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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
March 9-15, 2016
Page A-3
Creating spaces for women and girls in stem: the steminista project Driving Detroit to become a leader in STEM workforce development As Michigan’s economy and labor market continues to recover, it has become apparent the state needs to focus on building its talent pipeline, specifically in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. According to a recent study conducted by the state, STEM job opportunities are expected to grow by 11.8 percent through 2020. In an effort to engage more girls in STEM, the Michigan Science Center (MiSci) has launched The STEMinista Project, a comprehensive initiative designed to support and cultivate interest in STEM among 4th – 8th grade girls.
Alycia Meriweather named interim DPS superintendent Detroit Public Schools transition manager Judge Steven Rhodes has announced that he has named longtime DPS educator Alycia Meriweather to be the district’s interim superintendent. Meriweather, who is a Detroit resident and DPS graduate, will lead day-to-day operations in DPS’ Academics, Talent and Strategy divisions, while Rhodes retains the balance of leadership responsibility for the district. They will work in partnership to transition the school system to local control as provided in legislation pending in Lansing. “It was important to me that we looked within Detroit Public Schools, as well as the city of Detroit, to identify a qualified individual to fill the interim superintendent’s position,” said Rhodes. “As a veteran educator who has served at many levels of Detroit Public Schools’ Academic operations, and has also played a key role in the strategic direction of the district over the last year, Alycia’s skills and experience make her uniquely qualified to serve in this critical leadership position. “It is also important that Alycia has strong respect and support among her peers both inside and outside the district. I look forward to working with her.” Meriweather, who began her career at DPS in 1995 as a science teacher at Farwell Middle School, most recently was executive director of the Office of Curriculum. Prior to her appointment to that position, she spent four years as the deputy executive director of the district’s Office of Science, as well as two years as the supervisor of Middle School Science. For the last several years, Meriweather has also led the Academic and Programmatic leadership over DPS’ Detroit Children’s Museum, as well as Camp Burt Shurly, the district’s overnight camp facility in Gregory, Michigan. Additionally, for the last seven years, she has served as the director for the Detroit Mathematics and Science Center, one of 32 centers in the Michigan Mathematics and Science Center network. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Wayne State University, and is currently working on her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Wayne State. “I have been with Detroit Public Schools since I was a four-year-old in the district’s Head Start program. I am a graduate of DPS and a lifelong resident of the city of Detroit. The success of DPS and its students is personal for me,” said Meriweather. “Since I was a little girl teaching my stuffed-animal students in the attic of our house in Detroit, I knew that I would be a teacher in Detroit Public
Schools. My time at DPS has been the most rewarding experience of my life. To be able to bring my range of academic experience and incorporate educator insight and perspective is critical to Detroit Public Schools’ future. As a voting Detroiter, I am in full agreement with Judge Rhodes, that returning DPS to local control needs to happen as soon as possible.” Potential candidates for the position of interim superintendent were submitted by a broad range of individuals and groups. All candidates were vetted jointly by Judge Rhodes and the Governor’s Office. Also, the leadership of the Detroit Federation of Teachers played a key role in identifying the most important qualifications for the position. “I want to thank DFT leadership for their significant assistance in this process, and I look forward to their continued support and cooperation as we transition DPS to local control,” said Rhodes. Meriweather did not initially seek the position. Her name was advanced to Judge Rhodes by both teachers within the system and members of the community.
