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

Join us at the next IM STEM Network Meeting


Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 3pm MT

What's going on In the network?
Communications and Resource Sharing
The Communication and Resource Sharing group asks that you get the most out of network membership by engaging in conversation with each other on our social media channels, including our LinkedIn group (IM STEM Network) and Twitter (@imstemequity). We have also created a form on the IMSTEM website where you can enter information about your program, so we can share it across the network in future IM STEM newsletters. 


Please also continue to invite your professional colleagues to take advantage of the network by signing up today at our website: https://www.napequity.org/stem/stem-equity-project/imstem/ . 
Data and Metrics
In partnership with Idaho, this workgroup has developed a pilot data dashboard to display data from Idaho’s career and technical education programs to test the feasibility of using a dashboard to conduct a more comprehensive equity gap analysis. Perkins V requires data to be disaggregated by gender, race/ethnicity and each of the 9 special population groups. This pilot dashboard can inform states as they are working on data collection and accountability in their State Plans for Perkins V. To learn more about Perkins V and to view the national data dashboards go to NAPE’s resource page at https://www.napequity.org/public-policy/frontline-legislation/strengthening-career-and-technical-education-for-the-21st-century-act/  
Asset Map Building
Our asset mapping team is currently working with Nevada to develop an asset map that shows where STEM programming exists. Some states already have maps, including Idaho  and Wyoming , and you can view them by clicking on the state name. New Mexico  has just launched their “crowd sourced” STEM asset map (for NM STEM programs only). Any other questions about the IMSTEM Asset map initiative, please contact Kathleen Fitzpatrick kfitzpatrick@napequity.org .  
Effective Practice Scaling
The Rubric for Evaluating Programs to Broaden Participation in STEM was released at our September network meeting. A tool for evaluating programs and the factors that influence access and success for underrepresented students in STEM education is available at https://www.napequity.org/stem/stem-equity-project/imstem/stem-equity-program-evaluation-rubric/ . 
Pilot Monitoring
This workgroup continues to monitor NAPE’s professional development efforts in the six states. Since the fall of 2017 (the beginning of the NSF INCLUDES DDLP: IM STEM grant) NAPE has conducted professional development (PD) in five states at twelve sites with over 1200 educators. The Pilot Monitoring workgroup will be conducting a follow-up survey with participants to learn more about the impact of this PD.For more information about NAPE’s PD contact Kathleen Fitzpatrick at kfitzpatrick@napequity.org .
What's going on Around the network?
Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is a member of the Colorado, Wyoming Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program. The consortium of fifteen Colorado and Wyoming Instructions of higher education works to increase the number of Black/African American, Native American, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander, and Alaska Native students earning bachelor’s degrees in STEM. STEM at UNC includes the School of Biological Sciences , the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences , the School of Mathematical Sciences , and the Department of Physics and Astronomy . UNC has opportunities for students to be involved in research and travel throughout the academic year.

To learn more about LSAMP and eligibility requirements/links to apply for a research scholarship or a travel grant, go to https://www.unco.edu/nhs/stem-inclusive-excellence-collective/student-opportunities/minority-participation.aspx

Idaho

Micron Technology began Chip Camp in 2001 to inspire middle school students to pursue STEM careers by introducing them to STEM activities, industry professionals and exciting technology. The camp is held for three 3-day sessions in June with about 75 students per session. Students engage in STEM discovery, exploration, and tech fun through hands-on activities. Each activity is facilitated by Micron employees, which gives students the chance to meet and interact with STEM mentors. Over 140 employees, including college interns, volunteer their time to lead the activities. Community partners, including the Idaho Virtual Reality Council, Boise School District’s Dennis Technical Education Center, and Boise State University, help spark students’ STEM interest at Chip Camp. Evaluations indicate that 88% of participants cite Chip Camp as an experience that increases their likelihood of pursuing a STEM career. Micron has found this to be true, as a number of their incoming employees are Chip Camp alumni!


Nevada


Nevadans with a special interest in advancing STEM education have a new way to support the cause. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles recently released a new specialized license plate the proceeds of which will go toward supporting nonprofit organizations that attempt to interest and train more students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The new plate features a green-and-white background, the letters “STEM” across the bottom and the logo for the Governor’s Office on Science, Innovation and Technology, which — together with a STEM advisory council — will provide grants to organizations that promote scientific and technical education.




New Mexico

Individuals interested in dentistry can try Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC’s) Dental Program . In just 10 months of concentrated study, an individual can begin working with a Certificate in Dental Assisting. They can then choose to continue their education to earn an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Health, which puts them on the path towards a career in Dental Hygiene or Dentistry. Students will learn about clinical procedures, dental materials, radiography, and dental sciences. To learn more about SFCC’s Dental Program, career opportunities and potential employers, click on the Web site below.

