January 2023

Mentor: the National Mentoring Partnership

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field is rich with opportunity and possibility, and mentoring relationships grounded in these subjects give young people the space to make discoveries and explore exciting new passions. Check out the resources and stories below for some STEM mentoring inspiration!

#MentoringAmplifies #STEMmentoring 

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.

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.

NASA's Astrophoto Challenge

January 2, 2023- February 28, 2023

Make Your Own Image of the Pillars of Creation with NASA’s Astrophoto Challenge.

Join NASA's Universe of Learning for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own images of the iconic Pillars of Creation and the broader Eagle Nebula in which they reside. Use your images to explore the impact of hot stars on the gas and dust that make up the pillars, or just create an image that you think is beautiful. You can capture your own real-time telescope image using the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network. You can also work with archival data files taken with multi-wavelength NASA, ESA, and CSA space telescope missions (Webb, Hubble, Chandra, Spitzer, and Herschel).

 Virtual Picture-Perfect STEM Workshop

Join the authors for a Virtual Picture-Perfect STEM Workshop! Participate in three, 2-hour sessions of live, interactive professional learning with Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan.

This workshop will give you the skills, confidence, AND lessons to begin teaching Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons!

• Participate in model lessons and activities via Zoom
• Become familiar with many high-quality, STEM-related picture books
• Experience the 5E Instructional Model
• Receive an electronic packet of lessons that integrate STEM and literacy

Program dates: February 1, February 8, and February 15, 2023, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM ET.

TEA introduces STEM One Pagers

TEA has introduced the publication of their STEM one pagers which highlights topics such as STEM Misconceptions, Computational Thinking and Engineering Design Process. he Texas Education Agency has developed tools to help districts engage with families through STEM Education programming and build awareness throughout the community by expanding learning beyond the classroom.

eCYBERMISSION Virtual STEM Competition

January 25, 2023 Registration Closes

eCYBERMISSION is a web-based STEM competition for students in grades 6-9.

Each team needs:

• 2-4 students
• An adult Team Advisor
• A community problem to explore or try to solve

Texas Advanced Computing Center's 2023 Research for Teachers (RET) program

May 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024

The Texas Advanced Computing Center at The University of Texas at Austin is actively recruiting science, technology, engineering, and math teachers (grades 6-12) from Austin and surrounding areas to participate in the DesignSafe Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program during the summer of 2023. This summer, STEM teachers will work alongside NHERI DesignSafe-CI faculty, researchers, and staff of the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin. Applications are due January 13, 2023. You can apply for the RET program here:

https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_beyp9zkCY3h6Rbo

Countdown to Engineers Week 2023 Webinar

January 19th from noon - 1 p.m. EST - We're fast approaching Engineers Week (Feb. 19 to 25) and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Feb. 23). Are you looking for inspiration, ideas, or advice to spice up your plans? Attend this free and informative webinar and get ideas you can use right away!

Learn more about Engineers Week: https://discovere.org/engage/engineers-week/ 

Learn more about Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day: https://discovere.org/engage/girl-day/

Texas Advanced Computing Center at The University of Texas

The Texas Advanced Computing Center at The University of Texas at Austin is actively recruiting science, technology, engineering, and math teachers (grades 6-12) from Austin and surrounding areas to participate in the DesignSafe Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program during the summer of 2023. This summer, STEM teachers will work alongside NHERI DesignSafe-CI faculty, researchers, and staff of the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin.



Science Communication Fellowship 2023

Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) is now seeking students and educators to participate in deep ocean expeditions as part of the 2023 E/V Nautilus Expedition in the Central Pacific! Founded by Dr. Robert Ballard, OET is a nonprofit organization committed to bringing international ocean exploration to the world via live telepresence and providing experiential opportunities for students, young professionals, and educators. Accepted Fellows are paid to attend a science communication training workshop in March 2023 and sail aboard E/V Nautilus for 3-5 weeks to bring the excitement of ocean exploration to students and public audiences around the world through varied outreach platforms

 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. 



 Texas Space Grant Consortium- LiftOff and Liftoff Alumni Summer Institute 2023!

 5th-12th Grade

From looking for potential asteroids or comets that might impact Earth, to protecting our home planet, NASA’s Planetary defense research is critical to our assessment of future impact hazards, for developing spacecraft missions that will assist us in protecting our home and increasing our understanding of the world around us. Join us for LiftOff 2023: Planetary Defenders, June 25-30, 2023.

PROGRAM FEATURES:

• Presentations by NASA scientists and engineers
• Tours of NASA and Space Center Houston
• Hands-on, inquiry-based classroom activities aligned with educational standards
• Career Exploration
• Teacher Feature (sharing of classroom lessons and activities)
• Opportunity to interact with researchers dedicated to space missions

The deadline for receiving applications is December 20, 2022, for LiftOff 2023 and should be submitted through the online system: https://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/liftoff/index.html

 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.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES

Annual Girls Lead STEM Month

SWE Invent it Build it 

Greater Austin STEM Quarterly Networking Forum

Engineering Research Symposium

 McDonald Observatory Teacher Virtual Workshops

Matagorda Bay B-WET PD Opportunity

STEM Research Experience for Teachers - El Paso Teachers

Big Green Jumpstart School Garden Grant

Society for Science - Advocate Program

Ciena Teacher Grants

Spark of STEM Coffee Break Free STEM Video Series for K-12 Educators

NASA Engagement & Educator Professional Development Collaborative PD Events

McDonald Observatory Educator Professional Development

IF/THEN Collection: Library of women STEM innovators

Elementary and middle school students, families, and educators are invited to join us for FREE hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fun!

STEM Girl Day at UT Austin 2023

Saturday, February 25, 2023

11:30 a.m. til 4:00 p.m. CT

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.

Find STEM Role Models on FabFems!