September, 2011

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. STEM education is not only critical for preparing our future doctors, researchers, rocket scientists and game designers, it’s becoming more important for every type of job in the workforce. The problem is that most countries in the world aren’t producing enough STEM graduates. In the United States for example, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates there will be more than 1.2 million job openings in STEM-related fields by 2018, but not enough people to fill them.

As President Obama remarked in his State of the Union address in January 2011, “maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America's success. But if we want to win the future – if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas – then we also have to win the race to educate our kids.”

Companies in the private sector need STEM graduates to create the next generation of exciting innovations, and there are incredible career opportunities for students who take STEM degree courses.

For millions of students around the world September is back-to-school time, and to coincide with the new academic year we’re launching a month long set of announcements and events focused on promoting awareness of STEM and its importance.

Starting today we’re using the hashtag #STEMtember to pull together STEM related content, news and opinions on Twitter throughout the month.

To get things started we’re releasing the results from two surveys  we have commissioned to discover the views of parents and students on how we can encourage more people to study STEM subjects.

Microsoft has been committed to encouraging students to pursue a career in STEM for many years. We have put in place a range of global and local programs to encourage students to explore the possibilities of a career in STEM from the Imagine Cup to Partners in Learning, DigiGirlz, and the Kodu Game Lab.

We’re looking forward to the discussion, check back for a range of content, news, opinions and resources throughout the month. It’s going to be a busy #STEMtember!

· Read the results of our STEM survey.

Microsoft STEM related programs and resources:

· Partners in Learning: A 10-year, nearly $500 million commitment to help schools increase their access to technology and use it more effectively in teaching.

· Imagine Cup: A global competition for students ages 16 and up to strengthen technical, problem-solving and communication skills by helping solve issues inspired by the UN Millennium Goals.

· Kodu Game Lab: A free game design tool that enables kids to easily build their own video games for the PC within minutes by dragging and dropping images and simple icons, rather than using complex programming languages.

· DreamSpark: Provides no-cost access to Microsoft designer and developer tools for students and educators around the world, to support and advance the learning and teaching of key technical skills. Since its introduction in 2008, students in more than 137 countries have utilized DreamSpark.

· Students to Business: Helps companies connect with and hire talented university or post-graduate students for jobs or internships in the technology industry by matching qualified candidates with open positions.

· Innovative Teaching & Learning Research: A multi-year study examining the links between innovative teaching practices and their impact on the skills that students will need for life and work in the 21st Century.

· Partners in Learning Educators Forum: A forum to showcase creative and inspiring examples of how educators and schools are using technology.

· Washington STEM: This $6 million grant from Microsoft helps to provide technical assistance, teacher-training, access to STEM curricula, and other resources for Washington State’s K–12 education system.

· DigiGirlz: Tech Camps give high school girls a chance to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops.

· Microsoft Math Partnership: Through partnerships with local school districts, universities, and other educational organizations Microsoft has spent $3 million to sponsor the multi-year Microsoft Math Partnership (MMP), which has helped 20 middle schools in eight Washington school districts improve their success rates in middle school math.

· Employee Volunteer Programs: Microsoft employees volunteer their time to a number of local programs that encourage the pursuit of math and science, including TEALS mentorship, MATHCOUNTS, MESA and FIRST Robotics Competitions, which add fun and excitement to learning.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is vital to solving the world’s toughest social problems; to helping companies create the next breakthrough innovation and to keeping local economies competitive. So how do we encourage more students to study STEM projects?

To find out, we partnered with Harris Interactive to get an insight on STEM education from parents with children in K-12 education, and students currently studying in STEM degree courses.

The parent perspective:

The survey found broad agreement among parents that there is room for improvement in how we prepare children to pursue a STEM career.

· Most parents of K-12 students (93%) believe that STEM education should be a priority in the U.S., but only half (49%) agree that it actually is a top priority.

· Parents believe STEM is essential to ensure the U.S. remains competitive in the global marketplace (53%) and to produce the next generation of innovators (51%)

· While 50% of parents would like to see their child pursue a STEM career, only 24% are extremely willing to spend extra money helping their children be successful in their math and science classes.

