The Donald McKinney

Center for STEM Education
 

GOT STEM?

Monthly Newsletter - October 2024
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • News from the McKinney Center
  • Events, Workshops & Webinars
  • Opportunities for Students & Families
  • Classroom & Out-of-School Time Resources
  • Grants, Funding & Scholarships
  • Career Opportunities
  • Articles and Publications

NEWS FROM THE MCKINNEY CENTER
 

STEM Highlight of the Month


Philadelphia STEM Equity Week

October 26 to November 2, 2024



STEM Equity Week is almost here, and we have a great line-up of events from our collaborators! From bird walks and and mystery science for youth and families, to teacher and educators professional development to career exploration and mingling for aspiring and established STEM professionals. For a list of the events occurring between October 26th to November 2nd, visit the STEM Equity Week website.


PSEC's signature event for the week is our "STEMposium: To Inclusion and Beyond". We are excited to announce the STEMposium’s Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Joeletta Patrick, who is currently serving on a two-year detail assignment to NASA Langley Research Center as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Champion. Dr. Patrick will share her personal journey that brought her to NASA, including what inspired her during childhood and how she pursued her interests through education. Dr. Patrick will also speak to best practices around community-based STEM, the importance of collaborative, cross-disciplinary work in the field, and her current work on DEIA at Langley Research Center. 
 
 

DEIB Practices Survey & Forum for

STEM Employers

The Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective would like to invite you to participate in two opportunities to aims to gather insights and reflections on your organization’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) best practices so that we can reach our goal of establishing a work environment where Black, Latinx, and women employees thrive.


The first is taking our DEIB Practices Survey for Employers that aims to gather insights and reflections on your organization’s DEIB best practices. The survey will cover a range of topics, including recruitment strategies, employee support programs, training initiatives, and company culture. Your expertise and perspective will help us better understand best practices, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. 


The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Your participation is completely voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential by a third-party facilitator. Please complete the survey HERE by Friday October 18 at 11:59pm EST.


The second opportunity is to invite you to participate in our forum on STEM Employer - our DEIB Best Practices Forum on October 30th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm in conjunction with our STEMposium; To Inclusion and Beyond. The Forum will convene Human Resources and DEIB representatives from STEM employers in multiple sectors to discuss the practices they sustain or the barriers they face in their efforts to recruit, develop and retain diverse talent. By bringing the perspective of Workforce development programs and job seekers, the forum will explore areas of existing alignment or opportunities across, employers, talent and workforce development organizations and job seekers exploring the criteria each value most. The space is limited - to register please go HERE.


For more information, please contact Diana Lievano, PSEC's Executive Director.

Annual PRISE STEM Educator Conference

The Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem partners with the Philadelphia Regional Institute of STEM Educators (PRISE) in various projects including the PRISE STEM Educator Conference. This year's theme is Inventing and Affecting the Future through STEM: Working together to create the world we want.


This free conference is on October 26, 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at McNeil Science And Technology Center (STC), 4308 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, and it is open to all Educators, Administrators, High school students, College students, and anyone interested in STEM Education. Teachers will receive Act 48 credits.


PRISE is also looking to encourage and recognize high school and college students who are interested in exploring STEM teaching as a possible career. We invite these students to give a presentation on their teaching related work at the conference. For more information go to the STUDENT Registration.


To register for the conference, click

CONFERENCE Registration. For more information, please contact Dorianna Estes, Program Manager, PRISE
 

Ignite STEM: 2.0

Have you heard about the exciting Ignite STEM initiative by the Philadelphia Education Fund? If not, let me fill you in on this amazing program that is set to make a real difference in the lives of Philadelphia high school students.


So, what exactly is Ignite STEM? Well, it's a program designed to support students from partner high schools in Philadelphia, including Mastery Charter Schools–Lenfest Campus, Mastery Charter Schools–Shoemaker Campus, Bartram HS, Frankford HS, Furness HS, Kensington CAPA HS, Olney HS, and Roxborough HS. The program will be running all year round, right through until August 2025.


