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Southeast STEM Network6/2/11
Spotlight on Southeast STEM
New Website Launched

BCC

The Southeastern Massachusetts STEM Network has just launched its long-awaited, updated website. Returning visitors will see all the features they remember, such as links to STEM resources for teachers, students, and families. NEW to the site is a searchable directory of Southeastern Massachusetts/Cape and Islands STEM agencies and organizations.

 

Does your organization offer professional development for teachers -- STEM summer camps for sixth-graders -- scientific equipment for loan to classrooms -- or weekend lectures on marine biology for the public? If so, you are invited to enter your organization into our directory, so that people from our region can find you.

 

The STEM directory will be constantly updated as organizations enter new information -- and the resources links for teachers, families, and students are continuously in development, so check back often at www.connectsemass.org/STEM. 

STEM Network Funding Continued in State Budget 

The Massachusetts State Senate has joined the House in approving $500,000 for the STEM Pipeline Fund. This money supports the six regional networks -- including the Southeast/Cape and Islands Network -- in coordinating meetings, circulating information, and sponsoring special programs designed to promote collaboration and STEM educational excellence. To read more about the Networks and the goals of the STEM Pipeline Fund, to visit the other regions' websites, or to learn about the work of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, visit our NEW website.

 

National, State, and Southeastern Massachusetts News

 

Massachusetts Academy of Sciences Organizes Statewide Meeting for Higher Education STEM Faculty: Partnering in the Transformation of STEM Education in the Commonwealth

This day-long workshop will bring together Higher Education STEM faculty (research scientists, education researchers, and educators), with representatives from STEM industries, K12 educators, and not-for-profit organizations to discuss ways of improving STEM education in the Commonwealth. Working sessions will focus around the goals of the Governor's STEM plan, which revolve around increasing: student interest in STEM; Prek-12 student achievement in STEM; the percentage of students demonstrating college readiness for STEM fields; the number of students graduating from post-secondary institutions with STEM degrees; and the number of Prek-16 STEM classes led by effective teachers. The meeting will take place June 7, 2011, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Sturbridge, MA. Click here to learn more about this event.

 

Southern New England Girls Collaborative Accepting Mini-Grant Applications

UMD SC

The Southern New England Girls Collaborative (Rhode Island and Massachusetts) currently has a mini-grant call for proposals. These mini-grants are awarded to girl-serving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused programs to encourage collaboration, address gaps and overlaps in service, and share promising practices in order to encourage girls to pursue STEM-related education and careers. Projects must relate to either informal learning or evaluation and assessment. Grants are intended to provide a small amount of seed funding, with a maximum award of $1000. The application window closes Monday, June 27, 2011. More information is available here, or contact Connie Chow at [email protected] or Kim Edgar at 603.646.1351 or [email protected].

 

Smarter Cape Summit Archive Now Available

For two days in May (May 9 - 10), Cape Cod's business, government, research, and community leaders came together for the first SmarterCape Summit, sponsored by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Cod Technology Council, OpenCape, and The Cape Cod Commission. The event was inspired by the promise of a new open access 300-mile fiber network, a new high speed middle mile for communication, and a regional data center that will support emerging work trends, play into the region's natural strengths, and enhance the quality of life.

 

Videos of many of the speakers and sessions are now available online, including Congressman Bill Keating talking about "Moving from Smart to Smarter," Sharon Nunes of IBM providing a keynote on "A Smarter Planet," and Tony Wilhelm of NTIA, Dan Gallagher of OpenCape, and Robert Picchi from Blue Ridge Advisory reporting on the progress of network installation. Breakout sessions looked at the impact the OpenCape project will have on education, municipalities, business, healthcare, and public safety. Video and powerpoints of many presentations are available online.

 

Upper Cape Tech Seeks Volunteer Math Tutors

This program will run four mornings per week (8:00 a.m. - Noon) in July. The goal is to help 10th, 11th, and 12th graders improve their math skills, bringing them to a level of proficiency that will enable them to pursue a number of career options, including admission to college. If interested, contact Jennifer McGuire at [email protected] 508.759.7711 x247.

Upcoming Southeast Region EVENTS 
 
Project Invention Convention VII
June 8, 2011, Bridgewater State University
Approximately 25 student teams from school districts throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands will be presenting their unique inventions at the seventh year of this contest. BSU sponsors this competition with hopes to stimulate the interest of young students in the STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) disciplines. Students who participate not only expand their knowledge in science and math, but also learn teamwork, communication and presentation skills. Click here for more information.
  
