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Won't You Be Our Neighbor ?
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Michael Tamasi, President of AccuRounds
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In follow-up to the May STEM Expo, Betsey Harris, community relations liaison from Weymouth schools, speaks for many. "The one thing the Network could do for us educators is to connect us with STEM professionals who will come into our classrooms and interact with our students."
Consider it done. The Corporate Partner outreach initiative has begun, with backing from four Founding Partners, leading STEM companies in our region: AccuRounds, Lockheed Martin, HarborOne Credit Union, and MEDITECH.
We spoke with Michael Tamasi, president of AccuRounds (in Avon), a member of the Governor's STEM Council. AccuRounds also presented a workshop at the May 24 STEM Expo, "From Blueprint to Assembly: How Fast Can You Go?" that the kids just loved. "The Expo was fantastic," says Michael. "There were so many different activities representing all different aspects of STEM. I can't imagine anyone leaving there without being favorably impressed with the Expo, and excited about the possibility of entering a STEM field."
AccuRounds employs 70 people. The company manufactures high-precision custom mechanical components such as pins, valves, and assemblies for industries including defense, aerospace, medical, and semiconductor. Michael's commitment to STEM outreach comes out of concern for the viability of the future workforce. "Our largest impediment to growth right now is finding qualified people to hire."
He encourages other employers to become active in STEM outreach. "If you want to be around in 10 years you better get active and participate. You have a responsibility to be involved and make people understand how exciting your operation is and the opportunities that exist."
Michael urges other businesses to get involved in the SE MA Network. "We need to be involved collectively in creating activities in school districts-weekly, monthly annually--to expose kids to STEM professionals." The goal in recruiting corporate partners is to broker opportunities for STEM professionals and young people to interact through events such as career fairs, classroom visits, and job shadowing. There is NO COST for companies to join.
To learn more about becoming a corporate partner of the SE MA STEM Network, contact Kathleen Kirby, 508.531.1437.
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Do You Feel Like You're Missing Something?
Are you wondering how to get ongoing news about the Expo--learn how other districts are following up with lesson plans for their students--view the videos from the event or share them with your students--
You can! LIKE US on Facebook (click the icon on the right) and you will receive SE MA STEM updates several times a week!
SHARE with us about how you're following up with your students who attended. Canton Middle School had their students take photos at the Expo and created a STEM display for their lobby. Here is the Powerpoint of their project: Canton Middle School PPT.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!! |
Save the Date: Massachusetts STEM Summit Thursday, October 18, 2012, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
More than 750 people are expected to attend the annual Massachusetts statewide STEM Summit. In addition, southeastern MA school/community teams that formed for the Expo will be reconvened to discuss school district STEM developments that resulted from the Expo, to share and expand their school district plans, and to plan for the future. Join us to continue developing YOUR district community plan on October 18!
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Higher Education Board Adopts New Science Standard
Massachusetts high school students hoping to gain admission to the state's four-year universities will need to take three years of lab-based science beginning in 2017. Another change: students will now be able to count technology/engineering coursework as science. The vote to add a third lab course further aligns admissions requirements with MassCore, the state's recommended curriculum adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2007. States Charles F. Desmond, chairman of the Board of Higher Education, "This expanded emphasis on engineering and technology will help prepare students for both postsecondary pursuits and the jobs of the future."
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MA Life Sciences Center Capital Funding Available
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, a quasi-public agency tasked with implementing the state's ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative, has grants available for life sciences capital and equipment projects.
The High Schools program will enable the purchase of equipment and supplies to train high school students in Gateway Cities in life sciences technology and research. Eligible high schools and vocational/technical schools, as well as community-based organizations that serve such schools, are invited to apply for grants of up to $250,000. The Center is particularly interested in applications focusing on training for lab technician work, biomanufacturing, and other life sciences professions as well as the education of students wishing to pursue advanced degrees in STEM subjects. Deadline for applications is October 12.
A second program, the Capital program, supports funding for capital projects to support the life sciences "infrastructure" in Massachusetts in organizations engaged in life sciences research, development, education, training, or commercialization. Academic/research institutions (including community colleges), business incubators, and other not-for-profit organizations are invited to apply through a two-phased approach. Phase One closes September 21, 2012.
Click here for more information or to start an application for either program.
