May 2016

In This Issue
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  NGCP Updates:
Digital Safety and Career Opportunities Survey for Parents
The National Cyber Security Alliance, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, National PTA, National Girls Collaborative Project, and Educational Research Center of America, invite you to participate in a short survey on family digital safety practices and cybersecurity careers. If you are the parent of a middle- or high-school student, your input is needed to help make positive changes happen for youth and families. You will also be given the opportunity to voluntarily receive follow-up information about family digital safety practices, cybersecurity careers, and other career and educational opportunities that could be helpful to you and your family. Questions about this project should be directed to: info@studentresearch.org. Thank you for your participation.
SciGirls Profiles Logo SciGirls Profiles: Women in STEM
The NGCP is excited to announce the premiere of SciGirls Profiles: Women in STEM, a collection of twelve short videos available to view online. These profiles feature women innovators, problem-solvers, and dreamers who are passionate about their work, hobbies, families, and helping to make the world a better place. Profiles are also available on YouTube.

NGCP and Google Google Logo
The NGCP received a 2016 Google RISE Award, to build upon a partnership with the American Library Association, promoting computer science (CS) among K-12 students. The Award will be used to help families identify CS opportunities in their communities. Visit the National Girls Collaborative on Google+ for the latest news, updates, and helpful resources from this partnership.

NGCP E-newsletter is Mobile Friendly
The NGCP e-newsletter is now mobile friendly and designed to display optimally between a desktop, laptop, and mobile devices.

Collaborative Network ActivitiesCollabActivity
Habitat Connections: Exploring Your Local Environment through Birds and Citizen Science
Ruston, LA; May 12, 2016
Participants will be introduced to curriculum developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and will discover how to engage girls and boys ages 8-13 in learning through birds, citizen science, and local habitat improvement projects that benefit birds and other wildlife. Teaching materials are aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core. The workshop is appropriate for both K-12 and informal educators; no experience with birds or citizen science is required. Registration closes on May 8, 2016. Register.

SciGirls Full-Day Workshop - International Museum of Art & Science
McAllen, TX; May 16, 2016
Participants will learn the latest research for exciting and engaging girls (and boys) in STEM, experience hands-on STEM activities, leave with curriculum for over 25 hands-on, video enhanced activities that put a creative twist on teaching STEM, learn how to modify any activity to excite and engage kids in STEM using the SciGirls Seven, and discover additional online resources that enhance teaching and learning experiences for all. Register.

Role Models Matter Workshop
Bozeman, MT; May 19, 2016; 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Join the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative for this free Role Models Matter workshop, a pre-conference session of the Spring 2016 Collaboration Forum. Techbridge's Role Models Matter is an initiative that prepares STEM professionals and students for outreach, and helps STEM providers think more about how to incorporate role models and mentors into their programming. Participants will learn what elements contribute to an effective role model visit, practice how to integrate STEM careers through ice breakers, introductions, career showcases and hands-on activities, and learn techniques to engage girls in meaningful discussions. Register
 
Montana Girls STEM Collaboration Forum
Bozeman, MT; May 19, 2016; 1:00-5:00 PM
All organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of girls in STEM fields are invited to attend this Forum. Participants will learn about exemplary practices for engaging girls in STEM, meet potential collaborators, learn new ideas for hands-on STEM, and contribute resources on how our community can support girls and girl-serving programs. Register.

SciGirls Professional Development Training
Piscataway, NJ; June 1, 2016
Participants will learn the latest research for exciting and engaging girls, boys, and underrepresented populations in STEM, experience hands-on STEM activities, leave with curriculum that puts a creative twist on teaching STEM, learn how to modify activities to engage kids in STEM using the SciGirls Seven, and discover additional online resources that enhance teaching and learning experiences for all. Register.

LEGO Mindstorms Bootcamp and WaterBotics Educator Workshop
San Antonio, TX; June 6-8, 2016
Informal organizations, museums, high schools, universities, STEM-focused organizations from across Texas are invited to this training on how to run an underwater robotics camp using the WaterBotics curriculum. WaterBotics is an in-class project and summer camp curriculum for students at the middle and high school levels in which they build submersible robots. Register.