PEF’s Ignite STEM is aiming to serve 25 students during the school year and 40 students during the summer, all aged between 14 and 18 and enrolled in ninth through 12th grade. The focus is on students from low-income backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a postsecondary STEM career, particularly those from underrepresented demographics such as African-American, Latino/a, and female students.


What's really cool about this program is that it's not just about classroom learning. Students will have the opportunity to take part in work/project-based activities, visit colleges, explore STEM career options, and even receive financial aid workshops and advising. It's all about helping these students build the skills and knowledge they need for a successful future.


A big shoutout to C2L PHL, Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, and PwC for their support in funding the Ignite STEM Project. Without them, this incredible opportunity wouldn't be possible.


If you want to learn more about Ignite STEM or get involved in any way, feel free to reach out to PEF's Manager of STEM Workforce Development Barbara Cousar.

Let's come together and support the next generation of STEM leaders!

Nominate a Member to be Recognize for their Contributions!

During PSEC's Philadelphia STEM Equity Week, the Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective and the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem would like to recognize and celebrate those members whose work or contributions are bringing us closer to our goal of STEM Equity by creating a social framework for change. The Ecosystem and PSEC both share the common objective of providing Philadelphians with equitable access to STEM education, resources, and opportunities. Does this sound like someone you know?
Nominate a Member HERE

Nominations will be reviewed by the Ecosystem's and PSEC's Nomination Committee and will be considered for recognition at STEMposium: To Inclusion and Beyond on October 30th, 2024, during our “Philadelphia STEM Equity Week”. The nomination committee will refer to PSEC's Theory of Change and Guiding Principles, or the Ecosystem's vision and mission when reviewing the nominations. The nomination deadline is Friday, October 18th, 2024.


If you have any questions, please contact Betsy Payne. Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem Manager and Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective's Members Relations Manager.
 
Visit the McKinney Center for STEM Education Page
 

EVENTS, WORKSHOPS & WEBINAR

New Postings:

  • The Celebration of Writing and Literacy - This is an annual convening of educators. This year's theme is "Teaching, Learning, and Doing in the Age of AI." The conference is FREE for School District of Philadelphia teachers. Breakfast and an afternoon reception will also be provided. October 5, 2024, at the Penn Museum, 8:00am to 3:20pm.
  • Financial Aid for Refugees without Parents in the U.S.Webinar - This webinar aims to advance the understanding of higher education practitioners, especially financial aid administrators, as to the circumstances of refugees and therefore how to best support them in completing their financial aid applications. It will especially focus on refugees without parents in the United States and when a dependency override is needed. October 9, 2024, 2:00pm
  • Engage, Educate, Empower: Men of Color Conference - The goal of this free conference is to create a meaningful dialogue around expanding the pipeline of college admission and success among men of color in Philadelphia. Emphasis will be placed on conversations that engage, educate and empower through a lens of care and equity, while acting to advance education at local, regional and national levels. October 12, 2024 8:30am - 3:00pm at CCP, Philadelphia
  • Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA: 2024 Resources in Action -The Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program, part of NASA’s Universe of Learning, provides resources and experiences that enable youth, families, and lifelong learners to explore fundamental questions in astrophysics, experience how science is done, and discover the universe for themselves. Hear directly from the 2024 GSAWN Stipend recipients who are using these free resources and get ideas to implement in your own programs. October 17, 2024, 3:30pm
  • North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) 2024 Conference - We seek to spotlight environmental educators as natural bridge builders. Focused on bridging gaps across borders, disciplines, and ideas, our event aims to foster mutual understanding and explore how to discover common ground. November 6-9, 2024 at Pittsburgh, PA.
  • National Science Teaching Association Conference: Spark Creativity in Science and STEM Education - NSTA is headed to New Orleans, infusing its fall national conference with the city's unique energy and culture. Join us for an unforgettable experience where professional growth meets the soulfulness of the Big Easy. November 6-9, 2024 at New Orleans, LA.
  • AAC&U 2024 Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference - a professional development experience that advances undergraduate STEM education reform by providing a national platform for the diverse perspectives and experiences of STEM faculty, particularly those from historically marginalized groups and institutions, to be inserted into national STEM reform discourse. November 7–9, 2024, at Arlington, VA
  • Greenbuild International Conference and Expo - specifically designed to keep participants at the forefront of the industry covering sustainability, resilience, health, and wellness in the spaces where we live, work, learn and play. November 12-15 2024, Philadelphia, PA
  • Computer Science For All Summit: LandsCAPE of Opportunities: - The CSforAllPA Summit offers educators, leaders, and stakeholders the opportunity to share, discuss, and collaboratively develop tools, resources, and practices for CS learning experiences. The Summit specifically focuses on equitably serving historically under-served populations including students with disabilities, English Learners, and females. December 11-12, 2024 at PaTTAN Central (Harrisburg) and online

