October 2012

PNWGCP Updates   

Project Splash Educator Training
Project Splash is an exciting professional development and youth program opportunity in robotics education. Participants gain hands-on experience with robotics activities, gender equity strategies, and technical skills necessary for implementing a Project Splash program. Upper middle and high school girls are eligible to attend these programs, where they build fully submersible robots using a variety of LEGO products. The robots become increasingly complex and are able to complete sophisticated, real-world tasks. In the process, students gain knowledge in several areas of science, engineering, and technology.

Educators who complete the training will gain access to camp curriculum and are eligible to rent a materials kit from the PNWGCP.

Applications will be accepted beginning November 1, 2012. If you are interested in attending a training or co-hosting one in your area, please contact Laura Enman at lenman@edlabgroup.org.

Project Splash: RecTech Garfield Teen Life Center in Seattle

In June and August, twenty-two high school students in Seattle participated in Project Splash camps using curriculum from the underwater LEGO robotics program called WaterBotics, funded through a National Science Foundation grant. Students attended the camp at Garfield Teen Life Center, a RecTech Center located in the Central District of Seattle. They completed missions by building and testing underwater robots, and the students wrote essays reflecting on their experiences. Selected essays have been excerpted below.

Nhi Ngo:

"With skills in water robotics and engineering, I could apply them to future projects. In the future, I wish to be a computer software engineer or a game designer. Thus, I am one step closer to my goals, but also building on top of STEM skills that might be useful in the incoming future."

Jasmine Prat:

"Prior to this program, I had almost no experience with robotics/programming. Now, I feel I have a better understanding with what makes a stable structure, how to gear it, and how to make to the NXT do what I want it to by programming on the computer... Now that I know about all of the different careers available in engineering, it is definitely something I'd consider doing as a career."

Michaela Moore:

FabFems Spotlight

There are over 100 profiles in the FabFems role model database and this number is growing. FabFems are enthusiastic about the science and technology work they do and want to inspire our future generations. Visit FabFems to search profiles, connect with role models, and find resources on career pathways.

Meet Dr. Megan Frary from Boise, Idaho. With a personal desire to "make things stronger, lighter, or just somehow better," she found materials science to be the perfect pathway for her. Dr. Frary earned her bachelors and masters degrees in materials science at Northwestern University, and her Ph.D. from MIT in Materials Science and Engineering. She had many common concerns throughout her graduate education; however her perseverance and passion for her field led her to realize that she "knew more about the research [she] was doing than anyone else in the world." Dr. Frary is currently an Associate Professor at Boise State University where she enjoys working with the graduate and undergraduate students in her research group. In her profile, she writes about her life outside of work, which includes hobbies like skiing and cycling, and spending as much time as she can with her husband and two daughters, with whom she enjoys passing along her "love for math and physics." To learn more about Dr. Megan Frary, visit her FabFems profile at: http://www.fabfems.org/users/megan-frary.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a FabFem, visit: http://www.fabfems.org.

Events and Opportunities    

Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference at the Spokane Public Library

Spokane, WA

September 29-November 29, 2012

The Spokane Public Library is pleased to host Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference. The exhibit is at the Downtown branch from September 29 until November 29. Spokane is one of eight communities nationwide to host the exhibit. Discover Tech is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net), led by the Space Science Institute's National Center for Interactive Learning. Partners include the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the National Girls Collaborative Project, and the American Library Association. A grant from the National Science Foundation made the exhibit possible. The library looks forward to working with community partner TINCAN to offer an exciting slate of public programs during the exhibit.

Bridge Conference 2012

Seattle, WA

October 8-9, 2012

The Bridge From School to Afterschool and Back Conference is a two-day event bringing together afterschool and youth development (AYD) professionals, school leaders, funders, researchers, policymakers, trainers/coaches and business leaders from across the country. The Conference focuses on research, cutting-edge resources, and strategies relevant for strengthening in and out of school services for K-12 youth.

Register: http://www.schoolsoutwashington.org/bridge  

Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference

Seattle, WA

October 11-14, 2012

SACNAS is one of the largest annual gatherings of minority scientists in the country. This interdisciplinary, inclusive, and interactive national conference offers scientific research presentations, professional development, networking, exhibits, culture, and community. The 2012 theme is: "Creating a Healthy World Through Science, Diversity & Technology."

Register: https://sacnas.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=42  

Washington State Association for Multicultural Education (WSAME) Fall Conference

October 27, 2012

Seattle, WA

"The World of Work and You!" is the title and theme of this year's WSAME Fall Conference. Representatives from the industry and education sector will highlight the educational pathways, knowledge, and skills necessary to be successful in the workforce of the future and reveal strategies for engaging students in meaningful ways.

