National Girls Collaborative Project
NGCP E-Newsletter
August 2011

in this issue
  • NGCP Updates
  • Collaborative News
  • Featured Mini-Grant
  • Upcoming STEM Events
  • Resources
  • Global Resources

  • NGCP Updates
    StarNet

    Discover Earth Opportunities for Libraries
    Discover Earth is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net), led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Funded by the National Science Foundation, partners include the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the American Library Association, and the National Girls Collaborative Project. Ten public libraries will be selected to host an interactive exhibition called Discover Earth: A Century of Change. Libraries will partner with local NGCP collaboratives to focus specifically on encouraging girls to attend the exhibit and associated activities. Encourage your local library to apply by September 2, 2011.
    http://www.ala.org/discoverearth.

    National Girls Collaborative Project New Collaboratives Informational Meetings
    In April 2011, the National Girls Collaborative Project received funding from the National Science Foundation to reach additional states identified as high priority areas. We are pleased to announce three new Collaboratives beginning to organize. Program managers, guidance counselors, business partners, technical professionals, teachers, and representatives from professional organizations and higher education are invited to learn how the NGCP model can help your program or organization, and to network with colleagues to identify collaboration opportunities.

          Louisiana Girls Collaborative Project Informational Meeting
    Baton Rouge, LA
    August 16, 2011
    1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Central
    The Louisiana Girls Collaborative Project is sponsored by Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center.
    Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=203

    Garden State Girls STEM Collaborative Project Informational Meeting
    Westfield, NJ
    August 18, 2011
    3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern
    The Garden State Girls STEM Collaborative Project is sponsored by the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition.
    Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=206

    Arizona Girls Collaborative Project Informational Meeting
    Tucson, AZ
    September 28, 2011
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Pacific
    The Arizona Girls Collaborative Project is sponsored by Girl Scouts Southern Arizona-Sahuaro Council.
    Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=208


    Collaborative News

    Indiana Girls Collaborative Project Annual Conference
    Indianapolis, IN
    September 22, 2011
    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern
    The second annual conference hosted by the Indiana Girls Collaborative Project provides an opportunity for networking and showcasing local STEM programs. The purpose of this conference is to support efforts to increase the involvement of girls in STEM education and careers. The conference agenda includes sessions on 21st Century skills, project-based STEM learning, grant writing, and developing sponsorships.
    Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=205

    Pennsylvania STEM Girls Collaborative Annual Conference
    Allison Park, PA
    September 24, 2011
    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern
    This conference will introduce attendees to exemplary practices for collaboration and gender equitable practices that motivate girls to pursue interests in STEM. Opportunities will be provided to develop new collaborations and connect with local resources. Mini-grant awardees will showcase their projects and exemplary practices. An optional networking reception will be held in the same location on Friday September 23, 2011 from 7:00-9:00 PM
    Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=209


    Featured Mini-Grant
    circuits

    Introducing Western North Carolina to Engineering Event
    A collaboration between The Kimmel School and Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) provided hands-on activities and created STEM resource materials for middle and high school girls attending the Western Regional Science Fair at Western Carolina University. The Kimmel School conducted a tour and developed resources to help prospective students stay in contact with role models after the event. PARI provided hands-on activities designed to encourage girls to see STEM career choices as prestigious. Through informal observation and discussion, participants demonstrated an understanding of jobs available for selected STEM careers and viewed them as a possible and advantageous choice.
    http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grant/grants.cfm?grantid=762


    Upcoming STEM Events

    Design Squad Nation Offers Webinars
    Join Design Squad Nation for two free webinars that will explore hands-on engineering challenges, video profiles of engineers, online games, and other resources to inspire the next generation of engineers.

          August 10, 2011, 3:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern
    Today's Students, Tomorrow's Engineers

    August 25, 2011, 12:00 - 1:00 PM Eastern
    Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers with Design Squad Nation and Engineering, Go For It!

    Contact [email protected] with your choice of webinar date.

    Career and Technical Education Equity Council (CTEEC) Best Practices Conference
    Tulsa, OK
    September 15 - 16, 2011

    This conference will allow professionals from across the nation to showcase innovative programs and services that enhance the effectiveness and visibility of career and technical education.
    Register: http://www.cteec.org/register

    First Annual National Day of the Girl
    September 22, 2011

    Day of the Girl is a movement to engage middle though high school girls in advocacy to address the issues that affect them. Encourage girls to get involved and contact their state and federal representatives about funding for STEM programs in their school districts. Online resources are available to help you hold a Day of the Girl event and to help girls learn about the issues.

