.C.A.
BPL Bookmobile
Crumbaugh Library - Le Roy, IL
Submit Online

HOW TO PLAY

Download your full Mission Packet below, follow the directions to discover, experiment, and explore. Once complete, turn in to a badge location (as noted above) or submit online to retrieve your badge!

MISSION PACKET (Ages 5 - 7)

MISSION PACKET (AGES 8-14)

Careers

An interview with Julie Weger - Storm Water Engineering Technician with the Town of Normal. Julie assesses all of the construction sites for runoff. Julie originally went to school to be a chemist, but decided she liked working outside so she changed to civil engineering. If you like numbers and working outside, this may be a career for you!

Explore

There are at least two places in Bloomington/Normal where streambanks were made to help prevent erosion. The first one is in Fairview Park, and the second one is in Anderson Park. Grab a parent and go visit these streambanks that help prevent erosion!