‌ ‌	 OCTOBER UPDATE The InterMountain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Launch Pilot (IM STEM)

Mark your calendar! Our next network meeting is November 13th from 4:00-5:30 pm EST REGISTER FOR THE NOVEMBER NETWORK MEETING

What's going on IN the network? Below is a summary of the progress in each work group. If you would like to join a work group, please email  lriegel@napequity.org .

Communications and Resource Sharing

We have started posting on our new social media channels (LinkedIn group “IM STEM Equity” or Twitter @imstemequity #imstemequity. Members can help us by adding to the conversation. Join the group and start tweeting.

Metrics, Data Collection, and Reporting

The data group has finalized the CIP codes for manufacturing pathways, and is now securing information about which states offer various courses. Our next step is to build a data shell and do data requests for each state. We would love to have more members in our group to help us get the data secured, so we can build a pilot dashboard this fall.

Asset Map Building

Through Connectory, we were able to secure a great list of STEM programs happening around our network states. We will start investigating these programs and gathering the data we need to create our asset map. If you know would like to help us hunt down the data we need for the asset map for these programs, we could use your help! You can also submit examples of quality programming that aims to increase STEM equity in your state. Email a short description and/or link to Lisa Riegel at  lriegel@napequity.org

Effective Practice Scaling

We are finalizing a rubric we can use to determine quality of programs in regard to STEM equity. We are also planning our next network meeting, which will be held November 13 from 4-5:30 pm EST. Programs from each state will be highlighted and this group is creating and managing the agenda. If you have knowledge of high quality STEM programming aimed at increasing equity, this group can use your knowledge.

Pilot Monitoring

EESTEM II Micromessaging project has been underway since the conclusion of the Academy, the last of July. The institutions included in Cohort 2 are Dona Ana Community College (DACC), Santa Fe CC (SFCC), North Idaho College (NIC), and Utah Valley University (UVU). Mimi Lufkin and Dr. Tracey Durant led the Academy, with support from Bob Mitchell, DACC and Greg Jackson, NAPE. All teams have had one Professional Learning Community (PLC) meeting, with a second PLC meeting having occurred or is scheduled. The teams have determined their project goal and moving forward with observations. The project concludes in May with each team’s showcase.

What's going on Around the network?

Colorado Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum hosts the Colorado Association of Latino/A Administration and Superintendents’ special event celebrating opportunities in STEM for Latino families. This free event is designed for Latina and Latino students and their families to explore STEM careers in space and aviation. The day includes fun workshops, interesting speakers, and demonstrations as well as a variety of make-and-take projects. Parents and students walk away with a better understanding of careers in STEM and the aerospace industry. Violeta Garcia y.violeta.garcia@gmail.com 970-670-0545 http://wingsmuseum.org/stem/

Idaho The Micron Foundation offers a Women in Technical Careers Panel Discussion where women in various technical/STEM careers, specifically engineering, chemistry, physics, and technician responsibilities, meet with 9-12 th grade girls at their school during lunch or a planning period. The format is very casual and free-flowing and is based on the interest and questions of the students that attend. Cathy Ammirati cammirati@micron.com https://www.micron.com/foundation

Nevada Engineering Adventures (EA) is a rigorously researched, kid-tested curriculum that is designed for out-of-school programs, especially for kids in grades 3-5. It offers real-world engineering challenges, promotes creativity and teamwork, and helps to increase kid’s STEM literacy. EA helps all kids, but especially girls, minorities, and other underrepresented groups, recognize their ability to engineer, while building enthusiasm for engineering as a career choice. Cheryl Deese cdeese@mos.org 617-697-0272 https://www.eie.org/engineering-adventures

New Mexico Accelerate New Mexico is a joint initiative of the Regional Development Corporation and six Northern New Mexico Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education. The program is funded by the Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management, and offers an innovative approach to address major barriers to degree completion with the goals of increasing the graduation rates of non-traditional students in certificate and two-year technical degree programs, preparing students for the workforce, and placing students in jobs. Carla Rachkowski carla@rdcnm.org 505-820-1226 http://www.acceleratenm.orgr

