STEM Ed Update 3/4/2016

Please enjoy this week's STEM Ed update.

Coalition Update:

STEM Education in the FY2017 Budg

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We need your help to ensure the STEM education provisions in the recently-passed Every Student Succeeds Act are funded in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget. Please let us know if your organization can sign onto a letter to House and Senate leaders supporting STEM education funding in the FY2017 budget by Friday, March 11th.
Read more here.

STEM Ed Coalition Supports Math Educator Nomination for Negotiation Rulemakin g Nomination

The STEM Ed Coalition proudly supports nominating Dr. Diane Briars, President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to participate in negotiated rulemaking for the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Read more here.

Top Article:

John King Pressed on Federal Control, Accountability at ESSA Oversight Hearing

Education Week

Members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee used their oversight hearing on the new federal educatio

n law Thursday to ask acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr., about overtesting, interventions in struggling schools, and how he would strike a balance between local control and federal protections for disadvantaged students.

Read more here.

Stay in the Know:

Latest STEM Education Policy News Across the U.S.

Engaging America's Youth in STEM through Hands-On Experiences in Labs and Communities Across the U.S.

The White House

The United States has more than a half-million job openings in information technology and many more

requiring training in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), including computer science. To ensure that all youth have access to these jobs and the jobs of the future, the Administration is working hard with communities across the country to provide opportunities in STEM and entrepreneurship.

Read more here.

How Female Science, Math Teachers Influence Whether Young Women Major in STEM Fields

Journalist's Resource

When global technology giant Google released statistics on the diversity of its workforce in May 2014, it was

pelted with criticism. And media organizations have tracked the company's slow progress in closing gender gaps and hiring more black and Hispanic employees. However, the reality is that far fewer women and minorities enter careers in the so-called STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Read more here.

The 4 Best Reasons for a STEM Education

Westchester Magazine

"STEM" isn't just the latest buzzword in education. Far from it! If you have school-age children

, you're probably hearing a lot about the importance of classes and extracurricular activities focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). As our society becomes more technology focused, it is important to help our kids remain competitive and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
Read more here.

Around the Community

UMaine Gets Grant to Boost STEM Education in Rural Schools

The National Science foundation has awarded the University of Maine a nearly $2 million grant to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in rural Maine schools, Maine's Congressional delegation announced Friday.

Read more here.

Shell Science Lab Challenge Announces 2016 District Winners

Eighteen middle and secondary school science teachers have been named district winners in the sixth annual Shell Science Lab Challenge. Sponsored by Shell Oil Company and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the competition encouraged teachers (grades 6-12) in the U.S. and Canada, who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources, to share their approaches for a chance to win a school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000.
Read more here.

Math Challenge Starts Monday, Teaching Algebra Through a Game

Can students learn basic algebra concepts in just two hours if those concepts are presented as a fun, interactive game? That's the idea behind the Story Problem Challenge, an online, interactive game that starts Monday and is offered for free by the University of Washington's Center for Game Science. The challenge is designed to build enthusiasm for math, and to teach pre-algebra concepts to all students. The online challenge walks students through short games that allow them to explore math concepts step-by-step, building comprehension as they go.
Read more here.

Join the Coalition!

We at the STEM Education Coalition hope you have enjoyed this week's edition of the STEM Ed Newsletter.

Any organization may join the Coalition, and there is no cost to become an Affiliate Member. Affiliate members are listed on our website, receive periodic communications on policy matters, and will be signed up for the weekly newsletter.

Your organization can also apply to join the Coalition's Policy Council, where they play an active role in setting the public policy agenda for the Coalition and are invited to participate in frequent interactions with policymakers.

If you would like to join the Coalition at any level, please read our message to prospective members or email us at [email protected].

We appreciate your continued support and involvement.

Our Coalition's Co-Chairs

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