Weekly Media Roundup: August 19, 2015

The STEM Gap (Los Angeles Times, California)

In the Los Angeles Times, Education Secretary Arne Duncan writes about the future of STEM education: “Across the country, there are disparities in students’ access to the full range of math and science courses… [But] I’m optimistic about the future of STEM teaching and learning, in California and throughout the country. The Galt Joint Union Elementary School District… is increasing access to STEM with after-school clubs that offer virtual courses in subjects such as mechanical engineering…. Additionally, four of the nation’s largest youth development organizations – Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Girls Inc., YMCA and the National 4-H Council – are establishing a partnership to ignite the interest of traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM. This partnership will provide low-income and minority students and young girls with access to mobile STEM labs, science expos and STEM-themed summer camps.”

Program Helps Immigrant Children Hone Language, Cultural Skills (Columbus Dispatch, Ohio)

For almost ten years, Columbus State Community College has been working with immigrant and refugee children in an afterschool and summer program to help them overcome the barriers they face after coming to the U.S. Kids receive help with reading, writing and homework, while also playing games, touring colleges and going on field trips. “It’s as much teaching them life skills and having fun as it is about the academics,” Allison Wannemacher, site specialist for the Wedgewood Village Apartments branch of the program, told the Columbus Dispatch. The program also offers ESL classes, health and nutrition workshops, interpretation/translation services and social-service referrals for parents.

New Flyers Coach Gives Back to Community at Youth Hockey Clinic (Philadelphia Daily News, Pennsylvania)

Eighth- and ninth-graders of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation were visited by a special guest the other day – new Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Dave Hakstol. He advised the students on how to translate lessons learned in hockey to the rest of their life. At Snider Hockey’s After School Excellence Program, student-athletes receive educational help and get to spend time improving their hockey skills. “I think, probably, as a young person, you walk away from here each and every day feeling like you’ve accomplished something,” Hakstol told the Philadelphia Daily News. “And I think that’s something that really helps a young person grow and feel good about themselves.” The program is free for students who maintain a C grade average and complete 15 hours of community service.

Student Scientists Show NASA They Have the Right Stuff (Hometown Life, Michigan)

Four students from the Hicks Elementary School Bright Futures afterschool program impressed NASA engineers by creating a multiple purpose crew vehicle (MPCV) to return astronauts home safely from a mission. The students designed, tested and marketed the vehicle as part of the NASA/U.S. Department of Education Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Challenge, a program meant to increase and support public engagement of youth in STEM. The elementary students constructed their MPCV using aluminum foil, bubble wrap, a paper bag and pipe cleaners, then tested it by dropping it from various heights. “This was a way to engage students,” Eastern Michigan University 21st Century Community Learning Centers assistant director Maria Mitter told Hometown Life. “They did real work and realized how exciting science can be.”