Washington, D.C. – U.S. News STEM Solutions is proud to announce the sponsors, media partners and supporting organizations to date for the second edition of this critical National Conference, scheduled for June 17-19, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

 

Members of these diverse organizations will collaborate with other leaders and visionaries from business, education and government in finding solutions to the gap in America’s STEM-related skills and unfilled jobs. With all voices combined, the conference promotes resolution-oriented conversations about how the community will work together to advance the future of STEM.

 

“The support of these organizations is a critical element driving the development of the 2013 event,” noted Brian Kelly, Editor and Chief Content Officer of U.S. News & World Report. “The growing number of supporters indicates a national consensus, a pressing need for all of us to come together to improve STEM education and bridge the gap that exists in STEM careers.”

 

Supporters of the U.S. News STEM Solutions, as of May 2013:

 

Sponsors:

ACT

American Institutes for Research

AT&T

Battelle

Chevron

Cisco

Cockrell School of Engineering 

Department of Defense 

Freescale

General Motors

Microsoft

Motorola Solutions Foundation

National Instruments

Purdue University

Society of Manufacturing Engineers

STEMx

Tata Consulting Services

Texas Instruments

The University of Texas MD Anderson Center 

University of Phoenix

Verizon Foundation

VEX Robotics

 

Media Partners:

KXAN Austin

NBC5 DFW

Radio Disney

Scholastic Administr@tor

Science Magazine (AAAS) 

Science News (SSP) 

Scientific American

The Texas Tribune

 

Supporting Organizations:

Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) 

Association of Science-Technology Centers 

Corporate Voices for Working Families

Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) 

Educate Texas

Entertainment Industries Council (EIC)

Girlstart

My College Options

National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE)

National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)

National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP)

Project Lead the Way

STEMconnector

Teach for America

Texas Girls Collaborative Project

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – ICW

Women in Engineering – University of Texas

Zapphire School of Informatics and Technology

Change the Equation

Door64

Handstand Inc. (Nota Reader)

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Jobs for the Future (JFF)

National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions (NASSMC) 

National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)

National Math & Science Initiative (NMSI)

National Minority Technology Council (NMTC)

Reasoning Mind

Society of Women Engineers

Texas STEM Center Coalition

 

Supporters will have a footprint in the Exhibit Hall and throughout the conference. For more information about becoming a Partner or Supporter, visit: www.USNewsSTEMSolutions.com/partners/sponsorship-packages or 

www.USNewsSTEMSolutions.com/become-a-supporting-organization.

 

U.S. News STEM Solutions—The National Conference was created to foster collaboration among those working to advance the agenda for national change in STEM education, policy, and workforce development. For up-to-date information, visit www.USNewsSTEMSolutions.com. Connect with U.S. News STEM Solutions on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

 

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is a multi-platform publisher of news and analysis, which includes the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Personal Finance, Education, Travel, Cars, and Public Service/Opinion, U.S. News has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. U.S. News & World Report’s signature franchise includes its News You Can Use® brand of journalism and its annual “Best” series of consumer web guides and publications that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, mutual funds, health plans, and more.

 

Media Contact:

Reily McEvers | Public Relations Coordinator | Marketing Design Group 

Phone: 619.298.1445 x101

Email: reily@marketingdesigngroup.com

 

Today is Endangerd Species Day! An endangered species is defined as any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 400 animals that are listed as endangered. Learn about the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and more in this featured collection.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Energy Department and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) today announced that registration is now open for America’s Home Energy Education Challenge (AHEEC), a national student competition created to help families save money by saving energy. Students, educators, and school principals are encouraged to register to participate at HomeEnergyChallenge.org.

 

Administered by NSTA for the Energy Department, America’s Home Energy Education Challenge inspires student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while encouraging elementary and middle school students to make smarter energy choices and save energy at home.

 

“America’s Home Energy Education Challenge is all about helping families save money by saving energy, while inspiring the next generation of America’s energy leaders,” said Acting Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman. “This competition is giving students across the country the skills and tools they need to reduce energy waste in their homes and to pursue their interests in science and technology.” 

 

“Teachers are always in search of new ideas and creative ways to motivate their students in science,” said Dr. David Evans, Executive Director, NSTA. “America’s Home Energy Education Challenge is a valuable teaching tool for educators, encouraging active learning about conservation and science, while helping to cultivate student interest in the STEM subjects.”

