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

Friday, August 28, 2015

Lancaster MPAF STEAM Scholarship Essays Due 10/1/15

The Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation is accepting essay submissions for a new STEAM scholarship.  Open to high school juniors and seniors throughout the Antelope Valley, the 500-650 word essays will address the topic: "How art and technology will impact the future of the Antelope Valley."  Submissions, due by October 1, 2015,  will be judged on their demonstration of skills in writing, critical thinking and creativity.  The winner will receive a $500 scholarship and a tour of ABC 7 television studio.  The student and his/her family will be honored at the October 17, 2o15 MOAH gala.

For further information, visit:  www.lmpaf.org

MEEC STEM Grants and Upcoming Activities in the High Desert!

Thanks to Samantha Murray for these items:

MEEC Grant-writing Workshop 9/24/15 in Victorville:

Join MEEC on September 24, 2015 for a FREE two-hour workshop spotlighting MEEC funding opportunities available to High Desert teachers!  During the workshop, teachers will have the opportunity to review MEEC’s grant application processes and walk away knowing the requirements for each of MEEC’s available funding sources.   Participants will  view sample applications for each program and have their application questions answered for the following grant opportunities:
EnviroBus Bucks Transportation Grants, School Garden Grants, EE Mini Grants, YELC and STEM Service-Learning Grants.

WHEN:  September 24, 2015
TIME: 4:30 PM-6:30 PM
WHERE:  Mojave Desert AQMD Offices, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392

Seating is limited, so early registration is recommended.  To reserve your space today, contact MEEC Program Specialist, Samantha Murray at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or email: smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov.  Registration Deadline is September 16, 2015.  For more info, visit:  MEEC Grant Workshop.


Energy from the Sun Teacher Workshop 10/1/15 in Palmdale:

Thanks to a generous grant from The Boeing Company, MEEC’s “Energy From the Sun”  teacher workshops will  equip educators with the tools to enable their students to conduct scientific research utilizing solar energy, draw conclusions, and develop critical thinking skills while learning how to reach logical conclusions and solutions about our future energy usage.

Each participating teacher will receive a kit that contains a Solar Oven, Solar Panel Kit, UV beads PLUS standards-based curriculum from the National Environmental Education Development Program (NEED).  NEED curriculum includes four levels: Primary, Elementary, Intermediate, and Secondary.  The NEED Project curriculum includes Teachers’ Guides and Student Lab Books for hands-on activities as well as a variety of resources to learn about renewable energy and their applications. Student Lab Book activities are designed for group learning, which promotes interaction among students. NEED's   K-12 curriculum helps schools meet the Common Core State Standards, develops student leadership, and brings the latest technology into the classroom.  Each kit is valued at over $200!!

When and where:  October 1, 2015, 4:00-6:00pm - AVUHSD Palmdale Conference Center, 1156 East Ave S, Palmdale, CA 93550.  RSVP by September 23, 2015 (currently full, but waitlist being taken); for details visit:  Energy from the Sun Workshop

Youth Environmental Leadership Conference 10/24/15 in the Victor Valley area: 

 Once again, the event will feature the "STEMFest" in addition to 3 workshops that the teams will rotate through. "STEMFest" is an opportunity for teams to rotate through the arena engaging with experts, mentors and other exhibitors to learn more about STEM environmental careers and projects while having fun with hands-on activities. Topics will focus on "green" themes such as water conservation, solar oven construction, robotics, composting, and school garden projects. The "technical" activities will be with the exhibitors in STEMFest, which provides a well-balanced program with something for everyone.  Attendees will hear a motivational address from Garner Holt, President and founder of Garner Holt Productions, Inc., an international design and manufacturing company that creates animatronics and special effects for theme parks, museums, shopping malls and restaurants.

Lunch, snacks, re-usable water bottles, YELC T-Shirts, and all conference materials are provided free of charge. Additionally, teams participating in YELC are eligible to apply for a project grant up to $250 to implement or further their environmental service learning project! By applying for and accepting these grant funds, you also agree to come back and participate with your team in the follow-up Spring 2016 YELC Showcase to share your project (regardless of what stage it's in) with other teams.  Transportation Reimbursement funds may be available upon request (if applicable) for participating teams in the Antelope Valley.

