"Focus Your Future" Event for Middle School Girls/Parents 3 Feb. 2011

The AVUHSD CTE staff will host a "Focus Your Future" informational event for middle school girls and their parents on 3 February 2011 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Highland High School Theatre in Palmdale.  The event will provide information on the pre-engineering, technology and other STEM-related programs available across the Antelope Valley Union High School District.  For further details, please contact Kathy Hunn, ROP/CTE Counselor, at khunn@avhsd.org .

LEAD Engineering Camp for 10th & 11th Grade Students of Color - Applications Due 1/25/11

LEAD Engineering camp for a residential college experience is available for 10th and 11th grade students of color who have at least a 3.2 GPA and strong interest in math and science.  Applications are due by 25 January 2011.  Visit http://www.leadengineeringsite.org/ for details.  (Opportunities are also available for business-oriented students at http://www.leadbusinesssite.org/ and for students interested in global studies at http://www.leadglobalsite.org/ ). 

PLTW Partners with VEX Robotics for Student Competitions

Beginning with the 2011-2012 academic year, students in Project Lead the Way classes will have access to the VEX RDS platform and equipment, and will be able to participate in VEX Robotics competitions including classroom competitions, those in conjunction with the Technology Student Association (TSA) and the world-wide VEX competition.  http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/08/stem-education-groups-partner-for-robotics-curriculum.aspx

For information about California Project Lead the Way student competitions already in existence, see http://www.pltwcalifornia.org/ .

American Parents Overconfident of Students' Math Abilities

In a report sponsored by Raytheon and Eduventures, "Parent Perceptions and Practices Regarding Math Education During the Middle School Years," it was determined that American parents overestimate their students' math abilities, and also may not be adequately prepared to assist their students with math homework compared to parents in Singapore.  This could be one reason that only 43% of American students are considered college-ready in STEM subjects.  http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2010/12/report-us-parents-overconfident-about-kids-math/1

Pairing Engineering and Business Studies at Universities

University of Nevada, Las Vegas is pairing its engineering and business students to complete senior projects which require them to design and build a product and explain how it could help solve a real-world problem.  While the project has been required of the engineering students for 10 years, this year the university determined that by adding business students' acumen for marketing and seeking venture capital, some of the products might be sold and utilized.  http://www.lvrj.com/news/unlv-engineering-students-mean-business-111369719.html

In a similar vein, Stanford University has a multi-disciplinary program in its Department of Management Science and Engineering, where the engineering core is taught in context with social sciences, business, and other disciplines.  The goal is to apply engineering processes to social problems, as well as to create future business and policy leaders.  http://soe.stanford.edu/about/leaders.html

Update on 5 Jan. 2011:  Professional science management master's degrees, combining science and business management courses, are increasingly being offered around the US and abroad, according to a recent article in the New York Times.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/education/27iht-educLede.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=%2b%22national+research+council%22&st=nyt

Universities Receive Grants to Study Retention of Female STEM Professors

Seven universities around the US have received National Science Foundation grants to study how to retain more female professors in the STEM disciplines.  One area of research to be undertaken by Syracuse University is how to make the environment more family-friendly, as well as to train recruitment and hiring panels in appropriate practices in order to plug "the leaking pipeline."  http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/syracuse_university_gets_34m_g.html

US Commission on Civil Rights Issues Reports on Minority Performance in STEM Programs

Two reports regarding minority performance in STEM programs were issued by the Commission on Civil Rights Monday, 6 December.  In one,  the "mismatch" theory posits that minority students whose academic preparation is significantly below that of non-minority students in the same competitive post-secondary programs do not do as well in STEM fields of study.  In  the other study, related to students in historically black colleges and universities, it was recommended that minority students attend universities where students' abilities more closely match their own, and to further study the successes of minority students in historically black colleges and universities in STEM programs so that they can be replicated elsewhere.  http://chronicle.com/article/Civil-Rights-Panel-Weighs-In/125635/

