Making SCIENCE Education Better, More EQUITABLE

Making Science Education Better, More Equitable

Without stronger and more equitable science education, the United States could lose its competitive place in the global economy and struggle to cope with future crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

That was the consensus in a new report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, which calls for both federal and local efforts to overhaul K-12 science instruction across the nation. Among other recommendations, the report calls for federal and state policymakers to include science in state and federal accountability systems with reading and math and to develop “STEM opportunity” maps and report cards to pinpoint inequities among communities in funding, teachers, and other resources for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The Call to Action for Science Education is an important report reminding us that our past dramatic and impactful shifts in science education (the Sputnik response of the 50s and 60s, and the shift from science by books to hands-on experience in the 80s and 90s) are no longer enough. We have to turn up our advocacy of science for all and increase efforts and resources for educators, business, government and others to engage students in these exciting industries, jobs and skills.

Science is an Essential Tool for Solving the Greatest Problems

of our Time and Understanding the World around Us

Excerpt from the Call to Action for Science Education Report

Scientific thinking and understanding are essential for all people navigating the world, not just for scientists and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals. They enable people to address complex challenges in local communities and at a global scale, more readily access economic opportunity and, rein in life-threatening problems such as those wrought by a global pandemic. In this way, knowledge of science and the practice of scientific thinking are essential components of a fully functioning democracy. Science is also crucial for the future STEM workforce and the pursuit of living wage jobs. Yet, science education is not the national priority it needs to be, and states and local communities are not yet delivering high quality, rigorous learning experiences in equal measure to all students from elementary school through higher education.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine lays out a vision for equitable access to quality science learning experiences across K-16 education that will enable all people to develop the scientific literacy they need for personal and professional success. To achieve this vision, investing in improved science learning for all must be a national priority embraced by federal and state policy makers and local communities.

The work of the committee was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic at a time when our nation is confronting systemic racial and economic inequities that we must end. This context influenced the content of the committee’s deliberations, the vision for a better and more equitable science education it mapped, and the recommendations it put forth. The report presents the vision, with the aspiration that stakeholders in communities across the country will work together to ensure that, nationwide, students of all races, ethnicities, and financial circumstances have the opportunity to shape the future.

To read the full Call to Action for Science Education report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, click here.

To read the related full article in EducationWeek, click here.

Delaware Must Re-prioritize STEM Education!

An Op-Ed by Stephen E. Schwartz

Retired English teacher, former chairman of Delaware Science Coalition and

former president of Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education (DFSME)

The past months have seen unprecedented stress on our global society and especially on our schools resulting in huge but yet unquantified learning deficits. However, here in Delaware, there seems to be a resolve to “build back better” utilizing the huge influx of digital devices, the enhanced wi-fi access and the collective experience of hybrid combinations of virtual learning with face-to-face instruction. Nonetheless, even as a long-time English teacher, I see a huge need to broaden the curriculum to address the world-wide challenges we all currently face and that our children will face for the rest of the 21^st century. Students of today need to know and use the “scientific method”— define the problem, make observations, form hypotheses, test those hypotheses, and draw conclusions.

Areas of Health Science, Environment, Data and Technology are addressed in this Op-Ed.

Health Science

While we may get through the current COVID-19 crisis, the experience has certainly shown how much we do not know. Daily, we hear politicians, parents, and people on the street claiming that “the science clearly shows” all sorts of diametrically conflicting truths; most are showing how little they understand about health sciences - biology, chemistry, the human body, or the disease process. One thing seems clear, however: the COVID-19 virus will NOT be the last such health risk we face. The mapping of the genome set the foundation for vast expansion of biological understandings, but even the average citizen needs to know more to make good decisions about food production and selection, nutrition, exercise, health care, immunotherapy, addiction, etc. We need deeper understandings of the science!

Environment

Simultaneously – after the hottest July of recorded history - our planet is facing huge stresses from climate change and the depletion/pollution of natural resources. Our children could be faced with Jeff Bezos’ seemingly wild idea to mine and manufacture in outer space. Even today, we are trusting mostly uninformed politicians to make decisions about harnessing solar, wind, and wave energy, the protection of land and forests, the disposal of waste products, along with the preservation and recycling of potable water; simultaneously, homeowners and regular citizens make daily decisions about pollution and resource preservation. We all need a better background in geology, soil science, physics, and climate science!

>> READ MORE

Registration is Open! October 8-9, 2021

Delaware Mathematics and STEM Equity Virtual Conferences

Two Powerful Days of Professional Learning Dedicated to Equity in Math and STEM

Conference sessions include a range of highly relevant topics: teaching for social justice, building a stronger and more inclusive STEM pipeline, STEM equity success stories, the role of data science in school mathematics, coaching for equity, math for social justice, leading school and district level equity-focused reform, promoting equitable classroom-level teaching practices, redefining students’ mathematical identities, building structures to promote deeper learning for all students, making the “M” in STEM count, and addressing systemic challenges of equity in education and the community.

