The final stretch is upon us!!
Please check out all the new opportunities to enlarge your network, improve your craft, and engage students in STEM to end this year with excitement!
Please feel free to share this with colleagues who are also interested in resources related to STEM Education! If you have not been receiving this newsletter regularly, go to STEMWest | Building partnerships to improve regional economy! and fill out the short pop up! |
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| Share this opportunity freely with your families and organizations! There will be many STEM businesses and organizations there sharing hands on activities and giveaways focused on STEM and STEM careers! The first 100 families will receive an activity to take home to continue their INNOVATION Exploration!
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| Crunched for time? Good news! The Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Competition deadline for applications/nominations has been extended to April 11! This competition celebrates outstanding science educators and K–12 school programs for their innovative approaches to lab instruction, highlighting excellence in science education. Learn more about the competition here: https://bit.ly/3x3kalS |
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The NSF Speakers Bureau offers its wealth of knowledge & subject matter expertise in a broad range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research & education topics to all types of events and audiences. 
Whether your audience is K-12 students and teachers, a community STEM club, science cafe, small businesses or other researchers, the Speakers Bureau will work with you to find who is best suited for your event and audience.
Learn how to request an NSF speaker:
https://bit.ly/3Vwttoy |
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Those schools involved in LEGO Connection Grants with STEM West are eligible:
While supplies last, FIRST® LEGO® League Discover Class Pack customers registered for the 2023-2024 season can purchase up to 25 additional MASTERPIECESM Discover Sets ($35* per set) through the FIRST® Dashboard.
These additional sets can be used to empower hands-on building experiences through playful learning or by hosting your own FIRST® LEGO® League camp.
*Does not include applicable tax or shipping. Price in USD.
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Application deadline extended! There’s still time to apply to Girls Who Code’s free, virtual Summer Programs for 9th-12th graders. Choose from two free programs:
- The Summer Immersion Program teaches 9th-11th grade girls and non-binary students how to design their own games using p5.js, a JavaScript library for creative coding. Beginner to intermediate coders learn in live virtual classrooms hosted by industry-leading companies like MetLife, Bank of America, Logitech, and Synchrony. Eligible students can even apply for a $300 Student Grant and receive a laptop and wifi hot spot!
- The Self-Paced Program is for 9th-12th grade girls and non-binary students looking for the flexibility to learn at their own pace. Beginner to advanced coders can explore courses in three exciting tracks: Web Development, Cybersecurity, and Data Science + AI.
Apply here by the extended deadline on March 27. More info available at the program flyer, webinars, or FAQs. Need help? Email GWC at [email protected].
—
Claudia Vazquez Hampton | she/her/ella
Manager, Community Partnerships and Outreach
[email protected]
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What is the Human Impact Course?
This 5-session course pack contains free learning through play materials designed by the LEGO Group’s Sustainability team, in partnership with the Natural History Museum in London. With the course’s downloadable resources, educators are empowered to guide learners ages 7-12 through hands-on activities as students learn about the challenge of turning our human impact on nature positive by creating solutions to challenges facing birds, “today’s dinosaurs.” No LEGO® bricks required!
What’s in the Course Pack?
The free, downloadable Course Pack includes everything you need to run the Human Impact course with your students:
- Lesson plans and supplemental materials for five 45-minute classroom sessions, including speaker’s notes, polls, quizzes, animated videos, and a printable course journal. These can be spaced out to create anything from a days-long workshop to a months-long program of weekly lessons.
- Instructions for hosting a “showcase day” event where children’s creations and ideas are displayed.
- Tips and tricks for tailoring the sessions for age and ability, plus ideas for connecting to curricula and involving local decision makers.
- Background information for educators courtesy of the Natural History Museum.
- Materials available in English and Spanish
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An Exciting Opportunity for
High School Teachers to Review
Data Science Curricula!
The Harvard University Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) has been funded by the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) to develop online resources on LabXchange for students and educators focused on connecting data science to biology and environmental science. In collaboration with LabXchange, TIES is recruiting teachers to pilot curriculum materials (assets) which were developed during the first two years of this effort by LabXchange and a group of co-development teachers.
The curricula that have been developed apply data science to pressing real-world challenges in biotechnology and climate change while also highlighting stories of scientists, including Department of Defense researchers, who use data science in their careers. The student curricula developed through this project will authentically engage learners at the intersection of life sciences, statistics, and computer science, building skills in computational thinking and data literacy through interactive virtual learning experiences.
