May 1, 2014 · News from the Southeastern MA Region STEM Network · http://www.connectsemass.org/stem
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Register Today! STEM Resource Fair is May 21 at Bridgewater State

 

REGISTRATION is OPEN! The second annual STEM Resource Fair, hosted by the Southeastern Massachusetts STEM Network, is May 21. Walk away with inspiring, hands-on STEM lessons to use with young children and K-12 students in your classroom the very next day. Learn about STEM resources such as summer science programs for kids, professional development, curriculum, field trips, and in-classroom resources. Meet STEM professionals willing to share their love of STEM with your students. Space is limited for this FREE event. Click here for additional information about the Fair. Click here to register.

CONNECT Announces 2014   SOS Logo

Summer of Science Programs

 

More than one thousand of the region's elementary through high school students will engage in enriching science and technology programs this summer, thanks to the public colleges and universities in Southeastern Massachusetts. The Summer of Science Programs were initiated by the CONNECT CEOs who see a clear connection between kids working hands-on with science at an early age and their ability and interest in majoring in science, technology, engineering & math (STEM) in college. All programs offer scholarships to families unable to afford regular tuition. Click here for information on dates, locations and cost.

 


News & Events from the Region
2014 MA State Science & Engineering Fair - High School Division 
Saturday, May 3, 2014
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
MIT Johnson Athletics Center
Cambridge, MA 

Celebrating its 65th anniversary, the 2014 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (high school division) is offering a public showcase of exhibits and science fair expo this Saturday. See more than 300 of the "best of the best" science fair research and design projects by high school students from throughout the commonwealth. The awards ceremony follows at 3:30 with more than $500,000 worth of scholarships and prizes being distributed to recognize excellence in research and design. Learn more about MSSEF here.

Save the Date and
Call for Proposals
11th Annual STEM Summit
October 22, 2014 (proposals due 5.31.14)
DCU Center
Worcester, MA

Don't miss the May 31 deadline for submitting a break-out session proposal for the 11th annual STEM Summit. Planners are seeking contributions and input from the state's diverse STEM community to develop sessions that address the Summit's topical strands: Early Education; K-12 Education; 2 Year Higher Education; 4 Year+ Higher Education; Out-of-School Time; Digital Education; Innovation/Entrepreneurship; Career Awareness & Workforce Development; and Research and Practice. Click here for additional information on both submitting a proposal and the Summit in general.

Summer Science Academy for Middle School Students
July 17 - 25, 2014 (three, one-week sessions)
Bridgewater State University

The Center for the Advancement of STEM Education at Bridgewater State University is excited to offer a hands-on science academy focused on biotechnology, environmental biology and physics.The Summer Science Academy offers one-week science classes for middle school students entering grades 6-9 in the fall of 2014. This unique program allows students to work as scientists and is designed to provide them with the foundations necessary for further scientific exploration.

 

The program fee of $400 per week covers all course expenses including lab supplies and materials. The fee does not include lunch or transportation. Limited need based scholarships are available. For more information and to register please visit http://microsites.bridgew.edu/case/summer-science-programs

Teachers on the Estuary

Summer Workshop  

July 14 - 17, 2014
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Falmouth, MA
Are you a middle or high school STEM teacher looking to explore coastal habitats and learn how to use real data and guide student investigations?  If so, sign up for this hands-on program on the Cape. A $200 implementation mini grant and equipment will be provided. Three graduate credits are available from Framingham State College for $225 or 67 pdps (free).
 
The workshop is free but space is limited. Application and course description is available here.
Green Athenaeum - Science Writing:
The Common Core & More
July 29 - 30, 2014
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA 
This two-day workshop will focus on making science writing a reality in your classroom. From formal essays to oral presentations, debates, and science conversations, STEM controversies provide exciting springboards for objective writing and evidence-based discussion. In addition to Common Core writing styles and academic language, we will investigate ways to document lab investigations, including abstracts, narrative methodologies, logbooks, and symposia. We will craft writing prompts so that they are ready to implement in your classroom, including reading packets for the upcoming PARCC assessments. We will also develop original MCAS-style open response questions ready to use as journal prompts, class starters, or formative assessments. Join us for this intensive, two-day workshop on science writing for middle and high school teachers. Click here for additional information.

Join the Spring Discovery Challenge

As the season changes, why not use the Citizen Scientist discovery-driven mobile learning experience to refresh your curriculum? Maps show where over 700 educators and their students have already made discoveries with this engaging, personal and social learning activity. Get involved and challenge your students to explore, discover, share and learn. To get started, visit aecern.org and sign up for a free discovery-driven mobile learning account.
Mansfield Teacher Selected for National STEM Program

Congratulations to Mansfield High School teacher Jacqueline Prester who has been selected to participate in the prestigious Siemens STEM Institute in Washington, DC. She is one of fifty educators selected as a STEM fellow who will attend the week-long professional development experience, hosted at the world headquarters of Discovery Communications. The program promotes hands-on, real-world integration of STEM in the classroom. Read more about the program here.


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: 

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