Previous Postings:

  • Undergraduate STEM Reform ... Now What? Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference - AAC&U and its Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) to our 2024 Conference, a seven-star professional development experience that advances undergraduate STEM education reform by providing a national platform for the diverse perspectives and experiences of STEM faculty, particularly those from historically marginalized groups and institutions, to be inserted into national STEM reform discourse. November 7-9, 2024 at Arlington, VA
 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES

New Opportunities:

  • H.E.R. College Fair - Join the Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated- Alpha Alpha Omicron Zeta Chapter for our annual H.E.R. (Higher Education Resources ) College Fair. This event will include representatives from several colleges, universities, and other post-secondary opportunities/ career programs as well as workshops relating to the college experience. October 5, 10:00am-2:00pm at Tacony Academy Charter High School.
  • West Park Cultural Center Youth Programs - Registration is now open for our fall programs that start in October. We have something special for every young creative mind, whether it's art, theatre, music, or a unique blend of dance and coding. Our programs are designed to inspire, educate, and empower children and teens through hands-on learning and artistic exploration.
  • Penn Arts and Science High School Programs: Young Scholars High School Program - The Young Scholars High School Program allows outstanding students attending a local high school to take college courses in the fall and spring semesters. Students attending City of Philadelphia public and charter schools are eligible for tuition-free participation in the program. Applications for spring 2025 open October 1, 2024
  • Cornell Lab October BIG Day - Like Global Big Day, October Big Day is an opportunity to unite around our shared love of birds. Wherever you are on October 12th, take a few minutes to join in this global celebration. Participate from anywhere—even from home! By taking part you’re also celebrating Global Bird Weekend and World Migratory Bird Day. Be a part of the global team and help set a new record for October birding! October 12, 2024
  • Financial Aid Prep for Teens and Parents - This free series is for high school students up to age 18 and their parents. This virtual workshop will cover preparation for FAFSA and PHEAA applications to receive financial aid for college. October 12, 2:00 - 3:30pm
  • Designed by Student Workshops - High School student ages 14-18 are invited to participate in these in person hands-on, interactive design workshops and connect with Philly-based designers. Saturdays, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec, 14 from 11:00am - 3:30pm at Center for DesignPhiladelphia   
  • Propel America Medical Assistant Program - Propel America is looking for young adults with a high school diploma or GED who want a career in healthcare as a medical assistant. This tuition-free program is Philadelphia in now enrolling for the 2025 co-hort.
  • 2024-2025 Philly Tech Gateway -Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) is launching an afterschool program focused on the Technology Field specifically for in-school 11th & 12th grade students that reside in West Philadelphia or the surrounding zip codes. 11th graders will have the opportunity to engage in our Data Analytics and Cybersecurity curriculum, with our partners from First Hand and 12th graders will have the opportunity to join our Pre-Apprenticeship Cybersecurity program where we will equip you with the tools and credentials needed to launch your career in the field! The program starts on October 7th, but is accepted on a rolling basis. Juniors sign up HERE, and Seniors sign up HERE,
  •  ASPIRE Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) - This program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) sponsored by the Howley Foundation in partnership with La Salle University, is an enrichment program designed for high school juniors interested in pursuing a career in nursing. Upon acceptance as an ASPIRE Scholar, you will participate in a number of interactive experiences designed to expose and introduce you to the profession of nursing. After successful completion of the high school program, ASPIRE Scholars receive a stipend of $500, and will be invited to return to participate in the ASPIRE Program their senior year. Application Close Date: November 8, 2024
  • Pennsylvania Computer Science Family Toolkit - contains resources for equitable CS education for all students including students of color, historically underrepresented populations, English language learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities.


