STEM Task Force
A volunteer group appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to explore the status of STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics) education in curriculum, instructional practices, professional learning, etc.
On May 24, 2012, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla convened 55 volunteers to become members of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Task Force.
Co-chaired by Herb Brunkhorst and Susan Hackwood, the STEM Task Force members will explore the status of STEM education in curriculum, instructional practices, professional learning, student testing, existing resources, and community and business partnership.
The STEM Task Force members will then assess the state’s future needs, as well as recommend a blueprint on how to improve teaching, learning, and equal access to STEM-related courses and careers for students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The public may also contribute information–including resources and research–to the Task Force via the Brokers of Expertise Web site at CommentSTEM.myboe.org.
Responsibilities
The STEM Task Force members will recommend a blueprint on how to improve teaching, learning, and equal access to STEM-related courses and careers for students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The resultant blueprint will include career technical education, and newly developed national Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
The Task Force will organize its work to address five key areas—curriculum and instruction, resources and infrastructure, professional learning, testing and assessment, and community and business partnerships.
- Curriculum and Instructional Practices: Review the status of STEM education and recommend how to improve instructional practices and engage more students in STEM-related fields.
- Resources: Identify existing resources and recommend the development and dissemination of additional resources. These resources should assist schools develop STEM programs that are relevant and engaging to students.
- Professional Learning: Identify existing and recommend professional learning support that provides high quality professional learning opportunities to educators of STEM-related courses and disciplines.
- Student Testing/Assessment: Review, identify, and recommend state and local STEM-related testing and assessments that measure applied learning and real-world situations and what constitutes high-quality STEM programs and disciplines.
- Community and Business Partnerships: Identify, review, and recommend how community and business partnerships, including informal learning settings, can support and engage students in STEM education.
Members (bolded names = CSTA members as of June 1, 2012)
- Herb Brunkhorst, CSU San Bernardino, Professor and Department Chair of Science, Math and Technology, Task Force Co-Chair
- Susan Hackwood, California Council on Science and Technology, Executive Director, Task Force Co-Chair
- Elizabeth Babcock, California Academy of Sciences, Chief Public Engagement Officer and Roberts Dean of Education
- Arthur Beauchamp, UC Davis School of Education, Professor
- Robert Becker, Downey Unified School District, Science Teacher
- Susan Bonilla, California Assembly, Assemblywoman
- Joan Buchanan, California Assembly, Assemblywoman
- Aida Buelna, Esparto School District, Superintendent, Esparto SD
- Lewis Chappelear, Los Angeles Unified School District, Teacher
- Muhammed Chaudhry, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, President and CEO
- Kevin Cuff, UC Berkeley/ Lawrence Hall of Science , Director, East Bay Academy for Young Scientists, Coordinator of Public Programs
- Doug Dall, Glendale Unified School District, Principal
- Gina Dalma, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Program ofOicer
- Jeff Davis, California After School Network , Afterschool Network Coordinator
- LaTonya Derbigny, Vallejo Unified School District, Director, School and Student Accountability
- Kathi DiRanna, Wested/K-12 Alliance, Executive Director
- Rowena Douglas, Exploratorium, Director of Educational Outreach
- Zack Dowell, Los Rios Community College, Instructor
- Jon Dueck, Fresno County Office of Education, Mathematics and Science Consultant
- Richard Farnsworth, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Manager, Education Outreach
- Karen Flammer, Sally Ride Science and Sally Ride Science Camp, President and CEO
- Anna Gaiter, California Science Center, Los Angeles, Director of Professional Development
- John Galisky, Lompoc Unified School District, Teacher
- Linda Galliher, Bay Area Council, Vice President Public Policy
- Emilio Garza, Foshay Learning Center, Los Angeles, Assistant Principal
- Susie Hakansson, California Mathematics Project, Executive Director
- Christi Harter, San Mateo County Office of Education, STEM Center Director
- Joe Head, SummerHill Homes, CEO
- Arron Jiron, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, Program Officer, STEM Projects
- Sheila Jordan, Alameda County Office of Education, Superintendent
- John Knezovich, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Director, University Outreach and Science Education
- John Lamb, California National Guard, Starbase Youth Program, Sargent Major, Director
- Kathlan Latimer, California Mathematics Council, President
- Meri Maben, U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Honda’s Office, 15th Congressional District (Strong advocate for STEM)
- Devon MacLeod, Galt Unified School District, Teacher
- Robin Mencher, KQED, Director, STEM Resources
- Suzanne Nakashima, Yuba City Unified School District, Teacher
- Rick Pomeroy, California Science Teachers Association, President
- Oscar Porter, Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA)/UCOP, Statewide Executive Director
- Curren Price, California Senate, Senator
- Bruce Roberts, California School Boards Association, Natomas USD Board Member
- Christopher Roe, California STEM Learning Network, CEO
- Jacqueline Rojas, Californians Together , Teacher
- Patricia “Pat” Rucker, California State Board of Education, Member
- Tim Sbranti, CDE Foundation, CDE Foundation Liaison
- David Seidel, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Manager of Elementary and Secondary Education Programs
- Maria Simani, California Science Project, Executive Director
- Gerald Solomon, Samueli Foundation, Executive Director
- Mark Sontag, Irvine Unified School District, Curriculum Coordinator
- Leroy Tripett, Intel Corp, STEM Coordinator
- Mark Walker, Applied Materials, Head of Philanthropy
- Willie B. Williams, National Technical Association, Regional President
- Alison Wiscombe, California State PTA, PTA Representative
- Mark Wyland, California Senate, Senator
- Tom Zazueta, Coakley Hagerty, CEO
Current California Department of Education STEM Information is available on the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Web page.
