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January 7, 2013

STEM News for Educators

Education

Teachers, parents fuel scientific curiosity
Children who show an interest in the world around them, particularly when it comes to things such as nature and technology, should be encouraged to develop that curiosity at home and at school. "Parents play a critical role in encouraging their children's interest in science," said Carol Pearson, who is the professional-development director for The Einstein Project in Green Bay, Wis. "Teachers play a role too -- it is really the partnership between the school and parents that really works the best to provide the environments for a student to learn about science." Green Bay Press-Gazette (Wis.) (1/5)

Agriculture sees new crop of dedicated students
Whether it's the intriguing intersection of high-tech machinery and farming or a desire to be part of the sustainability movement, more college students are pursuing careers in agricultural science. Mark Van Horn, director of the student farm at the University of California, Davis, says he noticed an uptick about five years ago. "I think there is a sustained interest in agriculture," he said. The Dallas Morning News (free content) (1/2)

Business

Fla. businesses encouraged to provide STEM learning opportunities
With an eye toward retaining some of southwest Florida's brightest young minds, the business community in the Fort Myers area is recruiting companies to provide internships in science, technology, engineering and math. The effort is part of the STEM to Work program that recently expanded to serving students in all county schools. "We're encouraging our businesses to help us to grow our own talent," said Karen Miller, with HSA Engineers & Scientists in Fort Myers. The News-Press (Fort Myers, Fla.) (1/6)

Trends

Should colleges prepare students to meet workforce needs?
In response to a Florida task force's recommendation to decrease tuition costs for students studying science, technology, engineering or math, Chris Martin, director of research for the Ontario, Canada, Undergraduate Student Alliance, writes in a column that grooming students for STEM careers is about much more than cutting tuition costs. He notes that a key strategy is to expose students to more STEM-related opportunities when they're younger to create an interest in those subjects before they even consider college. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (1/6)

Texas businesses are looking for construction science graduates
Texas A&M University had 100% placement of its construction science graduates during the 2012 spring and summer sessions, school officials say. Most recently, 100 companies showed up for a jobs event seeking to hire the department's 60 graduates. "We like grads to have construction management degrees, but also those with engineering or architecture degrees are welcome," said George Pontikes, president and CEO of Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc. in Houston. Houston Chronicle (1/4)

SmartQuote

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

--Mahatma Gandhi,
Indian lawyer and activist

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