"Innovate: Fueling Change" Video Available for Educators Through April 2011

WQED Multimedia is making available a 10-minute video introducing students to exciting careers in STEM.  The video is sponsored by Lockheed Martin, The SME Education Foundation, The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Verizon.  To view the video, available through April 2011 for educators, as well as to download discussion questions, visit http://wqed.org/education/teachers-innovate-fueling-change.php .

Google Computer Science Summer Institute Applications Due by 4/22/11

Google is hosting two Computer Science Summer Institutes at its Mountain View, CA facility, the first from 26 June to 16 July, and the second from 24 July to 12 August 2011.  Successful applicants will receive an all-expenses paid residential experience, including interactive and collaborative computer science curriculum, immersion at the Googleplex, technical talks from Googlers, guest speakers from around the country, and social activities in the Bay Area.  The institute is designed to reach historically under-represented students in computer science fields; 60 high school seniors will be chosen from among applicants.   For more information, visit http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/cssi/index.html

"The Art of Science Learning" Conference Scheduled for San Diego 6/14-15/11

"The Art of Science Learning: Shaping the 21st Century Workforce" conference will be held at the California Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology at UC San Diego on 14-15 June 2011.  The conference is designed to explore ways in which the arts can assist science learning, such as through hands-on projects often used in the creative arts.  For more information and registration, see http://www.artofsciencelearning.org/?utm_source=Coalition+for+Science+After+School+Membership&utm_campaign=18e32ffcc4-Coalition_Newsletter_February_2010&utm_medium=email

Webinars Related to Supporting Latinos in STEM Subjects Slated for 4/7 and 5/12/11

A webcast on "Engaging and Supporting Latinas in STEM" including formal and informal educators will be held on 7 April 2011 at 11:00 a.m. PDT.  For more information, see http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=192.

In a similar vein, a webinar entitled "Engaging Latino Youth in Computer Science: Current Research and Program Models" is to be held on 12 May 2011 at 10:00 a.m. PDT, hosted by the Computer Science Collaboration Project.  The webinar will also be archived on the CSCP website for later viewing.  To register, visit http://www.cscproject.org/may2011webcast/

Women@NASA Site Unveiled

On 30 March 2011 at the White House, Senior Advisor and Chair of the White House Council on Women Valerie Jarrett joined NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson in meeting with over 200 young women from the Washington, DC area to discuss the importance of STEM education for young women.  During the session, the new Women@NASA website (http://women.nasa.gov/ ) was unveiled; the site has 32 video interviews with agency women sharing their stories, challenges, and accomplishments (including Laurie Grindle and Jeanette Le from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center).  http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/03/18/womennasa-inspiring-girls-reach-stars?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=women

NAPE Report Shows States' Misunderstanding of Race to the Top STEM Requirements

A new report just issued by the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) indicates that states seeking Race to the Top funds through the US Dept. of Education failed to adequately address the component related to increasing STEM education opportunities for females and other underrepresented populations.  To view the full False Start: A Missed Opportunity for Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in the Race to the Top Awards report, visit http://www.napequity.org/page.php?337

China's Number of Scientific Papers On the Upswing

Based upon a recent study, "Knowledge, Network, and Nations," the number of scientific papers issued in China has dramatically increased over the last ten years, leading the authors to opine that China could "overtake the US in science" by as early as 2013.  However, on the "citation index" (the citation of scientific papers by other researchers), the US is still at number one, followed by the United Kingdom.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12885271

AV Robotics Teams Compete Regionally

Lancaster High School Team #399 finished 11th out of 63 teams at the Long Beach regional FIRST Robotics competition 25-26 March 2011, as well as receiving the Excellence in Design - Autodesk Award, and the Gracious Professional Award from Johnson and Johnson.   Antelope Valley High School Team #2339 finished 41st out of 63, and placed in the semi-finals in the recent Los Angeles regionals.  Congratulations to both teams for their outstanding efforts! 

Tehachapi High School's FIRST team will be competing in the Las Vegas regionals on 1-2 April 2011.  Knight High School will be competing in the Institute of Urban Navigation tourney in Washington, DC in May, and SOAR High School will be competing in St. Louis later in April, both with LEGO NXT.  Best wishes to all of the teams!