 

Participation in AHEEC will be broken into two parts: the Home Energy Challenge and the Energy Fitness Award. Each is designed to encourage students to learn about science and home energy savings, and participants can chose one or get involved with both. All students from third to eighth grade are eligible to enter for both parts of the challenge, including students in after school and home school programs.

 

Home Energy Challenge

Through the Home Energy Challenge participants will leverage the power of school spirit to engage rival schools in a local home energy savings competition. Participating student teams will monitor and measure their energy consumption over a three-month period between September 2013 and February 2014, and compare it to data from the same period the year before.  

 

Schools of all sizes are eligible to compete and schools without other nearby schools to compete against may hold a competition among classes within their school. After-school programs and students who are homeschooled are also encouraged to participate in this competition. Registration for the Home Energy Challenge begins today and runs through November 15, 2013.  The Challenge officially kicks off for school participation on September 1, 2013, and schools can begin their three month competition period any time between then and November 15.

 

Competing schools and classes will compete within 11 regions for more than $60,000 in prizes that will be distributed at the regional and national levels of the competition. Winning teams will be determined by the decrease in students’ year-over-year home energy use, percentage of class or school participation, and the overall creativity and quality of their local competition. The first place regional award winners will qualify for the national competition and will be judged by a panel of educators, scientists, and energy experts.

 

Energy Fitness Award

As part of AHEEC, the Energy Fitness Award is an individual challenge that will begin September 1, 2013 and continue through the school year. Modeled after the President’s Physical Fitness Test, the Energy Fitness Award challenges students to better understand foundational energy issues and provides students with an opportunity to learn where their energy comes from and how to use it efficiently.

 

Through this challenge, students must complete specific tasks, such as interpreting a home energy bill and learning how to conduct a home energy assessment, and then demonstrate their learning and proficiency. Badges of achievement will be awarded at three levels: Joule, Kilojoule, and Megajoule. The Energy Fitness Award is open to any student, including homeschoolers or members of after school science programs and energy clubs.

 

To register to join America's Home Energy Education Challenge or to find more information, please visit HomeEnergyChallenge.org.

Twenty-first century technology is abundant across the United States – how is it impacting the future job landscape?  According to a recent U.S. News STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Leadership Summit, 1.2 million STEM jobs will go unfilled by 2018.   These attractive positions command higher salaries and offer lower unemployment rates than most other careers.

 

iD Tech Camps, a summer STEM program where ages 7-17 are immersed in hands-on learning to produce relevant tech projects, is currently meeting the need for STEM skill-building.  During the weeklong, day and overnight summer programs students create video games, develop iPhone® and Android™ apps, program in C++ or Java, build robots, make movies with Adobe® After Effects®, or complete other tech-based projects.  Programs are held nationally in 26 states at over 60 prestigious universities including Stanford, Princeton, UCLA, Emory, Columbia, Purdue, Towson, and others.  Courses are delivered in small classes (max 8:1 ratio) in a fun, yet challenging environment.

 

Also for Teens, there are 2-week, pre-college summer programs at iD Programming Academy, iD Gaming Academy, or iD Visual Arts Academy.  Ages 13-18 collaborate with other students who share their same interests, tour a company, interact with industry professionals, and learn tips on how to get into STEM careers.  Using their new knowledge, each student produces a portfolio of work that may serve as a competitive edge when applying to colleges.  They can also earn Accredited Continuing Education Units to demonstrate they’ve completed course with college-level difficulty.

 

Providing experience with popular technology products while teaching skills that lead to potentially lucrative, high-demand jobs, iD Tech Camps and iD Tech Academies are doing their part to fill future STEM careers.

 

More information can be found at www.internalDrive.com or by calling 1-888-709-TECH (8324).  Space is filling quickly, but there are still some seats left for 2013.  Save $50 when you register and pay in full at the time of registration with code SC2013 by May 31st.