NASA Offers Space Shuttle Tiles to Schools Beginning 12/1/10

NASA is offering schools a limited number of space shuttle thermal protection tiles through a web-based process beginning Dec. 1, 2010. The unique, lightweight tiles protect the space shuttles from extreme temperatures when entering the Earth’s atmosphere.  Beginning Dec. 1, schools and universities may request a shuttle tile on a first-come, one per institution basis, at http://gsaxcess.gov/NASAWel.htm. Click on the tile icon to log on to the request page. A login ID and password may be obtained by registering on the link provided.  A Department of Education statistics tracking number (NCES for schools or IPEDS for universities) is needed to register, and hyperlinks are available to the sites to find each institution’s tracking number.  Recipients will be responsible for transfer fees of approximately  $24 and completing the transfer requirements. (NASA Press Release -  Sue Kinney)

Update on 27 Jan. 2011:  "Knight HS receives Space Shuttle Tile:  Through the efforts of staff members, KHS has received an actual ceramic insulating tile from the US Space Shuttle.  The white ceramic tile is used to insulate the space shuttle’s belly as it burns through the atmosphere upon re-entry.  The tile was sent to KHS after an application process" (AVUHSD "What's Happening" Newsletter).

Increase in US Research Doctorate Degrees, Including STEM, in 2008-2009

The NY Times reports that more research doctorate degrees were issued by US educational institutions in 2008-2009 than ever before; the upswing is attributed to increases in science and engineering degrees, and further by the increase in those degrees issued to women.  ?The number of such degrees issued to men decreased slightly.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/education/06iht-educBriefs06.html?_r=1

50 Best Careers of 2011 Include STEM Areas

Technology, including engineering, and health care jobs are many among the top 50 careers of 2011 according to US News and World Report.  http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/the-50-best-careers-of-2011.html?PageNr=4.  Criteria for consideration included projected job growth, sustainable income levels, quality of life/job satisfaction issues, and likelihood of continued positions over the next decade.

Update on 2/3/11:  A recent study concludes that doctoral degree holders in science, engineering, and health fields enjoy a markedly lower rate of unemployment (1.7%) than the general population (6.6%) in 2008.  See http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1987269/scientists_and_engineers_experience_lower_unemployment_rates/

Update on 1/11/11:  The Wall Street Journal concurs that STEM, health care, and information technology jobs are among those on the upswing during 2011.  See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704030704576070823246099088.html 

2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

Along with Colorado, Alabama, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota and North Carolina, California will be among the states to provide data from its eighth grade students in the 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which compares performance in math and science with that of students in 60 other countries globally.  http://www.aurorasentinel.com/hp_metro/article_ea89cf5c-fe34-11df-853d-001cc4c03286.html  For more information about TIMSS, see http://nces.ed.gov/timss/ .

Update on 12/16/10:  The Christian Science Monitor's Jonathan Zimmerman opines that China's students may out-perform Americans on standardized tests such as the PISA and TIMSS due to the Chinese belief that hard work can yield higher achievement, rather than only innate intelligence.  http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/1214/Why-Shanghai-schooled-the-US-Americans-think-they-re-too-smart-to-work-hard

Additional update on 1/5/11:  US science test results from PISA are on par with leading industrial nations, although lag behind in math and are on a plateau in English.  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/12/07/15pisa.h30.html?tkn=RZQFkOSFiq6a5KNfBjLteFg/2Uw72JEQL/Yb&cmp=clp-edweek 

Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition for Technology Solutions to Real-World Problems

Microsoft is once again sponsoring the Imagine Cup competition which will allow students to problem-solve how to use technology to solve real-world problems submitted by UN and other non-governmental organizations from around the world.  http://www.imaginecup.com/about/Theme  For information on local and regional competitions and the library of problems and competitions including software design, embedded development, game design, digital media, and Windows Phone 7 applications, visit http://www.imaginecup.com/students/imagine-cup-solve-this.

AV Tech Classic Qualifying FIRST Lego Robotics Tournament 12/5/10

The AV Tech Classic Qualifying FIRST Lego Robotics Tournament will be held on Sunday, 5 December 2010, at University of the AV/Parkview campus (former Parkview Middle School) gymnasium on Avenue J in Lancaster.  The opening ceremony is set to begin at 9:30 am, followed by a practice round at 10:00, and with three performance rounds and judging beginning at 12:49pm.  The awards ceremony is slated for 4:20 pm.  Please contact Adriane Holmes if you can volunteer to assist. 

