Ms. Maronpot, a third grade science teacher, had Dr. Royce, a science expert, come and observe her class and give her feedback on what she should incorporate into her classroom to make it better. Watch the Teaching Channel video below to see what Dr. Royce said! This advice can be modified and adopted for any science level!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Take Your Science Class to the Next Level
A common pain point in science classrooms today is the lack of student engagement; especially in elementary school science classrooms. Since getting children interested in science at this age is so crucial, modifying your science classroom to insure student engagement and overall interest is more important than ever before.
Ms. Maronpot, a third grade science teacher, had Dr. Royce, a science expert, come and observe her class and give her feedback on what she should incorporate into her classroom to make it better. Watch the Teaching Channel video below to see what Dr. Royce said! This advice can be modified and adopted for any science level!
Ms. Maronpot, a third grade science teacher, had Dr. Royce, a science expert, come and observe her class and give her feedback on what she should incorporate into her classroom to make it better. Watch the Teaching Channel video below to see what Dr. Royce said! This advice can be modified and adopted for any science level!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Career of the Month
Kamen's advice to students: do what you're passionate about. As he told Luba Vangelova, "Nobody will get really good at something unless they're passionate about it. We all went to gym class, but those who wanted to excel at sports had to commit themselves to practice after school. Science and math are the same."
To find out more and to look at other interesting STEM careers, visit the NSTA website.
Selecting the Right Microscope
Swift knows that choosing the right microscope for your classroom can be confusing. Before you decide to buy, here are some important questions you should ask yourself:
Compound microscopes are comprised of two lens systems: the eyepiece and the objective. They provide high magnification power and a two-dimensional view of specimens. Compound microscopes also have several eyepiece options including monocular (one), binocular (two) and trinocular (three, generally used with a camera). Compound microscopes are ideal for applications such as viewing blood samples, cells and cell structures, bacteria, pond water and liquids. It is generally thought that monocular microscopes are easier for young students to use.
- Will you be teaching elementary, intermediate, high school or university students?
- Do you need a microscope with special features like the ability to capture images?
- Do you want a microscope that can be used in the classroom as well as out in the field?
- Do you want a microscope that can integrate with your existing technology or with future technology?
Compound microscopes are comprised of two lens systems: the eyepiece and the objective. They provide high magnification power and a two-dimensional view of specimens. Compound microscopes also have several eyepiece options including monocular (one), binocular (two) and trinocular (three, generally used with a camera). Compound microscopes are ideal for applications such as viewing blood samples, cells and cell structures, bacteria, pond water and liquids. It is generally thought that monocular microscopes are easier for young students to use.
Stereo microscopes feature lower magnification power and higher resolution for viewing the surface of solid, larger specimens. Stereo microscopes are equipped with both incident and transmitted illumination. Because of this feature, stereo microscopes may also be used for viewing translucent specimens like plants and pond water organisms. Stereo microscopes will provide a finely detailed, three-dimensional image of the specimen and are ideal for viewing coins, stamps, inspecting gems, fossils, rocks, machine and electrical components.
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| An SM100 Series Stereo Microscope |
Friday, October 12, 2012
A Pond Water Safari with Mrs. Seay
Using Swift microscopes and other necessary supplies, science teacher Mrs. Seay gets her class completely involved in the task of identifying and classifying different living organisms found in local pond water. Getting children science savvy with things they think are cool like microscopes and "cool" living organisms, Mrs. Seay has a good chance of encouraging some of her students to pursue majors and careers in science! Every science teacher should check out this Teaching Channel video.
STEM Teachers: Be an Einstein Fellow!
The
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is now accepting
applications for the 2013-2014 Fellowship Year. The Einstein Fellowship Program
is available to current K-12 STEM educators with a demonstrated excellence in teaching and leadership.
Selected teachers spend 11 months in Washington, D.C., sharing their expertise with STEM program directors or policy makers. Einstein Fellows may serve in a Congressional office or in one of several government agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Fellows receive a monthly stipend and an allowance for professional travel and relocation. The fellowship year begins in late August 2013.
The goal of the Einstein Fellowship Program is to provide an opportunity for teachers to inform national policy and improve communication between the K-12 STEM education community and national leaders. The Einstein Fellowship Program was created in 1990 with support from the MacArthur Foundation; the 1994 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gave the DOE federal responsibility for the Program. The Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education administers the Program for the DOE Office of Science’s in partnership with the other participating federal agencies.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be currently employed full time in a public or private elementary or secondary school or school district, and must have been teaching in one or more STEM fields full time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years.
For more information about the program and to learn how to apply, visit www.einsteinfellows.org. Applications for the 2013-14 Fellowship program are due by 11:00 pm EST on Dec. 5.
