The Newton Schools Foundation has launched its annual appeal to fund innovation in the Newton Public Schools, and a major part of the requested funding will be for STEM.  Here’s what NSF funded last year in the world of STEM, and what it proposes to fund in the next few years with your contributions.  For further information, contact info@newtonschoolsfoundation.org. Continue reading Newton Schools Foundation Launches Annual Appeal, Funds STEM Projects →

The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council‘s Education Foundation is undertaking several initiatives to promote K-12 Computer Science education in the state:

• The I Love CS! video contest invites Massachusetts K-12 students to create short videos to inspire other students to explore Computer Science.  Videos must be 90 seconds or less and submitted by a parent, guardian, or teacher by December 1.  Selected videos will appear on the MassTLC’s website and at major events in 2015, and those who submit the selected videos will be able to designate a school or non-profit to receive a $500 stipend for Computer Science education.
• A list of third-party after-school and summer-camp programs to engage K-12 students in computer science can be filtered by elementary, middle, or high school.
• A list of tools and curricula for computer science shows what is available to students, teachers, parents, and STEM volunteers.
• A partnership with TEALS-CS in high schools:  Technology Education And Literacy in Schools recruits, trains, and places volunteer teaching assistants in high-school classrooms to support partner schools and teachers in offering computer-science courses.  In Massachusetts last year, TEALS worked with Billerica, Boston, Cambridge, Medford, Revere, and Watertown.  Applications will open in December for the next school year.
• MassTLC volunteers are signing up to assist in Computer Science Education Week’s Hour of Code, December 8-14.  Sign up here.

MassTLC-EF’s cites these statistics driving its initiatives:

• “In most MA public schools, computer science is considered an elective, not a core math or science.
• There is no licensure for teachers to teach CS in our state.
• Only 1000 students in Massachusetts took AP CS in 2012 — less than 1% of all AP tests taken. 559 passed, of which only 24 were underrepresented minorities and 89 were female.”

Raytheon’s MathMovesU program awards $1000 scholarships each year to 150 middle-school students nationwide.  The scholarships may be used for math/science summer camps, extracurricular programs, or savings for college.  The winning students’ schools will each receive a $1000 grant for math-related programs.  Students who apply must create a Powerpoint presentation to demonstrate enthusiasm for math and the importance of math in the world.  Students should review winning entries from 2013, download the application (PDF), and apply by February 7.  Applications are limited to 50 per school.

Geniverse is free, web-based software for teaching high-school students about genetics — including simulated experimentation, critical thinking, and writing.  It’s produced by The Concord Consortium, a non-profit educational R&D organization in Concord, MA.  Using Geniverse, immersed in its compelling story line, students address challenges by generating hypotheses and crafting experiments based on authentic genetic data to probe for information.

During three weeks this January, The Concord Consortium will conduct online training in the use of Geniverse for up to 100 teachers selected from those who apply online by December 8.  See the teacher resource website, Geniversity.

The Northeast and MetroWest Regional STEM Networks have created a web-based magazine — The STEM of Optics — with engaging resources for students, families, and teachers.

Massachusetts State Parks will host a workshop for Early Childhood Educators on Saturday, November 8, 9AM-noon at Quabbin Reservoir Training Center.  It will focus on curriculum to engage youngsters ages 3-6 in the natural world with hands-on experiences that build on what’s already familiar and comfortable to them.  A $15 fee includes the Early Childhood Curriculum Guide, music CD, and supporting materials.   For more information or to register by November 1, contact Gini Traub at Gini.Traub@state.ma.us or 413-584-6788.