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News and Events from the Region
Barnstable Students Urged to Apply for a Summer of Science Scholarship
A week-long, hands-on science and technology program for students entering grades 6, 7, and 8, is scheduled August 13 - 17 at Cape Cod Community College, and a generous donor has made scholarships available. This year, "Summer of Solar Science" students will explore the structure and dynamics of the sun with a team of highly trained and experienced teachers. The adventure will include activities like planet hunting, comet tracking, and spectral analysis and building a spectograph, a sun spotter, and solar tracker. Cost: $200 for the week including snacks, lunch, and equipment. Click here to download a brochure and registration form.
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Canton Teachers Turning STEM into STEAM
Canton teachers have been busy this summer following up from the STEM Expo. In July, teachers attended a three-day workshop to help prepare Canton students for future employment in the STEAM (formerly STEM) fields: science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. These fields that are projected to have the greatest growth and impact in the region's workforce in the years ahead. To accomplish the STEAM committee's ambitious five-year plan, the committee is seeking financial and intellectual support from the greater Canton community, including speakers. Click here to read the full article.
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CCCC Dean Cody Ties STEM Education to Innovation
Cape Cod Community College Dean Robert Cody (seated, 2nd from right above) gave a presentation at the Cape Cod Technology Council's breakfast meeting on the importance of STEM education to innovation and the growth of the US economy. Dean Cody pointed out that 1 million jobs are expected to be created in science and engineering through 2020, and right now there are 600,000 jobs open in manufacturing across the country. Just last year Massachusetts was trying to fill 76,000 manufacturing jobs-- second only to health care as the top job demand area. He added that STEM jobs generally pay 26% more than non-STEM jobs, and are open in areas that tend to be growth sectors, not stagnant. To capitalize on STEM's momentum, CCCC is organizing a STEM speaker series and building programs in advanced manufacturing program and engineering. Click here to read the full story.
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Bridgewater State Helps Teachers Brush Up on Physics
A group of graduate students who teach high school science are spending part of the summer taking a course at BSU dedicated to experimentation and practical application of physics. Heading up the "Modern Physics Experiments" course is Dr. Ed Deveney, professor of physics and MAT coordinator. With the recent construction of the university's $98.7 million science center, Dr. Deveney was able to expand from one to three labs -- lasers, X-rays, and robotics/electronics included. One student, Karen Eknaian, who teaches chemistry at Foxboro High School, said the process of collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results, is the backbone of science education. "This is something that's really essential for new chemistry teachers. These are skills we can bring back to the classroom." Click here to read the full story.
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Jr. Tech Starts New Programs in August
Jr.Tech has four great programs for middle-school age students coming up in August. In "Building Model Airplanes," students will build a balsa wood P-40 Warhawk that will actually fly. The basics of marine navigation will be taught in "Dead Reckoning." Advanced Computer Game Development and Lego Robotics will appeal to those more interested in computers, technology, and engineering. Cost and scheduling varies. Click here for more information.
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MassBioEd Announces Course Schedule
BioTech for the Non-Scientist - Biotech Project Management - Good Manufacturing Practices for the BioTech Industry - to sign up for these courses or to see the full fall and winter schedule, and to register, visit https://secure.massbioed.org/courses/index.php |
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New Bedford Team Wins at MATE!
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New Bedford was the big winner at April's Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) underwater ROV Competition that took place at Mass Maritime Academy. The "NB Salvage Team" of Thai Le, Jose Vargas, Mike Rapoza, Mason St. Jacque, and Alexis Almeida, led by teacher Chris Parker, was tops in Engineering Evaluation, performed best during the in-water mission tasks, and was judged "best overall." The team represented the New England area at the INTERNATIONAL competition in Orlando, Florida June 21 - 23, 2012 where they won a SHARKEPEDO Award for outstanding engineering design. Go NB Salvage Team!
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AP Classes Storming South Shore
South Shore Schools are continuing to expand their AP offerings and encouraging more students to take the challenging courses to prepare them better for the rigors of college. In Cohasset, 67 percent of seniors in the class of 2010 - the last year for which state data is available - took at least one AP exam during their high school careers. More than 60 percent of seniors had taken an exam in Milton, Duxbury, and Sharon. Foxborough Regional Charter School had the highest number, with 74 percent of its seniors sitting for at least one AP exam during high school.
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Programs for Kids at National Marine Life Center
Marine Animal Medical Mystery for ages 8-12 takes place Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., through August 29. Little Flippers Club (Marine Animal Themed Story Time & Arts & Crafts) for children 3-8 is every Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - noon, through August 30th. Each session is $3/members, $5/non-members. For more information click here or call 508.743.9888.
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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 southeaststemnetwork@connectsemass.org.
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. |
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Help us spread the word about STEM education! Click on the forward icon to share The Petri Dish with colleagues!
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