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The monthly TxGCP eNewsletter is designed for advocates and educators to learn about STEM resources, educational opportunities and more across Texas!
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This month we celebrate Citizen Science Month | |
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Citizen Science is a global movement that involves people from all walks of life in real science that matters to them. Each April, scientists, facilitators, citizen science project leaders and many others host events and programs to invite more people to discover all the ways they can participate in research that needs their help.
Pollinator Palooza: Resources and Tools to Plan Your Pollinator Event
April 19, 2023, 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern
April is Citizen Science Month! Join the National Citizen and Community Science Library Network webinar, supported by NGCP, to learn how to plan pollinator-focused citizen science programming in your library, afterschool program, or community-based center
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Earth Day
Saturday, April 22, 2023
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Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth's natural resources for future generations. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 in the United States and on either April 22 or the day the spring equinox occurs throughout the rest of the world.
Find an Earth Day Event Near you: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023/#map
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National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) Upcoming Webinars:
Breaking Stereotypes through Children's Books
April 27, 2023, 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern
Join NGCP during National Library Week to learn about the power of children’s books to break stereotypes and promote a sense of belonging in STEM. Guest speakers include Dr. Dieuwertje “DJ” Kast, Ed.D. from the University of Southern California who will talk about her work diversifying STEAM picture books and Katherine Locke, author of the picture book What Are Your Words?: A Book About Pronouns. Participants will gain ideas for new books and resources to share with the young readers in their lives.
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Science Near Me
Science Near Me is a free resource to help you quickly find opportunities to engage in all types of science, technology, engineering, math, (STEM) events, projects, and programs near you, in person and online.
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Connected Girls is a free, curated directory of STEAM opportunities designed for girls or other groups that have been historically excluded that is managed in partnership with Science Near Me. On either platform, search by location, topic, audience, and more to find STEAM opportunities and events for students, educators, families, and more.
Math Finder
Math Finder is an interactive website where you can access hundreds of short (2-4 minute), inquiry-based videos showing math and science walks in real-world places ranging from parks to playgrounds, from coffee shops to college campuses, and more. Use the videos flexibly as virtual field trips, opportunities to make connections to student interest and to show math come alive in the most unexpected places, strategies to deepen student engagement and to expand student identity as STEM inquirers and explorers in places that they move through, introduction to new concepts, reinforcement, homework, or in other ways. All videos are searchable by place, math topics, science themes, age groups, and more.
STEM Starts
The University of Texas at Austin has launched a new website to support educators, students and families in accessing pre-K–12 STEM programs from all across the university. Search for programs and events by grade, subject, and more.
STEM Camps Across Texas
TxGCP maintains a listing of STEM Camps across Texas. If you have a regularly occurring STEM Camp to share, send information to STEM@txgcp.org.
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Posts from TxGCP STEM Google Groups Across Texas | |
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VentureLab
With the Idea to Pitch Program, students grow their entrepreneurial mindsets and skills as they apply their passions and strengths to identify opportunities to creatively solve problems, develop their solution into a business, and pitch the idea. The Idea to Pitch Program is also perfect for engaging teachers and students in project based learning.
San Antonio Area: Afterschool Math Plus Curriculum Training Thursdays:
April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, and November 28, 2023
1:00 - 2:00 PM EST / 12:00 – 1:00 PM CST
REGISTER FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SESSION HERE: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsdOCqrDoiG9zaetMZdJh6DLDcMFLdoC5j
Houston Area: EcoRise Webinar
April 27th from 5:30-6:30pm CT/ 6:30-7:30pm ET, join this online, virtual workshop that will focus on NOAA's robust set of online tools and how they can be used in classrooms to further students' understanding of the climate crisis and adaptation and resilience strategies.
Dallas Area: Education Outreach Day 2023
Schools in Texas are invited to bring middle and high schools (grades 5-12) to participate in Education Outreach Day at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) on Thursday, May 18, 2023! This is a unique opportunity to meet ISEF finalists from around the world and participate in many hands-on, interactive STEM activities.
