TEEAP News

May 5, 2009 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Franklin Institute, Philadelphia

This project, funded by the National Science Foundation and administered by the Pennsylvania STEM Initiative, offers the chance for schools and organizations committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue classes and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to come together to share best practices, develop new collaborations, and share resources.  The successful career transition of students and the economic future of Pennsylvania are tied to increased participation of all students in careers that rely on STEM skills and competencies.

For more information check out Pennsylvania STEM Girls Collaborative Project here.

International Technology Education Association Board of Directors Statement of Action January 17, 2009

The Board of Directors approved the following proclamation pertaining to the T & E of STEM as follows.

Proclamation:
ITEA’s Position on the “T & E” of STEM
Whereas; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) literacy is critical for the advancement of students to enter all careers of tomorrow, be it known that the (ITEA) International Technology Education Association believes that it is necessary for K-12 students to gain 21st Century knowledge, skills, and thinking abilities for the technological world.

ITEA’s Board of Directors, on behalf of its membership proclaims that the delivery of STEM education content is closely aligned with the same core content as Standards for Technological Literacy. Furthermore, the goals of our content are essential for all students to achieve both academic and technological abilities in all career pathways and for future leadership in Technology, Innovation, Design and Engineering.

Further, that the content contained within our standards is the foundation for students to develop 21st Century STEM literacy—the very core of abilities needed for students to become advanced problem solvers, innovators, technologists, engineers, and knowledgeable citizens. ITEA believes that all true STEM programs must include Standards for Technological Literacy as a ladder to help students achieve STEM literacy.

Therefore, it is proclaimed that the Technology and Engineering within STEM is delivered by our content area. ITEA and its Standards for Technological Literacy continue to be supported by NASA, The National Academies of Science and Engineering, the National Science Foundation, and the National Assessment for Educational Progress. ITEA believes our content and standards are the foundation through which students may achieve STEM literacy with the partnership of science and mathematics to help all students achieve 21st Century skills.

Board members voting for the Proclamation were as follows: Litowitz, Denton, Stephenson, Warner, Fitzgerald, Meyer, McDonald, DeMiranda, Miller, Wright, and Whiting. There were no votes against this action. The action was deemed approved by President Litowitz on January 17, 2009.

In order for Marlene and Ginger to make any headway in advocating for Children’s Engineering/Design & Technology in the elementary classroom they need your help.

1. A SHORT survey will be showing up in your mailbox before September 15th. It will ask you what non-members of the ITEA want to see from the association. Unless you hold an individual membership to the ITEA, this means they need your input. (It will take you more time to read this email than to complete the survey.) Ginger will use the results to develop a briefing for the ITEA Board of Directors. It is a chance for elementary teachers to be heard.
2. Marlene and Ginger need every elementary educator with any interest in children’s engineering to join the Innovation Station Elementary Listserv. To date, postings by elementary educators have been very limited. The goal is to change that so the listserv becomes a place for elementary educators to share ideas for activities, classroom organization hints, and successes with their students! Have questions? Need help? Innovation Station can become the “go to” place for elementary educators involved in children’s engineering. Only you can make this happen.

Traffic on Innovation Station will also allow leaders of the ITEA and other organizations to keep current of what is really going on in elementary classrooms across the nation. And it will provide elementary educators a way for their needs and wants to be heard.

You can subscribe to Innovation Station at http://www.iteaconnect.org/Networking/IS/IS.htm It is FREE. You can choose to have the postings sent to you as they are posted OR sent in one batch each day.