Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, has organized its 29th annual Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM) Institute to encourage young women in grades 10 to 12 to pursue careers in STEM. The week-long program consisted of workshops and labs aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of STEM fields.

Over 30 students participated in this year's institute, which had the theme "STEM Solutions to Natural Disasters." The goal was to empower young women by showing them how they can contribute to finding or creating solutions to address the needs of their communities in the face of natural disasters. The program included visits to various STEM-related industries, such as aviation, welding, building, and robotics, to expose the students to potential career paths.

The event was covered in several local papers. Participants like Maanasa Miriyala and Elena George expressed enthusiasm for the program, highlighting its empowering nature and ability to fuel their passion for STEM. Miriyala aspires to become an environmental engineer and contribute to combating climate change, while George is considering a future in architecture or biotechnology. By...

Registration for the NOVA Summer Camps is now open—the STEM Camp program introduces Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to thousands of grade-school students.

The camps are focused on hands-on, project-based learning that provides students with excellent opportunities to begin exploring STEM fields and to chart a course for future STEM education and workforce opportunities .Led by a team of dedicated instructors and professionals, the camps provide an exceptional educational experience. Through hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and immersive projects, campers gain valuable knowledge, practical skills, and a deeper understanding of their chosen subjects. They are encouraged to think critically, collaborate with their peers, and embrace creativity, fostering personal growth and preparing them for future endeavors. The STEM camp tracks include Coding, Robotics, Cybersecurity, Fabrication, Rocketry and more!

Camps will run June through August, but registration is open throughout the summer.

• Camps last one week and are only $315.
• Camps are offered at many of our NOVA Campuses, and at some schools in Northern Virginia.
• Camps run from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Find...

Gen Z students are reshaping higher education as they enroll at community colleges in record numbers. According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, community college enrollment rates are rising. This significant surge in enrollment marks a departure from the traditional four-year university route, with Gen Z opting for more affordable and practical alternatives.

One key driving force behind this trend is the rising cost of higher education. Gen Z students are mindful of the burden of student loans and are turning to community colleges for cost-effective options. These institutions offer career-oriented programs and hands-on training, appealing to the pragmatic and career-focused mindset of this generation.

Furthermore, community colleges provide flexibility and adaptability in their course offerings, accommodating the diverse needs of Gen Z learners. They offer part-time, online, and hybrid learning options, allowing students to balance education with work or family responsibilities. This transformative trend not only alters educational choices but also has implications for the future workforce, fostering a more diverse, skilled, and adaptable pool of...

The deadline for The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program is approaching and NSF and AAAS are offering proposal preparation webinars. Interested candidates are encouraged to watch the webinars on the NOYCE website. Webinars include: 

• May 25, 1:00-2:00 pm EDT / Noyce Track 1: Scholarships & Stipends and Capacity Building
• June 1, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT / IUSE with focus on preservice teacher education
• June 6, 1:00-2:00 pm EDT / Noyce Track 2: Teaching Fellowships, Track 3: Master Teaching Fellowships, and Capacity Building
• June 7, 3:30-4:30 EDT / Noyce Research Experiences in STEM Settings
• June 8, 1:00-2:00 pm / Noyce Track 4: Research and Capacity Building

Established with the goal of addressing the critical shortage of highly qualified STEM teachers in schools across the country, the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in STEM disciplines, as well as professionals transitioning to teaching careers. By providing scholarships, internships, and mentoring opportunities, the program aims to attract and retain talented individuals who can inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. ...

The upcoming NICE Conference 2023, is set to take place in Seattle, Washington on June 5-7, 2023. The conference, organized by the National Innovation and Creativity Enterprise (NICE), is expected to attract an array of innovators, industry leaders, and thinkers from across the globe. From technology and healthcare to sustainability and entrepreneurship, the NICE Conference 2023 will delve into a wide range of topics, offering valuable insights and inspiring new perspectives.

