Seminole SECME fieldtrip to Kennedy Space Center, FL

NASA Kennedy Space Center hosted a college recruitment fair for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors showcasing STEM education opportunities available at top colleges and universities across the nation. The Air Force and its industry partners launched WGS-5, the fifth Wideband Global Satellite Communications spacecraft, into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV booster fired from Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida, at 8:27 p.m. Eastern on May 24.

Science and Technology Knowledge Quiz

Do you know more about science and technology than the average American? Take a 13-question quiz to test your knowledge of scientific concepts. http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/science-knowledge/ Then see how you did in comparison with the 1,006 randomly sampled adults asked the same questions in a national poll conducted by the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian magazine.

i.am.mars: reach for the stars with will.i.am

Driven by curiosity, will.i.am took a lifelong fascination with science and the arts and transformed it into a piece of music that made history on Mars. It was the first song sent back to Earth from Mars via the Curiosity rover. His early exposure to STEM changed his life growing up in east Los Angeles. Join the Science Channel for the epic journey will.i.am took with NASA on I.AM.MARS: REACH FOR THE STARS. The show takes you through the entire creative process from writing the song, to recording, to delivery on Mars' Gale crater and back. Questions for Discussion with Students

• How do the Arts contribute a culture of creativity needed to solve engineering projects?
• By looking and listening to the people in the NASA control room, what does it take to work well in teams?

20 years, and less than 20 points...

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1863 (j) (1) requires the biennial Science and Engineering Indicators (SEI) report to the President and to the Congress by January 15 of every even-numbered year. Since the next report is due out in six weeks, let's review the indicators in the last report (2010).

U.S. data show that the public's level of factual knowledge about science has not changed much over time. Figure 7-8 shows average numbers of correct answers to a series of mostly true-false science questions in different years for which fully comparable data were collected (appendix table 7-8 ).^[10] Although performance on individual questions varies somewhat over time (appendix table 7-9 ), overall scores are relatively similar.

CITATION
National Science Board. 2010. Science and Engineering Indicators 2010. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation (NSB 10-01).

Ah, geez. Over twenty years from 1988 to 2008, we haven't risen twenty percent above the gathering storm. Look at the learning gains - they are mostly small, between 5-10%.

Remember, SEI is factual and policy-neutral; it neither offers policy options nor makes policy recommendations. The indicators included in the report are intended to contribute to the understanding of the current science and engineering environment. The SEI digest draws attention to disturbing trends....

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind10/c7/c7s.htm#sb4

For women and minorities, STEM is the best equal opportunity employer

NEW REPORT FINDS THAT 63 PERCENT OF ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES IN STEM EARN MORE THAN BACHELOR’S DEGREES IN NON-STEM OCCUPATIONS

Study also finds that STEM jobs are among the nation’s most highly-paid and fastest-growing

(Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 2011) – A new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that 65 percent of Bachelor’s degrees in STEM (science, engineering, technology and mathematics) occupations earn more than Master’s degrees in non-STEM occupations. Similarly, 47 percent of Bachelor’s degrees in STEM occupations earn more than PhDs in non-STEM occupations. Furthermore, even people with only STEM certificates can earn more than people with non-STEM degrees; for instance certificate holders in engineering earn more than Associate’s degree-holders in business and more than Bachelor’s degree-holders in education.

STEM will grow to only 5 percent of all jobs by 2018 and demand for STEM talent is growing even faster outside of traditional STEM occupations. This increasing demand for STEM knowledge, skills and abilities allows many individuals with STEM talent to leave STEM occupations. Students and workers divert from STEM jobs because, while STEM is high-paying, STEM students have access to higher-paying career options.

The report finds that of out of every 100 students with a Bachelor’s degree, 19 graduate with a STEM degree but only eight are working in STEM occupations ten years after graduation.

But it’s not only about money—a major conclusion of the report is that STEM talent winds up outside of STEM occupations because STEM jobs often do not fully satisfy individual social and entrepreneurial interests.

“STEM provides choice for people both immediately after school and at mid-career, allowing people to transition to different and oftentimes more lucrative career pathways, including management and healthcare that provide long-term stability and excellent wages.” says Anthony P. Carnevale, the Center’s director and the report’s lead author.