3/30/11 update:  Eagle Robotics from Lancaster HS also plans to compete in Utah on 8-9 April - good luck!
4/11/11 update:  Eagle Robotics is winner #2 from Salt Lake City, and wins the Engineering Excellence award - congratulations for all of your hard work, and best wishes at the Nationals in St. Louis later this month!

NASA "INSPIRE" Applications Due by 6/30/11

As reported in the "Bad Astronomy" blog http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/03/24/nasa-wants-smart-high-school-kids/, NASA is seeking US high school student applicants for its Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research Experience (INSPIRE) http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/INSPIRE_Project.html .  Students and their parents will participate in an on-line learning community with STEM professionals, and students may have the opportunity to compete for on-site programs during the summer of 2012.  Applications are due by 30 June 2011.  For the application, visit https://inspire.okstate.edu/index.cfm?liftoff=login.LoginForm.

"The New Cool"

Inc. magazine reporter Lauren Cannon posts an interview with Neal Bascomb regarding his new book, The New Cool,  on the FIRST Robotics competition and his work with D'Penguineers team out of Goleta, CA.  Mr. Bascomb points out that students participating in project-based learning endeavours such as FIRST are taking charge of their own learning, and understanding that robotics and STEM are "not only hard work, but cool."  http://www.inc.com/articles/201103/math-and-science-the-new-cool-subjects.html

"Building a Grad Nation" Summit Promotes STEM Education

A three-day summit of educators, community leaders, and policy makers is taking place in Washington, DC this week to strategize on how to increase the US graduation rate to 90% by 2020, in addition to preparing students for success in 21st century education and careers.  Among the positions being explored is promoting STEM education, as well as providing additional federal funding for training and retention of STEM teachers.  These efforts are seen as key in maintaining US global competitiveness.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melody-barnes/education-is-key-to-winni_1_b_837958.html

MIT Study Addresses Number of Women Faculty in Science and Engineering

In a follow-up to briefs issued in 2002 and 2006, Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports that the number of women faculty in science and engineering has nearly doubled, and women occupy more senior administrative positions.  However, efforts to hire and retain women in faculty and administrative positions still face hurdles, including the perception that standards have been lowered for women, as well as stereotypes about women's "sweet" natures.  http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-03-21-mit-women-higher-education_N.htm

Webinar on "Enabling STEM for Elementary Students" on 4/12/11

Sponsored by Learning.com, a free webinar on "Enabling STEM for Elementary Students" will be held from 1100 to 1200 (11:00am to noon) PDT on 12 April 2011.  Speakers include futurist Dr. David Thornburg from the Thornburg Centre, funding expert Mona McCoy, and two teachers from New Hanover, NJ.  For more details and to register, visit https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/409758390 .

Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning Report Notes Need for Improved Science Education

In a report released by the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning on 4 Feb. 2011, "Scientific Literacy: The Missing Ingredient," based upon recent NAEP and California Standards Test results, it was opined that science education is crucial for improvement of California schools, as well as being "an essential ingredient for California competitiveness." (quoting California Space Education and Workforce Institute).  According to the report, which can be viewed at http://www.cftl.org/centerviews/february11.html , California's number of students ranking proficient in science is near the bottom, with persistent achievement gaps among demographic groups.  Results of a public survey show that there is strong support for science education.  (ACSA EdCal, 3/7/11 edition).

2011 Range Camp Applications Due 4/22/11

The California Society for Range Management is hosting the 2011 Range Camp for students 15-18 years of age at Elkus Youth Ranch in Half Moon Bay on 19-24 June 2011.  Session topics include plant identification, livestock production, wildlife management, forestry, fire ecology, geology, soils, water resources, rangeland ecosystems, and technologies used in natural resource science and management.  Two qualifying students will be chosen for an expense-paid trip to the SRM High School Youth Forum in Spokane, WA in January 2012. Applications for the camp are due by 22 April 2011, and can be downloaded from www.rangelands.org/casrm/HTML/rangecamps.html .  Cost for the camp is $400, but scholarships may be available.  For more information, contact Cece Dahlstrom at (619) 532-2269.

