Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership Awarded STEM Planning Grant

In March 2012, the Noyce Foundation and their review team of national informal science education and afterschool experts announced the winners of a STEM Planning Grant competition, which included the Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Networks (SAN's). 

STEM Planning Grants have been designed to promote Statewide Afterschool Network collaborations in the development of statewide partnerships for informal science education. Successful infusion of STEM into expanded learning opportunities, afterschool and summer programs requires thoughtful engagement of a broad range of diverse partners and time for thoughtful planning and preparation. MAP's Planning Grant, which will be implemented from March 2012 - August 2012, will fund the development of, rather than actual, system work. The planning grant process is designed to support MAP's role as an essential intermediary for infusing STEM into expanded learning, afterschool and summer programs along with broader system-building efforts. In August of 2012, the Noyce Foundation will select only 4 of the 5 state plans. These states will then receive funds to support the implementations of a statewide strategy to increase STEM opportunities in afterschool and out of school time. 

If you are interested in working with MAP and our partners throughout the next 6 months of planning, please contact Katie Magrane at 617-338-0040 or at kmagrane@massafterschool.org.

STEM Pipeline Fund

Since 2003, the Department of Higher Education has administered the STEM Pipeline Fund, established in Economic Stimulus Trust Fund legislation. The STEM Pipeline Fund was established in Economic Stimulus legislation for the following purposes:

• to increase the number of Massachusetts students who participate in programs that support careers in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM);

• to increase the number of qualified STEM teachers; and

• to improve the STEM educational offerings available in public and private schools.

The seven Regional PreK-16 STEM Networks bring together K-12, public and independent higher education, businesses, and regional and community organizations around science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to address the need for systemic change. In addition to administering regional projects, the Networks regularly communicate information about funding opportunities, events, announcements, and training sessions.

Zero Robotics

Zero Robotics is a unique opportunity for middle- and high-school students to not only take lectures about space research, but to also be a part of it.  The competition allows students to learn physics, mathematics and computer coding through interactive activities and hands-on experiences with programming.  Students spend time learning C-code and formulating strategies and simulations for their SPHERES in anticipation of the final competition.  The top players are then tested aboard the International Space Station by astronauts using the SPHERES satellites.  Zero Robotics is made possible by the partnerships of MIT, NASA, DARPA, the Massachusetts Space Grant, Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Top Coder and the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership.

Registration is now open for the Zero Robotics High School September Tournament 2012.