International Studies STEM Degrees Offered

A growing trend in engineering education is "internationalizing" study abroad for STEM students who have traditionally been under-represented in these programs.  One such program is offered at Northern Arizona University, where students get a B.S. in a STEM subject, and a B.A. in a foreign language (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish), spend their fourth year abroad to study and participate in an internship, and return for their fifth year at NAU, all at a cost not much in excess of the 4-year program.  The Valparaiso International Engineering Program has a similar approach.  For more information, visit Globalizing STEM Degree Programs .

PLTW CEO Inspires Antelope Valley Crowd

Invited by Bobbie Mitchell, Algebra teacher at the school, Dr. Vince Bertram, President and CEO of Project Lead the Way (c) , spoke at Amargosa Creek Middle School in Lancaster on Tuesday, 16 April, regarding not only his own personal background as a student, teacher, and administrator, but also about the 21st Century skills, opportunities, and experiences that are crucial for our students.  Some highlights of his talk included stories about faculty and staff who made a difference in his young life, providing both material goods and emotional support when they were needed, and about Bertram's son being willing to make sacrifices in his own life when his dad took over PLTW and about the decision to become a teacher, both in order to make a significant difference in the lives of others.  As part of the prelude to the speech, local STEM advocates and business partners, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, AFRL, Edwards Air Force Base, NDEP, and others, were introduced to the crowd of parents, students, and school staff.  The event received front section coverage in today's Antelope Valley Press, courtesy of Julie Drake.

Bobbie Mitchell introduces An Evening of Inspiration

Dr. Vince Bertram addresses Antelope Valley audience

Public Review Period for Next Generation Science Standards Open Until 1/29/13

The second public review period for the Next Generation Science Standards is now open until 29 January 2013.  California is one of the partner states for this effort.  To view the standards and comment, visit http://www.nextgenscience.org/ .

STEM Literacy for All

Former "Big Blue" (IBM) VP Irving Wladawsky-Berger writes in a Wall Street Journal CIO column that all students need STEM literacy, even if they are not in the 1% who will become engineers or the .01% who will become Ph.D. researchers in STEM fields.  He opines that every modern citizen and worker needs to have technical skills such as quantitative reasoning and dealing with complexities.  Yet, many have the misconception, perhaps aided by educators, that these skills are only for those who will be STEM professionals.  Prof. Richard Larson from MIT is quoted in the CIO Report: “A person has STEM literacy if she can understand the world around her in a logical way guided by the principals of scientific thought. A STEM-literate person can think for herself. She asks critical questions. She can form hypotheses and seek data to confirm or deny them. She sees the beauty and complexity in nature and seeks to understand. She sees the modern world that mankind has created and hopes to use her STEM-related skills and knowledge to improve it.”  http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2012/09/23/why-cios-desperately-need-a-technology-literate-society/

Engagement and Mentoring Keys to Successful STEM Education

Dr. Stephen Coan, President and CEO of Sea Research Foundation, in a recently-delivered speech at Fairfield's Sacred Heart University, advocated for "champion[ing] an interactive, real-world, mentor-based approach -- beginning in elementary school -- that models 21st century critical and creative thinking skills, energizes appreciation for STEM, and enriches students' knowledge about STEM careers" as part of education reform, as well as eliminating the "chutes and ladders approach" to placing students in math and science classes.  Dr. Coan pointed to innovative programs such as the JASON Project , which offers curricular resources, and the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School as models.  By inspiring "STEM passion and achievement," the STEM workforce skills gap can be closed, according to Dr. Coan.  http://www.ctpost.com/opinion/article/STEM-mastery-The-ticket-to-reviving-education-3965060.php

In a related item, see Education Week's feature with guest blogger Dr. Linda Shore from the Exploratorium Teacher Institute at http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2012/09/response_teaching_science_by_thinking_big_and_being_audacious.html

ITEST Engineering Education Model STEM Learning Report Released

The National Science Foundation's Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program has released a report on best practices in an engineering education model.  The report outlines the results from a two-year study to determine how replicable these instructional practices are.  According to the Executive Summary, initial results tend to show that "participation in ITEST Engineering projects leads to increased interest in STEM careers; increased STEM learning; increased engagement in, motivation, and understanding of the relevance of the ITEST projects to academics; and an increased understanding of Work Skills/Engineering as a tool for 21st-century learning."

