MIT + Reality TV + Gaming = STEM Interest

The Boston Globe reports that MIT, in another venture to stimulate student interest in STEM subjects, is creating a video series entitled "ChemLab Boot Camp," styled after reality TV show models; the show is designed to humanize scientists and showcase the "messy," creative nature of applied science.  Another MIT group, assisted by funding from the Gates Foundation, is working on a new on-line game called "The Radix Endeavor," where a villain named Cyril attempts to keep all scientific knowledge to himself; players must solve problems with math and science knowledge.  http://articles.boston.com/2012-09-03/business/33547143_1_online-games-high-school-students-show-teens/2

MEEC Environmental Education Mini-Grant Applications Due by 10/31/12

Mojave Environmental Education Consortium is offering educators mini-grants of approximately $100 to $500 to fund environmental education projects in their classroom.  Projects must be purchased and completed prior to 18 June 2013.  Applications are due by no later than 31 October 2012.  For more information on eligibility requirements and the application/proposal process, visit http://www.meeconline.com/need-for-an-ee-project/ .

2nd Annual AV Science Olympiad/Bohn-Meyer Math Science Odyssey Coaches' Info Meeting 9/19

A coaches' informational meeting for the Bohn-Meyer Math Science Odyssey/2nd annual AV Science Olympiad will be held on Wednesday, 19 September 2012, from 3:30 to 5:00pm, at Antelope Valley College Health Science 217.  The event, for local middle school teams, is scheduled to take place in mid-March 2013, and will involve competitions in a variety of STEM-related subjects.  For more information and to reserve a spot to attend the meeting, contact Jamie Jones at hsistemcoop@gmail.com or 661.722.6300 x 6024 by no later than Friday, 14 September 2012.  To see information from last year's event, visit www.avc.edu/academics/titlev/science.html .

PlayMaker School Opens in Los Angeles

Funded in part through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and using games and tools from GameDesk, the PlayMaker school was scheduled to open on 7 September 2012 as part of a school-within-a-school at New Roads independent middle school.  Sixty 6th graders will take part in learning using games such as MathMaker, Motion Math-in-Class, and others.  http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/09/a-new-game-based-school-opens/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29

AVC/CSULB Engineering Pathways Orientation Set for 9/11/12

Remember to attend the AVC/CSULB Engineering Pathways orientation at Antelope Valley College on Tuesday, 11 September 2012, from 5:30 to 7:00pm PDT at Antelope Valley College, Student Services (SSV) Room 151.  Faculty and staff from the AV Engineering Programs and partners will be on-hand to answer questions about preparation, admissions, and the local degree-completion program.

AV YELC Applications Due 9/11

Just a reminder that your Antelope Valley Youth Environmental Leadership Conference - STEM Service Learning - applications and student materials are due to Christie Robinson at MEEC by no later than 5:00pm PDT on Tuesday, 11 September 2012.  Please see earlier post here on 31 July for more details (extended deadline).

MEEC Enviro-Bus Bucks Grant Applications Due by 10/30/12

Mojave Environmental Education Consortium's annual Enviro-Bus Bucks Grant applications are now available, with the submission deadline of no later than 30 October 2012.  Funds are available for environmentally-themed field trips for educators within MEEC's High Desert (California) service area.  Winners will be notified by 15 November 2012.  For more information on grant requirements and to submit your on-line application, go to http://www.meeconline.com/teachers/busbuck/ .

Green Convergence "Going Green" Art Contest and Scholarship Deadline 9/14/12

A "Going Green" art contest is available to students in grades 4 through 12.  Entries using traditional media on 8.5 x 11-inch to 11 x 17-inch paper are due to Green Convergence at 28490 Westinghouse Place, #160, Valencia, CA 91355, by no later than 14 September 2012.  Three scholarships will be awarded to winners, one each in the 9-12th grade, 7-8th grade, and 4-6th grade categories; winners will also ride in a parade on 22 September 2012 in Acton-Agua Dulce.  For more information about the competition and eligibility requirements, visit http://greenconvergence.com/promos/students-enter-our-go-green-art-contest.

Shuttle Endeavour Fly-Out Celebration 9/17/12

NASA's Digital Learning Network will host a webcast on Monday, 17 September 2012, beginning at 10:00am PDT, featuring Rachel Power and Joshua Santora from Kennedy Space Center, JPL staff, and others, to launch the "fly-out" of Space Shuttle Endeavour on its final 747 ferry flight to the Los Angeles area.  According to local news reports, Endeavour is expected to make a fly-over of its birthplace in the Antelope Valley prior to heading to the California Science Center.  In order to get more information and to view the broadcast, visit http://dln.nasa.gov .

Update:  Low-level flyovers of the AV by Space Shuttle Endeavour are scheduled for the morning of 20 September 2012, according to The AV Times on 9/7/12.  The 747 and Endeavour are scheduled to land at NASA Dryden on the afternoon of 19 September, before heading to LAX on 9/20.

NASA Broadcasts Set For 9/13/12

NASA, along with Space Adventures and YouTube, will be broadcasting Astronaut Sunita Williams aboard the International Space Station conducting live experiments submitted by students from around the globe; Bill Nye, the Science Guy, will conduct an interview in Google + Hangout as part of the 40-minute program.  To view the feed, please connect to http://www.youtube.com/spacelab beginning at 7:30am PDT on Thursday, 13 September 2012. 

A second 90-minute webinar on Newton's Laws of Motion: Lunar Nautics is also scheduled for 13 September 2012 beginning at 3:30pm PDT.  Three lessons for grades 5-8 will be provided to educators, including Rocket Staging, Balloon Staging, and Lunar Landing: Swinging Tray and Egg Drop.  For more information and to register for the session, go to http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES3/webseminar1.aspx .

"You Can't Graduate Them If You Don't Admit Them" Webinar 9/14/12

WEPAN is sponsoring a free webinar regarding women in engineering majors on Friday, 14 September 2012.  The session, entitled "You Can't Graduate Them If You Don't Admit Them" is set for 10:00am PDT, and will be moderated by Beth Holloway, PK Imbrie, and Terri Reed-Rhoads from Purdue University, who will speak to statistical models regarding potential gender bias in admissions criteria and how to address it.  For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/335880480 .  The PowerPoint presentation will be posted before the webinar (and a recording of the webinar thereafter) at http://www.wepan.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=15 .