One of the highly anticipated speakers at the conference is Dr. Elizabeth Kolmstetter, the Chief People Officer at Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). NICE will also feature engaging panel discussions and interactive workshops, providing a platform for attendees to actively participate and exchange ideas. These sessions encourage dialogue, foster collaborations, and nurture the spirit of innovation. Participants will have the opportunity to network with fellow innovators, share their own insights, and forge connections.

Learn more about the conference's agenda and speakers on their website. Note that registration is now closed. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on future topics for workforce development in emerging technology career pathways. The NSF Directorates for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) and STEM Education (EDU) are specifically seeking input from various stakeholders including non-profit organizations, philanthropies, industry, government agencies, educational institutions, and other communities of practice. The goal is to gather diverse perspectives on opportunities and challenges in creating flexible and seamless STEM pathways in emerging technological areas.

While this RFI does not invite research proposals or offer funding opportunities, the collected input will be used to inform and shape future NSF investments and programs. The NSF aims to address the need for a highly skilled domestic workforce capable of supporting innovation in critical and emerging technologies such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and more.

The RFI highlights the importance of increasing the representation of domestic students in STEM disciplines, particularly in fields leading to emerging technology...

A new article from the Associated Press dives into the benefits of attending community college and transferring to a four-year university to earn a bachelor's degree. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, community college transfer students make up nearly half of all bachelor's degree earners.

The article highlights the cost savings of attending community college, as tuition is typically lower than at four-year universities. Additionally, students can complete their general education requirements in a smaller and more supportive environment, potentially leading to higher grades and a smoother transition to a four-year institution.

The article also notes that community college transfer students often perform as well as, or even better than, students who start at a four-year university. It encourages students to consider community college as a valuable option for their education and to take advantage of transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year universities.

However, as the article emphasizes, students should consider all options when pursuing higher education.

A new report outlines seven practices for building community and student belonging virtually. The report, published by the Chronicle of Higher Education by Ithaka S+R, offers strategies for educators to foster a sense of community and engagement among students in online learning environments.

The seven practices include: using technology to create opportunities for interaction and collaboration, establishing clear expectations for student participation, building in opportunities for student feedback, creating a sense of social presence, using empathy and understanding to connect with students, providing opportunities for students to connect with each other, and creating a positive and inclusive learning environment.

The report emphasizes the importance of building community and student belonging in online learning, as it can improve student engagement, retention, and academic success.

Building Inclusive Labs, from the UCSF Office of Career and Professional Development, focuses on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and engineering labs in a series of upcoming workshops.

The workshops will cover topics such as creating inclusive lab cultures, addressing microaggressions and implicit bias, and building effective mentoring relationships. Led by experienced facilitators, the workshops aim to provide participants with actionable strategies for promoting inclusivity and advancing diversity in their labs.

The next workshop is called "Workplace Navigation Training: Utilizing an Interview to determine a 'Good Fit.'" The workshop will take place on Friday, April 21st, from 3-5pm PT and will be led by Naledi Saul, MPM, Director of the UCSF Office of Career and Professional Development.

Participants will learn strategies for using job interviews to determine if a potential internship or job opportunity is a good fit for their career and educational goals. The workshop will cover topics such as defining what a 'bad fit' or 'toxic work environment' is, clarifying personal goals before the interview, using questions to assess workplace alignment with...

A recent article in the American Sociological Association's Footnotes magazine delves into the real cost of education for students, families, and the nation. The article argues that while the price of college tuition has risen significantly in recent years, the true cost of education goes beyond just tuition fees.

Additional costs such as textbooks, housing, transportation, and food can significantly impact a student's ability to afford higher education. The article also highlights the long-term economic benefits of investing in education, stating that higher levels of education lead to increased earning potential and overall economic growth.

The article further examines the inequitable distribution of educational costs and benefits, with low-income and minority students facing more significant financial barriers to higher education. The authors argue that reducing the cost of education and increasing access to financial aid could help level the playing field and increase social mobility. They also emphasize the need for policymakers to invest in education as a means of promoting economic growth and reducing inequality.

Ultimately, the article calls for a comprehensive approach...