STEM Vital Signs - Reports by state

The push for higher standards in K-12 education has been underway for the better part of two decades. But even as some states have created clearer and more rigorous academic standards, many have lowered the bar on their state tests. The result? Too many states are lulling parents and their children into a false sense of security at a time when all students need a much stronger foundation in math and science to thrive in a global economy.

This must change. Change the Equation created “Vital Signs” reports on the condition of STEM learning in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to help measure state performance—and dig deeper into the nation’s education challenges. We aim to arm both business leaders and state leaders with the information they need to make the case for truly high expectations for our nation’s students.

View the reports here.

Empowering the Nation Through Discovery and Innovation - NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2011-2016

Empowering the Nation Through Discovery and Innovation - NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2011-2016

http://www.nsf.gov/news/strategicplan/

NSF 2012 Budget

http://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2012/toc.jsp

For 60 years, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has played a central role in innovation by catalyzing the development of fundamental ideas in science and engineering and supporting the people who generate them. As the only federal agency dedicated to the support of basic research and education across all fields of science and engineering, and in a time when economic and environmental challenges are becoming increasingly pressing, NSF is positioned to strategically stimulate innovative research that connects the science and engineering enterprise with potential economic, societal, and educational benefit. NSF's high-risk, potentially transformative investments will continue to lead the way for the important discoveries and cutting-edge technologies that will help keep our Nation globally competitive, prosperous, and secure.
NSF's FY 2012 Budget Request is $7.767 billion, an increase of $894.49 million (13 percent) over the 2010 Enacted level. In addition, NSF will receive $1.0 billion over five years for research on improving access to wireless broadband through the Wireless Innovation (WIN) Fund proposed under the Administration's Wireless Innovation and Infrastructure Initiative (WI3).
NSF's comprehensive and flexible support of meritorious projects with broad societal impacts enables the Foundation to identify and foster both fundamental and transformative discoveries within and among fields of inquiry. NSF has the latitude to support emerging fields, high-risk ideas, interdisciplinary collaborations, and research that pushes--and even transforms--the very frontiers of knowledge. In these ways, NSF's discoveries inspire the American public--and the world.
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Recent Publications from the National Academies

Publications

Studies and programs related to engineering and technology cut across the many operational units of the National Academies, including those of the NAE, NAS, IOM, and NRC. The results of these activities are published as reports and proceedings that add to the growing body of knowledge on engineering and technology practice and policy.

 

You can order these publications or read them online at the website of the National Academies Press, the publishing arm of the National Academies.
 [Print Publication]

• Frontiers of Engineering: Reports on Leading-Edge Engineering from the 2010 Symposium

  This volume includes 15 papers from the National Academy of Engineering's 2010 U.S. Frontiers of Engineering (USFOE) Symposium held in September 2010. USFOE meetings bring together 100 outstanding engineers (ages 30 to 45) to exchange information about leading-edge technologies in a range of ... Read More

  Author: National Academy of Engineering
• [Print Publication]

  Global Technology: Changes and Implications: Summary of a Forum

  During a three-hour forum, part of the annual meeting of the National Academy of Engineering on October 4, 2010, a panel of seven experts from a variety of disciplinary and sectoral backgrounds explored the effects, complexities, and risks associated with the global spread of technology and ... Read More

  Author: National Academy of Engineering
• [Print Publication]

  Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited

  Nation needs sustained commitment to investment in innovation Read More

  Author: Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine
• [Print Publication]

  Technology for a Quieter America

  Exposure to noise at home, at work, while traveling, and during leisure activities is a fact of life for all Americans. At times noise can be loud enough to damage hearing, and at lower levels it can disrupt normal living, affect sleep patterns, affect our ability to concentrate at work, interfere ... Read More

  Author: National Academy of Engineering
• [Print Publication]

  Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering

  The overall conclusion of this report is that the public image of engineering and engineers must appeal to the optimism and aspirations of students and must be all inclusive. In the past, the image of engineers has been focused mostly on white males and messages have emphasized the preparation ... Read More

  Author: National Academy of Engineering
• [Print Publication]