LATEST POST
Seeking Members for IQC Appointment Recommendation
One of the benefits of being a CSTA member is the opportunity to be recommended by CSTA to serve on important state-level committees. One such opportunity is now available. CSTA is seeking science teachers to recommend for service on the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC), formerly the Curriculum Commission. This committee is charged with writing the curriculum frameworks for the Common Core ELA and math standards and will be tasked with developing the framework for the new science standards (once adopted). Members of the Commission serve without compensation, except that they receive their actual and necessary travel expenses in attending Commission meetings and participating in other Commission activities (airfare, lodging, meals, shuttle service, mileage, parking). No funding is provided for substitute teaching or administrative personnel; each applicant employed by a local education agency must obtain the agency’s acknowledgement of the application and the agency’s agreement to absorb any costs for substitute personnel.
CSTA is seeking a member science educator with experience with integrating literacy and math skills into science instruction. A familiarity with the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards is preferred. If you meet these qualifications and would like to have your name considered, please contact CSTA at csta@cascience.org or 916-979-7004. Please include a copy of your resume and/or a description of your qualifications.
State Library’s “Women in STEM” Calendar for June Is Now Online
The California State Library invites you to view our online June calendar that highlights four women who have achieved success in STEM-related fields in California. These women and their accomplishments have helped pave the way for future generations.
One such woman is Hattie Scott Peterson, an African American civil engineer who became the first female engineer for the Sacramento district of the Army Corps of Engineers in 1954. She started with the Corps at a time when cultural diversity in the workplace was not common. Her work ethic and personal integrity helped her to overcome the challenges she faced. In the late 1940s she was reputed to be the only female African American civil engineer in the United States.
This monthly calendar is a joint effort of the State Library, California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Department of Education.
View the calendar here: http://www.library.ca.gov/calhist/calendar6-1.html?utm_source=csl0613
You Are Invited to Participate in an Online Survey Regarding Possible Changes to the High School Academic Performance Index:
In response to state legislation, the California Department Education (CDE) currently is developing new indicators to include in the high school Academic Performance Index (API).
To help with this important task, the CDE invites administrators, teachers, parents or guardians, students, school board members, educational organizations, community members, and business leaders to take an online survey located on the CDE API Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/.
CSTA encourages you to take about 20 minutes to complete the survey and let CDE know the vital role that science takes in preparing students for college and career and how achievement in science should be given a high value in the proposed College and Career Readiness Indicator. The survey closes June 20, 2013 – please act today. Please encourage your colleagues, students, parents of students, and administrators to complete the survey as well.
For more information about revisions to the API, including the proposed College and Career Readiness Indicator, please view the video that was prepared by CDE staff as background material for the survey.
Comparing AP Science Practices, Common Core State Standards, and NGSS Science and Engineering Practices
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At NSTA San Antonio and again at the California State Science Fair, I fell into a conversation about connecting NGSS Science and Engineering Practices and AP Biology Science Practices 1-7. In the past few years, ideas have converged on what it looks like to “Do Science:” the habits of mind necessary to develop scientific knowledge. This idea isn’t new to science education – scientific skills are still important. Haven’t we seen this before? We called it using the Scientific Method(s), or Levels of Inquiry, or whichever wrapper we’re putting things into… it doesn’t seem like the ideas of what constitute good science have changed. Or have they? Learn More…
Summer and Fall Professional Development Opportunities Provided by CSTA and its Chapters
by Lisa Hegdahl
The students are gone, the meetings are over, your classroom is clean – Learn More…
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