Antelope Valley AIAA to Host Career Night 4/23/15 at AVC

The Antelope Valley Chapter of AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) is hosting a Career Night for students from 8th grade to college and their parents in celebration of National Engineering Week.  The event will be held on 23 April 2015, from 6:00-7:30pm in the Board Room (SSV151) at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster.  A panel discussion of what engineers do will be featured, along with FREE PIZZA!

For more information, visit AV AIAA Facebook or email aiaa.av@gmail.com .

Loss of a STEM Pioneer

Antelope Valley STEM Education has lost a pioneer with the passing of Bob Johnstone on Saturday, 8 November 2014.  A retired engineer from Edwards AFB, Director of The Aerospace Office at the City of Lancaster, and Chairman of the AV Math Science Engineering and Technology  Consortium, among many other positions and accomplishments, Bob was one of the leaders of the "homegrown engineer" effort for his beloved Aerospace Valley, which helped bring Project Lead the Way pathways to many schools in the area, as well as facilitating degree completion programs with AVC and CSULB-AV.  One of his most recent efforts was to help coordinate the move to create and grow the AV East Kern STEM Learning Network.  Bob will be sincerely missed by his many colleagues and friends.  Services will be held Friday, 14 November 2014, at 10:00am PST, at the Joshua Memorial Park in Lancaster.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to DELTA Rescue, PO Box 9, Glendale, CA 91209.

"STEM 2.0: An Imperative for Our Future Workforce" Compendium Released

As a follow-up to its spring Town Hall meeting, the STEMConnector Innovation Task Force has recently released a compendium of articles from industry, non-profit, government and education experts regarding its STEM 2.0 initiative.  The new publication, available both in digital and print formats, outlines the career capability framework introduced at the Town Hall meeting; it also includes the four areas which will be the first to be supported, as well as the next steps needed to support the future STEM workforce.  For more information and a link to download the publication, visit STEMConnector Innovation Task Force Workforce Report .

Alcoa Foundation and Discovery Education Unveil "Manufacture Your Future" Website

According to STEMConnector [ STEMConnector Blog "Manufacture Your Future", the Alcoa Foundation and Discovery Education have partnered to unveil the "Manufacture Your Future" website to provide information and free resources for middle and high school students, teachers, counselors and others to explore current manufacturing careers.  The site includes lesson plans, virtual field trips, family discussion starters, and a career guide, among other items.  Visit the site at Manufacture Your Future .

STEM 2.0 "Elevating Essential Career Capabilities" Town Hall Presentation Now Available on YouTube

STEMConnector's STEM 2.0 Town Hall presentation regarding the inauguration of "Elevating Essential Career Capabilities for Tomorrow's STEM Workfoce," which originally aired via Google Hangout on 8 April is now available via YouTube.  To view the presentation, go to STEMConnector STEM 2.0 TownHall .

US STEM Still in the Shallow End of the Talent Pool

According to the US News and Raytheon STEM Index recently released, the numbers of students pursuing STEM disciplines has increased somewhat since the year 2000, however, the ratio of STEM degrees to total degrees granted in that time period remains fairly flat.  This results in too few students in the pipeline to meet current and future STEM workforce demands.

"The Index is made up of 93 sub-indices and thousands of data points divided into eight components: ACT math and science scores, Advance[d] Placement (AP) test scores in STEM subjects, college and graduate degrees granted, U.S. employment in STEM fields, Program for International Student Assessments (PISA) math and science scores, SAT math scores, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math scores and interest in STEM at the high school level."  US News/Raytheon STEM Index

Air Force Times Article Discusses Engineer Recruitment and Retention Issues

In an article published in the Air Force Times this week, Air Force Chief Scientist Mica Endsley discusses the critical need to recruit and retain qualified engineers and scientists for the service, pointed up following a recent poll at Air Force Research Labs around the country.  There has been a loss of 30% of senior scientists over the last two years, and the largest percentage of current engineering and scientific personnel is over 35; at the same time it has become more difficult to recruit younger scientists and engineers.  Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James explained the efforts to protect science and technology budgets, but Endsley notes that sequester cuts, civilian worker furloughs, and a resulting dip in morale among staff have effected them.  Air Force Faces Shortage of Engineers .

