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Industry
Niles Schools receive $40,000 Alcoa STEM grant (WFMJ)
A foundation operated by the new owner of the RTI plant in Niles has given the city's schools an STEM-focused grant. The Alcoa Foundation announced a $40,000 grant to Niles City Schools Thursday to be allocated towards training young [STEM] students. According to Scott Libert, Director of School Improvement, the grant money will allow Niles to expand STEM curriculum to all levels K-12. Alcoa Foundation says STEM curriculum puts focus on things like computer-aided design, 3-D printing, team building, and critical thinking. The grant will help make it possible for each of Niles' four schools to have 3-D printers, and necessary training will be provided for staff members.
SIUE gets funds to promote science, engineering, math (Belleville News-Democrat)
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Science and Engineering Research Challenge is the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund. The regional competition has been held on the SIUE campus since 1984. It provides local students from fifth grade through their senior year of high school an opportunity to showcase their skills in [STEM]. We thank Monsanto Fund for this generous gift that will allow the Challenge to continue for its 32nd year, Kyle Moore, director of development for the SIUE Graduate School, said. Their support of the Research Challenge greatly aids in our goal of empowering young students and sparking their curiosity and interest in STEM. 
Diversity in STEM
Aashka in Africa- My Thoughts Before Women in Science (WiSci) Girls Steam Camp (ImpactX)
I can't believe I am one of 30 high school girls across the nation to be selected to travel on a 3-week trip to Rwanda, Africa to learn about something I love! This trip is a combination of everything I am passionate about. First, I get to learn about computer science, robotics, and new cultures. The reason I decided to go to a magnet high school that allows me to specialize in the field of computer science is because I aspire to be a software developer one day (I know, so shocking that a girl wants to pursue a career in computer science). One of the best parts of my freshman year at MCST was being in robotics clubs. As a freshman I did not have much to do, but one thing I realized was that I definitely wanted to continue learning about building robots
BubbleSort Zines Lure Teen Girls to Computer Science (re/code)
Amy Wibowo knew, even as a kid, that computer science was a magical intersection of math, science and pictures. As the teacher introduced a new concept, I would make cartoons about it, she said; the visual elements of math theory sparked inspiration for her. Textbooks are so dry, she mourned; why didnt anyone create textbooks with comics? That would be so much juicier, she thought, and resolved to make it happen someday. That day has come. The first issue of her BubbleSort Zines series hit mailboxes last week. Pitched at early-high-school-aged girls, it aims to spark the same passion for code that Wibowo remembers so fondly, and which has served her so well.
Summer of STEM
N.S.A. Summer Camp: More Hacking Than Hiking (New York Times)
This is not your typical summer sleepaway camp. Bonfires and archery? Try Insecure Direct Object References and A1-Injections. The dozen or so teenagers staring at computers in a Marymount University classroom here on a recent day were learning thanks to a new National Security Agency cybersecurity program that reaches down into the ranks of American high school and middle school students the entry-level art of cracking encrypted passwords. We basically tried a dictionary attack, Ben Winiger, 16, of Johnson City, Tenn., said as he typed a new command into John The Ripper, a software tool that helps test and break passwords. Now were trying a brute-force attack.
Fulton student and teacher to participate in STEM event in Japan (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
A student and teacher from a Fulton County high school will visit Japan in August for the second annual Tomodachi Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy. The program in Tokyo Aug. 4 10 is designed to foster closer ties between American and Japanese students and teachers, to nurture a strong sense of STEM literacy and inspire the use of science and technology to address some of the worlds most complex issues. Amy Hu, a student from Northview High School in Johns Creek, and Sara Lepkoker, a teacher at the school, are two of eight students and four teachers selected from the U.S. to participate in this years Tomodachi program.
Higher Education
UNO provides free cybersecurity training for teachers (WVUE)
An intensive two week program is underway at the University of New Orleans to teach middle school and high school teachers about cybersecurity technology. The GenCyber program is happening at UNO's lakefront campus from July 20-31. The university says 20 teachers from 12 states are participating. Seven of the teachers are from the Greater New Orleans area. "Teachers attending the training can expect to significantly deepen their knowledge of cybersecurity to prepare them to effectively transition their experiences, and the materials they receive, into their classrooms," said Golden Richard, professor of computer science and the director of the Greater New Orleans Center for Information Assurance at UNO.
Viewpoints
Adrian Fortino: The Next Industrial Revolution Should Happen In America (TechCrunch)
The Industrial Internet is poised to overhaul the way companies manufacture goods, in turn changing our everyday interactions with products. Imagine yourself five years from now, sitting around a picnic table with a group of friends. One of them just landed a coveted manufacturing gig right after getting her masters degree, and is now pulling in $200,000 a year. Another is complaining that the new $8,000 Ford Fusion he custom-designed online wasnt delivered within the promised three-day window. He was stuck taking the driverless bus around town.