The Asset Trial Cohort will include high school teachers with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, environmental science, statistics, or other relevant subject areas. This cohort will work with the existing Co-Development Teacher Cohort to test the newly developed learning assets and educator resources. |
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STIPEND: $75 for each asset and educator resource pairing reviewed
Time Commitment: 3 hours/review
Deadline for receipt of applications is Sunday, March 31, 2024. |
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A Few Seats Remain for
Molecular Biology Workshop
in April
Dear K-12 Educators,
A few seats remain for the upcoming virtual workshop in NCABR’s Rx for Science Literacy series on April 16. Registration is free. If the workshop is full, please place your name on the waiting list.
Using Technology to Study Cellular and Molecular Biology
Virtual Workshop
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
8:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Rx for Science Literacy is partnering with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to present Using Technology to Study Cellular and Molecular Biology, a one-day virtual workshop for educators.
About the Workshop: This workshop will feature an overview of the National Institute of Health’s Using Technology to Study Cellular and Molecular Biology curriculum, and it will feature presentations by NIEHS researchers about the technology involved in the study of SARS-CoV-2 and the human genome. All instruction will align with the 2023-adopted North Carolina science standards for biology.
NOTE: This virtual workshop will be offered live and will not be available as a recording after the program is over. To receive continuing education credits for the program and to receive a copy of the curriculum manual in the mail after the workshop, all participants will be expected to participate in the entire workshop from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and they will be required to submit an online program evaluation.
About the Curriculum: NIH developed the Using Technology to Study Cellular and Molecular Biology curriculum for students in grades 9-12. The curriculum addresses the major public preconceptions of science and technology, and it addresses scale and resolution, technology and origins of molecular biology, and techniques in the study of cellular and molecular biology, including microscopy, X-ray crystallography, laser technology, simulations and computations.
Register Now →
At Rx for Science Literacy workshops, educators hear from scientists about their latest research advances and receive free curriculum materials. Attendees also receive:
- 1 unit of certification renewal credit for North Carolina-certified educators (4 hours of additional work required)
- Substitute teacher support (up to $80) for N.C. educators only
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Innovation Island: The Friday Institute
Are you pioneering innovative practices in your classroom, school, or district? Do you have insights, strategies, or success stories that could inspire and empower fellow educators? If so, we invite you to submit a proposal to present at The Friday Institute’s Professional Learning & Leading Collaborative’s Innovation Island: A Professional Development Adventure.
Presenting at Innovation Island is a unique opportunity to showcase your expertise, share your challenges and victories, and contribute to the collective journey of educational transformation. Whether you’re navigating the realms of technology integration, delving into data-informed practices, championing equity and inclusion, or exploring the frontiers of pedagogy, your voice is valuable and needed.
Deadline Reminder: The deadline for submissions is April 2nd at 5 PM.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have already submitted proposals!
Notice of acceptances will be sent out the week of April 29th.
Event Details:
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Dates: June 18th and 20th, 2024
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Secondary: Tuesday, June 18th
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Elementary: Thursday, June 20th
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Time: Registration from 8:30 – 9:00 AM; Sessions run from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
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Location: The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, 1890 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606
Presenter Benefits:
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Complimentary Conference Access: To show our appreciation, presenters will receive complimentary access to the Innovation Island conference and lunch on the day you present.
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Professional Growth: Presenting at Innovation Island is an enriching experience that can enhance your resume, expand your professional network, and further your own learning.
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Impact Your Community: By sharing your knowledge and experiences at Innovation Island, you play a crucial role in shaping the future of education and making a lasting impact on your peers.
Submission Guidelines:
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Themes: We are looking for dynamic, engaging sessions related to any of our Innovation Island themes: Leadership Lagoon, Data Dunes, Tech Tiki Village, Computer Science Keys, AI Archipelago, Pedagogy Peninsula, Collaboration Cay, Equity Estuary, SEL Oasis, Frontier Fjord, and STEM Shores.
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Format: Interactive sessions led by individuals or pairs are welcome!
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Length: Sessions are 50 minutes.
How to Submit:
Please visit go.ncsu.edu/innovationislandcfp to submit your proposal.
Join us as a presenter at the Innovation Island conference and play a pivotal role in charting the course towards educational excellence. Together, we can inspire change, foster innovation, and equip our educators and students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Please share this opportunity with any colleagues that may be interested in presenting.
We look forward to your proposals and to welcoming you as part of our island of innovators this summer!
Thank you,
The PLLC Team at the Friday Institute
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