Keeping STEM Jobs in the US

In response to the dwindling availability of STEM professionals, some US companies are petitioning the government to allow for more H-1B visas to allow more STEM professionals from other countries to come to the US to fill vacancies.  These visas last up to six years, and are usually fully used up early in the year. 

Organizations, such as Microsoft, report having nearly 5,000 vacancies.  Intel reports not being able to bring in 50 Finnish engineers because of the H-1B cap, and was instead forced to open a development center overseas.  The benefit to allowing companies to host overseas workers is that the worker’s fill positions that are left vacant in the US, and the worker’s pay American taxes during their employment in the US.  Whereas, if the organization is forced to open a plant overseas to meet its production requirements, overseas workers do not pay US taxes. 

All in all, the long term solution is to better invest in quality STEM education for students here in the US, so the shortage of STEM professionals can be solved, keeping American jobs in America. 

Science Screen Report is dedicated to helping educators provide quality STEM education to their students.   If your school would like to receive this free resource, please visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.

Interested in speaking to students about STEM careers? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/stem-education/2011/10/18/tech-companies-want-more-foreign-stem-workers

Sesame Street's Newest Addition: STEM!

Sesame Street is looking to help improve kid’s STEM knowledge.  According to research compiled by Georgetown University’s Early Learning Project, Sesame Street adds to children’s school-readiness, giving them an advantage that lasts well into high school. 

In it’s 42^nd season, Sesame Street characters will now be building bridges, launching rockets, practicing problem solving skills using trial and error, and practicing observation and data recording.  Seeking to enrich children’s natural curiosity, Sesame Street hopes to add “an extra layer of skills and language.”

Interested in teaching your students more about STEM? Check out www.SSRvideo.com.  Interested in speaking to students about STEM? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2011-09-25/sesame-street-stem-science-math/50548750/1?csp=34news  

Putting the "M" in STEM

Slews of students throughout the US are struggling to meet state standardized math tests.  With classes such as algebra, geometry, and calculus, students are having to find ways to learn mathematical concepts without an understanding of real-world application.  Even worse, many students are being forced to learn math skills they may never use, while important math skills go largely untaught. 

Many are proposing a reformation of math classes in the US.  Classes such as finance, data, and basic engineering classes are thought to better serve students in the long run, as opposed to calculus.  The concern is not with the value of current math classes, but rather the practical application.  Some believe that this reformation of math classes could bring the US to prosper through teaching practical math, instead of traditional math.

Source:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/how-to-fix-our-math-education.html

GENIUS Inspiration

Girl Scouts in Georgia have teamed up to form a robotics team aptly dubbed: GENIUS (Girls Exploring New Ideas Using Science).  Fighting against the odds, the girls of GENIUS represent an underrepresented group in STEM: females.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, only 24% of STEM jobs are held by women. 

GENIUS happily proclaims to be a group of “geeks.”  GENIUS competed in the FIRST LEGO League building robots with LEGO Mindstorms, in an effort to solve a biomedical engineering challenge.  Their creation: a backup camera system for their friend’s wheelchair.  The girls say their experiences with the STEM group have inspired them to continue on to seek careers in STEM fields.

Source:

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/15326881/article-A-genius-idea--Robotics-team-gaining-attention--winning-awards?instance=secondary_story_left_column

$2.6 Million Donation, All in the Name of Stem

Columbus State University will be receiving a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).  The purpose of this grant is to extend the quantity and quality of resources available to teachers to increase the number of STEM teachers. This grant compliments one awarded by UTeach in July totaling donated funds to $2.6 million.

The two grants are expected to help recruit under-represented groups of high school students into STEM fields.  The university will be able to provide internships, summer camp, scholarships, and seminars.  The funds will be targeted to high-need schools that have high teacher turnover rates.

Source:

http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2011/sep/01/good-news-future-math-science-teachers-csu-secures-ar-2350252/

Stars Shine a Light on FIRST & STEM

Will.i.am is bringing back the “cool factor” to science.  In the prime-time special “i.am, FIRST – Science is Rock and Roll,” host Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway) promoted STEM education while celebrating the 20^th annual FIRST Robotics competition.   Bringing celebrity attention to science may reignite student’s interest in seeking careers in science fields. 

The back-to-school special featured celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Bono, Jack Black, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Josh Duhamel, and American Idol judge Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler.  The celebrities all joined in to discuss the importance of science in today’s world.  President Obama opened the special with a message encouraging students to keep the spirit of science innovation “alive.” 

Will.i.am became involved when a friend introduced him to Kamen.  Kamen explained FIRST Robotics to Will.i.am, to which the celebrity collaborated with Kamen to bring attention to the championship on its 20^th anniversary.  Will.i.am has stated that he does not want to encourage kids to strive for celebrity status, but rather “encourage them to enter such fields as science, math, engineering, and technology.”

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-bock/william-black-eyed-peas-science_b_934499.html

Increasing Girl's Interest in STEM

In an effort to increase girl’s interest in STEM careers, local organizations such as the Kaput Center in Massachusetts seek to increase girl’s interest in the US.  Kaput works to change the image of girls working in STEM fields as well as mentoring young girls to maintain a focus on STEM careers through high school.

This year, Kaput and Greenlight for Girls operated events at University of Massachusetts for 105girls 11 to 15 years of age.   The goal is to build up the confidence of girls in, or soon to be in, high school.  In these age levels, young men statistically dominate advanced placement classes in STEM studies. 

A non-profit group called Jr. Tech held a SciTech Girl Expo this past April after noticing its STEM programs had a 7:3 male to female ratio; which reflects national trends.  Jr. Tech brought in women who’ve succeeded in STEM career fields to speak to these female students. 

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110722/NEBULLETIN/108010307/1036