· The top three careers that parents want their kids to pursue are:

o #1 Scientist (24%)

o #2 Engineer (21%)

o #3 Physician & Dentist, Teacher (Both 17%)

The STEM student perspective:

College students pursuing a STEM degree were asked to rate how well their K-12 education prepared them for their college courses in STEM, and why they chose to pursue a STEM academic path.

· Nearly 4 in 5 STEM college students say that they decided to study STEM in high school or earlier and 21% decided in middle school.

· More than half (57%) of STEM college students say that before going to college, a teacher or class got them interested in STEM.

· Only 1 in 5 STEM college students feel that their K-12 education prepared them extremely well for their college courses in STEM.

· Students indicated they are selecting a STEM path to secure their own futures.

o 68% say they want a good salary

o 66% say it’s the job potential

o 68% say they find their degree program subject intellectually stimulating and challenging

The gender differences:

· Male students are more likely to pursue STEM because they have always enjoyed games/toys, reading books, and/or participating in clubs that are focused on their chosen subject area. (51% vs. 35% females).

· Female students are more likely to say that they chose STEM to make a difference (49% vs. 34% males).

· While more than half (57%) of STEM college students say that before going to college, a teacher or class got them interested in STEM, it’s especially true of female students (68% vs. 51% males) who give “a teacher or class” as the top factor that sparked their interest.

· Females in STEM are more likely than males to say they were extremely/well prepared (64% vs. 49%) by their K-12 education, and are slightly more likely than their male counterparts to say that preparing students for STEM should be a top priority in K-12 schools (92% vs. 84%).

You can read the full summary of findings here.

Got a comment on these findings? We’d love to hear your thoughts either through the comments on this post or why not share your views on Twitter using the hashtag #STEMtember

Microsoft has been committed to encouraging students to pursue a career in STEM for many years. We have put in place a range of global and local programs to encourage students to explore the possibilities of a career in STEM from the Imagine Cup to Partners in Learning, DigiGirlz, and the Kodu Game Lab.

Combating viruses, saving the lives of expectant mothers, and retrieving food from a warehouse controlled by an evil dictator; it’s not just fun and games in teacher Pat Yongpradit’s computer science classes at Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. Students in his class are challenged to make sense of complicated algorithms and complex data structures while learning to design and develop their own video games that relate to real life issues. However, the biggest challenge in Yongpradit’s class and other science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes rests on the shoulders of the teacher; in maintaining students’ interest to continue their STEM studies.

That challenge to maintain student interest in STEM can be daunting. Our recent commissioned survey through Harris Interactive asked college students studying STEM and parents of K-12 students what can be done to inspire and motivate students to study STEM subjects. Results indicated more than half (57%) of STEM college students say that before their college experience, a teacher or class got them interested in STEM. Of the students, females were more likely to say a teacher influenced them (68% compared to 51% of males). Males cited games or toys got them interested in STEM (61% compared to 29% of females).

In the big picture of women in STEM careers, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports women hold less than 25% of STEM jobs despite the fact that women have increased their share of the overall workforce. For Yongpradit, getting girls excited about technology is the biggest obstacle he encountered in his classroom; however, he faced this challenge willingly. He noticed a handful of females who were showing talent in computer science were not continuing on past the introductory classes. Determined to do something to inspire his female students, Yongpradit and two of his students created the Springbrook Women in Technology club to show his female students there were others as interested and excited about technology as they were. The creation of the Springbrook Women in Technology Club earned Yongpradit winning titles at the Microsoft Partners in Learning 2010 U.S. and Worldwide Innovative Education Forums for his creative use of technology in engaging students and inspiring them to learn. Four years after the club’s inception, the club has more than 30 members, almost all of whom have gone on to advanced technology classes. The two co-founders of the club are now sophomores at Cornell University and University of California, Berkeley, studying engineering, computer science, and mathematics.

“The biggest effect is making girls feel that it is perfectly normal for them be interested in technology and to want to pursue it later in life,” said Yongpradit.

Yongpradit’s computer science classes also naturally draw a number of male students who want to create their own video games and build and program robots.

“We make a variety of games, from text adventures on the computer to side-scrolling platformers for the Xbox 360 to touch-enabled puzzles on the Windows Phone.  Later this year, we will be creating applications for the Kinect,” he said.

