"America Needs More Geeks"

Annie Murphy Paul writes in Time that "America needs more geeks."  She believes that relieving the short-fall of STEM professionals "begins with persuading students that scientists are people, too" rather than un-approachable, labcoat-wearing, beaker-toting folks who speak in an unintelligible language.   Paul cites various studies regarding making STEM subjects more approachable, as well as the learning process scientists use, and the relationship to engagement and achievement by students.  http://ideas.time.com/2011/12/21/america-needs-more-geeks-how-to-make-science-cool/?xid=gonewsedit  To assist with the "humanization" of scientists, NOVA has an award-winning program, available on-line, called "The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers" which profiles professionals and has blog entries catering to students.  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/secretlife/.

In a related story in the Washington Post's Ideas@Innovation blog, Emi Kolawole notes that attracting students to STEM fields had similar roadblocks in the late 1940's and early 1950's.  As a result, GE began printing comic books with titles such as "Adventures in Jet Power," Adventures Inside the Atom," and "Adventures in Electricity."  Parents expressed some displeasure, similar to efforts using video games to entice today's students.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/teaching-stem-from-comic-books-to-video-games/2011/12/20/gIQAF6jF9O_blog.html

FIRST Robotics Kickoff Show on NASA TV on 1/7/12

NASA-TV (channel 289 on DirecTV, channel 212 on Dish Network, check with your cable provider for other channels - also available streamed on-line) will host the FIRST Robotics Kick-off Show from Manchester, NH on Saturday, 7 January 2012, at 10:00am EST (check local listings). 

Local AV teams include:  #399 Lancaster High School, Eagle Robotics, mentor/educator, Ms. Lorri Reinhart and NASA/David Voracek; #2339 Antelope Valley High, Robolopes, mentor/educator, Dr. Layne Heiny; and #585 Tehachapi High, Cyberpenguins, mentor/educator, Danielle Evansic.

Local robot roll-out dates are:

• #2339 Robolopes, 16 February 2012 at 2:30pm in the AVHS Library
• #399 Eagle Robotics, 17 February 2012 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at LnHS
• #585 Cyberpenguins, Saturday, 18 February 2012

Completion/ship date for all teams is 21 February 2012.

Competition dates for local teams are: 

• San Diego Regional, 2-4 March 2012:  Eagle Robotics (LnHS) and Robolopes (AVHS)
• Utah Regional, 15-17 March 2012:  Eagle Robotics (LnHS)
• Los Angeles Regional, 15-17 March 2012, Long Beach Arena
• Denver Regional, 22-24 March 2012:  Eagle Robotics (LnHS)
• Seattle Regional, 22-24 March 2012:  Cyberpenguins (THS)
• Las Vegas Regional, 5-7 April 2012:  Cyberpenguins (THS)



Eagle Robotics at Super Science Saturday 10 Dec. 2011

• Championship:  Robolopes

Stay tuned for updates on team news. 

Season's Greetings!

Wishing you all the best this holiday season!

Rubric for STEM Education Effectiveness

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, in connection with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University, the Golden LEAF Foundation and others, have collaborated to create a rubric to determine the effectiveness of STEM education components in schools.  The rubric and components, including integrated project-based learning,  connection with in and out-of-school programs, use of integrated technology, community involvement, and post-secondary connections, among others, can be downloaded at https://www.ncstem.org/stem-strategy/attributes-rubric.html .

STEMConnector Site Posts California STEM Report Card

A new website designed to be a "one-stop shop" for STEM education was unveiled on 30 November.  "America's STEMconnector" http://www.stemconnector.org/ contains profiles of STEM-related organizations, information, resources, and connections.  Among the items posted is a 2011 state report card for California related to STEM education and careers:  http://www.stemconnector.org/sites/default/files/sbs/ASTRA%20STEMEd%20California%202011.pdf.  The figures show that California will have in excess of 1 million STEM-related jobs to fill by 2018, with higher than average earning potential for those obtaining the positions.  The ethnicity gap for those filling STEM positions appears to be narrowing, while the gender gap remains heavily in favor of males.  Approximately 61% of the jobs require some post-secondary training, however, the trend indicates 68% will require bachelor's degrees in the future.  As noted in previous posts, California students' math scores still fall below national averages, as do STEM degrees conferred, while AP course-taking statistics exceed the national average.