Previous Opportunities:

  • Calling All Girl Bosses - A year-long program empowering girls in Philadelphia to lead the change they want to see in their neighborhoods. Developed by Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) as a blueprint to give Philadelphia girls in grades 6-12 the skills they need to identify a community problem and Take Action to find a solution. The program is FREE for girls. Lunch and transportation will be provided for each workshop.
  • Innovation League - an opportunity for entrepreneurial 9th to 12th grade students in Philadelphia who want to learn how to build businesses while growing their skills and solving problems in their community. Like a traditional sports league, students attend weekly practices led by tech mentors and build their technology, leadership, and social skills. Registration closes October 1st.
  • TeenSHARP Striver Program - A national nonprofit that prepares Black, Latino, and low-income students to attend and thrive at America’s top colleges with little or no debt, is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2024-2025 program! Nominate your rising seniors today.
  • Nature Quests for Families - Ready to go on an adventure? Join families from around the world exploring nature through fun, hands-on Nature Quests! Choose between outdoor or indoor quests, or mix it up.
 

CLASSROOM & OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME RESOURCES

New Resources:

  • Teachers Institute of Philadelphia's Spring 2025 Seminar Program - This opportunity ’s 15-week seminar program is open to non-charter school teachers throughout the School District of Philadelphia. Led by professors in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and STEM fields, the seminars enable participants (called fellows) to write original curriculum units based on the material they have learned. Fellows develop creative ways to teach material required by District, state and national curriculum standards. Seminars meet in-person Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5-7 pm. Upon successful completion of the program, fellows earn 30 Act 48 credits and a $1,500 stipend. First round applications deadline is Tuesday, October 15.
  • Free Professional Development - Knowles Teacher Initiative - The Knowles Academy offers state-of-the-art professional development experiences for teachers. All Academy courses are designed and facilitated by experienced teachers who understand the complexities of teaching in today's world. Online courses meet once a week, for six weeks, going in depth on the course topic. Workshops are free, 90 minute sessions introducing a topic, with time for peer discussion. 
  • Free Rockin' Rockets Design Challenge Activity Kits - Are you looking for no-cost kits for youth in grades 5-8 in afterschool? Look no further!  This kit includes a lesson plan and materials for 20 youth.
  • Building a Bird Club Webinar - The flexibility and creativity of building a bird or nature club can be both exciting and daunting. Join us to discover the essential tips for starting a bird or nature club and explore some examples of engaging projects such as bird identification, improving local habitat, and educating others. This free webinar is free and open to all educators. October 16 at 7:00pm.
  • Down to Earth With Science Friday - This October, Science Friday is partnering with the International Space Station National Laboratory to launch a free month-long program that’ll ignite a curiosity for science that'll burn brighter than a rocket booster. Register for free STEM lesson plans and to participate in weekly Q&A sessions with space experts. Registration is open for educators now through October 25.
  • Win Binoculars for Your Classroom!, Cornell Lab K-12 Education - Our friends at Celestron are giving 12 classrooms who engage in participatory (citizen) science or nature-based investigations a classroom set of 10 Celestron binoculars. Whether you’re watching a bird feeder, going out on regular bird walks, or participating in a bio blitz, tell us how your students are practicing their science skills and what you could accomplish with a classroom set of Celestron binoculars. Applications close on October 20, 2024
  • The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science - are now accepting nominations for teachers of science and technology for the 2024 – 2025 school year. Individuals may nominate a STEM teacher, or a teacher may nominate themselves for this year’s cycle. Once nominated, more information will be available from PAEMST.
  • NASA TechRise Student Challenge - schools are invited to join NASA in its mission to inspire the world through discovery. If you are in sixth to 12th grade at a U.S. public, private, or charter school – including those in U.S. territories – your challenge is to team up with your schoolmates and develop a science or technology experiment idea for this year’s NASA TechRise flight vehicle – the high-altitude balloon! Deadline for entries: November 1, 2024.

