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Government
Obama announces $600 million in grant programs to prepare workforce for jobs (Washington Post)
President Obama on Wednesday announced a pair of grant programs designed to bring academic institutions and businesses closer together to help prepare the American workforce for jobs that may otherwise go unfilled. The grant programs total $600 million, money already in the federal budget. The decision to designate the money for these grants arose from a review of federal jobs programs by Vice President Biden, who joined Obama at a community college here outside Pittsburgh to make the announcement. �Too many Americans, if they are lucky enough to have a job, are working harder and harder to get ahead,� Obama said.
America's Top Young Scientists Warn Of Systemic Brain Drain: Colleagues 'Sort Of Disappear' (Huffington Post)
Every three years, a diverse group of top scientists from around the world convenes at the International Conference of Gas Hydrates. The meetings, which have been taking place since 1993, provide a rare opportunity to explore developments surrounding the highly important ice-like substance. Held in Beijing from July 28 through Aug. 1, it will focus specifically on how gas hydrate applications could lead to energy innovations and, on the flip side, to "climate change and geohazards." Department of Energy has sent three representatives to the International Conference of Gas Hydrates. This year, however, they will only be sending one. 
Community Collleges
Grant to fund expansion of Ivy Tech-Kokomo program (AP)
Ivy Tech's Kokomo Region will get a $3.3 million federal grant to expand a job-training program that serves industrial technology students. Ivy Tech said Tuesday the U.S. Labor Department had awarded the grant to its Integrated Technology Education Program. The program developed in partnership with 14 high schools and career centers and industry awards technical certificates in seven industrial technology fields as well as associate degrees. Students can begin training in high school, in college or as returning adult students. Ivy Tech says the grant will cover two new positions, equipment for Ivy Tech and high school and industry partners, and more than $1.2 million in scholarships and cost waivers for students.
Springfield Technical Community College will offer summer STEM academy for fall students to get early start (MassLive)
Springfield Technical Community College has announced a new summer program to allow incoming students a chance to get an early start on their college credits by exploring the possibility of a career in [STEM]. The STEM Starter Academy will allow participants to earn a $1,000 stipend; take free college courses including: the college success seminar, essentials of engineering and math; participate in field trips; and learn from guest speakers and STEM experts working in the field.
STEM Webinars
Girls: A No Ceilings Conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton (Clinton Foundation)
On Thursday April 17th, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton will host Girls: A No Ceilings Conversation � the first in a series of No Ceilings Conversation events designed to provide a forum to hear from girls and women around the world. Moderated by actress and advocate America Ferrera, Girls: A No Ceilings Conversation will bring together girls to talk about their lives, experiences, and hopes for the future. Taking place at the Lower Eastside Girls Club in New York City, the conversation will join girls from the Girls Club, the Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Inc., Girl Up, the Young Women�s Leadership Network and four schools from across the country on Microsoft�s Skype Software.
Afterschool & the Next Generation Science Standards: Where to start? (Afterschool Alliance)
Thursday, Apr 17, 2014 at 01:00 PM EDT: In this webinar, we�ll start with NGSS 101, highlighting components especially of interest to afterschool. Katelyn Wamsted, program director at Girlstart in Austin, Texas, will then share why Girlstart chose to align its programs and curricula to NGSS, and the steps they�ve taken so far. Since school partnerships are key to productively engaging with the new standards, Katelyn will focus on how Girlstart develops and maintains strong relationships with their school sites.
Industry
Life Christian School teacher awarded fellowship to Siemens STEM Institute (Oregonian)
Life Christian School science teacher Holly Neill is one of 50 middle and high school educators selected from across the nation to take part in the Siemens STEM Institute fellowship. The Institute is an all-expenses-paid week-long immersion program that promotes hands-on, real-world integration of STEM in the classroom. The week will be filled with guest speakers at the forefront of STEM as well as field trips to institutions where the educators will observe real-world applications of STEM.
Reports
Americans Think Science Is Great! Except When They Don�t. (re/code)
Americans are riddled with ambivalence when it comes to the march of science � optimistic, queasy, expectant or dubious, depending on the particular subject at hand. On the whole, U.S. citizens expect to see profound advances in the next half century, according to a Pew Research Center survey released on Thursday, completed in partnership with Smithsonian Magazine. Asked what inventions they most want to take advantage of themselves, participants repeatedly landed on three themes: Medical strides that extend human longevity, flying cars or personal space crafts, and time travel. On the other hand, nearer realities like robot caregivers, face computers, genetic engineering and drones seem to give a lot of people the heebie-jeebies.
Massachusetts
DCU Center in Worcester to host statewide STEM conference (MassLive)
This fall, Worcester will be center stage to roughly 1,300 people representing businesses, education and government agencies focused on the status of science, technology, engineering and math education in the commonwealth when it hosts the Gateway to the Future summit. The 11th annual Massachusetts STEM conference is a statewide event that promotes education in the four disciplines with a focus on "developing the highly-skilled workforce that the global innovation economy demands." The one-day conference scheduled for Oct. 22 and organized by the Governor�s STEM Advisory Council, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and the UMass Donahue Institute will take place at the DCU Center.
