TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs - 2014

2014

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A TEENLIFE MEDIA PUBLICATION

Presenting TeenLife’s 2014 Guide to STEM Programs It is no surprise that innovative technology is the wave of the future— and that STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) currently have the best entry-level salaries for college grads—estimated to be 30% more than average. That’s why we are so pleased to bring you our second annual Guide to STEM Programs and bring STEM awareness to today’s teens.

Throughout its pages, you will not only find a comprehensive list of STEM programs, schools, and colleges, but also organizations—including FIRST® — that promote increased STEM education and teen involvement.

Our informative articles Why STEM is Important Now (page 4) and Inspiring Girls to Pursue STEM (page 6) highlight why a solid foundation in STEM is so important in high school.

Other must-reads include a list of unique careers in STEM, the highest paying STEM majors for graduates, and the tech companies that go the extra mile for their young interns.

We hope you also visit TeenLife.com to find even more meaningful programs and resources for college-bound teens.

Marie Schwartz President & Founder TeenLife Media, LLC

The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs 1

2014 Guide to STEM Programs P U B LI S H E R

ADVE R T IS ING S AL E S

Marie Schwartz, CEO & Founder

Dina Creiger, Account Director, dina@teenlife.com

M AR K E T I N G

Brent Stevens, Account Executive, brent@teenlife.com

Brock Bair, Chief Marketing Officer

T E CHNOL OG Y

Camille Heidebrecht, Director of Marketing

Max Indelicato, Chief Technology Officer

Lesli Amos, Marketing Manager

Lenny Pratt, Software Developer

Sophie Borden, Marketing Associate

OPE R AT IONS

A RT & P R O D U C T I O N

Maria Kieslich, Senior Director of Operations

Kathryn Tilton, Designer

Alice Bergin, Manager of Operations

PUBLISHED BY: TeenLife Media, LLC, 1330 Beacon St., Suite 268, Brookline, MA 02446, (617) 277-5120, info@TeenLife.com, www.TeenLife.com, Copyright © 2014.

2 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

Contents GUIDE TO STEM PROGRAMS 2014

4 Why STEM is Important Now The role STEM education will play in the nation’s future.

6 Inspiring Girls to Pursue STEM Why it is so important for girls to study STEM and close the gender gap.

10 STEM Programs & Featured Listings 12 14 14 16

Colleges Private Day Schools Summer Programs STEM Education Afterschool Program

18 Student Profile: Amber Koeune Amber shares what inspires her most about studying Mechanical Engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

20 Inspire Your Teen to Love STEM How parents can play a major role in fostering an interest in STEM.

Photos provided by: iD Tech Camps, Northwest Nazarene University, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

22 Top-paying College Majors for New Graduates College graduates can earn close to $100,000 walking out of school with these STEM majors.

24 Deemed “The Mayor of the Internet,” Alexis Ohanian, of reddit.com, Provides His Insights on the Global STEM Movement A first-hand look at how Alexis’ grassroots efforts keep the Internet an open forum.

26 Student Profile: Chad Larson Chad profiles his experience working alongside NASA professionals while attending Northwest Nazarene University.

28 Why Students Should Intern at Tech Companies Tech companies provide inspiring work environments and tend to pay students well.

30 6 Unique Careers in STEM A STEM job can be innovative, creative, and anything but typical.

32 Index The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs 3

Florida Polytechnic Institute works closely with high-tech firms to ensure its curriculum remains current and prepares students for the workforce. See ad on inside cover, listing on this page 12.

Why STEM Is Important NOW

By Sophie Borden

he U.S. Government is making STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education a national priority. President Obama and the Department of Education have detailed the issues of STEM education, and have concrete goals and actions in place to fix these problems. The lack of STEM education in our country, proven by numbers, figures and data, has led to tangible initiatives to improve these areas of study. And in this country, political initiatives are backed by one very important factor: Money. Although education policy and budgeting isn’t the most interesting news to look out for, it is time to start paying attention.

Many high school and college students these days know that STEM careers are often the most successful and highest paid (doctors, engineers, scientists, etc.). In fact, in 2009 the average annual wage for STEM occupations was $77,880, compared to the U.S. average of $43,460 for non-STEM occupations (STEM Education Coalition). Yet, the US Department of Education notes that only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career. According to the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) Survey, the United States was outperformed by 29 other nations in math and 22 nations in science (NPR). These results are slightly unsettling, and do not represent America’s intellectual potential. Obama is looking to change these figures through STEM education reform between now and 2020. In other words, the government is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into STEM education.

4 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

Although America has always understood the importance of STEM, now, more than ever, is the time to take advantage of the various opportunities in our nation’s schools.

The government has invested a great deal of policy and budgeting to STEM education, and you should as well. A focus on STEM in education will be better for this generation of teens, making them more employable and competitive in the global economy (see graph next page), and ultimately, make the U.S. a contender again in global education. As the President puts it, “Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today− especially in science, technology, engineering and math” (U.S. Department of Education).

