Ed News: How P-16 Education Can Increase Women In STEM Fields
By Kate Falk
Posted on 2018-03-19
This week in education news, the majority of the nation’s seniors will graduate having never taken physics; report finds teacher shortage and lack of supplies delay rollout of the new science standards in California; new study shows women dominate the education workforce, but still earn less than men; California science teachers wins $20,000 science lab makeover; and the House Education Committee voted to introduce a concurrent resolution repeating its earlier call for deleting portions of Idaho’s proposed new school science standards.
One Reason Students Aren’t Prepared For STEM Careers? No Physics In High School
Nationwide, ninth-graders don’t usually take physics. In fact, the majority of the nation’s seniors will graduate having never taken physics at all. And Sarita’s students, Spanish-speaking Latinos attending a high-poverty school, are an even unlikelier bunch to catch in a physics lab. Physics is widely considered to be a building block for a range of STEM disciplines— science, technology, engineering and math — and taking the course in high school is strongly correlated with getting a degree in a STEM field. Read the article featured in The Hechinger Report.
When Teachers Have A Fear Of Math, Their Pupils Can Absorb The Wrong Lesson
Often said in jest, the phrase “I’m not a math person” can provoke more than just laughter, particularly if said around students. To Erin Maloney, it can send the message that there are some people gifted in arithmetic skills and those that will never be — and that’s the wrong note to ever send to a child. Read the article featured in Education DIVE.
Teacher Shortage, Lack Of Supplies Hinder Rollout Of New Science Standards, Report Finds
Most teachers are embracing California’s new science standards, but the rollout has been hampered by teacher shortages, lackluster elementary science education, lack of supplies and other obstacles, according to a new report. Read the article featured in EdSource.
How P-16 Education Can Increase Women In STEM Fields
Data show only 29% of the science and engineering workforce is comprised of women. And with the onus resting on the shoulders of higher education leaders to provide graduates for gaps in the workforce, as well as significant ROI for students — barriers in the pathway create not only moral challenges, but economic ones. Read the article featured in Education DIVE.
Even In Female-Dominated Education Workforce, Women Earn Less Than Men
Women dominate the education workforce, yet they can’t count on equal pay for equal work, a new study shows. Despite many school districts’ use of apparently neutral uniform salary schedules, females in the education workforce are typically paid less than males for similar roles, according to an analysis of educators’ salaries and pension benefits in Illinois by the nonprofit Bellwether Education Partners. Read the article featured in Education Week.
Finally, Enough Beakers For Everyone: Oakland Teacher Wins Grant For State-Of-The-Art Science Lab
Last fall, Oakland science teacher Lauren Brown tried to teach a lesson on exothermic chemical reactions by having her 7th-graders mix hydrogen peroxide, yeast and warm water. The results? Not quite the multi-colored explosion that was promised in the textbook. It was more like a dull fizzle. Read the article featured in EdSource.
Eye On Boise: Amid Confusion, House Panel Tries Again To Delete Part Of School Science Standards
Amid much confusion, the House Education Committee voted along party lines to introduce a concurrent resolution repeating its earlier call for deleting portions of Idaho’s proposed new school science standards, even though the Senate Education Committee already has voted to approve the standards – which means they’ll take effect. Read the article featured in The Spokesman-Review.
STEM Is Losing Male LGBQ Undergrads
It’s no secret that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields have a problem retaining women and racial minorities. Now, a new study provides quantitative evidence that the same problem applies to some sexual minorities—a group that anecdotally has been known to experience challenges in STEM but has eluded thorough examination owing to a lack of data. But there’s a twist: Retention is lower for men who identify as LGBQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer), while LGBQ women are actually more likely to persist in STEM than their heterosexual peers. Read the article featured in Science magazine.
Stay tuned for next week’s top education news stories.
The Communication, Legislative & Public Affairs (CLPA) team strives to keep NSTA members, teachers, science education leaders, and the general public informed about NSTA programs, products, and services and key science education issues and legislation. In the association’s role as the national voice for science education, its CLPA team actively promotes NSTA’s positions on science education issues and communicates key NSTA messages to essential audiences.
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
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Making Connections @ NSTA 18
By Lynn Petrinjak
Posted on 2018-03-16
It is day 2 of the NSTA National Conference! One of my favorite ways to start the day is the Elementary Extravaganza—it’s a great event with lots of hands-on activities and demonstrations specifically for elementary educators. While walking through the extravaganza, I could not help noticing all the fun education and science themed shirts—one teacher said her team invites students to design a T-shirt each year and they select a winning design to print on their shirts.