    2011 STEMtech Conference
    Indianapolis, IN
    October 2 - 5, 2011

    Educators, industry leaders, and others will discuss increasing student access into and success in STEM majors and careers. Sessions will cover topics from recruiting and retaining students for STEM-related programs to using information technology to improve organizational and student learning.
    Register: https://www.league.org/2011stemtech/SReg

    2011 Siemens Competition
    The Siemens Competition seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive research that improves students' understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines. Scholarships for winning projects range from $1,000 to $100,000. Submission deadline is October 3, 2011.
    Details: http://www.collegeboard.com/siemens/about.html

    Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Annual Conference: WE11
    Chicago, Illinois
    October 13-15, 2011

    The WE11 conference is for experienced professionals and collegians. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in professional development led by industry experts, as well as plenary panels covering the latest technology and business innovations.
    Register: http://we11.swe.org

    Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference
    Baltimore, MD
    October 15 - 18, 2011

    See how science centers around the globe are putting new ideas to practical use and demonstrating real results at the ASTC 2011 Conference: Knowledge that Works-From Theory to Practice. Learn how others are using social media and discover strategies for running successful programs.
    Register: http://conference.astc.org/

    Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Annual Conference 2011
    Anaheim, CA
    October 26 - 30, 2011
    Ideal for pre-college, college and graduate students, teachers and advisors, and professionals who are pursuing careers or are employed in disciplines concentrating on science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields. This year's SHPE Conference will include a pre-college symposia designed to inspire Hispanic youth in grades 6 through 12.
    Register: http://conference.shpe.org/2011

    Scientists Dedicated to Advancing Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Annual Conference 2011
    San Jose, CA
    October 27 - 30, 2011
    Interdisciplinary, inclusive, and interactive, the SACNAS annual conference offers a venue devoted to the advancement of scientists and science students. The theme, Empowering Innovation & Synergy Through Diversity, will include scientific research presentations, professional development, networking, exhibits, culture, and community.
    Register: http://sacnas.org/events/national-conf

    Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
    Portland, OR
    November 9 - 12, 2011

    This conference is designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. This year's theme What If?, explores the idea that innovation in technology arises from questions.
    Register: http://gracehopper.org/2011/participate/registration/


    Resources
    Stereo Type Threats Logo

    How Do Stereotype Threats Affect Retention? Better Approaches to Well-Intentioned, but Harmful Messages (Case Study 1)
    Stereotype threats harm both performance and motivation by reducing feelings of competence, belonging, and trust. However, careful thought, education, and regular assessment of diversity practices can help minimize incidents of stereotype threat. NCWIT Case Studies show how instructors and advisors can minimize stereotype threat by creating an accepting environment where students feel at ease and are recognized for their achievements. In addition, student test scores improve and gender gaps are eliminated when students are taught that intelligence increases through effort.

    Time to Invent
    Developed by WGBH, Boston's public-broadcasting station, Time to Invent activities are designed to work in any educational setting and include activities and resources recommended for 5th grade and older.
    http://timetoinvent.org/

    The Tinkering Studio
    Tinkering or "making stuff" has been shown to influence girls' interest in STEM. The Tinkering Studio is a part of the Exploratorium, a museum of science, art, and human perception located in San Francisco, California. The website includes activities to try at home and allows users to discuss the activities online.
    http://tinkering.exploratorium.edu/activities/

    Learning360 Knowledge Network
    Showcasing what is happening in science, technology, engineering, and math, Learning360 is a Facebook page sponsored by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Office of Legislative and Public Affairs. Content includes videos, news stories, and photos designed to engage the public about activities, programs, and research results resulting from NSF funding and collaborations.
    https://www.facebook.com/NSF.Learning360?sk=wall

    Science for All
    The Noyce Foundation partnered with Techbridge, the World Caf� Community Foundation, and Youth Radio to host a series of conversations on science with 7th and 8th graders. Students shared their opinions and experiences with science and how it impacts their education and daily lives. Highlights of these conversations can be seen in the video Science for All: What Do Our Kids Say? The accompanying conversation guide outlines how to host similar conversations in your community.

    NGCP Program Directory - Register your Program Today!
    The online Program Directory lists organizations and programs that focus on motivating girls to pursue STEM careers. The purpose of the directory is to help organizations and individuals network, share resources, and collaborate on STEM-related projects for girls. When you sign up for the Program Directory, you will enter your program description, resources available within your organization, program and/or organizational needs, and contact information. http://www.ngcproject.org/directory


    Global Resources

    Scientists Join in Search for Global Development Answers
    The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Science Foundation are undertaking a new venture to build partnerships with developing world institutions to provide foreign assistance and to support science and research in the United States. These collaborations, known as Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER), will help nurture scientific talent in other countries, build scientific infrastructure where it is weak, and instill the values of collaboration and competition that allow scientific activity to transcend geographic and political boundaries.
    http://allafrica.com/stories/201107081344.html


    NGCP,  AWE,  AAUW  logos









    American Association of University Women (AAUW) members across the country are serving as Regional Liaisons for the National Girls Collaborative Project. These Regional Liaisons help the people involved in the NGCP to make connections - to one another, to resources on gender equity, and to AAUW.

    AWE is the Assessing Women and Men in Engineering Project, which provides exportable assessment instruments, literature resources, and methodologies for Women in Engineering and similar programs. AWE has developed resources for use by K-12 STEM programs as part of NGCP services.


    National Girls Collaborative Project

    The goal of the National Girls Collaborative Project is to maximize access to shared resources within projects and with public and private sector organizations and institutions interested in expanding girls' participation in STEM.

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