10 Monday Feb 2014
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I am chagrined to see that the uptake of technology programs by women is sporadic, yet I still hope to affect widespread change — which starts with awareness. This article from Education Week (Heitin, Jan 10, 2014) highlights how few US girls signed up for and completed the computer science AP test – complete with a very interesting graphic.
07 Friday Feb 2014
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Still news to some, I suppose. From the ASEE aggregator:
US News & World Report (2/6, Neuhauser) reports that, according to an annual report from the National Science Board, minorities and women are still underrepresented in the engineering and science fields. The report said “African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and Alaska Natives” made up ten percent of science and engineering workers in 2010, the report said. But, that is only up “from 7 percent in 1993,” according to the report. Women, the report found, are also underrepresented. Females made up less than 30 percent of engineering and science workers.
27 Monday Jan 2014
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APEGBC has published a position paper on climate change as it relates to the professional practice of engineering and geoscience. The position paper, developed by APEGBC’s Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG) outlines the association’s position on the changing climate in BC, as well as the implications for practicing professionals. APEGBC members play a key role in providing guidance and advice to decision makers on how to respond to climate change, given their technical expertise and commitment to public safety.
APEGBC’s position statement on climate change is as follows: Continue reading
27 Monday Jan 2014
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hmmm…I am curious if this conference results in increased female enrolments in science. From the ASEE aggregator:
The Victorville (CA) Daily Press (1/25, Self) reported hundreds of girls from more than a dozen schools around California participated in the “Celebration of Women in Mathematics and Science” conference on Friday. The girls separated into several workshops on topics including, aeronautical engineering, energy management and robotics.
21 Tuesday Jan 2014
Posted in General
Perhaps Canadian governments will soon choose to again follow the Americans and return funding of higher education to levels that permit colleges and universities to meet student needs. From the ASEE aggregator:
The Wall Street Journal (1/21, Belkin, Subscription Publication) reports that spending by state governments on higher education is up about six percent in FY14 after four years of straight declines. While the gains are uneven, they are widespread, with 40 states increasing funding compared to only 10 decreasing it, according to data put together by researchers at Illinois State University. However, state government spending on higher education remains 11 percent below its level of five years ago in real-dollar terms.
18 Saturday Jan 2014
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Part of the issue. There is more we must also do later in education to support these early learners when they finally make their post-secondary decisions. From the ASEE aggregator:
WKYU-FM Bowling Green, KY (1/16, Autry) reports West Kentucky University has received a $150,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to create videos that will expose children to STEM. Dr. Julia Roberts, executive director of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at WKU, said, “The hardest thing about changing the number of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in Kentucky relates to the fact that unless you stimulate interest early and students are really prepared to be successful when they go to college in those areas, then it’s not going to happen.”
18 Saturday Jan 2014
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I am fascinated by the progress researchers are making towards a future with viable space travel. From the ASEE aggregator:
The ABC News (1/15, Chang) website reports on the new spacesuit designed by researchers at the European Astronaut Center (EAC), called the Skinsuit. The suit “exerts force” on a wearer, thus helping his or her skeleton from the effects of zero gravity. International Space Station engineer Mamta Nagaraja said, “When we’re on Earth and we walk or run, we put weight on our bones that cause the different cellular processes to signal bone formation to occur. … Without gravity, there’s an imbalance between [bone] formation and resorption, so astronauts lose up to 3 percent of their bone mass per month.” Nagaraja added that there might not be a single answer to combating the problem, so “it’s worth trying these types of research-based efforts to counteract bone loss.”
17 Friday Jan 2014
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From the ASEE aggregator (another potential collaborator?):
The Queens (NY) Chronicle (1/16, McRae) reported Preethi Radhakrishnan, an assistant professor of biology at LaGuardia Community College has been awarded a grant to help develop a program to encourage women to pursue STEM careers. The college has begun an initiative that will include workshops, research internships and scholarships. “The first two years of a college career are considered key predictors of whether students will pursue a major in STEM fields,” Radhakrishnan said. “This grant will increase women entering STEM fields, gaining research experience and in successfully graduating with a STEM degree in hand.”
13 Monday Jan 2014
Posted in General, Outreach Ideas
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From the ASEE aggregator. I will have to connect with these people when I begin my own research…
The Dracut (MA) Valley Dispatch (1/12, Feinstein) reported that a program called Exploring the Efficacy of Elementary Engineering (E4 Project) “will gauge the efficacy of different techniques for teaching engineering to” young students, fifth graders. Also, the E4 Project will “evaluate how engineering instruction affects children from groups that are underrepresented in engineering, including girls.” Christine Cunningham, who leads the E4 project, said, “Our preliminary research suggests that very young children really can master engineering concepts and practices -and that they benefit in a number of ways when engineering is part of their classroom experience.”
10 Friday Jan 2014
Posted in General
Interesting article briefly summarizing the work behind Cleveland school district recommendations. Seems there were “concerns about access to STEM programs” but others note the schools simply needed to begin affirmative action to attract Hispanic students. May be some lessons to learn here… From the ASEE aggregator:
Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng, FEC, FGC (hon) 