Inquiry First.

Study Suggests High-Stakes Testing Fuels Over-Emphasis on Reading, Math Instruction

Published Dec 08, 2011

Increasingly, the demands of state tests for proficiency in math and reading seem to be pushing subjects like science, art, and social studies aside, according to a survey commissioned by Washington-based research organization Common Core. "During the past decade, our public schools have focused—almost exclusively—on reading and math instruction," said Common Core president and executive director Lynn Munson. "As a result, we are denying our students the complete education they deserve and the law demands." Specifically, the study reveals that while art and music predictably have taken the hardest hit, foreign languages, social studies, phys ed, and science are right behind them, with science getting 27% less time than it used to.
Via blogs.edweek.org

Female CEOs Lament Lack of STEM Graduates

Published Dec 07, 2011

Women CEOs from several US companies traveled to Capitol Hill on Monday to deliver a message to a group of female lawmakers: We've got science and technology jobs to fill; where are the qualified candidates? A big part of the problem, panelists agreed, is a lack of job applicants with adequate skills in STEM fields. For example, Lisa Hook, CEO of Sterling-Va-based Neustar Inc., a telecommunications company, pointed to a solution. “We need a lot of federal assistance in encouraging children to go into STEM, we need to make it accessible and available starting in the ninth grade,” she said.

via abcnews.go.com

Key Facts About Computer Science

Published Dec 07, 2011

During Computer Science Education Week (December 4-10, 2011), here are several interesting facts about computer science (from CSEdWeek.org):

Five of the top ten fastest growing jobs will be in computing-related fields ( i.e., computer software engineer jobs expected to grow 45% over the next five to seven years).
Only 17% of AP computer science test-takers in 2008 were women, although women represented 55% of all AP test-takers.
By 2018, current government projections show that more than 800,000 high-end computing jobs will be created in the economy, making it one of the fastest growing occupational fields.

more at www.csedweek.org

Student-Created Video Aims to Teach Students to Prepare for Science Fairs

Published Dec 06, 2011

As part of a community outreach project, recent high school graduate Kevin Temmer produced an original animated video to teach students how to prepare for science fairs. Enjoy!

MSSEF Board Member Mike Wyzga Takes Helm at Radius Health

Published Dec 06, 2011

Biotechnology veteran -- and MSSEF board member -- Michael S. Wyzga has assumed the position of CEO at Cambridge, MA-based Radius Health, following a 13-year career at Genzyme. While serving as Genzyme's Executive Vice President, Finance, and CFO, Mike led the $20.1 billion sale of Genzyme to Sanofi last April -- the second-largest acquisition ever in the industry.

In his new role at Radius, Mike will drive corporate strategy and lead the advancement of Phase 3 osteoporosis drug BA058. “It is a great privilege to have been asked to lead Radius at this important point in the company’s evolution,” Mike said. “BA058 represents a unique opportunity to advance not just a best-in-class drug, but potentially a best-in-disease drug in the expanding osteoporosis market. BA058 has the potential to transform the treatment of osteoporosis and optimize outcomes based not only on its unique bone-building and safety attributes but on the development of the once-daily, short wear-time transdermal... Read More

Not Partial to the Names "Flerovium" and "Livermorium"? Speak Up!

Published Dec 05, 2011

Two new elements are making their debut on the periodic table. Element 114 is slated to be named "flerovium" (atomic symbol Fl), and element 116 has been tagged with the moniker "livermorium" (Lv). If you can think of other name ideas, now's your chance to voice them: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry will take comments on the proposed names through April. “We believe we have to let the world respond,” said chemistry union executive director Terry A. Renner. “It’s a desire to be fair and recognize everyone’s right to contribute as a scientist.”
Via www.nytimes.com

One-Month Countdown to Einstein Fellowship Program Applications Due Date!

Published Dec 05, 2011

Applications for the 2012-2013 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program are due on January 5, 2012. From the Einstein Fellowship web site: "The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program provides a unique professional development opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend eleven months working in a Federal agency or in a U.S. Congressional office, bringing their extensive knowledge and experience in the classroom to education program and/or education policy efforts." Click this link to begin the application process. Good luck!
Via science.energy.gov

Calling All Citizen Scientists!

Published Dec 02, 2011

In a new "crowdsourcing" experiment, scientists are appealing to the public for help in deciphering killer whale calls. Scientific American and The Zooniverse launched The Whale Project this week. By visiting whale.fm, people can study and compare spectograms of whale calls gathered from around the world. One impetus for this experiment is that people can succeed at this task where computers fail. "If these animals have some form of linguistics or language tradition, we're wanting to try to find the words within that repertoire of sounds," said project collaborator and University of St. Andrew professor Ian Boyd. "We don't know what they mean but what we do find is they have different lexicons; different groups have different types of sound, and they probably inherit these sounds from their... Read More

STEM Gaining STEAM Across the Country

Published Dec 01, 2011

With greater focus on STEM firmly established as a national education imperative, there's some momentum building to factor in the arts in a meaningful way. The result: STEAM -- with the A standing for "arts" -- implying that the intersection between the arts and the sciences is the place where the rubber meets the road. From conferences like the "Bridging STEM to STEAM" forum hosted by the Rhode Island School of Design, to NSF-funded projects like Chicago's Art of Science Learning project, the STEAM concept seems to be gaining ground. "For me, it is about connecting—or reconnecting—the arts and sciences in ways that learning can happen at the intersection of the two," said Harvey Seifter, director of the Art of Science Learning. "We believe there is a powerful opportunity here to use the... Read More

Female STEM Faculty Members Benefit from Mentors

Published Dec 01, 2011

Students aren't the only ones that can reap the benefits of mentoring. For female college faculty members in the sciences, having a mentor can help mitigate the feelings of marginalization that can go hand-in-hand with teaching in a typically male-dominated field. This, according the the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) project at Harvard. COACHE's Cathy Trower says, "Mentoring is crucial for STEM women because without it, they might not be privy to the good old boys’ club or behind-the-scenes conversations that are crucial to fitting in the department and to getting tenure."
Via blog-aauw.org