SciMathMN

SOUTHEAST SERVICE COOPERATIVE AWARDED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SERVICE CONTRACT FOR SCIMATHMN

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SciMathMN is pleased to announce that the Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC) has been awarded the Executive Director Service Contract. This partnership marks a significant step forward for SciMathMN, bringing together two organizations dedicated to advancing STEM education in Minnesota.

As SciMathMN enters this new chapter in partnership with SSC, exciting developments are on the horizon. From expanded educator resources to renewed advocacy for STEM excellence, this partnership will spark fresh ideas and innovative strategies to support Minnesota’s learners and educators! Read more below or download the full announcement.

SciMath Partnership 5.12.25Download

2016 NSTA Regional Conference in Minneapolis

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Sign up for the National Science Teachers Association’s 2016 Area Conference on Science Education in Minneapolis: October 27–29! The conference themes focus on STEM instruction across the curriculum, teaching science in a connected world, and elementary science and literacy connections—and will explore ideas and practices that enhance three-dimensional teaching and learning. There will be over 275 sessions many focused on the conference strands:  STEM instruction, Connecting Elementary Science and Literacy, and Teaching Science in a Connected World.

Learn more about the conference at http://www.nsta.org/conferences/area1.aspx

MN STEM Teacher Center Update

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SciMathMN is currently assessing funding needs for both for maintenance and expansion of the content and features of the MN STEM Teacher Center, home of the MN Math and Science frameworks (www.scimathmn.org/stemtc). We are also considering the needs the Center will have when the Minnesota science and mathematics standards are reviewed and revised in the next few years, which will likely result in the need for significant changes to the content on the site and opportunities for enhancing the site.

So, who are the local users of the STEM Teacher Center website? Obviously the STEM TC is visited by folks from all over the world. But through the use of Google Analytics, we can track where the traffic comes from over time and dig into the patterns that we find in hopes of improving the experience for users. Our analysis shows that traffic typically mirrors school calendars, with site visits dropping during the summer months and on weekends. Interestingly though, there is a marked increase in page visits on Sunday evenings during the school year as teachers prepare for the upcoming school week.

The image below is a screenshot of the traffic pattern for MN visitors for one month from August 6, 2016 to September 6, 2016, just as the school year is beginning. In the image you will see cities around that state where visits originated, and the size of the dot reflects the number of visits from that city.

stem-tc-google-analytics-map-for-aug-6-sept-6-2016If anyone has a passion for data and would be interested in helping SciMathMN track and analyze the STEM TC site use, please consider joining us. You can contact committee chair Mike Lindstrom at mike.r.lindstrom@gmail.com.

 

Girls Trump Boys on Engineering, Technology Test

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By Lauren Camera | Staff Writer | US News

In nearly every category, female students outperformed male students on a national technology and engineering test – the first of its kind administered under the purview of the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Overall, female students outscored their male counterparts by 3 points. But on questions dealing with communication and collaboration, they outscored male students by 5 points, and on questions about information and communication technology, they outscored them by 6 points.

Read more

Here’s how to leverage federal funds for STEM education

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May 3, 2016  – Laura Devaney, Director of News for eSchool Media, @ESN_LAURA

The U.S. Department of Education issued guidance to school districts and educational leaders on funding STEM education opportunities.

A letter directed to states, school districts and schools offers examples of how federal funds can serve to support the development, implementation and expansion of STEM education and learning experiences to improve student achievement.

Read the full article

6th Annual STEM Day at the State Fair

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STEM Day at the Fair was a great success again this year!  This year, thanks to generous support by MTS Systems, we offered an event app allowing parents to connect with our exhibitors and performers throughout the year.  The app is live and can be found at stemdaymn.org. It includes the schedule of our great mix of returning performers and new ones.

The Minnesota STEM Network’s 6th annual STEM Day at the State Fair in Carousel Park was brimming with STEM activity made possible by exhibitors active in the STEM Network and our generous sponsors, 3M, Boston Scientific, MTS,  and Thomson Reuters. Over 7,000 people came through Carousel Park on STEM Day making it the best attended in our six year history.

State fair stage 2010

Thanks to our committee, exhibitors, and sponsors for the time, effort and investment in STEM Day.  We look forward to another fun-filled day next summer!  Please thank our generous sponsors.

Download the flyer to share with your networks and audiences!