STEM TV on Rural Arkansas School Buses

The AP  (11/30, Bleed) reports that Arkansas' rural Hector School District "is participating in a new program believed to be the first of its kind: The school is playing science and math content over ceiling-mounted computer screens during the lengthy bus rides." The bus is equipped with "five ceiling-mounted screens that show educational content geared at different age groups" and headphones in each seat. "The programming rotates daily and features videos from PBS, NASA, the Discovery Channel and Smithsonian Institute." The AP adds that the initiative is a collaboration between the Hector School District and Vanderbilt University's Aspirnaut Program, which "works with rural schools in Arkansas and Maine to help educate students in science, technology, engineering and math." 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700086733/Arkansas-students-learn-on-high-tech-school-bus.html?s_cid=rss-34

NASA Kids in Micro-g Experiment Proposals due by 12/8/10

Students in 5th through 8th grades may submit proposals regarding an experiment to be performed in microgravity aboard the International Space Station from March to May 2011.  Proposals must be submitted by an adult educator representative of the students by no later than 8 December 2011.  Details regarding the experiment parameters and application process can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/nlab/experimentchallenge.html .

Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy Applications Due 12/31/10

Applications are now available for middle school math and science teachers to attend the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy in June, 2011 in Huntsville, Alabama.  Participants will complete two simulated space shuttle missions.  For details, visit http://www.spacecamp.com/educators/honeywell/

Google RISE Award Applications Due 12/10/10

Google RISE (Roots in Science and Engineering) Awards of $500 to $10,000 are available for organizations promoting STEM and computer science activities, and participation by under-represented groups of students in K-12 or college.   Applications are due by 10 December 2010.  See http://www.google.com/corporate/diversity/rise/index.html for more details.

NASA and NIA Sponsor RASC-AL Contest for College Students - Entries due by 2/4/11

Entries for the 2011 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts - Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition are due by no later than 4 February 2011.  Panels of experts from NASA and NIA will review the summaries, proposals and outreach plans related to one of four set themes and select up to 10 undergraduate and 5 graduate teams to present in Florida in June 2011.  For more information about the competition, visit the link at http://www.nianet.org/rascal .

Tech Trek Nominations Due 12/3/10 - Middle School Girls

Up to three teacher nominations of 7th grade girls may be accepted from each Antelope Valley school site for the Tech Trek engineering camp for summer 2011.  Nominations are due by no later than 3 December 2010.  Contact Connie Harney at connie.harney@verizon.net for more details.  http://www.aauw-techtrek.org/ 

Engineer Girl - Engineering Site for Middle School Girls

Engineer Girl - http://www.engineergirl.org/  - is a site targeted to middle school girls designed to promote engineering as a career; see materials and the 2011 essay contest now posted. 

On-line Engineering Games

Links to several on-line engineering games, lesson plans, opportunities for students, and other resources can be found at www.tryengineering.org , sponsored by IBM, IEEE, and TryScience.

PLTW Counselor Conference at Cal Poly Pomona 1/21/11

Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering will host a Project Lead the Way Counselor/Informational Conference on Friday 21 Jan. 2011, 7:30-11:45 am.  Complimentary registration, parking, continental breakfast, and sandwich lunch are provided.  Download the registration form at www.csupomona.edu/~engineering/locators/pltw/infoconferences.html and e-mail to klcapestro@csupomona.edu  Another session will be held on 15 April 2011. 

Modest Gains in Math and Reading Scores for US HS Seniors

“Results from the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress, made public Thursday morning [11/18], documented a modest rise in achievement for 12th-graders since 2005. Reading scores rose two points on a 500-point scale [to 38% proficiency], and math scores rose three points on a 300-point scale [to 26% proficiency],” but still remain below 1992 levels, and still show significant gaps for minority students.   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/18/AR2010111802148.html

SOAR High School Enviro Fair 1/29/11

A group of students from SOAR HS will be hosting an Enviro Fair on 1/29/11 as part of the QuikScience Challenge sponsored by USC and Quiksilver http://www.usc.edu/org/cosee-west/quikscience/ .  The purpose of the event is to inform, inspire and teach members of the community about how to take a stand for the environment.  The challenge involves 4 components:  a lesson plan; a research proposal; a community service project; and a creative presentation.  Interested supporters and guests are requested to contact Yvonne Campos at ycampos@avhsd.org .