Of course, some children are better at math and science than others. It is also expected that these initiatives will not inspire all middle school students to become chemists or engineers—we will still have a myriad of writers, artists, and historians in our country. While the STEM education programs seek to guide more and more young students into STEM careers, the ultimate goal is to simply make American students more proficient at math and science, so they are closer to the global average. The math scores of Shanghai students from the PISA Survey showed that they are “The equivalent of over two years of formal schooling ahead of those observed in Massachusetts, itself a strong-performing U.S. state” (NPR). The United States cannot continue to fall so far behind other industrialized countries—an increase in early STEM education should put American students in the race to the top.

The government is doing its part to improve education—they’re investing in teachers, school training, and hands-on learning. Parents can make a difference in how their middle and high school students learn by encouraging them to do their math homework, getting a science tutor if necessary, and trying to devote as much time as possible to facilitate knowledge of STEM. Because parents, more than anyone, want their child to succeed and play a major role in our country’s future. STEM education could be the most important step.

PROJECTED PERCENTAGE INCREASES IN STEM JOBS: 2010-2020

I. STEM Innovation Networks ($150 Million) These networks will consist of school districts, colleges, and regional partners to improve STEM education in their communities by training future STEM teachers and supporting STEM education and educators. Large online communities of STEM educators will also be formed, designed to promote the changes in STEM education strategies.

II. STEM Teacher Pathways ($80 Million) This program will provide competitive awards to high quality programs that recruit and train STEM educators.

3. STEM Master Teacher Corps ($35 Million) This program calls on the country’s best scientists and mathematics teachers to improve STEM education. A membership of STEM educators will be formed in order for them to serve as leaders in the STEM initiative in their schools and communities.

Projected Percentage in Job Increase (2010-2020)

Department of Education STEM Initiatives: 80

62% 60

40

20

32% 14%

16%

36%

22%

0 Mathematics All Occupations

Computer Systems Analysts

Systems Software Developers

Medical Scientists

Biomedical Engineers

SOURCES www.ed.gov/stem www.stemedcoalition.org

www.npr.org/blogs www.whitehouse.gov

The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs 5

Inspiring Girls to Pursue STEM

By Elizabeth Suneby

Dordt College students conducting agricultural research. See ad on page 5, listing on page 12.

Why is it so important for girl students to study science, technology, engineering, and math?

To Drive Innovation STEM education for girls ensures that our society benefits from the talents of the entire population. “If we can’t embrace the most basic level of diversity, then we’ve squandered half of the brain power available to us to make the world a better place,” asserts Adriane Brown, President & Chief Operating Officer of Intellectual Ventures, a firm that invests in inventors and innovative technologies. Brown captures the most universally compelling reason the world needs gender equity in STEM-related professions—without females, the field of STEM would only be half complete.

President Obama underscores the importance of participation in STEM-related disciplines for the country’s future, stating, “We simply cannot, as a nation, expect to maintain our run of ingenuity and innovation— we cannot maintain that stream of new and different ideas—if we don’t broaden participation in STEM to all Americans, including women and girls and minorities.”

The future of innovation in our nation relies on the full participation of all types of students in STEM. 6 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

To Secure Their Personal Future Beyond macro level benefits, financial security and mobility are other significant benefits for women in STEM-related fields. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration: • The 1 in 18 STEM professionals in the country earn 26 percent more than non-STEM counterparts. Two-thirds of these workers hold an undergraduate STEM-related degree.

• STEM degree holders earn more regardless of whether they work in a STEM or non-STEM occupation.

• Women in STEM jobs experience a smaller gender wage gap compared to women in non-STEM jobs. On average, women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns in the same job. In comparison, the American Association of University Women reports that one year after graduation, female engineering majors earn 88 percent of the earnings of their male counterparts.

• STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17 percent from 2008 to 2018, compared to 9.8 percent for nonSTEM jobs in the same timeframe.

“If we can’t embrace the most basic level of diversity, then we’ve squandered half of the brain power available to us to make the world a better place.”

— ADRIANE BROWN, PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, INTELLECTUAL VENTURES

STEM fields. The research firm Catalyst tracks women in the workforce and reports a further decline for women in STEM professions, including only 25 percent of hardware developers, electrical engineers, and systems managers. The progression of girls in STEM from high school to college and employment definitely needs to change direction.

