STEM 2.0 "Elevating Essential Career Capabilities" Town Hall Presentation Now Available on YouTube

STEMConnector's STEM 2.0 Town Hall presentation regarding the inauguration of "Elevating Essential Career Capabilities for Tomorrow's STEM Workfoce," which originally aired via Google Hangout on 8 April is now available via YouTube.  To view the presentation, go to STEMConnector STEM 2.0 TownHall .

Clean Air Month Poster Contest Entries Due 5/16/14

The MDAQMD is sponsoring a Clean Air Month poster design contest answering the question "how can you protect your health by preventing bad air days?"  Prizes, including up to $100 and a bike, are available in different age categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  The original posters must be on 8.5 x 11" horizontal, white paper, using colored pencils, pens, markers, or crayons only, drawn free-hand, provide entrant's contact information, and will be judged based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the theme.

For more information, visit Clean Air Poster Contest 2014. 

NASA Educator Workshop on Pressure Suits On Tap for 5/14/14

NASA Armstrong is offering a free workshop on astronauts' pressure suits on Wednesday, 14 May 2014, from 4:00-5:30pm PST, to K-12 formal and informal educators at the AERO Institute, 38256 Sierra Highway, Palmdale.  The workshop, featuring NASA Life Support subject matter experts, will explain how the suits deal with pressure issues at high altitude, and will provide resources and explanations of how to implement real-world projects in classrooms, aligned with CCSS. and NGSS. 

Spaces in the workshop are limited.  To register, please contact Sondra Geddes at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov or call 661.276.2359 .

US STEM Still in the Shallow End of the Talent Pool

According to the US News and Raytheon STEM Index recently released, the numbers of students pursuing STEM disciplines has increased somewhat since the year 2000, however, the ratio of STEM degrees to total degrees granted in that time period remains fairly flat.  This results in too few students in the pipeline to meet current and future STEM workforce demands.

"The Index is made up of 93 sub-indices and thousands of data points divided into eight components: ACT math and science scores, Advance[d] Placement (AP) test scores in STEM subjects, college and graduate degrees granted, U.S. employment in STEM fields, Program for International Student Assessments (PISA) math and science scores, SAT math scores, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math scores and interest in STEM at the high school level."  US News/Raytheon STEM Index

Joe Walker Middle School in VEX Robotics World Championships - Updated 4/28

Team 4073A, the VEX Jets, from Joe Walker Middle School in Quartz Hill are competing at the VEX Robotics World Championships in Anaheim this week.  Qualifying rounds began Thursday afternoon, 24 April 2014, and continue on Friday, with additional rounds and awards on Friday, and playoffs and championships plus final awards on Saturday.  For more information and to stream live TV feed of the event, visit VEX Robotics World Championships 2014 .

Congrats to JWMS, which won the "Create Award," and had several students volunteer as PLTW Ambassadors during the championships!

Cal Poly Pomona YES Program Hosts AV Students

Among approximately 400 middle and high school students, nearly 50 students from the Palmdale area attended the Youth Engineering Success (YES) event hosted by Cal Poly Pomona's chapter of Society of Women Engineers.  This annual event promotes engineering education and careers for young women by engaging activities and exposing them to information about the STEM field they might not otherwise receive.  Daily Bulletin Education - YES Program .  US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan praised the event, as recounted by the CDE in a recent tweet:  CTE That Works for California RT @ArneDuncan .

GLAMC Mini-Conference Set for 5/17/14

The Greater LA Math Council is hosting a mini-conference on Saturday, 17 May 2014, from 8:30am to 12:30pm at Porter Ranch Community School in Chatsworth.  The theme of the event is "Transitioning to the Common Core Together."  The cost for members is $20, and for non-members $35, which includes a one-year membership.  For further information and to register, visit GLAMC Mini-Conference. 

Air Force Times Article Discusses Engineer Recruitment and Retention Issues

In an article published in the Air Force Times this week, Air Force Chief Scientist Mica Endsley discusses the critical need to recruit and retain qualified engineers and scientists for the service, pointed up following a recent poll at Air Force Research Labs around the country.  There has been a loss of 30% of senior scientists over the last two years, and the largest percentage of current engineering and scientific personnel is over 35; at the same time it has become more difficult to recruit younger scientists and engineers.  Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James explained the efforts to protect science and technology budgets, but Endsley notes that sequester cuts, civilian worker furloughs, and a resulting dip in morale among staff have effected them.  Air Force Faces Shortage of Engineers .

Congressional "App Challenge" Deadline for Submissions is 4/30/14

Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Congress Member Anna Eshoo are co-chairs of the 2014 Congressional App Challenge, which is modeled after the Congressional Art Challenge.  Designed to promote interest in STEM and coding, the competition allows high school students in districts where the member of Congress has opted in to submit an app that they create by no later than 30 April 2014.  For further information and to register for the competition, visit 2014 Congressional App Challenge .

STEMJobs Magazine Highlights STEM Career Options for Students

 A new print and digital publication, "STEMJobs," provides information to teachers and students about options available in the STEM fields.  Visit STEMJobs for more information and to sign up or follow the publication.