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Higher Education
GW opens massive science hall, aiming to rise in college research prominence (Washington Post)
George Washington University has two goals this week as it unveils a $275 million science and engineering hall on its Foggy Bottom campus: to enable �cutting-edge experiments in fields from biotechnology to civil engineering, and to showcase its ambition to rise into the front ranks of the nation�s research universities. At 500,000 square feet, the building at 22nd and H streets NW instantly becomes the largest scientific facility among universities in the District and one of the largest in the region. Labs and classrooms occupy eight stories above ground and two below. Some rooms are �devoted to nanofabrication, for �operations at the scale of �one-billionth of a meter.
Siemens Grants $30 Million in Software Licenses to the George Washington University (Business Wire)
Today, from the opening of the new Science and Engineering Hall at the George Washington University, Siemens and GW announced a $30 million in-kind grant of software licenses to enhance programs in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and strengthen a long-standing partnership between the technology company and the university. The in-kind grant builds upon Siemens� existing partnership with the George Washington University. With its U.S. headquarters in Washington, D.C., Siemens has worked with the university on a variety of programs including: recruiting graduates to build a talent pipeline in U.S. industries, fostering interest in [STEM] through the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, and executing energy efficiency and building automation projects. 
Diversity in STEM
Reshma Saujani (Founder & CEO, Girls Who Code): Why Women Who Code Can Close the Wage Equality Gap (Wired)
The issue of the wage gender gap is especially close to my heart. In 2012, I created the non-profit organization Girls Who Code specifically to close the gender gap in technology and engineering. Why? Because despite the fact that women make up the majority of the general workforce, we comprise only 25 percent of technical jobs. Because we�re missing the mark on tapping into a diverse talent force: statistics show that only 2.7 percent of venture-backed companies have a woman at the helm, and African-Americans and Latino/as make up only 5 percent of employees at top-tier tech companies; less than 2 percent of VCs are people of color.
More Arab Women Studying STEM (U.S. News & World Report)
For as long as she can remember, Amirah Ahmad Daghache has had a fascination with electronics and computer systems. As a child growing up in Saudi Arabia, Daghache did really well in math and says she was "the nerd that enjoyed doing her math homework." Today, Daghache, a Palestinian-Canadian, is putting those math skills to use as a telecommunications engineering major at the Canadian University of Dubai. No longer just a boys' club, the [STEM] fields are being infiltrated by more women who are pursuing, and excelling, at these subjects offered by Arab region universities. Studying STEM was a natural choice for Daghache, who is doing an internship at streaming and video-on-demand platform, Icflix, and has future plans for a master�s in computer programming.
Intel's Patty Lopez: Established engineer. Passionate STEM volunteer. Skier. (TechRepublic)
One day, in the 1970s, a woman brought a computer to Patty Lopez's high school, located in a small rural town in northern New Mexico. The school took the opportunity to offer a computer math class, so Lopez and a dozen or so other students learned how to program in BASIC on paper tape. When she went to college in 1976, Lopez and her roommate, her best friend from high school, both took computer science courses. She was planning on being an electrical engineer, but as she walked around the computer science department at New Mexico State University, Lopez felt at home. There were women. There was diversity. She felt like she fit in, whereas in her engineering courses, it was the opposite. They were very male-dominated. There weren't even photos of women anywhere in the department -- the atmosphere felt uncomfortable to a Hispanic woman.
Government
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT): (The Hill)
During the House Education and Workforce Committee�s daylong markup of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization bill earlier this month, I introduced an amendment to focus federal education dollars on the promotion of STEM from preschool through 12th grade. The amendment would provide grants to hire STEM teachers (who can command higher salaries outside of teaching), help school systems develop STEM curricula better aligned with their workforce needs, and help engage young girls and minorities in the exciting, rewarding fields of STEM.
Sen. Blumenthal: Technology can make the train crossings safer (Wilton Bulletin)
More than 270 people are killed at railroad crossings each year, including six on Metro-North trains this year. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says there is technology to prevent more deaths. Mr. Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is proposing a bill for more funding to make improvements to rail safety.. Mr. Blumenthal said increasing safety might have helped in accidents like the one in Valhalla on Feb. 3 if there were better engineering, education and enforcement. With engineering, Mr. Blumenthal said, there could be more distance between tracks and crossing gates, better visibility, better lighting, and better warning to trains.
NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice: Science Mission Directorate Science Education (SpaceRef)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing a Cooperative Agreement Notice (NNH15ZDA00XC) entitled NASA SMD Science Education, Amendment 1. The goal of NASA SMD Science Education is to enable NASA scientists and engineers into the learning environment more efficiently and effectively for learners of all ages. This CAN is to meet the following NASA SMD Science Education Objectives: Enabling STEM education, improving U.S. science literacy; advancing National education goals; and leveraging science education through partnerships.
