Category Archives: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

33 states adopted 57 computer science ed policies since 2018 | Education Dive

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By Naaz Modan

As there is a national push for increased computer science literacy, many states are requiring high schools to offer courses in the subject, with some districts even making computer science a requirement for graduation. Some states are even requiring elementary and middle schools to offer computer science, the report says.

Georgia is among those phasing in the change through an incremental approach over the course of six years. The state has put in place benchmarks to see the plan through:

Source: 33 states adopted 57 computer science ed policies since 2018 | Education Dive

Rotary scholars sign contracts to help in college journey – Daily Republic

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Nine students from the Fairfield Police Activities League on Tuesday were promised financial and mentoring support as they launch their college educations at Solano Community College.

The students signed contracts as part of the fifth annual Rotary Success Scholars program during a ceremony held at The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Suisun City.

“These are nine students who would absolutely not be able to go to college otherwise,” Tara Dacus, a member of the Fairfield-Suisun Rotary Club and one of the three founders of the scholars program, said in an interview.

Source: Rotary scholars sign contracts to help in college journey – Daily Republic

Robots invade Solano County Fair – Times Herald

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By John Glidden

While families meandered around enjoying the sights and sounds of the Solano County Fair, a group of girls were making robots dance on Saturday.

With just a few clicks on the laptop, mini robots, best described as over sized lint rollers attached to two giant wheels, move about a table, “dancing” front and back, side to side.

Representing the Girls in Robotics Leadership (GIRL) Camp, the middle and high school students showed off their coding skills while Lilibeth Pinpin looked on like a proud mother.

Pinpin is the director of innovative programs & student success for the Solano County Office of Education. The county office of education in partnership with UC Davis C-STEM (Computing-Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) hosted the five-day camp in the month of June.

Source: Robots invade Solano County Fair – Times Herald

Middle school girls learn STEM skills – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

Some kids go to summer camp to learn campfire songs or go canoeing on a lake, and others go to camp to build robots. For the next few weeks, girls throughout Solano County will be doing the latter.

The Solano County Office of Education, in conjunction with the University of California, Davis’ C-STEM program, is hosting a series of Girls In Robotics Leadership camps throughout the county aimed to teach middle and high school girls skills in technology, engineering, robotics, computing and other growing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and potentially inspire them to enter these career paths.

The first camp for middle schoolers opened on Monday at the Center for Freedom and Flight in Vacaville and was sponsored through a $5,000 grant from Genentech. Program Coordinator Lillibeth Pinpin said the camp was largely intended to teach robotics and coding skills to ensure that anyone can enter the fields that require them.

Source: Middle school girls learn STEM

Will science, engineering fair yield tomorrow’s scientists? – Times-Herald

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By Richard Bammer

The numbers of careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, have taken a quantum jump.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2010 and 2020 employment in science and engineering will grow by nearly 19 percent, compared to 14 percent for all other occupations.

And, as widely reported in the media, this rapid growth has created a STEM worker shortage in the United States.To address this shortage, the Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) has joined widespread educator efforts to boost interest in STEM among students.

Source: Will science, engineering fair yield tomorrow’s scientists? – Times-Herald

Vanden, Caliber students top Solano Science Fair competitions – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

Vanden High sophomore Mayah Gantt was the overall Senior Division winner and Ryan Menefee, a student at Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy in Vallejo, was the Junior Division winner at the recent Solano County Science and Engineering Fair.

Gantt was also first in the Earth Science category, while Menefee was first in the Physical Science category. There was a Life Science category as well.

First-place winners are eligible to enter the California State Science and Engineering Fair that takes place April 29-30 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

Source: Vanden, Caliber students top Solano Science Fair competitions

Winners Of Solano County Science, Engineering Fair Announced | Benicia, CA Patch

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By Maggie Avants

The 2019 Solano County Science and Engineering Fair was held Friday, March 29 in Fairfield. In hosting the annual event, the Solano County Office of Education aims to do its part in addressing a worker shortage in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“It was an excellent opportunity for our middle and high school students to apply science and engineering skills to investigate problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and develop conclusions,” said Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson. “We are confident this event inspired students to consider a career in science, engineering or a related field.”

Source: Winners Of Solano County Science, Engineering Fair Announced | Benicia, CA Patch

How ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Primes Students for Interdisciplinary Learning, Including STEM | MindShift

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By Paul Darvasi

A group of Grade 9 students in Texas who substantially outperformed their district on a statewide standardized test all had one surprising thing in common: they all were members of the school’s Dungeons & Dragons club.

A coincidence? Otherwise, how does a fantasy role-playing game produce improved test scores? The obvious explanation is that the club draws the bright kids who are already academically inclined. But many of the kids in the club at the Title I school had histories of struggling with academics.

For Kade Wells, the teacher who runs the club at Davis Ninth Grade School outside Houston, the answer is simple: “Playing Dungeons & Dragons makes you smarter.”

