Our TxGCP eNewsletter arrives monthly in your inbox to learn about science, technology, engineering and math resources, educational opportunities and more around Texas and beyond!

February 2020

Upcoming TxGCP Events

Find more Greater Austin STEM Ecosystem events here.

Request STEM Professionals for Classrooms & Programs!

Texas STEM Connections is a web-based tool that makes it easy for STEM professionals to connect with K-20 educators, classrooms, out of school time programs, and other volunteer opportunities. Professionals can share their skills and expertise to bring real-world, authentic learning opportunities to all our students helping to create the next generation of innovators. Through in-person matches and virtual sessions, professionals can help educators and program providers connect their students to the world of STEM. Together we can make a difference. Request a STEM Professional

Educator Resources: All Educators

*NEW* Summer Research Experiences for Teachers at UT Austin Elementary Teachers Grades 2-5 Middle/High School Teachers Applications Due Feb 3, 2020 Each summer, STEM teachers from local schools participate in a 7 week program where they work alongside faculty and graduate students, participating in graduate-level research projects within the field of engineering, physics, chemistry and materials science. In addition to the research component, RET staff and faculty will guide teachers to develop and teach science/engineering-based lessons that connect current research in science/engineering to k-12 curricula in the classroom, and promote science/engineering as an exciting career that allows k-12 students to apply their math and science education to real-world problems.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (5/1) Technovation Girls - free global technology entrepreneurship program Despite the Odds: Young Women Who Persist in Engineering Executive Summary Vernier Engineering Award (2/7) Astronomy Teacher Professional Development at McDonald Observatory (2/15) RGV STEM Education Conference (2/14) Informal Science Education Association of Texas Conference Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Science Competition (& free lesson plans!) Saxena Family Foundation Grants STEM Education Outreach Grants Classroom Challenge on Solutions to Climate Change Energy Literacy for Our Youth Afterschool STEM 101 STEM Moments from TXPOST National AfterSchool Association FREE Tech Toolkit FREE STEM Female Role Models Book "Smithsonian Science How" Webcasts Hill Country Science Mill EcoRise - Environmental Sustainability Curriculum

Educator Resources: Elementary School

*NEW* Engineering Activity: Magnify It In this lesson for Grades K-2, youngsters come to understand that there are limits to what the eye can see and that a magnifying glass can help extend those limits. *NEW* Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Applications due Mar 4, 2020 Each year, the President of the United States recognizes up to 108 extraordinary teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science) for their work in the classroom. Nominate yourself or other outstanding K-6 math, science, or computer science teacher for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES Family Engagement Project Resources for those engaging with families in STEM Elementary STEM Lesson Plans: Peanuts and NASA TCI: ForesTREE Experience Summer K-8 Teacher Workshop Open OutDoors/Every Kid in a Park Program Design Squad Global Free Resources Dumpster 101 Science Curriculum Thinkery Guided Tours and Focused Field Trips

Educator Resources: Middle School

*NEW* Engineering Activity: Design a Watch Face for the Visually Impaired Students follow the engineering design process while combining mechanical engineering and bioengineering to create a new wristwatch face for a visually impaired student at their school. Student teams present their designs to the class and construct prototypes of a watch face that doesn’t rely on sight to tell time.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES Rising Stargirls Educator Astronomy and Astrobiology Free PD Free Registration for the Future City Competition Aquatic Ecosystems: Austin's Natural Laboratories PlantingScience Free Resources Design Squad Global Free Resources Free Opportunity for Connecting and Collaborating on STEM Solutions New Activities on SciGirls CONNECT! Dumpster 101 Science Curriculum Activity: Citizen Science SciGirls Middle School Educator Hands-on Activity Resources

Educator Resources: High School

*NEW* Engineering Activity: Redesigning a Classroom for the Visually Impaired Students in grades 9 to 11 practice human-centered design by creating prototype products to improve classroom accessibility for the visually impaired. They begin by wearing low-vision simulation goggles (or blindfolds) and walking with canes to experience what it feels like to navigate a classroom they can't see.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES Opportunity: $1000 and More to Teachers for Expanding High School Computer Science Aquatic Ecosystems: Austin's Natural Laboratories UTeach STEM Educators Conference - June 30, 2020 PlantingScience Free Resources Free Opportunity for Connecting and Collaborating on STEM Solutions Design, Build, and Learn: The Fluid Power Challenge Science News Journal - Free Sign-up for High Schools Engineer Your World Engineering Go For It!

Try It Out

Find Opportunities

Get Connected: STEM Email Groups, Volunteers, Mentors

Join our K-12 STEM Outreach Google Groups! These email groups (open and moderated listservs) are all about sharing resources, information, events, volunteers, needs, and more with others reaching out to K-12 students aiming to excite them about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Central TX |  DFW |  East Texas |  El Paso |  Houston |  Laredo |  RGV |  San Antonio |  Waco |  West TX For those not in one of these areas who still want to receive information going out to all groups, join the  Texas K-12 STEM Outreach group.    Contact  Tricia Berry for any specific regional requests or questions.

About TxGCP & NGCP

Led by the Women in Engineering Program (WEP) at The University of Texas at Austin along with a Leadership Team and Champions Board, the Texas Girls Collaborative Project (TxGCP) brings together advocates and leaders from non-profits, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, companies and organizations across Texas. The vision of the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) is to bring together organizations throughout the US and Puerto Rico that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The TxGCP eNewsletter is distributed approximately once a month. Visit the TxGCP web site for additional updates on upcoming events, resources and mini-grant information.

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