MEEC Environmental/Engineering Scholarship Available for Graduating HS Seniors - Applications Due by 4/3/15

Calling all graduating high school seniors! $2000 Scholarship Opportunity!

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium is pleased to announce its 2014/2015 Environmental/Science Scholarship Program. MEEC will be awarding five $2000 scholarships to qualifying applicants for the 2014/2015 academic year. Graduating high school seniors attending high school within MEEC’s boundaries are encouraged to apply.

MEEC’s boundaries consist of the High Desert portion of San BernardinoCounty, the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside County and the High Desert region of North Los Angeles County, including the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale.

Eligible students must declare a major in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or other closely related Science or Engineering field.

Applicants are required to provide the following:
1. A completed application form (available at MEEC Environmental/Engineering Scholarship 2015 )
2. Transcripts and SAT/ACT scores (unofficial copies accepted)
3. 500 word personal essay on – “My Career Goals and Why I would like a Career in the Environment, Science, or Engineering field ”
4. Application packages must be received no later than 5 PM, on April 3, 2015. Applicant packet may be mailed or dropped off at:

MEEC – ATTN: Scholarship Committee
14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392

Applications may also be faxed to (760) 241-6271 or emailed to Samantha Murray, MEEC Program Specialist at smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov

"Winging It" NASA Is With You When You Fly Workshop Set for 4/8/15

Did you know that NASA is with you when you fly? Join NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Office of Education for an educator professional development workshop on Axes and Control Surfaces. Through hands-on experiments and physical demonstrations, educators will learn about motions and forces, transfer of energy, and the abilities of technological design. Engage in hands-on, standards aligned mathematics, science and engineering activities with the basic concepts of flight, including the three axes of flight and the control surfaces that guide the aircraft. Learn real world connections with NASA research and the airplanes that are flying today. Hear from a subject matter expert about cutting-edge research happening right now at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center through the X-56A Multi-Utility Technology Testbed.

 

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

WHEN:  Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm PT
Target Audience: K-12 Formal and Informal Educators
Location: NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute, 38256 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550
Register Online: aeroi.org/ercRegister/index.html
Questions? Call Sondra Geddes at 661-276-2359 or email at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov

 

 

Upcoming Next Gen Science Standards Webinars

Thanks to Carol Fry Bohlin and the COMET for this info:

(a) “Literacy for the Science Classroom: Think, Read Talk, and Write Like a Scientist”

Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Registration: http://schoolsmovingup.wested.org/literacy-for-the-science-classroom-think-read-talk-and-write-like-a-scientist/

 

Description:  The presenters will explore how reading, writing, listening, and speaking are used to develop knowledge of scientific ideas, as well as the ways in which scientists develop that knowledge. Particular emphasis will be given to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) practices of "Constructing Explanations" and "Engaging in Argument Form Evidence" and the relationship of these practices with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts/Literacy in Science.

 

Examples will be drawn from middle and high school students' writings of scientific explanations and how argumentation strengthened those explanations. Furthermore, scientific literature will be shown that provides opportunities to compare writing requirements and address classroom strategies. For more information (speakers, registration), please visit the website above.

 

(b) “The Keys to Success in K-6 NGSS Implementation: Webinar II, Cross-cutting Concepts and CCSS Alignment in NGSS”

Date: Friday, 20 February 2015

 Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Description/Registration: http://bit.ly/NGSS2-20-15

 

This webinar and the one immediately below focus on effective strategies for preparing elementary teachers for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The webinars are co-hosted by California State University (CSU) and WestEd. Early registration is encouraged. For more information, please visit the websites listed or CSU’s NGSS website: http://teachingcommons.cdl.edu/ngss

 

(c) “The Keys to Success in K-6 NGSS Implementation: Webinar III, Exemplars of Learning through Scientific and Engineering Practices”

Date: Friday, 13 March 2015

Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Description/Registration: http://bit.ly/NGSS3-13-15  

 

NASA Principles of Flight Workshop for Teachers 1/21/15

Did you know that NASA is with you when you fly? Join NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Office of Education for an educator workshop on the principles of flight. Come explore aeronautics, the parts of an airplane, and the four forces of flight that allow an aircraft to fly. There will be hands-on, standards-aligned mathematics, science and engineering activities and interactive multimedia that you can take back to your classroom. Make real world connections with NASA research and the airplanes that are flying today. Hear from a subject matter expert about cutting edge research happening right now at NASA Armstrong through the Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the National Airspace System, or UAS in the NAS, project. 

