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New OPEPD Assistant Secretary Confirmed
The U.S. Senate recently confirmed Roberto Rodríguez, in the role of Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development (OPEPD) at the Department. In a press release, Secretary Cardona said Rodríguez will use his, “skills honed over a notable career to ensuring that this agency’s actions are grounded in evidence, in the experience of educators, and in equitable approaches that meet the needs of students.”
Recent Archive: Data Literacy – October 15, 2021
Special Guest Speakers: U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten and Freakonomics Co-Author Steven Levitt
“Big data”—the ability to harness and use data at scale—has transformed our economy, our democracy, and our daily way of life. Yet, there are significant skills gaps in the data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) fields. The power of data is rapidly transforming careers in manufacturing, health care, and education. AI has made navigating social media and online information a societal conundrum. You can view the archive here and learn what Federal, state, and local partners are doing to address these gaps, and what resources exist to bring data education programs to your school. References, resources, and contact information are included at the end of the webinar slide-deck.
Mark Your Calendar: Energizing STEM – November 30, 2021
This webinar will feature STEM resources and learning opportunities offered by the U.S. Department of Energy. Registration opening soon.
All STEM briefings and webinars are archived here.
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IES Issues Small Business Innovation Research Awards
The Department’s Institute of Education Sciences’ Small Business Innovation Research (ED/IES SBIR) funds small business firms and partners for the research and development of commercially viable education technology products designed to support student learning, teacher practice, or school administration in education or special education. A total of 29 new contracts have been awarded for FY21 – several are STEM focused STEM tools.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Overhaul
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program is an important—but largely unmet—promise to provide debt relief to support STEM and other teachers, nurses, firefighters, and others serving their communities through hard work that is essential to our country’s success. By cancelling loans after 10 years of public service, PSLF removes the burden of student debt on public servants, makes it possible for many borrowers to stay in their jobs, and entices others to work in high-need fields. This Fact Sheet is designed to help borrowers navigate the process.
FAFSA Now Open
The 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is now open. New and returning STEM and other students who plan to attend college between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. To assist students and parents in the process, the Department’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) office has been sharing tips @FAFSA, including “7 Things You Need Before Filling Out the FAFSA Form” and “8 Steps to Completing the FAFSA Form.” Students and parents may complete the FAFSA form online at FAFSA.gov and through the myStudentAid mobile application.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
The need for cybersecurity is ever-present in our daily lives, including our financial, health care, infrastructure, national security, and education systems. The White House announced several actions to modernize federal, public-private, and international cyber.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Resources
The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center or REMS TA Center 2021 cybersecurity theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” The Center suggest K-12 schools, school districts, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and state education agencies use the partner toolkit and presentation and sample social media posts and graphics for outreach and educating their constituencies on cyber safety. Each week has a different focus: 1) Be Cyber Smart, 2) Fight the Phish!, 3) Explore. Experience. Share., and 4) Cybersecurity First. Consider using these related fact sheets and webinars: K-12 cyber safety, K-12 cybersecurity, K-12 cybersecurity webinars, IHE cybersecurity fact sheets; cyber safety quick links; and IHE cybersecurity.
White House Report on Best Practices for Diversity & Inclusion in STEM
The FC-STEM Interagency Working Group on Inclusion in STEM (IWGIS) issued a report regarding inclusion in STEM fields across the Federal government, with a focus on identifying research, best practices, and policies on how to promote diversity and inclusion of all groups in the Federal STEM workforce, including women, people from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. The report can be useful in other sectors as well.
IES Research Efforts to Increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA)
In this recent blog, Commissioners Liz Albro (NCER) and Joan McLaughlin (NCSER) share some of the work that the research centers have been doing in relationship to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in education research, including STEM education research. Check out their responses in addressing the misconceptions that limit diversity in IES applicants.
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend eleven months working in Federal agencies or in U.S. Congressional offices, applying their extensive knowledge and classroom experiences to national education program and/or education policy efforts. Deadline to Apply: November 19, 2021.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. This year's awards will honor science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers working in grades K-6. See More Details. Nominations Close: January 7, 2022. Applications Close: February 6, 2022.
STEM Teacher Leadership Network
The STEM Teacher Leadership Network, the NSF-funded, online network created for STEM teacher leaders, aspiring teacher leaders, researchers, and administrators interested in effective school leadership, offers monthly themes, newsletter, and a growing learning community. Consider joining for free today.
Maximizing Invention Education
Invention Education, designed to integrate into existing teaching strategies, enhances both the educator and student experience. Invention Education is a catalyst for deeper learning, engagement and builds a sense of agency in their educational experience. Engaged, Empowered Students, a webinar moderated by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office of Education, will focus on practical, and immediately applicable, ways to build and hone teaching skills in Invention Education, in both in-school and out-of-school environments, obtain support from administrators, and leverage hybrid and virtual learning environments. Attendees will participate in a short design challenge and walk away with new ideas and resources for their classrooms. Register here for this October 27, 2021 webinar.
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This is not an all-inclusive list.
White House Announces New PCAST Members
President Biden recently announced the members of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The roster includes two former cabinet secretaries and has significant representation from the physical and biomedical sciences and areas such as climate and information technology. The PCAST members consists of distinguished individuals from sectors outside of the Federal Government who advise the President on policy matters where the understanding of science, technology, and innovation is key.
NOAA Reacts to United Nation Climate Report
NOAA Administrator Rick Spinard reacted to the release of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) most recent report: “…scientists from across the globe delivered the most up-to-date assessment of the ways in which the climate is changing. It is a sobering IPCC report that finds that human influence is, unequivocally, causing climate change, and it confirms the impacts are widespread and rapidly intensifying… It is the consensus of the world’s scientists that we need strong, and sustained reduction in greenhouse gases. Addressing the climate crisis is a top priority for the Biden Administration and NOAA is and will continue to support that work.”
Science & Engineering in Preschool Through Elementary
The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine released a new report, Science and Engineering in Preschool Through Elementary Grades: The Brilliance of Children and the Strengths of Educators, that finds that even young children can ask questions and make sense of their world in sophisticated ways, and as they begin preschool, they can connect with engineering and science ideas and concepts and develop proficiency. The authors recommend that science and engineering education needs to be prioritized from preschool through fifth grade, and state policymakers should ensure these subjects are taught comprehensively, frequently, and consistently in preschool and elementary schools.
New Federal Evaluation Website
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently launched Evaluation.gov, the home for Federal program evaluation and the Evaluation Officer Council. The site serves as a resource to support and build the Federal evaluation community, and a central location for the agency plans and policies that guide evaluation efforts across the Federal Government. Evaluation has always been an important part of the evidence enterprise, but it’s even more critical now because of the increased interest and support for evidence-based policymaking.
In a recent press release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offered a number of health tips for a successful school year for students, teachers, school staff, and their families. For parents and caregivers, the CDC also published a list of questions to ask schools to learn more about COVID-19 precautions and responses to more frequently asked questions. Reminder: The CDC has specific COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.
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