Selected teachers spend 11 months in Washington, D.C., sharing their expertise with STEM program directors or policy makers. Einstein Fellows may serve in a Congressional office or in one of several government agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Fellows receive a monthly stipend and an allowance for professional travel and relocation. The fellowship year begins in late August 2013.
The goal of the Einstein Fellowship Program is to provide an opportunity for teachers to inform national policy and improve communication between the K-12 STEM education community and national leaders. The Einstein Fellowship Program was created in 1990 with support from the MacArthur Foundation; the 1994 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gave the DOE federal responsibility for the Program. The Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education administers the Program for the DOE Office of Science’s in partnership with the other participating federal agencies.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be currently employed full time in a public or private elementary or secondary school or school district, and must have been teaching in one or more STEM fields full time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years.
For more information about the program and to learn how to apply, visit www.einsteinfellows.org. Applications for the 2013-14 Fellowship program are due by 11:00 pm EST on Dec. 5.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Send Your Teacher to STEM Camp!
Want to give back to your child's teacher and give them the opportunity to learn all about math and science? Well, here's your chance! Apply to send a 3rd through 5th grade teacher to the 2013 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teacher's Academy! Teachers, you can apply too!
The Academy was started by professional golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy. Working with ExxonMobil, they created a special learning environment just for teachers. The Mickelsons wanted to develop a program that inspires teachers from across the county in and math and science and equips them with tools to ignite their students' passion for these subjects, and that's exactly what they did. While they're at the Academy, teachers do lots of cool math and science experiments that they can share in the classroom.
Joined by math and science experts from the National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA) and Math Solutions, teachers are taught fun ways to teach their students about math and science. When teachers return, they'll be ready to develop the next generation of science savvy citizens who will grow up to make the next breakthrough in medicine, in energy or in any other science or math field.
All expenses are paid for the one week program for the teachers selected. In 2012, over 200 teachers were selected.
The Academy was started by professional golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy. Working with ExxonMobil, they created a special learning environment just for teachers. The Mickelsons wanted to develop a program that inspires teachers from across the county in and math and science and equips them with tools to ignite their students' passion for these subjects, and that's exactly what they did. While they're at the Academy, teachers do lots of cool math and science experiments that they can share in the classroom.
Joined by math and science experts from the National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA) and Math Solutions, teachers are taught fun ways to teach their students about math and science. When teachers return, they'll be ready to develop the next generation of science savvy citizens who will grow up to make the next breakthrough in medicine, in energy or in any other science or math field.
All expenses are paid for the one week program for the teachers selected. In 2012, over 200 teachers were selected.
You only have until Oct. 31 too apply, so you better do it quickly! To learn more about the program and to apply, click here.
STEM Education is Worth It...Literally
Student loan debt stories can make anyone cringe. We all know someone that has six-figure loan debt and is still working on finding a job. Look at the numbers on this table! If you're looking at college from an investment standpoint, your conclusion should be clear: STEM majors are where you're going to find the most bang for your buck.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Talking to Teens About STEM
Can there really be anything more difficult for a parent than sitting down with your teen and relaying the dangers associated with drugs?
A recent study by Intel says yes! Intel, a member of Change the Equation, found that parents would rather talk to their teens about drugs than match or science. I know what you're thinking - because I'm sure it's the same thing I was thinking - but since a large percentage of today's parents don't have strong backgrounds in science or math, they struggle coming up with stories to relay to their children. They are, however, able to come up with stories about how they feigned off drugs.
Many parents said they'd welcome a "one-stop shop with materials to refresh their existing, but unused math and science knowledge so they can better help there kids."
There's one more problem here. Parents aren't normally able to suppress their own dislike for math, relaying it onto their children sometimes unintentionally. In a survey that Change the Equation conducted just two years ago, more than one third of Americans admitted that they often say they can't do math. Just about one third said they'd rather clean the bathroom than solve a math problem.
Could refreshing STEM skills and changing attitudes be an integral part to the current STEM revolution - I think yes!
Check out Change the Equation's website for more!
A recent study by Intel says yes! Intel, a member of Change the Equation, found that parents would rather talk to their teens about drugs than match or science. I know what you're thinking - because I'm sure it's the same thing I was thinking - but since a large percentage of today's parents don't have strong backgrounds in science or math, they struggle coming up with stories to relay to their children. They are, however, able to come up with stories about how they feigned off drugs.
Many parents said they'd welcome a "one-stop shop with materials to refresh their existing, but unused math and science knowledge so they can better help there kids."
There's one more problem here. Parents aren't normally able to suppress their own dislike for math, relaying it onto their children sometimes unintentionally. In a survey that Change the Equation conducted just two years ago, more than one third of Americans admitted that they often say they can't do math. Just about one third said they'd rather clean the bathroom than solve a math problem.
Could refreshing STEM skills and changing attitudes be an integral part to the current STEM revolution - I think yes!
Check out Change the Equation's website for more!
We Couldn't Have Done it Without STEM...