American Society for Engineering Education K-12 Center

View the slick features, including engineer profiles and information on engineering school and careers, as well as a 64-page booklet called "Engineering: Go For It!".  http://www.engineeringk12.org/ and http://www.engineering-goforit.com/

Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS)

JETS offers programs and resources to help high school students explore engineering, including assessment tools, career guidance, competitions, news and more.  http://jets.org/

Autodesk Virtual University 11/30 – 12/1/10 Open for Free Registration

Students and educators may register for free access to the Autodesk Virtual University event being held 30 Nov. and 1 Dec. 2010.  There are 30 sessions available with the Standard Pass, and some may qualify for a free Premiere Pass.  Participants may submit questions for live Q&A sessions via Twitter.  For information and registration, visit http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=auv2010_event

Where Over the World is Astronaut Scott Kelly? Contest

To kick off National Geography Week, which runs through 11/21/10, Astronaut Scott Kelly has started a contest through his Twitter feed where he posts pictures from the International Space Station and a hint about his location.  Contestants can @ reply to him with their guesses and the first correct will receive an autographed photo.  (Time Newsfeed 11/16/10)  http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/11/16/twitter-space-trivia-where-over-the-world-is-astronaut-scott-kelly/

Science Centers Using Harry Potter to Attract Youth Interest in STEM

The Maryland Science Center, Maryland Science Museum, Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, and Pacific Science Center in Seattle, among others, are showing the new Harry Potter movie and/or holding Harry Potter workshops and exhibits to attract youth interest in STEM-related subjects such as anti-gravity, astronomy, chemistry, and more.  http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/community_times/news/article_14795cee-f1d1-11df-a49a-001cc4c03286.html

On-Line Poll Indicates 99% of Teens Understand Importance of Math & Science

In a September 2010 on-line poll of 1,000 teens by Intel and Penn Schoen Berland, 99% agreed that math and science are important, but only 10% felt that the US is tops in those disciplines.  Many believed that lack of discipline and work ethic in the US was the reason for the lack of primacy.  Fifty-eight percent felt their future career plans would involve the subjects.  http://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2010/11/09/are-american-teens-asking-for-a-challenge?cid=rss-258152-c1-261813

“From What to How: How Common Core State Standards Should Influence Teaching, Learning, and Leadership” Symposium, December 13, 2010 Las Vegas, Nevada

Douglas B. Reeves, David Nagel, and Angela Peery will guide and empower educators at all levels to:

• Create an action plan to guide your school as you prepare to implement the Common Core State Standards
• Utilize assessments to track the progress of all students
• Understand the implications of the Common Core on building and district leadership, and on classroom instruction
• Determine how this initiative relates to everything you are already doing

Additionally, this Conference qualifies for graduate-level continuing education credits!  For details or to register, visit www.leadandlearn.com

Volunteers Needed for Intel International Science & Engineering Fair - May 2011

Volunteers, judges, and interpreters are needed for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center 8-13 May 2011.  The event hosts over 1,600 high school students from over 55 countries who do projects in 17 scientific disciplines.  Judges must have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree or experience.  Interpreters are needed in many languages, with Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin having great demand.  For more info and to sign up, go to www.societyforscience.org/Intelisef2011. 

AIAA Classroom Grants Available

Grants of up to $200 are available for K-12 teachers who are AIAA Educator Associates applying STEM principles in their classrooms.  See http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=216 for details on the quarterly grant submission process.

Additionally, the Antelope Valley chapter of the AIAA is offering grants of up to $500 for AIAA Educator Associates applying STEM principles.  Grant applications are due to aiaa.av@gmail.com by no later than 5 Feb. 2011, and winners will be announced at the 4th Annual AV-ation Symposium at AVC in February.  The application must include info: 

* A brief description of the proposed applied classroom project.
* How this project will help to prepare the instructor’s students for careers in math, science, engineering, and technology.
*  Expected costs.
* Brief statement from at least 2 students of the classroom to receive the grant describing why they feel the project is important and what they expect to learn.
* How local AIAA professional members, including those in government, academia, and industry, can assist with support or mentoring, as desired.

