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In This Issue
Quick Links
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 NGCP Updates:
The National Girls Collaborative Project is currently seeking referrals for new convening organizations to lead state Collaboratives. Prospective convening organizations have a presence in their respective state's conversation on equity in STEM with a commitment to collaboration. Examples of convening organizations include: universities; museums; afterschool networks;
 and STEM program providers. Referrals are being considered for the following states: Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
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For more information, contact
[email protected] or visit our
New Collaborative Application online.
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CryptoClub Network Project is Seeking Activity Leaders
NGCP is proud to partner with the University of Chicago on a National Science Foundation (NSF) award that brings CryptoClub to our network. The CryptoClub Project develops classroom and web-based materials to teach cryptography and related mathematics to middle-grade students in informal settings. The curriculum was developed with NSF support and has been nationally field-tested.
Eight Collaboratives are seeking CryptoClub Leaders in their states (FL, ID, MT, NC, OR, PA, WA, and WV) to attend a professional development experience this summer. Activity Leaders will receive training for the CryptoClub Curriculum and access to online resources and an active community of practice. For curriculum information, visit CryptoClub. To reach a Hubsite near you, please contact Casi Herrera.
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Design Squad Global - Global Day of the Engineer 
Join Design Squad Global (DSG) in a pledge to engage kids in hands-on engineering activities on Global Day of the Engineer, April 5, 2017. Take part in the world-wide celebration of engineering with #GlobalEngineer and continue the experience through Design Squad Global Clubs, a program that provides kids with the opportunity to work alongside peers in another country to find solutions to real-world issues using the power of engineering. To date, nearly 300 clubs from 25 countries have taken part in the global experience, including three recent additions through NGCP. Take the Global Day pledge and sign-up to start your own DSG Club this summer. Register by April 10, 2017 to join the clubs that start in May.
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Collaborative Network Activities
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STEM Mentoring Cafe - Des Moines
Des Moines, IA; April 8, 2017
The STEM Mentoring Café is a speed-mentoring program aimed at inspiring historically underrepresented and underserved populations in STEM fields to consider STEM disciplines by engaging students (grades 6-12) in interactive demonstrations, and show-and-tell chats with STEM role models about their careers. Educators wil receive material to continue STEM engagement with students. Register.
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Spotlight
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Upcoming STEM Events
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 National Robotics Week
April 8-16, 2017
Robotics Week is a series of events and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of the growing importance of robotic technology development and the tremendous social and cultural impact that it will have on the future of the United States. Search events near you and/or submit your event to be included on an interactive map.
BOOST (Best of Out-of-School Time) Conference
Palm Springs, CA; April 18-21, 2017
Participants will have the opportunity to network, participate in team-building activities, and learn about the latest trends and research in innovative and quality out-of-school time programming.
Register.
 National Math Festival
Washingron D.C.; April 22,2017
The National Math Festival brings together some of the most fascinating mathematicians of our time to inspire and challenge participants to see math in new and exciting ways. This free and public celebration features activities for every age level, from early learning activities for toddlers and daring mathematical challenges for teens, to lectures, hands-on art, puzzles, and games.
Details.
National Environmental Education Week (EE Week)
April 23-29, 2017
EE Week is a celebration of environmental education and inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students. To find events, toolkits, and other resources visit the
National Environmental Education Foundation website.
National Summit for Educational Equity (NSEE)
Arlington, VA; April 24-27, 2017
The NSEE will bring together leaders in educational equity to build capacity, knowledge, and skills to transform education, enrich classrooms, and improve student success. The 2017 theme is "Reach Greater Heights with Access, Equity, and Diversity."
X-STEM Symposium
Washington D.C.; April 28, 2017
Presented by the U.S. Department of Defense, X-STEM is an extreeme STEM symposium for middle through high school students featuring interactive presentations and workshops by an exclusive group of visionaries who aim to empower and inspire kids about careers in STEM.
Register.