Role Models Matter Training
Pittsburgh, PA; June 15, 2016
ASSET STEM Education, in cooperation with the PA STEM Girls Collaborative Project will be holding a full-day Role Models Matter Training Forum. 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. Participants will receive role model training, promising practices, and resources. Register

NGCP Mini-GrantsMiniGrants
NGCP mini-grants are designed to build collaboration between programs and resources. Mini-grant application resources, including a sample application, exemplary practices, project ideas, and frequently asked questions are available online. Open and closing dates are listed below with more information available on Collaborative websites.
Swirl Icon
Colorado Collaborative for Girls in STEM (CoCoSTEM)
Open Date
  5/5/2016
Close Date
  5/27/2016
FabFems
SpotlightFabFems
The 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. Search the Role Model Directory to find FabFems in your area. We benefit from role models at all stages of our lives.  

Dena Vallano
Dena Vallano
Meet Dena Vallano, an ecologist whose work focuses on air quality, climate change, biodiversity, and plant physiology. Prior to beginning her AAAS Fellowship at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Dena was a postdoctoral scholar in Environmental Studies. Her work addressed the environmental and policy impacts of atmospheric nitrogen and ozone pollution on California serpentine grasslands. Aside from her academic pursuits, she has been actively involved in science education and outreach through tutoring, sparking girls' interest in science through the Expanding Your Horizons program, and speaking engagements at elementary and high schools. To learn more about Dena's visit her profile.

Stay connected to FabFems:  Follow us on Twitter  Like us on Facebook  Find us on Pinterest 

Upcoming STEM EventsEvents
U.S. News STEM Solutions National Conference
Baltimore, MD; May 18-20, 2016
This conference will focus on the shortage of STEM-related skills in the American workforce and create a collective that will fill jobs now and advance the future STEM workforce. Breakout sessions include: Getting More Girls Into the Game, Building a Latino Wave in STEM, and Out-of-School Learning: Making a Difference for the Underserved. Register.

Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) Change Leader Forum
Broomfield, CO; June 14-16, 2016
This Forum will bring together leading experts in culture change to discuss the impact of culture on engaging and retaining diverse communities of women in engineering. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn, share, network, and form collaborations with both novice and expert participants who are all working to promote inclusion and diversity initiatives within their organizations. The Forum will be organized around the Framework for Promoting Gender Equity in Organizations which describes the four ways (prepare women, create equal opportunity, value difference, and re-envision work culture) organizations can promote gender equity. Register.

Esri Education GIS Conference    
San Diego, CA; June 25-28, 2016
Attendees will explore how geographic information system (GIS) technology fosters critical thinking skills and improves decision making. Participants will receive hands-on training, learn best practices, and receive updates on all things GIS for both inside the classroom and policy making. Register.

CSTA 2016 Conference Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Conference
San Diego, CA; July 10-12, 2016
CSTA 2016 is a professional development opportunity for CS and IT teachers/administrators who need practical, classroom-focused information to help prepare their students for the future. Participants will have the opportunity to learn, network, and interact, while exploring issues and trends relating directly to the classroom. Register.

Girl Up Leadership Summit
Washington DC; July 11-13, 2016
Participants (between the ages of 12-22) will gain core leadership skills, training in community-building and advocacy, and experience interacting with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. Geared toward middle school, high school, and college students, most workshops and breakout sessions will be divided by age group to allow for targeted learning. Register.
SpotlightConnectory
The Connectory Spotlight highlights programs and opportunities in The Connectory. The Connectory is a free online collaboration tool for STEM program providers to find partners based on interests as well as a platform to showcase STEM opportunities to families. With summer on the horizon we are highlighting Digital Dragon and its summer camps where kids can learn "how to create tech instead of just consuming it."