 

The latest research report from The American Association of University Women (AAUW) called Women in Community Colleges: Access to Success, looks specifically at the experience of student mothers and women in nontraditional fields-including science, technology, engineering, and math-at community colleges. AAUW will host a panel discussion about the new report on Tuesday, May 21, at 2 p.m. EDT. The event will be live streamed online. A panel of experts, including AAUW researchers and a representative from the American Association for Women in Community Colleges, will lead the discussion. The panel will focus on the role of gender as a significant consideration in increasing graduation and completion rates at community colleges.

 

What:AAUW Women in Community Colleges Report Live-Stream

When: Tuesday, May 21st at 2PM EDT

The AIAA Member Spotlight for April, 2013, shines on Mary Lassiter Snitch, Senior Manager, External Business Relations, Lockheed Martin Corporate Engineering and Technology in Bethesda, MD.

 

An AIAA Fellow, Snitch has held several leadership posts throughout her membership with AIAA. She is currently the Vice President – Elect of Public Policy. Previously, she has served as the Director – International from 2011 to 2013, and the Vice President of Member Services from 2008 to 2011. She currently serves as an appointed member of the Compensation Committee    Other active Committee engagement includes Corporate Member, International Activities and Public Policy.  Snitch is also a former Chair of AIAA’s National Capitol Section 2002-03.

 

Snitch’s inspiration to enter aerospace as a profession came from the times she was raised in, explaining: “I was a child of the Sputnik era and to this day I have a vivid memory of watching the news coverage on a black-and-white television in my classroom.  As I progressed through high school, I was very interested in math and science and was fortunate to have strong and very memorable teachers on those subjects, but I opted for business degrees in college – B. S. in Business Management, George Mason University, and MBA, Business, Economics and Public Policy, George Washington University.”

 

Snitch’s earliest inspirations in aerospace were many, “I had a number of positive influences in my youth and into college – teachers, my family and a small town community – all who constantly impressed upon me the critical importance of a good education.   By the time I entered college, and particularly during pursuit of my MBA, I held a management position at the US Department of State and Arms Control Agency, focused on US and international S&T program issues and policy.   I was surrounded by experts in those fields who served as mentors and further motivated me to continue a career in or related to aerospace.   Two weeks after receiving my MBA, that aerospace career was launched at TRW in 1983.   That was followed with moving to Pasadena, Calif., to join the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as the Manager, Legislative and International Affairs, and then returning to Washington, D.C. to join Lockheed Martin Corporation.”

 

Snitch’s fondest career moments stem from her volunteer work with AIAA and ARCS Foundation, as well as the work she has done representing Lockheed Martin with U.S. and international based organizations like the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronautical Federation.

 

When asked about the ARCS Foundation, Snitch explained: “The ARCS Foundation dates to 1958 – it was founded as a direct response to Sputnik, answering the critical need to support young US scholars pursuing advanced studies in science and math (today’s STEM fields). Fifty-five years later, there are 17 ARCS Chapters that raise over $4.0 million annually for scholar awards. 100% is distributed to undergraduate and graduate scholars at 55 of America’s leading universities. Since 1958, nearly $90 million dollars has been distributed to some 9500 scholars who are now integrated into the US workforce in industry, academia or government. While we don’t have exact numbers, many ARCS scholars were also members of an AIAA Student Chapter and are now in the US aerospace community. Many are indeed active members of AIAA – individuals such as Dr. Glen Henshaw (University of Maryland), Naval Research Laboratory; Dr. Kristen Bloschock (Georgetown University), Lockheed Martin Corporation; Dr. Suneel Sheikh (University of Maryland), ASTER Labs, Inc., and Mr. Falcon Rankins, an ARCS scholar while pursuing his PhD at the University of Maryland, School of Engineering.”

 

“I discover ARCS scholars and alums wherever I go, as well as faculty, advisors and administrators from ARCS partner institutions. Many of these distinguished individuals are also active members of AIAA. Others should be. Closer ties between AIAA and the ARCS community (scholars, partner colleges and universities, and the ARCS Foundation) would be a professional win-win for all.” Snitch concluded our discussion about the  ARCS Foundation by asking all AIAA members to get involved with the organization, stating: “As AIAA members, you know that we too have a strong focus on supporting STEM-related education and career development – K-12, undergraduate, graduate, through early career. We understand that the promise of sustained networking and support through each level motivates and helps to retain the next generation of scientists and engineers as they pursue and achieve lifetime careers. Engaging and integrating ARCS scholars and alums from aerospace fields more fully into AIAA would provide an instant network for their own career interests as well as expand the networking and collaborative opportunities of AIAA students and young career members. It would also expose AIAA student members and their advisors to another potential avenue of financial support.” For more information about the ARCS Foundation, please visit: https://www.arcsfoundation.org.  

