Investing in Innovation Grants Now Available For Application

The US Department of Education has announced that the latest round of Investing in Innovation (i3) grants are available for the application process by local education agencies and non-profits in partnerships with local education agencies.  A Notice of Intent to apply is due by no later than 15 March 2012, and the simplified pre-application is due by no later than 9 April 2012.  The grant (funding up to $150 million total) includes categories for development (awards up to $3 million), validation (awards up to $15 million) , and scale-up (awards up to $25million), of innovative practices.  The grant proposals must address one of five absolute (mandatory) priorities, one of which involves STEM education, and one of five competitive priorities.

For more information and to access the forms, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html.

New Manufacturing Jobs Require White-Collar Skills, Offer Rewards

In an article in the National Journal, modern manufacturers note that the job trend has moved from standard blue-collar occupations to those requiring white-collar skills, including teamwork, the ability to operate computers and robotic tools, as well as initiative and ability to work without close supervision.  Many of the manufacturing jobs today require at least some post-secondary training, including industry certifications, if not an associate's degree or strong background in STEM subjects.  The rewards for such skills will be higher pay and better working conditions than traditionally found in factories, although the numbers of workers employed may be fewer than in the past.  http://www.nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/in-manufacturing-blue-collar-jobs-need-white-collar-training-20120226

In a related piece, CNNMoney notes that $100k salaried manufacturing positions are open and often unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers.  Despite perceived media depictions of manufacturing as taking place in derelict buildings, companies note that the jobs are high-tech, high-skilled, high-wage, with workers making $50k after a one- to two-year apprenticeship period, or high hourly wages, often reaching $100k within ten years of entry.  http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/27/smallbusiness/youth_manufacturing_jobs/

NASA "Discovery Dome-to-Go" Training on 3/1/12

NASA is offering training for formal/informal educators of students in grades 2-12 for use of the inflatable planetarium "Discovery Dome-to-Go" on Thursday, 1 March 2012, from 4:30 to 7:00pm PST at the AERO Institute in Palmdale.  Only a few spots remain open for this free training, which will provide materials and allow successful completers to check out the planetarium for lessons during the year.  For more information, please contact: Cheryl Craft at 661-276-5522 or email at cheryl.a.craft@nasa.gov

CSULB-AV Engineering Program Application Period Open Until 5/1/12

The Cal State University Long Beach - Antelope Valley Engineering Program is accepting applications for Fall 2012 enrollment through 1 May 2012.  Candidates may apply through http://www.csumentor.edu/ , then selecting Cal State Long Beach, then "Special Session Degree Program," and choosing either the electrical or mechanical engineering program specifically for the Antelope Valley campus. 

To learn more about this unique program, please visit http://www.ccpe.csulb.edu/splash/engineering/.

Any questions regarding the application process may be directed to Jill Williams at (661) 723-6429, ext. 103 or Jill.Williams@csulb.edu.

LACOE Offering Webinar on Next Generation Science Standards 2/28/12

Dean Gilbert and Gary Widdison from the Los Angeles County Office of Education will moderate a free webinar on the Next Generation Science Standards on 28 February 2012, from 3:30 to 4:30pm PST.  Topics to be addressed by the panelists include:  what are the standards; how they relate to the Common Core and other initiatives; why it is important to review and provide feedback on the draft standards.  To register for the session, go to http://tswebinars.lacoe.edu/ .

Washington Post Blogger Includes STEM in "Civic Marshall Plan" Proposal

Valerie Strauss of the Washington Post Conversations blog promotes the initiation of a "Civic Marshall Plan" (from the Grad Nation report by Civic Enterprises) for education reform.  In addition to the continuing emphasis on STEM education, Strauss believes that the following key components must be included for student mastery and global competitiveness:  global literacy; financial literacy; civic literacy; smart technology; early education; improved teacher training and implementation; equitable access to high quality teaching for all students, particularly those who are socio-economically disadvantaged; and increased attention to all 21st Century skills (critical thinking, etc.).  http://www.washingtonpost.com/conversations/us-schools-face-need-for-far-reaching-change/2012/02/20/gIQAVXJCWR_story.html

Scientific Research Class to Be Included in Thousand Oaks STEM Pathway

Thousand Oaks HS will feature its interdisciplinary college prep Scientific Research class as part of the new STEM Majors and Pathways program (also to be offered at other Conejo Valley Unified high schools).  AMGEN recently provided the class, currently taught by Dr. Nikki Malhotra, two $60,000 liquid chromatography machines to precisely identify chemical components of samples.  The students are preparing entries for the Ventura County Science Fair as part of their curriculum, ranging from chemistry and biology to music.  http://www.toacorn.com/news/2012-02-23/Schools/STEM_aims_to_show_students_how_science_applies_in_.html

APWA Scholarship Applications Due by 3/15/12

The High Desert Branch of the American Public Works Association is offering at least five one-time $1,500 scholarships to graduating Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, or Victor Valley, CA high school seniors or continuing college students who are pursuing careers in civil engineering or related fields.  Scholarships will be awarded based upon a combination of students' grade point average and financial need.  For more information and to obtain the application, visit http://www.apwahdsoca.com/scholarships.htm.  Applications are due by 15 March 2012.

"Maker Movement" Mobilizes in Mojave

To follow-up to the post here on 1 March 2011, The "Maker Movement" Working with STEM Education , Allison Gatlin reports in today's Antelope Valley Press that five local engineers from entities located at the Mojave Air and Spaceport have formed a collaborative "makerspace" or "hackerspace" for members to work on innovative designs and share common interests.  Their mission is to support the arts and STEM through outreach to surrounding communities.  For more information on the Mojave Makers, visit their wiki at http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Mojave_Makers .

Study Shows High Interest by Girls in STEM Careers

The recently-released "Generation STEM" report from the Girl Scout Research Institute shows that 74 percent of girls are interested in STEM subjects, and 82 percent see themselves as "smart enough" to have a career in them; conversely, only 13 percent say that they would choose to pursue such a career.  Some cite factors such as the "glass ceiling,"  requiring them to work harder than men in the profession in order to be taken seriously.  Girl Scouts has undertaken a number of initiatives to help spur STEM achievement by its members, using such things as the AT&T Imagine grant for funding.  http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2012/02/girl_scouts_help_increase_inte.html

In a related vein, Thomas Landers in NewsOK writes that recent studies show that early exposure and encouragement in STEM fields can double career interest in those areas.  http://newsok.com/early-motivation-leads-to-success-in-stem/article/3650967