I’m always impressed with the connections attendees make at the conference—and even some surprise reunions! I overhead two people greet each other in surprise: The woman exclaimed she was so happy to see a former student at the conference and discover he’d become a teacher, too!
Meet Me in the Middle—which obviously focuses on middle level educators—is later today and the high school share-a-thon is scheduled for tomorrow.
It is day 2 of the NSTA National Conference! One of my favorite ways to start the day is the Elementary Extravaganza—it’s a great event with lots of hands-on activities and demonstrations specifically for elementary educators.
#NSTA18 Atlanta: Day 1
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Posted on 2018-03-16
What a day! If your shoulders are not throbbing, bags not over-flowing, and brain not racing… you may have not been at the same conference as I was. I teach middle school Earth & Space Science and Environmental Science at an Independent school in Miami, Florida–Gulliver Schools. I still consider myself a newbie at NSTA “conferencing,” but having attended the NSTA STEM Forum & Expo this past summer in Orlando, my expectations are rightfully through the roof. Back in the summer I walked away from the STEM Forum with my passion ignited, with projects I am currently using to infuse my class with the type of lessons that may have other teachers asking me to “CLOSE MY DOOR” like Ron Clark mentioned this morning in his keynote. But that was exactly the type of makeover my classes needed. I’m here this week because I got a taste of NSTA and was hooked!!
Needless to say, Day 1 did not disappoint. I walked into the Georgia World Congress Center this morning with heart open to absorb all that was about to come at me. It began with Rob Clark’s keynote!
My Top Takeaways
- Take time to genuinely check-in with people in your communities, schools, and classrooms.
- If you feel it in your heart, DO IT!
- Thank the RUNNERS in our lives who drive the “bus” forward, pulling and inspiring us in their wake.
- And be willing to take different paths.
His session left me energized for my own presentation with my SEEC Crew from Space Center Houston.
The main goal of our session was to share a lesson we created to help educators to use the engineering design process while teaching about the Orion Mission in a simple and entertaining way. Giving teachers the chance to ideate, build, test, and fail refreshed our perspective–being on the other side of the desk.
In the rush of “not missing sessions” and logging conference mileage on my imaginary fitbit, I gave myself the opportunity to simply talk to other attendees! Just like Ron suggested, I asked “How are you”? Their answers reminded me that no matter our subject, grade level, state, years in the “biz,” we are all here on a quest for to make sense of what we see and wonder what makes our students curious. Like Melanie from Tallahassee, I want my students to explore Argument-Driven Inquiry to differentiate my classroom and get NGSS standard-connected lessons. Like Cecilia from NYC, I want to find lessons I can apply right away and am looking to refuel my teaching spirit. Like Sheila from Broward, Florida, I’m here for the hands-on workshops that will get my kids moving, jumping, and falling in love with my subject. Like Joshua & Ranell from Northern Illinois, I’m here for content to back up the fireworks! I want to find ways for my students to delve deeper into topics with access to real DATA. Like Carl from West Virginia who works with inner city youth, I too want to connect my students with the real world career goals that will inspire them to “push through” when obstacles come up in their lives. And we can all admit we will never forgo some out-of-this-world/ready-Use/teacher approved activities that can be tweaked for #MAKINGMondayGREAT!
Why We Exist as Educators
Stephen Hawking passed away yesterday, having dedicated his life to inquiring “Why it is that we and the universe exist…?” Conferences like these may not hold the answers to life’s most probing questions, but I hope they remind us why we exist as educators. May we never stop being curious or infusing our classrooms with the type of curiosity that inspires students to grow into adults who live with passion. “We need to be the phenomenal teachers that we are lacking in our country in order to inspire the next generation of scientists who can change the world!” – Ron Clark
So tomorrow, I can’t want to see you bright and early! ( Here are some Tips in case you missed them for Hacking “Conferencing”: https://youtu.be/ETkFclxoWV4.) With comfy shoes, reset fitbits, charged devices, and recharged internal batteries! Make some space for all the emotional, intellectual, and physical goodies you will gather! Most importantly though, make time to CONNECT with each other!
Looking forward to Day 2!
Valeria Rodriguez
Creator. Educator. Mentor
“Design the Life you want to live”-Rachel Roy
valeriasketches@gmail.com
@GA_scienceRodva
More About the 2018 National Conference on Science Education
Browse the program preview, or check out more sessions and other events with the Atlanta Session Browser/Personal Scheduler. Follow all our conference tweets using #NSTA18, and if you tweet, please feel free to tag us @NSTA so we see it!
