State STEM Education Summits Across the Country

Several NASSMC coalitions are holding state STEM education summits this fall and winter. Most of these events are funded through the NASSMC State Summit Implementation Program (NSSIP) with support from NASA and the U.S. Department of Education. Summits recently held include:

Connecticut

Business, government, and education leaders who gathered in Hartford October 26 agreed that Connecticut must stimulate greater interest and training in math and science. Current trend lines are ominous, speakers warned: By 2020, about 40 percent of new workers will come from the state's poorest cities, where mathematics and science performance is low. Fewer college students are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. More than 60 percent of the state's mathematics and science teachers are 45 or older. The conference - organized by the state and the Connecticut Academy for Education - marked the beginning of a year-long effort to identify strategies for reversing these trends. The state could increase the supply of trained workers by making college more accessible to women and minority groups, said Daryl Chubin, director of the Center for Advancing Science and Engineering Capacity. Connecticut's year-long STEM initiative is intended to result in: A blueprint to focus federal, state, and local resources on STEM improvement; Strategies for consideration by the governor, legislature, state boards of education and higher education, local school districts, and communities on how to improve student interest and achievement in STEM education for all students, with specific emphasis on eradicating achievement gaps; A proposal for a coordinated and comprehensive business and industry support program; Consideration for public policy initiatives; and Implementation of a statewide public awareness campaign to engage parents and child caregivers to ensure that all Connecticut students receive appropriate STEM education opportunities. State Education Commissioner Betty Sternberg said too many poor children are at an academic disadvantage from the start. "I see youngsters who don't know shapes, who don't know numbers, who don't know how to count. It's essential we provide high-quality preschool programs to all 3- or 4-year-olds who need them," she said. Read the National Governors Association Feature.

Iowa

Astronaut Catherine Coleman was a featured speaker at the Iowa Summit on Mathematics, Science and Technology November 10-11. The summit drew education, business and legislative leaders to Des Moines for a two-day planning session on how to better prepare students for careers in those fields. American culture has accepted poor math performance for too long, said John Duea, director of the Iowa Mathematics and Science Coalition. "Students won't say they're bad at reading, but it's very common to say they don't like math, or they can't do math, that it's too hard," she said. "That can no longer be an accepted response." Participants broke into groups, and developed a series of proposals for action, including: a promotional DVD aimed at stimulating kids' and parents' interest in careers in math, science and technology; forming ongoing relationships between workplaces and schools; identifying business and grant support for highly qualified teachers and special classroom projects. Read the article in the Des Moines Register.

Maryland

Maryland held The Governor's Summit on Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Thursday, November 17. Hosted by the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute's Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology in Rockville and co-sponsored by the Maryland Mathematics and Science Coalition and the Maryland State Department of Education, two main issues were discussed: Should Maryland go for world class standards? How can the pool of students taking serious mathematics and science be doubled in the next few years? Participants included the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, representatives from NASA Headquarters and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the Maryland State Department of Education, representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, and other business, education, and public policy stakeholders in Maryland. The Governor intends to appoint a small citizens group to pull together the thinking of the Summit and shape it into an action plan.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Summit II was held Monday, October 17, at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center in Sturbridge, MA. This year's theme, "Building a Community," reflected the goals of the Summit which included bringing together educational, industrial, and government leaders in the state so they can share information and resources that will enable school districts to improve student math/science performance and address the issue of college preparedness for all students. The STEM Summit is one way to address these goals, because its ultimate aim is to raise the visibility of the importance of K-12 STEM education so it can meet the needs of future generations. Only through the kind of collaboration represented by the STEM Summit will we increase the future pipeline of youth interested and prepared for careers in science, math and engineering. Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-Michigan) co-founder of the non-partisan Congressional STEM Caucus, delivered the keynote address "How to Save Your Kid's Job - and Yours" about STEM education in our K-12 schools and critical workforce needs in this area. Dr. Kati Haycock, Director of the Education Trust in Washington, DC gave a luncheon speech titled "Closing the Achievement Gap." STEM Summit II is organized and funded by the University of Massachusetts, The Massachusetts STEM Collaborative, the National Science Foundation, the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA), the National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Department of Education, the Commonwealth Information Technology Initiative and several industry partners including Analog Devices, Inc., Raytheon Corporation, the Millipore Foundation, and Genzyme. View information about the proceedings here.