Reports
Early Intervention Could Prevent Persistent Math Difficulties, Study Finds (Education World)
A recent study published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities suggests that early screening and intervention may prevent persistent math difficulties for at-risk children. The study "identifies at-risk children as being those as young as 2 years old from low socioeconomic status [SES] households; with cognitive and behavioral issues; and with vocabulary and reading difficulties," according to an article on MedicalXpress.com. Previous studies have found that young children experiencing mathematics difficulties will likely continue to experience these difficulties as they grow older," the article said.
Arizona
Critics: Common Core fight not over (AZ Central)
When two anti-Common Core bills failed recently in the state Legislature, Arizona school leaders breathed a small sigh of relief. It appeared that the education standards would once again withstand challenges by Arizona Republicans, and that superintendents would not have to retrofit investments made in teacher training and equipment for yet another set of new standards. But the fight against Common Core, known in Arizona as the College and Career Ready Standards, is far from over, say opponents, including "tea party" members and the Goldwater Institute, the Arizona-based think tank that has championed repeal.
Washington
Dozens of tech, education & nonprofit execs urge passage of Washington computer science bill (GeekWire)
In a strongly worded appeal, five dozen business and education leaders � including those from Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks � are urging Washington lawmakers to approve a bill that would expand computer science education in schools across the state. The letter, sent by Code.org and Washington STEM today to leadership in the state House of Representatives, calls on legislators to support passing and funding House Bill 1813, which establishes a grant program with a private match requirement to both train educators in, and teach students about, computer science, as well as to fund equipment. The bill has already cleared the House committees on education and appropriations.
Utah
Bill would create STEM education partnership in southern Utah (Deseret News)
In an effort to quench a statewide thirst for new workers who are qualified in [STEM], legislators are calling on higher education institutions to dig into a mostly untapped well of young students to pique their interest in STEM. But unlike many STEM initiatives intended for industry and education along the Wasatch Front, this one would focus on schools in southern Utah. HB335 would appropriate $410,000 to Southern Utah University and $306,000 to Dixie State University in ongoing funds to collaborate with public schools to promote STEM education among students as young as 8 years old.
STEM Food & Ag
Area students embark on an �AgVenture� in agriculture education (Lodi News-Sentinel)
.jpg) More than 3,600 students from four area school districts went on an AgVenture at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds on Tuesday, learning about topics ranging from farm animals to crops and ecology. To make this educational opportunity a reality, nearly 400 volunteers manned 70 booths set up by groups including the San Joaquin County Horsemen�s Association, the Dairy Council of California and the city of Lodi. AgVenture is a free county-sponsored program that helps educate and inform youth about agriculture, healthy living and local agricultural products. |
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Stay Connected       
 STEMconnector�
Join the Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy Book Town Hall on 3/10!
 Please join us on a Google+ Hangout On-Air as we feature contributors to Advancing a Jobs-Driven Economy: Higher Education and Business Partnerships Lead the Way. This book focuses on the employer-driven partnerships demanded by 21st century STEM education and workforce development. On this virtual town hall, education and non-profit thought leaders will share proven models that support the necessary STEM education and workforce development revolution and a call to action to spearhead this revolution.?
100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM: Radhika Venkatraman- Vice President for IT of Verizon
 "The Verizon Innovative App Challenge, now in its third year, is a very innovative program that teaches middle and high school students, how to code and build mobile apps and solve problems in their local communities. These are critical computer science and problem solving skills that are very much needed for future jobs. This Verizon initiative has encouraged thousands of students to develop interest in STEM subjects. Verizon is now extending the program to the Obama administration�s �ConnectEd� initiative and has pledged up to $100 million over the next three years. The Verizon commercial video, �Inspire her mind� has gone viral around the globe and is a great depiction of a girl as the heroine and role model, solving complex technical problems."
100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM Rising Star: Miguel Quiroga- Executive Director of Customer Service of Verizon
 "I am actively involved in mentoring both as mentor and mentee and find it to be one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. I believe that being a perpetual student of your craft is critical to success. More importantly, mentorship is an opportunity to create a continuous cycle of learning and engagement. These sorts of personal relationships are great opportunities to learn from each other and get into the specifics of execution, career management, and how to drive future growth and innovation."
At X-STEM Meet the 15-Year-Old Innovator Who is Making STEM Come Alive for Students!
 Although just 15 years old, Vanessa Thompson is already making her mark through her grassroots effort to make math and science more engaging for young students. At the X-STEM Extreme Symposium this April experience how her StorybookMath.org website, honored for excellence by the U.S. Congress, is helping math concepts come alive through exciting, original video stories and storybook characters! Register NOW for X-STEM as tickets are going fast for this all-day event, which brings you up close with some of the most exciting visionaries in STEM! |