“Research tells us that middle school can be a ‘make or break’ time in building interest in STEM and STEM careers,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, president and CEO of MiSci. “This is an especially tough period for keeping girls interested in science and math. Nearly half of our workforce is made of women, but less than 25 percent of our STEM workforce includes women — that means significant a portion of our workforce is opting out of STEM careers. That is not a sustainable path to innovation or filling our STEM pipeline and we must begin focusing on this issue at early ages.” The goal of The STEMinista Project is to defy statistics and raise expectations by sparking and maintaining an interest in STEM in elementary and middle school girls. The program will engage girls with authentic STEM experiences designed to increase their interest, confidence and skill sets in STEM. Additionally, the program has solicited STEMinista Role Models, women who have successful careers in STEM, to share their stories and motivate the young STEMinistas. According to Seun Phillips, MiSci’s vice president of Education and Engagement, “through these encounters, we will inspire girls to leverage their interests and skills into the STEM careers and STEMpreneurship that support their dreams and create a meaningful impact in the world.” As part of The STEMinista project, on March 4, in partnership with Detroit Public Television and ITC Holdings, MiSci hosted a special conversation on the challenges, successes, and progressive strategies in gender diversification within the STEM workforce. A thought-pro-
voking keynote from Major General Gwendolyn Bingham, Commander of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command was followed by an exciting introduction of the STEMinista Project from Matthews, featuring female students from MiSci’s junior docent program. Key partners of the STEMinista Project were also present, including Founding Community Partners, Wayne State University and InForum. This event also featured a panel of thought leaders from southeast Michigan’s leading STEM companies, including Diane Antishin, vice president of Human Resource Operations at DTE Energy, and Dr. Susan Smyth, chief science officer at General Motors Corporation. “We are excited about our partnership with the Michigan Science Center and The STEMinista project,” said Rich Homberg, president and CEO of Detroit Public Television. “Engaging students in the STEM fields is critical to a successful workforce. With the power of public media and our partners, we are uniquely positioned at DPTV to provide parents, educators and kids with the learning tools and resources they need to explore new ideas and opportunities.” MiSci and DPTV are also producing a video series called My STEM Hero. These profiles will be broadcast on DTPV and will be incorporated into The STEMinista Project role model database and curriculum. The video series is scheduled to launch this month on DPTV. For more information on The STEMinista Project or to sign up as a STEMinista girl or role model, visit Mi-Sci.org/ steminista-project. The Michigan Science Center is a hands-on museum that inspires curious minds of all ages to discover, explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a creative, dynamic learning environment. The Science Center features five theaters, including Michigan’s largest screen at the Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium; the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the Chrysler Science Stage; a 9,800 square-foot Traveling Science Hall for special exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; Kids Town just for pint-size scientists; along with, education and outreach programs. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, www.Mi-Sci.org.
“While I did not put my name forth for consideration, I am extremely honored that my peers and colleagues had such confidence in my abilities that they would,” said Meriweather. “Moving forward, their continued support of me, and their ongoing support of the District they have dedicated their lives to, will be essential to making the changes necessary to bring about improved academic outcomes for all of our students.” One of Meriweather’s top priorities will be visiting each of the district’s 97 school buildings. During these visits, she wants to spend time in classrooms with teachers and students to “see what they see, hear what they hear and experience what they experience.”
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She will also be focusing on standards-based academics, differentiated instruction, district culture and climate, career and technical education, early childhood literacy and improving experiential/alternative learning environments and opportunities for DPS students. “The Detroit Public Schools still face large challenges, but with the talent and expertise of Judge Steven Rhodes and Alycia Meriweather at the helm, we will see a smooth transition to local control,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “And with the passage of my $715 million improvement plan for the district, that local control will start fresh with the resources it needs to provide a quality education to Detroit students and teachers in the environment they need and deserve to have.”
Automation Workz 4 U to Speed up Detroit Economy By Ida Byrd-Hill Automotive companies have made record profits in 2015. Construction jobs abound due to major projects like The District Detroit. Even with the economy rebounding Detroit residents are still unemployed. Employers are looking for people with math proficiency. Sadly, Detroit residents have been unable to prove they have proficiency on standardized math exams. They are afraid of math exams. Psychologists have named this debilitating emotional reaction to mathematics math anxiety. They are not alone.
solving but have difficulty passing a standardized math exam. Uplift, Inc. created Automation Workz 4 U. The goal is to deliver more math proficient participants able to secure skilled trade apprenticeships/jobs. Having spent the past 12 years assisting K-12 schools achieve 70 – 300% on standardized exams, I have watched math anxiety transfer from teachers and parents to students. Schools have self-contained elementary classes where the teacher is “not good at math.” By the time those students arrive in middle school, they are “not good at math.”
• Female teachers can transfer fear of math.
Those students grow up to become parents who are “not good at math.” Those parents often select jobs that do not require heavy math involvement. Their avoidance is a symptom of math anxiety they unconsciously pass along to their students. They can no longer avoid jobs that require math as most high paying jobs require math proficiency.
• Parents’ math anxiety undermines children’s math achievement.
The metro Detroit community can no longer afford to dismiss math anxiety.
Many Detroiters have a working knowledge of mathematical problem
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• 50 percent of Americans suffer from “math anxiety.” • 53 percent of people ages 18-34 state, “I can’t do math.” • 62 percent of the women were anxious compared to 47 % of the men.
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