Wiingy’s Post

Do you think that science fairs are worth all the effort and work (from teachers, from students.) Are science fairs equitable? If not, then should we still have them?  How can we make sure that science fair projects are done by students and not by AI? How do we make fairs about the students, and not punishing extra work for parents? (Yes, a small percent of parents are scientists or engineers themselves and they love working on projects like this with their kids. That of course should be encouraged, yet what about the rest of our students and their families? It's not even close to a level playing field for somebody else who has working class parents. Or for a kid who has just one working class parent, who works 60 hours a week to make ends meet.) Main idea: We need to avoid putting pressure on parents, or holding down the grades of some kids in relation to the grades of other kids, when much of the grade for a project might be socioeconomic. To be clear - I'm not against having some kind of science fair. I love academic growth and excellence - I just want to find solutions where we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. (It's very okay if any proposed solutions aren't perfect, because none ever will be.) We've been discussing this over on Facebook, on the NGSS Physics Teachers group. So far the best solution that I have seen is to have a wider concept - science "festivals" - where one option is to have students do a traditional science fair investigation, but we also have other ways for other students and families to participate. Imagine kids who will never have a connection to mathematics and data, yet getting them excited about working with the science, art, and music teacher to create a song, or steampunk costume, that is entertaining yet also correctly explains about some major scientific discovery/principle 🔬🔭🧬⚛️☺️ We have some 10th graders who can do calculus and other 10th graders who are struggling with algebra. We have some 10th graders who are working with their college professor parents, who have access to an actual research lab at their parent's university, well we have other 10th graders whose parents work 60 hours a week at minimum wage to make ends meet. Everyone is a different place, so we need different pathways to build a love of science. Image: East Central Indiana Science Fair #science #stem #scienceteachers #physicsteachers #chemistryteachers #biologyteachers #astronomyteachers #highschoolteachers #NGSS #sciencefairs #pedagogy #education

Welcome to Abstract Math's Research Program Series Blog: Today we will talk about RSI (Research Science Institute) Program. The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious and highly competitive summer program for high school students interested in scientific research and mathematics. It is hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and is held in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Program Overview: RSI offers a transformative six-week experience that immerses students in an environment of cutting-edge scientific research. Participants have the opportunity to work closely with leading scientists, engineers, and researchers from various fields, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Diverse Disciplines: The program covers a wide range of scientific disciplines, including but not limited to physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. This diversity allows students to explore their interests and potentially discover new passions. Abstract Math Training: One distinctive feature of RSI is its rigorous training in abstract mathematics. This specialized curriculum equips students with advanced mathematical skills, which are crucial for excelling in competitions like the Mathematics Olympiad and for engaging in high-level research. Community of Scholars: RSI brings together a select group of high-achieving students from around the world. This creates a vibrant and intellectually stimulating community where participants can collaborate, exchange ideas, and form lifelong connections with like-minded peers. 🚀 Impact and Opportunities: Graduates of RSI often go on to pursue successful careers in academia, research, and various STEM-related fields. Many RSI alumni have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have been recognized for their achievements. 🌍 Global Reach: While the program is based at MIT, RSI attracts talented students from diverse backgrounds and from countries across the globe. This global perspective enriches the experience and fosters a culture of international collaboration. 🎓 Alumni Network: RSI boasts a robust alumni network, providing graduates with ongoing support, mentorship, and access to a community of accomplished professionals in various scientific and technical fields. Remember, RSI seeks individuals who are not only academically strong but also curious, creative, and eager to push the boundaries of knowledge. Your background in Mathematics Olympiads sets you on the path to becoming a standout candidate for this transformative summer program. So, if you dream of a summer filled with groundbreaking research and collaboration with some of the brightest minds in the world, let your Olympiad journey be the launching pad to your RSI adventure! For More Information check out https://lnkd.in/g7P56U_2 #RSISummerProgram #MathOlympiad #ResearchJourney #RSI #STEMEducation #ResearchOpportunities

Unfortunately, nearly 225,000 #BlackandLatinoStudents are missing out on #APCoursesthey should otherwise have access to while in high school. @edtrust teamed up with @equaloppschools to look specifically at access to #APSTEMcourses. They analyzed student survey data, administrative school files, school course enrollment, and interviewed 10 school leaders and educators across six districts. They found that Black and Latino students and students from low-income backgrounds are being denied access to AP STEM opportunities such as #APBiology, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry, despite voicing interest in going to college and pursuing a career in a #STEMfield. In fact, the analysis shows that for many Black and Latino students, STEM courses are their favorite subject areas. 2 in 5 Black & Latino #students say #STEM courses are their favorite. But only 3% are enrolled in #APStem. Why are they being shut out? Thoughts? 🤔

