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Building the Capacity of STEM Practitioners to Develop a Diverse Workforce
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 NGCP Updates
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Role models play a critical role in creating opportunities for girls to envision a career in STEM. On Thursday, March 14, the National Girls Collaborative Project, Techbridge, FabFems, Mid-Atlantic Girls Collaborative Project (MAGiC), and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management  collaborated to provide a professional development event "Leading Through Role Modeling: Training the Federal Workforce to Engage Girls in STEM". Training and resources were provided to Federal employees who are interested in serving as role models for girl-serving STEM organizations with a "recipe for success" to interact with girls in a meaningful and impactful way and to prepare organization leaders, educators, and volunteers to improve the quality of their organization's outreach to girls in STEM.
The morning plenary session began with inspiring words from a number of key officials and included a panel of girls from the greater Capitol area moderated by Rebecca Spyke Kyser, Associate Deputy Administrator for Strategy and Policy at NASA. Girls shared their experiences with STEM in and out of school time, their future dream jobs, and how role models have influenced their choices.Participants attended breakout sessions to learn strategies to make meaningful connections with girls and explored the latest research on messaging, imagery, and best practices to engage a diverse population in STEM. A Program Fair featured both local and national youth-serving organizations who provided take home resources and information on volunteer opportunities. Dr. Patricia Falcone, Associate Director for National Security and International Affairs of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy closed the day with words of encouragement and thanks to the federal employees for their willingness to serve as volunteers to make a difference in girls' lives.
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Collaborative News
| Montana Girls STEM Collaborative Collaboration Forum
Billings, MT
April 12, 2013; 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
This event is targeted to organizations and individuals that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to encourage collaboration and improve inter-program communication. The forum will provide an opportunity for participants to hear about successful programs in the state, develop a plan for a collaborative project and learn about the activities of the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative including applications for mini-grants.
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/montana-girls-stem-collaborative-collaboration-forum
North Carolina Girls STEM Collaborative Kick-Off Conference
Raleigh, NC
April 15 - 17, 2013
The North Carolina Girls STEM Collaborative brings together organizations throughout North Carolina that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in STEM. The Collaborative will have a special presence at this year's SYNERGY Conference launching the initiative for girl-serving programs in North Carolina.
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/nc-center-afterschool-programs-synergy-conference
PA STEM Girls Collaborative Project Role Models Matter Forum
The Role Models Matter Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a collaborative effort between Techbridge, the Society of Women Engineers, the National Girls Collaborative Project and Girl Scout Councils to bring resources to role models and girl serving organizations. The goal of the project is to increase girls' interest in STEM by creating resources to train STEM professionals to interact with girls in a meaningful way. The forum will give attendees an opportunity to learn how to increase and improve the quality of their outreach to girls in STEM.
Pittsburgh, PA
May 7, 2013; 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/pa-stem-girls-collaborative-project-role-models-matter-carnegie-science-center-forum
Loretto, PA
May 8, 2013; 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/pa-stem-girls-collaborative-project-role-models-matter-saint-francis-university-forum
Philadelphia, PA
May 10, 2013; 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/pa-stem-girls-collaborative-project-role-models-matter-franklin-institute-forum
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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Collaboration Spotlight
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Each month, this new feature - the Collaboration Spotlight - will provide tips, resources, and highlights from successful collaborative projects.
April Tip: Visit the "home" of the group you want to work with. Consider attending conferences or meetings designed for potential collaborators. For example, you do not have to be an engineer to attend the Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference. You do not have to be a science teacher to attend the national or local conferences for science teachers. As you learn more about organizations and individuals, you will also discover the most effective ways to partner, what is valued and needed in new partnerships, and receive advice for how to begin a collaboration.
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FabFems Spotlight
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With National Robotics week occurring this week, now is the time to connect with FabFems who are encouraging youth in robotics. Visit FabFems to search profiles of role models working in fields such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. You can search for "robotics" in the keyword search.
 Meet Monica Mohtasham, a systems engineer from West Hartford, CT. Monica's inspiration for becoming an engineer did not come from role models she knew in real life. In fact, her first career aspiration was to become a secretary, because that was the job held by the professional women she knew. What sparked her interest in engineering was an African American female character on Star Trek who was an officer doing something technical. Monica says, "I, myself, am a Hispanic female, but I felt I could relate to her in more ways because we were both minorities." This moment changed her outlook on what she thought of herself and what she was capable of doing. She began her technical career at a vocational-technical high school where she studied electronics. Upon graduation she joined the United States Navy and worked on P-3 aircraft, before getting her bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in Systems Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Monica works at Pratt & Whitney in the Engine Test Systems and Services department.
Monica also helps mentor the FIRST robotics team for her oldest daughter. She said that her oldest daughter is a role model for her younger daughters. Monica takes time for FIRST and other types of outreach because she feels it is important for the next generation of females to know what they are capable of and to not be hindered by stereotypes. Her goal in life is to "relay the message that STEM fields have no gender, economic or racial boundaries, just science, and that is how it should be." To learn more about Monica, visit her FabFems profile at: http://www.fabfems.org/users/monica-mohtasham. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a FabFem, visit: http://www.fabfems.org. |
Upcoming STEM Events
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Math Awareness Month
Humanity continually faces the challenge of how to balance human needs against the world's resources while operating within the constraints imposed by the laws of nature. Mathematics helps us better understand these complex issues and is used in a wide range of fields to seek creative solutions for a sustainable way of life. Society and individuals must make difficult choices; mathematics provides tools to make informed decisions. Visit the website to find free resources and relevant links.
National Robotics WeekApril 6-14, 2013Robotics 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. Events held throughout the week feature opportunities to interact with robots in a hands-on learning environment. Panel discussions, robotics competitions, introductory courses on robotics, educational workshops for businesses, demos, and tours of innovative labs will provide networking opportunities and expose many to the genius and wonder of robotics. To find an event in your area visit: www.nationalroboticsweek.org.
