Category Archives: Opportunities

Edge on Science: Try EyeWire Gaming to Map Neurons

Posted on May 27, 2018 by newtonstem in Opportunities

Edge on Science, which offers summer STEM programs, recently sent a newsletter describing EyeWire.org, a free online gaming environment that facilitates mapping neurons for brain research. The newsletter explained, “[Sebastian Seung’s]  lab at Princeton University has been building 3D models of neurons [and] continuous groups of them. … The computer image processing is not perfect and [with EyeWire] thousands of citizen scientists have contributed to correcting and filling in the connections and completing the 3D models, neuron by neuron.” You can read this description and sign up to play the game.

Mass. Audubon Bird-a-thon, May 11-12

Posted on April 25, 2018 by newtonstem in Opportunities

Join a team for the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s annual Bird-a-thon, 6PM to 6PM, May 11-12, to raise money for bird sanctuaries and programs. The event is open to Official Birders and Bird-a-thon Boosters who bird for fun and want to fundraise, too.

WPI STEM Education Center Seeks Two VISTA Volunteers

Posted on April 10, 2018 by newtonstem in Opportunities

The STEM Education Center of Worcester Polytechnic Institute will host two AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers in the 2018-19 academic year to focus on STEM education, WPI and the local education community (including Worcester Public Schools and after-school programs). See the job description and apply by May 25 by sending your resume and cover letter to vista@wpi.edu. Cover letters should answer the questions: “Why do you want to serve with CCNE VISTA?” and “Why are you best suited for WPI’s VISTA position(s)?”.  For more information, email vista@wpi.edu.

Mass. STEM Summit, Nov. 14: Submit Proposals by May 4

Posted on April 8, 2018 by newtonstem in Opportunities

The Massachusetts STEM Summit invites proposals for exhibits, presentations, and workshop for this year’s summit, to be held on November 14 at DCU Center in Worcester.  Proposals may address any of these topics:  Early Education, K-12, Higher Education, and Workforce and Business.  See the site for proposal forms and guidelines.  Proposals are due May 4.

High-School Girls: Apply by May 31 to be EngineerGirl Ambassadors

Posted on April 2, 2018 by newtonstem in Opportunities

Female students 14+ years old who will be in Grades 9-12 next year are invited to apply to be EngineerGirl Ambassadors promoting engineering experiences for younger students over the next year. Apply by May 31 with your proposal. Each Ambassador will have an adult local sponsor, will receive training from the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in collaboration with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), will attend the SWE Annual Conference in October, and will receive other benefits.

Boston Area City Nature Challenge, Apr. 27-30

Posted on April 2, 2018 by newtonstem in Opportunities

Zoo New England is one of the sponsors of the Boston Area City Nature Challenge, which is part of a worldwide competition among 65 cities to document the highest number of species. Download the iNaturalist app, sign up to join the challenge, and record your observations in the greater Boston area during April 27-30 by uploading photos with the app.

Women in STEM: Volunteer at STEM Pathway’s SET in the City, Apr. 7

Posted on April 1, 2018 by newtonstem in Events, Opportunities

Women in STEM fields are invited to participate on April 7 in the 10th annual SET in the City, a program for girls in Grades 9-12 to explore academic paths and careers in STEM.  Volunteers in STEM careers are needed for the program’s Science Information Bazaar, to be held 10:30-11:30AM in the Photonics Center at Boston University. There will be tables set up for you to bring some demonstration, exhibit, poster, or computer application to share with the girls.  Register online to volunteer.  For more information, email setinthecity@bostongirlsstem.org.

Clay Center Course: Beginner Level Amateur Radio Course

Posted on April 1, 2018 by newtonstem in Events, Opportunities

The Clay Center Amateur Radio Club — a public outreach STEM program of the Dexter Southfield school — is offering Beginner Level Amateur Radio — a radio Technician Class course for adults — and children (ages 11+) with a parent — to facilitate successful completion of the FCC radio license test, which will be administered in the final class. Children passing the test will receive free membership in the Clay Center Amateur Radio Club, the largest youth-oriented radio club in New England.  Six Wednesdays March 28 – May 9, 6:30-8:45PM at the Clay Center at Dexter Southfield School.  Register here via Newton Community Education.

Zero Robotics Summer Competition for Grades 6-9: Apply by Apr. 13

Posted on April 1, 2018 by newtonstem in Opportunities, Summer

Zero Robotics is a nationwide summer-time programming competition for middle-school students where the robots are SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites) inside the International Space Station! Each team of 10 to 20 students (who will be in Grades 6-9 in the fall) is organized and managed by a public or private school or community-based organization that serves middle-school youth. Each organization should apply by April 13, identify an adult to engage and inspire the team, recruit team members, create accounts on zerorobotics.mit.edu, and start writing code. The program runs July 9 to August 10, during which teams should expect to spend 15 hours a week on the project.  The early rounds of the competition will use simulated SPHERES, and the final round of competition will use real SPHERES and will be officiated by an astronaut on the ISS sometime in August. For more information, contact Katie Magrane at Katie@massilc.com.

STEM Pathways High School Training in Synthetic Biology, Apr. 14 & 28

Posted on April 1, 2018 by newtonstem in Events, Opportunities

STEM Pathways — a Boston University/MIT outreach program for synthetic biology — will offer a one-day training session for high-school students (ages 16+) on two Saturdays — April 14 and April 28 — 10AM-4PM, at Boston University.  Students will learn about fundamental synthetic biology tools and concepts like DNA purification, gel electrophoresis, and bacterial transformation in a working synthetic biology lab environment. There is no fee, and lunch will be provided. Registration (including a recommendation letter from a teacher) is required by April 4 for the April 14 session or by April 18 for the April 28 session. For more information,  email connect@stempathways.org.