SMART Competition Registration Open Until 1/18/13

The SMART Competition for high school student teams is open for registration now through 18 January 2013.  The competition involves the intelligent re-design of an existing school gym using efficient localized energy management principles using mentors.  Five deliverable components are required as part of the multi-disciplinary project judging, including:  1) a scale model;   2) a computer-generated animation of a fly-around; 3) a written Design, Innovation and Impact Report; 4) a team presentation; and 5)  a written proposal to education officials.  There is a $100 cost for teams to register for the competition (scholarships may be available).  Regional and national awards are provided to winners.  For more details and to register a team, visit the SMART Competition site  at http://www.smartcompetition.org/registration?tab=teams.

STEM/CTE Diploma Proposals Arising

Senator Charles Schumer has proposed two new CTE/STEM-focused high school diplomas to be issued within the State of New York in an effort to promote STEM-qualified students for high-tech manufacturing and other middle skill jobs within the state.  http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20121114/NEWS10/311140059/Schumer-pushes-new-diplomas-promote-high-tech-industries?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1

In a similar effort, the Spokane Valley schools are offering an alternative CTE diploma, requiring two fewer credits to be earned than the traditional high school diploma, as a means to reach students otherwise at-risk of dropping out.  http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/nov/03/education-option/ 

This appears to continues a trend from Arizona's Chandler Unified School District offering STEM diplomas, on which information was included in this blog approximately a year ago.  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2011/12/arizona_high_school_to_offer_n.html

STEM Presentations at CALCP/CAROCP Fall Conference

Mimi Lufkin, Executive Director of the National Association for Partnerships in Equity, presented on 15 November 2012 at the CALCP/CAROCP [California Association of Leaders in Career Preparation and California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs] Fall Conference in Rancho Mirage.  Her presentation explained the initiatives of the STEM Equity Pipeline toward increasing the numbers of under-represented populations within the STEM community. To view her presentation, visit http://www.napequity.org/nape-content/uploads/Lufkin.CAROP_.2012.pdf.

Joel Beckmann, Coordinator of the AV region National Defense Education Partnership grant, and Diane Walker of the AVUHSD also presented "Creating and Expanding Vibrant STEM Pathways" at the conference .  Please enjoy their presentation by following this link:

Creating and Expanding Vibrant STEM Pathways Presentation

Arizona Science of Baseball Pilot Program

The University of Arizona is partnering with industry as well as local middle and high school students to begin a pilot program using baseball to engage students in physics and mathematics.  According to engineering professor Ricardo Valerdi, "The goal is to develop future scientists and engineers by establishing a connection among baseball and statistics, geometry, human performance, nutrition and other technical aspects of the game."  http://www.kvoa.com/news/new-ua-program-teaching-kids-stem-subjects-through-baseball/

SJSU Offers "Philosophy of Science" Course

Prof. Janet Stemwedel , a former physical chemist, is teaching a course in "Philosophy of Science" at San Jose State.  The course, which meets the upper-division general education requirement for science, focuses on the scientific method, the differences between science and pseudo-science, and the impact of scientific activities on humans, using specific scientific principles as examples for student exercises.  Professor Stemwedel hopes that the course may engage and reduce the science-anxiety of students who might otherwise be afraid of taking a "real" science course as part of their college curriculum.  http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/doing-good-science/2012/11/06/science-education-am-i-part-of-the-solution-or-part-of-the-problem/

Engineering Pathway Orientation Meeting at AVC 11/19/12

Antelope Valley College and CSULB/AV - AV Engineering Program will present an orientation to the engineering pathway degree completion program on 19 November 2012, from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the AVC Boardroom (SSV151).  Sharon Delmage from the Palmdale Center will make a special presentation on the PATHEVO program.  http://www.avc.edu/stem/documents/EngPathwayFlyerNovPROOF2.pdf 

Tehachapi Robotics Super Science Saturday 11/10/12

The second annual Tehachapi High School Robotics Club "Super Science Saturday" will be held on 10 November 2012 from noon to 6:00pm at the THS Cafeteria.  It will include hands-on displays, demonstrations and guest speakers; while the event is primarily geared towards elementary aged children, all are welcome.  Activities involve explosive chemistry, robotics, astronomy, quadrotors, engineering, gemology, and more.  Food is available for purchase.  For more information, contact Danielle Evansic at (661) 822-2130 or devansic@teh.k12.ca.us .

NASA "DEVELOP" Applications Due

NASA's DEVELOP internship program is accepting applications for high school, college, and graduate students to serve as interns at a variety of locations nation-wide and in Mexico, including NASA Ames in Northern California and JPL in Pasadena.  The program seeks "interns [to] lead research projects that focus on utilizing NASA Earth observations to address community concerns and public policy issues."  Applications for the upcoming spring term (28 Jan. - 5 April) are due by 15 November, and for summer 2013 (3 June - 9 August) are due by 4 February.  For more information, visit http://develop.larc.nasa.gov/about.html .

"Exploring Your Universe" at UCLA 11/10/12

UCLA and Astronomy Live! are hosting "Exploring Your Universe" at the UCLA campus, Court of Sciences and Kinsey Pavilion, on Saturday, 10 November 2012, from noon to 8:00pm.  The event (free admission, $11 parking on campus) will feature lectures, debates, displays, demonstrations, and telescope viewings, among other activities.  For more information, visit www.astro.ucla.edu/~outreach/eyu.html . 

"Tech Trekkers Explain Tech Trek" Event 11/10/12 at AVC

The AV branch of AAUW will be sponsoring a meeting featuring presentations by over a dozen recent "Tech Trekkers" about their summer camp experience on Saturday, 10 November 2012, from 9:30 to 11:00am in the Antelope Valley College Boardroom (SSV151).  The public is welcome to attend and hear more about Tech Trek, which is a one-week residential summer math/science camp for 7th grade public school young ladies; the girls are nominated by their teachers (current nominations due by 4 December 2012).  For more information, contact Connie Harney at connie.harney@verizon.net or 661.943.4231.