SE MA STEM Network Regional Meetings 

Join STEM stakeholders from the schools, government, industry, and community to share ideas and resources as a part of a collective effort to strengthen STEM Education in YOUR region. Topics to be discussed include aligning workforce and education; integrating STEM, arts, humanities, and fitness; community STEM initiatives; career and college readiness; and STEM literacy for all students. Click the links below to learn more about presenters and focus for each meeting, and to register:

Tues., February 25, 2014 - Weymouth Public Schools

Thurs., March 5, 2014 - Mansfield Public Schools

Tues., March 25, 2014 - Old Rochester RSD 

Save the Date!
STEM Resource Fair, May 21

Join hundreds of educators and STEM Supporters at the SE MA STEM Resource Fair, May 21, 2:30-5:30, at Bridgewater State University. Gather resources, walk away with hands-on  lesson plans, learn best practices, and network, network, network! Stay tuned to The Petri Dish for future information and registration.

SE Mass Takes Part in Hour of Code 

Over a dozen schools in Southeastern Massachusetts have introduced over 12,000 students to computer science through the Hour of Code, a national awareness campaign sponsored by Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, and other technology giants. SE MA districts including schools in Cohasset, Duxbury, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Mansfield, Milton, Plymouth, Pembroke, Westport, and Weymouth, gave students a one-hour introduction to computer science.

One example: in Mansfield, Rayna Freedman's fifth grade class discussed the history of computing programming, heard about the importance of computer science and coding from other students, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, professional athletes and more. Her students then participated in the Angry Birds computer challenges and were assigned further coding experiences for homework.

Computer science is a growing field and the demand for those with computer programming skills is higher than ever. Through the Hour of Code, Southeastern Massachusetts has taken big steps to bring more students into the field. Read more here. Connect to the Hour of Code games, exercises, videos, and curriculum at the national website: http://code.org/learn. 

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:

• Ocean Explorium
• Hanson Children's Museum
• Museum of Science, Boston
• Science4Us

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.

There are many STEM events going on at Bridgewater State University in 2014, all hosted by the Center for the Advancement of STEM Education (CASE). On February 4th, the debut of "Games Teachers Play" workshops features an opportunity for educators to share, explore, discuss, and play math games and puzzles. The theme of the February 4th event is "3-Dimensional Visualization & Geometric Transformations". The registration fee is $15. For more information and to register, click here. 

On February 27th, you are invited to the CASE Conference: Advancing STEM Education. Keynote speakers Julie Huber, PhD., and Allison Sheff, Executive Director of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, will focus on STEM education around the world and right here in Southeastern Massachusetts. There will also be a range of workshop sessions on innovative STEM topics. Registration is $30; however, more information on registration is to be released. For more information, contact Maura Whittemore at mwhittemore@bridgew.edu or (508) 531-2575. 

Throughout 2014, CityLab at Bridgewater State University will offer one-day, NO COST experiences in three modules for middle and high school students. BSU can accommodate up to 24 students (30 with additional teacher/aide) to participate in one of the four-hour modules: Mystery of the Crooked Cell, Crucial Concentration, and Lab Larceny.  For more information on any of these great events, contact Maura Whittemore at mwhittemore@bridgew.edu or (508) 531-2575.