December 5, 2013 · News from the Southeastern MA Region STEM Network · http://www.connectsemass.org/stem

SE MA Schools to Provide over 12,000 Students an Hour of Code

The Hour of Code, sponsored by Computer Science Education Week, is a national awareness campaign to give students a one-hour introduction to computer science. The campaign is sponsored by Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, and other technology giants. The Hour of Code will run from December 9th to December 15th and is designed to demystify code and show that anyone can learn the basics of coding. Code.org expects the campaign to be the largest online education event in history, as over one million students have signed up for the event.

Over a dozen schools in Southeastern Massachusetts have already committed to bring over 12,000 students to the Hour of Code, including schools in Cohasset, Duxbury, Fairhaven, Fall River, Milton, Plymouth, Pembroke, Westport,and Weymouth.

It is not too late to sign up your school for the Hour of Code. Activities are free and include easy-to-follow online guides. If you would like your students to get excited about computer science, click here. For even more information on the Hour of Code, visit code.org.

Regional STEM Meetings

Join STEM stakeholders from the schools, government, industry, and community to find resources and develop plans to strengthen STEM programming in YOUR region. Upcoming SE MA STEM Network regional meetings will take place:

Thurs., February 13, 2014 - Cape Cod Community College

Tues., February 25, 2014 - Weymouth Public Schools

Thurs., March 6, 2014 - Mansfield Public Schools

Thurs., March 25, 2014 - Old Rochester RSD

And our STEM Resource Fair for educators is scheduled for May 21, 2014 at Bridgewater State University.

Stay tuned to the Petri Dish for updates and registration!

The SE MA STEM Directory Continues to GROW

Looking for STEM resources and activities for your kids, your classroom, or yourself? Mark the SE MA STEM Directory your "favorite." New organizations are joining regularly. Our newest members include:

Aspire Institute at Wheelock College
Chemical Education Foundation
Club Invention
Education by Entertainment
Quincy College
You-Be-The-Chemist Challenge by ChemEd

Whether you're searching for curriculum--summer camps--professional development--lectures and outings--the Directory is the place for you! You don't need to log in to search. Organizations log in and create an entry for FREE at: http://www.connectsemass.org/stem/directory.php.

News From the State

New Website for Professional Development from DESE

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has one new primary site for professional development. The website provides easy access to resources and tools for educators and providers. It also includes the Massachusetts Standards for High Quality Professional Development. Click here to explore the new website.

Update to the STEM State Plan

The Governor's STEM Advisory Council has released STEM Plan 2.0. The STEM Plan 2.0 provides increased focus on STEM education as the engine for creating growth and opportunity across the Commonwealth. To learn more about the new STEM plan, click here.

News and Events From the Region

Milton Math Teacher Receives National Milken Award

James Moonan, who teaches mathematics to sixth graders at Charles S. Pierce Middle School in Milton, is the state's 41st Milken Award winner. He is the only Massachusetts recipient in 2013-14 and one of 40 recipients across the country this school year. The Milken Award provides public recognition to exemplary elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and specialists who are furthering excellence in education.

According to the 2013 MCAS results, Pierce Middle School sixth graders scored at the 89th percentile in mathematics compared to sixth graders across the Commonwealth. Click here to read more.

Bridgewater State University CASE Events

Various Locations

December 6,11,14, 31

Bridgewater State University's Center for the Advancement of STEM Education (CASE) has several upcoming events.

December 6 and 13: The EarthView Outreach Conference will look at existing geography programs and encourage further development of geography education. The December 6 event will take place at the Mary K. Goode Elementary School In Middleboro; the December 13 event will be held at the Pyne Arts School in Lowell.

December 11: Bridgewater State's Observatory opens to the public, weather permitting.

Register by December 31 for the International Math Kangaroo, a low stress mathematics competition for students in grades 1 - 12. All students are welcome! CASE will provide a safe and comfortable site for the students and their parents for the time of the competition. Included in a $20 registration fee is a toy, T-shirt, and certificate of completion. For more information and to register, click here.

