The Golden State's Golden Investment

It comes at no surprise to many to hear that California schools are feeling the pinch from the current economic times.  Millions of dollars worth of budget cuts have left schools looking for ways to save money at every angle.  The San Ramon Valley Unified School District has decided to approach this problem from a different angle: investing in alternative energy.

Thanks to low-interest federal loans, SRVUSD has installed 10,000 photovoltaic panels at five of its schools.  This investment should cut the schools’ electrical use is expected to be reduced between 67% and 75%.  The initial savings will be used to repay the loans, and the panels are expected to pay for themselves in 16 years.  Afterward, savings are projected to $2-4 million dollars annually. 

Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/09/17/solar.schools.california/index.html?iref=allsearch

IBM Opens High School in Brooklyn

Just in time for the 2011-2012 school year, IBM has opened a school in Brooklyn, NY.  P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) is a school designed to bring together the best elements of high school, college, and the professional world.  P-TECH students have the opportunity to have a completed associate degree upon high school graduation to enter into an IT (Information Technology) job.  P-TECH's curriculum was developed by IBM meet the needs of students entering IT career fields.


Students leaving P-TECH will be doing so with certification in an IT field as well as preference in job opportunities at IBM.  The students at P-TECH will also have access to 130 mentors, one for each student and the principal.  The school’s principal, Rashid Davis, is going to this position from a position at Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy.  More than 80% of the incoming class will be from low-income families. 


Source:
http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/09/ibms-new-high-school-opens-in-new-york/
http://ptechnyc.org/

STEM Works for Arkansas

Arkansas governor, Mike Beebe, and his Workforce Cabinet announced measures to promote STEM studies for high school and college students.  Beebe is concerned about the growing number of STEM employers in Arkansas that are struggling to fill positions with well-qualified STEM professionals. 

The first step of the STEM Works program is to better prepare high-school graduates to seek STEM degrees in college by opening schools that emphasize STEM subjects.  The second step will be to provide STEM majors with secondary teacher training. 

STEM Works will initially require no additional funding as it works with existing budgets.  More than $2 million has been contributed to STEM Works by private investors and the state.  One of the contributions is a $35,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation.  AT&T’s donation is a shining example of STEM organizations investing in their future potential workforce.

Source:

http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?do:newsDetail=1&news_id=3037

What a Rock!

A planet orbiting a pulsar 4,000 light years away, from the center of the Milky Way, is raising astronomer’s eyebrows.  Pulsar J1719-1438’s beams sweep Earth’s surface, thus making it subject to observation by astronomers in Australia, Britain, and Hawai’i, via telescope.  Discovered in 2010 by the High Time Resolution Survey, PSR J1719-1438 b has been given an interesting nickname based on its theorized composition.     

PSR J1719-1438 b has been measured to have a density more than any other heavenly body, and has a consistency that is majority carbon.  Based on the amount of density and carbon present, scientists theorize the planet is essentially a diamond; giving it the nickname “the diamond planet.”  

Another interesting quality of the diamond planet is its orbit.  This planet orbits so closely to its host star (the previously mentioned pulsar), its orbit could fit within our solar system’s sun.  Scientists believe the diamond planet may have formerly been a star that has lost its remnants to the pulsar which it orbits.

Source:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/25/us-planet-diamond-idUSTRE77O69A20110825

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/

STEM Clubs Gaining Popularity

Wondering what the latest trend in science education is?  STEM clubs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  These clubs focus on STEM subjects to stimulate student’s interest in these areas outside of the constraints of school curriculum.  STEM clubs allow students to work with teachers to explore ideas and engage in fun STEM activities.  These clubs are only meant to compliment curriculum and do not involve writing, tests, or exams; rather, students participate in practical applications such as experiments, investigation, and discussion. 

A STEM club is typically headed up by a STEM teacher or technician.  Student mentors are established to help guide fellow students.   STEM clubs are encouraged to share their experiences and successes with the rest of the school to encourage interest.  More information about STEM clubs can be found at:

http://www.stemclubs.net/