October 2013

PNWGCP Updates  

Exploring Collaborations: Successful Strategies for Increasing Equity and Access to STEM

Microsoft Campus in Redmond, WA

December 4, 2013; 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

We invite you to a full-day conference of inspiring panels and thought-provoking sessions hosted jointly by the Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project and the National Girls Collaborative Project.

Join us at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond as we explore new research, learn about innovative initiatives, share vital resources, and connect with community partners, in partnership with 2013 Afterschool Matters Fellowship program and the Northeastern University's G.A.M.E.S Initiative.

Program managers, guidance counselors, business partners, technical professionals, K-12 teachers, and representatives from professional organizations and higher education are all invited. The morning will include networking and resource sharing opportunities, plenary sessions, and two panels: 1) Girls in STEM - High School Perspectives, and 2) Girls and Gaming in Today's World. The afternoon will include multiple breakout options, including sessions with researchers from the 2013 Afterschool Matters Fellowship program and leaders of Northeastern University's G.A.M.E.S Initiative.

Do you know someone who is not receiving the PNWGCP newsletter?

We invite you to !

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 Monica Feliu-Mojer, Outreach Programs Manager at the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Washington, Seattle. Monica is also the vice-director and news editor of Ciencia Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization that brings together scientists to promote science awareness among the general public, to foster the next generations of Latino scientists and improve formal science education.

Monica grew up in Puerto Rico and earned a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology. After just one month in a summer research program, she knew she wanted to be a research scientist. This first research experience not only helped her discover her passion for science, particularly neuroscience, but also introduced her to the importance of mentors. From there, she went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied the molecules involved in learning and memory. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Harvard University.

Monica was recently interviewed by Univision's "Edúcate, es el momento" a week-long series of activities focused on promoting higher education among Hispanics. In this interview she talks about the importance of mentoring and why we need more Latinos entering STEM careers. She shares how she became interested in science as a child and the educational challenges she faced, such as not having scientific role models early on. The interview also features one of Monica's mentees, Janice Nieves.

She was also recently featured in an article by SACNAS, a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists. The article highlights Monica's commitments to educating the next generation of minority scientists, serving as a role model and working to increase science literacy.

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    

Life Sciences Research Weekend

Seattle, WA

November 1-3, 2013

This event features live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, and talks for school-aged children, families, and citizen scientist interested in learning more about life sciences and the role research plays in our daily lives. 

Register: http://www.science-center.org/Research-Weekends/life-sciences-research-weekend

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Technical Symposium

Tukwila, WA

November 2, 2013; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This symposium features technical presentations, panel discussions, and speed mentoring sessions. Event speakers include: Sandy Magnus, AIAA, Michael Drake, The Boeing Company, and Chris Lewicki, Planetary Resources Inc.

Register: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e7eydul67d881d6f&llr=zhotlqdab

Oregon Girls Collaborative Project Informational Meeting

Salem, OR

November 8, 2013; 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Program managers, guidance counselors, business partners, teachers, and representatives from professional organizations and higher education are invited to learn how the NGCP model can help your organization as well as network with colleagues for collaboration opportunities. The Oregon Girls Collaborative Project is sponsored by Oregon ASK.

Oregon Afterschool Conference: Health, Safety and Nutrition  Salem, OR

November 8-9, 2013

Participants will have the opportunity to network and learn about available resources. Conference sessions will include Increasing STEM engagement for Girls: Strategies & Resources, SciGirls Live Healthy: Hands-on Activities to Engage Girls in STEM, Traveling Circuits Teaching Computer Science Without Fear/Makerspace, Using Role Models to Engage Girls in STEM, Getting your Hands On, Arms and Mind Around STEM, and FIRST Robotics.

Register: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e7icbfdp6626e249&llr=ugr9b8dab

Women in Engineering Day

Moscow, ID

November 15, 2013

Participants will have the opportunity to earn a scholarship toward an undergraduate degree in engineering; learn about the diversity of careers in engineering; interact with current students, faculty, and industry professionals; stay overnight with college women in a dorm or sorority (optional); tour engineering labs at the University of Idaho; and participate in hands-on engineering design activities. The registration deadline is October 25, 2013.

Register: http://wie2013.eventbrite.com

Full STEAM Ahead! Meeting and Forum on Women in STEAM

Bothell, WA

November 20, 2013; 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

AAUW, UW Bothell, Cascadia Community College, and the National Girls Collaborative Project will host an interactive forum highlighting how to increase educational opportunities and encourage young women to engage in STEAM - science, technology, engineering, arts, and math!

Register: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/8540142797/es2

Resources

Afterschool Matters Journal

Afterschool Matters is a national peer-reviewed journal dedicated to promoting professionalism, scholarship, and consciousness in the field of afterschool education. The Fall 2013 issue features the article "What Afterschool STEM Does Best: How Stakeholders Describe Youth Learning", which discusses the effectiveness of afterschool programs at engaging children and youth in STEM. 

http://www.niost.org/images/pdf/afterschoolmatters/asm_2013_18_fall/ASM_Fall2013-10-22.pdf

Applications for Washington State Aspirations in Computing Award Now Open  

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women at the high school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. Applicants may apply to both the local and national level. The submission deadline: October 31, 2013.

MIT Women's Initiative

The Women's Initiative is a program aimed at inspiring high school and middle school girls to pursue careers in engineering and science. The Women's Initiative website features a description of the field of engineering and provides an overview of engineering careers. Additionally, girls and educators can visit the website to learn more about the presentations given by women from MIT at middle and high schools across the country. Presentations include activities that engage the students to think about engineering concepts, demonstrations of presenters' projects, information about the field of engineering, and life as an engineering student.

http://web.mit.edu/wi/schools/index.shtml

Road Map Project Awards 

The Road Map Project invites you to nominate a program that does work to advance equity and close the opportunity gap in South Seattle and South King County for the Road Map Project Awards Program. This awards program will recognize and honor work being done through collaboration. The nomination period closes November 1, 2013.

http://www.roadmapproject.org/get-involved/awards

Science NetLinks

Science NetLinks is a K-12 science education resource produced by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Science NetLinks provides K-12 teachers, students, and families with quality resources for teaching and learning science. The website features free teaching tools, interactives, podcasts, and hands-on activities.

http://sciencenetlinks.com

Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) Program 

WAS is a competitive statewide program that emphasizes STEM and encourages students to consider careers in these fields. Students and teachers who participate in WAS will get an insider's look at Washington's aerospace industry, gain exposure to university level curriculum and content, have opportunities to interact with professionals in STEM fields, participate in tours of engineering and research facilities that are not available to the general public, and work with highly engaged and motivated peers. Submission deadline for teachers is November 1, 2013 and November 8, 2013 for students.

http://www.museumofflight.org/was

Verizon Innovative App Challenge

The goal of the Verizon Innovative App Challenge is to increase student interest and knowledge in STEM subjects and mobile technology through an engaging and empowering learning experience. This challenge provides an opportunity for middle school and high school students, working with a faculty advisor, to apply their STEM knowledge, ingenuity, and creativity to develop an original mobile app concept that incorporates STEM and addresses a need or a problem in their school or community. Submission deadline is December 3, 2013.

http://appchallenge.tsaweb.org

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.