Bridgewater State University Accepting Applications for Summer Bridge Program
Information Session: June 9, 2011, 6:00 p.m., Bridgewater State University, Conant Science Building, Room 332
BSU STREAMS
High school seniors interested in attending BSU to major in math or science are invited to apply for the 2011 STREAMS Summer Bridge program. Sixteen students will earn a full scholarship to take two free college courses, receive free room and board, engage in mentored research, and be paid $450 for participating. New 2011 BSU freshmen majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Mathematics, or Physics may apply. The program will run from June 26 to July 16. Contact Dr. Stephen Waratuke for information on how to apply or click here for additional information.
  
Greenlight for Girls Day
June 11, 2011, 8:30 a.m - 3:00 p.m., UMASS Dartmouth Kaput Center, 200 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA
The Kaput Center, in partnership with Greenlight for Girls, is holding an all-day FREE event for girls age 11-15 years old to learn about science and technology. Participants can choose to attend three of 16 workshops in topics such as Engineering, Nutrition, Oceanography, Climate Change, and Green Careers. An Invention Contest will also be part of the event, with prizes offered for the top three most creative inventions. For further information and to register, click here or email [email protected] or call Becky Moniz at 508.999.8797.
  
2011 Summer Professional Development Institutes - Free for Massachusetts Educators
Over 700 K-12 teachers are expected to participate in this year's institutes, which have been aligned to the new Massachusetts Currriculum Frameworks Incorporating the Common Core Standards. In mathematics, teachers will engage in topics such as: Algebra, Fractions for Elementary School Teachers, and Math Progressions (The MA Intel Math Course). Other topics for institutes include:Connecting Science and Literacy; Laboratory Based Physics or Chemistry; Implementing Technology/Engineering Standards; and Thinkfinity: using online resources to improve teaching and learning. Professional development points (PDPs) toward re-licensure will be awarded and graduate credits are also available. More detailed descriptions and registration information about the upcoming 2011 Professional Development Institutes can be found here, or, contact Barbara Libby, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 781.338.3460.
  
Jr. Tech 2011 Summer Offerings in STEM
Jr. Tech's mission is to engage 5th - 12th grade students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and to encourage and nurture a life-long interest in these fields. Summer programs, taking place in July and August, are now enrolling for classes such as: Calling all Computer Gamers (grades 6 - 8, Upper Cape Regional Tech High School); Turtle TLC and Seal SOS (grades 5 - 7, National Marine Life Center, Buzzards Bay); Discover Dolphins (grades 5 - 7, National Marine Life Center, Buzzards Bay); and Television Broadcasting and Production (Cape Cod Media Center, Yarmouth). Click here for more information, or call Phyllis Russell at 774.994.2097.
  
Mathematics Learning Community Facilitator Training
June 27 - July 1, 2011, UMASS Dartmouth, Fairhaven, MA
The Mathematics Learning Community (MLC) is an exciting form of job-embedded, ongoing K-8 professional development that uses student work as a means to connect professional development to the classroom and stimulate authentic discussions about how students learn mathematics. Participants of Facilitator Training will become members of a model MLC to experience the format and math content of MLC Sessions and engage in thoughtful discussions about math metacognition and problem-solving strategies. Opportunities for practice facilitation and district collaboration will be available throughout the training. The MLC Facilitator Training fee of $1000 includes an MLC Facilitator's Binder, an overview of the MLC, along with Facilitator's Notes and Handouts for Sessions 1 - 10. Click here to learn more or contact Wendy Cleaves at 508.856.5348.
  
National Marine Educators Association Annual Conference
June 29 - July 2, 2011, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
UMD SMAST
Join more than 400 marine educators, researchers, advocates, and enthusiasts for three full days of workshops, presentations from keynote speakers, marine and maritime field trips, and professional networking. Click here for additional information.
To Submit News & Notices
Did your school's team win honors in a robotics contest? Is your college offering professional development for math teachers? Is your community group sponsoring a STEM career exploration day? Let us know! Our list of STEM-interested educators and community members is 250+ and growing, and we exist to connect southeastern Massachusetts students, educators, employers, and STEM advocates to resources and to each other. To submit an article to be considered for inclusion in this newsletter, click here.
  
In This Issue
Just Launched!
STEM Funding Continued
National, State, and Southeastern Massachusetts STEM News
Upcoming Southeast Region Events
To Submit SE MA STEM News and Notices
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