To Close the Gender Gap The U.S. Department of Commerce’s report, “Women in STEM: A Gender Gap to Innovation,” reveals that women are underrepresented both in STEM jobs and STEM undergraduate degrees, despite making up nearly half of the college-educated workforce. The report offers no conclusive reasons for the inequity, but supposes that women are underrepresented in STEM jobs because STEM career paths may be less accommodating to taking time off from work to raise a family. Furthermore, the lack of female STEM role models discourages young women. The U.S. Department of Education documents the equal enrollment of high school girls and boys in science and math classes and the subsequent decline of girls to only a third of college students majoring in

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Closing the gender gap motivates the highly educated scientist, Connie Chow, in her role as the Executive Director of the Science Club for Girls. The free after-school experiential program based in Cambridge, Massachusetts operates in five cities and is nationally recognized for making a difference in underserved girls’ lives. Raised in Hong Kong by a single mother in a work-

ING ER T EN 14 BE F 20 L O L WI ALL O F WH IN TS OOL N IPA SCH TIC IGH R PA N H ED AR I T C LE YE SE IOR 0 4 UN TO R J D O ITE ORE M M I L O Learn more at www.mtech.edu/mines-camp IS SOPH P M EIR or by calling 1-800-445-TECH A C TH The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs 7

“For me, having an appreciation for science and engineering is similar to having appreciation for poetry and art, it enables you to makes sense of the world.“ — CONNIE CHOW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SCIENCE CLUB FOR GIRLS

ing-class family, Connie understands the critical importance of mentoring girls. Connie immigrated to the U.S. for college, earning a Bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Brigham Young University, a Ph.D. in virology from Harvard University, and was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard School of Public Health.

To Create Social Good “I see Science Club for Girls as pushing a women’s agenda to find equality in the world,” explains Connie, speaking of her career choice. She elaborates, “Science and engineering have traditionally been viewed, and unfortunately continue to be viewed, as male-dominated activities. Girls get a lot of pressure to go in different directions. Our program helps girls change their mindset about what it is they can do, and who they can be.

And that hopefully opens doors for them in science and engineering or whatever direction they go.”

a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from MIT and a Masters in Technology in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Luz stresses the importance of early exposure to hands-on STEM work, “If you walk into our space, you’ll see girls coding, soldering, building electronic circuits, using a 3D printer and power tools. Girls learn by doing. They’re gaining practical in-demand skills for 21st century careers.”

To Enhance Employability Options Connie Chow and Luz Rivas are part of a promising movement to engage girls in STEM. In January 2014, the National 4-H Council announced a partnership with STEMconnector and Million Women Mentors to support the engagement of one million STEM mentors to increase the confidence of girls and young women to pursue and succeed in STEM degrees and careers.

Connie spends her time forging partnerships with educational leaders, convincing universities and businesses to make long-term investments in young people, and mentoring girls. “I find joy in seeing budding student scientists go from the ‘ew’ to the ‘a-ha’ moment,” comments Connie of her hands-on work with girls. She elaborates, “For me, having an appreciation for science and engineering is similar to having appreciation for poetry and art—it enables you to makes sense of the world.“

Colleges and universities across the country are also implementing outreach campaigns and policies to attract young women into STEM disciplines. Many schools, including Kettering University in Flint Michigan, actively market to female high school students who express an interest in STEM fields. Kettering offers degrees in engineering, math, science and business exclusively. In their outreach to high school girls, the school’s Society of Women Engineers positions engineering as an agent of social change with the headline, “Ready to Change the World?”

To Gain 21st Century Skills Like Connie, Luz Rivas, founder and Executive Director of the after-school program DIY Girls in Los Angeles, works to increase girls’ interest in technology and engineering through hands-on educational experiences.

Luz’s first encounter with computer programming in 5th grade sparked her life-long interest in engineering and technology. “When I entered middle school, I chose to take computer programming again since it was something I knew I liked…and I didn’t want to take cooking,” explains Luz of her early STEM trajectory. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Luz went on to earn

Columbia University in New York City, along with their Society of Women’s Engineers Graduate Student Group, hosts an annual celebration of women in science and engineering to inspire females from all backgrounds to prepare for and pursue careers in the two fields. The prestigious Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science increased female enrollment from seven to 42 percent in five years through the active recruitment of high school girls, by lowering requirements for programming experience, and by actively addressing the historically male-dominated peer culture of the major.

8 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

How Parents Can Encourage Girls to Pursue STEM While some girls are drawn to STEM fields on their own, others develop interest after a little encouragement from parents and role models. What can you do to get your daughter excited about STEM? • Enroll her in a hands-on afterschool, vacation, or summer STEM program. You will find many right here in this Guide. Also, the Girl Scouts of the USA and NASA have partnered to introduce more girls to STEM fields. In fact, more than one-third of Girl Scouts have attended at least one training session led by a NASA scientist.

• Introduce her to young professionals in STEM careers. Reach out to local women engineers, doctors, computer scientists, professors, pharmacists, and others. Make sure she is aware of women who hold prestigious jobs in STEM fields, including positions in the federalgovernment.

• Share relevant books, including the new mystery published by Tumblehome Learning, Something Stinks. The protagonist, seventh-grade Emily Sanders, works tirelessly, despite initial ridicule from friends and classmates, to find out why dead fish are washing ashore. As Emily investigates potential reasons, she gains support of her peers—all while seamlessly introducing readers to concepts in environmental science, underwater ecology, water pollution, chemistry, and engineering. The novel received the “Outstanding Science Book of the Year,” awarded by the National Science Teacher’s Association and the Children’s Book Council. You and your budding STEM enthusiast can even read the first five chapters for free online.