 

As for the future of aerospace, Snitch sees “the future through the eyes of students pursuing STEM-related degrees, and, of course, the hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students, who each year receive significant scholar awards through ARCS Foundation.   These scholars, and indeed other students pursuing STEM degrees at universities across America are a critical sign-post.   They are pursuing degrees in science, technology and mathematics because they see an exciting future in aerospace -- be it in industry, government or academia.  I am betting on the foresight of these outstanding future aerospace leaders!” To those students still in college seeking their degrees, she counseled: “The single most valuable thing a college student, studying in the STEM fields can do is to find a mentor in the professional ranks of their career path. That mentor will help them understand and progress along that path. I have been privileged to serve as a mentor and role model for many students who may not have identified a starting point for their career.  I also have a practice of maintaining contact with scholars who are new entrants to the aerospace community, and I also promote the great value of AIAA membership early in their career.”

 

When asked for her advice to high school students, Snitch replied: “They should be helped to understand, early on, that a tremendous amount of pride and satisfaction can be derived from an aerospace career, and that as a dedicated member of the aerospace workforce they will help ensure that US global competitiveness and US leadership in advancing technology is maintained and promoted.  They should also be helped to understand that there is a place for many academic fields in the aerospace workforce – of course, scientists and engineers, but also finance, law, contract administration, communications, public policy and others, and that is what makes aerospace such a special profession – we need students with diverse skill-sets, so that even a student with difficulties in math or science, but who has strong speaking or writing skills can help the industry thrive!” “Perhaps if students knew this about aerospace, and I hope our members will help them realize that, then many more would enter our ranks.”

 

Snitch closed our interview by discussing the value of AIAA to aerospace professionals. “Membership in AIAA has proven over many years to have invaluable benefits through every phase of one’s aerospace career.   As a young professional, AIAA provides tools for professional development and career development.   As middle-management through senior executive years, the AIAA provides a forum to interact with many companies in the industry as well as government customers and academia a non-competitive environment.  AIAA also provides highly distinguished honors and awards to members typically in this career phase.   For retirees, AIAA provides a direct and constant link to remain actively engaged in the aerospace community.  These members continue to serve on and make significant contributions to AIAA committees, and receive recognition through honors and awards.”

 

AIAA congratulates Mary Snitch on her selection as the AIAA Spotlight Member Spotlight for April, 2013, and thanks her for years of outstanding service to both AIAA and the ARCS Foundation. 

 

Did you know that there are hot spots around the world with high numbers of endangered species? These hot spots include Indonesia, India, China, Colombia and Mexico. Explore these countries and the endangered species that can be found there in this interactive map.

NEW YORK – Cultural Vistas is pleased to announce the selection of the 2013 class of the American Youth Leadership Program (AYLP) with Singapore and Malaysia, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State.

 

The 18 U.S. high school students and two educators selected to participate in this funded, yearlong program represent 15 different states, plus Washington, D.C. During the program they will gain firsthand experience and knowledge of the people and cultures of Singapore and Malaysia, with a specific focus on the two nations’ approaches to sustainable development.

 

The students are currently in the midst of the virtual component of the program, performing research and collaborating together online on various pre-program projects to orient them to the cultures of each country and the environmental issues they will encounter. At the end of June, they will come together in Los Angeles for a pre-departure orientation, and on July 1 they will fly to Singapore to begin their three-week immersion experience, which includes a series of educational and cultural workshops, team-building exercises, community service activities, university lectures, sightseeing, and homestay experience.

 

“It is a true honor to be a part of this important endeavor in Malaysia and Singapore. The pre-departure work has been meaningful and instructive,” said Nora Laberee, an AYLP student participant and Medford, N.J. native. She added the things she looks forward to most on the trip are “exploring the natural beauty of these countries, representing the USA with enthusiasm, making new friends, and gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of the sustainability challenges there and elsewhere on this blue planet.”

