Our vision: All Pennsylvanians will have access to quality STEM education and career pathways to become tomorrow’s leaders, influencers, and problem-solvers.
From The Directors Desk
Welcome Back! Starting the Year with Strong School – Home Communication
There is a chill in the air. Crossing guards locate their signs and don their bright orange vests. Families and educators alike gather the supplies needed to begin the school year. Effective school-to-home communication is one of the most valuable practices to ensure a successful educational experience. When educators (both in and out-of-school time) and families work together, students benefit from a consistent and supportive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom. Enhancing communication between school and home is essential.
One of the most significant benefits of strong school-to-home communication is its positive impact on student achievement. Research shows that when caregivers are actively involved in their child’s education, students tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, and are more likely to complete homework. When educators communicate effectively with families, parents are better equipped to support their child’s learning at home.
Communication fosters caregiver engagement and builds trust by keeping families informed about their child’s progress and the school’s expectations. Regular updates through newsletters, parent-teacher conferences, and digital platforms ensure that caregivers are aware of what their children are learning and how they can help. Engaged parents are more likely to participate in events, volunteer and collaborate with teachers, contributing to a more vibrant community. Every student has unique needs, and effective communication between school and home helps to ensure that these needs are met. By sharing information about a student’s academic and emotional well-being, educators and families can work together to provide personalized support. Whether a student requires additional academic help, counseling or resources for social and emotional learning, open lines of communication help tailor interventions that support the whole child and their family as well.
When families and educators work together by maintaining open, consistent, and meaningful communication, they create a supportive environment that nurtures student growth, encourages caregiver involvement and strengthens the overall educational experience. Investing in these communication efforts benefits not just students and families, but the entire school community.
Yours in STEM,
Alexandra Konsur-Grushinski
STEM Resources & Opportunities: For Youth
William T. Grant Foundation Institutional Challenges Grant
The Institutional Challenge Grant supports university-based research institutes, schools, and centers in building sustained research-practice partnerships with public agencies or nonprofit organizations in order to reduce inequality in youth outcomes. The grant requires that research institutions shift their policies and practices to value collaborative research. Institutions will also need to build the capacity of researchers to produce relevant work and the capacity of agency and nonprofit partners to use research. The award will provide $650,000 over three years. Applications due by September 12, 2024, 3:00 PM.
Lockheed Martin Philanthropy
Through corporate giving and volunteerism, we improve the lives of those who defend freedom, cultivate the STEM workforce of the future, and strengthen the resiliency of communities where we live and work. Lockheed Martin’s Social Impact focuses on the following three areas and specific interventions: Future STEM Workforce, Those Who Serve, and Community Resilience.
STEM Resources & Opportunities: For Educators
CSATS Program – Academic Year Workshops
Looking to increase your content knowledge and engage in cross-curricular activities designed for your classroom? CSATS i-STEAM
Workshops provide opportunities for teachers to learn science, engineering, and math through integrated activities from Penn State researchers and faculty with a focus on STEAM concepts. Educator workshops for the fall have been announced for CSATS. Click here for more information.
Lancaster STEM Alliance Offers Educator Externships
Lancaster Educators, you are invited to join the Fall 2024 LCSA STEM Educator Externship at Lancaster Farming and Susquehanna Printing! This opportunity offers Lancaster County educators an exciting work-embedded professional learning experience. This event helps educators better prepare and equip their students to enter an ever-changing workforce by providing teachers with hands-on exposure to the expectations and needs of some of the largest employers within the county.
Did you know, the most prominent agricultural newspaper in the country is produced each week here in Lancaster County, in our very own world-class printing operation? This year, join Lancaster’s own Lancaster Farming and Susquehanna Printing to learn about the importance of STEM in investigating, producing, and delivering award-winning news that includes…
- Lancaster Farming journalists were recognized in 2023 with 13 Keystone Awards for excellence in journalism.
- Lancaster Farming features classified and retail advertising from more than 5,000 advertisers per year, with most ads designed by the team at Susquehanna Printing.
- In 2023, nearly 3 million copies of Lancaster Farming were printed by Susquehanna Printing and delivered to subscribers in all 50 states and Canada, reaching an estimated 8 million readers.
- In 2023, Susquehanna Printing produced over 66 million copies of a variety of newspapers, magazines, and other related materials.
- Each year, 5,500 tons of paper, 200,000 pounds of ink, and nearly 100,000 aluminum plates are consumed by Susquehanna Printing, printing press.
- Susquehanna Printing features a network of over 200 newspaper carrier routes delivered by more than 150 carriers who deliver the local LNP daily newspaper and Lancaster Farming.