Teams of two to eight students, in grades 3 through 12, along with an attending teacher/advisor, from schools throughout the Mojave and High Desert, are invited to take part in this unique and FREE Conference.  Have parents complete the necessary participation forms and return them to MEEC by the October 5, 2015 Deadline.   Applications and transportation grants will be available online at: MEEC YELC 2016.

Environmental Education Mini-Grant Applications Due 10/30/15:

For a limited time, MEEC is accepting applications for environmental education school project and material mini-grants.   Recipients will be notified in early November and grants will be awarded by November 30th. Projects must be implemented/materials must be used in classrooms located in the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County, the Antelope Valley or the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside County.  Applicants must also teach within these jurisdictions.

Funded projects must be completed/purchased by June 18, 2016.  Average grant amount will vary from $100 to $500, but may be higher.  Individual award amounts to be determined by MEEC. Only one grant will be awarded per teacher per school year.

Application deadline is 5:00 PM October 30, 2015.  The EE Mini Grant Application is attached and can also be downloaded from MEEC’s website at MEEC EE Mini-Grants.   Completed applications may be mailed to MEEC/EE Mini Grants, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92392 or faxed to (760) 241-6271. For questions, contact Christie Robinson at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6101.

"A Garden in Every School" Grant Applications Due by 10/30/15:

Through the generous support of MEEC’s  sponsors and a special grant from MEEC partner Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation (AWAC), schools may apply for a grant to provide them with the basic tools necessary to start or sustain a school garden.  This grant opportunity is now open to schools in the Antelope Valley.

Interested teachers must submit a completed application form that includes the proposed project, desired materials , a budget cost breakout based on the actual material costs, including shipping and handling, if applicable (labor costs are not eligible for funding)  and how the project will address educational standards.  Recipients will be notified in early November and grants will be awarded by November 30th.  Grant Applications are attached and also available on MEEC’s website at MEEC School Garden Grants .

The maximum grant amount is $500.00. Individual award amounts will be determined by MEEC. Only one grant will be awarded per school per school year. To date, MEEC has awarded school garden grants to 29 schools in the High Desert.  The application deadline is 5:00 PM October 30, 2015. Completed applications may be mailed to MEEC/School Garden Program, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92392 or faxed to (760) 241-6271. For questions, contact MEEC Program Specialist Samantha Murray at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717. 

New NASA/AERO Educator Opportunities!

Thanks to Sondra Geddes for the following information:

Please join the NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center in bringing the Apollo legacy
to your classroom by attending the Lunar Meteorite Sample Disk Certification workshop.  Learn hands-on activities that can be used in your classroom and give your students access to view and explore some small portions of these “extraterrestrial” materials.

NASA has actual lunar samples from the historic Apollo missions available to lend to
K-12 formal educators upon successful completion of the Lunar Meteorite Disk Certification
Workshop.


NOTE: To be eligible for certification, educators must be currently employed at an
accredited school as a formal K-12 classroom teacher or as a pre-service teacher
enrolled at a teaching institution.


WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2015, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm PT
Location: NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute, 38256 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550.  Register Online: http://aeroi.org/ercForm/index.html

There is no charge for the workshop. Free NASA educational materials will be provided. Seats are very limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Questions? Call Sondra Geddes at 661-276-2359 or email at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov


The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 Fellowship Year!

The AEF Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working in a Federal agency or U.S. Congressional office, bringing their extensive classroom knowledge and experience to STEM education program and/or education policy efforts.

Program applications are due November 19, 2015, 8:00pm EST, and must be submitted through an online application system.

To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be a current employed full-time in a U.S. public or private elementary or secondary school or school district, and must have taught full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years in a STEM discipline.

Current sponsoring agencies include, but may not be limited to, the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The DOE also sponsors up to four placements in U.S. Congressional offices.

The AEF Program is managed by the DOE Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Information about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, including eligibility requirements, program benefits, application requirements, and access to the online application system can be found at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/.