The report details STEM earnings by occupation, race, sex, and education level, and finds:

For women and minorities, STEM is the best equal opportunity employer.
• For women and minorities, STEM is a good news/bad news story. Women and minorities are underrepresented in STEM.
• But for those who do persist, the pay gap in STEM between women and minorities and white men is smaller in STEM than in any other occupation.

STEM pays more than most jobs at each level of education, and at the graduate level is exceeded only by a small sliver of managerial and healthcare occupations.
• Over 70 percent of STEM workers at the high school or some college level make more than the average for workers in all other occupations at the same education level.

More than two-thirds of Associate’s degree-holders in STEM make more than the average for all Associate’s degree-holders.
• STEM training pays more even if you don’t work in a STEM occupation.
• Workers majoring in STEM in college earn more than all other majors over their lifetimes, even if they work in non-STEM occupations.

Apart from the full national report, STEM contains a state-level analysis of STEM jobs. STEM is available online at http://cew.georgetown.edu/STEM.

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce is an independent, nonprofit research and policy institute that studies the link between individual goals, education and training curricula, and career pathways.

Tomorrow's Leaders STEM from Today's Learners

The SECME Solution: How do we get more students interested in STEM?

Microsoft Corp. announced the findings of two national surveys in September, conducted online by Harris Interactive, of college students currently pursuing STEM degrees and of parents of K–12 students. The goal of the surveys was to gain insight about what can better prepare and inspire students to pursue post-secondary education in STEM subjects.

Nearly four in five STEM college students said they decided to study STEM in high school or earlier (78 %). But only one in five felt that their K–12 education prepared them extremely well for their college courses in STEM.

Parents of K–12 students (93 %) believe that STEM education should be a priority in the U.S. But only 24 percent are extremely willing to spend extra money helping their children be successful in their math and science classes.

More than half (57 %) of STEM college students said that before going to college, a teacher or class got them interested in STEM (20 %). This is especially true of female students (68 % versus 51 % of males) who chose “a teacher or class” as the top factor that sparked their interest. But male students (51 % ) were more likely to pursue STEM because they have always enjoyed playing with games and toys, and participating in clubs focused on their chosen subject areas (like SECME).

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/sep11/09-07MSSTEMSurveyPR.mspx and here’s an eye-catching infographic that summarizes it
http://mashable.com/2011/09/07/stem-microsoft-infographic/

President Obama to Address Students Sept. 28, 2011

As SECME students start another year of engineering excellence, President Barack Obama will deliver his third annual Back-to-School Speech at 1:30PM EDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.

The President’s Back-to-School Speech is an opportunity to speak directly to students across the country. In past years, President Obama has encouraged students to study hard and take responsibility for their education, urging students to set goals, to believe in themselves, and to be the authors of their own destinies.

The speech will be live streamed so that classrooms across the country may listen to or watch the remarks. For more information about watching the speech, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/back-to-school/

Related Post:
President Obama 1st Address to Students 2009

President Obama 2nd Address to Students 2010

NASA and Lego Join Forces

NASA AND THE LEGO GROUP PARTNER TO INSPIRE CHILDREN TO BUILD AND EXPLORE THE FUTURE

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A LEGO space shuttle headed to orbit helps mark the Tuesday signing of a Space Act Agreement between NASA and The LEGO Group to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

To commemorate the beginning of this partnership, the small LEGO shuttle will launch with the crew of the space shuttle Discovery on its STS-133 mission, targeted to launch Wednesday, Nov. 3, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

President Obama Announces Goal of Recruiting 10,000 STEM Teachers Over the Next Two Years

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release September 27, 2010

President Obama Announces Goal of Recruiting 10,000 STEM Teachers Over the Next Two Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Barack Obama announced a new goal of recruiting 10,000 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers over the next two years. This announcement will move the country forward on the Obama Administration’s ambitious goal of preparing 100,000 STEM teachers over the next decade.

