Google RISE Award Applications Due 9/30/14

Programs with a focus in computer science are invited to submit proposals before 30th September 2014 for the Google RISE Awards. With grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 and an invitation to attend the RISE Global Summit, selected programs will be able to use the funding to expand their impact on student populations by widening access to and interest in computer science education. Programs aiming to improve education for girls, underrepresented students, and low-income students under age 18 (not already enrolled in university) are also eligible to apply. Award winners are expected to demonstrate growth, report back to Google on achievements, and share resources with neighboring communities. 

For more information, and to apply, visit Google RISE Awards Applications .

Free Summer Math Program for Students and Parents

TenMarks is making a free summer math program available for students and parents to help prevent "summer slide".  The program is personalized and based on a standards-based assessment.  For more information, visit TenMarks Summer Math Program .

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 .

UCI to Offer Online STEM Preparation Modules for High School and Incoming Freshmen

UC Irvine has announced the availability of "STEM UP" on-line modules for incoming freshmen and high school seniors to prepare them for the rigors of college level STEM coursework.  The modules, each of which is three weeks long and costs $125, will be available beginning 23 June.  Free assessments will assist students to determine their current levels, and modules will provide work in Quantitative Skills, Pre-Calculus, Pre-Chemistry, Pre-Physics, and Pre-Biology.  For further information, see UCI STEM-Up Modules .

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

2014 Siemens Competitions in Math, Science & Technology Now Open for Registration

The Siemens Foundation, in partnership with Discovery Education, has opened registration for the 2014 Math, Science and Technology Competition for high school students. All submissions of original research projects are due by no later than 30 September 2014, and students may enter either individually or as a member of a team.  Regional winners selected will have their projects reviewed at universities around the nation, including Cal Tech in Pasadena, in November.  National finalists will present their projects in Washington, D.C.  in December.  Winners will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.  For further information and to register, go to 2014 Siemens Competitions .

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 .

Congressional "App Challenge" Deadline for Submissions is 4/30/14

Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Congress Member Anna Eshoo are co-chairs of the 2014 Congressional App Challenge, which is modeled after the Congressional Art Challenge.  Designed to promote interest in STEM and coding, the competition allows high school students in districts where the member of Congress has opted in to submit an app that they create by no later than 30 April 2014.  For further information and to register for the competition, visit 2014 Congressional App Challenge .

2014 Kavli Science Video Contest Entries Due by 3/21/14

Thirty- to ninety-second student-created videos are being sought for the 2014 USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo to be held in Washington, DC on 26-28 April 2014.  The Kavli Science Video Contest is open to students in grades 6-12 in the US and internationally.  The video should be based on student research on a wide variety of topics, and then state a case for how science can or should be used to accomplish something now or in the future.  Prizes will be awarded to winners of 1st through 3rd places, plus People's Choice.  For more information and to register, visit Kavli Science Video Contest 2014

LEGO Children's Fund Grant Application Due by 1/15/14

The LEGO Children's Fund offers grants, typically between $500 and $5,000 (average $3,000), for collaborative efforts of 501(c)(3) and educational agencies, particularly in support of early childhood education related to creativity, and technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities.  While preference is given to efforts in CT and Western MA, grants are available nationwide.  Applications are due quarterly on the 15th of January, April, July, and October.  For more information and to download the application form, visit LEGO Children's Fund Grant .

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

Google Code-In 2013 Open 11/18/13 to 1/5/14

Google Code-In allows pre-university students ages 13-17 to register, beginning 18 November 2013,  then complete one or more coding -related tasks to compete for prizes.  The tasks include coding, documentation, outreach/research, quality assurance, or user interface items; students receive 1 point for each task which is successfully completed, with a certificate being awarded for each, and a t-shirt for completing 3 tasks.  At the end of the contest period, each of 10 mentor organization can choose 2 grand prize winners who will then be eligible to receive a trip to Google's Mountain View campus, a tour, meet with engineers, and a fun day in San Francisco.  For more details and to register for the competition, which ends 5 January 2014, visit Google Code-In 2013

#include Fellowships for Coding Begun by She++ at Stanford - Register by 12/11/13

She++, a coding outreach by Stanford University students, has expanded its #include fellowships for high school females outside of Palo Alto.  Students who register by no later than 11 December 2013 can be paired with a college advisor, and then will be expected to lead technology change in their neighborhoods through a Launch Kit.  They will also gain the opportunity to attend the #include Summit at Stanford 3-5 April 2014.  For more information, visit She++ Inspiring Women to Empower Computer Science .

Geek Week on YouTube Airs 8/4-8/10/13

The week of 4 August through 10 August has been dubbed "Geek Week" on YouTube.  On Monday, the theme is "Global Geekery" on multi-cultural geek trends and a celebration of Dr. Who. "Brainiac Tuesday" will feature Veritasium and The Spangler Effect with science, education, and "all things knowledge." SuperWednesday will cover superheroes, supernatural and "super-weird".  Gaming Thursday will include live games, games in real life, and a Twitter chat on gaming (#GeekWeek at 1pm PST), while Friday ends up with "Fan Friday" featuring Felicia Day of "Geek & Sundry."  Weekend fare includes "Best of Geek Week Saturday."  For more info and a complete rundown, including info on how to get badges for participating and real-time clues for an Easter egg hunt, visit www.YouTube.com/GeekWeek .

STEM In Sports Trivia Contest

As part of TimeWarner's "Connect A Million Minds" STEM campaign, Victor Cruz is partnering for a giveaway related to STEM in football.  To enter, follow both @TeamVic and @ConnectMinds and answer the tweeted trivia question on Monday, 29 July, using #STEMinSports in the reply for a chance to win autographed merchandise.

Here's an example of a question: 

• Trivia Q2: What principle does a tackle use to block a quarterback sneak? Get hints & rules @ConnectMinds http://bit.ly/14VrfyB #STEMInSports

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 .

45 iPad Apps for Science Learning

Tripwire magazine has published a list of "45 Outstanding iPad Apps for Science Learrning," some of which are free and some of which require a fee to purchase.  Check out the article at 45 Outstanding iPad Apps for Science Learning.

STEMbite Videos Using Google Glass Now Available on YouTube

Andrew Vanden Heuvel, a Michigan on-line science teacher, won the opportunity to pioneer GoogleGlass technology in education.  After visiting the Large Hadron Collider in Cern, Switzerland to teach a physics lesson, he has been using the technology to create "STEMbites" video clips on science and math in everyday life from a first-person perspective.  For more information on the experience, as well as a link to the STEMbites YouTube channel, visit Andrew's Edutopia blog at http://www.edutopia.org/blog/stembite-teaching-with-google-glass-andrew-vanden-heuvel .

Math Resources for Summer Planning

Hat-tip to the Common Core Educational Technology blog for their post on 6 "must-see" math resources - a compilation of their recent posts related to math and Common Core:  http://www.ccedtech.com/2013/06/math-6-not-50-of-our-most-popular-posts.html .

California Women in STEM Profiles plus STEM Innovation Conference

In a recent press release, it was announced that the California Dept. of Education, the California State Library, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Research Bureau are partnering to encourage more students, particularly underrrepresented groups such as students of color and young women, to enter the STEM fields.  As part of this initiative, the California State Library is hosting an on-line exhibit for "California Women in STEM", which profiles a different woman each week leading up to the "Invest in California STEM Education: Innovate, Integrate, and Inspire!" Conference planned for 18-19 November 2013 in Sacramento.  The conference, with best practices presentations and keynotes, is scheduled to feature Geena Davis, Sugata Mitra, and Jose Hernandez, among others.  Women in Science and Tech Industries Profiled News Release.