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January 24, 2013

STEM News for Educators

Education

First Lego League encourages students to be problem-solvers
Students who participate in First Lego League competitions are given science and technology challenges that relate to social concerns, such as food safety and improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The most recent challenge involved asking competitors, ages 9 to 16, to find solutions for problems encountered by older adults. One such creation was the Pill Popper 1.0, which helps organize pills that have to be taken on different days of the week. TMCNet.com/Robotics Wire (1/22)

Ohio schools win STEM recognition
Nine schools in Ohio's Miami Valley have won a certification for their efforts to ramp up students' education in science, technology, engineering and math. To win the recognition, the eight high schools and one junior high school had to put in place curricula, testing and programs that met the requirements of national nonprofit program Project Lead The Way, which helps support STEM instruction. Dayton Daily News (Ohio) (1/20)

What can we take away from N.Y. University's STEM initiatives?
Ben Esner, director of K-12 STEM Education at Polytechnic Institute of New York University, in this blog post writes about some of the successful K-12 science, technology, engineering and math programs his department has initiated. He recalls a recent day when students competing in the 'Brooklyn Qualifier' for FIRST Lego League convened on campus. Another NYU-Poly program matches graduate STEM students in a "residency" program in schools to help K-12 teachers create STEM lessons and resources. The Huffington Post/The Blog (1/23)

Business

W.Va. manufacturers see opportunities in vocational training programs
Education and business leaders in West Virginia agree that changing the perception of vocational training, as well as developing a more workplace-oriented approach could help improve the state's school-based vocational training programs. Gary Clay, of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, notes that businesses and individuals could both benefit if a young person completes vocational training and gets a job with a manufacturing company that then helps that individual obtain a college degree. Charleston Daily Mail (W.Va.) (1/24)

Trends

Interview: Engineering sector needs more women
In an interview, Sandi Rhys Jones, vice chair of the Governing Body of the U.K. Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Construction and Technology, talks about influences on her career as an engineer and the need for more women in the sector. Rhys Jones thinks "the industry sector’s performance will improve if more women are involved." She also says that changes must be made to "attract and retain them." E&T magazine online (1/22)

Women in STEM still face challenges
The list of women who have overcome barriers and become role models in science, technology, engineering and math continues to grow, but many still face major obstacles, founder and president of PK Electrical Karen Purcell writes in this commentary. Earlier exposure to STEM subjects and access to mentors in the field are some ways to overcome remaining obstacles, she writes. Scientist, The (free registration) (1/2013)

SmartQuote

An exaggeration is a truth that has lost its temper."

--Kahlil Gibran,
Lebanese-American artist, poet and writer

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Publisher, Education: Joe Riddle 202-387-0987