But perhaps the best inspiration for young girls comes from Luz Rivas. She advises, “Try lots of things, explore, and be adventurous. This will help you take risks later in life.”

Elizabeth Suneby is an award-winning author of books for teens and children. Her latest title, Razia’s Ray of Hope: One Girls’ Dream of an Education, was just selected for the 2014 USBBY Outstanding International Book honor list and the Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s CHOICES award. In addition to books, Elizabeth is a regular contributor to TeenLife, as well as writes for many companies and magazines. www.elizabethsuneby.com

The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs 9

Student attending iD Tech Camp explores robotics engineering.

See listings on pages 14 and 16.

STEM Programs here are an extensive number of national STEM programs, specialty majors, and educational initiatives in schools, colleges, camps, and organizations that offer inspiring environments for education and self-discovery in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

TeenLife believes that innovative experiences in STEM as middle and high school students can be priceless for both parents and teenagers alike. Not only can parents take an active role in encouraging interest in STEM, but they can also watch their budding student learn new interactive skills, explore the world hands-on, and conduct research applicable to the real world.

We hope our Guide to STEM Programs helps your teen find the perfect STEM opportunity for the future.

10 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

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STEM Programs

Colleges

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

Dordt College is educating Christian leaders in math and science who can make important decisions, help shape society, and teach the next generation. With exceptional professors, research opportunities, and outstanding outcomes, Dordt College is an excellent place to participate in a dynamic education.

Location: Sioux Center, IO www.dordt.edu

MSOE is committed to fostering a higher standard of academic programming, higher standard of research and personalized service, instruction and guidance. The school prides itself on its rigorous academic challenge and engaging educational experience with career-minded application of theory.

Location: Milwaukee, WI www.msoe.edu

Florida Polytechnic University

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU)

Dordt College

Florida Polytechnic University emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math in a technology-rich, interdisciplinary environment and collaborates with industry partners to offer students real-world problem-solving, work experience, applied research and business leadership opportunities.

Location: Lakeland, FL www.floridapolytechnic.org

Southern Polytechnic State University student earning her Engineering Technology degree. See ad on page 17, listing on page 12.

Northwest Nazarene, a Christian University, offers more than 60 areas of study, masters degree programs in 11 disciplines, accelerated degree programs, concurrent credit for high school students, and a variety of continuing education credits. Its mission is the transformation of the whole person.

Location: Nampa, ID www.nnu.edu

Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU)

Today’s industry must apply technology in every way imaginable.

That’s why, at Southern Polytechnic State University, students study the sciences and technologies in a unique, practical manner that provides an education that is career-based and balanced.

Location: Marietta, GA www.spsu.edu

Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens Institute of Technology aims to inspire, nurture and educate leaders in tomorrow’s technology-centric environment while contributing to the solutions of the most challenging problems of our time.

Location: Hoboken, NJ www.stevens.edu

Tennessee Tech University (TTU)

Tennessee Technological University’s mission as the state’s only technological university is to provide leadership and outstanding programs in engineering, the sciences, and related areas that benefit the people of Tennessee and the nation.

Location: Cookeville, TN www.tntech.edu

University of Advancing Technology (UAT)

UAT is an elite, intimate, private technology University located in Tempe, Arizona. UAT has the elite status of being among a select few 100 percent STEMbased universities in the nation offering over 20 academic majors in new and rising technology including Advancing Technology Studies, Cyber Security, Programming and Hardware Creation.

Locations: Tempe, AZ; Online www.uat.edu 12 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

STEM Programs

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Founded in 1865, WPI is the nation’s third oldest technological University.

The centerpiece of WPI academics is project-based learning, which requires students to engage in research and apply what they’ve learned to solve real-world problems in communities around the world. WPI has more than 30 “project” centers on six continents.

Location: Worcester, MA go.wpi.edu/anything

Students learning how to create apps and code at iDTech Camps See listings on pages 14 and 16.

Private Day School Sonoma Academy

Sonoma Academy draws from five surrounding counties, attracting students and families seeking a rigorous college-preparatory education with a 21st Century perspective. Along with high-level subject material, students learn skills like collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving and the use of digital technology and media.

Location: Santa Rosa, CA www.sonomaacademy.org

Summer Programs Boston Leadership Institute

Boston Leadership Institute is known for its award-winning teen STEM summer programs. Students engage in experimental research and take exciting field trips. Programs include Biological Research, Chemistry Research, Engineering, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Research. STEM Writing Intensive.