When: Wednesday, January 21, 2015, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm PST

Target Audience: K-12 Formal and Informal Educators
Location: NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute, 38256 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550

Register Online: http://aeroi.org/ercForm/index.html

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

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.

Discovery School Seeking Business Partners for "Robotic Golf Holes" Project

Discovery School in Lancaster, CA is seeking business partners to work with 7th grade students on the creation and sponsorship of "robotic golf holes" to become part of an 18-hole game to be played for the benefit of charity.  Partners would meet with students to discuss design of the mini-golf hole based on the business personality, and, if possible, contribute toward materials and "swag" to adorn the hole.  For more information, please contact Mechelle Reynolds at reynoldsm@lancsd.org .

University Innovation Fellows Application Period Closes 6/30/14

Run by Epicenter, NSF, NCIIA, and Stanford University, the University Innovation Fellows are seeking applications from college and university engineering students to become fellows for the upcoming year.  The fellows will "dream, design, and deliver" innovations related to real-world problems in order to learn skills and dispositions to become leaders in the global economy of the future, while transforming the culture of their campuses. Students receive 6 weeks of intensive training as part of the process.


"In order to submit the application, each student needs to provide at least one faculty letter of support, find a faculty sponsor (does not need to be the same as the letter of support) and create a supplemental YouTube clip. It is the responsibility of the faculty sponsor to apply the students for the Leadership Circle; the faculty sponsor must supply a letter of support from the President of the university or any Vice President-level administrator. Once submitted, the applications will be reviewed with the possibility of moving forward into the interview round."


Applications for the spring term are due by 30 June 2014 (with a fall round due in October).  For further information about the program and the link to apply, visit University Innovation Fellows .

Summer STEM in the AV

Following is a recap of some upcoming STEM events for students in the greater Antelope Valley region this summer.  Please contact the individual agency/organization for further information/eligibility requirements and registration information:

• Tehachapi Intermediate Space Challenge, Tehachapi Airport, 21 May;
• Mojave Intermediate Space Challenge, Mojave SpacePort, 23 May - contact Marie Walker at Fiberset, Mojave;
• AVC Summer Bridge Program (math review for graduating high school seniors planning on enrolling at AVC in Fall 2014) begins 16 June (two sessions) - contact Sharon Dalmage at sdalmage@avc.edu ;
• AVUHSD Summer Pre-Engineering Internships class (incoming AVUHSD seniors who have completed designated engineering/technology course - apply by 19 May or until filled), beginning 9 June, AERO Institute in Palmdale, register at Summer Pre-Engineering Internships Registration , contact James Stockdale at jstockdale@avhsd.org ;
• Tehachapi Summer Gateway Academy, 16-20 June, contact Danielle Evansic at devansic@teh.k12.ca.us ;
• AVUHSD Summer Gateway Academy (free week-long day camp for 32 incoming 7th-8th graders - register by 27 May or until filled) at SOAR Prep Academy in Quartz Hill, 23-27 June, register at SOAR Prep Summer Gateway Academy , contact Carrie Marchant at cdmarchant@avhsd.org ;
• Lancaster School District Summer of Innovation "Power of Code", 21-25 July, contact Julie Vela at velaj@lancsd.org ;
• AVUHSD Summer Gateway Academy (free week-long day camp for 32 incoming 7th-8th graders - register by 27 May or until filled) at Knight High School in East Palmdale, 21-25 July, register at Knight High School Summer Gateway Academy , contact Bill Lewis at blewis@avhsd.org ;
• AVC STEM Science Academy (middle schoolers build and test model aircraft) at The Palmdale Aerospace Academy, 28 July-1 August, contact Sharon Dalmage at sdalmage@avc.edu