If you are interested in learning more about these events, please contact Maura Whittemore by phone (508)-531-2575, or via email at: mwhittemore@bridgew.edu.

STEM Speaker Series

Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable

December 9, 11AM

The final installment of Cape Cod Community College's STEM Speaker Series will host David Churbuck, award-winning digital media, marketing, and e-commerce expert. Mr. Churbuck will discuss "Expert Marketing" and how aspects of STEM interacts with the market place. For more information, click here.

Discussion on Environmental Policies

Center for Student Coastal Research, Cohasset

December 11, 7-8PM

You are invited to attend a new and engaging discussion series ushered in by John Clarkeson of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Mr. Clarkeson will discuss "Current Issues in Environmental Policy: Climate Change Adaptation, Massachusetts Initiatives, and the work of the Adaptation Advisory Committee." Admission is free. For more information and to register, click here.

The 2013 New England Venture Summit

Hilton, Dedham

December 11, 8AM-5:30PM

Come meet and network with more than 500 venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, and CEOs of early stage and emerging growth companies at the 8th Annual New England Venture Summit. Whether you're a startup seeking capital and exposure, or an investor seeking new deals, the New England Venture Summit presented by youngStartup Ventures is one event you won't want to miss. This exclusive summit will feature a distinguished line up of more than 40 Investors on interactive panels, presentations by more than 50 companies seeking funding, and high-level networking opportunities. For more information and to register, click here.

Ciena FutureLab Visits Cape Cod

Harwich and Fall River

December 11 and 12, 2-4PM

Join CapeNet and Ciena for refreshments, a little networking, and an exclusive tour of the Ciena FutureLab fiber optic demo bus. The Ciena bus is loaded with functioning, cutting edge fiber optic technology and staffed by knowledgeable Ciena staff who can explain it all in plain language. There are only seven such buses in existence. The bus will be parked at the Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Harwich on Wednesday, December 11 and at Granite Block in Fall River on December 12. For more information, contact Teresa Martin: tmartin@capenet.com

Stonehill Conversation Fostering STEM Transfer Student Success

Stonehill College, Easton

January 7, 9AM-2PM

College faculty and administrators are invited to join Stonehill College for an interactive conversation focused on supporting STEM students, building successful partnerships between two-year and four-year institutions, and sharing information on scholarship and undergraduate research opportunities Stonehill has to offer. To register, click here. For more information contact Rachel Hirst at rhirst@stonehill.edu.

STEM and Allied Health Career and College Fair

Brockton High School, Brockton

January 8, 2-3:30PM

The Brockton Talent Search Program in collaboration with the Brockton High School guidance department is hosting a STEM and Allied Health Fair. Organizers are seeking employers, career professionals, colleges, programs, and other related individuals or groups who are willing to attend this fun and interactive afternoon of college and career exploration. The fair is designed to expose students to the many opportunities available in this growing field. To register, email Manny Lopes by December 23rd at elopes@asa.org or phone 508-836-3100.

Growing up Wild Workshop

Green Briar Nature Center, East Sandwich

January 18, 9AM-3PM

Exploring Nature with Young Children is an early childhood education activity guide that builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, the workshop provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills. Workshop participants receive a copy of the guide and certificate of completion (.5 CEU credit available). Cost of $55 includes $25 for GUW Curriculum Guide. To register call 508-888-6870.

Share Your News!

The Petri Dish now has over 2300 subscribers. So, if you have news or events to share, or are looking to connect to the STEM community in Southeastern Massachusetts, this is the place! 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:

http://www.connectsemass.org/stem/directory.php

And be sure to check out the network website at:

http://www.connectsemass.org/stem/

Our mission is to connect southeastern Massachusetts students, educators, employers, and STEM advocates to resources and to each other.

In This Issue

Hour of Code in SE MA

SE MA Network Regional Meetings

News from the State

News and Events from the Region

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