More than just games and robots, the class is 90 percent learning through experience. Yongpradit structures the class to give his students enough background to be competent when they are working on a project. His student, Jacen Sherman, 15, knows he’s lucky to attend a school that offers a computer programming class. This past June, he won first prize in the Microsoft Kodu Cup for his game Vortex. Encouraged by his teacher and his experience attending the student technology competition Imagine Cup as a prize, Jacen is considering both a career in technology education and robotics.

“He shares game ideas with me all the time and asks for feedback.  We sometimes just sit around at lunch and brainstorm together,” said Yongpradit “His heart has always been into technology, but now he sees how what he creates can really help people.”

Yongpradit’s heart has always been into technology and teaching, he is constantly seeking out opportunities to improve his teaching practice to benefit his students. Following his wins at the two Microsoft Innovative Education Forums, he was inspired to incorporate lessons in addressing social causes around the world into game design. He’s also been invited back to the U.S. Innovative Education Forum as a judge which he says improved how he structures his innovative teaching activities, enhancing his impact on his students.

Yongpradit’s dedication and influence is working at Springbrook High School. In the last three years, the number of introductory-level computer science classes has doubled, from three offerings to six with a total growth from 90 students to almost 200. The ratio of males and females in the introductory classes has stayed the same at around 40 percent of females to 60 percent males, but the number of females in the upper level courses has increased by about 15 percent.  The school has also increased its Advanced Placement computer science offerings from one class to two. He cites interest, challenge, creation, and being a part of something exciting as the biggest influences on his students to pursue STEM studies. 

“Students are interested in the material not only because it is relevant [video game development and robotics], but because they appreciate the challenge and the accomplishment that comes with creating an actual product, “he said.

Yongpradit said he constantly promotes STEM careers by showing students the benefits and opportunities available to them by studying STEM He talks about the role of computer science in the technology that they use every day and how the very things they are learning are helping people all over the world.

“The atmosphere of the class is exciting and lively,” he said. “They see the connection between what they learn and what is going on outside of the classroom and they feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves.”

In the game of inspiring students to pursue a STEM education and career, Mr. Yongpradit can consider himself a winner, but the challenge will continuously evolve as will the future of STEM.

Editor’s note: About STEMtember

For millions of students around the world September is back-to-school time, and to coincide with the new academic year we’re launching a month long set of announcements and events focused on promoting awareness of STEM and its importance. We’re using the hashtag #STEMtember to pull together STEM related content, news and opinions on Twitter throughout the month. 

We’ve also released the findings from two surveys we commissioned to discover the views of parents and students on how we can encourage more people to study STEM subjects.

You can read the full summary of findings here.

Got a comment on this post, the research findings, or STEM in general? We’d love to hear your views either through the comments on this post or why not share your views on Twitter using the hashtag #STEMtember.

What is your child up to this weekend? Maybe hitting the neighborhood swimming pool to enjoy the last bit of summer? Hanging out with their new schoolmates at the movies or playing video games? There are many activities they could do this weekend, but there’s probably nothing as compelling as TEDxRedmond, the only TED event organized for youth by youth.

Have you heard of TED before? TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. TEDx is a TED initiative of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

Like other TED events, the TEDxRedmond conference features speakers that seek to inform, empower and inspire attendees to make a difference in their communities and their lives.

But TEDxRedmond is different, because all the attendees, organizers and speakers are of middle school and high school ages.

Kids from the ages of 11-17 are encouraged to register for TEDxRedmond.

Date: September 10, 2011

Time: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (with free dinner served afterwards for registered attendees)

Location: Microsoft Conference Center (the conference will also be streamed live over the web)

Online registration is mandatory for students as well as parents.

What to expect to see:

· TEDxRedmond is unique in that it is organized by youth, all of the speakers and performers are youth, and the majority of attendees will be youth.

· Some of the speakers and performers this year are:

o Stephanie Engle (gifted photographer who donates profits to Guatemalan orphanage)

o Roberto Granados (classical, rock, and flamenco guitarist who has performed at Carnegie Hall)

o MaCall Manor (nationally ranked dancer, writer, actress, and Junior Olympic gymnast; honored at Carnegie Hall twice for her writing)

o Alexander Prior (an internationally-recognized music composer and conductor who graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music at age 17)

· Free dinner served after event.

Registration Information:

· Event targeted for students ages 11-17 (grades 6-12).

· Parents may register to attend, but they will watch the event from another room through a live stream (youth attendees will get priority seating in the main room).