Source: How ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Primes Students for Interdisciplinary Learning, Including STEM | MindShift | KQED News

Students showcase scientific chops at Solano science fair – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

Students from across Solano County completed their participation in a two-day science showcase Friday that saw projects from elementary schoolchildren to high schoolers take over the gym at Vanden High School.

The annual Solano County Science/STEM Fair opens the door for qualifying students to enter the California State Science Fair next month at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

Solano County’s science fair was open to sixth- through 12th-graders.

It’s a competition based on the quality of experiments presented through exhibits, according to event organizers. The event is designed to stimulate an active interest in science, provide a quality educational experience, and to give public recognition to talented students for the work they have done in the field of science.

Source: Students showcase scientific chops at Solano science fair

6 middle school girls to share STEM camp experiences at AAUW dinner – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

Six middle school girls, including two from Benicia, will share their experiences of attending a weeklong science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camp this past summer during the Benicia-Vallejo American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) potluck dinner on Tuesday.

The girls’ experience was part of Tech Trek 2017, a summer camp founded by AAUW of California member Marie Wolbach to provide middle school girls with a camp featuring science, technology, engineering and math-based activities and inspire them to pursue one of those fields. The goal is to make those fields more accessible to middle school girls since that is typically the age when girls lose interest in those areas, according to AAUW research.“We all know about the lack of women that are in STEM careers and professions,” Christine Dunn, the Tech Trek coordinator for Benicia-Vallejo AAUW, said. “We are trying to rectify that. We want to get girls interested in this kind of career early on. I think there’s been a lot of research that shows that girls in middle school drop off, lose interest in the sciences and mathematics, and we want to encourage them to stay in it.”

Source: 6 middle school girls to share STEM camp experiences at AAUW dinner

It’s Not Students We Need To Educate About STEM Careers, It’s Their Teachers – Forbes

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By Nick Morrison

The shortage of STEM graduates is often laid at the door of students making their high school subject choices, but perhaps it’s not students we need to educate about STEM careers, it’s their teachers.

More than a quarter of male teachers – and one in six female teachers – believe STEM careers are more suited to boys than girls, according to a new survey.

And this attitude rubs off on students, with twice as many girls as boys believing that STEM careers are not for them.

The shortage of students graduating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects has been a persistent story in recent years, with one report claiming an annual shortfall of 40,000 skilled STEM workers in the U.K. alone.

Source: It’s Not Students We Need To Educate About STEM Careers, It’s Their Teachers

Science fun for kids at the county fair – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

County fairs are more than arts and crafts, cooking and art competitions, animal and livestock displays, horse racing and demolition derbies, midway carnivals and heart-stopping foods, main stage entertainment of aging rockers and rappers and small-stage magic acts.

Today, kids passing through fairgrounds turnstiles are versed in Digital Age technology and want a chance to exercise their knowledge and have fun while, perhaps, continuing to prepare for their future education and job prospects.

To that end, the Solano County Office of Education will host a free, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) event Wednesday through Aug. 6 at the Solano County Fair, 900 Fairgrounds Drive, in Vallejo.

The interactive SCOE event will be at the agency’s STEAM booth in McCormack Hall, open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6.

Source: Science fun for kids at the county fair

Torlakson Visits Local Summer Learning Program – Year 2017 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today toured the Summer Learning program at Robla Elementary School in the Robla School District to voice his opposition to proposed federal budget cuts that would harm this program and many others in California and the nation.

President Trump has proposed eliminating all funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers. These centers run After School, Summer Learning, and other Expanded Learning programs.

Nationally, his proposed cuts would remove $1.2 billion in funding. In California, the proposed cuts would take away $137 million of the total of $730 million spent on Expanded Learning programs, or about 18 percent of the total budget.

“Today we are shining a light on the wonderful Summer Learning and After School programs that engage, teach, and inspire 860,000 students in California each year,” Torlakson said. “President Trump’s proposed budget cuts could devastate Summer Learning and After School programs. These proposed cuts are short-sighted, counterproductive, and just wrong. As leaders, we should be searching for ways to help our students thrive, rather than blocking proven paths to success.”

Source: Torlakson Visits Local Summer Learning Program – Year 2017 (CA Dept of Education)

4 Tools to Boost Communication Skills in the STEM Classroom | MindShift

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By Danny Wagner

Healthy communication is vital to thriving workplace communities, and it’s essential for effective collaborative classrooms as well. Knowing when and how to express yourself, recognizing nonverbal cues, and being able to discern what’s important when someone speaks can be key factors in building interpersonal relationships. By practicing communication skills, students will get better at asking for help and expressing what they need, and over time they will develop the skills and confidence to tell you more clearly what they’ve learned in class.

In STEM fields, empathetic communication is a fundamental ingredient for success. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or a programmer, you must be able to take highly technical knowledge and describe it in a clear and simple way for others. If students learn to express ideas in a persuasive way and respond gracefully to reactions to their opinions, they’ll be able to promote innovation and social change through fields like bioengineering or video game design. You may not be able to see the outcomes of bolstering students’ communication right away, but the transfer to real-world situations will one day be undeniable.

