US-Russian Collaborative Science Effort Proposals Sought by 8/31/11

The State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is seeking proposals from public and private 501(c)(3) organizations using connective technology to increase scientific collaboration between US and Russian secondary schools.  The "US-Russia Virtual Science Challenge for Youth" should incorporate private and public partnerships and existing networks.  Proposals are due by 31 August 2011.  For more details, visit http://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html .

Universities Promote Engineering "Soft Skills"

Universities such as U of Houston, Rice, and Missouri U of Science and Technology are all teaching classes in and coaching their engineering students in soft skills, such as meal etiquette, handshaking and other social skills, and presentation.  Program directors have noted a deficiency in these areas in their students, resulting in a more difficult time landing internships or jobs.  Students, according to the recent story in the Houston Chronicle Archives, tend to rely more on their grades and technical skills, which most employers already presume exist.  http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2011_5067150

Back to School Kick-Off for FIRST Robotics 8/14/11

ABC-TV will air video on FIRST robotics on Sunday, 14 August at 7:00pm Eastern time; the one-hour special is called "i.am FIRST: Science is Rock & Roll."  For more info, check out http://iamfirst.dipdive.com/ . (Check your local programming guide for air time)

Commerce Dept. Research Report Addresses Gender Gap in STEM Careers

The US Dept. of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration has released a report which, despite a narrower comparable wage gap in STEM fields, females continue to lag behind in filling positions.  They represent 40% of workers in science fields, but only 14% in engineering.  Gender stereotyping, lack of female role models, and lack of flexibility in staffing are cited as some of the reasons for the continuing gender gap.  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/08/women-in-science-and-tech-are-well-paid-but-gender-gap-persists-report-says.html  To view the full report, visit http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/reports/documents/womeninstemagaptoinnovation8311.pdf

Victor Valley College Uses Robotic Simulators in Nursing Program

The Victor Valley Press reports that Victor Valley College is utilizing the SimMan 3G robotic simulator, "an advanced robotic patient simulator that mimics medical conditions and physiological responses to treatments" as a training aid in its expanding nursing program.  The high-tech simulator allows students to experience situations which they might not otherwise encounter in their clinical program, according to Dr. Joseph Morris, program director.  http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/simulator-29238-students-train.html

Real World Design Challenge Open for Registration

The annual Real World Design Challenge for high school students is now open for registration.  For more information about the challenge, visit http://www.realworlddesignchallenge.org/index.php.  Typically, the challenge is issued in October, with the deadline to register in November, followed by local and state competitions taking place before the national challenge is issued in February.

While California is not an official participant state, local teams may still take part.  The National Lieutenant Governor's Association issued a policy resolution in support of the initiative at its July 2011 meeting:  http://nlga.us/web-content/Conferences/2011%20AM%20Resolutions/NLGA%20Resolution%20on%20STEM%20-%20July%202011.pdf

Watch "LAB-TV" Webisodes on NDEP Website

The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) has two seasons of short LAB-TV "webisodes" on its website.  The short videos show students how STEM-based research is used at Department of Defense labs.  To access the webisodes, go to http://www.ndep.us/LabTV

Silicon Valley Driver for Technology Jobs

At a meeting of some members of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness on 2 August, Steve Case (AOL founder), among other high-tech leaders in Silicon Valley, were hopeful that the region's technology companies and those using social media and other technology will drive a resurgence of job creation.  Entrepreneurship and innovation are seen as key components, along with "untangling visa regulations"  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/02/MNH81KIE4Q.DTL&tsp=1 and education reform.  The need for STEM-skilled workers, particularly in green-tech and engineering, was also stressed.  http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=22024 

Case was also one of the keynotes at The Atlantic's "New Work Era Summit," on 19 July, along with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Sen. Mark Warner, and a distinguished panel on the subject of "Educating for Employment."  To view the sessions, visit http://events.theatlantic.com/new-work-era-summit/2011/ 

High School Students Finish Innovative Summer Class at Cal Lutheran

Twelve area high school students participating in the Engineering Innovation summer program at Cal Lutheran University competed in a bridge-breaking exercise.  The students had a week to design and build the structures out of spaghetti and glue; they had to weigh approximately 8 ounces and be able to hold at least a 2-pound basket (winners held 24 lbs.).  The four-week course was designed by Johns Hopkins University, and includes labs, projects, group work, and lectures.  Other sessions are held in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington, D.C.  http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jul/29/high-school-students-compete-in-a-bridge/

Similar bridge-building and breaking exercises are held in CAD/Drafting and Construction courses in the Antelope Valley Union High School District.  For more information, contact your high school counselor or CTE teacher.

Cal Poly SLO Getting New Math/Science Building

Construction is underway for a new math and science building at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  The new 197,000 square foot facility, scheduled to open in 2013, will have classrooms and spaces for tutoring.  http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/15170310/construction-moving-forward-for-new-cal-poly-math-and-science-center