Published by the

Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education

This Week's Topics:

1. IT ALL ADDS UP: EARLY ACHIEVEMENT IN MATH MAY IDENTIFY FUTURE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS
2. SIEMENS COMPETITION IN MATH, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NAMES SEMIFINALISTS AND REGIONAL FINALISTS
3. "DELIVERING THE T&E IN STEM"
4. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RELEASES NEW POLICY DOCUMENT ON CHARTER SCHOOLS
5. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY LAUNCHES REAL WORLD DESIGN CHALLENGE
6. NASA AND THE CHALLENGER CENTER ANNOUNCE NAMING CONTEST
7. TOP WINNERS OF SSP MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
8. PREVIOUS ISSUES

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New research published in the October issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, suggests that there may be a way to identify budding scientists and engineers and thus be able to guide them, from a young age, to careers that will enable them to make the most of their abilities. Vanderbilt University psychologists Gregory Park, David Lubinski, and Camilla P. Benbow wanted to see if early mathematical reasoning ability would be predictive of future accomplishments in scientific and technical fields. The researchers identified 1500 young adolescents who had scored in the top 1% on the math portion of the SAT. Twenty-five years later, the researchers looked to see how many of those youths had gone on to publish articles in peer-reviewed journals, receive advanced degrees, and earn patents. The researchers grouped the participants according to the degrees they had earned, then examined within each group the relationship between SAT math scores and scientific creativity (as determined by journal publications and patents earned). The researchers found that there were more peer-reviewed journal authors and patent holders in the doctorate group compared to the bachelor's and master's degree groups. However, more interesting was the finding that within each advanced degree group, adolescents who had scored highest on the SAT math test were most likely to have authored a peer-reviewed scientific publication or to have earned a patent as adults. Also, when the researchers looked only at participants who earned graduate degrees from schools ranked in the top 15 for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduate programs, the participants who scored highest on the SAT math test still achieved more scientific accomplishments as adults.

The authors note that "educational credentials are clearly important, as are educational opportunities at outstanding universities, but that they cannot fully substitute for ability. Our results suggest that, among other things, individual differences in cognitive ability (even when measured in early adolescence) are important to take into account when identifying and modeling exceptional scientific and technical human capital." The authors conclude that these findings are relevant because they "come at a time when national initiatives and industries are searching for new methods to identify and harness creative potential, particularly in science and technology." More information is online.   

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The U.S. Department of Education has released a new publication on creating and maintaining successful charter schools, summarizing its vision for the future of the charter school sector in the U.S. and outlining steps to happen to achieve that vision. Produced by the Department's Office of Innovation and Improvement, "A Commitment to Quality: National Charter School Policy Forum Report" draws from discussions with charter school leaders at the Department's forum on charter schools in May 2008, as well as 15 years of research and experience with charter schools. The forum, which shared lessons and outlined future directions for the charter sector, featured nearly 100 of the foremost leaders on charter schools from across the nation.

Since charter schooling began in Minnesota in 1991, the movement has expanded to more than 4,300 schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 1.2 million students. The report indicates that in several states -- including Tennessee, Massachusetts, Alaska, Idaho, Rhode Island, and Utah -- more than 70 percent of charter schools had reading proficiency rates for their low-income students that exceeded statewide rates for low-income students in 2006-07. These schools demonstrate that high standards and a strong commitment to accountability can get results for those students traditionally most underserved by the public school system. In addition, the report outlines the following six principles to produce and maintain quality charter schools. The new publication reflects the latest thinking on charter schools from renowned practitioners and policymakers, including charter school operators, leaders of charter school support organizations, researchers, policy experts, philanthropists, and other funders. The report is available online.

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NASA and the Challenger Center for Space Education have partnered to engage students in ongoing activities for one of NASA's concepts for astronaut housing on the moon through a contest to name a habitat in Antarctica. NASA currently is conducting a test of a lightweight, durable, inflatable habitat on the cold, harsh landscape of the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station. The Challenger Center is organizing and conducting the "Name that Habitat" competition for students in sixth through tenth grades through November 20, 2008. The winning name will be selected later this year and announced by scientists in Antarctica in January 2009. Students, teachers, and the public will be able to follow the progress of inflatable habitat activities throughout the project.

The habitat was funded through NASA's Innovative Partnership Program's Seed Fund initiative, with in-kind resource contributions by the National Science Foundation and ILC Dover of Frederica, Del., the manufacturer of the structure. An inflatable habitat is one of several concepts being considered for astronaut housing on the moon. The structure looks something like an inflatable backyard bounce house for children, but it is far more sophisticated. It is insulated, heated, pressurized, and has power. It offers 384 square feet of living space and has, at its highest point, an 8-foot ceiling. During the test period, sensors will allow engineers to monitor the habitat's performance. The contest helps NASA fulfill its mission to promote an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The Challenger Center is an international, nonprofit educational organization founded in 1986 by the families of the astronauts lost during the last flight of the space shuttle Challenger. The goal of the organization is to foster student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For more information about entering the Name that Habitat contest, visit www.challenger.org/hab.   

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3M  
3M is a diversified technology company committed to providing practical
and ingenious solutions to help customers succeed.

Ford Motor Company Fund
Ford Motor Company Fund continues the legacy of Henry Ford's commitment
to innovative education at all levels. They remain dedicated to creating and enriching
educational opportunities, especially in the areas of science, engineering, math, and business.

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