To review and/or download the entire report, visit ITEST Engineering Model Report.

New Manufacturing Jobs Require White-Collar Skills, Offer Rewards

In an article in the National Journal, modern manufacturers note that the job trend has moved from standard blue-collar occupations to those requiring white-collar skills, including teamwork, the ability to operate computers and robotic tools, as well as initiative and ability to work without close supervision.  Many of the manufacturing jobs today require at least some post-secondary training, including industry certifications, if not an associate's degree or strong background in STEM subjects.  The rewards for such skills will be higher pay and better working conditions than traditionally found in factories, although the numbers of workers employed may be fewer than in the past.  http://www.nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/in-manufacturing-blue-collar-jobs-need-white-collar-training-20120226

In a related piece, CNNMoney notes that $100k salaried manufacturing positions are open and often unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers.  Despite perceived media depictions of manufacturing as taking place in derelict buildings, companies note that the jobs are high-tech, high-skilled, high-wage, with workers making $50k after a one- to two-year apprenticeship period, or high hourly wages, often reaching $100k within ten years of entry.  http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/27/smallbusiness/youth_manufacturing_jobs/

Washington Post Blogger Includes STEM in "Civic Marshall Plan" Proposal

Valerie Strauss of the Washington Post Conversations blog promotes the initiation of a "Civic Marshall Plan" (from the Grad Nation report by Civic Enterprises) for education reform.  In addition to the continuing emphasis on STEM education, Strauss believes that the following key components must be included for student mastery and global competitiveness:  global literacy; financial literacy; civic literacy; smart technology; early education; improved teacher training and implementation; equitable access to high quality teaching for all students, particularly those who are socio-economically disadvantaged; and increased attention to all 21st Century skills (critical thinking, etc.).  http://www.washingtonpost.com/conversations/us-schools-face-need-for-far-reaching-change/2012/02/20/gIQAVXJCWR_story.html

Experts Believe Arts Should Be Added to STEM

As recently reported in Education Week, a number of experts opine that instruction in the arts not only engages and motivates students, but also sparks creativity and innovation; as a result, they believe that the "A" for art should be added into the STEM acronym to make STEAM.  The National Science Foundation and Department of Education have offered grants and conferences related to an art-science-design curriculum framework similar to that seen at a number of universities in recent years, marrying fine arts/design or business with engineering coursework.  Rhode Island Congressman James Langevin recently introduced a House resolution to highlight the relationship between the arts and STEM.  The article notes that the idea is not new, as pointed up by a 2008 study showing Nobel Laureates' proclivity for involvement in the arts.  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/12/01/13steam_ep.h31.html?qs=STEAM (registration required to read the full article)  Numerous examples of the intersection of art and science in school programs are given in the article.

In the Antelope Valley Union High School District, the marriage of art and STEM is shown through the existence of such programs as the Digital Design & Engineering Academy at Knight High School and the FAST (Falcon Academy of Sustainable Technologies) Academy at Palmdale High School, and multimedia programs at many school sites; the AVUHSD is also a participant in the AV Chambers' ArtSTEM Fair held twice per year at the Van Dam Pavilion at the AV Fairgrounds (next event scheduled for Sunday, 6 May).

LEGO Education Advisory Panel Applications Due by 12/8/11

LEGO Education is seeking applications from educators who use/d LEGO products with their students to participate in an advisory panel.  The short on-line application is due by 8 December 2011.  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22DWRZU7YNA

"The Art of the Future" by Jim Brazell

In "The Art of the Future," well-know futurist Jim Brazell has undertaken a new "web-text-book-blog-thing," as he calls it (or an example of "eXtreme writing" on-line) regarding the future, innovation, STEM, the arts, and often touching on education reform for the 21st Century. 

As stated in his 7 November 2011 keynote address in Austin, Texas, his view of the current student incorporates career-technical education and high academic rigor.  Brazell feels that the "fundamental question for the 21st Century is how do we organize for and produce innovation and innovators?" and he sets out to provide thought-provoking clues related to digital convergence and "technopolis" public-private partnerships.  http://theartofthefuture.squarespace.com/  Upon closer reading, one can find many similarities to the environments/locales that he uses as examples, and that of the greater Antelope Valley region.

