Interview with Dr. Dave Marken, Superintendent Newark Unified School District 2/28/2014

  

In February of this year, Gateways East Bay STEM Network had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Marken, the Superintendent of the Newark Unified School District to discuss STEM education. Superintendent Marken is the second interview in our series highlighting STEM throughout the school districts in our region.

 

What are some of the programs you offer to increase STEM learning for your students?

-6 science resource teachers (SRTs), who are science-credentialed, who teach during prep periods and provide professional development to elementary teachers

-Member of a consortium with BaySci, which meets every other month with 5 or 6 other districts to articulate a K-12 science program, which has been predominantly focused on elementary and mostly to help implement Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-it's a 3 year collaboration and a ½ time science teacher coordinates all science related programs

-BaySci facilitates meetings with Jr. High teachers to help them move to an integrated approach of teaching science

-2 Jr. High (grades 7 & 8) STEM classes in Robotics.  This will be expanded to 4 classes next year.

-1 full-time math coach at the secondary level

-Biotech Engineering Pathway-100 kids

-Media Communications lab-150 kids participating in an all computer generated curriculum

-Utilize Phil Gonzalves and Drew Kravin,  Math Developers from West Contra Costa Unified to provide professional development and teach math strategies.

 

What are some of the broader initiatives you're implementing to help increase your students' interest and success in STEM learning?

The math departments (grades 6-12) are currently collaborating with the College Board to become a pre-AP school district. The students are already benefiting from using consumable workbooks, which are all aligned by the College Board.

 

Newark Unified is also 1 of 70 school districts in the nation to participate in an EOS (Equal Opportunity Grant), which expands AP offerings for all undeserved students. The goal is to have the number of AP students to double in 1 year.

 

During the summer months, Newark offers a Math Achievement Academy summer course, developed by Dr. Julia Olkin at California State University, East Bay. There are 6 sections of Algebra and Geometry offered to at risk 7th and 8th grade students.

 

Your school district seems very focused on helping students set goals and make informed choices about their futures. What are some of the ways in which you're helping them enhance their College and Career Readiness?

All 10th grade students are now taking the PSAT. The plan is to have all 11 graders also take the PSAT. The data collected from their test results are utilized to help identify their academic strengths and then provide some direction for the rest of their schedule planning while in high school and in looking at colleges and planning for their future career. Many times we are able to direct students towards STEM classes based on the outcome of this assessment.

The implementation of Naviance, a state-of-the-art college/career preparedness software, which provides unlimited access to college and career data has been a great tool for our students and provides a current resource to help them deepen their exploration.

 

Newark is very proactive in seeking grants, such as the Cargill Grant, which supports courses and wants to expand classes in STEM to reach more students. The value of partnerships and regional collaborative teams has benefited this district in many ways and allows for the opportunity to offer programs such as the Biotech Engineering Pathway.

 

What are your thoughts about the role technology plays in providing your students with a true 21st century education?

Newark has been fortunate to have benefited from the sale of one of our properties, which provides us the much needed resources to revamp all technology in the district.  Most importantly, will be the addition of Chromebooks and other devices which will provide all students the opportunity to utilize technology in their learning. We will also expand our computer labs for Jr. High students and have even put technology in the hands of our TK (Transitional Kindergarten) students. 

 

What are some final thoughts you'd like to share about your own educational philosophy?

"Arts, music, athletics, writing and reading are also all critical components to a students' educational experience. We have to continue to think holistically because they have to write to communicate and square pegs don't go in round holes."  

California Academy of Sciences Youth Programs Applications  are Now Open!

"Technical Writing for Science Class" Workshop Invitation for Teachers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 

 Industry Initiatives for Science & Math Education (iiSME) is an industry-education partnership organization whose mission is to empower and equip California teachers with unique professional development so that they can inspire their students to pursue STEM subjects and careers, preparing them for today's global workforce. 

Redwood Circle is leading IISME's search to identify a dynamic and entrepreneurial Executive Director. Given the multi-faceted nature of this organization, the Executive Director will establish and build partnerships with San Francisco Bay Area leaders and their organizations while also overseeing day-to-day financial and organizational operations and maintaining iiSME's high quality program for educators. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with experience leading a nonprofit organization or small business, someone who has deep experience managing teams, is an outstanding communicator and relationship builder, and is effective at raising funds and developing partnerships.

If you or anyone you know might be a fit for this exciting role, please contact Serena Moy. Contact info: smoy@redwoodcircle.org or 415-577-1130. Any suggestions for nominators or potential candidates are very much appreciated.

 

Please visit their website to learn more at iisme.org

 

 

Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair 

March 21-23, 2014

Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton

http://acsef.org/ Click here for more details

 

Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair 

March 20-22, 2014

Los Medanos College, Pittsburg

Click for here more details                    

 

The 2014 Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge is open for submission! Students in grades 9-12 may enter their life science/biotech related regional fair projects as long as they meet the criteria listed on the National competition web site.  

 

When: May 9, 2014

Where: The J. David Gladstone Institutes, Mission Bay, San Francisco, CA

Applications: January 20, 2014-                                    March 28, 2014

 

Please visit this link to view the website containing all the details, including eligibility criteria.

 

For more on the Biotechnology Institute, 

please visit their website by clicking here. 

 

Click here to visit SFKids.org

 

YouSTEM for San Francisco Bay Area

Local opportunities for K-12 students in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math

 

Click here tovisit YouSTEM.org