National Girls Collaborative Project

February 2013


 Building the Capacity of STEM Practitioners to Develop a Diverse Workforce
     

 NGCP Updates  

STAR_Net's Discover Earth & Discover Tech Traveling Exhibition
STAR_Net LogoSTAR_Net education programs were created to inspire lifelong learning through inquiry and play. The project has developed two interactive traveling exhibits: Discover Earth: A Century of Change and Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference. STAR_Net has developed a new website: www.starnetlibraries.org, that includes an Online Community of librarians and STEM professionals. Additional educational and outreach programming include hands-on activities related to the content of the exhibits, a training program for librarians (online and in-person), and a comprehensive outreach program for classroom teachers and out-of-school instructors. Exhibit schedules listed below:

 

Discover Earth Itinerary

February 26, 2013 - April 26, 2013: Central Rappahannock Regional Library, VA

May 14, 2013 - July 12, 2013: Ephrata Public Library, Ephrata, PA

July 30, 2013 - September 27, 2013: West Florida Public Library, Pensacola, FL

October 15, 2013 - January 3, 2014: St. Charles Parish Library, Luling, LA

January 21, 2014 - March 21, 2014: Inglewood Public Library, Inglewood, CA


Discover Tech Itinerary

Through February 22, 2013: Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library, Glasgow, KY

March 6, 2013 - May 3, 2013: Wayne County Public Library, Goldsboro, NC

May 15, 2013 - July 12, 2013: Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Huntsville, AL

July 24, 2013 - September 27, 2013: Carnegie Public Library of Clarksdale and Coahoma County, Clarksdale, MS

October 9, 2013 - December 13, 2013: Baxter County Public Library, Mountain Home, AR

January 6, 2014 - March 14, 2014: International Falls Public Library, International Falls, MN

April 2, 2014 - May 30, 2014: Carson City Public Library, Carson City, NV

 

STAR_Net is a project of the Space Science Institute's National Center for Interactive Learning in collaboration with the American Library Association, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and the National Girls Collaborative Project. Major funding is provided by the National Science Foundation.

 

 Collaborative News  

Great Plains Girls Collaborative: North Dakota Science Teachers Association Social and Informational Meeting
Bismarck, ND
February 21, 2013; 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Central
Program managers, guidance counselors, business partners, technical professionals, teachers, and representatives from professional organizations and higher education are invited to join this informational meeting about the implementation of the Great Plains Girls Collaborative Project, which serves North and South Dakota as well as parts of Minnesota. This initiative will provide mini-grant opportunities, professional development, and other free resources to project participants to help increase the participation of girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Participants will learn more about the National Girls Collaborative Project model, how this initiative can help your program or organization, and network to identify collaboration opportunities.
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/great-plains-girls-collaborative-north-dakota-science-teachers-association-social-and-informational

 

Colorado Collaborative for Girls in STEM: From Ideas to Reality: The 411 on STEM Education Partnerships and Funding
Lakewood, CO
March 7, 2013; 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Mountain
Participants will focus on developing and sustaining effective partnerships, and working together to secure funding. Several cross-sector partnerships will share their experiences, including the ups and downs of collaboration. Interactive networking activities will help you identify potential partners for your organization. The forum will conclude with a mini-grant workshop that will provide participants with the information and tools needed to apply for a mini-grant. An optional tour of the USGS rock and ice core labs will take place immediately after the forum, from 1:00-2:00 PM. 

Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/ideas-reality-411-stem-education-partnerships-and-funding

 

Great Plains Girls Collaborative Project Kick-Off
Sioux Falls, SD
March 21, 2013; 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Central
Program managers, guidance counselors, business partners, technical professionals, teachers, and representatives from professional organizations and higher education are invited to participate in this professional development opportunity and receive information about the Great Plains Girls Collaborative Project, which serves North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Minnesota. This initiative will provide mini-grants, professional development, and free resources to help increase the participation of girls in STEM. Participants will learn more about the NGCP model, how this initiative can help their program, and identify collaboration opportunities by networking with colleagues.
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/great-plains-girls-collaborative-kick

 

Texas Girls Collaborative Project: SciGirls Educator Training 

SciGirls is an Emmy-award winning PBS television series and website dedicated to changing the way millions of girls think about STEM. Participants will practice proven strategies for engaging girls in STEM while building a device to measure wind speed, lighting up a room with dough creatures, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the latest research for exciting and engaging girls (and boys) in STEM, participate in hands-on activities, obtain curriculum that puts a creative twist on teaching STEM, learn how to modify activities to engage youth using the SciGirls Seven, and discover online resources that enhance teaching and learning experiences for all youth. 

