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| Issue: #15 |
September 2009 |
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From the Director... |
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Classes
begin tomorrow at Middle Tennessee State University, home of the GRITS
Collaborative. I am sure that as we head back to the classroom or
to our girl-serving STEM organizations and programs, that we are
thinking of ways to increase gender equity in the many STEM
fields. I want to share some sources that I have found useful.
I
just returned from the 238th national meeting of the American Chemical
Society. As a member and program chair of the national Women
Chemists Committee (WCC), I attend the business meeting for the Society
Committee on Education (SOCED). This committee focuses on
critical issues at all levels of chemical education. It was at a
SCOED meeting that I learned about the National Science Digital
Library, NSDL. We know that the National Girls Collaborative
Project maximizes access to shared resources which support girls and
STEM education. The NDSL is also a collaborative of STEM resources
primarily for K-16 educators, researchers, local and national officials
and of course parents. You can find the NSDL at
www.nsdl.org. The NSDL is funded by the National Science
Foundation (NSF).
Another on-line library with a focus on
gender and STEM is the Gender and Science Digital Library (GSDL) found
at http://eecgsdl.edc.org. The GSDL is also funded by the NSF and the
Eisenhower National Clearinghouse. According to their homepage,
"The Gender & Science Digital Library (GSDL) aims to provide
high-quality digital resources to 1) help educators promote interest
and engagement with STEM (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) education by learners of all ages, particularly females,
2) encourage learners to pursue science education and future careers in
science, 3) provide an inter-disciplinary examination of the role of
gender in the creation, teaching and learning of science, and 4) build
community among all interested users for the purposes of inquiry,
information exchange, best practices development and mentoring."
I like the "What's New" link which provides a current list of new
additions to the GSDL. It is well worth your time to review this
site.
Of course since both of the above digital libraries
are funded by the NSF, I must mention that the NSF is also a great
source of information for STEM education. Go to the NSF homepage,
www.nsf.gov and you can find news and special reports, classroom
resources, publications and statistics and the best yet, information on
funding opportunities.
Do not forget the many
resources also available for you on the National Girls collaborative
Project homepage (http://www.psctlt.org/ngcp/index.cfm). Help us build
our resources! The GRITS Collaborative wants to hear from you about
your favorite resources which support girls in STEM. Send us the
information and your "review' and we will post sources in out next
newsletter. You can send information to me at
jiriarte@mtsu.edu. Thanks once again for your support of girls in
STEM.
Judith Iriarte-Gross
Director, GRITS |
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Expanding Your Horizons and Schneider Electric |
Don't forget that the MTSU EYH is on October 31. Registration is now open at www.mtsu.edu/eyh.
Considering that 19.5 % of engineering degrees (B.S.) were
awarded to females in 2004, we are delighted to offer several new
workshops presented by women engineers of Schneider Electric in Smyrna,
TN. The following are descriptions of our new engineering
workshops and what the girls will experience.
Windmill Energy, Presented by: Olivier Bouffet, Jani Chapman, Nathan Kolbe, Denise Schaefer
The
Windmills of your mind are looking for you on October 31st! Find
out how to create energy using a Windmill. How do the blade
pitch, blade width, and wind direction affect your energy output?
What makes the Windmill most efficient?
Energy Efficiency, Presented by: Shannon Battle, Carrie House, Stephanie Truax, Kelly White
What
uses the most energy? Fluorescent Light or Incandescent
light? How can we choose the most efficient sources of
energy? Which produces the most light while using the least
amount of energy?
Let Er' Rip! Presented by: Lizet Escamilla, Jan Gardner, Mary Groff, Mary Thomas
In
medieval times they were the most formidable weapons and if you had one
you could conquer any kingdom! How is a Trebuchet made and what
made it such a deadly weapon in it's day? Find out how the length
and types of materials make a difference in the distances you can reach
and the effectiveness of your aim!
It is sure to be loads
of fun and interesting to see the concepts and models the girls will
come up with while meeting the original criteria. We hope you
will all come out and enjoy yourselves! |
| GRITS
Collaborative
Mini-Grants are now
open! |
The GRITS Collaborative Mini-Grants are now available! We are accepting applications for the Mini-Grants from August 1-September 30, 2009.
What are Mini-Grants?
Grants
up to $1000 to girl serving STEM focused programs that promote
collaborations which address gaps and overlaps in service, and share
promising practices. Mini-grant projects must relate to either
informal learning or evaluation and assessment. Mini-grants are seed
funding and are not intended to fully fund entire projects.
Who can Apply?
Any
organization can apply. First the organization or program must
register in the National Collaborative Program Directory www.ngcproject.org/directory/index.cfm and second, each mini-grant applicant must partner with another registered program.
How can I Apply?
Guidelines and application materials can be found in the mini-grant section of the National Collaborative Web site www.ngcproject.org/mini-grant/app-resources.cfm.
What are some examples of successful Mini-Grants?
There are examples of successful mini-grants at www.ngcproject.org/mini-grant/grants.cfm.
Who do I contact for more Information?
Please
contact me regarding questions on who is elegible and how to
submit an application for the GRITS Collaborative mini-grants.
Cacy DeSheles
Assistant Director, GRITS
cdd3b@mtsu.edu
615.494.7763
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| MTSU Women In Science and Engineering Fall Events |
September 9th -
Student Organization Fair
KUC Knoll 10:00AM-2:00PM
Chocolate Challenge
Monohan Hall
Elections: 6:00 pm
Program: 6:30 pm
Speaker: Dr. Autumn Marshall Nutritionist, Lipscomb University
September 17 and 18
Honoring Women in Mathematics
Sep. 17, 7:00-9:00pm and Sep. 18: 2:00-4:00
Tom Jackson Building
September 23rd
Faculty Meet & Greet
October 16-18, 23-25, 29-30
Ghouls at Grassmere, The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
October 31
MTSU Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Math Conference
Please join WISE in celebrating women in science at one of these events! | |
Thank you for staying involved in and promoting the activities of GRITS.
Cacy DeSheles
Assistant Director
Girls Raised In Tennessee Science |
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