Previous Resources:

  • Super Human Body: World of Medical Marvels - Educational Resources Hub - these educational STEM resources and hands-on activities focus on the amazing biology of the human body and how scientific discoveries and advances in medical engineering play a role in helping us live longer, healthier lives. Use them paired with the IMAX film or on their own.
  • Science Lab Safety Agreements - Carolina Biological - Carolina offers this free general laboratory agreement and course specific agreements in Spanish as well as English to ensure both students and parents understand the necessity for classroom lab safety. 
 

GRANTS, FUNDING & SCHOLARSHIPS

New Listings:

  • Whole Kids Bee Cause Project - In partnership with the Bee Cause Project, Whole Kids invites applications for its Bee Grants program, which provides support for educational beehives and bee programming support to K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations so students can observe bees up close and learn about pollinators’ vital role in our food system. Recipients can apply for a monetary or equipment grant to support schools in bringing live bees to their campus or grow their existing educational hive program. Application Closes October 15, 2024
  • AmeriCorps 2025 State and National Grants Competition - this Grants Competition is now open for applications from organizations who wish to host AmeriCorps members beginning in the summer of 2025. Eligible applicants include State Service Commissions, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, local governments, and Native Nations. Funding from this competition will support tens of thousands of Americans as they complete terms of service in their communities, addressing urgent needs like education, housing and food insecurity, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship. Application deadline is Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET
  • NSF 24-601: Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) - The AISL Program is committed to funding research and practice, with continued focus on investigating a range of informal STEM learning (ISL) experiences and environments that make lifelong learning a reality. This program seeks proposals that center engagement, broadening participation, and belonging, and further the well-being of individuals and communities who have been and continue to be excluded, under-served, or underrepresented in STEM along several dimensions. Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization's local time): January 08, 2025

Previous Listings:

  • 2025 Environmental Education Grant - DEP’s Environmental Education Grants Program welcomes applications for the development of innovative formal and non-formal environmental education projects that: 1) Address grant program priorities; 2) Provide opportunities to expand the public’s understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental issues; and 3) Develop skills required to make informed decisions and take responsible action on behalf of the environment. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
  • The Awesome Foundation - is microphilanthropy in action. We make a $1,000 grant every other month to fund awesomeness. Let us know what you are planning, why it's awesome, and how you plan to spend the money.
  • Ben & Jerry’s Foundation - The foundation invites applications to its National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO), which offers two-year, unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year—with an average grant size of $20,000 per year—to small, constituent-led grassroots organizations across the United States and its territories. Our new rolling process for applications is now open for 2024 through October.
 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

New Postings:

  • Program Coordinator, Experiential Learning - Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania - This position is an integral part of the delivery of our mission and will support the growth and expansion of key JASEPA initiatives. It will support programs with nonprofit partners, business and education communities in Greater Philadelphia, Berks, and the Lehigh Valley. The primary focus will be supporting logistics and day-to-day functions of implementing the Finance Park Mobile simulation. 
  • Biology Lab Coordinator - Bryn Mawr University - The Department of Biology seeks a full-time, 12-month Biology Lab Coordinator (staff) to provide support for instruction in the Biology Department’s teaching laboratories. The primary areas of responsibility include assisting faculty to support courses and faculty-supervised student research
  • Project Manager, Education and Integration - Jefferson Health - The Education and Integration Project Manager plays a dual role, orchestrating education and integration-focused initiatives with a goal of developing the next generation of basic, population, and clinical researchers, while encouraging the development of cancer researchers at all levels across the greater Jefferson Health enterprise and the Drexel University consortium.

Previous Postings:

ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS

Articles & Publications:

Previous Articles & Publications:
 

In Memory of Donald McKinney

Donald McKinney was a beloved chemistry teacher

who launched and administered the PEF's Math and Science Coalition from 2009 to 2016. When Don passed away in January of 2016, he left behind a legacy of

quality science education and hundreds of devoted students and colleagues.

In recognition of his commitment to and passion for

STEM Education, PEF established the

Donald McKinney Center for STEM Education.
 
Visit the McKinney Center for STEM Education Page

Philadelphia Education Fund | 718 Arch Street Suite 700N | Philadelphia, PA 19106 US

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