New Mexico

The New Mexico Partnership for Mathematics & Science Education held a Mathematics and Science Education in New Mexico Town Hall/Summit November 17-19 to address the central question "What can we do to improve mathematics and science education in New Mexico?" Answers were centered around two critical needs: ensuring the improvement of mathematics and science literacy and achievement in New Mexico's schools and addressing critical workforce issues. Representatives from NASA Headquarters, the U.S. Department of Education, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Legislative Education Study Committee, New Mexico Public Education Department, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and other business and industry representatives as well as science and mathematics educators at all levels participated in the 3-day meeting.

Future summits include:

• Texas: January 18-19, 2006
• Colorado: February 23, 2006
• Tennessee: Spring 2006
• Alabama: March 6-7, 2006

A second NSSIP solicitation is expected in January 2006.

Learn more at www.nassmc.org/summits.html and www.nassmc.org/summitstates.html.

NASSMC/Annenberg Media Public Awareness and Engagement Collaboration

Annenberg Media, in partnership with NASSMC and its member coalitions, will work to assist state organizations in the implementation of their Public Awareness Action Plans designed to promote public engagement in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

The assistance of Annenberg Media is to be built around facilitating teacher access to the Annenberg Media programming through the Annenberg Media Channel. Working with the state coalitions, Annenberg Media can increase the participation of schools and, consequently, extend the reach of its programming. In some cases this may include access to the Annenberg Channel through coalition websites or a related broadcast venue. Annenberg Media offers to jointly announce its collaboration with a state coalition thereby promoting public awareness of the coalition and its activities, and of the professional development programming for mathematics and science teachers offered through the Annenberg Channel.

What is Annenberg Media?
Annenberg Media is a unit of The Annenberg Foundation. Annenberg Media's mission is to advance excellent teaching in all disciplines throughout American K-12 schools

Annenberg Media pursues this mission by funding and broadly distributing multimedia resources for teachers to help them improve their own teaching practice and understanding of their subject. Annenberg Media makes use of telecommunications technologies - the Internet, including broadband video streaming, and satellite television broadcast - as well as hard copy media to disseminate these multimedia resources, ensuring that they reach as many teachers as possible.

For more information: www.nassmc.org/projects.html#4

Reports and Resources

+ CCSSO Report: State Indicators of Science and Mathematics Education: The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has released a new edition of State Indicators of Science and Mathematics Education. The report provides key trends and state-by-state comparisons on teacher supply and quality and on course enrollments in high school and middle level science and mathematics courses. This year's report shows increased enrollments in higher-level mathematics and science courses: 50% of graduates completed four years of high school math as of 2004, and 72% completed three years of high school math. As of 2004, 60% of graduates completed high school chemistry, and 25% completed physics. CCSSO's series of indicator reports focusing on science and mathematics education began in 1991. Statistical trends are reported by state and for the nation on key indicators of student achievement, curriculum, teacher preparation, and school conditions. CCSSO advises states on data definitions and applications of indicators, collaborates with federal agencies for improved data sources, and provides models for reporting and applying indicators for education improvement. Download the report at www.ccsso.org/content/pdfs/StateIndicatorsScienceMathEd2005.pdf

+ Center for Education Policy Report: Rule Changes Make it Easier for Schools to Meet Test Score Targets Under No Child Left Behind, but Harder to Gauge Real Progress. In granting new flexibility changing the way states can determine whether schools have made "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind Act, the U.S. Department of Education has made it easier for schools and districts to meet annual test score targets, according to a new report from the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Education Policy. The report is part of CEP's ongoing efforts to assess the federal, state, and local implementation of NCLB, and is based on the Center's review of changes to state accountability plans recently posted on the U.S. Department of Education's web site and updating CEP's 2004 report on the same subject. In March 2006, the Center will release its fourth annual report on the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. Download the report at www.cep-dc.org/fededprograms/FederalAYPFlexibility/StateAccountabilityPlanReport.pdf

+ Innovation Agenda to Keep America Competitive Report: On November 15, House Democrats unveiled their new agenda for national competitiveness with the report Innovation Agenda: A Commitment to Competitiveness to Keep America #1. The report calls for Congress to work with states, businesses, and universities to create an educated, skilled workforce in the vital areas of science, mathematics, engineering, and information technology; invest in a sustained federal research and development initiative that promotes public-private partnerships; guarantee affordable access to broadband technology for all Americans; achieve energy independence in 10 years by developing emerging technologies for clean and sustainable alternatives that will strengthen national security and protect the environment; and provide small businesses with the tools to encourage entrepreneurial innovation and job creation. Read the report at www.housedemocrats.gov/news/librarydetail.cfm?library_content_id=557.

