Summer Gateway Academies Again to be Held in the AV - Applications Due by 5/25/11

Two Summer Gateway Academy sessions will be held for middle school students in the Antelope Valley.  Entering 7th graders will have the opportunity to participate in a free one-week session focusing on pre-engineering activities at either a Lancaster location (20-24 June 2011, 30 spaces) or Palmdale location (11-15 July 2011, 35 spaces).  Entering 8th graders or return students may be accepted on a space-available/instructor-approved basis.  Sessions will be held from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm, and students must have their own transportation to and from the sites.

Applications are available and will be accepted until 25 May 2011 or until all spots are filled; wait-lists may be made, as necessary.  For more information and to obtain application materials, contact Kevin Spoelstra regarding the Lancaster session at kspoelstra@avhsd.org , Bill Lewis regarding the Palmdale session at blewis@avhsd.org, or Diane Walker at dwalker@avhsd.org .

Boy Scouts Add Robotics Merit Badge

Furthering the Boy Scouts of America's STEM initiative, next week a new robotics merit badge will be unveiled.  "We view STEM as an essential survival skill in the 21st century.  We're just trying to keep relevant with what kids need to learn," says BSA's Matt Myers in an NPR posting.  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=135228346 .  In order to earn the badge, scouts will have to design and build a robot, while learning about sensors, programming, and movement.  The badge will depict the NASA Mars rover;100 patches will be flown on the upcoming Endeavour space shuttle flight and be distributed through a contest.

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/ .

Job Postings for AERO Institute Palmdale - Applications Due by 5/6/11

Three positions are currently available at the AERO Institute in Palmdale:  Outreach Specialist; ERC Media Specialist; and Summer AERO Student Intern (college).  The application period is open until 6 May 2011.  For more information, visit http://www.aeroi.org/jobs.php .

"Engaging Students in ME: Using Everyday Engineering Examples in the Classroom" Webinar Scheduled for 4/20/11

ENGAGE and ASME are co-sponsoring a webinar on 20 April 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to noon PDT entitled "Engaging Students in ME: Using Everyday Engineering Examples in the Classroom."  Panelists include Eann Patterson, Ph. D. at Michigan State, Susan Metz from ENGAGE, Thomas Perry, P.E. Director of Education and Professional Advancement for ASME, and Patricia Campbell, Ph. D. from ENGAGE and Campbell-Kibler Associates.  Participants will receive a free copy of "Real Life Examples" by Dr. Patterson for providing registration information.  To register, visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/155413368

USA Science & Engineering Festival 2012 to Have STEM Careers Pavilion

The second annual USA Science & Engineering Festival 2012 in Washington, DC will dedicate a pavilion to STEM careers, including interaction with science and engineering professionals, a STEM programs exposition, a college fair, and a job fair.  The organizers are also looking for potential exhibitor participants.  For more information, visit http://inventorspot.com/articles/stem_sells_research_selling_science_kids

Senate Initiative Proposes More STEM Education for Students

Google News reports on an initiative presented by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire on Monday which proposes to expose students to more STEM education in order to ready them for "better-paying jobs of the present and future."  It is also presumed to narrow the gap with Asian nations which are considered more advanced in robotics.  Sen. Shaheen also participated in a demonstration of FIRST Robotics during the Senate hearing.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h9J-tsSaVazS3j8NArpgzjQNL0Bg?docId=CNG.bcf74a4d0a9bb29afe4e98cfe57a8c2d.1341

Smithsonian/MIT Student Educational Game (Vanished) Now Open

An eight-week on-line/off-line educational game for middle school students sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and MIT is now available at http://vanished.mit.edu/user/register.  Students aged 10.5 to 14 take on the role of principal scientific investigators of an environmental disaster which has hit the earth.  They will work collaboratively with others and may collect samples near their homes, visit museums, etc., as part of the interactive mystery-solving game.

See also PowerUp (http://www.powerupthegame.org/ ): This freely downloadable, 3D, multiplayer game sponsored by IBM takes students to the planet Helios, where environmental disasters threaten to destroy the world. Players join a group of brave volunteers working together to save the planet. They're challenged to carry out missions to supply solar, wind, and water power before severe storms wreak havoc.

Microsoft Innovative Education Forum Applications Due by 4/1-5/15/11

Applications are now being accepted for the 2011 Microsoft Innovative Education Forum.  Educators or teams of educators who demonstrate excellence and innovation in using technology in education can submit an application for early consideration by 1 April, or by the standard deadline of 15 May 2011.  Winners will be selected to participate in a two-day forum in Redmond, WA on 28-29 July 2011; winners there will go on to a national event in Washington, DC in November 2011.  For more information and to download the application, visit http://www.microsoft.com/education/uspil/USIEF/default.mspx

Interactive Presentation on Workings of Formula Rossa Roller Coaster

Popular Science magazine has posted an article discussing the world's fastest roller coaster, which speeds up to 149 mph after a launch similar to that off an aircraft carrier.  Also included with the article is an interactive presentation on the workings of the coaster, designed by Lichtenstein-based Intamin Amusement Rides.  http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-03/how-it-works-worlds-fastest-rollercoaster .