ICSPS Announces FY11 New Look Informational Webinar

The Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support is pleased to announce the opening of the FY11 New Look Project Application. The New Look Project assists community colleges and their partners in improving services for Career and Technical Education Special Populations learners, especially students preparing for non-traditional careers. Applications are due October 8, 2010.

Information about completing a successful application will be available during the New Look Informational Webinar on August 26, 2010 from 2-3pm. The New Look Informational Webinar or its archived format is required for a successful application; this webinar takes the place of the New Look Launch, which had been scheduled in previous years. For resources to assist in the application process and for further information about the New Look Project, visit the New Look section of the ICSPS website.

Building Effective Green Energy Programs in Community Colleges

Workforce Strategy Center
This report discusses the challenges and the benefits of the millions of dollars of stimulus money being spent on creating "green job" training. The report highlights the role community colleges will need to play training low-income/low-skilled individuals to become part of this emerging workforce. At the core of the problem, however, is that green jobs don't yet exist in significant numbers; educational standards are not yet uniform and continually changing; and most green jobs will be beyond most low-skilled/low-income workers. Learn More.

Surgical Tech Careers in High Demand

The latest issue of ACTE's Techniques magazine highlights a surgical techology program that allows students to "immediately enter the workforce making $12 to $16 per hour, [and] can also serve as a starting point for any number of medical careers" including nursing.  Surgical technology is a field that is non-traditional for males, as is nursing. Read more about this "high demand" program.  Learn more about non-traditional for gender careers, or view a list of careers non-traditional for males.

Program Schools Minority Students in Science, Technology

For Minority Boys, a Chance to Get Hands-on STEM Exposure
(WJLA-TV, Washington, DC)
Minority boys at a Maryland elementary school are getting more exposure to the fields of science, technology, engineering and math through a program sponsored by the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Boys at William Beanes Elementary School practice hands-on learning by spending their Saturdays building balloon rockets and flying helicopters through the program, which has improved student test scores and will expand next year.

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0310/719087.html

All-female team pours heart and soul into car-building contest

By Eric Stevick, Herald Writer
GRANITE FALLS — The ShopGirls, as they call themselves, wanted a name that had some heft.

Neither Gertrude, Betsy nor Edna was substantial enough.

For the nine Granite Falls High School students, the forest green and hot pink car they designed, engineered and built from scratch needed a bold name. They wanted something with an attitude that would reflect the hours they spent molding metal and the pride they have in being an all-girl team.

Their car would be called the Iron Maiden.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100321/NEWS01/703219917/-1/NEWS#All-f

Why So Few? AAUW Report

A report on the underrepresentation of women in science and math by the American Association of University Women, to be released Monday, found that although women have made gains, stereotypes and cultural biases still impede their success.
http://www.aauw.org/research/whysofew.cfm

Study Finds that Female Teachers May Pass on Math Anxiety to Girls

After a year in the classroom with female teachers who say they are anxious about math, girls are more likely to share that attitude -- and score lower on tests, researchers say. Girls have long embraced the stereotype that they're not supposed to be good at math. It seems they may be getting the idea from a surprising source -- their female elementary school teachers.

http://www.educationnews.org/ednews_today/35118.html