Applications are currently available for teachers and club advisors for the fourth annual Bright Idea Society – and, for students, a new design contest – as the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering starts another year of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational programs for teachers and students.
The Bright Idea Society is an opportunity for STEM clubs or classrooms to submit an idea for a project from concept phase to inception. The festival’s education committee will evaluate submissions and select a winning group from each of the elementary, middle and high school levels. The winners will be awarded a $500 education stipend for materials and supplies to bring their project to fruition. In addition, they will receive the opportunity to present their final project at the 2015 EXPO Day, which takes place on Saturday, March 21 at PETCO Park.
Deadline for submission is Dec. 12. Details and program applications are posted on the festival website, lovestemsd.org.
The term STEM is typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices to improve competitiveness in technology development. It has implications for workforce development, national security concerns and immigration policy.
The festival also announces its newest competition, STEM Design. The competition encourages children to integrate art with their love for science and engineering and allow the expression of creativity. The festival invites students from kindergarten to college to submit a STEM-related design concept for a chance to win the top graphic location on the front of the 2015 Festival Week t-shirt. The winning recipient will receive his or her artwork framed, an educational stipend and the opportunity to be seen by over 50,000 STEM enthusiasts throughout Festival Week.
The just-launched Nifty Fifty program matches STEM industry professionals with San Diego County kindergarten through 12th-grade classrooms for exciting and interactive presentations. Teachers and STEM industry professionals can sign up on the festival website, and match e-mails will be sent in January 2015. Additionally, the new STEM Ambassador Pilot Program seeks two dozen college students to participate as STEM ambassadors during festival week. Ambassadors will be paired with a Nifty Fifty mentor and invited to participate in classroom presentations.
“San Diego continues to be a mecca for growth in the industry of STEM,” said Sara Pagano, the festival’s managing director. “As one of our core values, we advocate for investing in STEM education as one of the most effective ways to build a secure socioeconomic environment for everyone regardless of race, creed, gender or personal beliefs. We as a festival have the opportunity to showcase what it means to be a STEM professional and feel that creating these experiences for students are vital to growing their knowledge and passion for learning within the industry of STEM.”
The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering engages kids in science and engineering. By doing this, the organization expands the general public’s understanding of the relevancy of science and engineering in everyday lives, illuminates why the United States must maintain its role in science and technology and works with parents and teachers to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s STEM innovators. For more information, visit lovestemsd.org or call (858) 455-0300, ext. 104. – Staff and contribution