Statement by President Obama: “When I came into office, I set a goal of moving our nation from the middle to the top of the pack in math and science education. Strengthening STEM education is vital to preparing our students to compete in the 21st century economy and we need to recruit and train math and science teachers to support our nation’s students.”

As America’s students lag in math and science when compared to peers around the world, President Obama has made improving STEM education one of his top priorities. President Obama has identified three overarching priorities for STEM education, necessary for laying a new foundation for America’s future prosperity:

- Increasing STEM literacy so all students can think critically in science, math, engineering and technology;
- Improving the quality of math and science teaching so American students are no longer outperformed by those in other nations;
- And expanding STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.

Summer Changes Everything!

Attend the National Summer Learning Association’s Conference, November 9-10 in Indianapolis.

Summer Changes EverythingTM, the only national conference focused entirely on summer, will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, November 9-10. If you work with children, operate or make decisions about summer programs, or are involved in youth education, you can’t afford to miss this conference. With 60 workshops on topics from STEM learning to social media outreach, we’re presenting the latest information regarding youth and summer learning.

This year, we are thrilled to welcome an exciting lineup of guest speakers, exhibitors, and panelists, including neurologist, author, researcher, and middle-school teacher Dr. Judy Willis. Tarik Glenn, retired Indianapolis Colt and co-founder of D.R.E.A.M Alive, Inc., will share how his experiences both on and off the field have helped him to build and maintain a successful youth program. Other presenters include social media guru Beth Kanter, policy experts, and NSLA staffers. Don’t miss out on what promises to be the best summer learning conference yet!

Learn how to build, strengthen, and expand summer programs at the Summer Changes EverythingTM conference:
- Connect and network with colleagues, including summer program providers, educators, school administrators, researchers and policymakers.
- Choose the option of participating in one of two relevant, in-depth pre-conference institutes on November 8, on program planning or summer learning advocacy.
- Choose from 60 workshops in three exciting areas: Knowledge and Strategies for Summer Program Managers; Policy and Funding for Systems Building; and Innovative Instructional Approaches.

Learn more and register now at our conference homepage. Or, contact our Conference Manager, Ryan Rebarchick, via e-mail nationalconference[at]summerlearning[dot]org or phone: 410 856 1370 ext 203.

PCAST STEM ED Report Release

PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORS HIGHLIGHT PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN K-12 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) EDUCATION

New Report Reveals STEM Education-Related Strengths, Weaknesses; Outlines Road Ahead to Regain and Maintain U.S. Competitiveness

America is home to extraordinary assets in science, engineering, and mathematics that, if properly applied within the educational system, could revitalize student interest and increase proficiency in these subjects and support an American economic renewal, according to a new report from an independent council of Presidential advisors.

The new report by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)—20 of the Nation’s leading scientists and engineers appointed by the President to provide advice on a range of topics—makes specific recommendations to better prepare America’s K-12 students in STEM subjects and also to inspire those students—including girls, minorities, and others underrepresented in STEM fields—to challenge themselves with STEM classes, engage in STEM activities outside the school classroom, and consider pursuing careers in those fields.

STEM Ed: Are We Beginning To See the Light?

A new snapshot of parent perceptions of STEM education was released June 2nd following a survey conducted earlier in 2010 by Public Agenda.

Americans are convinced that math and science skills are crucial for the future, with strong majorities who say there will be more jobs and college opportunities for students with those skills, according to a new Public Agenda survey. But while there's broad support from parents and the general public for K-12 national standards, more than half of parents (52%) say the math and science their child is getting in school is "fine as it is."

These are just some of many surprising realities facing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in public schools, according to “Are We Beginning to See the Light?” a new Public Agenda survey exploring the views of more than 1,400 individuals nationwide, including 646 parents of children grades K-12. The national survey was underwritten by the GE Foundation.

America COMPETES

Innovation Legislation Clears the House With Bipartisan Support

(Washington, DC) – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 by a vote of 262 to 150. The bill, which has over 100 cosponsors and more than 750 endorsers, makes investments in science, innovation, and education to support employers today while strengthening the U.S. scientific and economic leadership to grow new industries of tomorrow, and the jobs that come with them.

