Funded by seed money from the STEM Advisory Council, Massachusetts' "WOW Initiative," announced by Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray at Tuesday's STEM Summit, aims to increase awareness among students of career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. It celebrates 15 "WOWsters" -- local professionals applying STEM skills, including Red Sox statistician Bill James and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute researcher Amy Kukulya. This video introduces the WOWsters.
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Inquiry First.
Published Oct 19, 2011
Part of the Nobel Prize money won by President Obama in 2009 will help Hispanic students pursuing studies in STEM subjects. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund received $125,000 of President Obama's prize money -- the entire $1.4 million of which he donated to 10 different charities.
According to Hispanic Scholarship Fund CEO Frank Alvarez, his organization would like to see at least one college degree in every Hispanic household. The scholarships afforded by President Obama's donation is a step in that direction. "As soon as there's a degree in the household, things like applying to college, financial aid, etc. become known because students have an embedded mentor," he said. This year's 12 winners (another 12 will be selected next year) include college students currently majoring in chemical engineering, secondary education, atmospheric science, information technology, among others. Award winners showed an interest in becoming STEM teachers.
Published Oct 18, 2011
Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray recognized Dr. John Schneeweis, a Massachusetts physician and proud father of two former Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair competitors, for his dedicated involvement with STEM education at the Annual STEM Summit this morning.
Dr. Schneeweis, who works as a family physician in Leominster, has helped to mentor Wachusett Regional High School students working on science research projects. His own daughter and son won recognition at their respective MA Science & Engineering Fairs at MIT (in 2007 and 2010). Dr. Schneeweis’s daughter is currently a college student, and his son is finishing high school.
Dr. Schneeweis believes it’s vital that students learn to present ideas in a logical way and develop the skill of critical thinking. “Both are skills vital to success in the future,” he says.
Published Oct 18, 2011
A new statewide public awareness campaign in Massachusetts will engage and educate students in STEM opportunities. Announced by Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray this morning at the Annual STEM Summit in Newton, MA, the "WOW Initiative" highlights 15 "Wowsters" -- individuals including Red Sox statistician Bill James, whose careers exemplify the application of STEM skills. Lieutenant Governor Murray also announced that Boston has formed a regional STEM network that joins six regional pre-k-16 networks statewide.
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Published Oct 17, 2011
Last week in Chicago, French and American scientists held a meeting of the minds to compare and contrast their respective approaches to science education. France's mandate of primary school science reform, instated in 1996, emerged as a key difference. To date, the U.S. has not seen any unified effort to revitalize science education to the extent that France's La main a la pate has. Prior to 1996, science was taught in less than five percent of French primary schools. Now, that number is between 30 and 40 percent. Among the challenges facing science education cited by representatives from the two countries: Teachers' insecurities about their own science knowledge and scientists' concerns that engaging in too much public outreach could cut in on valuable time in the lab. Read more about the "Cross Fertilization About Shared Experiences" conference.... Read More
Published Oct 17, 2011
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Published Oct 14, 2011
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Published Oct 14, 2011
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Published Oct 13, 2011
A bill introduced yesterday by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) that would revise No Child Left Behind seeks to improve instruction in STEM subjects a the elementary through secondary levels, improve student engagement in STEM, and close the achievement gap when it comes to college prep for minorities in STEM subjects. The bill also permits states to use funds to lure professional scientists and engineers into teaching careers.
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Published Oct 13, 2011
We knew it all along: Engaging teaching methods can make a difference for students! A new report written by Cary Sneider of Portland State University, titled "Reversing the Swing from Science: Implications from a Century of Research," looks at a wide variety of research for insights into how to build and maintain interest in STEM among students.
Beginning with John Dewey's 1913 essay, "Interest and Effort in Education," the report examines deductive research conducted over the past century to arrive at several conclusions. Among them: Attitudes are malleable, and a variety of interventions have the potential to increase student's engagement in STEM activities, courses, and careers. Furthermore, the report concludes that, while young people like science, they do not necessarily enjoy it in school. Teachers, teaching methods, and curriculum are key to student engagement.
An enjoyable and fascinating read, which can be found here.
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