STEM Ed Update 6/3/2016

Please enjoy this week's STEM Ed update.

Coalition Update:

STEM Ed Coalition Sends ESSA Guidance Recommendations to Dept. of Education

STEMEd Coalition

On Wednesday, the STEM Education Coalition's Leadership Council sent feedback to the U.S. Department of Education on the implementation of STEM-related provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Read more here.

Top Article:

Hands-on science courses shown to boost graduation rates, STEM retention

ScienceDaily

In a positive sign for efforts to boost U.S. competitiveness in science and technology, a new study finds that courses that engage college students in conducting scientific research early on can dramatically increase students' odds of completing a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) degree. The study, published in today's edition of CBE-Life Sciences Education, is the largest and most carefully controlled analysis to date of how participating in course-based undergraduate research experiences affects students' outcomes.

Read more here.

Stay in the Know:

Latest STEM Education Policy News Across the U.S.

Is Nursing A STEM Field? Even Experts Disagree

Forbes

While pulling together the America's Best Value Colleges list, we hit upon a surprisingly contentious question: Would a nursing program fall under the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) umbrella? Or are nursing and similar fields kind of their own thing?

Read more here.

A Mission to Bring STEM Skills, and Robots, to Children in West Africa

New York Times

One robot slammed into some blocks and nearly fell to the floor. Another sideswiped a wall. Yet another spun in dizzying circles.

So when the robot built by students from an all-girls school finally navigated the twists of the maze, flawlessly rounding every corner and touching every required flag, the crowd went nuts.

The girls were among students from 25 schools who gathered in Dakar to compete in the second annual Pan-African Robotics Competition.

Read more here.

Around the Community:

Job Opportunity at Academies of Loudoun

Loudoun County Public Schools is currently seeking a Principal to head their Academies of Loudoun (AOL) program, focusing primarily on STEM. The AOL Principal provides leadership for the school staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of an integrated STEM educational programs and administers the program in accordance with School Board Policies and Administrative Regulations.

Read more here.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson Reveals How Schools Can Improve Their Science Teaching

Huffington Post

If anyone knows how to make science more fun and engaging, it's astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

In a recent conversation with The Huffington Post's Impact & Innovation managing editor, David Freeman, Tyson addressed a question about how science courses in U.S. schools are lacking.

Read more here.

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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