 

Waco, TX
March 26, 2013; 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Central

Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/texas-girls-collaborative-project-waco-scigirls-educator-training

 

San Antonio, TX

 

NGCP Collaborative Mini-Grants
NGCP mini-grants are designed to enhance access to and build collaboration between programs and resources. Mini-grant application resources, including a sample application, exemplary practices, project ideas, evaluation requirements, frequently asked questions and glossary are available online at: http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grants. Grant opportunities are available in the following Collaboratives:

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FabFems Spotlight

FabFems LogoThe FabFems Spotlight highlights women from the FabFems Role Model Directory. FabFems are enthusiastic about the science and technology work they do and want to inspire a future generation of FabFems. Visit FabFems to search profiles, connect with role models, and find resources on career pathways. 

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Jabreel WalkerMeet Jabreel Walker, a chemical engineer from River Ridge, LA. Jabreel was encouraged to become a chemical engineer in a discussion with her high school chemistry teacher. She graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and currently works as a Process Engineer for Motiva Enterprises, LLC/Shell Oil Company. Jabreel is the President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) New Orleans Alumni Chapter, a member of the Greater New Orleans Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and a Collegiate Leadership Coach. She is also a member of the Young Leadership Council and participates in various community activities that promote STEM fields. Jabreel's advice to girls is that it is not just a love for math and science that will make someone an engineer, but their hard work and determination!
 
To learn more about Jabreel, visit her FabFems profile at: http://www.fabfems.org/users/jabreel-walker. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a FabFem, visit: http://www.fabfems.org

 

Upcoming STEM Events
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
February 21, 2013
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day serves as a call to action for parents and professionals to focus on getting more girls into engineering and technology. Engineers Week is February 17-23, 2013. Each year "Girl Day" encourages women engineers, with support from their male counterparts, to directly mentor girls and young women (grades K-12) with hands-on experiences in engineering. This national movement shows girls how creative and collaborative engineering is and how engineers are changing our world.
http://www.eweek.org/EngineersWeek/Introduce.aspx
  
Digital Media and Learning Conference
Chicago, IL
March 14-16, 2013
This year's theme "Democratic Futures: Mobilizing Voices, and Remixing Youth Participation" will examine strategies for broadening participation in the Maker community by exploring technologies and activities that are explicitly designed to engage a more diverse audiences in the Maker movement and broader Do-It-Yourself (DIY) culture. A featured panel will explore the question of broadening participation by looking closely at three specific examples: Squishy Circuits, e-Textiles, and Scratch Programming.
Register: http://dml2013.dmlhub.net/content/dml2013-registration
  
National Robotics Week
April 6-14, 2013
Robotics Week is a week-long series of events and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of the growing importance of "robo-technology" and the tremendous social and cultural impact that it will have on the future of the United States. Robotics is proving to be uniquely adept at enabling students of all ages to learn important science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts and at inspiring them to pursue careers in STEM-related fields. Events held throughout the week will feature opportunities for the public to interact with robots in a hands-on learning environment. Panel discussions, robotics competitions, introductory courses on robotics for kids, educational workshops for businesses, demos, and tours of innovative labs will provide networking opportunities as well as expose many to the genius and wonder of robotics. To find and event in your area or to host your own event visit: www.nationalroboticsweek.org.
  
National AfterSchool Association Annual Conference
Indianapolis, IN
April 7-10, 2013
The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) is dedicated to the development, education, and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours. This year NAA is celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be highlighting past leaders, milestones, hosting an 80's themed reception, and taking a look ahead to the next 25 years.
http://www.naaweb.org/default.asp?contentID=705
  
NSELA Professional Development Institute: Leading the Way for the Next Generation
San Antonio, Texas
April 10, 2013
The National Science Education Association (NSELA) presents a Professional Development Institute for science leaders, practitioners, and researchers. The Institute continues the focus on the Next Generation Science Standards and provides support for leaders in their effort to prepare for implementation. The Institute will also provide the context for collaboration among the nation's top science education leaders, practitioners, and researchers.
Register: http://www.nsela.org/index.php
  
