SciMathMN

The Future of STEM Education Policy: National Perspectives and Minnesota Impact

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Thursday, May 1
8:00 – 10:30 a.m., registration & breakfast at 7:15
Meridian Ballroom, The Commons Hotel
Please RSVP

CEHD’s policy breakfast series brings a research focus to the conversation about closing Minnesota’s achievement gap. Five policy breakfast events will examine the role of school leadership, early childhood education, reading and literacy, STEM education, and teacher preparation. Each event discusses the ways CEHD research can inform Minnesota’s education policy.

As the US moves toward implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Minnesota reviews them, how can we embrace these developments and help inform policy decisions? What are the implications of the recent national reports such as A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, Developing Assessments for the Next Generation Science Standards, and STEM Integration in K-12 Education: Status, Prospects, and an Agenda for Research for improving science education? What sort of policy support can help move them into widespread use?

Join CEHD and UMN President Eric Kaler for a discussion of NGSS, STEM integration, and Minnesota’s assessment policy. Dr. Heidi Schweingruber, Deputy Director of the Board on Science Education at the National Research Council, will deliver a keynote address followed by a response from a local panel.

Panelists include:

A continental breakfast will be served free of charge, and parking in the Washington Avenue Ramp will be validated.

Mounds View Kids Envision Future of TCAAP

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Chippewa Middle School, a part of the Moundsview School District has been partnering with the redevelopment team of the old Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) on a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) project. The event held at the school on February 19th and 20th put the entire seventh grade student body in touch with the team. Professionals from Ramsey County Public Works, Property Management, Parks and Recreation and the County Manager’s Office; the City of Arden Hills; the environmental engineers; and master planning consultants acted as mentors to the students in a project that let the kids try their hand at designing systems on a redeveloped TCAAP of the future.

Groups explored the buildings and roads as well as environmental issues, including recycling, parks, trees and watersheds. Each team of two classes had to design their own part of the project while interacting with other groups. The student’s collective vision for the future was very interesting to witness, and everyone had fun learning and dreaming.

Although a virtual tour was used to show off the site this winter, redevelopment officials have set aside an onsite trailer as a classroom for the program to continue this fall. The school would like to make this a multi-year effort as it lends its self to the STEAM model and TCAAP is located in the center of the Mounds View School District.

Strengthening the STEM Pipeline: The Contributions of Small and Mid-Sized Independent Colleges

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A recently released report by the Council of Independent Colleges, “Strengthening the STEM Pipeline: The Contributions of Small and Mid-Sized Independent Colleges,” argues that such colleges make a disproportionate contribution to efforts to build up the American work force in science and technology. The report notes that many people assume research universities are the key sector for promoting STEM education. But on a per capita basis, the report argues, small private colleges deserve more support for STEM education.

View more information here.

Xcel Energy Encourages Teachers and Students to Take Action for Earth Day

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Xcel Energy is encouraging teachers and students to take action for Earth Day by participating in the School Education program this month. Benefits of participation include:

·       A FREE multimedia presentation and brand new Teacher Guide aligned to both Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards and the common core standards for fifth grade.

·       Students and teachers each receive a FREE Take Action Kit of products to install with their families and save energy at home.

·       Teachers receive two high-quality instructional posters with colorful images and classroom activities.

·       Teachers who return brief student surveys about the Take Action Kits will earn classroom mini-grants of $50.  The more teachers who participate, the more a school can earn!

The School Education program is available to 5th grade classes in your school free of charge. The program is sponsored by Xcel Energy, and is conducted by National Energy Foundation and AM Conservation Group. Teachers may register immediately. Please visit thinkenergy.org/xcelenergy to register call (800) 616-8326 x 151 for more information.

Cindy Moss to Keynote MN STEM Network Annual Meeting on April 15

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Cindy Moss will focus her address on “Closing the Achievement Gaps:  Why STEM? Why Now?” She taught high school biology and chemistry for 20 years, winning numerous national awards including the Milken National Teaching Award. Moss then served as Director of STEM for 9 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools where they won the Broad Award due to their growth in math and science scores while closing the achievement gap. She was honored as one of the 100 Women Leaders in STEM by US News and World Report at the STEM Solutions conference.

In addition to Cindy Moss, the conference will feature sessions on exemplary STEM teaching and learning and cross-sector collaborations; networking time; and a forum on current topics in STEM education and workforce development.

View additional details here or register today!

STEM Scholarships

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The application period for the MHTA Foundation 2014 STEM scholarships will be open until April 1.

Scholarships are offered to help Minnesota undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines work toward their degrees. These awards range from $2,500 – $5,000 and can include internship opportunities at MHTA member companies.

See eligibility requirements and apply here.

The US House of Representatives Student App Challenge

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Modeled after the Congressional Art Competition, the House Student App Challenge promotes Computer Science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education by recognizing and incentivizing our nation’s young programming talent.

The House Student App Challenge is open to all high school students in participating districts. The inaugural App Challenge will run from February 1 to April 30, 2014.

View details here.