STEM Jobs
Improve Your Hiring Prospects With Computer Science (iProgrammer)
A survey of students and recent graduates indicates that majoring in computer science greatly enhances your chances of landing a job and commanding a good salary. The findings, contained in the report State of College Hiring 2015, come from Looksharp, a marketplace for internships and entry-level jobs. Its survey of over 50,000 U.S. college students was conducted in April and the quoted statistics are based on 45,968 respondents who completed the full the survey, 2,894 of whom were computer science majors. A main focus of the report was the value to students of internships with the general finding, across all majors, that students who had multiple paid internships had greater chances of landing full time jobs at graduation.
Idaho
Center Looks to Improve Idaho's Science, Math Efforts (AP)
Business and governmental officials say Idaho must unify statewide efforts in order to fatten the pipeline of students choosing [STEM] careers. Board members with Idahos STEM Action Center met for the first time Wednesday to begin drafting recommendations on how to improve the growing shortfall of Idahos technological workforce. The center is housed in the office of Gov. C.L. Butch Otter, who appointed the nine-member board. The board still needs to approve hiring an executive director and program manager for the center. Idaho lawmakers approved setting aside nearly $650,000 earlier this year to create the center.
Georgia
Ga. DOE launches career education initiative (Gwinnett Daily Post)
Looking to expand its relationship with the business community, the Georgia Department of Education on Tuesday launched an initiative focused on career education. The initiative is called Educating Georgias Future Workforce, State School Superintendent Richard Woods said, which he added would strengthen the career, technical and agricultural education offerings in schools. Georgias students must leave our schools with skills that prepare them for higher education or to immediately begin a career, Woods said in a press release. Its essential that we offer the very best career education available, responsive to the changing economic landscape and aligned to the needs of business and industry.
STEM Food & Ag
An Affordable Smart Tractor For African Farmers And Their Tiny Farms (Fast Co.Exist)
 Six months ago, Jehiel Oliver left behind a comfortable life in Washington, D.C. to work on one of Africa's most pressing problems: the inefficiency of its agricultural sector. He came up with an affordable "smart tractor" that's designed to be shared among the continent's millions of smallholder farmers. Farms in Africa are tiny by American standards. The average one is just 2.3 acres compared to 178.4 hectares here. Most are cultivated by single families and there's generally little use of heavy machinery, says the entrepreneur. "The farmers operate on small plot sizes, which means they don't make enough money to invest in a big piece of machinery," says Oliver, who's now based in Abuja, Nigeria. "There also aren't bank loans for farmers, so it's pretty difficult to finance a tractor." |
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 STEMconnector®
Illinois Pledges 5,000 Mentors to Million Women Mentors
 This week, Million Women Mentors, in partnership with 2 new states is proud to announce 8,000 new commitments to mentor a girl or young woman in STEM skills. Illinois is joining approximately 30 states by pledging 5,000 mentors. Illinois leadership is excited to be a voice connecting industry partners with education through Million Women Mentors. Jenny Kopach is leading the effort in Illinois for MWM with the support of Science Olympiad, which recently made a national pledge for the initiative as well. Science Olympiad has long been a vehicle for mentoring both of and by women and girls. Female professionals who want to share their skills and experience in STEM have the ability to mentor a girl preparing for her events on a Science Olympiad team. Illinois will capitalize on the momentum of the nationwide Million Women Mentors initiative to achieve several goals," said Jenny Kopach, MWM-Illinois State Chair and VP Marketing Communications at Science Olympiad. "Right now, we are assembling a state leadership committee comprised of women in government, industry, education and non-profits who are committed to making a difference in the lives of young people every day. We plan to set objectives around matching mentors to excellent activities, which in turn will lead to more girls exhibiting interest in STEM courses and careers.
Governor Terry McAuliffe serving as the First Governor to be the Honorary Chair for Million Women Mentors® for Virginia
 Virginia announced that Governor Terry McAuliffe will be the First Governor to be the Honorary Chair for the Million Women Mentors® (MWM) effort in Virginia! Governor Terry McAuliffes support will be instrumental in growing the movement to reach the 3000 pledges for the state. The leadership team for MWM VA is currently focusing on growing the higher education sector for the MWM Effort, which makes Governor McAuliffe a perfect fit. Education is at the heart of Governor McAuliffes policies, and he recognizes the importance of STEM as a focus within education systems. The Governor advocates for non-traditional education methods to ensure students are ready for the workforce. Million Women Mentors is connecting students to industry through mentorship opportunities. In order to build a new Virginia economy, we need to equip our students with the skills they need to fill the jobs of today and create the jobs of tomorrow," said Governor McAuliffe. "Providing girls and women with mentors through the Million Women Mentors movement will support getting more women into these high demand STEM positions. I am proud to be the first governor to serve as the Honorary Chair for the Million Women Mentors effort in our state.
Meet the 100 CIO/CTO Leaders in STEM!
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