STEM In The News:
“Astronaut Jessica Meir’s Lifelong Deam Just Came True as She Begins 1st Space Mission”
On September 25th Jessica Meir’s lifelong dream came true as she docked with the International Space Station. Meir has been dreaming of this day since she was just five years old, and now that dream is her reality. While aboard the space station, Meir will take part in experiments, as well as perform ship maintenance. Read the article to learn all about Jessica’s lifelong dream becoming a reality.
“This astronaut raised geese to study their hearts. The birds stole hers”
Before Jessica Meir was an astronaut she was studying animals on Earth that live in extreme conditions. Such as elephant seals, emperor penguins, and bar-headed geese. Meir performed tests with these geese to see how they survive extreme trips such as their migration over the Himalayas. Read more to see how Meir used her geese and a wind tunnel to unlock the secret of their success.
“Supporting Women in STEM to ‘Change the World’”
“Inspiring action is the idea of role models. And if we want to encourage women to participate fully in STEM careers, then choosing chose role models is an effective strategy.” Learn how the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has selected 125 women to serve as “high profile role models for girls” in hopes of encouraging and inspiring them.
“Irvine School Provides a STEM Education to Children with Disabilities”
STEM3 Academy in Irvine “is the only school in the country to provide STEM-based learning to children with disabilities from kindergarten through high school.””Through tailoring teaching methods to individual students, the academy is a refuge for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other social and learning differences.” Read more to learn about how STEM3 is guiding special needs students to a career in STEM.
“At the United Nations, Youth Leaders Call for True Climate Action”
Last Friday, students from some 150 countries put down their pencils and skipped school to protest climate change. The following Saturday, Greta Thunberg, along with over 700 young climate leaders, took action at the United Nations Youth Climate Summit. This event is the “largest-ever convening of youth and young adults on climate at the United Nations”. Students like Komal Kumar, a young activist from Fiji, “came ready with a list of demands. These included the phasing out of fossil fuels and a boosting of climate education. She also demanded the inclusion of youth in policy decisions.” Even our very own Danni Washington was present acting as a moderator of discussions at the summit. Read more to learn about how these young activists are using their voices to call for change.
Click here to learn about Danni’s new science television show, Mission Unstoppable.
“JetBlue Foundation Focuses on Mentorship, Diversity, and STEM and Technical Education Training with its Latest Round of Grants”
“The JetBlue Foundation is fueling 13 programs with nearly $250,000 in grants to benefit their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and aviation initiatives. This round of grants will support education programs focused on mentorship and technical education training, with the goal of adding more diversity within STEM and the aviation industry.” Read more to see the mentorship-focused organizations, STEM and technical education training programs and JetBlue foundation signature programs that received this year’s grants.
“Most Secondary School Girls Face ‘confidence gap’ Over Science, Technology, and Maths”
“Many secondary school girls face an “information and confidence gap” over so-called Stem subjects such as science, technology, engineering and maths, according to a new survey. Some 64 percent of girls say they don’t know enough about Stem.” Caroline O’Driscoll, a founding member of I Wish says that “We need to equip teachers and students with the knowledge, give them access to female role models who have blazed their own trail. We need to better empower girls, to give them the confidence and support to break down stereotypes and misconceptions, to be the generation of change.” Read the whole article to learn how we can boost girls confidence in STEM!
Congratulations to Dr. Serena McCalla!
Dr. Serena McCalla and team celebrated the Science Fair Film Emmy award for Best Science & Technology Documentary this past week! Congratulations! Watch Dr. McCalla’s X-STEM Presentation, Defining Your Own Future here.
