National Academies Gulf Research Program’s Empowering K–8 Youth Through Place-Based Education Funding Opportunity

Applications are open for a $5 million funding opportunity to support place-based learning efforts to increase the scientific and environmental literacy and problem-solving skills of children and youth in the Gulf of Mexico region. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program will fund grants of $75,000 or more to support projects that engage children and youth in place-based educational activities that foster the development of the scientific and environmental skills, competencies, and capabilities that are critical to solving complex issues in the Gulf now and into the future. Nonprofit, state, and local entities, excluding federal agencies, that support educational, service, and/or coordination activities for children and youth in grades K–8 may apply. (Deadline April 10)

Funding Opportunity Q&A Office Hours will take place via Zoom on February 21 at 9–11 a.m. Central Time.

Learn more here: (LINK)

Asian Pacific Islander Innovators in STEM Booklist and Read Alouds
Compiled by educators from University of North Carolina’s STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMI2E2) Center, this booklist with linked read-alouds celebrates Asian Pacific Islander (API) innovators in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The books are grouped by intended audience: babies and toddlers, 0–2 years; older toddlers, ages 3 and older; preschool, ages 4 and older; and kindergarten, ages 5 and older. Each annotation indicates API representation (e.g., author, STEM innovator, character); the STEM domain it addresses; and whether the book includes accurate and age-appropriate STEM concepts. In addition, many titles include links to a video read-aloud of the story. All books on the list feature engaging photographs and illustrations and offer many talking points to engage young students in STEM conversations. 

Selected titles from each domain include The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin (science, API characters, API author, ages four and older); Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers by Rajani LaRocca (technology and math, API author, API characters, ages four and older); and What to Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada (engineering/technology, API author, ages four and older). 

Learn more here: (LINK)

Charles Young and the Formation of National Parks

Who is Major Charles Young and what is his role in shaping the National Park Service? An activity shared in a post from the blog Teaching With the Library of Congress engages middle and high school students in examining three primary sources—an historical photograph, a congressional document, and a newspaper article—to explore the life of an individual who broke through barriers and experienced high levels of success through his own volition. The timeline of Young’s life spans The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, The Spanish-American War, and World War I, providing a rich context for consideration. The article includes links to the three primary sources as well as questions for teachers to ask students as they examine and reflect on each document, and concludes with a question for students to consider: What life advice do you think Charles Young would give you today? 

Learn more here: (LINK)

The Exploratorium’s Summer Institute for Teachers

Spend three weeks (June 10–28) at the Exploratorium in San Francisco learning how to introduce more inquiry into your classroom. You’ll collaborate with other teachers to deepen your own practice, build content knowledge, and support a more equitable learning environment in your context. Explore natural phenomena related to human perception, physical science, life science, Earth science, and the environment. Engage in activities that promote noticing, wondering, and experimenting so you can build understanding and create equitable and anti-racist science classrooms. Each day includes museum exhibit explorations and class time, as well as independent project time. You’ll have opportunities to attend electives, create small versions of Exploratorium exhibits in the machine shop, and meet with Teacher Institute staff to focus on your specific needs.

Applicants must be current in-classroom science teachers of grades 6–12 and should have at least three years’ experience teaching science in a classroom. Educators of color and educators working in public schools, especially Title I schools, are encouraged to apply. (Deadline March 4)

The Summer Institute is free of charge; attendees pay only for travel, food, and lodging. Each participant will be awarded a $2,500 stipend after completing the institute. Six graduate-level semester units of continuing education credits are available for a fee. Learn more here: (LINK)

Google Summer of Code

Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is celebrating 20 years of bringing new contributors into open-source communities. GSoC is now open to students and to beginners in open-source software development (18 years and older in non-embargoed countries). Contributor applications will be accepted beginning on March 18. The global, online mentorship program is designed to engage contributors with open-source software communities. In the past 19 years, the program has had more than 20,000 participants from 116 countries. 

Participants are paired with a mentor to help introduce them to an open-source community and guide them with their projects. Project topics include AI/ML, Cloud, Operating Systems, Graphics, Medicine, Programming Languages, Robotics, Physics, Science, and Security. GSoC gives contributors invaluable real-world experience, helps them build their skills and resumes, and provides an opportunity to receive a stipend to contribute to open-source software.

GSoC will announce the accepted mentoring organizations on February 21, but interested students can start reaching out to previous mentoring organizations now. The earlier they contact the organizations and express their interest, the better their chances of getting accepted into the program. The application period will run from March 18 to April 2.

For more information, see Advice for Contributors for quick tips and the Contributor Guide for more details, and view the following videos.

• An introduction to Google Summer of Code

• The Community Talks series

• GSoC Org Highlight videos of projects that GSoC contributors have worked on in the past.  

Learn more here: LINK

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Research Experiences for Teachers (BIORETS) Program

Middle level and high school STEM teachers with at least a year of classroom experience can spend six weeks during the summer at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York, conducting research in ecology with Cary scientists. A culminating in-person, two-day writing workshop will support teachers in publishing their work, and four virtual school-year follow-up sessions will be held to support implementation of new curriculum. Paid travel and housing are available for out-of-area teachers, and educators will receive an $8,800 stipend for full participation. Participants will

• Increase their knowledge of ecology;

• Develop skills in conducting original research, including research design, implementation, and data analysis;

• Increase their knowledge of effective pedagogy and curriculum design for building ecological and data literacy; and

• Be part of a collaborative community of middle and high school teachers, scientists, and educational researchers.

Teachers who work with historically marginalized and underserved students, and/or work in under-resourced schools, including those in rural and urban communities, are especially encouraged to apply. (Deadline March 15) 

Learn more here: (LINK)