Locations: Wellesley and Waltham, MA www.bostonleadershipinstitute.com 14 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

Boston University: SummerLab Biotechnology Program

SummerLab provides students with an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of basic techniques and concepts associated with biotechnology and DNA science. This is a hands-on, laboratory-based program in which students work cooperatively in laboratories at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Location: Boston, MA www.bumc.bu.edu/citylab/ summerlab

iD Tech Camps

Gain a competitive edge for school, college, and future careers in STEM. Students ages 7 - 17 create Apps, video games, C++/Java programs, mods with Minecraft, movies, robots, and more at weeklong summer programs. Held at Stanford, UCLA, Princeton, Yale, NYU, Columbia, MIT, Northwestern, Emory, and other top universities.

Locations: Held at more than 80 prestigious universities nationwide www.iDTech.com

STEM Programs

iD Programming Academy, iD Game Design & Development Academy, and iD Film Academy

Take interests further and learn how programming, App development, video game design, 3D modeling, filmmaking, or photography can become a college degree and even a rewarding career.

2-week, pre-college summer programs for ages 13-18 held at select prestigious universities nationwide.

Locations: Held at select universities nationwide including Stanford, Princeton, Yale, and others. www.iDTech.com

i2 Camp

i2 Camp offers middle school students a broad range of fun, hands-on, STEM-based courses developed by many of the country’s top scientific and academic institutions, including MIT, Stanford and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Our courses cover topics across robotics, genetics, biotechnology, engineering, nanotechnology and math.

Locations: i2 Camp has 20 locations across the country, including Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Chicago, Dallas, New York and Washington D.C. www.i2camp.org

MSOE students spend an average of 600 hours in industry-standard laboratories. See ad on page 1, listing on page 12.

Montana Tech MINES Camp

MINES is for ladies entering their sophomore or junior year in high school. Participants will be exposed to many STEM careers, presented by professional women. Workshops will include identifying birds and macroinvertebrates, studying a disease outbreak, and an in-depth look at many engineering fields.

Location: Butte, MT www.mtech.edu/mines-camp

Penn Engineering: Summer Academy in Applied Science & Technology

Penn Engineering: Summer Academy in Applied Science & Technology (SAAST) welcomes highly motivated, talented students to explore Engineering at the college level, combining sophisticated theory with hands-on practical experience in cutting-edge technologies.

Location: Philadelphia, PA www.seas.upenn.edu/saast

STEM Education Afterschool Programs FIRSTÂŽ (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

For ages 6 - 18, FIRST helps kids develop a passion for science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) through fun, mentor-based programs featuring an exciting robotics competition. Four levels of after-school programs foster self-confidence, build leadership capabilities, and teach tech skills.

Locations: Middle and High Schools nationwide www.usfirst.org

16 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

In Her Own Words How did you get involved in this program?

I chose the field of engineering for two major reasons. First, because I love innovation and design. Second, because I recognized the unique and challenging opportunities I would have as a woman in engineering. I specifically chose mechanical engineering because I felt that this major would allow me to explore any number of careers I may want to pursue. After attending MSOE for over a year and a half, I know that I have made the right decision. The courses I have taken so far have been the challenge I had hoped for and I feel confident that they will prepare me for a long-term career by the time I graduate.

What is your favorite part of Mechanical Engineering (ME)?

Amber Koeune Sophomore at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

As an ME, you’re surrounded by people who have a passion for innovation, which definitely makes conversation at the lunch table so much more interesting. Finding out how much time, energy and creativity has gone into every product that I use, has made me appreciate even the most simple things—and knowing that I will be able to design even better products some day, is beyond exciting for me.

How has being an ME major shaped your future?

With the technical and soft skills I am gaining from my classes now, I know I will be prepared for anything I am presented with.

I have no doubt that my mechanical engineering degree will help me reach my goal of becoming an engineering project manager.

Do you see STEM in your future?

Of course! As an ME, I use science, new and old technology, engineering, and math every single day. As a professional in the mechanical engineering field, I know I would not be able to complete any of my projects without the collaborative use of my STEM education. STEM is essential for nearly every product you use, including products as simple as pencils and paper or as complex as cars, phones, and planes.

What would you tell another teen who is interested in pursuing a STEM major?

STEM fields play a large role in most companies. If you are interested in science or math, then go for it! The great thing about engineering and related fields is that even if you decide later that it isn’t for you, the professional and problem-solving skills you gain will give you an upper hand in just about any career.

18 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

stevens.edu

The view from Stevens is exceptional.

So is the access to opportunity.

75% of undergraduates participate in cooperative education, internships or research.

Located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey, Stevens looks out towards Manhattan…and endless possibilities. The fact is, 94% of our 2013 graduates had jobs within 6 months of graduation. In a recent national PayScale survey, we ranked 3rd in mid-career salary and 9th for return on investment for graduates.

Within Stevens, our best view is of our students. And they are spectacular. They work together, across multiple disciplines, blending their interests and perspectives.

Stevens students are here to change the world. And our job is to give them the knowledge, experience and confidence to do it.

Inspired to learn more?

Watch “Undergraduate Experience” at stevens.edu/opportunity.

OPPORTUNITY INSPIRES US.

