Gateways East Bay STEM Network Newsletter
June 2013
Issue 11


East Bay STEM Network News

Assembly Member Skinner Hosts 2013 Women of the Year Awards Dinner

 

Assembly Member Nancy Skinner invites community members to celebrate women and organizations within Assembly District 15 who have made great strides in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) at a special dinner event. Honorees include, but are not limited to, Gateways Steering Committee members Trina Ostrander, Associate Director, Public Policy and Communications, Bayer Healthcare, Dr. Elizabeth Stage, Director of the Lawrence Hall of Science, and Dr. Stephanie Couch, Executive Director, Gateways East Bay STEM Network.

Carla Peterman, a Commissioner from the California Public Utilities Commission, will be the keynote speaker at the dinner celebration. Details are as follows:

  • Date: June 27, 2013
  • Time: 6:00 PM Reception, 6:30 PM Dinner
  • Place: Emeryville Hilton Garden Inn 
    • 1800 Powell St., Emeryville, CA 94608
  • Cost: $35 per person
For tickets and more information:
Contact Amelia Lopez, 510-286-1400 or [email protected].

   

Dr. Stephanie Couch Honored for Work In STEM  

 

On June 27, Dr. Stephanie Couch, Executive Director, Gateways East Bay STEM Network, and Bayer Executive Director, Institute for STEM Education will be honored at a dinner hosted by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner celebrating women and organizations who have made great strides in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Dr. Couch was nominated by members of the Gateways East Bay STEM Network Steering Committee and faculty members of the Board of the Institute for STEM Education. In his nomination, CSU East Bay President, Leroy M. Morishita wrote, "Dr. Stephanie Couch's background and experiences in advancing STEM Education and particularly her contributions in supporting women and underrepresented groups in the pursuit of careers in STEM disciplines and related fields in the region, State and nationally are commendable. As one of the most recognized names in STEM education in our region, Dr. Couch has brought great honor and recognition not only to herself, but to our University and our communities." The dinner honoring all of the STEM Women of the Year is open to all interested parties. Details appear in the article above.

Gateways Welcomes Minister-President Hannelore Kraft from the German State of North Rhine Westphalia to California State University East Bay

A delegation including Minister-President Hannelore Kraft from North Rhine Westphalia, members of her senior staff, German Consul General, Peter Rothen, his staff, a group of researchers and academics, and 12 members of the German press visited the California State University Campus on Friday, May 31. The delegation was interested in learning about the Gateways East Bay STEM Network, how it was created and has evolved, and its relationship to the Hayward Promise Neighborhood project. Minister-President Kraft is considering an effort to create a similar network of supports in her state to assist work underway in eighteen cities and learned of the Gateways Partnership through the German Consulate. , our partner and sponsor which has its home offices in Germany. North Rhine Westphalia, the most populous state in Germany, is working to develop a system of preventative measures to ensure all its students are college and career ready without remediation. A lively discussion was led by CSU East Bay President Leroy M. Morishita and Dr. Stephanie Couch, and included Gateways partners Trina Ostrander, Bayer Healthcare, Dr. Linda Platas, Hiesing-Simons Foundation, and Dr. Carolyn Nelson, Dean, College of Education, CSU East Bay.

Gateways Out-of-School Time (OST) Action Group Meeting

On Wednesday, June 5 members of the STEM in OST Action Group met at the Exploratorium hosted by Action Group member, Kurt Feichtmeir. The group reviewed the progress made this year on the Power of Discovery: STEM2 project including meeting the goal of recruiting over 125 after school sites within our 7 county region, providing support to all of those sites at they completed Readiness and Needs Assessments and Program Plans to be implemented in the Fall. Jackie Shonerd, Alameda County Office of Education, and Bruce Simon, Associate Director, Gateways East Bay STEM Network reviewed the blended face-to-face, video-conference workshop series that was provided for participants. Topics and presenters are list below:

  • Framework for Quality STEM in After School - Carol Tang, Coalition for Science After School
  • Inquiry-based Facilitation for After School - Kourtney Andrada, Girls Inc. of Alameda County
  • Free and Low-Cost Resources - Teresa Barnett, Community Resources for Science; Dr. Shene Onye, CASRC; Almetria Vaba, KQED; Jan Half, MOUSE Squad
  • Activities to Model Professional Development - Kurt Feichtmeir, Exploratorium; Jen Joyce, Techbridge; Courtney Rudd; California Academy of Sciences; Kevin Beals, Lawrence Hall of Science
  • Design Challenge Learning - Tiffany Strickland, The Tech Museum; Courtney Rudd, California Academy of Sciences
The group also shared feedback about promising strategies for structuring Community of Practice meetings among the participants to begin in the new school year. The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the new Exploratorium facilities.

The Future of Science Education in California: The Promise of the Next Generation Science Standards for Students and Communities

Produced in collaboration with The Education Trust-West and Children Now, this new policy brief from the California STEM Learning Network explains the importance of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to improving STEM education in California and encourages education, business, parent and community leaders to become informed and speak out in support of the new standards.

It has been 15 years since California last adopted new science standards and the NGSS not only reflect the major advances in science of the last two decades, they also focus strongly on teaching students the practices that scientists and engineers use to apply the knowledge of science to solving real-world problems. Together with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts, the NGSS promise to deepen students' conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and communication skills. The resulting rigorous science education will allow every student to graduate from high school better prepared to successfully negotiate the rigors of college and 21st century careers.

