April 13, 2012 � News from the Southeastern MA Region STEM Network http://www.connectsemass.org/stem
newsletter-logo-The-Petri-Disk
 STEM Expo--Now on Facebook and Twitter! 

 

As May 24 approaches, plans for the 2012 SE MA STEM Expo unfold daily. With 500 students from 25 schools expected and 60 exhibitors showcasing spectacular STEM activities, the Expo is set to be fun and informative for all participants!

 

The SE MA STEM EXPO is now on Facebook and Twitter! We want you to share YOUR stories. Tell us about yourself or your team--Why are you excited about the Expo? What do you hope to learn, see, or do? How did you get interested in STEM? What STEM accomplishments can your school boast already? How is the workshop you're planning coming along?

 

Connect with other attendees--receive weekly updates--get psyched! Links to to the Facebook page and the Twitter account can be found on the sidebar on the right--just click the icons to begin.

  

 

For detailed information on exhibitors, workshops, and schedules, visit the WEBSITE: Envision Your Future STEM Expo May 24, 2012.

 

Making slime
SE MA STAYS THE COURSE
For all your grant writing, benchmarking, and data collection needs: The UMassDonohue Institute has updated statewide and regional STEM indicators, from numbers of students declaring (and graduating with) college STEM majors, to percentage doing well on the Science MCAS, to proportion taking four years of math and three years of science in high school. Visit the SE MA STEM website for all the indicators revealed: www.connectsemass.org/stem/index.html.
News from the State
PCAST Report "Engage to Excel" Released
David Cedrone, Associate Commissioner for Economic and Workforce Development at the MA Department of Higher Education and Executive Director of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, passes along this news from the federal level. In February 2012, The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released its report entitled "Engage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics." This report provides a strategy for improving STEM education during the first two years of college that responds to both the challenges and the opportunities of this crucial stage in STEM education: Engage to Excel .
 

Mass Audubon Announces Online School Program Catalog

This month, Mass Audubon debuts a new, searchable online program catalog for teachers, science coordinators, administrators and others looking for educational enrichment programs and field trips. The programs align with MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education curriculum frameworks. Mass Audubon sanctuaries are still booking school and group programs for Spring 2012. To view current offerings, visit www.massaudubon.org/education.

STEM Stirrings: Events & Resources

 

April Events at the National Marine Life Center

The National Marine Life Center will be hosting fun and educational events for kids and adults in April. On April 14, from 10-2, the Spring Splash Open House allows visitors to explore the Discovery Center and tour the new marine animal hospital. April 16-20, the Marine Animal Medical Mystery program will teach children 8-12 how to care for injured marine animals. That same week, the Little Flippers Club Story Time and Arts and Crafts focuses on children ages 3-8 with different animals featured each day.

More information? www.nmlc.org, or call 508-743-9888, or contact Kathy Zagzebski, [email protected].

 Where? 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay

 When? April 14-20, check website for specific times for programs 

� Cost? Most programs $3-5 per session (members discounted).    

 

Kaput Center STEM Colloquium Series

The Kaput Center's free interdisciplinary Series will continue with Dr. CarmonaGuadalupe Carmona, from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Carmona will discuss the "Mathematics of Change," including new ways of designing assessments, documenting student learning, and representing student understanding. 

  More Information? http://www.kaputcenter.umassd.edu/

� When? Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 3:30-5 p.m.

� Where? UMD Kaput Center, 200 Mill Road, Suite 150B, Fairhaven

� Cost? Free

UMass Dartmouth PHD Program in Mathematics Education--Applications Now Being Accepted

UMass Dartmouth now offers a four-year full-time program focusing on mathematics learning, teaching, curriculum, technology and reform. Research and teaching assistantships as well as international and domestic internships are available. For more information about the program, contact Dr. Chandra Orrill, Graduate Program Director of the STEM Education Department at [email protected], or visit http://www.umassd.edu/mathedphd .

math graphic

Cape Cod Wildlife Collaborative Sponsors "Bag It" Film Screening
The award-winning documentary "Bag It" addresses contemporary issues regarding the over-use of plastic in our lives, and the impact on our environment and health. Following the film, there will be a panel discussion on marine debris and its impact on our world's oceans by local scientists, educators, and activists

More Information?http://www.facebook.com/CapeCodWildlifeCollaborative

 Where? Mass Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive Buzzards Bay

 When? Saturday April 21, 2012, 2-4:00 p.m.

