Professional Development Opportunity for MS/HS STEM Teachers & Mentors
Posted: Jan. 10, 2022
Society for Science invites any STEM Educator, Mentor or Youth Advocate to apply for the Society for Science Advocate Program, which provides a $3,000 stipend and training to an individual (teacher, scientist, counselor, or mentor) who agrees to serve as an advocate for a minimum of 3 additional students from traditionally underrepresented groups to transition them from conducting scientific or engineering research (science fair-type) projects to completing applications to STEM research competitions. There are four different types of Advocates, which allow both beginners and more advanced applicants to further expand their capabilities to support student research competition participation.
Many students doing science research are not aware of the myriad of opportunities that are attainable by submitting their work to competitions. Just completing the rigorous application process can inspire confidence in their scientific abilities and lead them to consider a STEM career. Many competitions provide monetary awards for post-secondary education and can boost a student's chance of acceptance into the college or university of their choice. Too few students from traditionally underrepresented groups are presented with these opportunities and often lack the know-how to successfully enter.
For eligibility information and to apply for the Advocate Program, click here (https://www.societyforscience.org/advocate-grant) . Advocates must already have a formal role with students completing research projects. This program is sponsored by Arconic Foundation, Intel, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, National Geographic, and Regeneron.
Application Deadline: March 6, 2022
Please send any questions to [email protected]. |
"A Safety Minute" Tips by Dr. Ken Roy - NSELA Safety Compliance Officer
Posted: January 9, 2022
NSELA Safety Minute by Dr. Ken Roy – NSELA Safety Compliance Officer - For current safety updates five days a week, follow Dr. Ken on Twitter @drroysafersci.
 If efforts to help teachers provide their students with science/STEM education continue, the following safety protocol reminders from earlier NSTA Safety Blog posts can be shared. These protocols hopefully can be useful to teachers to help them better navigate their efforts during these most challenging times in education.
https://www.nsta.org/blog/revisiting-coronavirus-laboratory-activity-protocols
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Members, Vote in the 2022 NSELA Board Election Now!
Posted: January 5, 2022
NSELA is pleased to announce that elections for the 2022 board of directors are open. Members, be sure to cast your vote and have your voice heard!
You are able to vote for the following positions: President-Elect, Secretary, Region A Director*,and Region C Director*.
(*Only members in Regions A and C will be able to vote for their respective Director).
Before casting your ballot, please review the candidate biographies here. Position statements are included on the ballot.
Please note that only NSELA members are eligible to vote and can submit their ballot once.
Deadline to vote is Monday, Jan. 24, 2022
If you have questions regarding this ballot or difficulty accessing, please contact the NSELA office at [email protected]. |
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Smithsonian Science Education Center: 2022 STEM Education Summit: Building a Coalition for Attracting and Retaining A Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce
To confront the underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teaching and leadership, the Smithsonian Science Education Center is hosting our annual STEM Education Summit March 19 – March 26, 2022, as a virtual convening. This summit is the sixth of its kind to be offered by Smithsonian and the second to be held virtually.
Research shows that by increasing the diversity of the STEM teacher workforce, students from underrepresented populations are more likely to become interested in STEM and ultimately be better prepared for the career opportunities available to them.
At the STEM Education Summit, 20 teams of educators from diverse regions across the nation embrace their roles as change agents to create plans for attracting and retaining STEM teachers from underrepresented populations at the school, district, or state-level. Selected teams are matched with a mentor who is carefully selected to fit the unique composition and needs of their team.
Mentors paired with a team bring an array of skills and professional STEM experiences to their assigned team. Previous mentors have held positions as nonprofit executive directors, veteran classroom teachers, school and district leaders and university professors with deep-rooted interests in STEM education equity and systemic change. They support all team members to become leaders and provide feedback to their team to guide them through developing and achieving goals. Visit here to view mentor expectations and application!
Prior to the STEM Education Summit, teams will get acquainted with their mentors as they prepare themselves for the Summit. During the Summit, teams continue to work with their mentor to develop a logic model to address a challenge in attracting and retaining teachers from underrepresented populations into their teaching workforce. Following the Summit, teams are supported by mentors to implement the action plans described in their logic model in the subsequent school year.
Saturday, March 19, 2022: First Day of STEM Education Summit
Monday – Friday, March 21 –25 2022: Teams and Mentors Supplemental Work and Sessions
Saturday, March 26, 2022: Second Day of STEM Education Summit
This work is made possible by an advisory committee composed of education thought leaders including experts from PK–12 and postsecondary education, minority-serving institutions (MSIs) and nonprofits collectively working to build a coalition to attract and retain STEM teachers from underrepresented groups resulting in 30,000 new and existing teachers by 2030.
About the Smithsonian Science Education Center
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is an organization of the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to transforming K-12 Education through Science™ in collaboration with communities across the globe. To achieve our mission, we have four goals: (1) we promote authentic, inquiry-based, integrated K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teaching and learning; (2) we ensure diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) in K-12 STEM education; (3) we advance STEM education for sustainable development (STEM4SD); and (4) we translate the research and collections of the Smithsonian into meaningful tools and convenings for K-12 teachers and students. We achieve our goals by: (a) building awareness for science education among school leaders; (b) promoting Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER); (c) supporting the professional growth of K-12 teachers and school leaders; (d) developing exemplary K-12 curriculum materials and digital resources (including our comprehensive research-based science curriculum programs: Smithsonian Science for the Classroom; Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STCMS); and Smithsonian Science for Global Goals); and (d) engaging in research. At the heart of our work is the idea that all youth—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, geography, race, native language, ability, or socio-economic status—should be given the opportunities to learn about the socio-scientific issues that challenge us. The Smithsonian, through the Smithsonian Science Education Center, plays an active role in sparking students' and teachers' interest in STEM to ensure a scientifically literate global citizenry.
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