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JUNE UPDATE
The InterMountain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Launch Pilot (IM STEM)
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We want to highlight your program
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Learning about programs and initiatives around the network is a key benefit to being part of the IM STEM community. If you would like to have your program highlighted in a future IM STEM newsletter or potentially showcased at a network meeting, please click here to enter your information.
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What's going on In the network?
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Communications and Resource Sharing
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The Communication and Resource Sharing group asks that you get the most out of network membership by engaging in conversation with each other on our social media channels, including our LinkedIn group (IM STEM Network) and Twitter (@imstemequity). We have also created a form on the IMSTEM website where you can enter information about your program, so we can share it across the network in future IM STEM newsletters.
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Our asset mapping team is currently working with Nevada to develop an asset map that shows where STEM programming exists. Some states already have maps, including
Idaho
,
Wyoming
,
and
New Mexico
. You can view them by clicking on the state name.
Any other questions about the IMSTEM Asset map initiative, please contact Kathleen Fitzpatrick
kfitzpatrick@napequity.org
.
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Effective Practice Scaling
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The Effective Practices Workgroup has developed a Rubric for Evaluating Programs to Broaden Participation in STEM.
Click here to access it
.
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This workgroup continues to monitor NAPE’s professional development efforts in the six states. NAPE has developed three 90 minute professional learning webinars to support educators to build community with students and parents as we close this school year and prepare for summer and fall. For more information about NAPE’s PD contact Kathleen Fitzpatrick at
kfitzpatrick@napequity.org
.
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What's going on Around the network?
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Colorado
The Women's Foundation of Colorado
created
This Is What STEM Looks Like!
to introduce parents, caregivers, and educators to the many opportunities that STEM can provide for girls and women. In this guide, are resources to help girls explore those opportunities and tools to inspire, motivate, and prepare young women to thrive in STEM careers.
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Idaho
Women in Engineering Day - Save the Date: October 2020
Women in Engineering (WIE) Day is a free one-day workshop designed to introduce high school students in 11th and 12th grades to engineering and computer science concepts. Students will learn how to take the skills they already have and build a successful college experience and future career.
Spend the day with the University of Idaho (U of I) College of Engineering and learn about:
- SCHOLARSHIPS toward a U of I undergraduate degree in engineering
- CAREER INFO and insight into the many engineering degree paths at U of I
- CURRENT STUDENT AND FACULTY ENGAGEMENT as students work alongside and learn from College of Engineering professionals
- DEPARTMENT TOURS and info on the many engineering learning spaces on campus
Women in Engineering Explore for 9th-10th Grade Women - Save the Date: March 2021
Learn more about engineering, science, technology, math and college life during Women in Engineering Explore (WIE Explore):
- Design and build cool projects
- Meet female engineering students
- Explore engineering laboratories on campus
- Learn about college life from U of I students
Request updates for Women in Engineering events by emailing Marie Wagner, Student Services Program Coordinator, at
mariew@uidaho.edu
.
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Nevada
Rural Regional STEM Network Grants Awarded
Nevada is working to expand formal and informal STEM programs in K-12 and in higher education in rural areas of the State. The Rural Regional STEM Network recently awarded $60,000 to five projects that will grow interest and achievement in STEM. Additional information about the awarded grants can be found here
http://osit.nv.gov/Grants/Regional_STEM_Network-Rural/
Three New STEM Equity Initiatives in Nevada
The Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) has partnered with the College of Southern Nevada to develop new initiatives that increase recruitment, retention, and completion rates of underrepresented students in STEM. Three new initiatives were recently funded through the grant: first, the STEM Institute of Student Engagement through Research will pair underrepresented students with faculty mentors to engage in undergraduate research projects. Second, funding was awarded to start the Coyote Career and Clothing Closet to provide professional clothing to low income students in STEM majors for job interviews at low or no cost or to provide needed workplace attire such as scrubs or work boots. Third, additional funding was provided to the student emergency fund which can be accessed by students to pay for unexpected expenses that might otherwise cause them to drop out of school.