For more information, contact:
Aamna Nayyar
(505) 428-1258


2nd Annual Cybersecurity Far at the College of Southern Nevada, North Las Vegas Campus on Wednesday, October 20, 2019. Learn more at https://www.stemhub.nv.gov/events/2nd-annual-cybersecurity-fair

Utah

CSforAll National Summit , University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, October 21-23, 2019
This year the theme for the CSforAll Summit is Systems Change. As the movement matures, we are challenging the community to dig deep and think long term, moving beyond individual efforts to inspire students and prepare educators, transform the systems that will ensure that computer science becomes an integral and sustained part of the K-12 experience, both in and out of schools. The national Computer Science (CS) community will convene in Salt Lake City, October 21-23, to celebrate progress on the CSforAll movement and announce new commitments to reach the goal of access to rigorous, inclusive and sustainable access to computer science education for all US students. 


The  National 4-H Council  is partnering with the U.S. Air Force to teach young people computer science skills. A $150,000 grant from the  U.S. Air Force  will provide communities in Colorado, Missouri and Utah with a free curriculum to participate in the  4-H National Youth Science Day   (4-H NYSD).
This year's 4-H NYSD challenge is called Game Changers and it focuses on teaching computer science skills through games and physical activities. The grant will also support the training of teen leaders who will facilitate the activities for 4-H.

Wyoming

Wyoming Afterschool Alliance offers an interactive tool to tell the story of STEM education in afterschool programs in communities across Wyoming. The data maps help to show the current landscape of programming, identify geographic and programmatic areas for targeted support, and identify programs with expertise that can be shared with others. For providers, the maps can provide a sense of what STEM content areas, curricula, data tools, and funding sources others are using, and who they might reach out to with questions about any of these items. 
Wyoming Afterschool Alliance
(307) 335-9922


Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow education contest is accepting applications from 6 th -12 th grade public school educators now through October 23, 2019. The competition invites teachers to lead a group of students in creating a STEM-centered solution that addresses a need in their communities. Entering a class and general idea into this contest only takes a few minutes. Contest applicants will have a chance to win a share of $3 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies for their school throughout the competition (more than $100K for each winning school). For more details, including the contest rules, visit samsung.com/solve . Should you have any questions about the contest, email solvefortomorrow@sea.samsung.com . 



Telling Our Story Through Data: ASTRA’s STEM on the Hill State STEM & Innovation Report Cards 2019

Now in its 19th year of publication, ASTRA’s STEM on the Hill State STEM Report Cards series illustrates the importance of scientific and engineering research and STEM Education to state and local economies, job growth, innovation, competitiveness, our standard of living and U.S. national security. A variety of measurements, including data from ASTRA, EMSI, the Small Business Technology Council, EPSCoR/IDeA Foundation and key U.S. Government statistical sources, provide context to these reports. These metrics help users compare their own state with others.

Key features of the 2019 State STEM & Innovation Reports include:

  1. Ranking of states by 9 Key Innovation Metrics;
  2. The Top 20 Industry Sectors for each state according to the concept of Location Quotient (LQ) — which provides strategic insight into a state’s special strengths in terms of economic and workforce potential ;
  3. The Top 40 STEM Job Occupations projected for each state between 2018 and 2028;
  4. Key economic characteristics;
  5. How the SBIR / STTR program keeps America secure and growing; and
  6. Addressing geographic imbalance — EPSCoR / IDeA program.
  7. Focus on Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The ASTRA State STEM & Innovation Report Cards are the single best source for understanding each state’s outstanding qualities and capacities. ASTRA's “Innovation X-Ray” also helps inform policy debates with specific and the most current data about federal funding, local economies, and workforce development. April 21, 2018. www.usinnovation.org/state-innovation-vital-signs



Study Identifies Racial Disparities in STEM Graduation Rates

When Black and Latino students begin college, they have the same level of interest in STEM majors compared to their White peers, but the rates of switching majors or leaving college are much higher for Black and Latino students. A  new study  from  University of Texas at Austin  researchers, published in the  Educational Researcher journal , looked into the trends of STEM graduation rates through a racial lens using data from the  Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study  from the U.S. Department of Education's  National Center of Education Statistics . June 17, 2019. https://steamuniverse.com/articles/2019/06/17/racial-disparities-in-stem-graduation-rates.aspx?oly_enc_id=3792C5317767F0X



Minority-Serving Institutions Poised to Lose $255M in Federal Funding

Although historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) are chronically underfunded, gridlock in Congress may further drain their coffers. For more than a decade, Congress has allocated $255 million each year to MSIs under the Higher Education Act. The funding can be used for a variety of purposes, though most of it supports underrepresented students in STEM. On September 30, 2019, however, that funding expired, largely because lawmakers are divided over how to renew it. Although it will continue  through the next fiscal year , its lapse has left a cloud of uncertainty over the program's future. October 1, 2019. https://www.educationdive.com/news/minority-serving-institutions-poised-to-lose-255m-in-federal-funding/564145/



Rep. Maloney and Senator Hirono Reintroduce Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act

Reintroduced late September in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) and in the Senate by Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act would establish grants to support programs designed to increase participation for women and minorities in STEM. Under the bill, grants would support online workshops, mentoring opportunities to connect professionals with students, internships for undergraduate and graduate students, outreach programs for K-12 students, and retention programs for STEM faculty. September 30, 2019. https://maloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-maloney-and-senator-hirono-reintroduce-women-and-minorities-in-stem

Help grow the network!
Please forward this newsletter to colleagues and contacts.
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.