ACTE Convention in St. Louis A Hit!

The 2011 national convention for the Association of Career and Technical Education in St. Louis from 17-19 November was a great success.  Featuring keynotes by Sir Ken Robinson, Ray McNulty of the International Center for Leadership in Education, Brenda Dann-Messier of the US Dept. of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education, and Eric Chester, literally hundreds of sessions were offered on a variety of subjects and strands, including STEM, Common Core State Standards and the upcoming Common Career Technical Core, Green Technology, Career Academies, Agriculture, Business/Marketing, Administration/Leadership, Certifications, Student Organizations, and many, many more.  Materials from the sessions are in the process of being posted at http://www.acteonline.org/conventionsessions11.aspx and a Schooltube video channel is also available at http://www.schooltube.com/channel/dgoble/.  I've brought back many great ideas to pass along to colleagues, however, it has also reinforced my belief that the AV is already doing outstanding things for our students that need to be replicated.

Michelle Webb accepts 2011 Business Advocate of the Year  Award for Northrop from Mark Pelesh of the CTE Foundation

Our own Michelle Webb, Corporate Responsibility and Business Conduct Officer for Northrop Grumman's Palmdale facility, accepted the 2011 Business Advocate of the Year Award from CTE Foundation Board Chair Mark Pelesh of Corinthian Colleges on behalf of Northrop Grumman. Here's a picture of Michelle on-stage during the award presentation.

Prior to the ACTE Convention, LEGO Education and National Instruments sponsored a STEM Summit at the America's Center in St. Louis.  Delays at the airport (but nothing compared to Michelle's!!) meant that I was only able to attend one afternoon breakout session on incorporating 21st Century Skills into the classroom; a common theme is the use of technology to inspire and engage students to become creative, collaborative critical thinkers and problem solvers which will make them college and career ready.

STEM Summit Hosted in St. Louis 11/16/11

LEGO Education and National Instruments are sponsoring a STEM Summit at the America's Center in St. Louis on 16 November 2011.  A keynote will be provided by NASA's Associate Administrator for Education, Leland Melvin, and panelists include educators and industry leaders.  Sessions will be held on Preparing Today's Student for Tomorrow's Career, Using Robotics as a STEM Instructional Tool, Getting Kids Excited About STEM, Working as a 21st Century Educator, and more.

Expect a report back on the Summit, as well as the ACTE Convention, sometime next week!

Different Math for Different Careers

Sol Garfunkel and David Mumford wrote in a recent op-ed for the New York Times that there is no one set of mathematical skills which will prepare all students for 21st Century careers.  Rather, an applications-based, practical math curriculum would better serve the needs of all, while still providing valuable knowledge of abstract concepts and quantitative reasoning.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/how-to-fix-our-math-education.html?_r=1

Project K-NECT Using Smartphones to Help Teach Math Concepts

A program initially funded by a grant from QualComm currently in operation in North Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio, Project K-NECT uses HTC smartphones as teaching tools in math classes, accompanied by teacher and student training in project-based learning and technology use issues.  Students are able to access the Internet for math resources, connect to a school math blog, view videos, and are even creating video and movie math tools on school-issued smartphones.  Teachers participating in the project cite increased confidence and deeper understanding of math concepts by students, who are generally socio-economically disadvantaged.  Students are awarded incentive points for active participation, which is tracked by teachers.  Follow-up studies have shown that students participating in the project are more likely to test proficient in Algebra I and II than others in their districts or state.  http://www.edweek.org/tsb/articles/2011/04/04/02smartphones.h04.html

UC Davis to Host C-STEM Day on 4/30/11

The Modesto Bee reports that UC Davis will host a symposium on teaching STEM to kindergarten through 12th graders on 30 April 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bainer and Kemper Halls.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.  Teachers in K-12, parents, and students are invited to attend the sessions, which will focus on computing, science, technology, engineering and math education.  There will be a UC Davis Secondary Programming Competition, a symposium on computing in the 21st century, awards (nominations due by 4/15/11), demonstrations, and lab tours.  For more information, visit http://cstem.ucdavis.edu/ , and to register on-line, go to http://cstem.ucdavis.edu/CSTEMDay/symposium/ .

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)