Why So Few? New NSF-Funded Study Points to Barriers Facing Girls and Women in STEM

In an era in which women are increasingly represented in medicine, law, and business, why do they continue to lag behind men in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)? AAUW sheds new light on the so-called STEM controversy with the release this spring of its comprehensive report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Why we need SECME more than ever

U.S. Women and Minority Scientists Discouraged from Pursuing STEM Careers, National Survey Shows

PITTSBURGH, MARCH 22, 2010 -- Significant numbers of today’s women and under-represented minority chemists and chemical engineers (40 percent) say they were discouraged from pursuing a STEM career (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) at some point in their lives, according to a new Bayer Corporation survey.

U.S. colleges are cited by them as the leading place in the American education system where discouragement happens (60 percent) and college professors as the individuals most likely responsible for the discouragement (44 percent).

The U.S. K-12 education system falls short, too. On average, the survey respondents give it a “D” for the job it does to encourage minorities to study STEM subjects and a “D+” for girls.

The Bayer Facts of Science Education XIV survey polled 1,226 female, African-American, Hispanic and American Indian chemists and chemical engineers about their childhood, academic and workplace experiences that play a role in attracting and retaining women and under-represented minorities in STEM fields.

“If we want to achieve true diversity in America’s STEM workforce, we must first understand the root causes of underrepresentation and the ongoing challenges these groups face,” said Greg Babe, President and CEO, Bayer Corporation. “We want to knock down barriers. If we can do that, we’ll be able to develop the attitudes, behaviors, opportunities and resources that lead to success.”

Our future is determined each and every day, when our children enter the classroom.

The President's Weekly Address: Education for a More Competitive America & Better Future

In his weekly address, President Barack Obama announced that on Monday, his administration will send to Congress the blueprint for an updated Elementary and Secondary Education Act. That will overhaul No Child Left Behind, the latest step from his Administration to encourage change and success in America’s schools at the local level. The plan will set the ambitious goal of ensuring that all students graduate from high school prepared for college and a career, and it will provide states, districts and schools with the flexibility and resources to reach that goal.

Science Board urges actions to prevent further slide in US S&T competitiveness

Science Board urges actions to prevent further slide in US S&T competitiveness
By Physics Today on March 8, 2010 2:49 PM

On the heels of it's recently released report showing a surge in high-tech investments by China and other Asian nations, the National Science Foundation's National Science Board has urged the Obama administration to gauge the quality of federal research programs and to create a new cabinet-level council to address US innovation and competitiveness issues. In a report released last month, NSB also called on the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to lead a government-wide assessment of key research areas, benchmarking the quality of those programs against those of other nations’.

Scripps "CELLebrate" Science! Sat., Feb. 6, 10 AM - 3 PM

You’re invited to this fun, interactive community event at The Gardens Mall to mark the one-year anniversary of Scripps Florida’s permanent research facility in Jupiter!

Scripps "CELLebrate" Science! Saturday, February 6th, 2010 10:00AM - 3:00PM at The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens

The interactive science activities, conducted by Scripps scientists at the Cellebration, range from the colorful to the loud, including glowing zebra fish, flaming gummy bears, a robot that hand delivers candy and even an experiment where aspirin changes into wintergreen oil.

Remarks by the President on the "Educate to Innovate" Campaign and Science Teaching and Mentoring Awards

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 06, 2010

Remarks by the President on the "Educate to Innovate" Campaign and Science Teaching and Mentoring Awards

East Room
1:46 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Please have a seat. Thank you.

How do you turn STEM into STEAM? Add the Arts!

How do you turn STEM into STEAM? Add the Arts!
October 2007
By Joan Platz, Information Coordinator, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education

You may have noticed in the media the increased use of the acronym STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There is a frenzy of activity at the national and state levels to increase student involvement and achievement in the STEM content areas. Educators, businessmen, economists, politicians, and pundits are driving these activities, because they believe that American students are not adequately prepared in science and mathematics to be competitive in the “global economy”. Accordingly, in order for the U.S. to maintain and expand its economy, America’s schools must encourage more students to pursue careers in STEM, and better prepare all students in the STEM content areas. (Atkinson, 2007)