STEM Ed Update 07/10/15

Welcome!

Please enjoy this week's STEM Ed update.

Coalition Update:

Informal STEM Education 101: What We Mean when We Talk about Informal STEM Education

The STEM Education Coalition Policy Forum was proud to collaborate with the Afterschool Alliance, the Association of Science-Technology Centers, the Education Development Center, and the National Science Teachers Association to host the first of a series of briefings on informal STEM education.

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House ESEA Debate from Rep. Joe Courtney

Rep. Courtney took to the House floor yesterday morning to discuss the importance of STEM education in the ESEA bill.

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Top Article:

Senate Rebuffs ESEA Amendment to Let States Opt Out of Federal Accountability

Education Week

Day Three of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization debate in the U.S. Senate opened and closed in the span of a few short hours Thursday, with the chamber passing 14 amendments and rejecting one that underscored the precarious path co-authors Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., must traverse to maintain the bipartisan nature of the bill.

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Stay in the Know:

Latest STEM Education Policy News Across the U.S.

New Science Standard Open Doors for Real World Learning

Discovery Education

In today's economy, strong STEM skills - science, technology, engineering, and math - are a central element of a well-rounded education and every student needs to have a strong foundation in these subjects in order to land and succeed in virtually any job - from the shop floor to the research lab to the board room. Further, the best, most highly paying jobs are nearly all in the STEM fields.

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When America Competes, The World Benefits

The Hill

For decades, the United States has remained at the forefront of game-changing innovation and scientific accomplishment, far ahead of all other nations. But countries around the world are actively seeking to compete with the next generation of American innovators and scientists. As China prioritizes major research and development projects, and India graduates thousands more scientists and engineers, the U.S. faces significant challenges in the global marketplace.

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The 'Holistic Approach' to Integrating STEM, Common Core

US News & World Report

Integrating Common Core education standards involves integrating once-disparate school subjects with one another, experts said Tuesday at the 2015 U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference in San Diego. "Thinking about the standards as being integrated really can push you," said Thomas Smith, dean and professor of the Graduate School of Education at the University of California-Riverside.

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STEM Grads Making Big Money Post-Graduation

St. Louis Business Journal

Students in STEM fields - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - are being paid well after graduation, according to a list from Forbes outlining the college majors with the highest starting salaries. In fact, STEM careers take the top three spots, with computer science coming in at No. 1 with an average starting salary of $66,800.

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Around the Community

Robots4Us Winners Announced

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Robots4Us winners have been announced. Participants were asked to create a 2- to 3-minute video on their view of how robotics might impact society in the future.

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STEM Magazine, July Issue

Students Get Hands-On Training in Drone Technology

A California-based nonprofit is planning to invest up to $1 million to bring a high-tech learning lab to the Coleman A. Young International Airport, where Detroit students and the public can get hands-on training in the hot field of drone technology.

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Digital Natives: The Evolution of Tech in the Classroom

Join the Coalition!

We at the STEM Education Coalition hope you have enjoyed this week's edition of the STEM Ed Newsletter.

Any organization may join the Coalition, and there is no cost to become an Affiliate Member. Affiliate members are listed on our website, receive periodic communications on policy matters, and will be signed up for the weekly newsletter.

Your organization can also apply to join the Coalition's Policy Council, where they play an active role in setting the public policy agenda for the Coalition and are invited to participate in frequent interactions with policymakers.

If you would like to join the Coalition at any level, please read our message to prospective members or email us at [email protected].

We appreciate your continued support and involvement.

Our Coalition's Co-Chairs

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