Inspire Your Teen to Love STEM

By Camille Heidebrecht

There are many ways parents can nurture an interest in STEM. Encourage your teen to explore, experiment, and engage in problem-solving tasks at home, in your community, in school, and in STEM programs outside of the classroom. Here’s how you can play a major role: Make sure that your teen takes as many math and science classes as possible in high school.

Even if your middle or high school student doesn’t think they want a career in engineering or mathematics, with a basic knowledge of STEM subjects, their potential for career growth is limitless.

A solid foundation in these subjects helps develop skills needed in today’s workplace: Problem solving, analytical thinking, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. STEM helps build knowledge at a higher level of learning.

Studying STEM also helps your teen develop important “soft” skills: Communication, cooperation, creativity, leadership, and organization—skills necessary to complete everything from school assignments now to major technological advances or new remarkable discoveries down the line.

20 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

Encourage your teen to pursue STEM subjects outside of the classroom.

Look into summer programs that offer fieldwork in STEM subjects and after-school clubs such as FIRST robotics. FIRST robotics is a not-for-profit organization devoted to helping young people develop a passion for STEM subjects through robotics competitions.

Sean Amos, rising junior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), credits FIRST with strengthening his resolve to pursue a career in the field of robotics. “It gave me hands-on experience with designing, programming, and building—I loved it,” Amos remarks.

Remember to treat girls and boys as equals in the world of learning.

Eliminate the idea that certain careers are just for boys or just for girls. Instead, reinforce that your teen should truly follow his or her passion. Again, STEM skills are valuable for any career path.

Be positive—and eliminate negative learning myths.

Well-intended parental statements such as “I was never good at math and I turned out fine” send the wrong message. Instead, encourage your child to take classes that may be difficult—and emphasize learning as a goal instead of always getting “the A.” Try positive reinforcement with statements like, “I believe in your abilities. I am proud of you for working so hard at something so challenging.”

Instill a “growth mindset” instead of a “fixed mindset.”

Christi Corbett, a senior researcher at the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and prominent spokesperson on research topics regarding the gender pay gap and women in STEM explains, “Students with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence and talents are just set traits. With a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching, and persistence. A growth mindset allows students to achieve at a much higher level, because they believe they can.”

Inspire your teen to intern at a tech company.

Although any internship can provide the personal learning experience of working in a professional job, tech companies are known to assign meaningful tasks and pay their interns well. Many interns are actually offered full-time positions.

See our article Why Students Should Intern at Tech Companies on page 28 to find out the Top 10 companies a STEM student should work for— and where your teen should send a resume.

Be your own teen’s role model.

Rodney C. Adkins, IBM’s senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy, sums this up nicely, saying, “My father encouraged me to deconstruct, analyze, and experiment with our home appliances. The insight I gained into how things work together opened my eyes to new possibilities and instilled in me a desire to create new technologies.”

Boston Leadership Institute Top 101 Award for Best Summer Camp in US in 2013 and 2014 Named Among Five Top Summer Science Programs for High School Students in U.S. in 2012 Three-week research programs attract top students from all over the US: Biological Research: DNA Science

Biomedical Research

Chemistry Research

Clinical Psychology

Neuroscience

Psychological Research

Engineering Research One-week programs: Forensics: CSI, Sports Statistics, Writing Intensive, Marine Biology, Photography, Anatomy (617) 283-4825 • www.bostonleadershipinstitute.com

The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs 21

Top-Paid Majors for Class of 2013 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates Year after year, engineering majors top the charts with the highest paid salaries for new graduates. Petroleum engineering has the highest average starting salary at $97,000, a significant jump over the rest.

Major

Average Starting Salary

Petroleum Engineering

$97,000

Computer Engineering

$70,900

Chemical Engineering

$67,500

Computer Science

$64,700

Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering

$64,500

Mechanical Engineering

$64,500

Electrical/Electronics and Communications Engineering

$63,000

Engineering Technology

$61,500

Management Information Systems/Business

$60,700

Logistics/Materials Management

$59,800

Source: January 2014 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

2014

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22 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

PR O MOT IO N

WALK AMONG TREETOPS IN THE AMAZON. HOLD A SLOTH IN PERU. EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND HOMES IN THE NETHERLANDS. STAND ON AN ACTIVE VOLCANO IN COSTA RICA.

Take your talents and your curiosity beyond the classroom with Tennessee Tech University.

You are focused on science, technology, engineering and math. So are we.

As the only STEM university in the state, TTU is in a unique position to help you explore your chosen career. On campus and overseas.

“Even though students see these sites on television, it’s quite a different experience to see them firsthand,” said biology professor Daniel Combs. “The main thing is it gives students the opportunity to see places they may never get to see otherwise.”

The university’s talented and international faculty regularly plan study abroad trips that align with their on-campus classes and introduce students to the world beyond our borders.

With strong programs in five engineering fields, math and the sciences, TTU is a place where you gain the skills and the knowledge to become a leader, not just in your career, but in life.