AIAA To Host Engineering Career Night at AVC 2/18/14

As part of an Engineering Week commemoration, the Antelope Valley Chapter of the AIAA, joined by the SWE and SFTE, are hosting a Career Night related to engineering for 8th graders through college aged students at Antelope Valley College, in the SSV-151 Board Room, on Tuesday, 18 February 2014, from 6-7:30pm.  Highlights include a panel of engineers, free pizza, and a paper airplane competition where the winner will receive a $25 gift card from Best Buy.  Come out and ask questions about engineers and what they do.  For more information, visit www.facebook.com/AntelopeValleyAIAA or e-mail aiaa.av@gmail.com .

Buick Achievers Scholarship Applications Open 1/6-2/28/14

Sponsored by General Motors, the Buick Achievers Scholarship application period will be open from 6 January through 28 February 2014.  The scholarships, which focus on automotive and related STEM fields, offer $25,000 renewable funding for 100 students.  For further information, visit Buick Achievers Scholarship .

USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC 4/25-27/14 to Feature Mike Rowe

"Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe will host a MikeRoweWORKS Pavilion at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC on 25-27 April 2014.  Expected to draw approximately 350,000 people at the only national science festival - which is designed to entice students by STEM - the pavilion will spotlight the numerous skilled trade and technical careers available to young people.  Profoundly Disconnected - Rowe at USA Science and Engineering Festival

STEM Makes a Difference in Children's Lives

First Book, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, has recently published an infographic that shows how STEM can make a difference in children's lives, and consequently fill a projected 8 million STEM jobs by 2018.  First Book Blog - STEM Infographic

New Survey Shows 2- and 4-Year STEM Degrees In Demand

A recent survey of talent recruiters at Fortune 1000 companies released by Bayer indicates that holders of two-year STEM degrees are just as much in demand as those with four-year STEM degrees, and that the trend will continue for at least 10 years; half of the respondents said that two-year degree holders would be more in demand than four-year counterparts.  A majority of the recruiters noted that more STEM positions are being created than non-STEM positions, yet many remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants and/or mismatched skill sets.  ACTE Policy Watch Blog: STEM in Demand

"Hidden" STEM Jobs Revealed in Infographic

In a recent FASTCompany article, a Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program study showed that 20% of the nation's jobs require advanced STEM knowledge and skills, a higher percentage than the 4-5% estimated by the National Science Foundation.  The article includes an infographic showing the wide range of STEM careers available, many of which do not require a baccalaureate or other advanced degree, but do need at least some post-secondary training and possibly certification and which enjoy higher compensation than those without a STEM focus.  The jobs also help bolster the metro economies where they are located.  This is What STEM Jobs Look Like .

US Senate STEM Caucus Features Industry Input on Pipeline and Program Consolidation

The US Senate held a STEM Caucus meeting on 20 May, where numerous industry stakeholders, such as Susan Lavrakas, Director of Workforce for the Aerospace Industries Association, and Ed Swallow, VP from Northrop Grumman, testified on both the student pipeline into STEM careers, and  the proposed consolidation of STEM outreach programs under the FY2014 federal budget. 

Swallow noted that Northrop's research has determined that the 5th grade is a crucial turning point in aiming students toward STEM careers, in that decisions related to middle school math are often made - for better or worse - at that time, thus affecting the students' future interest and preparation; he stated that only 21% of 8th graders take algebra, which is necessary for them to complete a STEM degree program within four years after high school.  Lavrakas addressed more socio-economic factors, such as making parents aware of the importance of preparing students for STEM subjects and careers, toward providing mentors for the students, and informing teachers of the existence and importance of many STEM career options and preparation requirements.  She also opined that a variety of programs reach different students in different ways and times, therefore the elimination or consolidation of programs should be approached with great care.

