Texas EcosySTEM Newsletter
Education Service Center Region 11 - September 2020
Texas EcosySTEM - Region 11
Newsletter/listserv signup: From the dropdown, select TEXAS ECOSYSTEM!
Vision: To provide quality solutions that build the capacity in STEM learning opportunities.
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STEM SHOWCASE
Chauntee
Crowley ISD
Roy
Crowley ISD LIVE VIRTUAL STEM plus Enrichment
On October 5, 2020, students who chose in-person learning will engage with STEMplus teachers through a Business, Marketing, Finance lens. Students will be creating a product or business utilizing financial constraints during the first semester. STEMPlus teachers, because they are split amongst two campuses, only see students through the specials rotation 6 or 7 times the first semester and 10 or 12 times the second semester. During the second semester, students will work through the Engineering Design process through the lens of Biomedical Science and Programming. In the second semester, students will participate in a STEM showcase where they will create a marketing plan for the product or business they built in the first semester.
When STEMplus teachers are not on campuses, the STEMplus campus coordinator will take the reigns and work to embed virtual field trips, guest speakers, and other opportunities geared towards the CTE focus areas. Also available for every campus, K-9 will be after school clubs geared toward STEM.
Crowley ISD has also partnered with Tech Smart coding and will be implementing a coding class for 3rd through 5th-grade students at eight of our elementary campuses.
If you have a STEM event or program that you would like to feature in a Texas EcosySTEM newsletter, please send your information and a picture to cbowden@esc11.net. We would love to help you show off the great things happening in your school!
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AVIATION FOR GIRLS
It is an exciting time to be a young woman in the field of aviation and aerospace. The doors are open, and there are lots of jobs to pursue---beyond pilots and mechanics. In addition to learning how to fly an airplane or fix a plane, companies need passionate individuals to keep the business running.
Are you interested in being a writer, artist, accountant, lawyer, teacher, business owner, or computer programmer? You can do all of these jobs (and a whole lot more) within the aviation and aerospace industry. Are you worried about the cost of learning to fly or going to college? WAI can help through the annual scholarship program with more than 100 different scholarships providing thousands of dollars in financial assistance. To learn more about the scholarships, go to www.WAI.org/scholarships.
More importantly, we are here to help you pursue your dream. With over 140 chapters located in cities and towns worldwide, there is a supportive community of WAI members near you. Visit www.WAI.org/chapters to find one to connect with.
Have fun, learn more about Women in Aviation International and the Girls In Aviation Day. Remember, the sky is the limit! Email amckay@wai.org for more information.
Save the Date! 7th Annual Event - September 2021!
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The Branding Issue with #STEM: A Barrier We Need to Cross to Achieve #Equity
Watch this 3-minute video shared by the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Inc. Thanks to them for honoring our founder, Dr. Dhingra, as one of the eight incredible Women who STEAM in our city. What are the barriers that you see when it comes to equity in education? How can we work together to ensure that all children, regardless of gender, race, or income, have access to rich educational experiences, which – in the 21st century – MUST include meaningful experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Let’s grow STEAM mindsets everywhere, together!
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How Does a Sundial Work?
Have you ever wondered how a sundial works? Did you know that for a sundial to work where you live, it has to be calibrated to your latitude position?
This video talks about the Class of 1918 Memorial Sundial and how it could be repaired and used to tell time. Maybe you could take the information and make a sundial for your school location. This video is suited for 5th-12th grade students.
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Texas EcosySTEM Resources
The Texas Education Agency has developed tools to help districts engage with families through STEM Education programming and build awareness throughout the community by expanding learning beyond the classroom.
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What is STEM?
STEM is not a commodity to be bought, sold, earned, or awarded. It is an awareness, recognition, and acceptance of reality. A symbol of a way forward with confidence and hope!
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TEA STEM Toolkit
Planning Tools:
- STEM Model Identification Guide
- STEM Education Program Planning Guide
- STEM Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
- STEM Sustainability Tool
Implementation Tools:
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U.S. Department of Education STEM & Computer Science
You can subscribe to the topics that most interest you. We encourage you to invite your colleagues and friends to sign up as well!
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What is a STEM Advocate?
A STEM Advocate does one or more of the following:
- Pursues solutions to problems that impact us locally, regionally and or globally with a basis in one or more of the STEM disciplines.
- Does whatever is necessary to teach children to read and problem solve. Learning at all levels requires a person to read and write proficiently and to problem solve using critical thinking skills. Such abilities are the foundation for all learning and innovation.
- Promotes providing STEM experiences and opportunities to students of all backgrounds starting as early as possible and continuing through graduation.
- Promotes rigorous preparation of teachers, especially in mathematics and science in the elementary grades.
- Promotes science-specialist’s teachers in the elementary grades.
- Promotes more rigorous certification requirements including pre-service teaching experience.
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Contact Us! Region 11 STEM Lead - Cheryl Bowden
Each Education Service Center will provide free membership for districts to join the local STEM EcosySTEM.
EcosySTEM membership includes:
- Monthly STEM communication including information from the state and federal level
- Regional STEM goals developed by a local STEM Design Team and aligned to the local STEM labor market data
- Regular STEM ecosySTEM meetings to share local STEM opportunities and address local concerns
- All districts will have access to the free TEA STEM planning and implementation tools as well as family engagement tools
Email: cbowden@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/Domain/1338
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 817-740-7755
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Twitter: @ESC11Science