Conrad "Spirit of Innovation" Challenge Open for Registration Until 11/3/14

The 2015 Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge is open through 3 November 2014 for registration of student teams from kindergarten through university levels.  With a basic registration cost of $95, teams may choose one of four categories to compete in:  Aerospace & Aviation; Energy & Environment; Cyber Technology & Security; or Health & Nutrition.  There is an optional category (for an additional registration fee) of Giant Leap to Mars.  Once registered, students research problems facing that sector and begin to develop innovative solutions.  An on-line "Investor Pitch" round is conducted on-line, with written and video submissions due by 4 November 2014; winners will go on to the on-line semi-final "Draft Development Plan" round, with a business proposal, technical plan, and graphic representation due by 16 January 2015.  Teams judged to have the top Development Plan will be selected to go on to the Innovation Summit, where they will make in-person presentations, be honored as Pete Conrad Scholars, and compete for $500,000 in sponsored awards.  Final submissions are due in March of 2015, and the Summit will be held in April.

For further details and to register, visit the competition website at Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge .

President Proposes Additional Community College CTE Funds

The President recently announced a proposal to add $8 billion in funding for a Community College to Career Fund for career-technical training partnering with business, focusing on sectors such as clean energy, health care, and manufacturing.  There would also be a component for on-line and brick-and-mortar training for entrepreneurs.  Education Secretary Arne Duncan cited Nevada community colleges as a model for the program which provides local direction to meet immediate local workforce development needs. 

In additional budget provisions, the President proposed to infuse an additional $1 billion into high school career academies and other secondary CTE programs, plus additional money into Race to the Top for K-12 education, including making funding available to individual districts.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/13/us-usa-budget-education-idUSTRE81C1Z620120213

Camp CHLA Applications Available 1/30/12

The new Camp CHLA (Children's Hospital of Los Angeles) applications for high school students to spend five days job shadowing nursing and health professionals will be available beginning 30 January 2012, and are due for the August session by no later than 9 March 2012.  To obtain further details and to download the application materials, visit:  http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.5049537/k.1180/Camp_CHLA__Observe_Nursing__Healthcare_Professions__Student_Healthcare_Opportunities.htm

STEM Fields Once Again Within "10 Hot Careers for 2012" List

CNN Money reports from Fortune that the "10 Hot Careers for 2012 and Beyond" include many positions in the STEM fields, such as information technology, health care professionals, health care management and support staff, engineers, industrial skills, and biotech and life sciences.  Rounding out the list are sales, accounting and finance, discount retailers, and private equity firms.  http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/27/10-hot-careers-for-2012-and-beyond/

Missouri Passes Bill To Provide Math, Science Scholarships

Missouri House Bill 223 was recently enacted, providing scholarships to students who pursue degrees in math and science.  Gov. Jay Nixon signed the legislation, citing the need to align curricula with "industries poised for growth."  http://www.kspr.com/news/local/kspr-mo-governor-jay-nixon-signs-new-law-to-add-scholarships-for-math-science-majors-also-helps-college-nursing-programs-20110616,0,4647662.story  The law also targets funding for increased numbers of nurses in the state.