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New Mexico
Summer 2020 STEM Santa Fe Camps
Due to funding restrictions, camps are open to students in Northern New Mexico only in the following counties: Santa Fe, Taos, San Miguel, Mora, Sandoval, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos. All camps are virtual via Zoom but may require parents to pick up materials in Santa Fe/Española. Click on the following link for information about available summer camps:
http://stemsantafe.org/programs/stemcamps/summer2020camps/
New Mexico STEM Signing Day
STEM Signing Day celebrates New Mexico high school seniors who are going on to pursue a higher education degree in a science, technology, engineering or math field. Fashioned after athletic signing days, students sign “letters of intent” to their chosen STEM field and school. This year, more than 220 students from across New Mexico participated. Click on the following link to view a video of the virtual event which took place on Monday, May 4, 2020.
https://www.afrlnewmexico.com/stem-signing-day
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Utah
COVID-19 Response
The STEM Action Center, in partnership with The Utah Division of Indian Affairs, the Department of Public Safety, Utah Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Makers, and teachers from Local Education Agencies across the state, is working to get 3D printed face shields to tribes across the state of Utah. Navajo Nation made national news for surpassing New York for the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the United States, and Utah PPE makers are hoping to ensure the tribal communities in Utah have the PPE needed to safely battle the threat. While the group's printers continue printing headpieces for the shields, conversations are being held about getting 3D printers donated to Utah tribes so residents can print and assemble shields on-site to help meet demand. Anyone wanting to get involved in the project can find more information at
https://stem.utah.gov/covid-19-response-3d-printing/
.
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Wyoming
Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming to Hold Virtual STEM Camps this Summer
From the backyard to the backcountry, Girl Scouts has a long and storied history of getting girls outdoors. This summer, for kids and parents faced with limited outdoor options due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming (GSMW) is keeping girls entertained and engaged with virtual and in-person outdoor activities this summer. While GSMW reduced its typical resident camp options and capacity this summer due to COVID-19 (a few in-person camp opportunities remain), GSMW is also providing several 3 day virtual summer camps! These opportunities are available to all girls—not just current Girl Scouts. Learn more at
https://www.gsmw.org/en/outdoors-travel/our-camps/summer-camp.html
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STEM Equity News, Events, & Resources
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#SHUTDOWNSTEM: A Day of Focus on Education & Discussion to Support Black Lives
On Wednesday, June 10, STEMconnector joined
#ShutDownSTEM
and
#ShutDownAcademia
to take time to focus on what we can do better, and plan how we can continue to play a bigger part in eradicating anti-Black racism in academia and the STEM fields. STEMconnector is committed to supporting corporate partners to invest in communities of color both in building their talent pipelines and in creating cultures of inclusion and support. Click on the following link for a list of resources that discuss racial tension, diversity, and steps everyone can take to make this country more equitable and inclusive to African-Americans. June 10, 2020.
https://www.stemconnector.com/shutdownstem-a-day-of-focus-to-on-education-discussion-on-supporting-black-lives/
Thousands of Scientists Go on Strike to Protest Systemic Racism in STEM
Thousands of scientists across the world stopped working on Wednesday, June 10, in honor of #ShutDownSTEM to protest institutional racism. More than 5,000 scientists and two prominent scientific journals shut down operations and used the day to address how racial inequalities in science produce bias in research and scholarship, and focused on long-term plans to dismantle entrenched racism in STEM fields. Click on the following link to read more.
June 10, 2020.
Announcing SciFest All Access!
The USA Science and Engineering Festival is thrilled to announce their new program, SciFest All Access, coming to you virtually this summer! At SciFest All Access, attendees of all ages can engage directly with sponsors and exhibitors to experience 100+ virtual STEM activities. This FREE virtual event will be a graphical depiction of the live Festival to include exhibitor booths, pavilions, and lounges with demonstrations, videos, games, and more. Educators, please relay the opportunity to students and parents so they have access to this fun, educational, and inspiring program. There is no cost to attend!
Click on the following link to register for this exciting program:
https://usasciencefestival.org/scifest-all-access-registration/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Register%20Here&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Emma
.
Also, contact the USA Science and Engineering Festival if your organization is interested in exhibiting at SciFest All Access.
Survey: Make a Difference for STEM Outreach for Girls
Arizona State University is calling out to parents/guardians of girls who participated in an out-of-school or afterschool STEM education program to help their daughters make a difference by having them answer a short anonymous research survey. The purpose of this research study is to improve the representation and access for girls to STEM education and career options. If interested, please email the researcher (
gabriela.a.gonzalez@asu.edu
) to obtain a parental consent form. Signed parental consent forms or confirmation of consent via email are required in order to include your daughter's responses in the research. The survey is available at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Girls_STEM
. Thank you for making a difference!
New Toolkits Aim to Increase STEM Diversity
A new classroom toolkit for junior high school and high school students includes the stories of real scientists, including women and people of color, to give more students the opportunity to see themselves represented in STEM fields.
