Welcome to the AV STEM Center Blog

This blog will provide information about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics efforts within the Antelope Valley, as well as links to helpful STEM sites and info from beyond. Check back periodically for updates.

Connect a Million Minds Tagline

Connect a Million Minds Tagline

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

25th Satellite Educators' Conference Set For 9-11 August 2012

Co-sponsored by NOAA, NWS, US Navy, among others, and supported by Lockheed, Northrop, NASA and others, the 25th anniversary Satellite Educators' Conference, "Earth Speaks - We Listen," will be held on 9-11 August 2012 at Cal State LA, with additional trips and training available in Long Beach, with JPL, etc.  Keynote speakers are scheduled to include Dr. Gregory Robinson, Laura Furgione, Robert Winokur, and Dr. Michael Hanes, with breakout sessions to cover severe weather, ozone layer, climate change, and will partner K-16 educators with industry experts.  For more information and to register for the conference, visit http://www.sated.org/index04.htm .

AFA Offers K-12 Teacher Grants for Aerospace Education Projects

The Air Force Association is offering K-12 teacher grants of up to $250 for aerospace education projects.  The application period is open from 1 July to 18 October 2012 (4:00pm PST).  Grants may be used for such items as science or technology supplies, materials or software.  No more than two teachers per school may apply for the grant, with one request per teacher maximum, and repeat awards are not allowed.  For more information and to register for the ten-question application, visit www.afa.org/aef/aid/educator.asp .

Free July STEM Educator Workshops from USAF and CSULB

High school teachers of chemistry, physics, and math are invited to apply for a free five-day workshop sponsored by Cal State Long Beach, the US Air Force, and the ASM, to be held 23-27 July 2012 at CSULB.  The workshop, taught by three master teachers, will provide "free technical content, new hands-on teaching methods, and information about civilian and military STEM-related careers . . . a full STEM curriculum, consumable supplies, and newly teacher-developed and proven ideas that are sure to excite and engage students. Teachers receive free CEU's and can acquire 2 graduate credits."  For more information and to apply, visit http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22F6X7XQNTG .

Bakersfield College Receives NSF Grant for STEM Scholarships

The Bakersfield Californian reports that Bakersfield College has received a $552,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for its STEM A+PLUS scholarship program, which will award $3,000 scholarships for three years to BCC students participating in General Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Geology and Mathematics majors, who will receive an additional $3,000 upon transfer to a four-year university.  The college is looking for 20 entering freshmen in the August 2012 class to apply for the program.  For more information, contact Rageshwar Goldberg at rgoldber@bakersfieldcollege.edu .  http://www.bakersfield.com/blogs/thegrade/x213982383/Local-students-to-benefit-from-550K-science-grant-for-scholarships.

Mars Rover Events Slated for June 2012

Los Angeles and Orange County high school and college students are invited to attend two upcoming Mars Rover events in June.  The first is co-sponsored by IEEE-OC Computer Society and ICOSE, and will be held on 2 June 2012 from 2-5pm at Brandman University in Irvine, California.  Two lead JPL mission engineers will discuss the role of the new rover, "Curiosity," and what has been learned about Mars to date.  RSVP as soon as possible to http://occs-060212.eventbrite.com/ ; questions about the event may be addressed to fredlawler@hotmail.com .

The second event is the annual Jet Propulsion Lab open house, which will be held on 9-10 June 2012 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena.  The theme is "Great Journeys," and will feature "high-definition and 3-D videos, live demonstrations, interactions with scientists and engineers, and a first look at JPL's new Earth Science Center."  For more information, see www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/open-house.cfm .

NASA Youth Art Competition Entries Due 10/21/12

NASA is among the sponsors for the Humans in Space Youth Art Competition.  Students aged 10-18 years are encouraged to submit entries in visual, literary, musical or video categories about how humans in the future will use STEM skills to explore space.  An international panel of judges will determine the winners, whose work will be featured in various media globally.  The theme for the competition is "Be Inspired, Creative and Heard."  Entries are due by 21 October 2012. For more information about the competition, visit http://www.lpi.usra.edu/humansinspaceart/.

Monday, May 7, 2012

USA Science & Engineering Festival Hosts Thousands

The second annual USA Science & Engineering Fair was held for three days beginning 27 April 2012 in Washington, DC.  Approximately 13,000 students participated in a variety of events, displays, and competitions dubbed a "science fair on steroids."  Designed specifically to revive student interest in STEM careers, the event featured more than 3,000 hands-on activities and 150 demonstrations and performances, including, among others, co-host Bill Nye The  Science Guy, and The Science Cheerleaders, former NBA and NFL cheerleaders with science degrees who measured the amount of shaking of the floor during cheer routines.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/national-science-fair-aims-to-breathe-new-life-into-science-and-math-for-kids/2012/04/27/gIQA6RTbmT_story.html.  Events such as this are deemed pivotal to reviving the American economic future.  http://www.rollcall.com/news/Gordon-Bock-STEM-Education-Is-Key-to-a-Competitive-America-214160-1.html?pos=oopih

Connection Found Between Classroom Technology Use and STEM Career Interest

One of the key findings recently released in "Mapping a Personalized Learning Journey - K-12 Students and Parents Connect the Dots with Digital Learning" correlated math and science teachers who support and direct classroom learning with technology with students' increased interest in STEM careers.  Twenty-seven percent of students in digitally-enhanced classrooms expressed interest in STEM careers versus 20% of those in traditional classes.  The report addresses multiple issues related to students' technology use in enhancing their own learning.  To view and/or download the full report, visit:  http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/2012_PersonalizedLearning.html

Palmdale Super Science Saturday

Students enjoy "noodle" rocket launching at Super Science Saturday in Palmdale.
On 14 April 2012, hundreds of middle school students from the Palmdale area attended the second annual  Super Science Saturday to be held at Los Amigos School.  They enjoyed hands-on events such as straw bridge-building, egg drop, rocket building, robotics, and soft projectile launching, as well as visiting interactive displays provided by Lockheed, NASA, Edwards Air Force Base, and AVUHSD academies, among others.
HHS Law & Government Academy demonstrates
fingerprinting techniques with SSS students.
KHS Digital Design & Engineering Academy shows connections between arts and STEM at Palmdale SSS.