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
Future NSTA Conferences
2018 STEM Forum & Expo
Philadelphia, July 11–13
2018 Area Conferences
Follow NSTA
Ron Clark's Opening Session: "We need to inspire the next generation!"
By Carole Hayward
Posted on 2018-03-15
Ms. Valeria (@GA_ScienceRodva) captured the essence of Ron Clark’s dynamic presentation to thousands of science teachers first thing Thursday morning with her sketchnotes.
More About the 2018 National Conference on Science Education
Browse the program preview, or check out more sessions and other events with the Atlanta Session Browser/Personal Scheduler. Follow all our conference tweets using #NSTA18, and if you tweet, please feel free to tag us @NSTA so we see it!
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
Future NSTA Conferences
-
2018 STEM Forum & Expo
Follow NSTA
Ms. Valeria (@GA_ScienceRodva) captured the essence of Ron Clark’s dynamic presentation to thousands of science teachers first thing Thursday morning with her sketchnotes.
More About the 2018 National Conference on Science Education
#NSTA18 Atlanta: Tweet All About It!
By Lauren Jonas, NSTA Assistant Executive Director
Posted on 2018-03-15
The 2018 NSTA National Conference started with selfies,
and quickly evolved into group shots!
Science selfies at the Alabama booth in the registration area! #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/TxebvjxlAI
— Cindy Willingham (@cwscience) March 15, 2018
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Let the fun begin! #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/rFqRxB4zxh
— Bev DeVore-Wedding (@bdevore) March 15, 2018
Is this your first NSTA conference? Here’s middle school representation #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/JT0ANvIhlW
— Plum Grove Stem (@lennstroms) March 15, 2018
> <
Ready for the #NSTA18 conference! It’ll be a great time to learn with great friends! @Ross_Chem @OaklandSci pic.twitter.com/GwGYuWToPP
— Todd Bauer (@TBauerWCHS) March 15, 2018
Where Geeks are Cool and Nerds Rule
Geeking out at NSTA with the girls! #NSTA18 #pelionprowl pic.twitter.com/5o908tRUhO
— Asha Curry (@ashacurrysci) March 15, 2018
Nerdin’ it up #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/VBmr7ebu67
— Colin Killmer (@ckillmer) March 14, 2018
Ron Clark—Minions Welcome…
But No Slackers Need Apply!
Waiting on Ron Clark’s NSTA presentation like….#NSTA2018 #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/Cue4O1gH90
— Melissa E. Boehler (@Meboehler) March 15, 2018
We are all excited to be at #NSTA18 and to hear @mrronclark_ keynote! Science rocks and so do Science Teachers @dwhitesciguy pic.twitter.com/fospkeYZrQ
— Judie Hardin Beccaro (@STEMgal1) March 15, 2018
Ron Clark 😆@SPARK_STEM #oneAthens #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/ct5xP4mNoc
— Leigh Ann Fleming (@fleming2class) March 15, 2018
#NSTA18 with @ronclarkacademy #passionmatters #bethere #thatlookslikefun pic.twitter.com/ZJWCz5Vy2H
— Ella Bowling (@ellabowling) March 15, 2018
@mrronclark_ @ronclarkacademy so inspirational!! #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/OeqvQrjOwf
— Jill (@JillMoniqueEdu) March 15, 2018
The Exhibit Hall
The Science Teacher’s Playground
It’s been awhile, but @googleearth is back @ #NSTA18 and we are so excited! Make time to stop by the @Google booth to see beautiful #Earth Voyager stories created by our partner @BIOINTERACTIVE, the power of timelapse, and play with the Science Journal App! pic.twitter.com/zHPNi0CkE2
— Google Earth Outreach (@earthoutreach) March 15, 2018
We’re ready!! Let’s be super. #nsta18 pic.twitter.com/cnZ83MklSY
— Legends of Learning (@legendlearning) March 15, 2018
Just WON the “Most Creative Lab Coat” Contest at #NSTA18 !
The prize was an $80 gift card to the NSTA Store! pic.twitter.com/jLqZ4N0iJN— Ambra Hook (@ambra_hook) March 14, 2018
Having fun with .@LEGO_Education WeDo 2.0 Definitely need this for my lab! #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/FX7h0MQFY7
— Tamieka Grizzle (@TeamGrizzle2006) March 15, 2018
Sessions, Sessions, Sessions
Elementary Teachers at #NSTA18 , come to #elementaryextravaganza on Friday morning to see exciting science tools for your elementary classroom. Including #Mars Mission Specialist. @NSTA @SandC_NSTA pic.twitter.com/kowTEzzfwY
— Bill Burton (@effelgorp) March 15, 2018
<p? 
