Partnership for Learning’s Post

"I'm not a science person" I've heard that reaction so many times from adults after sharing I have a PhD in chemistry. But it stings differently and more impactfully, when it comes from a student. From a kid who hides behind that identity as a protection mechanism, thinking it will lower my expectations of them, to a kid using it as an excuse to "check out." Or a kid who just is not that interested in the content because their passion is in drama, or political science, or poetry, or fine arts, or.... I've found that when a student takes on that as part of their identity, it is rooted in not having experienced science yet. The true experience of developing an experiment you care about, the struggle of carrying it out, gathering data, and the satisfaction of answering your question. Because the truth is, we should all have a part of our identity rooted in the scientific method. The curiosity and creativity, the perseverance, the skepticism, the methodical approach, the critical thinking and problem solving, the project management... We need more STEM research experiences, earlier, and often! So when I read this report, I found it to be so valuable, so validating, as someone who has dedicated their career to STEM research education. And this part stood out to me: "Of all the arguments supporting increased investment in STEM education R&D to solve our current STEM crisis – tepid federal spending, ominously powerful inventions, and the dearth of talent for advancing and managing those inventions – a fourth argument eclipses each of them: STEM education improves the lives of individuals irrespective of their occupation. And in so doing, STEM education improves communities and the country at large. Learners fortunate to enjoy quality STEM education develop creativity through imaginative design, interpretation, and representation of investigations. The tools they use strengthen technology literacy. The mode of discovery is highly social, honing communication and cooperation skills. With no sage-on-the-stage they develop independence of thought. Failure happens, forging perseverance and resilience in its wake. Asking and answering questions nurtures curiosity. Defending and refuting ideas cultivates critical thinking, Truth and facts are evidence-based yet always tentative. Empathy is cultivated through alternative interpretations or points of view. And confidence to pursue STEM as a career comes from doing STEM. The prospect of an entire population of Americans thus equipped is the most compelling case for strategically increased R&D investment in STEM education." Every student should have STEM experiences that make them feel like a science kid, even if its not their career choice. Stay tuned! We at STEMbridge Consulting are developing new core offerings and are undergoing a website revamp. Can't WAIT to share what we've been working on as we try to ensure all students are having valuable STEM research experiences, early and often.

Check out our article in National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) magazine Teaching Young Children. The article, "Fostering STEM Identity and Representation: The Importance of Collecting Books to Reflect Children's Experiences" is here: https://lnkd.in/g44d4wxC. #EarlyEducation #EarlyChildhood #TeachingYoungChildren #Belonging

Ensuring STEM is open to everyone is essential to the future of science. Through awards for seven Pathway Summer Institutes for Educators, the DOE Office of Science is supporting nearly 85 educators who either teach at schools and community colleges with large populations of students historically underserved and/or underrepresented in STEM or are educators who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM: https://lnkd.in/eum2gv-k

In this article from VP of Global Educational Strategy Jason McKenna, he advocates for an early start to STEM education. 🧠 He explains that by the age of 6, many children already perceive computer science, engineering, and physics as male domains and emphasizes that "early exposure to STEM is essential to combat these stereotypes and foster an inclusive, equitable future in STEM fields." This article also offers action items for district leaders in order to achieve early STEM education within schools. 🗞️ Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/42qGSC8

More than 5,000 female students have benefited from an initiative that offers pupils from disadvantaged communities a pathway into careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths). The All-Ireland STEM Passport for Inclusion programme is a joint initiative by Maynooth University, Microsoft Ireland, Research Ireland and the Department of Education. https://lnkd.in/ewfGCVUx

📚 Are you curious about how specialized charter schools can transform education? 💡 Welcome to our Diverse Learning Path series! In this series, we'll dive into the diverse areas of focus that charter schools can adopt, creating tailored, engaging, and impactful education options for students. 🌟 Follow National Charter Collaborative for a deeper dive into the specialized focus areas charter schools offer. Whether it's STEM, the arts, or humanities,these unique educational opportunities can shape the future for our children and our leaders. What are your thoughts on specialized charter schools? Share your views in the comments! 💬

Great opportunity for 6th -12th grade STEM teachers & administrators. https://lnkd.in/epU_fRGa The Scaling Up for STEM Initiative, sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, provides middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) teachers with a yearlong immersive professional learning experience designed to enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence in science, technology, and engineering; and increase STEM career exposure while boosting teacher understanding about the skills needed for a scientifically literate workforce. The program provides a tailored approach to support teachers’ efforts to create an equitable learning environment that increases student interest, participation, and academic success in STEM education. Northrop Grumman New Jersey Department of Education New Jersey STEM Pathways Network New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) New Jersey Science Teachers Association (NJSTA) Jersey Shore STEM Ecosystem

❓ What can we do to help get more kids interested in STEM? We asked the finalists from the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, the nation's premier middle school STEM research competition. Society for Science 🥼 Through programs like the Thermo Fisher JIC, we're helping to expand access to hands-on learning experiences designed to inspire young innovators who will help bring solutions to some of the world's most critical scientific challenges. Together we can inspire and empower the next generation of scientists, engineers and problem solvers.

Next week is Listen. Learn. Lead. Week at UT, a week devoted to understanding different perspectives, learning from the experiences of others, and leading with courage. Read more about how UT is a beacon for the respectful exchange of ideas and how Student Life is strengthening civic health through campus conversations. https://lnkd.in/e2upm4kW