SciMathMN

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

by

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

by

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.

Jefferson Middle School designs winning app

by

Jefferson Township Middle School is once again a contender for the second year of Verizon’s Innovative App Challenge.

Students were tasked with developing a mobile application to solve a problem in their community or school.

The result was “Jefferson Township Middle School Super Science Girl,” created by a group of sixth to eighth grade students, according to a news release. The app is designed for young girls to create interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and to encourage them to pursue careers in these fields.

Read more…

Get your program recognized as a leader in STEM learning!

by

Get your program recognized as a leader in STEM learning! Change the Equation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, CEO-led coalition focused on advancing STEM literacy, is reopening STEMworks. The database is the premier tool for business leaders and other funders to identify and support exemplary programs that boost STEM interest and learning in the U.S.

Should schools teach ‘soft skills?’ Many say ‘yes’

by

Recent graduates may not be ready for the workforce for a reason increasingly common in the 21st century: soft skills, or the lack thereof. According to USA Today, businesses say potential employees “lack the proper business skills and other professional abilities that will help make them good employees.”

Continue reading…

Upcoming Event: Seeking Agreement on How to Close Minnesota’s Achievement Gap

by

For years, you have come to the Achievement Gap Committee’s Brown Bag lunches to hear from a wide range of education professionals, researchers, and policy makers on how to close the achievement gap. This winter, we are asking the question: Are there areas of agreement that a broad range of people and organizations could get behind?
To that end, we have invited a dozen of the state’s  education reform groups to talk about their plans and possible areas of agreement. There will be a total of four forum on consecutive Tuesdays starting January 21st.
Each will run from noon until 1:30 pm, and all will be held at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Center, 200 Oak St. SE, in the Maroon and Gold Room. (Location and parking information).  We ask that you register as soon as possible if you are planning to come.

Nominate an Outstanding Teacher for the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching

by

Nominations and applications for the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) will be accepted beginning in the fall of 2013. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Teachers in grades K-6 with at least five years of teaching experience are eligible for the 2014 award. Teachers applying for the 2014 PAEMST award must be nominated and self-nominations are accepted. In the fall, nominations can be submitted on-line through the PAEMST website at www.paemst.org. Contact Sue Wygant at susan.wygant@state.mn.us or 651-582-8581 if you have any questions. Applications must be postmarked by May 1, 2014, so an early nomination will provide the applicant with sufficient time to complete and submit a high quality application.

Up to 5 state finalists will be chosen by a State Selection Committee. The Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics honors each of the state finalists with a paid two-year membership in MCTM and a complimentary registration for the Minnesota Spring Mathematics Conference. One of the three state finalists will be selected by a National Selection Committee as The Presidential Award winner for Minnesota. The state Presidential Award winner is announced by the White House. The state Presidential Award winner will receive a $10,000 cash award from the National Science Foundation and will be invited to Washington, DC for a week of recognition.

Please consider nominating an outstanding mathematics teacher in grades K-6 for this prestigious honor. The 2015 award will be open to teachers in grades 7-12.