Ensuring Internet Access for All

Resources

During the self isolation and shelter-at-home that is necessary to ensure our common health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Internet access becomes even more essential. Low-income families may receive low-cost Internet access from these providers:

  • Comcast’s Internet Essentials (“affordable Internet at Home for Eligible Households”) offers the first two months free, and after that it’s $9.95 per month plus tax.
  • Verizon’s Lifeline Discount offers broadband Internet for $9.25 per month plus tax (details in English, Spanish).

You may be well connected; please spread the word so that others are, too.

Cancellations, Postponements, and Closures to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19

Great ideas

Drastically minimizing in-person social contact, particularly in large groups, is essential to #flattenthecurve and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease it causes. This is not just to protect ourselves from the disease but more importantly to support the network effect of limiting the speed of its growth so that it does not overwhelm our health care facilities and resources. For that overriding purpose, here are local STEM-related cancellations, postponements, and closures:

Cancellations

Postponements

Closures

Online Resources for STEM-Related Exploration at Home

Resources, Virtual/Online

While your family is at home, here are some online STEM resources to explore:

Talking with Kids about Coronavirus and COVID-19

Resources

Area museums have compiled this list of age-appropriate, online resources for learning about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, as presented by the Discovery Museum:

Register for Boston College Splash!, Mar. 29

Events

Boston College will hold BC Splash on Sunday, March 29, 10AM-4PM.  Splash is a one-day, student-run program in which undergraduates and graduate students teach mini-courses for students in Grades 7-12. There’s also an optional Parent Program for learning about Boston College, student life, and admissions.  Registration is required, is first-come/first-served, and is open until March 27. There’s a $5 fee for the day, which includes a pizza lunch. Registrants will receive an online link for payment one week before the event. For more information, email bcsplash@gmail.com or call at 617-297-7524. STEM-related classes in the course catalog include:

  • Poker Master: Introduction to Probability Theory
  • The Art of Integration
  • Jumping Genes: Mechanism and Implications
  • Paper Chromatography of Inks: A Forensic Investigation
  • Introduction to Genetics
  • Straws and Turtles: Our Global Plastic Pollution Problem
  • Just the Basics: Intro to Acid/Base Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry in 50 Minutes

Registration Open for BU’s Artemis Project: Summer Computer Science for Rising 9th-Grade Girls

Summer

Registration is open for Boston University’s Artemis Project, a five-week computer-science summer program for girls entering 9th grade next fall.  No prior computer experience is required.  Participants learn computer languages (Scratch, AppInventor, HTML, CSS, Python, etc.) and are introduced to robotics, cryptography, artificial intelligence, and circuits.  Guest speakers and field trips provide insight into how computer science is applied in the real world.  The Artemis Project is led by BU undergraduate women studying Computer Science and Engineering, guided by Cynthia Brossman, Director of BU’s Learning Resource Network.  It runs July 6-August 7.  Lunch is provided.  There is no tuition, but there is a nonrefundable registration fee of $100.  Applications, including an essay and two recommendations, are due May 1.  For more information, email artemis@bu.edu.

Girls Entering Grades 11-12: BU’s Summer Pathways in Science & Engineering, July 10-17

Summer

Summer Pathways is a 7-day residential program for girls in the greater Boston area entering Grades 11-12 who show promise and/or interest in STEM.  During July 10-17, participants live on the BU campus; explore opportunities in STEM fields; meet with students and faculty in all disciplines; visit laboratories, companies, and museums; listen to career panels; and spend one night on Boston Harbor’s Thompson Island.  See the brochure (PDF).  The fee of $675 includes all costs, and financial assistance up to $575 is available for demonstrated need.  Applications, including two recommendations from teachers, are due May 1.  For more information, contact Cynthia Brossman at cab@bu.edu or 617-353-7021.