STEM fields go beyond the classroom.

At Tennessee Tech, so can you.

TENNESSEE TECH UNIVERSITY’S mission, as the state’s only technological university, is to provide leadership and outstanding programs in engineering, the sciences, and related areas that benefit the people of Tennessee and the nation.

Find out more at tntech.edu.

Deemed “The Mayor of the Internet,” Alexis Ohanian of reddit.com, Provides His Insights on the Global STEM Movement

By Sophie Borden

he world in 2014 would not be the same without the Internet. Without science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the tool that we all use daily would have never been created.

the front page of reddit every day. Alexis believes Internet users should have a voice in what content is available on the web, and has made every effort possible to keep this freedom intact. In Alexis’ own words, “The Internet provides a level playing field.”

The ability to share information is what makes the Internet so revolutionary. Over the past two decades or so, Internet users have gained access and credibility, and are able to write, post, and share almost anything online. The Internet today is more like a “democracy” for users than ever before. Alexis Ohanian, nicknamed “The Mayor of the Internet,” played a huge role in forming this democracy.

It comes as no surprise that Ohanian is a firm believer in the importance STEM education. The growth of the Internet, after all, is directly affected by the expansion of technology and the increasing knowledge of STEM in young children and teenagers. Alexis explains his role in the STEM movement, and advises the future generation of STEM minds.

Ohanian is the co-founder of one of the most popular social news websites, reddit.com. In a TED Talk (a short speech about Technology, Entertainment, and Design), Alexis described reddit as the “Democratic front page of the best stuff on the web.”

With more than 21.5 million unique monthly visitors and growing, readers can contribute and vote stories up or down, which then ranks them by popularity on 24 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

You founded reddit right after you graduated college.

What sparked the idea in the first place?

While attending the University of Virginia, Steve Huffman (my cofounder) and I started a mobile phone software company, but it was 2005, and it failed to receive investor funding. We scrapped our original idea and developed something we could build in a browser that solved our problem every morning—what’s new and interesting online.

What got us excited about entrepreneurship was a book called Masters of Doom and a talk by Paul Graham we heard during our senior year spring break: How to Start a Startup. Intent on spreading the idea of Internet entrepreneurship far and wide, I wrote my book Without Their Permission. I went on a speaking tour to over 77 universities to inspire students with an idea and a Wi-Fi signal!

Was STEM a big part of your teen years? Did you take any high school classes that stood out and still influence you today?

Yes! I was lucky because my parents bought me a computer in middle school and gave me free reign, as well as an Internet connection, which was unbelievably slow compared to today. I also lucked out because my high school (Howard High) had just started an independent study class called “MST Research” (Math, Science, Technology Research) that I was recommended for and took every semester thereafter. It changed my life.

You studied history and commerce in college. But you also know how to code and build websites. As the wave of the future, do you think students should major in STEM fields, or do you believe anyone can teach themselves STEM skills?

I’ve been going all over the country encouraging people to start learning how to code. You don’t need to wait to enroll in a class at school. Codecademy.com and MakeGamesWithUs.com are two of my favorites; I love them so much I invested in them. While I did pick up certain skills through high school and community college classes, I mostly taught myself. However, I stopped when I started working with Steve because he was a far better developer. Way better. He’s the one who wrote all of reddit’s code. I took care of all things non-technical. But if I could do it all again, I’d have kept programming all these years.

The Obama administration is pushing the Department of Education in a STEM-focused direction.

Although you’ve had some discrepancies with Congress regarding the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Senate’s Protect IP Act, do you believe the government is heading in the right direction?

If not, what should schools be focusing on?

STEM-focused education is going to be vital for this generation to compete in the new economy. Education is a huge challenge and STEM will have to be a pillar if we’re going to keep leading the world. To quote Marc

Andreessen, an investor, software engineer, and co-author of Mosaic, “Software is eating the world.”

Should high schools teach coding to all students?

Should this become a required subject, like math or history?

Yes, I believe so. It’s a skill that’s got insatiable demand, not only right now, but everything that turns on will eventually have code. It’s the new literacy. Essentially a must.

On an ABC This Week quiz, you say the keys to success are “Perseverance, luck and the Internet.” Why is the Internet so instrumental in success?

Where else could two nobodies fresh out of college with no connections, $12K, and some computers in Medford, MA, create a site that, in less than a decade, has more traffic than the New York Times, CNN, etc.?

That story simply cannot happen in meatspace (the opposite of cyberspace).

You have been deemed “The Mayor of the Internet.”

As “Mayor,” what do you believe your responsibilities are? How can you make the Internet better, and how can you keep it that way?

That was a generous Forbes headline. I’m just doing my part to help keep the Internet open and awesome for as long as possible. A bunch of us drafted the Declaration of Internet Freedom that I hope we can uphold.

There’s always more work to do, but I’ve told my friends at Electronic Frontier Foundation and Fight for the Future (great organizations on the front lines of this) that they have my axe!

