June 2013

PNWGCP Updates   

The Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project at the Seattle Science Festival 

On June 8, 2013, the Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project (PNWGCP) led exciting hands-on activities in the Girls Zone at the Seattle Science Festival EXPO day. Visitors to the PNWGCP booth had the opportunity to use creativity, ingenuity, and participate in youth-oriented activities.  

Inside the booth, girls wrote down their science and technology aspirations for the Wall of Dreams, while adults learned more about PNWGCP and FabFems activities. Kids of all ages had great fun building levers out of household materials for Pop Fly, then took their inventions to the lawn to test-launch ping pong balls. Outside the tent, Project Splash interactive underwater robotics demonstration drew a lot of foot traffic and was a huge hit with festival-goers. 

Festival-goers and volunteers steer underwater robots in the PNWGCP Girls Zone.

The 2013 Seattle Science Festival was a celebration of science and technology in the Pacific Northwest, running from June 6-16, 2013. In addition to the expo day, the festival featured luminaries from the science world in opening and closing night events, as well as a variety of Signature Programs at venues around the region.

For more information about PNWGCP activities at the festival, contact Nimisha Ghosh Roy at nghoshroy@edlabgroup.org. 

FabFems Spotlight

FabFems are enthusiastic about the science and technology work they do and want to inspire our future generations. Encourage girls to visit FabFems to search profiles, connect with role models, and find resources on career pathways. To get more involved, 'like' our Facebook page, 'follow' our Twitter feed, and/or help fill our boards on Pinterest.

Meet Maria Vlachopoulou, a research engineer in Richland, WA at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Her main interest is in applying mathematical modeling and computer algorithms in the power and energy domain. Maria is the recipient of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) New Faces of Engineering 2013 national award for her research in the smart grid and the contribution to community outreach. She is involved in activities that promote women in engineering and is group chair for the IEEE Richland Section Women in Engineering Affinity Group, which is committed to the recruitment and retention of women in technical disciplines. To learn more about Maria, visit her FabFems profile at: http://www.fabfems.org/users/maria-vlachopoulou.

If you are a role model, submit a profile on FabFems.org to show girls what you do and what you are passionate about. 

Events and Opportunities    

AWSEM Camp

Portland, OR

July 8-12, 2013 

Become an advocate for women in science, engineering, and math (AWSEM). During this day camp, participants will have the opportunity to conduct experiments, explore the inner workings of a computer, solve a crime using forensic science, construct a Rube Goldberg device, and tour a nuclear reactor. Meet girls  interested in science, engineering, and math, and visit female mentors with successful careers in these fields. For girls entering grades 6-8.  

Register: http://www.saturdayacademy.org/classes-camps/how-to-register/summer-registration

Geek Chic: Computer Camp for Girls

Portland, OR

July 22-26, 2013 
Learn how to animate and program a movie, construct a robotic pet and direct it to do tricks, or design a video game. Participants will rotate between three classes, taught by women computer scientists, as they learn computer skills while focusing on creative projects. Out of class activities, both tech and non-tech, will allow participants to interact with other campers in games and creative projects. For girls entering grades 5-7.  

Register: http://www.saturdayacademy.org/classes-camps/how-to-register/summer-registration

Amgen Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Program Workshop

Shoreline, WA

August 1-3, 2013

This program supports the goal of achieving scientific literacy through a hands-on approach to learning. It not only provides a thoroughly tested and robust curriculum, but also provides a full suite of transportable, research-grade equipment and supplies to allow teachers to conduct advanced and contemporary activities within their high school or middle school classroom. All aspects of STEM are utilized in Biotechnology. Incorporating biotech concepts prepares students for the exciting world we live in, while encouraging some to pursue this career path.

Register: E-mail Adrienne Houck at AHouck@shoreline.edu 

Washington Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Summer Conference

Yakima, WA

August 11-14, 2013

This year's ACTE conference incorporates relevant speakers and workshops to create a rich professional development opportunity. Topics include a policy and legislation update, Common Core math requirements, and Washington's ten-year strategic plan for workforce development. Participants also have the opportunity to visit the exhibitor trade show. Early bird registration deadline is July 15, 2013.

Register: http://wa-acte.org/confsummer.php

Family Science Fest at the Museum of Flight

Seattle, WA

August 24, 2013

This day-long, family-friendly event is included with the price of admission to the museum. Local companies, organizations, schools, and universities will offer hands-on activities, displays and demonstrations with the focus on STEM. Roam the museum's Side Gallery and watch teams compete in a special robotics competition; visit Robot Alley and the Gadget Gallery; participate in a special STEM Scavenger Hunt; learn about the Space Elevator and its importance to mankind at Space Elevator 101 and 201 presentations.

http://www.isec.org/sec/index.php/family-science-fest

Resources   

Discover-e

The National Engineers Week Foundation created Discover-e as part of its ongoing mission to encourage youth to explore potential careers and opportunities in engineering. Discover-e connects users to engineering related resources in their areas through maps, event calendars, event searches, and an engineer network.

http://mydiscover-e.org/index.php

Idaho STEM Pipeline

There are excellent ongoing programs in Idaho designed to prepare and encourage students to pursue STEM fields in college and many other additional resources available to students, teachers, and the community. In an effort to establish web-based access to multiple programs, the "Idaho STEM Pipeline" was created to serve as a user-friendly web portal that provides information on various Idaho programs to students, parents, teachers, and Idaho communities.

http://www.idahostem.org

IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE)

The mission of IEEE WIE is to facilitate the recruitment and retention of women in technical disciplines globally. The IEEE WIE recognizes women's outstanding achievements in electrical and electronics engineering through IEEE Awards, advocates for women in leadership roles in IEEE governance, and administers a mentoring program for girls in junior and high schools.

http://www.ieee.org/membership_services/membership/women/women_about.html

Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) Northwest STEM Grant

The SPEAA Northwest Council is now accepting applications for this year's grants related to STEM to encourage students to pursue related careers. These Northwest STEM grants are for non-profit organizations with at least one Northwest SPEEA member participating as a coach, mentor, or parent. Application deadline is August 15, 2013.

To apply: http://www.speea.org/Member_Tools/Forms/STEM_Education_Grant_Application.pdf

NGCP Program Directory - 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.
http://www.ngcproject.org/programs

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.