Answer: It’s the largest trivia gathering in the United States, filled with puzzles, quizzes, games, prizes and more designed for the those who appreciate trivia the world over. And it recently came to Detroit. The event is named after Sporcle, a rapid-fire quizzing website and the questions are challenging. (Keep reading for some examples. Do you know the answers?)
The three-day extravaganza, complete with a space-aged looking mascot, took place at the Fillmore (a beautiful theater along Woodward Avenue next to the Fox, built in 1925). During Round 2 of an event called “Battle of the Brains,” two DBG students took center stage to ask the packed house several STEAM-related questions. Harmonie Stewart, DBG’s student council president, walked on stage holding hands with 9-year-old Kourtney and the crowd went wild.
“I’m Harmonie and I’m a rising senior,” she said, briefly taking over as the event’s emcee. “I’m interested in studying communications.”
After the group clapped, cheered, and watched a short video about DBG, Harmonie and Kourtney got down to business. They asked questions based on what our students are learning in our STEAM Lab where they study science, technology, engineering, art and math.
“Our engineering unit used the egg drop experiment to test Newtown’s laws of motion,” Harmonie said. “Newton’s second law is usually summarized with the equation p=mv (p equals m times v). What does the ‘p’ stand for in that equation?” (Answer: Momentum)
The next question focused on biochemistry. “DNA consists of four nitrogen bases,” she explained. ” “Three of these bases are also found in RNA. Which one is only found in DNA?” (Answer: Thymine)
Plant DNA was the subject of question three. “What two organelles in plants have their own DNA, besides the cell nucleus?” (Answer: Mitochondria and chloroplasts)
Kourtney took the mic for question four. “We learned about the principles of bridge building,” she said. “One example we studies is the oldest bridge crossing Venice’s Grand Canal. What is this bridge called?” (Answer: Rialto Bridge)
The final question had to do with the principles of flight. “On airplanes, four forces affect how they fly: weight, lift, thrust, and hat fourth force caused by friction and difference in air pressure?” (Answer: Drag/Air Resistance)
DBG’s nationally recognized STEAM Lab is currently being studied by the National Science Foundation (NSF) by researchers including our DBG student research team.
Every weekday, elementary through high school students opt in to participate in a variety of classes in the DBG STEAM lab – studying everything from computer coding, robotics, and digital animation, to insects, weather patterns, animal life cycles, and more. Researchers want to learn what inspires students to enthusiastically “opt in” to these elective classes and how DBG’s holistic approach, which incorporates student voice in programming decisions, creates opportunities for student engagement.
Of note is DBG’s ability to engage students who are significantly underrepresented in STEM fields. Many graduates, like Asia Williams, an architect pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Detroit Mercy, are applying the skills learned at DBG in their career paths.
“Understanding how DBG encourages students to engage with non-mandatory STEM programming and how participation enables students to grow their STEM efficacy, interests, and identities, will allow us to refine and more broadly apply those methods,” said Amanda Case, Ph.D., an award-winning researcher and associate professor at the University of Iowa. Dr. Case is the study’s principal investigator.
“Without the initial interest in STEM and a sense of themselves as capable STEM learners, which DBG provides, students are less likely to pursue STEM activities, majors, or careers regardless of their potential in these subjects,” Dr. Case added. “The success of DBG’s program offers hope in addressing the nation’s ongoing struggle to keep pace with STEM education and innovation, a domain where the U.S. once led the world.”
DBG was the official charity partner of Sporclecon. We’re grateful for their help to raise awareness and support for our program and the bright young minds at DBG.