America COMPETES Act under debate in Senate Committees

A major piece of science education legislation is winding its way through the halls of Congress. The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act funds various National Science Foundation (NSF) programs for the next three years.

The House version of the bill (H.R. 5116) sponsored by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) passed after three separate votes in May. Now, the bill is under review and modification in the Senate. The Senate version (S.3605) sponsored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) differs slightly in the scope of departments funded and, in an effort to win bipartisan support in a highly partisan Congress, limits the funding to just three years and contains few new initiatives. In fact, the only new initiative was proposed by the ranking Republican in the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) wants to designate $10 million to help universities train science and engineering majors to be K-12 teachers, a model that has been successfully employed in her home state by the UTeach program at the University of Texas, Austin.

In the Senate, the bill must win support in three separate committees: Commerce, Science, and Transportation (headed by Sen. Rockefeller); Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (led by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-IA); and Energy and Natural Resources (chaired by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM).

Last week, the bill was approved by a key science panel yesterday in Sen. Rockefeller's committee, bringing it one step closer to committee approval and finally to the Senate floor for debate and voting. While changes to the bill could happen at any time during the debate process, you can still voice your support for the proposal by contacting the Senators on each committee. To see if your Senator is a member of any of the above committees, click on the links below:

US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

US Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation

You can read the text of the House of Representatives version of the bill (H.R. 5116) by visiting the bill summary and status page.

Share your ideas for new science education standards with the Board on Science Education

The Board of Science Education (BOSE), part of the National Academies, has just completed a conceptual framework draft for new science education standards for K-12 students across the country. This framework will provide the basis for a project to be conducted by Achieve, an independent, bipartisan, and non-profit organization dedicated to raising school standards, improve school assessments, and increase accountability. According to the project's website, Achieve hopes to develop new K-12 educational science standards as well as influence the direction of science education across the nation. The project was conducted with the help of Achieve, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Science Teachers Association.

The first draft of the conceptual framework is available online, and BOSE is offering the general public the chance to provide feedback with the aim of creating a final draft by winter of this year. You can read the full draft and provide your feedback by going here and clicking on the link at the top of the page.

Education standards often guide the development of new out-of-school programs, so your contribution to the report could help shape the way that afterschool science is taught in the future!

Careers in STEM

NASA recently launched Learning Technologies, a program designed to increase interest in space science through gaming. Learning Technologies just released their first game—Moonbase Alpha, in which a team of players works together to save a Lunar base that has been damaged by a meteor strike.

It may seem strange for a government organization to devote time to creating computer games for children. But Moonbase Alpha is more than just entertainment—it’s a part of a strategy by NASA to increase support for STEM education across the US.

Profiled on the website Ars Technica, the project manager for Learning Technologies, Daniel Laughlin, said that the project was developed as a direct response to the decline in STEM education in the US. Laughlin pointed out that “there are not enough students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to fill our national needs in those areas” and that “NASA literally cannot function without STEM graduates.” (Read the full article here .)

This got us thinking about what kinds of other opportunities there are for students to engage in STEM education and learn the practical skills necessary to be competitive in the workforce today. A quick search of the Directory brought up several programs designed to prepare students for careers in research, advocacy, and education in a variety of STEM fields. Below are some standouts:

• Bright Students Training as Research Scientists (Bright STaRS) at the American Geophysical Union. At this conference, high school students have the opportunity to present original research and learn more about how to become professionals in the geosciences.

• Discover the Possibilities at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). This weeklong program exposes potential engineering students to all of the different opportunities in the field, giving them the tools to pursue their ideal engineering career.

• Student Science Training Program (SSTP) at the Center for Precollegiate Education and Training. This prestigious research seminar teaches students the practical skills needed to conduct science research and to attain a career in science.

• Pasadena Technology Camp at the CA Space Education and Workforce Institute. This weekend program provides computer literacy training to disadvantaged student populations, teaching them an essential skill needed in the workforce today.

• Leadership Intern Field Training (LIFT) at Sustainable South Bronx. This internship gives high school students hands-on organizing experience in the growing field of environmental justice and gain advocacy skills that are applicable to many STEM fields

Do you know of a program that provides practical STEM career skills to high school students or young adults? Join the Coalition and add your opportunity to the Directory.

Showing Your Support

Not too long ago, we posted a story on our facebook/twitter pages about a group of middle-school youth who protested funding cuts to afterschool programs in New York City. After discovering that Mayor Michael Bloomburg had proposed cuts to afterschool programs in his preliminary budget, the youth took to the streets and marched on City Hall to advocate for themselves—an impressive and admirable reaction.

While not everyone can find time to hit the pavement in support of their favorite causes, there are other ways to show your support. In particular, sending a letter—even a form letter—to your congress -men and -women is an effective and relatively convenient way to have an impact.

In preparation for an important vote on afterschool funding, Afterschool Alliance recently put together an excellent example of an advocacy letter addressed to members of congress. If you would like to show your support for afterschool STEM, consider using/adapting the AA letter (attached below).

View the letter

Looking to Learn this Summer?

School may be out for the summer, but that doesn't mean that learning has to end. In fact, summer learning helps students maintain the essential skills that they gained during the school year. Research collected by the National Summer Learning Association at Johns Hopkins University found that young people experience learning losses when they do not participate in educational activities over the summer. Another study found that “parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do” (Duffett et al, 2004).

Summer presents a great opportunity for students to engage in informal learning through fun activities that take place outside of the classroom. By participating in fun and informal activities that combine science, art and sports, students keep their minds and bodies active and engaged. Many summer activities come in the form of camps and classes, which offer some structure and scheduling benefits for working parents, and allow students to participate in many kinds of activities during the summer.

Not a parent or guardian of a school-age child? You can still help encourage long-term learning by spreading the word about summer programs in your community. Consider volunteering your time or donating materials to an art or science camp.

A quick search of the National After School Science Directory found science-themed camps and summer classes all across the country for all ages and interests. Some highlights include:

• The 2010 Summer Archaeology Camp at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology in El Paso, TX, where students will learn “about the science of archaeology, its tools, and the prehistory of the Americas” (http://afterschoolscience.org/directory/opportunity/3169)

• All Girls All Math camp at the University of Nebraska, where high-school girls will learn about Chaos and Codes mathematics and work with female professionals in the field (http://afterschoolscience.org/directory/opportunity/714)

• The Caribbean Conservation Corporation Barrier Island Center Summer Camp in Melbourne Beach, FL, where 2nd-8^th grade students will learn all about island ecology and even get to adopt their own sea turtle (http://afterschoolscience.org/directory/opportunity/1459)

Still looking for a summer program for your child? Here are some tips for making the most of your summer:

• Look at informal learning spaces for unique summer programs. Museums, zoos, and aquariums often have summer camps and classes; teenagers and older students may be able to volunteer and work with younger students.

• Check out your local university or community college. College students and professors can act as mentors to your children by inspiring them with real science work.

• Don't be afraid to have your children experience something outside of their ordinary level of interest. Encourage them to try new things!

• You can encourage long-term learning by engaging with your child before and after their summer camp experience. Ask them what they learned and to share with you any projects that they bring home. Some camp instructors let adults come to portions of camp, especially at the end of the day. You might even learn something too!