When: 9 am-3 pm on Thursday, May 18, 2023
Where: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, TX
How: Schools should complete this form
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Educator Resources: All Educators | |
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Computer Science Discoveries
Code.org Computer Science Discoveries is appropriate for 6-10th grade students and can be taught as a semester or year long introductory course (3-5 hours per week of instruction for 9-plus weeks). The course takes a wide lens on CS by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. Code.org's CS Discoveries is aligned to the TEKS for Fundamentals of Computer Science, which can be taught with a Tech Apps or Computer Science 8-12 teacher certification.
GREEN CAREERS SUMMER PROGRAM
The Wildflower center is excited to announce the launch of their Green Careers Summer Program, a hands-on learning experience just for teens! Students between the ages of 14 and 17 are invited to explore the fields of horticulture and environmental science at the Wildflower Center. Their team of experts will guide you through plant surveys, seed collection expeditions, gardening techniques and more.
2023 Energy Science & Technology Institute
Monday- Friday, July 17-21, 2023
Sponsored by UT Austin's Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, the week of professional development brings the latest in energy science, engineering and technology to teachers through engagement with UT faculty and researchers, lab experiments, group activities and field trips. The institute takes place on the UT Austin campus (with a two-day field trip to the Houston and Galveston area).
The registration deadline is April 1, 2023, with rolling admissions after that date if space is available.
Amazon Future Engineer
Amazon Future Engineer is a comprehensive childhood-to-career program aimed at increasing access to computer science education for children and young adults from underserved and underrepresented communities.
NASCAR Kids
Immerse K-8 students in real-life applications of STEM—and teach key science concepts at the same time—with lessons about a sport that many students enjoy. Check out these fun and engaging NASCAR-themed lessons and resources, free of charge to educators nationwide!
“Got Veggies?” Garden Education Resource
The Central Texas Food Bank’s Garden Manager, Greg Mast, has developed a garden educational resource. This collection has 6 short videos (roughly 10 minutes each) that cover gardening basics, healthy recipe demos, and more. Additionally, there is an activity booklet to go along with the curriculum. This resource is free, open to the public, and can be shared.
Access and Engagement III
Access and Engagement III adds to these earlier findings and continues the story as schools gradually returned to in-person teaching. In addition to survey data from educators, the current study features qualitative findings, obtained through focus groups and interviews, sharing personal accounts of challenges, successes, and reflections on the potential long-term impacts of the pandemic.
Ciena Teacher Grants
The Ciena Grants are established to support classroom teachers with the implementation of innovative and engaging STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) programs, activities, and technology (software and hardware) to promote learning and digital equality. The Ciena grant program will award deserving teachers in the DC metro area, DoDEA schools, and schools in all 50 states grants up to $3,000. The grants will be applied towards materials and resources to support STEM programs and activities. Schools with high economic need (over 50% of the students qualifying for free or reduced lunch assistance) will be given priority consideration to support digital equality. Innovative distance and virtual learning projects and programs will be considered. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
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Summer Camps Registration | |
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2023 Energy Science & Technology Institute for Texas high school STEM teachers will take place July 17-21 (M-F). Sponsored by UT Austin's Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, the week of professional development brings the latest in energy science, engineering and technology to teachers through engagement with UT faculty and researchers, lab experiments, group activities and field trips. The institute takes place on the UT Austin campus (with a two-day field trip to the Houston and Galveston area).
The registration deadline is April 1, 2023, with rolling admissions after that date if space is available—more information and registration at https://www.pge.utexas.edu/about/strategic-plan/energy-science-and-technology-institute.
The Hildebrand Endowment covers all workshop costs and enables us to offer a stipend of $900 to teachers who fully complete the program.
As part of the summer institute, teachers are introduced to our TEKS-aligned online energy curriculum available for free to high school teachers and students at https://energyexcursions.com.
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Get Connected: STEM Email Groups, Volunteers, Mentors | |
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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
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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.
Find STEM Role Models on FabFems!
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The Texas Girls Collaborative Project (TxGCP) is a statewide network of advocates and educators from non-profits, K-12 schools, universities and colleges, and companies across Texas and beyond who are committed to motivating and supporting women and girls to pursue and thrive in careers in STEM. TxGCP leads the annual Texas Women & Girls in STEM Summit, disseminates curriculum and effective practices, and supports a network of collaborators, resource sharing and STEM communications throughout the state. Led by Women in STEM (WiSTEM) at The University of Texas at Austin, TxGCP is a state collaborative of the National Girls Collaborative Project.
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).
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