The Metrowest STEM Education Network (MSEN), in cooperation with the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Initiative, is hosting a survey of STEM Attitudes, Awareness, and Assets. MSEN invites key stakeholders in Metrowest to complete the 15-20 minute survey to help STEM leaders further strengthen the local STEM community and identify STEM programs worthy of expansion.

The Underwood After School Program is launching a new Makers’ Corner after-school program for Grades 6-8, at Underwood School in space separate from the elementary after-school program.  This STEAM program features flexible scheduling and offers 3-D design and printing, stop-motion animation, sewing by hand and machine, electronics and robotics, engineering and construction challenges, Scratch computer programming, printmaking, painting, kinetic sculpture, and more. Register online. For more information, contact Makers’ Corner Coordinator Kate Finnan at kate@underwoodafterschool.org or 617-244-1810.

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University offers immersive, hands-on STEM education for middle- and high-school students using the Challenger Learning Center mission simulator. Students take on the roles of astronauts, scientists, and engineers working as a team to solve problems. Programs include Expedition Mars (Grades 5-7), Earth Odyssey (Grades 8-12), and Lunar Quest (Grades 9-12). Schools register groups ($525 for up to 36 students). For more information, contact Evan Pagliuca, Education Programs Manager, at epagliuca@framingham.edu or 508.626.4050.

Applications are open until November 14 for this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest science competition for high-school seniors. Each year, about 1800 students submit their original research in competition for over $3 million in awards.

MassBay Community College in Wellesley runs a STEM Mentor Program in which STEM professionals meet with its students at least once a month during the school year. Activities during the year include periodic STEM Forums, a Robo-Sports competition, hands-on STEM activities, and tours of four-year colleges and local STEM companies. Learn more in this STEM Mentor Program brochure and enroll here. This year’s Kick-Off Reception, where mentors will meet their assigned students, will be October 4, 5:30-7:30PM. For more information, contact Valerie Kapilow, STEM Starter Academy Project Director, at vkapilow@massbay.edu or 781-239-3157.

PBSKids facilitates the creation of Design Squad Global clubs for ages 10-13 to explore engineering and design — and then matches each club with a partner club in another country for collaboration. DSG clubs run in 6- or 12-week seasons throughout the year.  On your own or collaborating with a local organization, you can learn how to start a club, review the club guide, and then sign up by August 15 to form a club (ideally of 9 to 12 students) for the September 15 – December 15 season. Each week, you’ll need about an hour for preparation and an hour (or more) for club time, plus a half hour every other week communicating with your overseas partner club. No experience in teaching or engineering is needed. For more information, email Saranya Sathananthan at saranya_sathananthan@wgbh.org.

Registration is now open for Newton’s Destination Imagination program for the 2018-19 school year.  It’s a volunteer-run STEAM program for Grades K-12 (see video). Teams of 2-7 students form in September (by Grades: K-2, 3-5, 6-9, and 9-12) to address various design challenges throughout the year in preparation for regional tournaments in the early spring and potentially state and global competitions in May. Over the years, over 350 Newton students have participated, and this year a Newton team went to the Global Finals! Here are videos of the 2017-18 Technical Challenge, Scientific Challenge, Engineering Challenge, Fine Arts Challenge, Improvisational Challenge, and Social Action Challenge.

For next year, teams are currently being formed in the communities of Angier, Cabot, Countryside, Franklin, Horace Mann, Mason Rice, Solomon Schecter, and Underwood schools — and other teams are welcome. Details are in this webinar. The registration fee of $150 is reduced to $50 for adults volunteering to co-manage a team. For more information, contact Matthew Miller at matthew@newtondi.net.

Five Massachusetts members of Congress have joined their colleagues in other states to host the 2018 Congressional App Challenge. Middle- and high-school students who live and/or go to school in the districts of Representatives Clark, Keating, Kennedy, McGovern, or Moulton may sign up for the Challenge by September 10, as individuals or in teams of up to four. Registered entrants can then use any programming language on any platform to make an app on any theme or topic (except as prohibited by the rules) and then create and submit a 1-3 minute video demonstration of the app and its purpose by noon on October 15. The MassTLC Education Foundation is one of many partners sponsoring the Challenge.