+ Just for the Kids: Find information about current student performance levels at your state's school compared with the highest performing schools with similar student populations in your state. www.just4kids.org/. Also see Communities Just for the Kids, a site designed to help members of public school communities work successfully with educators to raise student achievement using Just for the Kids' School Reports and Best Practice Framework. www.communitiesjust4kids.org/

+ National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP): The NCCEP mission is to develop and strengthen broad-based partnerships throughout the education continuum, from early childhood through postsecondary education. www.edpartnerships.org/

+ The Association for Science Teacher Education: The mission of ASTE is to promote leadership in, and support for those involved in, the professional development of teachers of science. ASTE serves educators involved in the professional development of teachers of science, including science teacher educators, staff developers, college-level science instructors, education policy makers, instructional material developers, science supervisors/specialists/ coordinators, lead/mentor teachers, and all others interested in promoting the development of teachers of science. ASTE will initiate or strengthen liaisons with other organizations concerned with science education by establishing a standing committee to exchange board seats, advisory committee and task force appointments with major organizations having compatible goals; to establish joint task forces to deal with current issues and develop joint policy statements on issues in science teacher education; to collaborate on joint conferences, seminars, workshops, and institutes on special issues; to consider opportunities for collaborative publications; to exchange membership lists; to exchange early information on conferences and on invitations for proposals and participation in the conferences; and to exchange opportunities for exhibit space at conferences. aste.chem.pitt.edu/

+ Quarknet, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory: QuarkNet plans to involve 100,000 students from 600 US high schools in web-based analysis of real data; collaboration with students worldwide; remote control of television cameras in experimental areas; and visits by student representatives to the experiments. Through inquiry-oriented investigations students will learn kinematics, particles, waves, electricity and magnetism, energy and momentum, radioactive decay, optics, relativity, forces, and the structure of matter. quarknet.fnal.gov/

+ Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award: The Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award application deadline has been extended to February 1, 2006. Teachers may nominate themselves or may be nominated by someone else - for example, a parent, student, colleague, or school leader. Candidates must be currently employed in a K-12 school, public or private, in the U.S. where at least 50 percent of students qualify for the free- and reduced-price meal program. www.kinderaward.org

Show Your Coalition's Affiliation with NASSMC

Consider showing your coalition's affiliation with NASSMC by displaying this special version of the NASSMC logo and linking it to the NASSMC home page at www.nassmc.org. Doing this increases NASSMC's visibility and that allows us to serve you, our member coalitions, better. You can download the logo from this bulletin article or the member coalitions page (www.nassmc.org/coalitions.html). You may also contact Jane George (jgeorge@nassmc.org) for a copy.

Getting to Know the Periodic Table of Elements: Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen

Carbon
Etymology: From the Latin Carbo: charcoal

What it is: An element widely distributed in nature, Carbon is found in abundance in the Sun, stars, comets, and atmospheres of most planets. In nature it is found in three forms: graphite, diamond, and fullerines (other molecular configurations include: chaoite, onsdaleite, amorphous carbon, carbon nanofoam, carbon nanotubes, aggregated diamond nanorods). Carbon is unique for the large number of compounds it can form, nearly 10 million. Carbon is also the basis for all life as we know it. In other words, no carbon, no life.

How and when it was first created: Carbon was not created in the Big Bang but in the interior of stars where stars transform a helium core into carbon by means of the triple-alpha process. It was also created in a multi atomic state.

Why it is important to oil companies: The major economic use of carbon is in the form of hydrocarbons, most notably the fossil fuels methane gas and crude oil (petroleum).

Atomic Number: 6
Atomic Symbol: C
Atomic Mass: 12

Nitrogen
Etymology: From the Latin nitrum and Greek Nitron: native soda; and genes: forming

What it is: Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and mostly inert diatomic non-metal gas, nitrogen constitutes ~78% of Earth's atmosphere and is a ckey component of all living tissues. Nitrogen forms many important compounds such as amino acids, ammonia, nitric acid, and cyanides.

What it is used for: It is used for a lot of very important things (just like Carbon and Oxygen). The nitrogen cycle is one of the most important processes in nature for living organisms. Although nitrogen gas is relatively inert, bacteria in the soil are capable of "fixing" the nitrogen into a usable form (as a fertilizer) for plants. In other words, Nature has provided a method to produce nitrogen for plants to grow. Animals eat the plant material where the nitrogen has been incorporated into their system, primarily as protein. The cycle is completed when other bacteria convert the waste nitrogen compounds back to nitrogen gas. Nitrogen is crucial to life, as it is a component of all proteins.

