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

STEM Master Teacher Corps On the Horizon

Jason Koebler reported in the US News and World Report that The White House announced the availability of a grant opportunity in mid-July as part of the Teacher Incentive Fund application for districts to create a STEM Master Teacher Corps.  Among other requirements, the grant provided that teachers, who could receive up to $20,000 annual compensation over four years, have to teach in designated high-need schools; the district would be required to change teacher compensation and evaluation systems district-wide, and determine new teacher recruitment and retention strategies.  http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/07/18/white-house-announces-1-billion-master-teacher-program

Education Reform vs. STEM "Programs"

Marc Tucker blogs in "Top Performers" in Education Week that rather than promoting "STEM programs," the world's top-performing nations have education systems which work as a whole; they spend more money and time on all students who need more help to succeed and less on those who don't, have high standards for teacher preparation programs, pay teachers well and support their development, and have high-quality instructional curricula and assessments at all levels in all subjects, among other features.  Only in this way, he opines, will STEM fuel future gains in the American economy.  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/top_performers/2012/06/stem_why_it_makes_no_sense.html

In another op-ed piece in US News and World Report, noted inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen promotes "a return to a culture that celebrates new discoveries and brainpower, a culture that embraces the challenges and rewards of innovation."  Kamen proposes three ideas to inspire today's youth:  1) get comfortable with failure; 2) change the metrics for success; and 3) use innovative business thinking to change the culture, particularly through support of national STEM initiatives designed to foster youth to become technology leaders.  http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2012/06/21/without-focus-on-stem-fields-us-is-losing-its-innovative-spirit?page=2

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

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.

On-Ramps Into Academia Workshops Held to Attract Female STEM Professors

Funded through a three-year NSF grant, the University of Washington's ADVANCE Center for Institutional Change has organized the "On-Ramps Into Academia" program to attract female engineers and scientist Ph.D's from industry into becoming university professors.  The series of two-day workshops (another will be held in 2012) provide information and tools to women who may consider becoming academic role-models for other young women entering STEM professions.  http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/05/17/effort_at_university_of_washington_to_recruit_women_from_industry_to_academic_science

How Business Should Approach Reform of STEM Education

In an interview with Andrew Kelly, Education News columnist Michael F. Shaughnessy of Eastern New Mexico University reports the views that business leaders must take a more pro-active and perhaps controversial role to prod STEM education reforms.  Kelly opines that businesses must focus not only on math and science proficiency for the general STEM workforce, but also on high-performing STEM innovators and entrepreneurs which will fuel American economic competitiveness.  Business must also back revolutionary reform efforts, provide expertise and guidance, and monitor the initiatives' progress or lack thereof with the same energy they do their other investments.  For the full column, visit http://www.educationnews.org/michael-f-shaughnessy/154157.html