Department of Education Releases National Ed Tech Policy Document 11/9/10

Ed Secretary Arne Duncan outlined the five main goals covered in the plan:

• Using educational technology to fundamentally change the learning process by making it more engaging and tailored to individual student needs and interests;
• Using ed tech to develop a new generation of assessments;
• Connecting teachers with their peers and experts so they are always up-to-date on the resources available to them;
• Building infrastructure that lets schools support access to technology in and out of the classroom; and
• Harnessing the power of educational technology to increase school district productivity and student achievement.
• http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/netp2010.pdf  

In the STEM Fields, How Hispanic Students Pay for Their Education Affects Success

“The report, "Tapping HSI-STEM Funds to Improve Latina and Latino Access to STEM Professions," argues that the Hispanic achievement gaps at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels exist in large part because of finances. ‘A lot of discussion about participation hasn't acknowledged that fact,’ said Lindsey E. Malcom, one of the co-authors and an assistant professor at the University of California at Riverside. “Chronicle of Higher Education  11/9/10 http://chronicle.com/article/In-the-STEM-Fields-How/125318/

Real World Design Challenge

"Registration is now open for the 2010-2011 Real World Design Challenge. The Challenge is totally free to participate in and open to teams of 3-7 high school students. It is an aviation design competition that uses real engineering tools. Some new tools have been added this year, and each teacher that participates gets more than $1 million in professional engineering software. Teams get access to mentors, and state winners get an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the National Finals. Please check out  http://www.realworlddesignchallenge.org/ and sign up. " (ACTE Daily Briefing 11/9/10)

NASA Taking Applications For 2011 NASA Academy – College Students – due 1/18/11

Ken Murphy from "Out of the Cradle" reports that applications are now being accepted for the 2011 NASA Academy sessions at Goddard, Ames, Glenn and Marshall Space Centers for college students during the summer of 2011. 

http://www.outofthecradle.net/archives/2010/11/nasa-academy-2011-applications-now-open/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OotC+%28Out+of+the+Cradle+-+Chronicles+of+the+New+Space+Age%29

CAMM STEM Town Hall Meeting 11/17/10

On November 17 at 12pm ET, join host former Vice President Al Gore, inventor Dean Kamen, astronaut Sally Ride, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage of Discovery Channel's "MythBusters" and young people from around the world for an interactive discussion exploring youth attitudes on math and science, and what these subjects mean for future success.   http://www.connectamillionminds.com/campaigns/cammww/town-hall/

LM Palmdale Tour 1/19/11

Approximately 20 selected STEM teachers from the AVUHSD will be able to attend a tour of Lockheed Martin Palmdale on Wednesday 19 Jan. 2011.  If spots remain open, other teachers, counselors, and administrators will be invited.  Contact Diane Walker at The ROP for details.

Bohn-Meyer Math & Science Odyssey at AVC 2/4/11

The Bohn-Meyer Math & Science Odyssey, hosted by NASA, is slated to be held on Friday, 4 Feb. 2011 at Antelope Valley College.  The event will allow area 7^th graders to participate in interactive STEM-related workshops.  For information from a prior year’s event, see http://www.aeroi.org/odyssey/ ; contact the AERO Institute in Palmdale for further details.

Camp CHLA - Exploring Nursing and Health Professions - High School - Due 12/17/10

Applications are available for the five-day Camp CHLA - Exploring Nursing and Health Professions - for high school students interested in health care - 18-22 April 2011 at Children's Hospital LA.  Applications due 12/17/ 10 (60 spots available) [second camp in August 2011].  http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.5049537/k.DF3E/Camp_CHLA.htm

STEM 2011: Bridging Research and Practice Conference Jan. 19-21, 2011

The STEM 2011: Bridging Research and Practice Conference will be held in Austin, TX on 19-21 Jan. 2011 - http://sites.google.com/site/stem2011conference/schedule

UC Davis Launches After-School STEM Programming Initiative

UC Davis's California Afterschool Network is launching an initiative to "lay the groundwork for a robust statewide system that can deliver high-quality [STEM] experiences to more than 1 million students in California and support the . . . professionals who serve them."  ACSA, EdCal.  http://education.ucdavis.edu/

Webinar Series on Research-Based Strategies to Retain Undergrad Engineering Students 11/18/2010

There will be a series of webinars beginning on Thursday, 18 Nov. 2010, from noon to 1:00pm PST, on Research-Based Strategies to Retain Undergraduate Engineering Students, hosted by WEPAN (Women in Engineering Pro-Active Network) - http://www.napequity.org/e107_images/custom/Special%203-Part%20ENGAGE%20Webinars!.htm

12/2 Webinar:  Using Everyday Engineering Examples in the Classroom

1/27/11 Webinar:  Improving Spatial Visualization Skills