For Immediate Release

EDUCATION INNOVATORS SELECTED TO PRESENT LEADING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) TEACHING INNOVATIONS AT CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Teachers, Students, Nonprofits to Present Innovative Ways of Bringing STEM Education to Life at First-Ever “STEMposium”

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – March 30, 2011 – Twelve students, teachers, nonprofits and other education innovators will present new ways of advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education at the California Academy of Sciences on Friday, April 1, 2011 at the inaugural “STEMposiumTM” – a celebration of excellence in K-12 STEM education innovation presented by the nonprofit EnCorps Teachers Program with co-host Citizen Schools.

The twelve STEMposium finalists were selected from more than 130 video submissions to present their innovations for bringing STEM to life in compelling new ways before a live and digital audience through short, rapid-fire presentations. Five presenters from one of five tracks – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Integrated STEM – will be awarded prizes valued at up to $5,000 at the STEMposium awards ceremony.

“While there is plenty of cause for alarm about America’s lagging STEM education system, STEMposium is about showcasing the many reasons for optimism,” said Jennifer Anastasoff, President of EnCorps Teachers Program. “By highlighting innovative ways to teach science, technology, engineering and math, STEMposium is serving as a catalyst for teachers and students seeking to enhance STEM education in their classrooms and for policymakers working to bolster STEM education policy nationwide.”

On April 1st, STEMposium will draw 300 attendees including students and teachers and civic, business, philanthropic, nonprofit, education and technology leaders.  The event will be Livestreamed at www.stemposium.org to a national online audience of educators, students, policymakers, business and philanthropic leaders, education thought leaders and media.

The twelve STEMposium finalist presenters, whose videos are available at www.stemposium.org/videos are: • Caleb Cheung, Science Program Manager, Oakland Unified School District • Tony DeRose, Senior Scientist & Research Group Lead, Pixar Animation Studios  • Betsy Fitch, Lead Social Studies Teacher, Herman Intermediate School • Kristy Lathrop, Science Teacher, Mesa Middle School • Meg Omainsky, Librarian, Palo Alto Unified School District • Irene Salter, Assistant Professor of Science Education,  California State University, Chico • Lia Shepard, Teaching Fellow, Citizen Schools • Tiffany Tai, Science Teacher, Synergy School  • Tzipor Ulman, Founder, Science is Elementary  • Dawn Valadez, Producer/Director, Vaquera Films • Alejandro Vega, The Techno Guards • Bert Wooden, The Tech Museum

STEM education is a national priority for the Obama administration, with President Obama repeatedly emphasizing STEM education as a vital component of America’s competitiveness and calling for 100,000 new science, technology, engineering and math teachers.

STEMposium is an initiative led by the nonprofit EnCorps Teachers Program, which helps skilled professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math make the transition into teaching these subjects to younger generations. 

STEMposium is co-hosted by Citizen Schools, a nonprofit organization that partners with schools to expand the learning day, with sponsors including Hewlett Packard and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Community Partners and Media Sponsors include Edutopia / The George Lucas Educational Foundation, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, San Francisco Education Fund, BayBio Institute, The California STEM Learning Network and the BizWorld Foundation.

ABOUT STEMPOSIUM (www.stemposium.org)

STEMposium is a celebration of excellence in K-12 STEM education innovation presented by the nonprofit EnCorps Teachers Program with co-host Citizen Schools. At the inaugural STEMposium event, students, teachers, nonprofits and education thought leaders will showcase their innovations for bringing science, technology, engineering and math to life in compelling new ways before a live and digital audience through short, rapid-fire presentations.

STEMposium will be live-streamed at www.stemposium.org, and videos of the STEM education innovations showcased on April 1st will be disseminated nationally to help educators, funders and policymakers advance STEM education policy, inspire teachers and students and catalyze innovation in classrooms nationwide. STEMposium is led by EnCorps Teachers Program and co-hosted by Citizen Schools, with sponsors including Hewlett Packard and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Community Partners and Media Sponsors include San Francisco Business Times, Edutopia / The George Lucas Educational Foundation, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, San Francisco Education Fund, BayBio Institute and the BizWorld Foundation.

ABOUT ENCORPS TEACHERS PROGRAM (www.encorpsteachers.org)

EnCorps Teachers Program helps skilled professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math make the transition into teaching these subjects to younger generations. We hope to close the achievement gap through supporting passionate math and science professionals as they navigate their way into the classroom so they can pass their knowledge onto future leaders in these industries.

ABOUT CITIZEN SCHOOLS (www.citizenschools.org)

Citizen Schools is a leading national education initiative that partners with middle schools to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities across the country through afterschool and expanded learning time programs. The organization mobilizes a second shift of afternoon educators, who provide academic support, leadership development, and "apprenticeships"—hands-on projects taught by volunteers from business and civic organizations. At 37 middle schools in seven states across the country, Citizen students develop the skills they need to succeed in high school, college, the workforce, and civic life.

For California specifics, visit http://www.citizenschools.org/california/.

###