Source: 4 Tools to Boost Communication Skills in the STEM Classroom | MindShift | KQED News

Fairfield-Suisun leaders to consider budget – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Like so many California school districts in summertime, with their 2017-18 LCAPs and budgets sent to county offices of education, Fairfield-Suisun Unified has posted a relatively light agenda for its Thursday meeting in Fairfield.

Trustees will hear several presentations at the outset, including a report, delivered by students, about the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) camp at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Under the consent calendar, items typically approved in one collective vote, governing board members will OK a $1.13 million contract with the state Department of Education for child development services.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun leaders to consider budget

Top state ed official extols budget increases for K-12 schools – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson was all smiles when Gov. Jerry Brown signed the 2017–18 state budget. After all, it increases funding for K-12 public schools, after-school programs, early education and child care, and teacher recruitment and training.

“When we invest more in our students, we help them succeed on their way to 21st century careers and college,” he said in a press release issued late last month. “This budget continues the strong growth in what I call the ‘California Way,’ where legislators, the governor, education groups, the business community, and others are working closely together to keep improving our education system.”

The Legislature approved the budget June 15, the date required by the state Constitution. Brown’s signature on the state’s key funding document kicked off the new spending plan July 1.

California has the nation’s largest public school system with more than 6.2 million students at nearly 10,000 public schools.

 

Source: Top state ed official extols budget increases for K-12 schools

Summer camp for Fairfield-Suisun students out of this world – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Ayden Davanzo, a 13-year-old student at Grange Middle School who has seen the movies “Interstellar” and “The Martian,” will get closer to outer space as one of 40 students who’ll visit Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County and see the control center where rockets are launched.

Davanzo wants to work one day as an engineer for NASA.

“I want to create the rockets to send man to another solar system,” he said Monday.

James Frische, 12, of Suisun Valley Elementary, said he’s also looking forward to Vandenberg in the Fairfield-Suisun School District STEM Camp for science, technology, engineering and math.

Source: Summer camp for Fairfield-Suisun students out of this world

Area high school robotics teams tally mixed results at world championships – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville-area high school robotics teams posted mixed results but gained immeasurable experience at the 2017 FIRST Robotics World Championships, The Reporter has learned.

Held in Houston last week, Wednesday through Saturday, the competition yielded the final tallies, with the RoboVikes from Vanden High, in the 67-team Galileo division, in 13th place; the RoboKnights from Buckingham Charter High in 43rd in the Hopper division; and the Armijo High Robotics squad in 66th, also in the Galileo division.

Long a robotics powerhouse and mentor to other robotics teams, the RoboVikes, veterans of several world championship runs, ended up in first place after the first day of competition, Thursday, in the George Brown Convention Center, for essentially a STEM face-off that attracted 400 teams (in five divisions) from the West and South and from several foreign countries, including Australia, China and Turkey. (Because the championship has grown in popularity, another round of championship matches is this coming weekend in St. Louis.)

Source: Area high school robotics teams tally mixed results at world championships

After years under construction, ‘Matthew Turner’ hits the water – Benicia Herald

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By Donna Beth Weilenman

As bands played an estimated 1,000 people watched on land and on watercraft in Richardson Bay, the Matthew Turner finally touched water, leaving the shores of Sausalito Saturday afternoon.

The brigantine is the first wooden tall ship built in the San Francisco Bay Area in 100 years, and it’s named for the legendary prolific American designer and builder whose shipyard for years was in Benicia.

His design for his record-setting Galilee, built in 1891, is the inspiration for the new Matthew Turner, built by volunteers under the watchful eye and guidance of Alan Olson, executive director of Educational Tall Ship, which with its partner Call of the Sea, has been offering scholarly, on-board programs to school children on the smaller 2-foot schooner Seaward that was decorated in signal flags the day of the launch.

Source: After years under construction, ‘Matthew Turner’ hits the water

‘Matthew Turner’ ship launching Saturday – Benicia Herald

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By Donna Beth Weilenman

A labor of love that began nearly four years ago with the laying of a brigantine’s keel will take an important step forward Saturday when the “Matthew Turner” is launched in Sausalito. Named for the famous shipbuilder who constructed record-setting vessels in Benicia, the Matthew Turner is patterned after the “Galilee,” the ship that covered the distance from Tahiti to California under sail at such speeds that the produce it carried arrived fresh enough to sell to awaiting customers.

The Galilee still holds the speed record – 22 days – for ships under sail from Tahiti to San Francisco.

Alan Olson, who founded the Call of the Sea and Educational Tall Ship education programs, has been dreaming of the day a ship built along Turner’s own designs would become the San Francisco Bay Area’s tall ship.

At one time, the Hawaiian Chieftain held that honor. That ship is an original design that recalls the packet ships that delivered mail and cargo along the Pacific coastline and inland via rivers, or outward across the ocean.

Source: ‘Matthew Turner’ ship launching Saturday

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