Utah With an investment from the Energy Department’s State Energy Program (SEP), the Utah Governor’s office of Energy Development (OED) funded the Greenpower Electric Car Challenge to engage middle and high school students in STEM. The challenge provided a hands-on learning opportunity for students to gain STEM experience through building and racing a single-seat electric car. The top school was awarded a $1,000 stipend for Greenpower race supplies. Another competition is expected for the 2018-2019 school year. Gayle Bowen gayle@bowenstem.com (435) 512-7988 https://www.energy.gov/eere/success-stories/articles/eere-success-story-utah-launched-greenpower-electric-car-challenge

Wyoming The Women in Science Program is designed to show girls and young women that they have the opportunity and capability to achieve success in any scientific, technological, engineering, or mathematical field they choose. Through semi-annual conferences, the program demonstrates these concepts through the sharing of experiences and hands-on, laboratory-type activities led by outstanding professional women in these fields. Participants learn about the opportunities of rewarding, well-paying careers in STEM fields, and also have opportunities to create personal connections with professional women. Peggy Peterson peggy.peterson@noaa.gov 307-857-3898 http://www.wyomingwis.org

STEM Equity News, Events, & Resources

TECHNOLOchicas TECHNOLOchicas is a national initiative of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and Televisa Foundation designed to raise awareness among young Latinas and their families about opportunities and careers in technology. TECHNOLOchicas uses the powerful stories of Latinas from diverse backgrounds, who are in the technology fields, and recognize the power of innovation to change the world. These stories allow girls to see and relate to real-life role models. TECHNOLOchicas Ambassadors speak at events, volunteer at workshops, participate in interviews, and organize outreach activities in their community to inspire Latina youth. Cars of the Future: Artificial Intelligence and Automated Vehicles Join Toyota and Discovery Education for a unique Virtual Field Trip (VFT) on October 30, 2018 at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT to see how Toyota Research Institute is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to bring safety, convenience, and comfort to our lives through automated vehicles and robotics. This VFT is an open-access 30-45 minute virtual production, accessible at no-cost to schools and communities worldwide. The event is streamed into classrooms, and viewers are encouraged to tweet photos and questions during the event using the hashtag #TD365VFT. To learn more and register for the event, go to http://teendrive365inschool.com/community/safety-in-action SheTech SheTech is a STEM activation and engagement platform for high school girls to be exposed to technology, individually create using technology, meet mentors, learn about careers in STEM fields, receive a certification and gain access to internships and scholarships. SheTech is in many states including Utah, Colorado, and Idaho. Use the following links to access more information about SheTech in each of these states: Utah - http://shetechexplorer.com/ Colorado - http://shetechexplorer.com/colorado/ Idaho - http://shetechexplorer.com/idaho/ STEM Gender Equity: Supporting Girls in STEM Without Diminishing Boys Even though girls and women have made great strides in gaining representation in STEM, there is still a gravely low proportion of women graduating and pursuing STEM careers in the United States. Statistics show that girls may participate in STEM activities in high school, but the gap between boys and girls as it relates to progression in STEM becomes drastically wider in the transition from high school to majoring in STEM subjects in college and to ultimately embarking on a STEM career with advancement. This article highlights how we can support girls in STEM, without diminishing boys. September 17, 2018. Utah Valley University Prep Program In 1979, Dr. Manuel P. Berriozabal, a professor of mathematics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, founded the Pre-freshman Engineering Program (PREP) to identify high achieving middle and high school students with the potential and interest in becoming scientists and engineers. PREP successfully developed into a nationally recognized program known as PREP USA. Following the award-winning curriculum of PREP USA, Utah Valley University introduced UVU PREP in June 2013, a STEM based academic enrichment program. UVU Prep is a three-year program available to 6 th grade students from the Alpine, Nebo and Provo school districts and is free to qualifying students.

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IM STEM is a network of STEM educators and leaders across six states (CO, ID, NM, NV, UT, and WY) working to support STEM equity at key transition points (middle school to high school and high school to college).

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1744472. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.