I'm delighted to share that my recent open-access publication is now avaialble, "Ten simple rules for students navigating summer research experiences for undergraduates (REU) programs: From application to program completion". It was an incredible collaboration with Maria Manzanares Vargas, Courtney Peña, PhD and Kay Kobak, PhD to create a student-focused resource to share knowledge about a process that might not always easy to navigate, especially for students who come from first-generation and/or low-income (FLI) backgrounds. With most of us being from FLI backgrounds or having had supported minoritized trainees, we felt compelled to write simple yet informative steps that demystify what REUs are, how to apply, and how students can make the most of their REUs. It also includes a companion supplemental packet for those who are exploring why research might interest them, along with how they can stay organized in the process. We hope this resource will reach as many undergraduates as possible interested in STEM REU programs, so if you are someone who work directly with STEM undergraduates, please pass it along: https://lnkd.in/eMinZseD #deib #STEM #JEDI #changingacademia #highereducation

Fun in the sun! 🌞 Our Pinterest boards are packed with recommended Spring & Summer STEM activities! Take a look & try one out: http://bit.ly/2MX1I3S Fantastic for home or school! #Activities #School #Home #Science #Technology #Engineering #Maths #Art #STEM #STEAM All About STEM

Caltech, renowned for its excellence in science and technology education, is breaking new ground in the pursuit of educational equity. In a groundbreaking move, they've decided to eliminate admission requirements for calculus, physics, and chemistry courses for students who lack access to them. This step reflects their commitment to providing equal opportunities to brilliant minds, regardless of their ZIP Code. Traditionally, Caltech has maintained stringent admission criteria, but recognizing that many high schools across the nation lack these critical STEM courses, they are now offering alternative paths for applicants to demonstrate their mastery. One such path involves taking free, online courses through Khan Academy and scoring 90% or higher on a certification test, a move praised by Sal Khan himself. This initiative holds immense potential to inspire other institutions to reevaluate their admission barriers and find creative solutions to foster inclusivity in higher education. In a time when diversity and equity are paramount, Caltech's commitment to providing opportunities to every talented individual resonates with their mission. https://lnkd.in/gAZT5TJd #education #innovation #IP #VC #patents #physics #DeepTech

Happy #NationalSTEMDay! #Science, #Technology, #Engineering, and #Math are essential in shaping our future, and it is important to inspire students to pursue careers in these fields. Only 15% of high school graduates are prepared to take college-level STEM coursework, according to the ACT 2023 Class of 2023 Report. By inspiring kids at a young age, they develop a curiosity that fuels a passion. A few ways to inspire young minds are exploring museums, conducting experiments, and sharing your journey. 🌍💡🚀 #engineering #strongercommunities

Congratulations to Principal Investigator Susan Lehman and Co-PI Paul Bonvallet from The College of Wooster for a successful proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program! REU Sites engage a cohort of students in intensive research projects related to a theme. The three-year project, entitled "REU Site: Physics and Chemistry Research at The College of Wooster" aims will focus on attracting participants early in their academic careers (20 out of 30 participants with two or fewer years of college during our most recent grant cycle) and those with #communitycollege backgrounds (5 out of 30) to broaden access and participation in the national STEM landscape. Thank you for the opportunity for Carinci Consulting, LLC to coach the team through preparing this impactful proposal. Cheers also to McAllister & Quinn Jessica Gerrity and Jessica Schor for organizing and Amanda Rousu for editing. Award Abstract #2348889: Supported by the Division of Materials Research, this REU site in the Physics and Chemistry departments at The College of Wooster involves students as collaborators on innovative research projects in materials science, physics, and chemistry. Each summer, 8 students will participate in a 9-week program focused on research and including additional professional development and outreach activities. As faculty at an institution specializing in undergraduate research, the REU mentors are experienced in transforming students from tentative beginners into confident scientists. The program particularly targets beginning students and community college students and prepares and motivates them for future careers in science through a direct, mentored research experience. A welcoming and collaborative environment provides a place for students who have been marginalized in the STEM community to thrive. The program's range of research areas provides an intellectual home for students who use experimental and computational methods to explore interdisciplinary topics across materials science, physics, and chemistry. Projects address systems and phenomena across vastly different scales, ranging from molecules to galaxies. Through engaging students in these projects and professional development, the program results in broadening educational access, developing professional interest in STEM, and increasing the competitiveness of the American workforce. https://lnkd.in/e4JY7aWV #stemforall #undergraduateresearch #fundingsuccess #grantconsultant #federalgrants

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” #scienceforkids #science #stem #scienceexperiments #stemeducation #scienceisfun #scienceiscool #education #steamforkids #scienceteacher #homeschool #sciencefacts #homeschooling #scienceexperiment #handsonlearning #kidsactivities #sciencefun #kids #learningthroughplay #kidsscience #sciencelover #sciencestudent #scienceathome #physics #chemistry #scienceisawesome #stemlearning

I think doing projects in Social Labs could become another pathway towards acquiring 21st Century Thinking Skills. This CalTech paves the way for such non-traditional learning pathways. https://lnkd.in/gkmBSU3e