PG&E is inviting high school and college students throughout Central and Northern California to apply for a Better Together STEM Scholarship. The program awards a total of $100,000 in scholarships annually to local high school, community college and non-traditional students pursuing higher education in engineering, computer science, cyber security, and environmental sciences. Scholarship winners will receive $5,000 per year renewable for up to four years.

PG&E’s scholarship webpage.

The Central Coast STEM Collaborative (CCSTEM), will continue its ongoing informal, educational lecture series “Science After Dark” at 6:30pm, February 21st, at Luis Wine Bar in San Luis Obispo.

Jamie Foster wowed the crowd with his wit and intellect last February when he presented the “Science and Romance of Diamonds.” Join us this month when he returns for an edutaining talk called “What’s Up with What’s Up,” about the latest discoveries beyond earth. Wow, we detected gravitational waves recently – what’s a gravitational wave?! There’s (maybe) a ninth planet (again) in our Solar System. Is there a briny ocean on Pluto? The universe might just be a complex hologram. Earth has a companion in orbit around the Sun. But wait, there’s more… Press Release.

Where: Luis Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera Street, SLO (must be over age 21)
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Time: Discussion starts at 6:30pm, come early to get settled and order your beverage. Light appetizers available for purchase, or you may bring your own food. All beverages must be purchased at Luis Wine Bar. Selections include wine, beer, organic sodas, coffee, and tea.
Cost: $5.00 suggested donation

NASA’s “Cassini Scientist for a Day” essay contest is now under way, and the online entry form is now live. Please review this site before submitting essays: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/educ/Scientist-For-a-Day/2016-17/before-you-submit

The contest deadline in the United States is (now) Tuesday, February 28, 2017 (other countries have different contest deadlines). The contest is open to students in grades 5 to 12 (approximately ages 10 to 18).

Scientist for a Day website. The three targets for the 2016-17 edition of the contest are: 1. Enceladus’ plumes, 2. Titan’s lakes, and 3. Saturn’s hexagon. Pictures of these three targets are posted on the website including short videos describing the targets in more detail. You can download and print a flyer with the 2016-17 targets at: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/Cassini-SFAD-flyer-20162.pdf

Environmental Education (EE) providers have a rare chance to “learn from the pro” on how best to incorporate NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) into your EE programs on February 24th at the Ventura County Office of Education. You need to come! Dr. Gerald Lieberman will be presenting this PD for YOU!!!

Dr. Jerry Lieberman, Director of the State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER) developed most of the environmental content for California’s new Science Curriculum Framework. He was the state’s principal consultant for the Education and Environment Initiative (EEI) and co-developed the EP&Cs (Environmental Principles & Concepts). Dr. Lieberman’s recent book, Education and the Environment: Creating Standards-Based Programs for Schools and Districts was published by Harvard Education. This professional development will help prepare informal/non-formal environmental and science institutions to work effectively with county offices of education, districts, schools, and teachers to implement California’s new science standards and curriculum frameworks.

February 24th at VCOE
8:30am – 4:30pm
5100 Camarillo, CA
$50.00 per participant or $150/team up to 5 participants

Registration

More information:
About the Workshop (pdf)
Instructional Strategies Using Outdoor Learning Experiences (doc)
Workshop Agenda (doc)
Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&Cs) and CA NGSS (doc)

SATURDAY SCIENTISTS
“Off the Docks”
February 18, 2017 at 2:00pm

Have you ever wondered what all that stuff is that’s growing on docks and boat bottoms? Join us as we use dissecting microscopes to take a closer look.

Morro Bay Museum Of Natural History
ccspa.info

Flier (English and Spanish)