March 12, 2014

Welcome!

Here's this week's edition of the STEM Ed Update. Enjoy.

Coalition Updates

Coalition Issues Statement on FIRST Act

The STEM Education Coalition issued a statement on the FIRST Act, a bill introduced by the House Science, Space, and Technology Majority. The bill would reauthorize major portions of the America COMPETES Act. The Coalition testified before the Committee in November of 2013 on this bill and proposals to better coordinate STEM education programs across the federal government.

Read the full statement here.

Top Article:

The 2015 Budget, Real and Illusory

Inside Higher Ed

President Obama on Tuesday sent Congress a budget request that would keep most student aid and basic research programs level-funded; the 2015 plan also included several ambitious new higher education proposals. But the new proposals stand little chance of passing a gridlocked Congress that is gearing up for the midterm elections this fall.

Read more here.

Stay in the Know:

Latest STEM Education Policy News Across the U.S.

Hey, America, here's how you spell success: S-T-E-M -- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Fox News

American athletes just finished competing in Sochi with top athletes from around the world. As U.S. competitors give their very best, our nation rallied behind them. What if we could drive the same effort and ambition towards our competitiveness in education? We have a long way to go -- and need a disciplined, focused training plan -- but there is hope to take gold again.

Read more here.

Using Technology to Close the Education Gap for Girls

Huffington Post

In March 2011, to mark International Women's Day, I wrote a blog post asking, "Can Technology Close the Gap for Girls and Women?" The ConnectEd program has been working to find out the answer as we work across the globe, and now, three years later, it is time to revisit this question.

Read more here.

Common Core in the Districts: An Early Look at Early Implementers

Education Next

The last year has found critics and advocates of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) duking it out in the political arena. That a common set of high expectations for K-12 students would catalyze such fierce fisticuffs reminds us of both the ugliness and beauty of democracy. Indeed, we at Fordham, ardent

supporters of high standards for some seventeen years, have lurched out of the safe haven of think tankery and into the boxing ring. It is not a role that we asked for-or particularly relish-but, confident that the interests of America's children and its future are worth fighting for, we laced up our gloves.

Read more here.

Science, Its Publics and New Media

Metode

Scientific journalism faces the challenge of adapting not only to new formats but also to new information exchange dynamics. New online platforms, making it easier to access and produce scientific content, are forcing science publics to evolve. The online environment has turned into science communication reality, and both scientists and communicators must adapt to it.

Read more here.

13-Year-Old Builds Nuclear Reactor In Best Science Project Ever

Business Insider

It started with the Internet. "One day," Jamie Edwards recalls, "I was looking on the Internet for radiation or other aspects of nuclear energy." (As one does.) Through that search, he came across the story of Taylor Wilson, an American who, in 2008, had become the youngest person ever to build a nuclear-fusion reactor. Wilson was 14 at the time. "I looked at it," Edwards says, and "thought 'that looks cool' and decided to have a go." Edwards is 13.

Read more here.

We appreciate your continued support and involvement.

Sincerely,

The STEM Education Coalition

STEM Education Coalition

[email protected]
2000 M Street NW
Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036

Our Coalition's Co-Chairs

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