| Please enjoy this week's STEM Ed update. |
| Coalition Update: |
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Coalition Joins in Microsoft-hosted Panel Discussion on STEM Education, Computer Science, and the Every Student Succeeds Act
 On March 17th, the STEM Education Coalition participated in a webinar with Microsoft, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and Code.org. The panelists discussed the importance of computer science education and how recent federal initiatives and policies improve STEM education for all students.
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Fact Sheet: Spurring African-American STEM Degree Completion
U.S. Department of Education
 Early in his Administration, President Obama made improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education a priority. To meet the nation's evolving workforce needs, America will need to add 1 million more STEM professionals by 2022. To meet this need and bring welcome diversity to STEM industries, we must continue to support and encourage STEM degree completion, especially for African-Americans and others who are underrepresented in these fields yet have a long history of achievement in STEM fields.
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Stay in the Know:
Latest STEM Education Policy News Across the U.S.
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7 Things Higher Education Innovators Want You to Know
Campus Technology
In order to close the growing achievement
 gap, higher education institutions need to focus on innovation, scale and diffusion, according to Bridget Burns, executive director for the University Innovation Alliance, a coalition of 11 public research universities committed to improving graduation rates and sharing best practices. And most important, institutions need to communicate about what works and what doesn't. "Otherwise we are sentencing other universities to repeat our mistakes and our failures - and students deserve better," she exhorted.
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New Test Puts U.S. in Last Place for Math Skills
TestTube
 An assessment of 24 developed countries does not put U.S. education in the best light. The Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) recently published its findings from its latest test that measures "skills considered essential for successful and full participation in the knowledge-based economies and societies of the 21st century." According to Quartz, PIAAC administered its exam to 150,000 people, aged 16- to 65-years-old, in 24 developed countries.
Read more here.
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From Math Negative to Math Positive Attitudes in Your Kids
Psychology Today
In an AP poll, over 1/3 of adults polled about school year math experiences indicated that they "hated" math in school. In fact, math was twice as despised as any other subject. Even if math was not your bane, it is likely you've heard a complaint or two about math from your children. These range from, "I hate math," "Math is my worst subject," "Math is too hard and I'll never use it," or "It's boring." Brain scans and other neurocognitive research correlate increased math stress levels with decreased memory efficiency and ultimately a progressive drop in motivated effort.
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Around the Community
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Virginia Commonwealth University Hosts Webcast on STEM Careers for GI Bill Recipients with Disabilities
This webcast will summarize some of the findings of a NSF funded research study (Grant No.1246492) that investigated the perceptions of GI Bill recipients with disabilities of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers. College students with disabilities are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields despite being a valuable talent source. The goal of this study was to study a specific population, GI Bill Recipients, to identify the underlying issues that impact recruitment, enrollment, participation, and retention of this population in higher education STEM programs and to recommend strategies to support their participation in STEM.
Allegheny Conference to Win Science Center's Chairman's Award
Carnegie Science Center today announced that the Allegheny Conference on Community Development will be awarded the 2016 Chairman's Award at the Carnegie Science Awards ceremony to be held May 6 at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. The Chairman's Award is the highest honor conferred at the event and will recognize the Conference for its unparalleled impact in transforming the Pittsburgh region through public-private partnerships that create fertile ground for the growth of science and technology achievement.
Initiative Lays Groundwork for Elementary and Middle School Students to Pursue Careers in Medicine
The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) is collaborating with Artemis Medical Society to establish an afterschool program for students in grades 4 through 8. The program will utilize facilitators established through the Artemis Medical Society network to implement the AAMC's Pre-Med Club curriculum and lesson plans. Building on the importance of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) in today's education system, the program is intended to inspire students from communities historically underrepresented in medicine to pursue careers as physicians.
Engineering for You Video Contest 3 (E4U3)
The National Academy of Engineering has announced the 3rd annual Engineering for You Video Contest (E4U3) on Mega Engineering! Most of humankind's biggest endeavors are mega engineering projects that provide solutions that span disciplines, geographies, and cultural boundaries.
We are looking for 1 to 2 minute videos that (i) introduce a particular mega-engineering project, (ii) highlight its importance/contribution to people and society, and (iii) suggest contributions to its development.
The Grand Prize of $25,000 will go to the most inspiring 1-2 minute video. We hope that you will participate in the contest and also encourage those in your communities to enter as well!
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| 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.
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| Our Coalition's Co-Chairs -------------------------------------------------------------
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March 19, 2016
CMSE 2016 Parent STEM Expo
April 11-14, 2016
National Summit for Educational Equity
April 21, 2016
STEM as a Career Option for GI Bill Recipients with Disabilities Webcast
April 23, 2016
DIG STEM Festival 2016
May 14, 2016
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