December 2024 STEM Newsletter

Texas Education Agency sent this bulletin at 12/06/2024 04:00 PM CST

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Texas Lone Start STEM

December 2024

PK–12 STEM Newsletter
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Texas STEM Announcements

TEA’s STEM Coordinators Network:

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

Purpose: The purpose of this network is to empower STEM coordinators with the tools and knowledge they need to create engaging and effective STEM programs. TEA aims 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 center' 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

First Meeting: January 14, 2025, from 12:30–2:00 (Central) 

 

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.

 

 

Upcoming Events

Texas Mobile STEM Lab December Visits

Region 12: Blooming Grove ISD

Region 6: Goodrich 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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Ballinger ISD in Region 15

The Texas Mobile STEM Labs are specially equipped learning spaces available at no cost to participating school districts. These mobile labs combine career and skills education, offering teachers flexible, in-classroom resources to enhance their lessons with new skills and content ideas through engaging, hands-on experiences.

Onboard the Texas Mobile STEM Lab, students from kindergarten through grade 8 tackle engineering design challenges and collaborate to design products or processes. The activities are based on model STEM projects developed by Learning Undefeated, with support from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.

In October, students from Ballinger Independent School District had the opportunity to visit the Texas Mobile STEM Lab. A total of 253 middle school students participated in the visit, where they engaged in engineering design challenges such as Space Capsule Drop and River Crossing. During the experience, they followed the engineering design process and explored high-demand STEM careers in Texas.

 

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Victoria ISD STEM Pathway Enrichment Day in Region 3

Victoria ISD has four STEM enrichment days per year.  These events, scheduled on the district’s early release days, aim to generate STEM excitement among students in VISD’s Pre-kindergarten–12 STEM pathway, families, and the Victoria community. On enrichment days, students at each of the district’s STEM schools have the opportunity to apply the engineering design process during an engaging design challenge and to participate in challenges to test student's prototypes. 

The October design challenge, Punkin’ Chunkin', tested students’ skills at designing and building catapults to launch candy in kindergarten and up to full-sized pumpkins in high school. All students viewed the high school’s final challenge via livestream hosted by community leaders.
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Thomas Edison Pitch Contest

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

How will your students make this world a better place?

The Thomas Edison Pitch Contest was created in 2010 as a competition to showcase and encourage invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students before they get to college. Every year, students submit their great ideas to win prizes and gain hands-on experience exclusive to our contest!

Students in grades 4–12 are invited to compete in this contest honoring innovation and Thomas Edison. The contest includes an elementary school, middle school, and high school category. The Thomas Edition Pitch is a STEM contest that allows students to create their own inventions to solve problems that they see in the world today.

SAVE THE DATE - Registration for this year's competition will begin December 1st with the final event scheduled for May 14th.

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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