STEM Ed Update 9/25/2017

Please enjoy this week's STEM Ed update.

Coalition Update:

Coalition Featured on Lab out Loud Podcast

As the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) takes full effect this fall, educators might be curious to know how this new legislation affects STEM education. To help us navigate through ESSA, we welcome James Brown to the show. As executive director of the STEM Education Coalition, James works with the Coalition to raise awareness in Congress, the Administration, and other organizations about the critical role that STEM education plays in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace of the 21st century. James joins us to talk about ESSA, how it impacts states and STEM education, and how teachers can get more involved as this law rolls out. Listen to the podcast here.

Stay in the Know:

Latest STEM Education Policy News

Melania Trump Promotes STEM Education at Youth Center

CNN

First lady Melania Trump highlighted science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education Friday afternoon, visiting with students at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington. Joining President Donald Trump for a speech at the base, the first lady

made a stop of her own to the base's Youth Center, a facility serving approximately 200 children of military personnel, contractors and civilians living and working on the installation daily. Continue reading here .

Science Teaching Guidelines Trigger Criticism in New Mexico

U.S. News and World Report

Environmentalists and educators raised new objections Tuesday to proposed changes to teaching standards for science in New Mexico that substitute references to rising global temperatures and climate change with statements about climate "fluctuations."

The New Mexico Public Education Department has suggested several custom additions and deletions as it moves forward with adopting a set of science standards developed by a consortium of states and the National Academy of Sciences. Additions that highlight the study of New Mexico's unique natural history are being overshadowed by several deletions of references to evolution, the 4.6 billion-year age of the earth and climate change. Continue reading here.

Without a Net: The Digital Divide In America Premiere

At a time when American students from economically-deprived schools are often ill-prepared for the global, digital economy, the film explores the rise of the 'digital divide' through the lens of the policies and funding structures that have contributed - and if greater parity in education can be achieved through technology, what are the critical factors in determining that success? The one-hour film examines the challenges of providing connectivity in public schools, the complexities of barriers like teacher training, as well as the transformative potential of fully equipping all students for the digital world. Without A Net: The Digital Divide in America will premiere on National Geographic on Tuesday, September 26th at 10 p.m. ET and is an official selection of the New York Film Festival. Watch the trailer here.

Around the Community:

ASCE Salary Survey Results Reveal a Civil Engineering Industry In Demand

Survey says ...? Bright futures for civil engineers.

Results of the 2017 ASCE Salary Survey find that the median pre-tax income for civil engineers was $101,000 in 2016. Base salaries, meanwhile, have risen between 4 and 5 percent each year since 2014. "It's an exciting

time to be a civil engineer," said Norma Jean Mattei, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE. "As professionals, we take pride in our work as the stewards of the nation's infrastructure and value educational and technical advancement to continue as leaders. "The salary survey results show that our skills are appreciated by the market through compensation and other benefits. Not only is the profession a fun and exciting one, it is also one where you can make a good livelihood." Continue reading here.

Belief in Success Predicts How Kids Do in Math and Reading

Futurity

When kids believe they can achieve success in math and reading, they are more likely to achieve high test scores in those subjects, new research suggests. Researchers used two US data sets-with one being a nationally represented study-and one UK data set to measure self-concept and standardized assessments of early and later academic achievement. Self-concept is how students perceive their capabilities to succeed on academic tasks. Continue reading here.

Afterschool Alliance Day of Sharing

Let's show the world what afterschool can do! On September 27, 2017, Afterschool Alliance will be hosting a nationwide Day of Sharing to share the positive impact afterschool programs have every day

with policymakers in Congress. Afterschool programs work give har dworking parents and families peace of mind that their children are in a safe and supportive environment and taking part in an immersive, enriching learning experiences. Learn more about the Day of Sharing 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 Leadership 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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