  Rebuilding a Real Economy

  Technological innovation will be essential for addressing the difficult challenges that lie ahead, such as feeding a growing population, meeting the demand for energy without destroying the environment, and countering chronic and emerging infectious diseases. At a public forum at the 2009 Annual ... Read More

  Author: National Academy of Engineering

Why so few? AAUW

http://www.aauw.org/learn/research/whysofew.cfm

In an era when women are increasingly prominent in medicine, law and business, why are there so few women scientists and engineers? A new research report by AAUW presents compelling evidence that can help to explain this puzzle. Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics presents in-depth yet accessible profiles of eight key research findings that point to environmental and social barriers – including stereotypes, gender bias and the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities – that continue to block women’s participation and progress in science, technology, engineering, and math. The report also includes up to date statistics on girls' and women's achievement and participation in these areas and offers new ideas for what each of us can do to more fully open scientific and engineering fields to girls and women.

Report

• Thanks to the generous donors to the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund, hard copies of the report are available again through ShopAAUW.

• Download the full report - PDF | Zipped archive

PowerPoint Presentations
Share findings from Why So Few? at meetings, conferences, and other events.

• Long version - This hour-long presentation can be broken down into shorter segments and customized for your use.

• Short version - This version of the hour-long presentation can be given in approximately 25 minutes.

Capitol Hill Briefing
Nobel Laureate Carol Greider spoke at a Capitol Hill briefing on May 4 with report co-author Christianne Corbett.

• Video

• Transcript (PDF)

National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) Webcast
Did you miss the April presentation? View webcast materials and the video recording on the NGCP website.
Gender-Science IAT
Take the test described in Why So Few? Select Demo, go to Demo, select the Gender-Science IAT.

 Sens. Franken’s Floor Statement in Support of Investing in STEM Education

( http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1448)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) spoke on the Senate floor about the need to invest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in order to prepare students to compete in a 21st century economy.

“With the planned reform and reauthorization of No Child Left Behind this year, we have a rare and ideal opportunity to implement real change in K through 12 STEM education in this country,” said Sen. Franken.  “So let’s act now – before it’s too late, before the storm has fully gathered, and before that rapidly-approaching category 5 hurricane destroys the competitive technological edge and prosperity that our country has worked so hard to build and maintain.”

Sen. Franken recently introduce the STEM Master Teacher Corps Act that would boost STEM teacher pay and help improve career advancement opportunities. The legislation is aimed at keeping the best STEM teachers in the field to help ensure that students have the skill set they need to fill the fastest growing jobs in the marketplace and to maintain and improve the country's competitive technological edge.

The legislation has already earned the endorsement of a diverse group of more than 60 Minnesota and national organizations, among them 3M, Medtronic, Education Minnesota, the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the College Board, LifeScience Alley, and the National Rural Education Association. For a full list of endorsing organizations, click here.

For a one-page summary of the bill, click here.

Jobs for the Future

http://www.jff.org/publications/education

Publications

Our published works are widely referenced because they are grounded in the communities we serve. Each year, JFF publishes more than 40 research reports, case studies, newsletters, and policy briefs that offer insight on local, state, and national practice and policy in education and youth development, workforce development, and economic opportunity.

(sample of Publications)

Education Publications

Creating Opportunities in Health Care: The Community College Role in Workforce Partnerships (April 2011)
The nation’s 1,200 community colleges are well positioned to strengthen the workforce of one of America’s most critical sectors—health care. T... read more


Greening Community Colleges: An Environmental Path to Improving Educational Outcomes (April 2011)
The emerging and expanding green economy has the potential to create not just jobs, but career opportunities across the United States as green manufacturing, gr... read more


Innovations in Developmental Math: Community Colleges Enhance Support for Nontraditional Students (April 2011)
Nearly 60 percent of incoming community college students are unprepared for college-level work and must take at least one pre-college, “developmental&rdqu... read more


Life Beyond Early College: Strategies for Success (webinar) (March 24, 2011)
Webinar Presenters: Michael Webb, AVP, Jobs for the Future (moderator) Michael Nakkula, Professor, University of Pennsylvania Kaitlin Kelley, Alumni Support C... read more


Early College Graduates: Adapting, Thriving, and Leading in College (March 2011)
In 2003, JFF funded a research team from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to lead a longitudinal qualitative study on the experiences of students at two... read more