Why beer manufacturers love it: Nitrogen gas is used to pressurize beer kegs, particularly for thicker stouts and Scottish and English ales. The smaller bubbles it produces make the dispensed beer smoother and headier. A modern application of a pressure sensitive nitrogen capsule known commonly as a "widget" now allows nitrogen charged beers to be packaged in cans and bottles (think Guinness).

Atomic Number: 7
Atomic Symbol: N
Atomic Mass: 14

Oxygen
Etymology: From the Greek oxys: acid, and genes: forming

What it is: Oxygen is the third most abundant element found in the Sun, and it plays a part in the carbon-nitrogen cycle, the process once thought to give the Sun and stars their energy. Oxygen under excited conditions is responsible for the bright red and yellow-green colors of the Aurora Borealis. A gaseous element, oxygen forms 21% of the atmosphere by volume and is obtained by liquefaction and fractional distillation. The atmosphere of Mars contains about 0.15% oxygen. The element and its compounds make up 49.2%, by weight, of the earth's crust. About two thirds of the human body and nine tenths of water is oxygen.

What it is used for: Plants and animals rely on oxygen for respiration. Hospitals frequently prescribe oxygen for patients with respiratory ailments.

What's all this talk about Ozone: Ozone, a highly active compound, is formed by the action of an electrical discharge or ultraviolet light on oxygen. Ozone's presence in the atmosphere (amounting to the equivalent of a layer 3 mm thick under ordinary pressures and temperatures) helps prevent harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun from reaching the earth's surface. Pollutants in the atmosphere may have a detrimental effect on this ozone layer. Ozone is toxic and exposure should not exceed 0.2 mg/m# (8-hour time-weighted average - 40-hour work week). Undiluted ozone has a bluish color. Liquid ozone is bluish black and solid ozone is violet-black.

Atomic Number: 8
Atomic Symbol: O
Atomic Mass: ~16

Of Interest...

Reconstruction of what Copernicus might have looked like.

+ Body of Copernicus identified ... maybe: Based on a computer-generated reconstruction of a skull, it appears the partial remains of Copernicus have been found at Frombork Cathedral in northeastern Poland. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4405958.stm

+ Greenland is Shrinking: A new study reveals one of the largest glaciers in Greenland - the world's largest island - is shrinking and speeding to the sea faster than scientists expected. If this continues, Greenland itself could become much smaller during this century and global seas could rise as much as 3 feet. The new study, to be detailed in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, used satellite images of the Helheim glacier. Since the 1970s, the front of Helheim stayed in the same place. Then it began retreating rapidly, moving back 4.5 miles from 2001 through this past summer. It has also grown thinner, from top to bottom, by more than 130 feet since 2001. And over these past four years, its trek to the sea has sped up from about 70 feet per day to nearly 110. www.livescience.com/environment/051116_greenland_melts.html

+ Liquidmetal: NASA, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and the U.S. Department of Energy united to help develop a new building material. "Liquidmetal" is a type of alloy, a mix of three or more metals, with characteristics similar to plastic that cools quickly and has more than twice the strength of titanium. www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/liquidmetal.html

Still image from Bipedal Molecule animation. Image Credit: Ludwig Bartels, UC Riverside

+ The First Bipedal Molecule: While bipedalism is preferred method of locomotion by humans, it is not an easy concept for human-sized robots to accomplish. Scientists decided to go in the opposite direction and see if they could coax a molecule into bipedal locomotion and they have succeeded. Click here to view a visual simulation. www.livescience.com/technology/051026_walk_molecule.html

+ Counting Without Numbers: Can you have a number system if your language doesn't have number words? Are some cultures limited to the concepts of one, two, and many because of this? While there is no agreement on this issue, there is some very interesting research. www.discover.com/web-exclusives-archive/counting-without-numbers0309

+ Light Emitting Diodes (LED) Work Like Butterflies' Wings: While studying the wings of swallowtail butterflies, researchers discovered that there were a lot of similarities between the scale coverings and LEDs. The scales that cover the butterflies’ wings contain tiny structures called “photonic crystals,” which act very much like the microholes found in LEDs. www.livescience.com/animalworld/051117_wings_led.html

+ Robotic Helpers: Robots in Japan are seen as forces of good rather than evil and are being employed ins some all together unique and interesting ways. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/4448554.stm