� Cost? Free and open to the public 

Teachers on the Estuary at Waquoit Bay July 9-12, 2012
Applications are due now for the four-day "Teachers on the Estuary" professional development workshops. These FREE workshops focusing on grades 7-12 will provide resources and hands-on experiences to support the incorporation of estuary and watershed topics into classroom teaching. Participants will work with local scientists and coastal educators to explore estuary habitats, practice scientific field activities, and bring data into the classroom.  

More Information? Joan C. Muller, 508-457-0495 x 107 or [email protected] or visit www.estuaries.noaa.gov or www.waquoitbayreserve.org.

 Where? Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Falmouth. 

 When? April 4, 2012, lectures starting at 11am and 1 pm. 

� Cost? Free. Teachers will be awarded 67.5 PDPs plus $200 for implementation and $150 worth of equipment upon completion. 3 graduate credits available from Framingham College for $225.

Marine Art Contest Underway!

Students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the 2012 Marine Art Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Marine Educators. The contest is divided into five sections: K-4, grades 5-8, High School (9-12), and Computer Graphics (all grades). Prizes include whale watch tickets, cash awards, NE Aquarium passes and certificates. The winner will have their work displayed in a travelling exhibition moving to the Cape Cod National Seashore on March 1.

 

  More Information? Visit http://massmarineeducators.org/contests.php, email [email protected] or phone 781-545-8026 x204

  Where? Students throughout Massachusetts are eligible to participate

 When? Deadline April 26, 2012

� Cost? Free 

Attleboro STEM Scholarship

Knowing that 21st Century jobs will require skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, Bristol Community College Foundation has created a STEM scholarship to be awarded to one male and one female graduating from Attleboro High School. Over $1,000 has already been raised! For more information go to the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AttleboroStemScholarship.  

Cape Cod Community College STEM Speaker Series
The series continues with Jin Joo Lee, a Ph.D. student at the Personal Robots Group of MIT Media Lab, talking about developing socially intelligent robots for more effective Human-Robotic Interactions. The series is made possible through grant funding from the college's Educational Foundation 

More Information? Email or call Kristina Ierardi at [email protected] or 508-362-2131 x4688.

  Where? 2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable

 When? Monday April 30, 2012, 11 a.m.

� Cost? Free and open to the public.

  

friendly robot
Ocean Energy Workforce Development Summit
The U.S. Congressman William R. Keating will open this discussion of the workforce development needs of the emerging ocean renewable energy industry. Panels of experts will address industry forecasts, the eperience in Europe, and what the region's workforce developers and trainers are planning to meet emerging labor needs. 
More Information? Email [email protected], register at https://webapps.umassd.edu/events/mrec/
 Where? New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford
 When? May 4, 2012, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

� Cost? $35 before May 1, $45 after. 

marine turbine

Norton High School Named Innovative School of the Year

The Innovative School of the Year Award was established by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation to honor a MA school for inspiring students to explore life science careers through innovative biotechnology education and exemplary science career programming. This year, Mass BioEd grants the award to Norton High School for its leadership in life sciences education. For more information: http://www.massbioed.org/news_and_events/index.php?news_event_id=117&page_function=detail.

 

Share your news!
We want to include all the cool stuff happening around our region. Plus, we'd love to share your news, as well as suggestions for things you find interesting. So ... Let us know! Email your news, events, and other interesting tidbits to [email protected].
 
Plus, don't forget to register your organization in the SE MA STEM directory so that people seeking your STEM services can find you:
 
And be sure to check out the network website at :


Our mission is to connect southeastern Massachusetts students, educators, employers, and STEM advocates to resources and to each other.
In This Issue
STEM Expo--"Like Us!"
News from the State--Math, Early Childhood
STEM Stirrings: Events and Resources
Share!
Join Our Mailing ListLike us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

 

Help us spread the word about STEM education! 

 

Click on the forward icon to share The Petri Dish with colleagues!