"Solar 101" Teacher Workshops Now Open for Registration

MEEC, through a generous grant from Boeing, will offer two free teacher workshops on "Solar 101" on 18 April in Victorville, and 16 May in Palmdale, both from 4:00 to 7:00pm PDT.  The workshops are designed to "present hands-on training sessions which provide you with the tools to enable your students to conduct scientific research on Solar energy sources, draw conclusions, and develop critical thinking skills while learning how to reach logical conclusions and solutions about our future energy usage."  Participants will receive free curriculum resources valued at over $100.

Registration is limited to 25 teachers at each workshop site, first-come, first-served.  To register, please call: Christie Robinson, MEEC Program Specialist at (760) 245-1661 x6101.

Clean Air Poster Contest Entries Due by 5/18/12

The 16th Annual Mojave Desert AQMD Clean Air Poster Contest is seeking entries from students aged 4 through 18.  The theme is "Clean Cars Drive Down Air Pollution."  Twelve winning posters (ages 4-7, 8-11, 12-18 categories) will be selected, with prizes ranging from a $100 savings bond for first place, $75 savings bond for second place, and $50 savings bond for third and fourth places.  Each entry will also be eligible for a drawing to win one of two bicycles.  Submissions must be received by 18 May 2012 at the MDAQMD in Victorville.

For more information, visit http://www.mdaqmd.ca.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=3203 or call (760) 245-1661 ext 6104.

Pizza, Pi, and Pucks Day

OK - if you know me at all, you know this is a story after my own heart . . .

In commemoration of "Pi Day" this week, the LA Kings Hockey Club teamed up with the Kings Alumni Association, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems engineers, Toyota, and Pizza Hut to visit Madrona Middle School and provide students with the opportunity to combine math and hockey.  Students learned about "the perimeter of an NHL ice rink, radius of a puck, diameter of a faceoff circle and more.  The purpose of the program is to teach students how to apply math skills in a unique, fun setting."  Raytheon adopted the school in December as part of its STEM initiatives, as well as providing grants and computers.  http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622228&cmpid=rss-News

The NHL, Anaheim Ducks, USAHockey, and the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana have also worked together on the interactive Science of Hockey exhibit, which had its one millionth visitor in October of 2011.  http://www.discoverycube.org/currentexhibits/scienceofhockey/.  NBC has also posted videos on the Science of Hockey (although some seem to be math content) at http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn/science-of-nhl-hockey; see also http://science360.gov/series/Science+of+NHL+Hockey/41c74cc3-2d9a-40f6-95c1-76c04834afce

"Wouldn't It Be Cool If . . . " Contest Submissions Due by 3/28/12

Aimed at youngsters between the ages of 10 and 15, TimeWarner's Connect a Million Minds and i.am FIRST are sponsoring a contest for young inventors/innovators called "Wouldn't It Be Cool If . . .."  Kids in age categories of 10-12 and 13-15 (individually or in teams of 2-3) can submit an idea of how a cool invention would better their community/world, and how math and science would make it work.  Expert panelists will select two finalists from each age group, who will then be invited to "pitch" their idea to Dean Kamen, will.i.am, and other guest judges at the FIRST championships in St. Louis, Missouri.  Voters can support a particular idea by clicking on the "awesome" button on its page (votes are one of four judging criteria).

Submissions are due by no later than 28 March 2012.

For more details, visit http://www.wouldntitbecoolif.com/about

SMaRT Education Group in SB and Riverside Counties Promotes Robotics

Liberty Naud, an Army veteran, mom, FIRST Lego League Director, FIRST Robotics mentor, Neighborhood Watch captain, and STEM advocate, founded SMaRT (Science Math and Robotic Technology) Education in the Coachella Valley and extending to other areas of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.  The non-profit group is dedicated to bringing hands-on technology to youngsters in the desert communities.  She was inspired by the reaction of kids who were empowered and filled with awe at their accomplishments in programming robots.  A wide variety of careers become available to students who learn the STEM skills:  "My favorite is the inventor/innovator/entrepreneur career route. For those not college-bound, welding is an excellent example of a very lucrative skill set learned on the robotics team. Then there are college engineering pathways like aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering to name a few. Kids can be programmers, software, gaming, graphic arts/CAD (computer-aided design) designer, etc. There are business, marketing and accounting jobs for those team members who embraced running their robotics team like a small tech company. With more than $15 million in FIRST Robotics scholarship opportunities the career possibilities are endless!"