Palmdale AERO Institute Announces AREES Application Deadline of 4/29/11

NASA's Airborne Research Experiences for Educators and Students (AREES) program is seeking applications from qualified STEM or language arts teachers or pre-service teachers of students in grades 6-9 to participate in a three-day experiential learning workshop to be held in Palmdale, CA on July 13-15 and July 27-29, 2011.  "Participants will learn how NASA conducts airborne science and flight research via NASA interactive, technology-rich learning module for teachers and students.  Attendees also visit NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif., and NASA’s Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. Further, educators will learn how to participate in an innovative, emergent teacher-student design challenge: Plan a Flight Mission -- Improving Earthquake Monitoring. Select teams and individuals who participate in the challenge may be able to participate in a real airborne research experience in 2012."  Applications are due by 29 April 2011, or until all positions are filled.  For more information, visit visit http://www.aeroi.org/K6.php or contact Shaun Smith at shaun.smith@nasa.gov.  (NASA AERO Institute Palmdale Release)

AV STEMPosium for Educational Leaders 4/1/11

Antelope Valley College, in collaboration with the AVUHSD and the National Defense Education Program (NDEP), will host a valley-wide symposium for educational leaders in an open discussion about the future of STEM education in the Antelope Valley on 1 April 2011.  Future STEMposia will be scheduled for industry partners and STEM teachers.  For more information, contact Jill Williams at AVC.

Carnegie-Mellon Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science Applications Due 4/1/11

The Carnegie-Mellon Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science is a residential program for students entering their junior or senior years in high school and are considering careers in engineering, science, or other math-based disciplines.  The experience will run from 25 June through 5 August 2011, with different tracks for each grade level.  Tuition, university housing, and dining expenses are provided, however, students/parents must provide their own transportation, books, supplies, recreation, and incidental expenses.  Applications and supporting documentation are due by 1 April 2011.  For more details, visit http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/sams.html

Happy Pi Day!

Having begun in San Francisco in 1989 and spread since then, 14 March is now recognized as "Pi Day" in honor of pi (the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter) or the number that begins with 3.14159.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-pi-day-0314-20110313,0,7200698.story

POWER Study Discusses Reasons Women Leave Engineering

According to "International Business Times," a recent study  of over 3,700 female engineers by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Project on Women Engineers' Retention) reported that while 20% of graduates of engineering programs are women, only 11% remain practicing in the field.  Approximately one-third decided not to pursue the career after graduating; of those who remained, nearly one-half reported leaving due to working conditions, too much travel, lack of advancement and low salary, and one-third because of poor workplace climate.  http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/121633/20110311/women-engineers-engineering-university-wisconsin-milwaukee-workplace-climate-culture.htm

Free Project WET Workshop on 5/7/11 in Victorville - Applications Due 4/22/11

MEEC, along with staff from the Water Education Foundation and the US Geological Survey, are sponsoring a free teacher workshop on Project WET entitled "The Water Beneath Our Feet."  The workshop, to be held on Saturday, 7 May 2011, will cover the Mojave River acquifer.  Each participant will receive a free copy of the Project WET curriculum and activity guide, additional resources, and free breakfast and lunch.  Visit http://www.meeconline.com/the-water-beneath-our-feet-free-teacher-workshop/ to download the application, which is due to Christie Robinson by 22 April 2011.

CalTech Student Wins Lemuelson-MIT Prize for Microscope Imaging Chip

CalTech student, Guoan Zheng, has received the prestigious Lemuelson-MIT Student Prize and $30,000 for his work on developing on-chip microscope imaging technology that he hopes could eventually lead to use dignosing malaria through mobile devices such as smartphones.  The prize is awarded annually to student innovators at CalTech, MIT, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_17576936

On-Line Smithsonian Environmental Education Workshop 3/16/11

"Shout:  Change and the Land," an on-line workshop, will be offered by the Smithsonian Institution on 16 March 2011 from 0800 to 1300 (8:00am. to 1:00pm) PDT.  Sessions on "The Art of Science," "Educating for Global Competence," and "Inspiring Students About Living, Breathing, Changing Soils" are available for registration at http://shoutlearning.org/change.html .  Sessions will be archived for later access.