 U.S. News STEM Solutions National Conference
San Diego, CA; May 24-26, 2017
Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to initiate the action necessary to improve STEM education and increase employment in STEM fields. Tracks include: Laying the Foundation: Improving K-12 STEM Education, Skills for Tomorrow: Building a STEM-Savvy Workforce, and Inspiring Minds: Expanding Equity and Access.
Register.
Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) National Conference
Westminster, CO; June 12-14, 2017
This year's theme is "Creating the Mindset for Action" and will inspire attendees to take action and make real progress in advancing cultural change and responsibility within their own organizations and institutions. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with diversity and inclusion advocates, and learn research based best-practices related to gender equity and inclusion in engineering.
Register.
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Spotlight
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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.
 In recognition of
Earth Day, we are featuring a program provider that is marking the day with a STEM-filled opportunity for families.
Gateway to Science, North Dakota's hands-on science center for kids of all ages, serves 30,000 visitors each year with its interactive exhibits gallery. They also offers afterschool clubs, summer science camps, workshops on school-release days, and several free family events throughout the year.
 In holding the
Earth Day STEMboree, Gateway to Science is "taking a moment to appreciate our favorite planet on Earth Day." This free family event offers visitors a look at scientific phenomena on Earth, as well as ways to take good care of the planet. Planned hands-on discovery stations include: The inside of our planet, Engineering for earthquakes, Greenhouse effect and our atmosphere, and Composting.
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. And thanks to our
partnership with VolunteerMatch, you can link your accounts and recruit volunteers to grow your non-profit STEM program, taking advantage of our
new Volunteer Listings page.
Stay connected to The Connectory:
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STEM Resources
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April is Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
April marks a time to increase the understanding and appreciation of math and statistics. Both subjects play a significant role in addressing many real-world problems (internet security, sustainability, disease, climate change, etc.) Research is revealing new results and applications in fields such as medicine, manufacturing, energy, biotechnology, and business. Mathematics and statistics are important drivers of innovation in our technological world, in which new systems and methodologies continue to become more complex.
Celebrate Earth Day in April
Teach the importance of civic responsibility and environmental sustainability this month to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd and Environmental Education Week, April 23-29, 2017.
Advancing Climate Change Environmental Education: Resources and Suggestions
Resource includes research findings, standards, and teaching suggestions appropriate for social studies, language arts, science, and interdisciplinary learning.
Earth Day Network
This year's theme is "Environmental & Climate Literacy". To empower everyone with knowledge to act in defense of environmental protection the Earth Day Network has developed
toolkit resources (available in multiple languages). Register an Earth Day event or search for an event in your area.
 Exploring the Outdoors for Earth Day
April 5 and 6, 2017
Gain the confidence and resources to help kids learn, play, and grow outside this Earth Day. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's BirdSleuth team is hosting a special webinar to share fun and easy ways to help kids explore their local habitats using an Explorer's Guidebook. This webinar is open to all, but educators who attend the full webinar and work with underserved audiences will be eligible to receive up to 100 free printed copies of the guidebook in English or Spanish.
Register.
National Education Association (NEA) Earth Day Curriculum Resources
The NEA Earth Day
Curriculum Resources website includes: lesson plans, projects, and activities for grades K-12.
Science NetLinks Earth Day
A collection of
lessons and resources to help teachers and students prepare for Earth Day. These resources will also help teachers who want to incorporate the holiday's messages of ecology and environmentalism in the classroom year-round.
NCWIT: Interrupting Bias
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) had two new resources that will help the user practice ways to interrupt bias in real-life situations. Each resource includes tips for facilitating discussion sessions as well as questions and considerations for bias-busting discussions. Available in two scenarios
Industry Settings and
Academic Settings.
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Global Resources
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International Girls in Information & Communication Technology Day
April 27, 2017
 International Girls in ICT Day aims to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs). It is celebrated every year on the 4th Thursday in April. The website includes a Toolkit for organizing your own Girls in ICT Day event.
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