Monday, April 24 Representative John Kline (MN-2), Chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce, along with Ranking Member Robert “Bobby” Scott sent a joint letter to Chair of the House Appropriations committee and ranking members urging that the Appropriations committee fully fund the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants at their authorized level. Representative’s Kline and Scott point out that the funding of the Every Student Succeeds Act this year sets a precedent for future funding and implementation of the new federal education law. A copy of the Kline and Scott letter can be found here: Kline-Scott Letter.
Annual STEM Day at the Fair August 25, 2016
The 7th annual STEM Day at the Minnesota State Fair will again be on opening day of the Fair this year,. On Thursday, August 25, 2016 STEM education providers will take over Carousel Park and engage thousands of children, parents, and grandparents with hands-on activities. Want to participate? The exhibitors application can be found here. Applications are due by May 16.
Powering STEM Learning with Computational Thinking conference a standing room only success
Keynote speaker Sarah Reeves-Young, STEM Liaison for the Utah State Office of Education and STEM Action Center, set an exciting tone for the 7th annual Minnesota STEM Network conference April 5th. Young shared her perspective on computer science for all based on her background as K12 Science Specialist with the Utah State Office of Education.
Ms. Young shared her experience leading Utah’s Computer Science For All initiative, which has included state partnerships with Code.org and Utah industries to train and retain teachers to teach computer science. She emphasized an equity focused approach to computer science assuring that when we say “computer science for all” we mean all and plan it into efforts from the beginning. You can see Young’s presentation slides here.
Learn more about the conference on the MN STEM Network website.
TPT’s SciGirls to offer targeted professional development for high school counselors and STEM teachers
Twin Cities PBS (TPT), producer of the acclaimed PBS Kids STEM program,SciGirls, is looking for high school teachers and guidance counselors who teach and advise girls in CTE/STEM courses to be part of an innovative effort to change how girls think about their future!
After a successful pilot year, we are currently recruiting schools for year two of SciGirls Strategies: Gender Equitable Teaching Practices in CTE Pathways for High School Girls. With funding from the NSF, SciGirls Strategies is a professional development and research initiative to recruit and retain more girls in CTE/STEM pathways, especially computing, engineering and manufacturing.
SciGirls will offer a six-session (18-hour) course in 2016 and 2017 hosted evenings or weekends at TPT in Lowertown, St. Paul. Faculty take the training in the fall, utilize the strategies and in-person and video-based role model resources provided by TPT, complete a pre-post-course evaluation and welcome one classroom observation in the spring. Their female students will participate in a pre-post survey and one year follow up. Teachers will receive a $600 fee, reimbursement for travel to the training and continuing education credit.
SciGirls plans to enroll participants during April-May 2016, so if you’re interested in participating or have questions about this project, please contact Leah Defenbaugh (ldefenbaugh@tpt.org) as soon as possible. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in how girls envision their possibilities in CTE/STEM education and career pathways!
Shaping Minnesota’s Guide to Quality STEM Learning in Afterschool
Ignite Afterschool, Minnesota’s Afterschool Network, is convening STEM and afterschool stakeholders in regional meetings across Minnesota to shape a draft guide to effective practices for STEM learning in afterschool. Join your regional STEM and afterschool peers to participate in defining a common understanding of quality STEM learning in afterschool, which will connect and benefit both fields.
These meetings are ideal for both STEM and afterschool stakeholders, including educators, youth workers, program coordinators, funders, and systems-level leaders in both the STEM and afterschool fields. The meetings will be held at the following locations and dates:
Rochester (Southeast MN): March 4th, 1:00 – 3:00pm at Northrop Community Education.
REGISTER AT: https://stem-afterschool-mn-se.eventbrite.com
For more information on advancing quality STEM learning in afterschool visit www.igniteafterschool.org.
Mouse IT Curriculum, Professional Development Available for 200 MN High Schools
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has announced that Mouse technology curriculum, professional development and web-based learning platform is available for 200 high schools throughout Minnesota. Mouse will provide an innovative and engaging opportunity for high school students to graduate with certification of the skills and competencies that continue to fuel future technology jobs and innovation throughout the state. Link to more information.
STEP-UP Achieve Recruiting More Employers of STEM Interns
STEP-UP Achieve, a program of AchieveMpls, is seeking more STEM businesses and industries in the Twin Cities metropolitan area who would host a high school intern in summer 2016. STEP-UP Achieve recruits talented and highly-motivated youth and trains them with requisite skills that enable them to positively contribute to their organizations. STEP-UP interns bring energy and creativity to their workplaces.
Employers provide internships for middle or high school interns for 6-10 weeks at 15-40 hours per week. STEP-UP Achieve makes initial matches, and sends qualified candidates for employers to interview before hiring.
Ninety-six per cent of supervisors say the program was a success at their company and that their interns made a valuable contribution to their workplace. Consider the impact that an internship will have on a young person and contact Matthew Vue or 612-455-1568.