DC
Pretty Cool � Check Out the 2014 Code for Progress fellows (Prince of Petworth)
�What do a 51 year old grandmother of five from Anacostia, a local DJ, an entrepreneur and a DC transplant from Sierra Leone have in common? They�re all learning to code in the name of improving the lives of people in and out of The District. Meet Jason, Terri, Cassidy and Selina � the 2014 Code for Progress fellows. These four Washingtonians are about to make some major changes to historically underserved communities here in town. Cassidy Henderson was born in Sierra Leone, but now lives in Washington DC. She is a transgender woman who is hoping to improve the lives of other LGBT people in the US by connecting them with safe spaces and social services through the app she creates.
North Dakota
Loan Forgiveness Available For STEM Students (KFYR-TV)
College graduates employed in [STEM]-related occupations in North Dakota may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the STEM Occupations Student Loan Program coordinated by the North Dakota University System and the Bank of North Dakota. The program provides loan forgiveness of up to $1,500 per year for up to four years. Applicants who meet these qualifications will be considered based on the date their application is received by the North Dakota University System. Applications will be accepted no earlier than May 1, 2014, through June 30, 2014.
Louisiana
Committee to discuss repealing the Louisiana Science Education Act (KATC)
Thursday, the Senate Education Committee will discuss repealing the Louisiana Science Education Act. The bill passed in 2008 and has since drawn criticism from opponents who believe the law tries to add religion to science education. Proponents say the law allows for critical thinking. Senate Bill 175, authored by Senator Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, seeks to repeal the law, which has allowed science teachers to discuss scientific theories including evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning. However, critics of the Louisiana Science Education Act say the law allows teachers to interject religious beliefs, including the teaching of creationism, into their science lessons.
Utah
NASA astronaut emphasizes STEM education to Utah students (Salt Lake City Tribune)
Six-time shuttle astronaut Story Musgrave visited students in the Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Club at Copper Mountain Middle School Wednesday afternoon to emphasize the importance of STEM careers. Musgrave is the only NASA astronaut to fly on all five shuttles during his 30-year career with the agency. He also was on the mission that repaired the blurry Hubble telescope. Musgrave is visiting Utah to deliver the keynote address at Clark Planetarium�s annual gala on Thursday evening.
STEM Food & Ag
Inside An Old Chicago Packing Plant, Inspiring Proof That Urban Indoor Farming Can Succeed (Fast Co.Exist)
.jpg) Four years ago, entrepreneur John Edel bought a sprawling vacant factory in Chicago and decided to turn it into a vertical farm that produces everything from fish to salad greens to beer. Now, Edel says the experiment is proving that urban indoor farming can work: His venture provides local food and recycles local waste, all while turning a profit. Edel originally started The Plant as a way to reclaim empty space that no one else wanted. �I had been looking for ways to reuse vacant and derelict industrial buildings,� he says. �Modern manufacturing isn�t really interested in being in a 100-year old multi-story structure, but plants and fish don�t really care what floor they�re on.� |
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Women In Technology To Share Successes And Advice With Students At 2014 USA Science & Engineering Festival
 Lockheed Martin will host a panel of successful female technologists and mentors from leading organizations to provide encouragement and guidance to students at the upcoming USA Science & Engineering Festival. The Women in Technology panel on the Lockheed Martin stage will be comprised of representatives from Pinterest, Girls Who Code and Michelle in Training. The panel will take place Saturday, April 26 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 at 1:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. In addition to the stage, Lockheed Martin engineers and technologists will showcase awe-inspiring technologies and interactive, hands-on exhibits in the areas of advanced aeronautics, data analytics, scientific discovery, nanotechnology, robotics and energy.
Some of the Largest Companies in America to Converge at the USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo to Inspire the Nation in STEM!
 Corporate America represents one of the nation's largest supporters and employers in STEM. And at the Festival Expo in April you'll be brought up close and personal with some of the most notable companies in this realm as they serve as high-profile Sponsors for the Festival, helping to wow the next generation of innovators through dynamic hands-on exhibits and presentations in science and engineering. Companies such as: Lockheed Martin (the Festival's founding and presenting host), Northrop Grumman and MedImmune (presenters of the Festival's Extreme STEM Symposium), InfoComm International, Walmart, Microsoft, K&L Gates, 3M, Dow, Caterpillar and many others. Be at the Festival Expo to discover and be inspired by these STEM leaders!
U.S. News STEM Solutions National Leadership Conference to Host �Cyber Security is STEM� Lunch Panel
 U.S. News STEM Solutions announced today the �Cyber Security is STEM� session preceding the 2014 U.S. News STEM Solutions National Leadership Conference. Industry Cyber Security leaders will join Robin �Montana� Williams, the Department of Homeland Security�s (DHS) Branch Chief of National Cybersecurity Education & Awareness, on Wednesday, April 23 for an invitation only lunchtime panel to brief educators on the nation�s Cyber Security education strategy and how Cyber Security is playing a key role in advancing America�s STEM mission and inspiring students to pursue these cutting edge careers. BAE Systems is launching the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) LifeJourney where students can test drive their future as a CTO. Rick Geritz, CEO of LifeJourney, will moderate a session on how schools are providing their students the skills and capabilities to take advantage of this rapidly growing STEM market.
Carnegie Science Center Announces Launch of STEMisphere
 Parents: Now is the perfect time to hunt educational summer activities across western Pennsylvania for your children. A new, user-friendly tool launched by Carnegie Science Center will keep young minds sharp outside of the classroom. Carnegie Science Center launched STEMisphereThe database contains hundreds of listings of programs, classes, events, and more in STEM-related fields for students ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Students, teachers, and parents can use keywords to search for programs with specific focuses, such as �robotics� or �astronomy.� |