The proposal has been made to have three main agencies lead the consolidated STEM outreach efforts:  the Department of Education for grades K-12; the National Science Foundation for undergraduate efforts; and the Smithsonian Institution for informal education.  James Brown, Director of the STEM Education Coalition, highlighted the need for flexibility of implementation in STEM education programs.  http://www.washingtonexec.com/2013/05/us-senate-holds-stem-caucus-on-fy14-budget-and-the-education-pipeline/

 

Well-Paying Science Careers Without a Ph.D.

Brazen Life has published a feature by Annie Favreau on "7 Cool Science Jobs That Don't Require a Ph.D."  While all require some post-secondary education, these jobs fit within the higher-paying, higher-growth categories of STEM careers.  The job titles include:  environmental scientist; sonographer; veterinary technician; geotech; nurse; forensic science tech; and biomedical engineer.  7 Cool Science Jobs That Don't Require a Ph.D.

CSULB College of Engineering Dean Urges "Wright Sisters" to Take Flight

In his March newsletter message, the Dean of the CSULB College of Engineering commemorates Women's History Month by noting that the contributions of women to the engineering profession are not only worthwhile, but also necessary to future success.  He urges parents and faculty to foster their interest in STEM/engineering, and to encourage them to use their collaborative, communication, and analytical skills to the betterment of engineering and society as a whole.  CSULB COE March Newsletter - "Wright Sisters Must Take Flight!"

Study Finds Increased Student High School Interest in STEM

In the Education Week "Curriculum Matters" blog, a report released by My College Options and STEMConnector finds that high school students report a 21% higher interest in STEM careers than in earlier years, althought female interest is still low and declining.  The top major is reported to be mechanical engineering, followed by biology.   http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2013/01/stem_interest_on_rise_among_hi.html 

On a related note, in a townhall meeting held to discuss the results of the report, it was revealed that what interest there is in STEM subjects may wane during high school unless the lessons are tied to workforce needs.  http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/stem-education/2013/01/31/report-many-high-schoolers-giving-up-on-stem

STEM Conference for Girls Scheduled for 3/9/13

The AVUHSD, AVC, and Upper Hand to College are co-sponsoring a "STEM Conference for Girls" on Saturday, 9 March 2013, from 8:30am to 3:00pm at the Center for CTE, 1156 East Avenue "S," Palmdale.  The day will feature a panel discussion of STEM industry professional women, as well as hands-on workshops designed for middle school and high school young ladies.  Space is limited to 60 middle school girls and 60 high school girls, first-come, first-served.  There will also be sessions for their parents who attend.  For additional information and to register, visit STEM Conference for Girls Registration Information .

Girl Scouts and Sigma Gamma Rho Create "Imagine Engineering" Initiative

Education Week's "Beyond School" blog reports that the Girl Scouts and national sorority Sigma Gamma Rho are partnering together in a STEM initiative for African-American girls known as "Imagine Engineering."  It is designed to inform girls about engineering careers, provide biographies of women in engineering, and give motivational tips for parents and educators.  The initiative is supported by the National Science Foundation.  Education Week - "Beyond School". 

"Science: It's A Girl Thing" - Two Divergent Approaches

Carolyn Johnson of the Boston Globe reports on two very different approaches by two organizations (European Commission and Dartmouth University) on "selling the idea" that science is "a girl thing,"  providing links to their two videos.  The Science in Mind blog points out the need for increasing the numbers of women in STEM, referencing a Yale University study on scientific biases impacting gender disparities in the field.  http://www.boston.com/news/science/blogs/science-in-mind/2012/12/20/science-girl-thing/gfzk6sZFOheQFx7ugBZphO/blog.html