The kit is part of an initiative from educational nonprofit The Plenary, Co. to increase the diversity of those pursuing STEM fields. The toolkits will include posters, career resources and other classroom materials, and the scientists represented in the toolkits will vary from graduate students to those more established in their fields.
Virtual Interactive STEM Speaker Series
Broadening Participation in STEM
Promising Practices for Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Opening Doors
The National Academies Press released a
report
last month recommending actions to address “entrenched patterns” of women being underrepresented across science, engineering and medical disciplines and in leadership roles within fields. Although the report notes federal science agencies and other research organizations have made progress in addressing disparities, it calls on them to play a stronger role in catalyzing “culture change,” such as by formally auditing grantee diversity practices and modifying grant review criteria. You can access the report here:
https://www.nap.edu/read/25585/chapter/1?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
Survey: Female Students Still Lack Confidence in Math, Science
The Heroines STEM: Ten Women in Science You Should Know
Despite
challenges
of gender discrimination and lack of recognition in the scientific community, countless inspiring women in STEM fields have made historic contributions to science and helped advance understanding of the world around us. Many were not recognized in their own lifetimes, but their achievements have helped generations of female scientists to come. This article highlights ten women in science you should know. January 28, 2020.
Girls Go CyberStart
High school teachers across the US can help find the next cybersecurity superstars by becoming Advisors and running a Girls Go CyberStart Club. Taking part will not only build your students' knowledge in multiple security disciplines, but it is also great fun! By taking part, your school will have access to free cybersecurity learning resources written and developed by industry professionals. Introduce, inspire and improve your students cybersecurity knowledge with online materials, while competing to win cash prizes for your school. Over 10,000 high school girls have taken part in the program so far. Click on the following link to learn more about Girls Go CyberStart and to sign up for updates about the next intake.
Although women have made significant strides towards gender equality in the workplace, many young girls and women are still discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM or in male-dominated industries. And even when they choose to pursue such careers, obtaining managerial positions is an even bigger uphill battle, which results in many industries still grossly underrepresenting women. One of the industries that still shows major gender gaps is the automotive industry.
The Rising Crisis in American STEM
To get more women and minorities interested in STEM, the solution starts in the colleges of education, not the colleges of engineering, math and sciences. Prospective teachers need to understand their role in changing the culture surrounding STEM learning environments and the societal norms they will be reinforcing in their classrooms. Teachers must model behavior in their classrooms that fosters the confidence of girls and minorities in their math and science abilities if we want to have a diverse STEM workforce. February 28, 2020.
Overlooked Talent Pools
Employers across industries face the burden of STEM talent gaps and understand the imperative to increase diversity in STEM roles. Yet, many employers turn to the same populations, geographies, and systems to find talent year after year. In doing so, they are either missing out on viable sources of talent entirely, or they underestimate the potential power of their unique role in growing and strengthening such pools.
STEMconnector’s Overlooked Talent Pools Data Series
offers a clear, data-driven picture of under-represented and often overlooked talent pools, allowing you to deepen your understanding of these populations and make more informed decisions.
https://www.stemconnector.com/overlooked-talent-pools/
Advancing Diversity in Engineering Research Labs
Diversifying the nation’s STEM workforce has been difficult, despite programs and strategies aimed at addressing the shortage of women and minorities in STEM fields. Increasing underrepresented populations in graduate engineering programs remains a challenge. According to an American Society of Engineering Education assessment, doctoral degrees awarded in 2017 to black/African American and Hispanic students were just 3.8 percent and 6.3, respectively.
However, there are “microcultures” among engineering lab research teams where traditionally underrepresented students are present in great numbers and thriving.
The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Georgia a two-year, $342,000 grant to explore ways in which graduate engineering research labs have successfully developed diversity. The ultimate goal is to identify what factors help underrepresented students thrive in these environments so those lessons can be applied to creating a sustainable graduate engineering education model for diverse students. April 28, 2020.
https://news.uga.edu/advancing-diversity-engineering-research-labs/
Women in Tech: The Importance of Mentorship
Too often women overlook careers in the technology industry. Click on the following link to view a clip filmed at Women in Cloud Summit 2020 where Adrienne Guillory, Director of Design Thinking at Usability Sciences Corporation, talks about the importance of mentoring and how it helped her navigate her career path when she started out in the tech industry. June 10, 2020.
https://www.technative.io/women-in-tech-the-importance-of-mentorship/
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Help grow the network!
Please forward this newsletter to colleagues and contacts.
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IM STEM is a network of STEM educators and leaders across six states (CO, ID, NM, NV, UT, and WY) working to support STEM equity at key transition points (middle school to high school and high school to college).
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1744472. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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