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference
San Antonio, TX
April 11-14, 2013
The NSTA helps inform Congress and the public on vital questions affecting science literacy and a well-educated workforce. Participants will discover strategies for improving science teaching and learning, engage in professional discussions, receive the latest information on science education, and network with colleagues from across the globe. Conference strands will focus on Next Generation Assessments, Next Generation Elementary Science, Next Generation Special Populations, and Next Generation Technology.
Register: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2013san

 

Resources

African American History Month

In recognition of African American History Month, resources that serve to promote women and girls in STEM are highlighted below:

 

Black Girls Code
Black Girls Code is an educational non-profit organization designed to increase the numbers of young women of color in the field of digital and computer technology by providing them with skills in computer programming, exposing them to role models in the technology space, and increasing their self-confidence to become tech creators and entrepreneurs. The website features a blog written by girl participants.
www.blackgirlscode.com
  
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
The NSBE is a student-governed organizations and includes College, Pre-College, and Technical Professional/Alumni chapters in the United States and abroad. NSBE's reach includes educational programs, competitions, and scholarships at regional, national, and international levels. The website features an NSBE Jr. section with a STEM Resource Center that includes specific resources for girls.

 

Under the Microscope: Notable Black Female Scientists and Innovators
A compilation of notable African-American female scientists and innovators. The women featured are first in their fields or have made a significant scientific discovery from which the general public has benefitted.

 

Afterschool Alliance Report: Defining Youth Outcomes for STEM Learning in Afterschool

This new report from the Afterschool Alliance concludes a 10-month study of experienced afterschool providers and supporters. Participants were asked to identify appropriate and feasible STEM learning outcomes and metrics for afterschool programs. The results are intended to provide a common framework and language for STEM-related goals and program impact.
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/STEM_Outcomes_2013.pdf

 NCWIT image

International Women's Day in-a-Box: Raising Awareness, Igniting Change
Celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2013! This NCWIT resource is designed to address barriers to women's full participation, and capitalize on women's innovative thinking and leadership potential. Use this resource to plan activities and events, and to establish a culture and expectation for broader diversity of thought. 
http://www.ncwit.org/iwd

 

Maker Corps Recruiting Mentors and Role Models

The Maker Education Initiative is launching the Maker Corps program to address the need for personalized support and expertise in introducing maker-oriented experiences in existing educational programs across the nation. Young adults who enjoy DIY art or science projects and are passionate about sharing their love of learning with others are encouraged to apply. These members will serve as near-peer mentors at a Host Site (museum, school, library or other youth-serving organization) for the summer of 2013 to engage children and families in creative projects that develop problem-solving skills, while serving as a community leader. Application deadline is March 1, 2013.

http://makered.org/makercorps

  

SciGirls Game: Diorama-O-Rama
The interactive game, Diorama-O-Rama, is an ecosystem experience for environmentally curious "tweens." Users "Go Fish" for plants and animals to build their own interactive dioramas in the country's best-known National Parks and learn how the inhabitants depend on each other for survival.
http://pbskids.org/scigirls/dioramaorama

  
NGCP Program Directory - Search for Collaborating Programs or Register Your Program Today!
The online Program Directory lists organizations and programs that focus on motivating girls to pursue STEM careers. The purpose of the directory is to help organizations and individuals network, share resources, and collaborate on STEM-related projects for girls. When you sign up for the Program Directory, you will enter your program description, resources available within your organization, program and/or organizational needs, and contact information. NGCP has created a publication called Build Your Collaborative Network with the NGCP Program Directory which provides an overview of the Program Directory as an effective collaboration tool to maximize impact for your program and/or organization.
http://www.ngcproject.org/programs

  

 Global Resources

Girl Up LogoGirl Up: Uniting Girls to Change the World
Girl Up gives American girls the opportunity to become global leaders and channel their energy and compassion to raise awareness and funds for United Nations programs that help some of the world's hardest-to-reach adolescent girls. Girl Up Clubs are leading the growing grassroots movement of teen leaders ready to stand up for girls all over the world. Club members take action by organizing awareness, fundraising, and advocacy activities in local communities so all girls, no matter where they live, have the opportunity to become educated, healthy, safe, and positioned to be the next generation of leaders.
http://www.girlup.org 

 

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EdLab Group

 

The EdLab Group is a private, non-profit organization with funding from federal and state governments, private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Our mission is to leverage the power of technology and diversity to transform teaching and learning

 

 

E-mail:  [email protected] 
 

 

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