SciMathMN has welcomed James Brickwedde as interim executive director to guide the organization as it launches a search for a permanent executive director. James replaces the former director, Jim Davnie, who is pursuing other opportunities while also assisting in the transition.

James Brickwedde is the director of the Project for Elementary Mathematics. The Project is a professional development agency that supports teachers in developing instructional practices used with K-5 students in developing their mathematical understandings. He has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota with a concentration in mathematics education. He served on the faculty of Hamline University’s School of Education & Leadership from 2011 – 2021 supporting teacher candidates in their content and pedagogy coursework in elementary mathematics. Prior to that he was a classroom teacher for the Hopkins Public Schools from 1989-2011 teaching first, second, and fourth grades. Prior to a career in education, he has non-profit management experience in both arts and science education organizations. He spent six years on the SciMathMN board including serving as treasurer for 3 years and 2 years as chair of the Standards & Frameworks Committee. He currently is co-leader on the MDE/Compass grant for SciMathMN upgrading aspects of the Minnesota STEM Teacher website.

SciMathMN is in the process of planning its search process for the next permanent executive director. Update to that process will be posted here and on our social media accounts.

Minnesota’s biggest celebration of all thing’s science, engineering, technology, and mathematics is SciMathMN STEM Day at the Fair.  We’ve been opening the state fair for 13 years now, bringing STEM education providers and corporate leaders together in Dan Patch Park on the Fairgrounds in front of the Grandstand. This year’s celebration is Thursday, August 24, and you are invited!

This year will be the largest event ever.  With 40 exhibitors’ families will be able to explore magnetism, weather, flight, augmented reality, robotics, medical technology, mapping techniques, environmental remediation strategies, 3D printing, and so much more.  They will be able to discover STEM education providers that offer programs in schools, in their communities, and in the summer.  Minnesota corporations and governments will show how they employ a wide variety of STEM skills to innovate, serve their customers and residents.

Programming on our affiliated stage will include the National Eagle Center from Wabasha, ABC6 meteorologist Randy Brock, the always popular University of Minnesota Physics Force, and Concordia University-Moorhead’s Science Academy. We will honor Minnesota finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching with the help of the Minnesota Department of Education.

None of this would be possible without our generous sponsors.  They include Boston Scientific, MTS Systems, Andersen Windows and Doors, Medtronic, Emerson, The Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin County, Abbott Laboratories, Silk Road Medical, and Xcel Energy.  New sponsors this year include the Hormel Institute, the Engineering Education Foundation of America, and Savvas Learning.

It’s always the best day of summer.  Please join us!

Minnesota science teachers looking to explore modern agriculture in your classroom? Free professional development, classroom supplies, and NGSS-aligned curriculum? Join Feed Your Future for a one-day workshop Feeding and Fueling the World in St. Paul College Tuesday, June 27.

Modern agriculture is STEM skills in application from farm to final product.  Exposing students to career opportunities in agriculture can expand their horizons on what is possible for them in today’s and tomorrows world.

The workshop is free.  Reimbursement for travel and hotel is available for teachers coming from a distance. Register at ntf.plus/mn23.

Exhibitor Applications and Sponsorship Opportunities Available

STEM Day at the State Fair 2023!  Always the best day of summer STEM Day brings together several dozen STEM education providers, leading Minnesota corporations, award winning teachers, and thousands of families to explore and celebrate all things STEM. It’s an opportunity for youth and their families to take time play, learn, and discover in ways that might surprise and deight them.

This year’s theme is You Belong in STEM, assuring everyone that they have a place in the STEM community and in a STEM career.  We will be celebrating the diversity of roles and individuals in STEM today and the opportunities for tomorrow.

Organizations wishing to participate can apply to be exhibitors.  Exhibitors applications are due by May 1. Those organizations looking for a different level of engagement can become sponsors.

Public comment period begins

The Minnesota Department of Education has moved the proposed new academic standards in math another step forward, starting the statutory rule making process.  This technical process can be lengthy, with multiple technical steps, and is estimated to run 14-17 months.  The public is being invited to comment on two dimensions of the standards. 

Under Minnesota law comments are limited to the proposed academic standards themselves.  Public comment on those is during a 60 day period that began December 28, 2022 and continues through February 27, 2023.  This process is conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings and can be found here.

To provide more transparency to the process MDE has voluntarily opened a thirty day public comment period on the proposed new benchmarks. This comment period also opened in December and runs through 4:30 p.m. January 26, 2023. The comment survey can be found here.

Congratulations to two Minnesota school systems of Code.org’s Computer Science Leaders Prize!  They are two of only 102 school nationwide to receive this award.  The award recognition comes with $10,000 to advance computer science in their schools.

Minnesota’s winners are the Kasson-Mantorville schools in southwest Minnesota and Hennepin schools, a K-8 charter school located in Minneapolis.

Join us at Coding at the Capitol Wednesday, January 11, 10:00 a.m. – noon in the state Capitol Rotunda.  Legislators, and the public, will be invited to try their hand a little coding, interact with adults and students, and develop a vision of moving computer science education forward this coming legislation in Minnesota.  We’re pleased to join our partners for this event, the Minnesota Technology Association, Microsoft, Code.org, Code Savvy, and the Minnesota Computer Science Teachers Association.

 

Coding at the Capitol, elevating the teaching profession, STEM Day at the Fair save-the-date, best science books for kids of 2022, and more.  Read more…