The State Board of Education will hear recommendations from the Superintendent of Public Instruction on adopting the NGSS at its next meeting on July 10-11. Click here to download a copy of the brief and learn more about what you can do to ensure that California leads the way in transforming science education for all our students.

State of Expanded Learning in California
The California Afterschool Network has just released a report entitled, State of Expanded Learning in California 2012 - 2013. Expanded learning programs, including but not limited to after school and summer programs, increase safety, health, and learning among California's children and youth. This report outlines the state and federal investment in expanded learning programs in California; describes the expanded learning workforce; illustrates how investment in these programs generates increased federal, foundation, and local investment; and highlights the promise and current unmet need for expanded learning programs in California. The full report can be accessed here.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Convenes Teacher Preparation Advisory Panel (TAP)

The CCTC has convened a 29 member TAP to recommend changes to the teacher credentialing process for the state of California.

The major purpose of this study will be to review the content, structure and requirements for California teacher preparation and licensure to ensure that these remain responsive to the conditions of teaching and learning in California's public schools.

The panel will consider whether the current K-12 credential classifications, subjects, and authorizations are appropriate to meet the complexity, demands and expectations of California's public schools.

Another important consideration will be the extent to which current expectations for teacher preparation can be met during a single year of coursework and field experiences followed by an induction phase or if adjustments should be made in expectations for both pre-service teacher preparation and induction.

The panel will also consider the viability of current pathways to a preliminary teaching credential, including post graduate, blended, student teaching, internships, residency, the Early Completion Option (ECO), and examination routes. In addition the panel will consider the variety of delivery models including face-to-face, hybrid and online teacher preparation programs.

A fifth consideration will be the use of performance assessments as one indicator of learning, demonstration of skills, prediction of future teacher success, and movement on a career ladder for those individuals who wish to pursue instructional and/or organizational leadership.

For more information about this work, please visit: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/TAP.html

State Legislature Considers Support for Common Core State Standards in Budget

In response to Governor Brown's May revise of the budget, legislators are considering increasing funding to $1.25 billion to support implementation of Common Core State Standards. These funds would be distributed to schools to provide the instructional materials, professional development, and technology required to ensure the state's successful transition to the Common Core State Standards and the new generation of assessments. Please contact the members of the Budget Conference Committee, and your State Legislators, to urge them to support the Assembly's budget proposal and ensure it is a part of the final state budget that will be passed in mid-June. Click here to find your representative

 

 Crockett Refinery Internship Program 2013 

ASR Group/C&H Sugar in Crockett, CA will have several openings in The Internship Program for 2013. The Program is an excellent way to further skills and experience through work at the facility.

Internship Positions Available Include:

  • Engineering Internships
  • Environmental Internship
  • Packaging Internship
  • Quality Assurance Internship
  • Consumer Relations/Marketing Internship

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Meet the job requirements of the internship for which the student is applying
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have a strong academic record (3.0 GPA or better)
  • Be eligible to work in the United States
  • Completed his or her sophomore year of college, entering junior or senior year, or pursuing a master degree
  • Be available to work 6-8 continuous weeks of employment in the months of May through September
  • During the hiring process, students will need to successfully complete a background check and a pre-placement physical and drug screen.
For position consideration, interested students must apply at http://asrgroup.balancetrak.com . Resumes will be accepted through June 21, 2013.

 

Oakland Unified School District Science Team Job Openings

Oakland Unified School District is adding two new positions to one of the largest school district science department in the state.  Do you know any high quality candidates who would be interested in a district position as a High School Science Specialist or Health Science Specialist?  Both are leadership positions focused on systemic change in a large urban district.  Responsibilities include supporting districtwide PD, teacher leadership, and curriculum and assessment development.  The HS position will focus on cultivating tools and resources for the Next Generation Science Standards.  The health position will focus on developing and implementing a K-12 districtwide health program from the ground up.

These are great opportunities for the right individuals.  Both will work with an amazing team of fourteen specialists, coordinators, and support staff. The link to the job postings are below. 

High School Science Specialist 
 http://www.edjoin.org/viewPosting.aspx?postingID=492624&countyID=1&onlineApp=1

Health Science Specialist 
 http://www.edjoin.org/viewPosting.aspx?postingID=486917&countyID=1&onlineApp=1

Network participants are encouraged to submit any STEM related news that they would like to share in future editions to [email protected]. Bruce can also be contacted to unsubscribe.
In This Issue

East Bay STEM Network News

 

The Future of Science Education in California: The Promise of the Next Generation Science Standards for Students and Communities 

   

State of Expanded Learning in California

 

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Convenes Teacher Preparation Advisory Panel (TAP)

 

State Legislature Considers Support for Common Core State Standards in Budget  

 

 Crockett Refinery Internship Program 2013  

 

 Oakland Unified School District Science Team Job Openings       


Gateways East Bay STEM Network
Co-Chairs
Leroy M. Morishita
President
CSU East Bay

Alexander Zwissler
Executive Director/CEO
Chabot Space and Science Center

Stephanie Couch
Director
Gateways East Bay STEM Network
and
Institute for STEM Education

Bruce Simon
Associate Director
Gateways East Bay STEM Network
CSU East Bay

Action Group Facilitators

Erin Freschi
Early STEM Learning

Jackie Shonerd
STEM in Out-of-School Time

Hilary Haugen Dito
STEM Professional Learning

Pam Comfort
and
April Treece
College and Career Pathways
Quick Links
East Bay STEM Network
Our Sponsors
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J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

San Francisco Foundation