Date: Wednesday, October 9th & Thursday, October 10th 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Locations:
- Wednesday, October 9th: Lancaster Farming office located at 21 W. Main St, Ephrata & you will also be visiting a local dairy farm that morning.
- Thursday, October 10th: Susquehanna Printing located at 1704 Hempstead Rd, Lancaster.
Audience: K-12 Educators from Lancaster County school districts
Externship participants will receive 16 Act 48 hours for attendance at both days of this event Applications are due Monday, September 9th, 2024.
Reach out to Lauren Beal at Lauren_Beal@iu13.org for more information.
High School Student Spotlight of The Global Impact Forum hosted by Penn State University and Global Silicon Ventures (GSV)
Are you ready to showcase your students’ brilliance on a global stage? The Global Impact Forum 2024 (TGIF) invites you to apply for a spot in the High School Student Spotlight, where your students can present their innovative ideas and projects to a diverse audience of industry professionals, innovators, and higher education institutions.
Taking place on September 23, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM in Philadelphia, this free showcase is a unique opportunity for your students to shine. Whether their projects focus on environmental sustainability, social justice, technology, or other impactful areas, this event is their platform to inspire and be inspired. Benefits to Students:
- Connect with like-minded peers and mentors
- Explore future careers
- Network with education, industry, and community leaders
Submit your interest form to apply for the showcase.
Events
Second Annual Philadelphia STEM Equity Week 2024
From October 26 to November 2, PSEC will be celebrating their second annual Philadelphia STEM Equity Week with a
variety of activities for all ages. This week of events aims to bring together educators, students, professionals, community leaders, and families in both addressing systemic barriers and promoting equitable access to STEM fields. You can be an event host, an activity sponsor or simply attend one of the many events around our area.
During this week, PSEC will have its signature event – the “STEMposium“, a conference that brings together members of the Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective, the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem, and collaborators in STEM education and industry. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 30 from 1:00 – 5:30pm at the University City Science Center, this event will be an opportunity to recognize the work being done by PSEC members, center the experiences of young people on STEM pathways entering the workforce, and surface new scholarship around STEM equity. Registration will open soon!
Let’s celebrate together and highlight the dynamic STEM programs that Philadelphia has to offer!
Save the Date for the 2025 PAEE Conference!
Our statewide conference “Waves of Connection” will be held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA next year. Join us to celebrate our collective ability as passionate environmental educators to drive change through resilience, diversity, engagement & connections! PAEE Conference – Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators
- Session Proposals due September 13th
- Award Nominations & Scholarships Submissions due December 13th
Save the date: 2024 CSforAllPA Summit on December 11-12
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce the seventh annual Pennsylvania Computer Science For All (CSforAllPA) Summit will be held December 11-12, 2024 at PaTTAN Central (Harrisburg) and online.
The CSforAllPA Summit offers educators, leaders, and stakeholders the opportunity to share, discuss, and collaboratively develop tools, resources, and practices for CS learning experiences. The Summit specifically focuses on equitably serving historically under- served populations including students with disabilities, English Learners, and females.
For more information and to submit your interest form: https://secure.smore.com/n/teny7
Participation Needed
Pennsylvania’s Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program Seeking Participating Schools
Have you heard? Pennsylvania has a statewide Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program! CSOs are students in 6th to 12th grade who demonstrate an interest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and/ or innovation and have a desire to impact their community. CSOs are elected by their peers to be liaisons for STEM and innovation in their schools and community.
This year, 25 out of 29 Intermediate Units (IUs) launched or expanded their CSO Cabinets. This growth has led to 86 school districts and 311 students participating in the CSO Program. The PA CSO Program addresses the following STEM education challenges:
- STEM Student Engagement Attrition
- K-16 to Workforce Skills Gap Discrepancy
- Over-rewarding of formulaic problem solving
- Shrinking Teacher Pipeline (especially in STEM/CS)
Previous PA CSOs have shared that being a CSO has allowed them to:
- enrich other people and themselves,
- have an opportunity to make a difference, bring STEM to their community, and
- grow people’s awareness of STEM,
- be a leader and develop their leadership skills,
- be a representative for their peers, family and community, and
- be a role model for younger students.
To learn more, view this slide deck from a recent conference presentation or watch this PA CSO Program Impact video. Recruitment for CSOs for the 2024-2025 school year are currently underway.
Call to Action:
- For schools interested in having a CSO program at your school: Fill out t his interest form
- For any other community members interested in connecting with your local CSO cabinet: Reach out to your local cabinet coordinaton
