YELC in the Antelope Valley 1/21/12

Approximately 70 students from Antelope Valley schools participated in the AV Youth Environmental Leadership Conference at Mariposa Elementary School on Saturday, 21 January 2012, presented by MEEC and sponsored by area companies such as Boeing and Lockheed.  Thirteen teams from middle and high schools took part in a general session presentation by Joel Greene of PBS Curiosity Quest fame (http://www.curiosityquest.org/whos.html ), followed by break-out sessions on Robotics, Recycling, Water, Energy, Women in Mining, and School Gardening, among others.  The theme for the event was STEM service learning, and teams must complete projects over the year in order to receive seed funding.

Spaced Out Sports Design Challenge Submissions Due by 3/16/12

NASA's Spaced Out Sports Design Challenge 2012 is now open for registration; teams from grades 5-8 (maximum of one team per school or organization, 3-15 team members) may register to submit a new game for astronauts to play aboard the International Space Station.  Winning teams will be selected nationally by Stennis Space Center, and will receive a range of awards/prizes.  All contributing schools will participate in a Digital Learning Network program.  Submissions must include a playbook and video.  For more information and requirements and registration information, see http://education.ssc.nasa.gov/spacedoutsports.asp.

NASA Undergraduate Summer Internship Applications Due by 1/30/12

Senior undergraduates (class of 2012) who are interested in planetary geoscience are invited to apply for the NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics Undergraduate Research Program for summer internships around the country; applications are due by no later than 30 January 2012, and it is anticipated that participants will be notified by late February.  For more information on the PGGURP program and application requirements, visit http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~tgregg/pggurp_info.html

DOE's STAR Aspiring Teacher Internship Applications Due by 1/31/12

The Department of Energy's "STAR" (STEM Teacher and Researcher) internships are available for aspiring secondary math and science teachers (enrolled in a CSU education program with a math or science undergrad major); applications are due by no later than 31 January 2012.  A recording of a live webcast regarding the program and general and eligibility information is posted at http://starteacherresearcher.org/about.html and the application information at http://starteacherresearcher.org/application.html .

Wells Fargo Grants Available for PreK-12 Education

Wells Fargo is offering corporate grants to preK-12 institutions serving low- to moderate-income students in California.  Grants are available on a rolling basis throughout the year, and may take up to 120 days for applications to be processed.  Funds may *not* be used for travel, including student trips, and requests for equipment receive lower priority.  For more information on eligibility and the application process, see https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/charitable/ca_guidelines .

AIAA Classroom Grants Available

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has $200 classroom grants available to K-12 teachers for projects applying science, math, or technology.  To submit the short proposal form, one must be a teacher affiliate of AIAA (free).  For guidelines on allowable projects and more information, visit http://www.aiaa.org/Secondary.aspx?id=4184&terms=teacher%20grants .

High Desert Chapter of ASMC Scholarship Applications Due by 3/16/12

The High Desert Chapter of the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) is offering a scholarship to a deserving, college-bound high school senior; two scholarships are available in the amount of $500 each.  Winners will be forwarded to the national ASMC headquarters to compete for one of 11 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.  Nominees must be entering a field of study related to financial/resource management, and must have two letters of recommendation from:  (1) high school principal, academic dean, or guidance counselor; and (2) a high school teacher.  Applications must be mailed to ASMC High Desert Chapter at PO Box 547, Edwards AFB, CA 93523-0547 or e-mailed to Nancy Wachter at nancy.wachter@edwards.af.mil .  For more information on the application form, please contact Ms. Wachter by e-mail or call at (661) 275-9144.

Harvey Mudd College Spring *FAST* Program Applications Due by 3/9/12

The 4th annual spring "Future Achievers in Science and Technology" session at Harvey Mudd College will be held on 2 April 2012.  High-achieving high school juniors from populations which are under-represented in math and science are invited to apply for the free opportunity by no later than 9 March 2012.  Participants will sit in on a class, take a campus tour, complete a hands-on workshop, interact with present students and professors, and receive a freshman application fee waiver.  For more information and the link to the downloadable application, visit http://www.hmc.edu/admission1/fastprogram/fast.html .

More American Students Taking Advanced Math and Science Courses

In his STEM Education blog for US News, Jason Koebler informs readers about the National Center for Education Statistics report [ http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2012/2012026.pdf ] showing that more American students took Algebra 2 courses in 2009 (75 percent) than compared to students in 1982 (40 percent).  This trend is a step in a positive direction toward the goal proposed by Tom Luce, former CEO of the National Science and Math Initiative in September 2011.  Additionally, the number of students taking calculus classes has increased by 4.3% since 2000, and those taking pre-calculus is up 8% since 2000.  High school graduates taking chemistry increased from 33% in 1982 to over 70% in 2009, while approximately 33% of graduates took physics, and nearly all took biology.  http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/stem-education/2012/01/18/american-students-are-taking-harder-math-science-courses

Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 Sign-ups Underway

Microsoft's "Imagine Cup 2012" three team competitions related to software design, game design (XBox/Windows and Phone categories), as well as an individual IT competition are now available for high school student participant sign-up.  Deadlines for each of the categories, as well as the Windows Azure and Windows Phone Challenges, are set beginning 26 January 2012 (some categories in February and March).  There is a three-year $3million competitive grant program in place to help competitors bring their ideas to fruition.  For an overview of the competitions, with links to rules and registration forms, visit https://www.imaginecup.com/CompetitionsContent/GetStarted.aspx.