January 2012

 Building the Capacity of STEM Practitioners to Develop a Diverse Workforce
     

NGCP Updates  

 Collaborative News  

Texas Girls Collaborative Project K-12 STEM Outreach Forum
Tyler, TX 
February 15, 2012
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Central

Calling all organizations, schools and individuals involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics! Network with programs in your area and learn about resources available to assist in your STEM outreach efforts. Share lessons learned and what your organization is doing to excite kids about STEM fields!
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/register.cfm?eventid=232

NGCP Collaborative Mini-Grants  
NGCP mini-grants are designed to enhance access to and build collaboration between programs and resources. Mini-grant application resources, including a sample application, research based strategies, and evaluation requirements are available online at: http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grant/app-resources.cfm. 

The New Hampshire/Vermont Girls Collaborative Project will open mini-grant applications on January 16, 2012 and close applications on February 15, 2012.  

 Exemplary Practice Spotlight

 Featured Mini-Grant

Cool Girls STEM Adventure in the Rockies
Cool Girls Science and Art Club, Convening Organization for the newly forming Colorado Girls Collaborative Project, and The Women's Wilderness Institute collaborated to increase the diversity of participants in their programs. Girls tested water samples, raced handmade boats, made field notes and sketches of mountain birds, and explored Boulder County with mentors. This enabled them to develop skills in biology, ecology and geology that gave them a deeper knowledge of the area in which they live. Over half of the group was composed of Latinas and African-Americans who have not previously had wilderness experiences. The teams presented their video to the community and served as mentors by leading interactive experiments in elementary classrooms. The girls' families gained an increased understanding of the importance of STEM education by meeting female STEM professionals. This project will lead to more STEM collaborations within Boulder County and Colorado.
http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grant/grants.cfm?grantid=722. 

January is National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors to guide our youth. Research shows girls benefit from relationships with role models and mentors who can provide valuable information about STEM careers. The online NGCP Program Directory is a great resource for finding scientists and engineers to meet with girls, as well as finding other programs that offer mentoring.

http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org

MOST-Science is conducting a nation-wide study that seeks to build a broad picture of the extensive activities in out-of-school-time science, technology, and engineering programming for youth. An online questionnaire asks program providers for details about who participates in their programs, the frequency and duration of youth participation, and what kinds of content and hands-on activities are being utilized. Your participation will highlight your organization, help identify common needs and challenges as well as contribute to a study that will inform funders, policy-makers, researchers, and other program providers about the work in this community and the needs that remain to be addressed.

Questionnaire: www.colorado.edu/eer/research/outofschool.html
 

National Conference on Girls' Education

Washington, DC

February 10-12, 2012

The inaugural National Conference on Girls' Education (NCGE) will bring together girls' schools (public, independent, and parochial), program leaders, practitioners, and researchers committed to the healthy intellectual, social, and emotional development of girls and young women. NCGE will shine the spotlight on some of America's top thinkers, educators, and practitioners by creating a forum for the exchange of transformational educational practice, the sharing of resources for working with girls, and best practices from all sectors of girls' education in America.

Register: http://www.ncgs.org/national-conference-on-girls-education

Burlingame, CA
February 15-18, 2012
Beyond School Hours XV offers the latest tools and insights to address the national grade-level reading crisis and improve outcomes for youth. This conference provides an opportunity to network with peers and experts, discover new funding and programming strategies, and see best practices in action with visits to local schools and programs. Conference content includes professional development on forming successful partnerships, building program quality, and strategies for engaging older youth.
Register: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=959727

Moody's Mega Math (M3) Challenge is an online applied mathematics competition for high school students designed to motivate youth to study and pursue careers in applied math, economics, and finance. The contest is sponsored by The Moody's Foundation and organized by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). Registration deadline: February 24, 2012.
Register: http://m3challenge.siam.org

Long Beach, CA
March 15-17, 2012
The ITEEA is a professional association concerned with providing and meeting the professional development needs of classroom teachers, supervisors, curriculum writers, and teacher educators who are interested in developing technological literacy. The theme for this year's conference is Changing the Conversation: Improving K-16 Technology and Engineering.
Register: http://www.iteea.org/Conference/registration.htm
  

Rapid City, SD
March 24-27, 2012
AIHEC is the collective spirit and unifying voice of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian higher education issues through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promotes and strengthens Indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and emerging TCUs.
Register: http://www.olc.edu/local_links/aihec

April 7-15, 2012
The third annual National Robotics Week will be held from April 7-15, 2012 with a series of regional events and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of robotics technology as a pillar of 21st century American innovation. The week highlights the growing importance of robotics in a wide variety of application areas and emphasizes its ability to inspire students while building their interest in STEM. Events held throughout the week will feature dozens of opportunities for the public to interact with robots in a hands-on learning environment. Panel discussions, robotics competitions, introductory courses on robotics for kids, educational workshops for businesses, demos, and tours of innovative labs will provide networking opportunities as well as expose many to the genius and wonder of robotics. To find and event in your area or to host your own event visit: www.nationalroboticsweek.org.

The EdLab Group is a private, non-profit center with funding from federal and state governments, private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Our mission is to leverage the power of technology and diversity to transform teaching and learning.