Smithsonian Celebrates Women in Science with Comics

As part of its commemoration of Women's History Month in March, and International Women's Day, the Smithsonian is airing programs on Sunday nights on women's contributions to science, as well as a series of comic books to accompany the programs.  Recently reported by Brigid Alverson in Comic Book Resources, the comics "each illustrate 'a key moment in the scientist's early life, when they started asking the questions that led to their research.'"  http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/03/smithsonian-comics-celebrate-women-in-science/   Teacher resources on women inventors are also available at http://invention.smithsonian.org/downloads/wminventorsguide.pdf .

MEEC School Mini-Grant Application Deadline 3/14/11

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC) has opened up its annual environmental mini-grant application period until 14 March 2011.  High Desert, CA teachers may submit a letter proposal (two-page maximum) outlining the environmental implications of the project and/or materials request, including how it will address educational standards, a timeline for implementation, and a budget/cost-breakout based upon research.  Labor costs are not eligible.  Average grant awards range from $100 to $500, but may be higher.  Submit proposals to MEEC at:  MEEC/EE School Mini-Grants, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92392 or faxed to (760) 241-6271.  For questions, contact Violette Roberts at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6104.

Raytheon to Locate Public Safety Regional Technology Center in Downey

Raytheon announced that it will locate a new Public Safety Regional Technology Center in Downey, CA, which will serve as the locus of its civil communications business in the western US.  The center will also partner with the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science to form the UCLA Center for Public Safety Network Systems "to bring together academia, industry and public safety agencies to provide technical leadership and a collaborative forum for research as well as the establishment of standards for public safety networks."  http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_17557959?nclick_check=1

MEEC Renewable Energy Essay Contest Entries Due by 4/7/11

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC) and High Desert Power Project have announced their first student essay contest of 2011; the theme is renewable energy.  High Desert, CA students in grades 1 through 12 may submit an essay not to exceed 250 words answering the question:  “What are the environmental benefits and advantages of using renewable energy sources in our daily lives to help us reduce the use of fossil fuels?”  Kindergarten students may draw a picture with a 2-3 sentence caption on the same subject.  Prizes will be awarded to first through third place, including a Visa gift card and a tour of the High Desert Power Project facility at the awards ceremony on 14 April.  Entries must be received at the MEEC office in Victorville by no later than 5:00 p.m. on 7 April 2011.  For more information, contact Christie Robinson at (760) 245-1661 ext 6101.

New Study Posits that Female Instructors May Help Keep Females in STEM Fields

A new study released by UMass Amherst discussed in Inside Higher Ed provides evidence that females (and to a lesser degree, males) in STEM courses such as introductory calculus respond better to female than male instructors.  Female students tended to answer notably more general questions in class and to stay after class to ask questions of female instructors than they did with male instructors.  Nilanjana Dasgupta, associate professor of psychology at UMass, lead author of the study, opines that "women who are exposed to women doing math and science successfully end up with "stereotype inoculation" in which they gain confidence."  Therefore, having enough female instructors in the mix would be an important factor in increasing student success.  http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/03/03/study_suggests_role_of_role_models_in_encouraging_female_undergraduates_in_math_and_science

STEMTech Conference Slated for 10/2-5/11 in Indianapolis

The League for Innovation in the Community College is holding its second annual STEMTech Conference on 2 through 5 October 2011 in Indianapolis, IN.  The deadline for presentation proposals is 15 April 2011.  The theme for the conference is to increase student access and success in STEM majors and careers.  Keynote speakers include David Thornburg and Jim Brazell.  An on-line version of the conference will be held on 3-4 October 2011.  Visit  http://www.league.org/stemtech/ for more details.