· More information and how to register can be found at the TEDxRedmond website.

Microsoft is proud to be a sponsor of the event and the TEDxRedmond team has done an incredible job pulling this event together if you’re not in the Redmond area watch it online.

We hope to see you there!

LaDeana Huyler, group communications manager for accessibility, Microsoft

Going back to school means preparing for a new school year full of possibilities. While not on every traditional back-to-school checklist, making sure student technology is prepped and personalized for students is worth remembering.

Whether you are a parent, educator, or both – you understand the challenge of supporting students with differing learning styles. And, if a student has trouble seeing, hearing, or concentrating, personalizing the PC can make it easier for that student to see, hear, and use it more comfortably and effectively.

To help you ensure that your child or student’s PC is personalized to meet their learning needs, we have created a series of how-to articles, each with a video, to show students how to personalize their PCs to make them easier to see, hear, and use.

· Easier to See. Traditionally, students with vision issues sit in the front of the classroom so they can see the chalkboard. Now that students are using PCs to learn, it is worth remembering to adjust PCs to ensure that students can easily read their computer screens. Learn 5 ways to make a PC easier for students to see.

· Easier to Hear. If a child you know is having difficulty hearing you or their classmates speaking, they may also be having trouble hearing their PC. Discover 4 ways to make a PC easier for students to hear.

· Easier to Control the Mouse. To be a kid is to be in constant motion. So when kids are asked to sit quietly at a computer and use a mouse, is it any wonder that some of them have a hard time controlling a handheld device designed for adults? Imagine what it’s like for a child, whose hand is too small for the mouse and whose fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are still developing, to navigate a PC with a mouse. Here are 4 ways to help students control the mouse.

· Easier to Concentrate. Just like having a desk piled with papers, a messy computer desktop screen can make it difficult to find files and concentrate. You can help students concentrate on learning—especially critical for students who are easily distracted —by creating a simple, uncluttered PC learning environment. And, by reducing the number of screen elements vying for a student’s attention. See 6 ways to adjust the PC to make it easier for students to concentrate.

· Staying Organized. It can be challenging to take good notes and stay organized--especially for students with learning difficulties. Often students report that they don’t take notes, because it’s just too hard. One advantage all note-takers have in the digital age is the opportunity to use tools, such as Microsoft OneNote, that make taking and organizing notes a lot easier. OneNote has many features that help students take notes faster and in different ways, and stay organized. It also helps with literacy challenges such as spelling and grammar. Learn 5 ways Microsoft OneNote can help students with dyslexia stay organized.

For teachers and parents

Consider establishing a Personalization Day when students are introduced to PCs for the year, both at home and at school. Personalization helps students become familiar with their PCs and to make them their own.

· Encourage all students to personalize their PC. Use the personalization tips provided above to personalize the PC to make it easier to see, hear, and use according to a student’s personal learning style and abilities. For students who have varying abilities or learning preferences, this can help educators identify those who need accessibility features without singling them out. Involve all students in selecting personalization options on the PC and take note of how they interact with technology., For example if a student gets particularly close to the screen to see, he or she may benefit from increasing text or objects on screen or other vision options.

· Check online safety settings. The beginning of the school year is a good time to check the online safety settings of the PCs your students will be using. Team up with students to explore online safely, using a mix of guidance and monitoring. Seize the opportunity while students are young to help them establish good digital habits and skills they’ll need to deal with situations, information, and people online. Then, as they demonstrate readiness, help them use new services and tools. See Help protect kids online: 4 things you can do.

Create a network profile. Have students create a personal network profile so their settings are available the next time they log into that PC, or onto a networked PC (if applicable).

More resources for accessibility in education

If a student has a disability or learning challenges, additional accessibility features and products may be necessary to enable that student to use a PC. If you believe a student has an accessibility need, here are some recommended next steps:

1. Visit Microsoft’s Accessibility in the Classroom website for additional information.

2. Download Accessibility: A Guide for Educators to learn about accessibility solutions for students with vision, hearing, and learning disabilities.

3. Find an accessibility center or consultant in your school or community.

LaDeana Huyler, group communications manager for accessibility, Microsoft. Huyler is passionate about increasing awareness about the power of accessibility, especially for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She co-authored Accessibility: A Guide for Educators and, for more than ten years, has served as editor-in-chief of the Microsoft Accessibility website.