The ever-informative BostonTechMom has a new post that provides a lot of information about high-school STEM internships: student readiness, internship availability, student stories, expectations, and helpful tips.
Category Archives: Resources
Mass. DESE Seeks Public Comment on Draft Standards for K-12 Digital Literacy and Computer Science
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has published a draft of new standards for K-12 Digital Literacy and Computer Science and seeks public comment to before the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education votes on them. You may submit public comment until April 8 via this online survey. Newton Public Schools participants on the review panel for these standards include Lauren Dietz (NPS Elementary Instructional Technology Specialist), Jennifer Dimmick (NSHS Library Teacher), and Shelley Chamberlain (former NPS Director of Information Technology, now Executive Director of MassCUE). Inquiries may be adddressed to mathsciencetech@doe.mass.edu.
LigerBots Seek Donation of LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Kit to Support FLL Teams
Newton’s high-school robotics team, the Ligerbots, would like to find a used LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit, for purchase or preferably donated. The EV3 kit is the robotics platform used by FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams (Grades 4-8). The Ligerbots are making a big effort, particularly this year, to mentor FLL teams in Newton, and the team wants to get an EV3 kit to help its mentoring and to educate its adult coaches and mentors. If you can help, please contact lauren_fitzpatrick@ligerbots.com with offers.
Bentley is Donating Free Science Supplies to Mass. Schools
As it prepares to renovate its astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics laboratories, Bentley University is donating science supplies to Massachusetts school science programs. The full inventory list will be available February 15 and will include glassware, plasticware, TI graphing calculators, magnetism demonstration kits, Vernier spirometers, Vernier EKG sensors, Ward’s minerals and rock collection, framed display maps, student electronic balances, Gallenkamp incubator, precision balance, analytical balance, stackable tablet armchairs, and more. School teachers should make requests on school letterhead. Contact Eileen McMorran, NAS DEPT Bentley University 175 Forest St, Waltham, MA 02452 781 891-3109 emcmorran@bentley.edu.
Information about Summer STEM Programs
Registration for some summer STEM programs will open soon, and early-bird discounts for others will end soon. Here are several sources of information:
- The NewtonSTEM Family Resources page has a list of summer STEM programs in the Greater Boston area. We’ve recently updated it with several additional programs. (Please email info@newtonstem.org to nominate additional entries or to send in corrections.)
- BostonTechMom has a Parents’ Guide to 40+ Summer STEM Camps in Massachusetts.
- The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council maintains this list of after-school and summer STEM programs.
- A Camp Fair will be held 12-4PM on January 31 (snow date, February 7) at Newton North HS to showcase offerings in Newton from Newton Parks & Recreation, Newton Community Education, and more: Mad Science, Brain Builders, Innovations, and LEGO Engineering.
- The Underwood PTO is sponsoring the New England Camp Fair. The Camp Fair is open to all local families and will be held 5:30-8PM on Wednesday, February 3 at Bigelow Middle School, with a selection of day and overnight camps for ages 6-14, some of which have STEM programs.
BostonTechMom’s List of STEM Activities in January
As usual, BostonTechMom provides an extensive list of STEM events and activities for the current month.
STEM Holiday Gift Guides
It’s a bit late in the season, but here are…
- BostonTechMom’s Holiday Gift Guide
- PBS’s Holiday Gift Guide of STEM-tastic Gifts
- Purdue University’s Engineering Gift Guide (PDF)
- Modern Parents/Messy Kids’ Top STEM Toys
- Scientific American’s Women in STEM Fields Dolls and Action Figures
- Magic Beans’ Holiday STEM Gift Guide
Project WILD: Professional Development, Dec. 5
Project WILD workshops train teachers, scout leaders, community leaders, parents, and others in helping PreK-12 students understand conservation and the environment. Project WILD is sponsored by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and is nationally recognized. There is still space available for a workshop on Saturday, December 5, 9AM-3:30PM, at the Millers River Environmental Center (100 Main Street in Athol). The cost is $15 (details). Register by the extended deadline, November 30, by contacting Dawn Marvin Ward at dmward@crocker.com or (413) 367-9562.
BostonTechMom’s List of STEM Activities in December
Each month, BostonTechMom‘s blog provides a chronological list of STEM events in the Boston area. Check out the list for December.
MECSP Computer-Science Professional Development
The Massachusetts Exploring Computer Science Partnership (MECSP), supported by the National Science Foundation, facilitates the introduction of computer science to high-school students through the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) curriculum. ECS consists of 6 six-week units for teachers combining high-school introductory computer science with professional development. Teachers meet for one week in the summer at Framingham State University, followed by four Saturday sessions and monthly teacher cohort meetings. Newton South HS is one of the participating schools. MECSP seeks additional schools in Metrowest Boston to participate. Contact Evan Pagliuca, Metrowest MECSP Hub Director, at epagliuca@framingham.edu.