CTE Equity Conference Sept. 15-16, 2011

The CTE Equity Council will be holding its annual conference in Tulsa, OK on 15-16 September 2011.  The purpose of the council is to promote educational equity, participation, and high achievement by all students and teachers in career-technical education.  For more information on the conference, see http://www.cteec.org/. 

Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation Awards for Life Sciences and Agriscience Scientists, Educators and Students Nominations Due 4/5/11

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is seeking nominations for outstanding achievement awards for scientists, educators, and students in the fields of life sciences and agriscience.  This competition will recognize recipients in July 2011 in Washington, D.C. (winner must be present).  Nominations are due by no later than 5 April 2011.  For more details, visit http://www.ccolumbusfoundationawards.org/

"Get the Math" Shows Middle and High School Students Math in Real-World Application

http://www.thirteen.org/get-the-math/ "Get the Math" is a multimedia project which shows middle and high school students how algebra is used in the real world, such as music, fashion, and video gaming.  Interactive challenges are provided by industry professionals in those career pathways, as well as lesson plans for teachers related to the challenges.

The "Maker Movement" Working with STEM Education

In a February commentary in Education Week, "Encouraging the Hand-Mind Connection in the Classroom," Margaret Honey and Eric Siegel discuss how the "Maker Movement" can provide relevance to STEM education by deeply engaging students in content while cementing 21st Century learning skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative interactions, in students.  "Makers share in the common delight of tinkering, hacking, creating, and reusing materials and technology. They organize themselves into thriving communities to create objects that they are passionate about and to engage others."  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/02/02/19honey.h30.html?tkn=LVOFGJPU+LZWDcGKabdPkKcovfQOCPNviRf9&cmp=clp-edweek

The commentary also references a September 2010 Report to the President entitled "Prepare and Inspire:  K-12 Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for America's Future."  (see Helpful STEM Links in this blog) 

Cal State Long Beach Announces Engineering Programs in the Antelope Valley

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) announced on Feb. 18 that it will begin offering degree completion programs in engineering in the Antelope Valley in Fall 2011.  The Bachelor of Science program will cover Electrical and Mechanical Engineering degrees, and classes will be held at the Lancaster University Center.  Student cohorts will be set up, requiring a minimum of 60 transferable semester units by the end of the prior spring term for fall entrance.  Financial aid is available.  The application filing period is from April 1 to June 1, 2011.  For additional requirements and information (including registration for upcoming information sessions), visit www.ccpe.csulb.edu/Engineering or call (800) 963-2250. 

NAPE 2011 Professional Development Institute - Equity Matters in College and Careers - Arlington, VA 4/11-14/11

The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity is holding its annual Professional Development Institute on the theme "Equity Matters in College and Careers" in Arlington, Virginia on 11-14 April, 2011.  Several STEM-related sessions will be held, including "Pink Brain, Blue Brain," sessions related to under-represented genders/ethnicities and persons with disabilities in STEM, and cyber-security.  For more details and to register for the conference, visit http://www.napequity.org/page.php?328.

Wind Power 2011 - KidWind Challenge 5/23 and 5/24/11 in Anaheim

KidWind is holding a middle school wind turbine design challenge on 23 May 2011 and a high school challenge on 24 May 2011 at the Wind Power 2011 conference in Anaheim.  All teams which sign up will get a basic materials kit.  All teams which attend the Anaheim conference will get to hear lectures from wind energy professionals and tour the conference floor. 

Regional challenges will be held in at Cerro Coso College in Ridgecrest and at College of the Desert in Palm Desert.  There will also be 15 at-large berths from the community.  For more details and to register your team for the competition, visit http://learn.kidwind.org/workshops_events/state/california/event/957 .

After-School Programs Boost Girls' Interest in STEM

From the ACTE Daily Briefing on 3/1/11:  "Education Daily (2/28, Brown) reports, "Out-of-school time programs that focus on getting girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math may play an important role in bolstering the number of women in traditionally male-dominated fields, according to a recent report from the Harvard Family Research Project at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education." However, the study points to a lack of research into best practices and specific outcomes. However, "the findings in this report and others may help support policy and program development to boost STEM achievement among underrepresented groups, specifically girls."