This recently published report reflects the proceedings, presentations, and takeaways from the first ever Equity and Inclusion STEM Thought Leaders' Summit held in October 2018. This summit was funded through the ATE grant the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) received from the NSF and included a steering committee representing ATE projects and centers, in addition to AACC-affiliated councils. 

The summit entailed a series of workshop sessions revolving around a variety of issues concerning STEM education and the ATE program: equity gaps; recruitment and retainment strategies for underrepresented populations; and professional development, to name a few.

Summit sessions were attended by faculty and administrator teams from 15 colleges all new to the ATE program. The sessions were designed to be highly engaging, drawing feedback and insight from community college educators and leaders about these pertinent issues. 

Read the full report to learn more about the summit, in addition to projects and centers (including ATE Central) that were highlighted for ongoing support within the ATE Community. 

Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) has announced that their scholarship portal for 2019 is now open. There are two types of scholarships available: a national scholarship open to all students (graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students) pursuing a STEM degree, and the Artemio G. Navarro Scholarship, which is open only to graduating seniors attending Bishop Mora Salesian High School in Los Angeles. 

The deadline to apply is April 1, 2019, and the application requirements and instructions can be found on the GMiS website. 

Registration for the 2019 showcase has opened! Registration to present will end on February 19 (or earlier if the showcase receives more than 250 registrations). Once approved, presenters can submit their videos between March 13 and April 23.

The STEM For All Video Showcase is an interactive, online event that is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and features federally funded projects aimed at improving STEM or CS learning and teaching in formal or informal environments. The Showcase takes place online from May 13 - 20 and during the event, thousands of participants will view the videos, have discussions, and vote for their favorites.

To read more about the 2019 Showcase, visit the event’s website and check out last year’s video submissions.

Start the new year off right by joining presenters Rachael Bower, Director/PI of ATE Central and Farra Trompeter, Vice President of communications firm Big Duck, for two upcoming free, live webinars held in January and February. In these webinars, the presenters will share ideas for how to create descriptive yet simple mission statements and tactics for optimizing your project or center’s outreach strategies.  

Tell a good story: Crafting Mission Statements and messages for your ATE project or center

Tuesday. Jan. 29, 1-2 pm ET

In this live webinar, Rachael and Farra will discuss how mission statement elements and messages from your project or center can be created to more effectively engage students, partners, funders, and other key external audiences. Read more about this webinar and enroll here. 

So many choices, so little time: Setting strategies to guide your tactics

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 1-2 pm ET

Rachael and Farra will discuss how your project or center can optimize social media and communications channels, in addition to how to craft an outreach strategy while staying focused on which tactics are worth your time. Read more about this webinar and enroll here. 

Great Minds in STEM, a non-profit that promotes STEM education and careers to underserved communities, recently announced that the U.S. Army RDECOM Competition deadline has been extended to January 15, 2019, and specifically invites students attending Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, and historically Black colleges and universities to enter the competition. 

Students entering the competition can submit design proposals in two categories: Small UAVs and UAVs from biologically-based materials. Two design proposals are allowed per eligible institution and each team must be comprised of three to eight students.

For more detailed information, including key dates, awards, and information required in the proposal, visit the announcement on the Great Minds in STEM website. 

Read the complete solicitation and guidelines here.