National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) April 14-20, 2013EE Week is a celebration of environmental education held each year and inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students. This year, as part of the multi-year Greening STEM initiative, the theme is "Taking Technology Outdoors". Check out the new infographic which demonstrates how student interest in technology and the environment can boost achievement in STEM and lead to a greener future.
National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) Professional Development InstituteArlington, VAApril 15-18, 2013Inspiring sessions will provide practitioners with research-based strategies and innovative tools to help implement promising practices and get results. Professional networking time will be provided to meet fellow educators and advocates, share stories from your equity journey and exchange ideas that work. The latest research and policy considerations related to equity, education, and careers will be presented. Register: http://www.napequity.org/professional-development/professional-development-institute
Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring
(PAESMEM) Webinar on Preparing and Submitting Nomination Materials
April 24, 2013 at 3:00pm EDT
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation (NSF) seek nominations of individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in mentoring students, trainees, and/or early career scientists and engineers from groups that are underrepresented in STEM, including women, people with disabilities, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, as well as individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds. PAESMEM awardees receive a $10,000 honorary Presidential award and are invited to participate in recognition events and meetings with STEM policy leaders in Washington, D.C.
Register: http://tinyurl.com/c224kw7
Afterschool STEM Impact Awards
The Afterschool Alliance and the Noyce Foundation invite applications for one of two $10,000 Afterschool STEM Impact Awards! The Afterschool STEM Impact Awards will recognize programs that are clearly demonstrating their impact on participants. Such programs highlight the power of afterschool programs as key partners in STEM education reform and can also serve as best-practice models. In addition to the cash award, winners will be promoted nationally through a special series of Afterschool Alliance issue briefs, invited to participate in webinars, co-present at national and state conferences, and generally highlighted as model programs. Deadline: May 15, 2013.
Apply: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/STEM-impactawards.cfm
U.S. News STEM Solutions 2013 National Conference  Austin, TX June 17-19, 2013 The theme of the 2013 conference is "Teach. Inspire. Hire." and serves as a call-to-action. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to initiate the action necessary to improve STEM education and increase employment in STEM fields. STEM Solutions 2013 tracks will include: Mission Central: Why K-12 STEM Education Must Change, On the Hunt: The Search for Skills and Talent, and An Untapped Resource: Underrepresented Populations.
Register: http://usnewsstemsolutions.com Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) National Conference Atlanta, GA June 19-22, 2013 The 2013 WEPAN National Conference will be in collaboration with the ASEE WIED Symposium. This conference will provide a forum for women in engineering leaders, corporate advocates, researchers, academic leaders, and government officers and provide practitioners access to current research, statistics, and best practices on women in engineering. Register: https://m360.wepan.org/frontend/event/registration/login.aspx?EventId=71010
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| Resources | |
Afterschool Matters Focus on STEM
The Spring 2013 issue of Afterschool Matters, funded by the Noyce Foundation, focuses on STEM learning in afterschool. The articles present program models, lessons learned, and new perspectives on a variety of topics within STEM in afterschool. The issue includes an article on effective STEM programs for adolescent girls, and Mike MacEwan, lead for the Garden State Girls STEM Collaborative Project, writes about getting intentional about STEM learning.
http://niost.org/Afterschool-Matters/afterschool-matters-spring-2013
Celebrate Earth Day in April
Teach the importance of civic responsibility and environmental sustainability this month to celebrate Earth Day and Environmental Education Week. Below are a number of resources to assist you:
Earth Day Network
This year's theme is "The Face of Climate Change". The Earth Day website offers a collection of resources including reading lists, bookmarks, posters, and educational activities. You can help the campaign by uploading a photo of how climate change is affecting you and your community. If you want to organize a local event, check out the toolkits and activity resources.
http://www.earthday.org/2013/resources.html#activity-resources
National Science Foundation (NSF) Offers Online Climate Change Resources
NSF offers a useful website for earth science teachers and students to examine the connections between energy and climate. The website includes discussions with experts, slideshows, videos, and a NSF report summarizing the current state of knowledge about climate change.
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/climate
Mixing in Math offers Earth Day Resources
Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with green-themed projects and games from Mixing in Math! Mixing in Math offers a number of free English and Spanish resources for formal and informal K-6 educators.
NASA Mentoring Program for GirlsNASA G.I.R.L.S (Giving Initiative and Relevance to Learning Science) is for girls in 5th-8th grades and includes a virtual mentoring program using commercially available video chat programs to pair Women @NASA mentors with a young girl anywhere in the country. http://women.nasa.gov/nasagirlsDepartment of Energy STEM Education Resources  STEM skills are required to be competitive in the global race for energy development, to create and maintain a healthy economy, and foster innovation and excellence. The US Dept. of Energy has many programs, internships, scholarships, and research programs that are focused on developing the next generation of STEM professionals.http://energy.gov/diversity/services/stem-education
NGCP Program Directory - Search for Collaborating Programs 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 entitled 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 |
Mobile Games: Reaching the Hardest to Reach
With low-cost handsets and increasing penetration of mobile phone networks globally, millions of people who don't have regular access to computers or fixed-line telephones now use mobile devices as  daily tools for communication and data transfer. Today, there are 3.5 billion mobile phone users in the world; more than 65 percent of them are in developing countries. Under the leadership of Games for Change and supported by USAID, three mobile games are being created. Half the Sky Movement: The Game (the first of three) is a game-based adventure that aims to reach mainstream audiences to raise awareness and donations to empower women and girls around the world. Play the game on Facebook or to obtain a free copy of the games email hts@gamesforchange.org.
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Contact Us
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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.
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