January NAPE Webinar Addresses Gender Stereotypes in Career Choices

NAPE will be sponsoring a discussion group webinar on the effects of gender stereotypes on emerging career choices.  Participants are to view a 48-minute YouTube video presented by Shelley Correll of Stanford University at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwviTwO8M8Q and then register to participate in a discussion group facilitated by Freda Walker during one of the following time slots: 

• Discussion A: Monday, January 23, 2012, 11 AM PST
• Discussion B: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 12PM PST
• Discussion C: Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 10AM PST
• Discussion D: Thursday, January 26, 2012, 9 AM PST

Registration is limited to 15 participants at each time slot.  To register, visit http://www.stemequitypipeline.org/registration/WebinarRegistration.aspx 

Cal Poly Pomona SHSE Students Visit Discovery Elementary

Approximately 50 Cal Poly Pomona engineering students visited Discovery Elementary School in Lancaster on 13 December 2011 to coordinate "SHSE Day" (Society of Hispanics in Science and Engineering) for the students.  Project-based learning was the order of the day, with grade-appropriate activities for each student, led by the engineering ambassadors; examples were using dry ice, reflecting laser pointers, and aluminum foil boat building.  Several students and CSU staff members also presented in several sessions for parents, including "College Making it Happen," informing them how to support their children in preparing for post-secondary education, and how SHSE junior chapters will work with 6th through 12th grade students.  NASA also presented several sessions.  TimeWarner covered the story, which can be seen at http://youtu.be/9hGg5Be3Kn4.

Alexis Harry of NASA presents to Discovery students.

Discovery students move from general assembly to activity areas.

Free Teacher Workshop 1/26/12: "Let's Get Physical: The Basics of Energy"

The High Desert Power Project and MEEC are hosting a free teacher workshop on 26 January 2012 from 3:45 to 6:30pm PST on "Let's Get Physical:  The Basics of Energy."  The workshop will focus on the physics of how energy is generated and stored.  "Participants will receive resource tools and activities to help students in grades K-12 learn about their relationship with energy and investigating the environmental issues related to energy’s role in society" as well as a private tour of the Power Project facility at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville and dinner.  Reserve your spot today! Deadline to Register: January 19, 2012 Call Christie Robinson, MEEC Program Specialist at: (760) 245-1661 x 6101 or email at: christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov

Riverside COE and Discovery Science Center Offer Teacher Session on Engineering 1/9/12

The Discovery Science Center and Riverside County Office of  Education are offering free professional development sessions for elementary and middle school teachers, including the next one on 9 January 2012 on the topic of engineering (other science sessions monthly February through April).  The session will be from 4:00 to 6:00pm (light refreshments provided) at the Riverside COE Conference Center located at 3958 Twelfth St. in Riverside.  Online registration (enrollment is limited) is available at http://rcoe.k12oms.org/ .  For additional information, contact:  Yamileth Shimojyo, Coordinator, Riverside County Offi ce of Education, (951) 826-6304 or Paul Pooler, Director of Education, Off Site Programs, Discovery Science Center, (714) 263-3837.

Food Engineering Essay Contest Entries Due 3/1/12

The National Academy of Engineering and Lockheed Martin are sponsoring the 2012 Food Engineering Essay Contest for 3rd through 12th grade students.  Students will write an essay (of varying length and complexity based on grade level) regarding production of listed foods.  Prizes ranging from $100 for third place to $500 for first place in each category, plus honorable mentions which will also be published on the Engineer Girl! website, are available.  Essays are due by no later than 1 March 2012.  For further details about eligibility, requirements, and how to enter, visit http://www.engineergirl.org/CMS/Contest/food2012.aspx.