Digital Dragon's mission is to create a fun, collaborative environment where kids can learn how to create and explore STEM and STEAM subjects using the most current and cutting-edge programs. Participants learn a new language, become makers, and have fun at the same time. Here are three of Digital Dragon's summer camp opportunities:

Game Design 2D: Kids of all skills are invited to build 2D games using a drag-and-drop block based game design engine. After learning how games are designed and work, (from lives to scoring, blasters, and more) kids will storyboard and design their own Digital Dragon Logo 2D adventures. No past game design experience is needed.

Engineering: Robotics and Tinkering: An immersion into the basics of engineering, Engineering 1 is the perfect hands-on study of how things work. Kids will both break apart and build up a variety of different styles of robots, discovering how they can create their own. Kids will learn a variety of hands on skills including soldering, 3D printing, controller building, and printed circuit board design.

Digital Production: Kids will be guided through the process of planning, shooting, and editing their own videos. A variety of projects will allow kids to explore their own passions within digital production. Their work will transition from amateur home videos to professional grade productions. The camp will end with a screening festival of their finished work.

Join The Connectory to collaborate with STEM programs and promote your upcoming STEM opportunities to families. Opportunities are visible publicly to families. Programs are visible to other STEM providers.
Stay connected to The Connectory:
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STEM ResourcesResources
Afterschool for All Virtual Challenge
On May 24, 2016 more than 250 afterschool advocates will bring their powerful stories to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Join their effort to strengthen support for afterschool by taking the Afterschool for All Virtual Challenge. The Challenge is simple: Wherever you are, invite a local policy maker and their staff to visit your afterschool program. It's an effective way to help them understand the benefits your program provides to the community and to cultivate them as an ally/advocate for your program. Site visits are a powerful way to help policy makers understand the benefits your program provides to the community. The Afterschool Alliance has resources to make your site visit a success. Resources include sample invitations, planning guides, tips, and schedules.

American Wetlands Month
In May, the Environmental Protection Agency, and its partners, celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to the Nation's ecological, economic, and social health. It is also a great opportunity to discover and teach others about the important role that wetlands play in our environment and the significant benefits they provide.

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, resources that promote Asian-Pacific American students' academic and professional development are listed below.

Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres (ASPAC)
ASPAC is an association of science centers, museums and related organizations, with a regional focus on the Asia Pacific region.

CrossLines: A Culture Lab on Intersectionality
Washington, DC, May 28-29, 2016
Presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, this free event features a creative convening of art installations, performances, and dialogues that explore the theme of intersectionality. RSVP.

National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)
The NAAAP offers a diverse range of local and national professional development programs that engages its membership in community service and organizes professional networking events.

Audubon Summer Camps
Audubon offers Nature Camps throughout the country (grades pre-K through 12). Each camp has its own special weekly themes and caters to the interests and needs of the children in the community it serves. Scholarships are available.

Critical Listening Guide: Just Because You Always Hear It, Doesn't Mean It's True

NCWIT Critical Listening Guide NCWIT created this guide to help identify common misunderstandings that surface when people talk about how to increase the participation of women (and other underrepresented groups) in technology. Use these tips to help spot statements that might be "red flags" or a sign that the discussion is headed in a direction that is not research-based.

Fabfinder Talent Search Contest
Fabfinder gives young people a chance to showcase their interest in STEM and connect with the next generation of STEM leaders. Students (13 and older) are invited to submit a short video that shows why they should be considered as a FabLab correspondent and reporter on STEM topics. Winners will receive a laptop computer and appear in STEM related video content on the FabLab media outlets.

Global ResourcesGlobal
Global Accessibility Awareness Logo Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Worldwide; May 19, 2016
GAAD occurs each year to get people talking, thinking, and learning about digital (web, software, mobile, etc.) accessibility and users with different disabilities. Participate.
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About Us
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The National Girls Collaborative Project™ is partially funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, GSE/EXT: National Girls Collaborative Project: Building the Capacity of STEM Practitioners to Develop a Diverse Workforce, Grant No. HRD-1532643.
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