October 2024 STEM Newsletter

Texas Education Agency sent this bulletin at 10/04/2024 09:07 AM CDT

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Texas Lone Start STEM

October 2024

PK–12 STEM Newsletter
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Texas STEM Announcements

TEA’s STEM Coordinator’s Network:

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is excited to announce the new STEM Coordinators Network—a collaborative community dedicated to advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and programs. This group, led by TEA's STEM Coordinator, Michelle Sedberry, brings together STEM coordinators from diverse educational institutions and organizations to share best practices, innovative strategies, and resources for enhancing STEM learning experiences.

Purpose: The purpose is to empower STEM coordinators with the tools and knowledge they need to create engaging and effective STEM programs. We aim to foster a supportive network where members can exchange ideas, tackle common challenges, and drive continuous improvement in STEM education.

What The Network Offers:

Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow STEM coordinators to build relationships, collaborate on projects, and share successes and insights bi-monthly.

Problem-Solving Support: A space to seek advice, discuss challenges, and find solutions tailored to local STEM program needs.

Who Should Join: This group is designed for district and campus-level STEM coordinators, education service centers' STEM Leads, higher education STEM directors, and STEM directors at non-profit organizations—anyone involved in the planning and implementation of STEM programs at a systemic level. Complete the form to become a member of the STEM Coordinator’s Network. https://forms.gle/vSZUzBjwdJvpqmBb6

Texas EcosySTEM
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Technology Applications TEKS Training at Regional Education Service Centers

Launch_K5 CS is a dynamic three- day hybrid workshop designed for K–5 educators, crafted to align seamlessly with the new K–5 technology applications TEKS being implemented beginning in the 2024–2025 school year. Each workshop includes two or three in-person days and an asynchronous course, providing all necessary resources and materials to help teachers successfully train students in these essential 21st-century skills (including up to $200 worth of physical computing kits). These workshops are free of charge and open to any interested Texas educator. 

See our STEM web page to connect to the STEM Lead at your Education Service Center. TEA STEM web page

Upcoming Events

Texas Mobile STEM Lab October Visits

Region 15:
Ballinger ISD 
Olfen ISD

Region 18:
Midland ISD
Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD

Region 19:
Tornillo ISD
Michelle Sedberry

Contact Information

Michelle Sedberry Statewide STEM Coordinator Texas Education Agency

Texas EcosySTEM STEM Leads, Education Service Centers 

STEM Lead Contact Information

Texas Education Agency Curriculum Standards and Student Support For general curriculum questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.                

     

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STEM Newsletter Subscription

If you would like to receive this newsletter monthly, please subscribe to Pre-K–12 STEM via this link: Newsletter Subscription.

Other newsletters you may be interested in are Science List, Mathematics, and Technology Applications.
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Mobile Lab

Texas Mobile STEM Lab Expansion

TEA is excited to announce the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory program is expanding to nine mobile units. Three labs will operate during the 2024–2025 school year, and the nine-vehicle fleet will begin operating in 2025–2026. Click here to view the 2024–2025 campus selection.

Learning Undefeated has developed a wealth of STEM resources available on their website at no cost. Click here to access the free STEM engineering design challenges, which include kindergarten–grade 8 STEM curriculum and lesson plans that are TEKS aligned. We hope you find these resources useful when planning your STEM activities this upcoming school year.
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NASA's High School Aerospace Scholars

As a courtesy to our readers, the following information from an external stakeholder has been included.

NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) application is now open! HAS is an authentic learning experience for Texas high school juniors to engage with NASA’s mission to become the next generation of Artemis explorers. Students learn different STEM related fields of study they might want to pursue in college. Following a series of online lessons, all students who pass the online experience are invited to attend a five-day summer Moonshot virtual experience. Selected students plan a team-based Artemis-themed mission to the Moon and Mars with guidance from NASA scientists and engineers. Both the online and summer portions are free to students. Students from top teams from each Moonshot week will be invited to a residential experience at Johnson Space Center.
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Aim High Flight Academy

As a courtesy to our readers, the following information from an external stakeholder has been included.

The Aim High Flight Academy (AHFA) is an all-expense paid aviation scholarship for a three-week introductory flight program at various universities worldwide. The mission of the AHFA is to inform, influence, and inspire the next generation of aviators and leaders. After completing of the AHFA, students will understand the pathways to becoming an Air Force officer and aviator and earn up to 15 flight hours. AHFA pairs high school students, USAFA, and AFROTC cadets with current Air Force members who provide mentorship about the various aviation professions and career fields. 

Applications for summer 2025 will open from October 1, 2024, until October 31, 2024. To be notified of the application opening, please fill out an interest form.
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The Museum of Science, Boston’s New PreK–8 Engineering Curricula are Free to Download 

As a courtesy to our readers, the following information from an external stakeholder has been included.

Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) from the Museum of Science, Boston, is proud to share the long-awaited release of 12 new engineering units, now available for FREE download. These engaging units are available for elementary and middle school grades and out-of-school settings. Each begins with a story, comic, or video featuring diverse narrators who situate the engineering problems in context, model engineering behaviors, and introduce age-appropriate engineering design processes. YES curricula support students as they engineer sun hats, nightlights, filters to reduce plastic waste entering the ocean, eco-friendly slippers, medicine coolers, rescue shuttles, and more. 

Questions? Contact us at yes@mos.org or call 617-589-0230

STEM Program Highlights

If you have a STEM event or program you would like to feature in the STEM newsletter, please send your information and picture to michelle.sedberry@tea.texas.gov. 

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