Cal Poly Pomona YES Program Hosts AV Students

Among approximately 400 middle and high school students, nearly 50 students from the Palmdale area attended the Youth Engineering Success (YES) event hosted by Cal Poly Pomona's chapter of Society of Women Engineers.  This annual event promotes engineering education and careers for young women by engaging activities and exposing them to information about the STEM field they might not otherwise receive.  Daily Bulletin Education - YES Program .  US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan praised the event, as recounted by the CDE in a recent tweet:  CTE That Works for California RT @ArneDuncan .

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 .

AV Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Deadline 4/25/14

Applications for two $1,000 scholarships, funded by Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, are now being accepted by the AV chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.  Female high school seniors, community college transfer students, and current undergraduates with permanent residency within the Antelope Valley, California (zip codes beginning 935**) and who are/will be pursuing an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution are eligible to apply by providing official transcripts and application documents to the AV chapter of SWE at SWE.AntelopeValley@gmail.com by no later than 25 April 2014.  For further information regarding eligibility and application requirements, visit AV SWE Scholarship .

Environmental/Science Scholarship Applications Due by 4/14/14

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC) is seeking applicants for its Environmental/Science Scholarship. Scholarship(s) will be awarded to five qualifying graduating high school senior(s) in the amount of $2,000.00 each. Recipient must attend a high school located within MEEC’s boundaries of the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County, the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside County and the High Desert region of North Los Angeles County, including the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale. Eligible students must declare a major in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or other closely related Science or Engineering field.

Applicants are required to provide the following:
1. A completed application form (see link below)
2. Transcripts and SAT/ACT scores (unofficial copies accepted)
3. 500 word personal essay on – “My Career Goals and Why I would like a Career in the Environment, Science, or Engineering field ”
4. Application packages must be received no later than 5 PM, on April 14, 2014.

Applicant packet may be mailed or dropped off at:
MEEC – ATTN: Scholarship Committee
14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392

Additional Scholarship Applications are available through Samantha Murray, MEEC Program Specialist, at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717, or visit MEEC Environmental Science/Engineering Scholarship to download an application.

Science and Engineering of the Olympics

With the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia just concluded and still fresh in the minds of students (and teachers), here is a resource from NSF and NBC Learn that provides 10 video segments on science and engineering principles involved in many of the competitions. This is a follow-up from a similar 2010 endeavor. Science and Engineering of the Winter Olympics.

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 .

AHORA STEM Day Held at Eastside High School

Co-sponsored by the Antelope Valley Union High School District and LATINO Magazine, approximately 150 students of under-represented populations in STEM from AV, Eastside, Knight, and Palmdale High Schools attended the AHORA Student Day at Eastside High School on 16 December 2013.  Students heard from two panels, the first on careers and majors in STEM, including Lupe Delgado, manufacturing engineer from Northrop Grumman, Katya Guevara, a UC Davis freshman and recent grad from KHS, Manny Sanchez, a 40-year veteran engineer from Lockheed Martin, and Mike Huggins, Chief of Propulsions Division at AFRL/EAFB.  The second panel, "The Table of Brotherhood," addressing diversity issues, was comprised of  Eric Peterson, General Motors VP, Joseph Velasquez an attorney and founder of OjoOido, Sandra Johnson of the Lancaster City Council and UAV, and Hernando Marroquin, a prominent local businessman.  The MC for the event was Alfredo J. Estrada, Editor of LATINO Magazine, with additional addresses by Lou Gonzales of AV Chevy, and Dr. David Vierra, AVUHSD Superintendent.  Students interacted during Q&A sessions with the panelists and by speaking with local STEM professionals during breaks.