 

Upon returning to their hometowns, students will implement education and service projects in their communities involving the skills and learning they acquired during the exchange.

 

“Mostly applicants ask what a program can do for them, but in the case of AYLP, we get the chance to share our experiences with our communities with a post-travel project. This is one of the reasons I am excited about AYLP,” said Nathaniel Larson, a high school student from Minneapolis. “This program combines elements of our topic of study – sustainable urban development – with interaction of the culture of Singapore and Malaysia, a duo that is, to me, irresistible.”

 

This marks the third year of the American Youth Leadership Program, and the first with Singapore and Malaysia as the destination countries. Cultural Vistas previously administered American Youth Leadership Programs conducted in Japan for more than 60 American students and educators during both the summers of 2011 and 2012.

 

Learn more about the American Youth Leadership Program with Singapore and Malaysia at culturalvistas.org/aylp.

 

Introducing the American Youth Leadership Program Class of 2013:

 

Students:

Cosmo Albrecht, Castle Hills, Texas

International School of the Americas

 

Chase Ammon, Washington, D.C.

School Without Walls

 

Kirsten Brodeen, Ft. Collins, Colorado

Rocky Mountain High School

 

Valerie Cazeau, Laurel, Maryland

Atholton High School

 

Noah Gallant, Bethany, Connecticut

Amity Regional High School

 

Patrick Goff, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque Academy

 

Julianne Rose Goodman, Wyckoff, New Jersey

Bergen County Academies

 

Derek Kiy, San Diego, California

Canyon Crest Academy

 

Nora Laberee, Medford, New Jersey

Homeschooled

 

Nathaniel Larson, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Southwest High School

 

Forrest Malcolm, Pembroke, North Carolina

Purnell Swett High School

 

Justin Rebollo, Las Vegas, Nevada

West Career and Technical Academy

 

Ashley Reed, Hudson, Ohio

Hudson High School

 

Samuel Robbins, Midlothian, Virginia

Manchester High School

 

Mara Sherline, Baltimore, Maryland

Bryn Mawr School

 

Josue Tovar, Nevada, Iowa

Nevada High School

 

Sophie Westbrook, Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence Free State High School

 

Jamie Withorne, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Washington High School

 

Educators:

Kristen Bright, Statesville, North Carolina

South Iredell High School

 

Mary Stewart, San Antonio, Texas

International School of the Americas

 

About Cultural Vistas

A non‐profit 501(c)(3) organization and designated sponsor of Exchange Visitor Programs, Cultural Vistas has facilitated professional exchange programs and services for visitors coming to the United States, and Americans seeking overseas experiential learning opportunities since 1950 — Learn more at culturalvistas.org

 

Follow @CulturalVistas on Twitter

 

About the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

The ECA fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations through a wide range of academic, cultural, and professional exchange programs — Learn more at exchanges.state.gov

 

Follow @ConnectStateGov on Twitter

In April, National Environmental Education Week celebrated its ninth year and its second year focusing on Greening STEM: The Environment as Inspiration for 21st Century Learning. In addition to offering resources, EE Week’s theme of Taking Technology Outdoors brought together educators in exploring how new technologies can serve as a digital bridge to the environment and engage students in learning and applying STEM skills.

 

Highlights from EE Week 2013 include Tech & Our Planet – a new infographic that illustrates how tapping into strong student interest in the environment and technology can lead to a greener, more prosperous future. Access the infographic at: http://eeweek.org/assets/images/Tech-and-Our-Planet-Infographic.jpg.

 

We also embraced fresh platforms for bringing EE Week resources to educators nationally through co-hosting a Google+ Hangout – a new, virtual platform for connecting teachers and students directly with STEM professionals. One of the Earth Gauge program’s meteorologists shared with students how STEM is used in a variety of ways to make and communicate weather predictions.

 

This year also marked our first-ever EE Week national tweet chat. We engaged educators, other influentials and partner organizations in a live discussion about strategies, challenges and resources for Greening STEM on Twitter.  We were thrilled by the participation and look forward to expanding the conversation around Greening STEM by hosting more tweet chats in the future.

Finally, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan related how environmental education can be a powerful way to prepare students in STEM fields in a public service announcement during this year’s EE Week.  View the PSA at: http://youtu.be/tSHxbPqGYo4.