October 8th - Virtual Math Equity Conference

Featured speakers include:

• Dr. Michael Flynn | Mt. Holyoke University

• Dr. Nicol Lee Turner | Center for Technology Innovation

• Dr. Ilana Horn | Vanderbilt University

• Dr. Brian Lawler | Kennesaw State University

• Kristin Gray | Math Minds

• Berkeley Everett | VISUAL Math

and other highly respected mathematics education speakers.

October 9th - Virtual STEM Equity Conference

Featured speakers include:

• Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri | University of Wisconsin

• Dr. Jo Boaler | Stanford University

• STEM Queen Jackie Means | Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative

and other notable STEM leaders in Delaware and at the national level.

For Information & to Register

for Math Equity Virtual Conference

$25

CLICK HERE

For Information & to Register

for the STEM Equity Virtual Conference

$25

CLICK HERE

When registering, you'll also have the option to register for both conference days ($40).

For the Event flyer or to be an Event Sponsor, click here.

Hosted and produced in partnership with Delaware STEM Council, Delaware Math Coalition (DMC), Delaware Department of Education, FAME Inc., and Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME).

Financial Assistance Available

If you are or know a student who could use financial assistance to be able to attend the Math & STEM Equity event, DFSME has a limited number of registration scholarships available.

Email Anne Pfaelzer de Ortiz at anne.dfsme@gmail.com for inquiries.

7th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards

November 4, 2021 • 4PM - 6PM

The 2021 Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners will be revealed!

Delaware STEM Educator Awards recognize certified teachers and community educators

who demonstrate STEM innovation and excellence

through teaching, academic collaboration, and student engagement.

Our sponsors and elected officials, in collaboration with the hosts,

will preside over awards honoring winners at the

Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) levels.

Guest Speakers

Bethany Hall-Long, Lieutenant Governor of Delaware

Susan Bunting, Secretary of Education, Delaware Department of Education

Click on the button above to register for this FREE event and receive a Zoom invite.

For more information, click here.

The Jon Manon 2021 STEAM Team Education Award

Nominations must be received by October 1, 2021

The Jon Manon STEAM Team Education Award is presented annually by DFSME to recognize a team of teachers who have collaborated within their school to achieve outstanding accomplishments, not possible without coordinated team planning and execution. The Award recognizes team collaboration within the school; administrative support for collective, interdisciplinary activities; and unique opportunities for students.

The Award recognizes the roles of the team members and provides a cash award of $1,000 for the team. This supports projects – and publicizes to the school, district leadership, and state the success of the team, and how the STEAM education of their students has been improved to make them more interested and competitive in the future Delaware STEM workforce.

For more information about the submission of a project, please contact Steve Schwartz at drses48@aol.com or Michelle Kutch at Michelle.Kutch@bsd.k12.de.us.

Interested in getting your

Graduate Certificate in STEM Education?

This Wilmington University Program starts every 8 weeks

Next Start Date is October 25

The Wilmington University Graduate Certificate in STEM Education provides educators with the practical skills needed to integrate technology, science, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) concepts into their curriculum.

The Graduate Certificate in STEM Education is designed for those who are interested in the

in-depth study of pedagogical and technological knowledge and skills that are useful in implementing an integrated approach to teaching STEM concepts in the classroom. Candidates study research-based practices to acquire knowledge and skills needed for educating students in the four specific STEM disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.

The certificate includes 15 credits of STEM content-specific courses related to pedagogical knowledge and skills. The program requires that candidates be working in an educational setting or a training center to complete the program competency assignments.

More than 3,500 current Delaware teachers have graduated from Wilmington University, including 10 of the last 12 Delaware Teachers of the Year.

The STEM Education Certification is available with onsite campus and virtual formats.

For more information or to apply, click here.

"To raise new questions, new possibilities,

to regard old problems from a new angle,

requires creative imagination and

marks real advance in science."

– Albert Einstein

October 2-3

Coast Day Lewes, Delaware

Coast Day showcases how University of Delaware scientists, staff, and students

are improving our understanding of ocean environments and serve coastal communities.

Attendees interact with researchers, tour ships, try hands-on activities,

and attend presentations on a range of topics.

For more information and to register, click here.

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Save the Date! October 8-9

Delaware Mathematics & STEM Equity Virtual Conferences

Day 1: Delaware Math Equity Conference

“Redefining Mathematical Identities and

Creating Positive Memorable Experiences for All Learners”

To register for October 8, click here.

Day 2: Delaware STEM Equity Conference

“What Does STEM Equity Really Look Like in the Classroom?”

To register for October 9 conference, click here.

Upon registering, you will have the option to register for BOTH days for $40.

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October 14

Inspiring Women in STEM Conference 2021

The leading professional development and networking event in Delaware designed

to encourage, support and inspire women in all aspects of STEM in their professional lives – including industrial and government scientists and engineers, academic researchers, STEM educators,

college students, and entrepreneurs.

To register, click here .

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October 19

Equity in the Classroom

STEM Educators Network offers the second in the series of meetings focused on

developing STEM teacher networks, spotlighting professional development for STEM teachers,

sharing resources and best practices, and advocating equity in the classroom.

To register, click here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with info about joining the meeting.

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October 27