Learned “what’s new in physics” from @Perimeter this afternoon and my head is still spinning. Best PD session that I’ve ever been to! I even got some new materials for my astrophysics unit next month!! #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/ZgGUtONLZ4
— Joe Cossette (@cossettej) March 15, 2018
I did it! #NSTA18 presentation was a success! pic.twitter.com/7OczZuraeX
— Susanne Smith (@susannecoulter3) March 15, 2018
I Can See Your Halo
My selfie with the nautilus #nsta18 ✅ – https://t.co/gzuDGJpLD9 pic.twitter.com/YCEsFvkTav
— Jaime (@Jkupfner) March 15, 2018
Can you see yourself as a Presidential Award Winner??? Come talk to us at booth 1549 and learn all about this prestigious award! #NSTA18 #paemst @NSF_EHR pic.twitter.com/UrMCvk1oOW
— David Steele (@dsteele_AEF) March 15, 2018
And Don’t Miss This!
This Friday, March 16th, tune into @NASA TV at 10:40am (ET) to see educators attending the National Science Teachers Association conference in Atlanta, GA ask @Astro_Maker questions about living and working in space! https://t.co/m9AacP4zoQ #STEMonStation #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/XYdB9QERJQ
— NASA Education (@NASAedu) March 13, 2018
More About the 2018 National Conference on Science Education
Browse the program preview, or check out more sessions and other events with the Atlanta Session Browser/Personal Scheduler. Follow all our conference tweets using #NSTA18, and if you tweet, please feel free to tag us @NSTA so we see it!
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
Future NSTA Conferences
-
2018 STEM Forum & Expo
Follow NSTA
The 2018 NSTA National Conference started with selfies,
and quickly evolved into group shots!
Science selfies at the Alabama booth in the registration area! #NSTA18 pic.twitter.com/TxebvjxlAI
— Cindy Willingham (@cwscience) March 15, 2018
Online community on learning science through play
By Peggy Ashbrook
Posted on 2018-03-14
Play may mean many things, but in early childhood education it can include learning science concepts. Looking for resources on “Learning Science Concepts Through Play“? Check the The NSTA Learning Center Early Childhood Forum, a community that includes early childhood educators in all roles in the profession and is free to all with registration.
Looking for resources on “Kindergarten Activities“? Check the LC EC forum. “Teaching Science to Kindergarten in a Short Time Frame“? Check the LC EC forum!
Experienced educators share their ideas on how to choose science experiences and activities (see “Pinterest” in the Elementary forum) and preservice teachers share the resources and ideas they find most useful in their beginning practice. One of the experienced educators I look for is Maureen Stover. See her questions for identifying worthy lesson plans online:
I do quite a bit of my lesson planning by searching for ideas and activities on the internet. Like all resources on the internet, you do need to be cautious of information and ideas you find online to ensure they are legitimate and valid. Here’s my mental checklist that I run through when I’m evaluating an internet resource:
1. Is this an activity/resource that meets my lesson objective/goal?
2. Is this activity on grade level (or can I easily modify it)?
3. Is this activity reasonable to complete in my classroom?
4. Is this activity safe?
5. Is this activity affordable?
6. Will this activity engage my students?
Also, whenever I am downloading a resource or looking up content knowledge, I try to validate the information from several sources to ensure the information is accurate.
What are your favorite Learning Center topics?
Play may mean many things, but in early childhood education it can include learning science concepts. Looking for resources on “Learning Science Concepts Through Play“?
Kristel Pushes and Pulls
Properties Matter
Legislative Update
Congress Scrambles to Introduce Bills to Address School Violence & Mental Health
By Jodi Peterson
Posted on 2018-03-09
In the wake of the school shootings last month in Parkland, Florida that claimed the lives of 17 people, key leaders in both the Senate and the House have introduced legislation they believe will improve school safety and bring more mental health counselors to schools.
Senate HELP Chairman Senator Lamar Alexander has introduced a bill (School Safety & Mental Health Services Improvement Act) that would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and allow states and districts to use ESSA Title IVA funds to “improve school safety infrastructure,” including “physical security, technology, and training of school personnel to recognize and respond to threats of school violence.”
POLITICO reported that Alexander told members of CCSSO during their legislative meeting that “states could use the funds for mental health, hiring more school counselors and steps for violence prevention, and that funds could be used for armed systems, improving entrances and exits of schools, installing security cameras and other infrastructure upgrades if you chose to do that.”