Why all the buzz about STEM education, you ask? Just take a look back in history - without qualified people with knowledge in STEM fields, some important events and turning points would never have happened! Here are some highlights:
1950 - The National Science Foundation is created...it's about time!
1957 - On October 4, The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik. This not only began the Space Age and triggered the Space Race, it generated more developments in science and technology than ever before!
1958 - Hello, NASA! In July, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating NASA and sparking American interest in STEM.
1958 - The National Defense Act passed, generating $1 billion for 40,000 loans, 40,000 scholarships and 1,500 graduate fellowships for students in STEM fields. 1958 was a brilliant year in STEM history!
1974 - The American society was changed forever with the invention of the personal computer!
1983 - This was a turning point. The National Commission on Excellence in Education published "A Nation at Risk." The report warned that the nation was at risk because of its mediocre education system. The report stressed that there was a particularly severe shortage in math and science teachers.
1992-1997 - The percentage of top-performing U.S. high school students who majored in STEM in college peaked near 30 percent...what happened?
2011 - President Barack Obama calls for the training of 100,000 new teachers in STEM over the next 10 years in his State of the Union Address, effectively moving STEM education to the forefront of America's education priorities.
To see the full STEM timeline, click here.
Today, 100Kin10, the largest STEM initiative, advocates for recruiting and training teachers who specialize in STEM fields. Measuring the progress of STEM education is hard to quantify and can't always be measured through standardized test scores and GPAs alone. Last year, STEM jobs made up almost a quarter of the professional labor force! With projections that STEM jobs will add 2.1 million jobs to the workforce between 2012 and 2020, it's safe to say that STEM is here to stay!
1950 - The National Science Foundation is created...it's about time!
1957 - On October 4, The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik. This not only began the Space Age and triggered the Space Race, it generated more developments in science and technology than ever before!
1958 - Hello, NASA! In July, Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating NASA and sparking American interest in STEM.
1958 - The National Defense Act passed, generating $1 billion for 40,000 loans, 40,000 scholarships and 1,500 graduate fellowships for students in STEM fields. 1958 was a brilliant year in STEM history!
1974 - The American society was changed forever with the invention of the personal computer!
1983 - This was a turning point. The National Commission on Excellence in Education published "A Nation at Risk." The report warned that the nation was at risk because of its mediocre education system. The report stressed that there was a particularly severe shortage in math and science teachers.
1992-1997 - The percentage of top-performing U.S. high school students who majored in STEM in college peaked near 30 percent...what happened?
2011 - President Barack Obama calls for the training of 100,000 new teachers in STEM over the next 10 years in his State of the Union Address, effectively moving STEM education to the forefront of America's education priorities.
To see the full STEM timeline, click here.
Today, 100Kin10, the largest STEM initiative, advocates for recruiting and training teachers who specialize in STEM fields. Measuring the progress of STEM education is hard to quantify and can't always be measured through standardized test scores and GPAs alone. Last year, STEM jobs made up almost a quarter of the professional labor force! With projections that STEM jobs will add 2.1 million jobs to the workforce between 2012 and 2020, it's safe to say that STEM is here to stay!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
STEM Vital Signs: Texas
As a leading high-tech state, Texas businesses need more STEM talent to stay competitive than ever before. Despite economic downturn, STEM skills are still in high demand in Texas. In fact, there are 2.5 STEM jobs for every one unemployed person compared to 3.3 unemployed persons for every one non-STEM job. Hello, people! Improving student performance in STEM in K-12 is crucial to help not only the Texas economy grow, but the entire nation's.
There are some highlights here, though. Since 2004, the State of Texas, with private sector support, has invested more than $100 million to create 65 STEM Academies serving more than 25,000 students. Texas also recently adopted new math standards and more rigorous assessment and it's paying off. Texas students are spending more time on elementary science, are participating more in hands-on learning and are making progress in math.
Change the Equation's 2012 Vital Signs measure the health of the K-12 STEM enterprise state by state. Vital Signs was created in collaboration with the American Institutes for Research and was made possible by generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
To look at Change the Equation's full report on the STEM Vital Signs in Texas, click here.
To find out what the STEM Vital Signs are like in your state, click here.
There are some highlights here, though. Since 2004, the State of Texas, with private sector support, has invested more than $100 million to create 65 STEM Academies serving more than 25,000 students. Texas also recently adopted new math standards and more rigorous assessment and it's paying off. Texas students are spending more time on elementary science, are participating more in hands-on learning and are making progress in math.
Change the Equation's 2012 Vital Signs measure the health of the K-12 STEM enterprise state by state. Vital Signs was created in collaboration with the American Institutes for Research and was made possible by generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
To look at Change the Equation's full report on the STEM Vital Signs in Texas, click here.
To find out what the STEM Vital Signs are like in your state, click here.
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