Naud invited everyone to attend the upcoming Long Beach regional FIRST Robotics competition beginning 15 March and continuing this weekend as a means to gain the same inspiration.  http://www.mydesert.com/article/20120312/OPINION01/203120331/Motivating-children-learn-through-robotics?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFrontpage%7Cp

Providing Tech Tools to Girls Helps STEM Choices

Weili Dai, co-founder of Marvell Technology Group, in a CNN op-ed piece, states that providing young girls access to tech devices, games, and toys will promote their choice of STEM careers.  Women, although still highly under-represented in technology majors and fields (less than 20% in the US STEM majors and similar numbers in the "decision-making" management level in Silicon Valley tech companies), are well-suited to "untangling complex problems, multitasking, seeing the possibilities in new solutions and winning team support for collaborative action" required in STEM fields.  Dai participated in the September 2011 San Francisco APEC Women in the Economy Summit with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ambassador-at-Large for Women's Issues Melanne Verveer, and a panel of women leaders in education and research, government and public policy, social entrepreneurs, and business and technology.  http://www.edition.cnn.com/2012/03/07/business/weili-dai-women-geeks/index.html

Cloud Computing Generating Jobs

In a widely-reported study recently released by Microsoft and IDC, it is estimated that US jobs related to cloud computing will increase by approximately 66% by 2015 (14 million worldwide, with even greater growth in emerging economies).  Revenues related to cloud computing could also reach over $1 trillion by the same year.  The job increases are expected not only in IT companies building out cloud technologies, but also due to simplifying IT maintenance, allowing companies to expend resources on strategic projects.  Most of the jobs are expected in the fields of media and communications, manufacturing and banking.  http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/232601993

Informational Meetings on Academies of the Antelope Valley Set for 3/7 and 3/14

Two remaining informational meetings will be held regarding the new Academies of the Antelope Valley charter school of the AVUHSD.  On Wednesday, 7 March, at Highland High School in Palmdale, and on Wednesday, 14 March, at Eastside High School in Lancaster, both beginning at 6:00pm, AVUHSD will offer details to parents and students regarding the SOAR Prep Academy for 7th and 8th graders and the Virtual Academy for high school students beginning for fall semester 2012.  SOAR Prep Academy will provide the Project Lead the Way (c) Gateway to Technology pre-engineering courses as part of its curriculum.  For more information, visit http://avdistrict.org/academies , www.facebook.com/AAVCA , or e-mail at aav@avhsd.org .

Proposed Federal Budget Increases for STEM Education

John Holdren, of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, testified before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on 17 February; he outlined the President's budget plan to increase overall federal STEM education funding by 2.6% above the current level, to $3 billion.  However, there are also plans to consolidate or eliminate 26 (unspecified) programs within 13 federal agencies which relate to STEM education.  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2012/02/president_obamas_top_science_a.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2

In a related story, the General Accounting Office released a report regarding duplication of efforts in STEM education, and finds that a robust, five-year strategic plan is needed to better manage the overlapping programs.  Better assessment and review of outcomes was deemed necessary to determine the most effective programs, which can then be coordinated and guided.  http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-108

"Mining Rocks" Student Essay Contest Entries Due by 3/29/12

Mitsubishi Cement and MEEC are sponsoring a student essay contest on the theme "Mining Rocks!"  The essay can involve research from books, the Internet and/or mine employees, addressing how mining affects modern society while being sensitive to environmental issues, through such questions as:  how do mines reclaim habitat after mining is completed; identify a local mine and how the "rocks" can determine its location; what mining techniques, processes, and equipment are used to turn "rocks" into products; and others.

Prizes are available at a variety of categories from Kindergarten, grades 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  Essays may not exceed 250 words, and submissions are due to MEEC, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92302, by no later than 5:00pm on 29 March 2012.  There will be an award ceremony on 19 April 2012.  For more information on requirements and prizes, visit http://www.meeconline.com/essay-contest-mining-rocks/ .