How to Increase Numbers of STEM Students

Rodney C. Adkins, Sr. VP of IBM's Systems and Technology Group, recently wrote a piece in Forbes about three ways to increase the number of STEM students in the US to keep pace with attrition and to fuel economic growth.  First, public-private partnerships can create and maintain the enthusiasm of students in STEM subjects through mentorships and assisting in early-college high school or dual enrollment programs.  Second, more under-represented students, such as females and students of color, need to be included in the STEM pipeline through continued public and private initiatives.  Finally, students need local role models to work with and encourage them to succeed.  Forbes - America Needs More STEM Students .

In a similar vein, Alicia Abella of AT&T Labs addresses the same type of issues regarding the need to promote STEM majors and careers to women.  See her recent interview by Katy Hopkins in US News and World Report at http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2012/07/10/how-to-encourage-women-to-consider-stem-majors. 

Regarding Adkins's final point, results from a recent study by the University of Wisconsin indicate that parents can play a pivotal role in having their students take more advanced math and science classes; the study provided additional materials to some parents of 10th graders - the children of those who received the materials took more courses than those who didn't.  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/extra-credit/extra-credit-teach-your-children-well-about-stem/article_c734cd64-cb87-11e1-8bea-0019bb2963f4.html .

Project Learning Tree Offers GreenWorks Grants - Applications Due by 9/30/12

Any teacher who is Project Learning Tree trained is eligible to apply for a grant from GreenWorks to implement environmentally-related service learning projects in their schools and communities.  Awards are offered in two categories:

1. up to $1,000;
2. up to $3,000 for Project Learning Tree registered GreenSchools.

For more information about eligibility requirements, to obtain a guidebook, and to apply for a grant, visit http://www.greenworks.org/ at the "Apply for a Grant" tab.  Applications are due by no later than 30 September 2012.

2013 Marine Education Teacher Fellowship Applications Due 9/1/12

Ecology Project International is offering fifteen teacher fellowships for an 8-day marine education experience on island ecology at a UNESCO biosphere project on the island of Espiritu Santo in La Paz, Baja California Sur.  Applications are due by no later than 1 September 2012.  The fellowship will cover costs *excluding* air travel to Los Cabos and a $150 program fee. For more information and to obtain the application documents, visit www.ecologyproject.org/fellowship or contact John Kamman, Admissions Manager, at john@ecologyproject.org with questions.

YELC Update - Team Registration Extended to 8/27

As an update to the post from 18 June, the deadline to complete and turn in all individual student forms for the Youth Environmental Leadership Conference in September has been extended to 27 August.  Team leaders must fill out and turn in the team registration forms by 15 August 2012, and provide the additional ones by 27 August.  For more information, see the 18 June 2012 post on this blog.

"Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel" Teacher Workshop Offered 8/6-10/12

NASA's AERO Institute in Palmdale will be offering a one-week educator (formal/informal) workshop entitled "Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3)" from 6-10 August 2012.  Five slots are available for teachers of STEM subjects in grades 4-9.  In order to apply, submit the application, a resume, and at least one letter of recommendation to Shaun Smith, Dryden Education Flight Manager, at shaun.smith@nasa.gov .  Those who successfully complete the program milestones, including developing a standards-aligned STEM module, are eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend.

For more information and to apply, visit http://aeroi.org/node/7.  For more information about the HS3 program, see http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/missions/hs3/index.html

or http://espo.nasa.gov/missions/hs3/ .

Dept. of Homeland Security Visits Cal Poly Cybercamp

Mark Weatherford, Deputy Undersecretary for Cybersecurity from the US Department of Homeland Security, visited Cal Poly Pomona as part of a panel discussion at the campus's third annual summer CyberSecurity Camp held last week.  Mr. Weatherford noted the difficulties in getting qualified workers, adding that Secretary Janet Napolitano will be convening a taskforce to deal with the issue.  The Cal Poly camp, organized by Dr. Dan Manson, had 40 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 60; approximately $40,000 in scholarships were awarded from similar camps held last year, which are designed to spark interest and innovation in the cybersecurity field.  http://diamondbar.patch.com/articles/homeland-security-deputy-director-visits-cal-poly?goback=%2Egde_108447_member_137944498

"Best On-Line Teaching Practices, Even for Lab Sciences" Webinar Set for 8/7/12

BrightTALK Webinars is hosting a session entitled "Best Online Teaching Practices, Even for the Laboratory Sciences," on 7 August 2012 at 5:00pm.  The one-hour webinar will feature Dr. Peter Jeschofnig of the Institute for Excellence in Distance Science Education and Linda Jeschofnig, CEO of the Hands-On Lab.  Topics will include course design, student engagement, discussion boards, alternative assessments, and academic integrity.


For more information and to sign up, visit http://www.technologyintegrationineducation.com/page/brighttalk-webinar .

"Moon Walk" at Prime Desert Woodlands 8/11/12

On 11 August 2012 beginning at 8:00pm, the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve in Lancaster (35th Street West and Avenue K-8) will host Jeremy Amarant from the SAGE Planetarium for a one-hour "Moon Walk" combining nature and astronomy.  Weather permitting, the AV Astronomy Club will have telescopes on hand for star and constellation viewing.  A $2 donation is welcome.  For more information, please call (661) 723-6077.

Upcoming NASA AERO Institute Gallery Events

On the next several Thursday evenings, NASA/AERO Institute's Palmdale gallery (located at 38256 Sierra Highway) will be open for public events from 5:30 to 8:30pm.  Here is the schedule of topics:

• 26 July 2012, Science Mission Directorate (earth and planets), with an earthquake activity;
• 2 August 2012, Mars Science Laboratory, with a presentation by  Dr. Kelly Fast and local robotics team demonstrations;
• 9 August 2012, Human Explorations and Operations Mission, with a "working in space" activity;
• 16 August 2012, arrival of the Space Shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center, and the International Space Station;
• 23 August 2012, DOME.

For more information, visit AERO Institute.

CSULB Hosts Girls and Parents for Engineering Weekend

Cal State Long Beach hosted 19 girls and their parents for a weekend on campus to learn more about engineering programs.  The girls were chosen because they are good students and come from schools with high minority enrollment.  Watch this video about the event from KABC-TV reported by Sid Garcia.  http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=8727922&pid=null

The camp was also reported on by the Long Beach Gazette at http://www.gazettes.com/news/education/young-girls-and-moms-take-on-engineering/article_fd5bcb08-cae3-11e1-ac5e-001a4bcf887a.html .