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Maker Movement
Maker Camp 2015: Welcome from Dale (MAKE)
Campers, Welcome to Maker Camp 2015. I can tell you that we have no secret handshakes and no silly rituals at Maker Camp but we do have fun. We dont have cabins or campfires at Maker Camp but we have lots of Makers for you to meet who do really interesting things. We have projects for you to build so that you can discover that you are a Maker. You may have your own ideas for projects, and thats really cool. Maker Camp is all about what you get to do. I hope Maker Camp gives you the time to explore the world around you, make anything that really interests you and share it proudly with friends and family. Thats what it means to be a maker.
Michigan principal shares Maker Movement STEM program at the White House (MLive)
During the school year, Holland Christian South Side Elementary students formed geometric bridges with toothpicks and marshmallows, created marble rollercoasters by duct taping pipe insulation to lockers and built miniature skyscrapers and towers with cardboard boxes and Lego bricks. The projects were part of Makers Week, the school's first week-long STEM program, which Principal Miska Rynsburger recently discussed during an invitation-only event at the White House. "Being invited by the White House is beyond anything I would have ever expected," Rynsburger said.
Countdown to the Call for Makers for World Maker Faire New York (MAKE)
The final weekend of September will host the 6th annual World Maker Faire New York in Queens, NYC. Thats around 80-odd days from now. But Makers interested in participating will first have to apply to exhibit at the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth, and the dates to do that are much, much sooner. Weve learned over the years to be flexible with how Makers procrastinate when it comes to applications and deadlines, and have implemented rolling deadlines in three rounds. The first round for the Call for Makers for World Maker Faire New York closes on Sunday, July 12 at 11:59pm PST. Thats less than 10 days from now. 
K-12 Education
National Science Foundation Offers Grants to Help STEM Teachers (Education Week)
The National Science Foundation is offering grants of up to $300,000 each for projects that would help teacher-leaders get more exposure and improve STEM education systemwide. It's seeking ideas now. The submission process ends July 22. NSF asks that the ideas be able to be piloted for up to two years. The goals are to find successful models for long-term programs that support teacher-leaders and to help those teachers serve as national resources to improve STEM education. "It is NSF's expectation that teacher leaders would leverage this increased capacity in order to augment and promote systemwide STEM education improvements, as well as advance research and dissemination of work supported by the NSF," the foundation wrote..
Internship program promotes STEM careers for Baltimore students (WBAL)
This summer, 25 Baltimore City high school students are spending their break from on the job working as interns for area companies. The opportunity is that to Building Steps, a nonprofit whose goal is to help put students on a path to a career in science and technology. These baltimore high school students look like they're back in the classroom over the summer.. But these students are part of the non-profit "bulding steps" summer internship program. Our students learn about workplace dynamics and conflict resolution and how do you work together collaboratively with your coworkers because many of our students don't yet have those skills, said Debra Hettleman with Building Steps.
STEM mentoring expands beyond Allentown (LVB)
What began in 2014 as Mentor Allentown Coalition founded by the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown now has a new name and expanded mission. Thanks to a grant from Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, the more than 30-member coalition, as of July 1, is now STEM Valley Mentoring Coalition. With the new name comes an expansion into Bethlehem and Easton to help its bid to match more underrepresented students in the Lehigh Valley with mentors in [STEM] and to provide high-quality educational experiences and career opportunities.
Lincoln-Way earns two grants to enhance science education (Herald News)
Lincoln-Way High School District 210 teachers will have access to the worlds largest library of online simulations for science and math education. The school district was awarded two grants to enhance earth science, technology, engineering and mathematics instruction in classrooms in each high school, according to a news release. Under one grant, teachers will receive a subscription to an online database called Explore Learning Gizmos, as part of the Gizmos Science Grant program. The Gizmos program will provide professional development and help teachers bring STEM instruction to a deeper level with simulations, school officials said.
Higher Education
Microsoft Looks To Academia To Usher In Next Wave Of Holographic Computing With Research Proposal Program (TechCrunch)
Microsoft announced an academic research program Monday aiming to gather proposals for HoloLens technologies that further the role and possible applications for holographic computing in society. Microsoft will be awarding $100,000 and two HoloLens development kits to the best five research proposals from academic institutions. This emerging technology teems with opportunity, so weve issued this RFP [request for proposals] to inspire the academic community to investigate the potential roles and applications for holographic computing in society, Jeannette Wing, the Corporate Vice President or Microsoft Research said in a blog post.