Register: http://www.wsame.org 

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference 

Anchorage, AK

November 1-3, 2012

The AISES National Conference is a three-day event convening high school juniors and seniors, college and graduate students, teachers, workforce professionals, corporate partners, and all members of the AISES family. The conference will include professional development, networking opportunities, student presentations, a career fair, awards, and traditional events. This year's theme is "Adaptability."

Register: http://www.aises.org/nationalconference  

Oregon Afterschool Conference
Salem, OR
November 3, 2012

OregonASK is presenting a full day of training and opportunities to discover ideas that make a difference for afterschool programs and professionals. Workshop topics include: STEM, leadership, engaged learning, and youth development. All sessions are linked to the Oregon Registry and Oregon Quality Standards for Afterschool and Summer Programs. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Anita Krishnamurthi, Director of STEM Policy at the Afterschool Alliance. In this role, she leads the Alliance's efforts to advance policies, research, and partnerships so children and youth have rich STEM education experiences in their afterschool programs.
Register: http://www.oregonask.org

SciGirls Connect Educator Workshop

Lynnwood, WA

November 7, 2012

Local educators are invited to participate in a SciGirls Connect workshop hosted by the Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project. SciGirls Connect is an education program for staff and educators interested in engaging girls in STEM and learning 20 hands-on, video enhanced STEM activities. This program was developed as the outreach component of SciGirls, an Emmy-award winning PBS KIDS weekly series and website. Participants will:

• Learn the latest research for exciting and engaging girls (and boys) in STEM
• Experience hands-on STEM activities
• Leave with curriculum that puts a creative twist on teaching STEM
• Learn how to modify any activity to engage kids in STEM using the SciGirls Seven
• Discover additional online resources that enhance teaching and learning experiences for all kids

Resources   

Brain Pop Español

This Spanish-language website provides activities and lessons in a variety of disciplines, including science, math and technology. Students can click on a topic of interest and choose from a video, background information, activities, experiments, timelines, and more.

http://esp.brainpop.com 

isisHawaii

isisHawaii, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to exciting students about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). With local STEM professionals, educators and partnering organizations, isisHawaii provides activities and opportunities for students and teachers to learn more about STEM-related higher educational and career options in Hawaii and beyond.

http://www.isishawaii.org 

i-STEM

i-STEM is a coordinated state-wide effort by the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho Professional-Technical Education, educators, businesses, and industry to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in grades K-12. The organization's mission is to enhance and develop excellence in STEM education for Idaho's future.

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem 

King County Youth Development Network

King County Youth Development Network (KCYDN) is a collaborative resource and network for local youth development staff, both online and in-person. KCYDN provides a centralized website where youth development workers share resources and best practices. Monthly networking events feature professional panels along with specialized training. 

http://kcydn.pugetsoundoff.org 

OregonASK

Oregon Afterschool for Kids is a collaboration of public and private organizations and community members which seek to address common issues and concerns across all out-of-school time services - child care, recreation, education and youth development. 

http://www.oregonask.org 

National Center for Women in Computing: Award for Aspirations in Computing

This annual award honors young women at the high school level for their computing-related achievements and interests through combined national and local affiliate competitions. The Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project and the University of Washington's Computer Science and Engineering program will again lead this year's Aspirations in Computing competition for Washington State. Selected applicants will have the opportunity to gain regional and national visibility, win prizes, scholarships, and to participate in the National competition. Applications are accepted September 15 - October 31 annually. 

http://ww2.ncwit.org/award/award.index.php  

STEM Alaska (STEM AK)

An initiative of Alaska's Juneau Economic Development Council, STEM AK works with teachers and students, government and non-government organizations, not-for-profits, and increasingly with Alaska business and industry to address the current and future STEM needs of the state. The guiding principle of STEM AK is to increase student interest and competencies in STEM fields.

http://stemak.org    

Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) 

WAS is a free, NASA-designed statewide program for high school juniors that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and encourages students to consider careers in these fields. The program is divided into two components: the online distance learning curriculum and the six-day Summer Residency. WAS participants will get an inside look at Washington's aerospace industry and information about STEM educational and career pathways, and will gain exposure to university-level curriculum and content. Students and teachers will have opportunities to interact with STEM professionals, participate in tours of engineering and research facilities that are not available to the general public, and work with highly engaged and motivated peers. Applications are currently being accepted from teachers and students interested in participating in the 2012-13 program cycle. 

http://www.museumofflight.org/was  

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/programs

The EdLab Group is a private, non-profit organization 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.