International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology

The new edition of the International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology is now available on-line at http://genderandset.open.ac.uk/index.php/genderandset/issue/current .  It includes several articles about women in engineering and computer and communications technology education and careers.

4-H Publishes Promising Practices Guide for Science in Urban Communities

The 4-H Club has published a guide relating to promising practices for science education in urban communties.  It includes case studies, and resources in 15 different areas for out-of-school science programs.  To see the guide, visit http://urban4hscience.rutgers.edu/

National Academy of Sciences Introduces "iWAS Wondering" Website

The "iWASwondering.org" website from the National Academy of Sciences showcases women's adventures in science, including stories, biographies, games and a question function.  A teacher resource tab is also available.  http://www.iwaswondering.org/ [also see our Helpful STEM Links section here]

Microsoft's "Kodu" Programming Tool Introduces Youngsters to Game Design

Microsoft has introduced "Kodu," a visual programming language which operates from an XBox controller.  The tool is for game design, and is kid-friendly.  For more information, see http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/

NCTM Grant Proposals for 6th-8th Grade Math Teachers Due by 11/11/11

The National Council on Teachers for Mathematics has announced its grant program for members who teach math to grades 6 through 8.  The grant's purpose is to engage students and show the connection of math to other fields and the world around us.  Proposals from NCTM members must be postmarked by no later than 11 November 2011, and the activities must be completed between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013.  For information on qualifications and grant proposal materials, visit http://www.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=1320.

"Summer 101" Program Includes STEM Components

Satellite classes from the nearby Columbia Memorial Space Center were highlights of the "Summer 101" program sponsored by Downey Adult School over the last few weeks.  "Rocks to Rockets" and "Engineeering and Robotics" classes were quite popular "as they introduced advanced science and math concepts in a real-world setting. Students were also able to experience NASA missions at the space center, as well as build their own rockets, which they were able to drop from the center’s second-floor level."   http://thedowneypatriot.com/bookmark/14875531-Open-house-makes-fitting-end-to-Summer-101

Cal Lutheran Opens Scientific Computing Center

According to the Ventura County Star, Cal Lutheran University has just opened a scientific computing center for middle school to college students.  The university center will host workshops on STEM and scientific computing for middle schoolers, and will eventually offer a minor in applied scientific computing.  The Hugh and Hazel Darling Center was funded through a $250,000 grant.  http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jul/26/clu-opening-scientific-computing-center/

Silicon Valley Op-Ed Piece Promotes "Stepping Up to Science" Intervention

In an opinion piece in the San Jose Mercury News, Muhammed Chaudhry, CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, and Don Macleod, CEO of National Semiconductor, decry the fall of science education in the 50 years since President Kennedy challenged the US to get to the moon and back within a decade.  The writers cite lagging budgets and No Child Left Behind mandates for the losses.  The SVEF and National Semiconductor paired up locally to host a free summer science intervention program to bridge the gap for graduating middle schoolers called "Stepping Up to Science."  Two hundred forty low-scoring students from the East Side Union High School District attended the first session this summer, focusing on biology and lab; the donation from National Semiconductor to cover the program also plans to provide 120 teachers with professional development over the next three years.  http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_18554795?nclick_check=1

Robotics Workshops for Middle School Teachers and Students 7/29 and 8/3/11

NASA AERO Institute in Palmdale will offer two free workshops for middle school teachers and students (grades 4-9) using LEGO Mindstorm kits.  Teams of 4-6 teachers and students will learn about the history of robotics and how to start a team, as well as gain hands-on experience in programming and building a robot; teams will demonstrate their work before the group.  Laptops will be available for programming, but kits will not be given away.  The workshops will be held on Friday, 29 July, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Palmdale Boys and Girls Club, or on Wednesday, 3 August, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, location TBD (East Lancaster tentative).  The deadline to register is Wednesday, 27 July 2011.

For further information and to register, contact Cecilia Cordova at cecilia.cordova@nasa.gov and provide your full name plus the name of the school/organization affiliation.

Teachers, Students Pair in CSUB STEM Project Course

The Central Valley Times reports on a summer course beginning this week at Cal State Bakersfield Central Valley campus, funded through a $400,000 grant from Chevron, where 89 students and 25 high school teachers will work together for four weeks on STEM projects.  "Some of the research includes antimalarial drug development, digital watermarking to protect images and videos, robotics design and programming, predicting valley fever outbreaks using satellite image tracking of environmental changes, and analyzing sediment cores from local groundwater sources."  It will give students the opportunity to earn college credit while learning how scientific research is conducted, and allowing professors to advance their work.   http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=18905