Alexander’s bill would also allow states to use Title II teacher training funding “to hire and improve the professional development of school counselors” and creates a Presidential Task Force to better coordinate resources between the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Justice, Interior and Homeland Security. It also updates Titles II and IV to clarify existing allowable school safety activities, including bullying and harassment prevention, crisis response, and other programs designed to reduce and prevent school violence.
A bill that would authorize a Justice Department school violence prevention program has also been introduced in both the House and Senate and House action is expected. The “STOP School Violence Act,” H.R. 4909 (115), would allow the Justice Department to issue grants to states and districts to train police agencies, school personnel and students and to develop reporting systems and other programs, and fund security measures in schools, such as metal detectors.
On Wednesday, March 7, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos visited Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, site of last month’s school shooting, where she told attendees that school districts should have the option to arm teachers.
President Donald Trump has called for armed and trained teachers in the schools, citing examples of programs that stress extensive training and safety already established in Texas and Florida. These ideas have been repeatedly opposed by teacher unions and school psychologists.
Increased Title IV Funding for School Safety and Mental Health Services?
Members of Congress are also calling for increased funding for Title IVA so that schools have funds available for school safety measures.
During his meeting with state leaders last week Alexander hinted that there “might be additional money” for the additional Title IV programs in the upcoming fiscal 2018 omnibus appropriations bill.
Both House leaders of the Education and Workforce Committee—Chairwoman Rep. Virginia Foxx and Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Scott—urged that funding grants to states that support student services should be a “top priority” after the Florida school shooting and urged congressional appropriators to prioritize funding for the ESSA Title IVA, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAEG).
In a March 8 letter, 28 Democratic senators asked appropriations leaders for the highest possible funding for the ESSA TitleIVA SSAEG grant to support school climate and safety programs and address the opioid epidemic. “As of the date of this letter, there have been 12 shootings in American schools this year, according to an analysis by CNN, and we are only two months into 2018. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in 2016 there were 63,600 drug overdose deaths in the United States, equivalent to 174 individuals dying each day, and 92,000 children were removed from their homes in FY16 because at least one parent had a substance abuse issue. Congress cannot ignore these disturbing trends.”
As you will recall the Title IVA SSAEG is a formula based program that allows states and districts to determine the use of funds as long as programs support student health and safety, a well-rounded education (which includes science and STEM programs) and the effective use of technology.
Trump Issues Report on Science and Technology
The White House released a report last week that highlighted the Administration’s successes in science and technology during President Trump’s first year in office.
On STEM education, the report states, “On September 25, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of Education to prioritize high-quality STEM and computer science education when awarding competitive grant funding. The memorandum also establishes a goal of de-voting at least $200 million annually in grant funds for this purpose, which was matched by a private industry commitment of $300 million.
“On February 28, President Trump signed the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act into law. The INSPIRE Women Act called on the NASA Administrator to encourage women and girls to pursue STEM education and careers in aerospace by supporting related NASA initiatives. On July 26, President Trump donated his second-quarter salary to the Department of Education to host a STEM-focused camp for students. The Trump Administration has also continued senior level attendance at STEM gatherings across the country, including the National Science Bowl, the U.S.A. Mathematical Olympiad, and the FIRST Global Challenge.”
The achievements cited in the report also include the Administration’s efforts with energy dominance, the opioid epidemic and space exploration.
Read the full report here.
Also last week . . .
Fifty seven House Democrats sent a letter to Education Secretary DeVos on March 7, expressing their disappointment regarding implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, saying she was approving states plans that violate the federal law, and urging her to review all state plans to ensure they are compliant with ESSA.
At issue is whether DeVos has approved (or is about to approve) state plans which will rate schools on school-wide averages and will not adequately count the performance of certain groups of historically underserved students, including low-income students, African American students and Hispanic students. The law requires that the performance of individual groups of students must be counted in school ratings. More here.
And Education Secretary DeVos has released the Department’s final priorities for issuing funds through existing discretionary grant programs and as expected, STEM education and computer science are included as one of the 11 priorities. Read more here.
Stay tuned, and watch for more updates in future issues of NSTA Express.
Jodi Peterson is the Assistant Executive Director of Communication, Legislative & Public Affairs for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Chair of the STEM Education Coalition. Reach her via e-mail at jpeterson@nsta.org or via Twitter at @stemedadvocate.
The mission of NSTA is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
Follow NSTA
- Read more about Congress Scrambles to Introduce Bills to Address School Violence & Mental Health
In the wake of the school shootings last month in Parkland, Florida that claimed the lives of 17 people, key leaders in both the Senate and the House have introduced legislation they believe will improve school safety and bring more mental health counselors to schools.