STEM Ed Update 1/15/2018

Please enjoy this week's STEM Ed update.

Top Story:

Americans See Range of Problems Plaguing STEM Education

Campus Technology

Women in STEM careers are more likely than men to say that they've faced gender discrimination at work, particularly if they hold an advanced degree, work in a computer job or work in in an environment with more men. Men and women in STEM fields also disagree somewhat on how likely hard work and assertiveness are to advance their career goals. These findings come from a new report from Pew Research examining attitudes about STEM careers and education generally and gender and racial equity in STEM careers more specifically. Continue reading here.

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Latest STEM Education News

We Need More Women and Minorities in STEM Fields

Real Clear Markets

Grace Hopper was an extraordinary human being. She was one of the pioneers of computer science, helping to develop some of the first programming languages used, some of which are still used today. She was also extraordinary because she did these things in a military dominated by men and a field that over time became dominated by men. When she graduated from Vassar College in 1928, less than 5 percent of women were college graduates and roughly 40 percent of bachelor's degrees were granted to women. Even fewer were in STEM fields. This restricted the number of women who could become a Grace Hopper, limiting the number of inventors and inventions that could have spurred growth in the U.S. economy. Read more here.

7 Facts About the STEM Workforce

Pew Research Center

Employment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations has grown 79% since 1990, from 9.7 million to 17.3 million, outpacing overall U.S. job growth. There's no single standard for which jobs count as STEM, and this may contribute to a number of misperceptions about who works in STEM and the difference that having a STEM-related degree can make in workers' pocketbooks. A new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data takes a broad-based look at the STEM workforce from 1990 to 2016 based on an analysis of adults ages 25 and older working in any of 74 occupations. Continue reading here.

'When' Does Learning Happen Best? Dan Pink on the Science Behind Timing and Education

EdSurge

As the old adage goes, time is what we want most but what we use worst. Whether it's sleeping or studying, or sticking with New Year's resolutions, it often seems like there is simply never enough time. The crunch is felt especially among teachers and students, as they scramble through school days crammed with ever more activities and responsibilities.So what's the best way to make the most effective use of our limited time? Continue reading here.

STEM in the States:

Improved Drone Technology Gives Farmers Edge in Scouting Fields
BolivarMoNews

Drones are higher in quality and lower in price than they were just a few years ago when farmers began using them, according to University of Missouri Extension natural resources engineer Kent Shannon.

Shannon gave an update on drone technology at MU Extension's annual Crop Management Conference Dec. 18-19 in Columbia. Shannon has taught farmers and extension educators how to use new technology for 25 years. His work put him on Successful Farming magazine's recent list profiling 10 exceptional extension specialists. Continue reading here.

Around the Community:

Expansion of AP Computer Science Courses Draws More Girls and Minorities

The Washington Post

Ten years ago, girls were so scarce in high school computer science classes that the number of female students taking Advanced Placement tests in that subject could be counted on one hand in nine states. In five others, there were none. Latino and African American students were also

in short supply, a problem that has bedeviled educators for years and hindered efforts to diversify the high-tech workforce. Now, an expansion of AP computer science classes is helping to draw more girls and underrepresented minorities into a field of growing importance for schools, universities and the economy. Read more here.

The M3 Challenge: Opportunity to Win Up To $100,000 in Scholarships

MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge

MathWorks Math Modeling (M3) Challenge (http://m3challenge.siam.org) is the new name of the prestigious Internet-based competition known for providing a pinnacle high school experience for juniors and seniors and inspiring them to pursue STEM majors and careers. Now sponsored by leading software developer MathWorks, the contest is free and open to all U.S. students, and will award top teams this year with $100,000 in scholarships toward the pursuit of higher education. M3 Challenge has given more than one million dollars in scholarships to date and has been endorsed by the NASSP since 2010. Challenge weekend is set for March 2-5, 2018. Registration is open now through Friday, February 23, at 4 p.m. EST sharp! Continue reading 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 Leadership 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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