Stanford neuroscience research identifies more effective way to teach abstract math concepts to children (Stanford)
Building on new discoveries about how the brain grapples with abstract mathematics, researchers at Stanford Graduate School of Education have developed a classroom strategy for teaching children the often baffling concepts surrounding negative numbers. The new strategy recruits the brain's use of visual symmetry to make sense of the physical world, and it could have profound implications for the way elementary schools teach math. Using symmetry appears to have helped not just in teaching children about negative numbers but in improving their ability to solve higher-level math problems they haven't seen before.
STEM Jobs
Tim Cannon (VP, HealthITJobs.com): How to find an IT job with better work-life balance (Mashable)
The United States is one of the worst countries for a work-life balance, reveals a recent report from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. In IT, finding this elusive balance can be even more challenging with the constant call of technology and various mobile devices but it is possible with the right employer and position. If you're searching for a new IT job, here are some specifications to look for to find more balance between your work and personal life. Flexible jobs are becoming more common in IT. According to a report from Gensler, employees who are given a choice to work from home are more focused, outperform their peers who do not have this choice and are more satisfied with their jobs and their workplace.
Rhode Island
Tax credits available to help R.I. students with loans in STEM fields (Providence Journal)
Legislation creating a tax-credit program to help pay the student loans of Rhode Islanders working in [STEM] sectors was included in the state budget bill signed into law last week. The bills, sponsored by Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski and Sen. Ryan W. Pearson, are a way to keep talented, educated people in Rhode Island, encourage students to pursue careers in those fields and strengthen the states workforce. The House Finance Committee included their legislation when it amended the budget bill, which passed the General Assembly in June and was signed by Governor Raimondo on Tuesday.
STEM Food & Ag
How To End Food Waste, One Ugly Vegetable At A Time (Fast Co.Exist)
 Ugly produce is having a moment. After decades of going straight to landfills and compost heaps, three-legged carrots and bulbous tomatoes are starting to make it onto shelves at a few pioneering grocery stores. For stores that aren't quite ready to put weird-looking produce on display, a new brand in the Netherlands is selling the vegetables in a different form. Kromkommera play on the Dutch words for cucumber and crookedblends imperfect potatoes and beets into soup and packages them up with cute cartoon versions of the misshapen veggies. "For many retailers, wonky vegetables next to the 'perfect' vegetables is still a big step," says Chantal Engelen, co-founder of Kromkommer. "Our soup is the step in between. It is a great way to tell the story and engage people around the topic. We are building a brand and make wonky cool. That way, it will become easier for the supermarkets to seek wonky produce. We create the demand. Our ideal goal is that all veggies are together on the shelves: straight and crooked, for the same price." |
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Stay Connected       
 STEMconnector®
Upcoming #STEMHealth Forum: Moving at the Speed of Healthcare: Intersection of Healthcare and the Healthcare Workforce
 On July 23, 2015, the University of Phoenix - College of Health Professions, Sodexo and STEMconnector will host its inaugural Moving at the Speed of Healthcare: Intersection of Healthcare and the Healthcare Workforce Forum at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Join industry executives, higher education leaders and workforce development leaders for a national forum on the future of healthcare delivery and the emerging healthcare workforce. This interactive event will feature panel discussions with leading healthcare experts and cross-industry discussions with healthcare associations. Also participating are executive leaders from industry and technology, legal and research communities to offer practical insight for building a pipeline of qualified healthcare talent to enhance emerging trends and build a strong healthcare workforce.
Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy Available for Purchase!
 Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy, Higher Education and Business Partnerships Lead the Way is a book produced by STEMconnector's STEM Higher Education Council (SHEC), and it focuses on the employer-driven partnerships demanded by 21st century STEM education and workforce development. Sixty-two education, business, and non-profit thought leaders share proven models that support the necessary STEM education and workforce development revolution. The book is available in kindle (digital) or paperback on Amazon or can be bought directly from STEMconnector.
MWM Summit & Gala - Sept. 21
 Million Women Mentors (MWM) is excited to announce our upcoming Summit & Gala on September 21, 2015 to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The Summit & Gala will bring together 400 thought leaders from corporations, non-profit, higher education, state/city leadership, and more for an intensive day of learning and sharing. Register and purchase tickets now!
Enlightened, On-Ramps to Careers and Mayor Invest in DCs Future Through STEM Internships
 Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Employment Services kicked off the first day of the citys Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) today with Enlightened, Inc. ("Enlightened"), a leading provider of Information Technology (IT) consulting services and On-Ramps to Careers, Inc. (ORTC), a non-profit partnership that has enlisted twenty tech organizations to provide over 120 I.T. summer internships for DC students since 2013. Enlightened will host seven technology interns this summer in support of both the Mayors Men and Boys of Color (MBOC) Initiative and On-Ramps to Careers, Inc. |