Eric Peterson, Joseph Velasquez, Sandra Johnson, Hernando Marroquin
address students from the "Table of Brotherhood"



Lupe Delgado, Katya Guevara, Manny Sanchez, and Mike Huggins
explain the benefits of STEM education and take student questions.

 

GoldieBlox Commercial Goes Viral

A new commercial for GoldieBlox engineering toys for girls, featuring the Beastie Boys melody "Girls" is going viral.  Pointing up that girls are "not just princesses," the commercial shows girls creating a Rube Goldberg device.  GoldieBlox Princess Machine  Founded by Debbie Sterling, GoldieBlox was designed to get more girls interested in STEM careers.  The music video is currently a finalist for a Super Bowl commercial spot.  GoldieBlox Video Demands Change - Huffington Post

Lake Arrowhead School Hosts Boat Challenge

As reported in the Mountain News, students from Valley of Enchantment Elementary School in Lake Arrowhead recently held a boat-building challenge for 5th grade students.  Using only duct tape, PVC pipe and 2-litre plastic bottles, students were required to design and build "boats" that would carry their teachers, using paddles, in what turned out to be the very chilly waters of Lake Gregory on 6 November 2013.  Ten boats were in the competition, attended by students and about 40 parents cheering them on.  Due to the continuing success of the event, the school hopes to expand it to other classes next year.  VOE 5th Graders Float Their Boats

Antelope Valley Hosts STEMPosium 10/1/13

Antelope Valley College (AVC), Cerro Coso College, Cal State Long Beach, Antelope Valley Union High School District (AVUHSD), the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance (GAVEA), and the AV Board of Trade sponsored the 2^nd Annual Greater Antelope Valley STEMposium on Tuesday, 1 October 2013.  State and local dignitaries welcomed nearly 200 regional business and community members and educators in attendance at the event, which was held at The Hellenic Center in Lancaster.  

The STEMposium participants heard an engaging keynote address by LTG Ellen M. Pawlikowski (USAF), Commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center at the LA Air Force Base, on STEM as an American competitive advantage, as well as from Dr. Elaine Shen of Beacon Economics on STEM Workforce trends.  Other presentations included Dr. Tom O’Neil of AVC on connections between CTE and STEM, a STEM Academy Showcase by Betsy McKinstry and academy coordinators and students from the AVUHSD, as well as panel discussions by area education, industry, and young STEM professionals.  Display tables were staffed by Joe Walker Middle School robotics, Palmdale HS Health Careers Academy, PHS Falcon Academy of Sustainable Technologies, AV High School’s Green Enterprise Academy, and Knight HS Digital Design & Engineering Academy.

The 2^nd Annual Greater AV STEMposium was partially funded by a US Dept. Of Education HSI STEM grant. Christos Valiotis: Project Director-661-722-6300 x6024

AV Summer Gateway Academies Engage Middle School Students in STEM

Two Project Lead the Way Summer Gateway Academy sessions were sponsored by the AVUHSD for middle school students during June and July 2013.  Over thirty students took part in events such as rocket-building and launching, creating solar cell phone covers, learning how to use design software, and programming Boe-bots to go through a maze, among others.  The session held at Lancaster High School was also visited by Lockheed Martin's school outreach team.

Eagle Robotics team member assists students to learn design software at
Lancaster HS Summer Gateway Academy

Middle school students launch solar balloon

Students at KHS Summer Gateway Academy create solar cell phone covers/chargers

 

Aerospace Education Services Project Teacher Webinars and Digital Badging

Penn State University, as part of the NASA Aerospace Education Service Project, is offering a series of free webinars for educators.  The topics range from remote sensing (July 16), to engineering design processes (multiple sessions in July and August) to Mission Mars, weather, and solar energy, among others.  For more information on webinar dates and how to connect, visit AESP Webinars .  Teachers who complete the webinars can receive certificates of completion.

NASA's AESP is also offering a digital badging program for completers of their professional development to include within on-line portfolios, along with feedback from master educators.  For details and to sign up, go to AESP Teacher Learning Journeys .