What is the most important thing you’ve learned since you founded reddit and have gained celebrity status in the grassroots community?

Make something people want. Online, that’s all that matters.

In general, what are your suggestions for future generations to succeed?

We are all growing up with technology, which gives us a fundamental fluency that previous generations do not have. Future generations should take advantage of this and create the amazing things going forward. But let’s make sure every single one of us has Internet access and obtains the skills necessary to make the most out of every opportunity so we can maximize all of the great ideas we’ll see come to fruition!

The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs 25

In His Own Words What is the NASA Microgravity University SEED Program?

It is a competitive program put on by NASA where university teams can submit design project ideas. If selected, the team gets to work with NASA scientists and test their design on NASA’s zero gravity aircraft. NNU teams were selected two years in a row, and I participated both times!

How did you choose the Northwest Nazarene University SEED Program?

I had always been interested in physics, so I knew I wanted to study STEM. I had so many family connections at NNU, so it seemed like the perfect program to join. I knew I had chosen the right program when, by my sophomore year, I was already working alongside NASA professionals.

What was your favorite part of the program?

Chad Larson Student at Northwest Nazarene University Participant in the NASA Microgravity University Systems Engineering Educational Discovery (SEED) Program

This program has given me so many incredible opportunities, from sending experiments to space with NASA, to working on an engineering project in Papua, New Guinea! My favorite part would have to be designing an experiment that I then performed in zero gravity on board the Vomit Comet, the aircraft NASA uses to train astronauts on weightlessness. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I got to do two years in a row. I’ll never forget that first time I floated up free of gravity. It was amazing.

What have you learned from participating in this NNU STEM program?

Not only have I learned a ton in all of my classes, but I gained research experience as well. I have learned how to prepare an experiment up to NASA’s strict standards, as well as be a leader, driving teams towards a common goal.

How has participating in this STEM program shaped your future?

The SEED program has opened up so many doors for my future.

Right now I am pursuing a PhD in Physics and might use my experience to get a job at NASA someday! I have loved every second of college and would not trade my experience for anything!

What would you tell someone who is interested in participating in NNU’s SEED Program?

Go for it! NNU has an incredible program that is full of unique opportunities! NNU provides not only a great education, but also the hands-on-experiences that prepares you for the future.

26 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

Search, find, and connect with teen opportunities— all in one place.

TeenLife.com provides parents and teens with the information and tools they need to find the perfect outside-the-classroom enrichment programs.

OUR MISSION IS TEEN SUCCESS

Why Students Should Intern at Tech Companies

By Sophie Borden

n the 2013 Glassdoor report of the 50 best companies to work for, 20 of those companies were tech companies, such as Apple, Google, and Facebook. While high school students still have a few years before they enter the workforce, there are many opportunities for teenagers to become interns. Some of the best companies to intern for—not surprisingly—are these same tech companies.

independence, and guidance. Perhaps the best advantage of all—many interns are offered fulltime, post-graduate jobs after interning. This is a huge bonus for any student, especially in the current economy.

The biggest perk of interning at a tech company? The salaries are unbeatable. In fact, the highest paying internship this year, with a monthly salary of $7,000, is at Palantir, a Palo Alto, California software company—that’s the equivalent of $84,000 a year. Coming in only slightly behind are VMWare, Twitter, Microsoft, eBay, Google, Apple, Yahoo, and Facebook, where interns make over $6,000 a month at each company, respectively. Out of the top 25 highest-paying internships in the U.S., 19 of these are in tech companies.

Whether you apply this year or next, be sure to explore STEM internships at tech companies!

Experts advise students to apply for competitive internships as early in the year as possible. Nearly 5,000 employers are currently hiring interns across the U.S., in cities from the east coast to the west.

Top 10 Tech Internships for 2014: 1. Facebook 2. Google

If job satisfaction is more important than salary, Glassdoor recently published a report on the “25 Highest Rated Companies Hiring Interns Right Now,” where Facebook came in first place and Google in second. Again, the majority of these companies are technology companies.

3. Qualcomm

These top-rated companies are known for providing great work environments and experiences. Interns report that these companies make them feel valued, and give them responsibility,

9. Apple

4. Schlumberger 5. Epic 6. Intel 7. Microsoft 8. Bloomberg 10. ExxonMobil

Sources: Forbes and Business Insider

28 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

High school students experience college at UVM

STEM this Summer at UVM

Experience college life and academics, earning 3-6 credits.

The best of online and on-campus learning, students work with faculty to begin their college experience in Vermont.

SUMMER ACADEMY FABLAB

ONLINE COURSES MATH

ROBOTICS

ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING DESIGN

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Session 1 starts June 30, 2014 Session 2 starts July 14, 2014

Courses offered mid May - mid August Registration now open

go.uvm.edu/stem

Unique Careers in STEM Florida Polytechnic

student.....

A career in STEM doesn’t have to be a stereotypical job in engineering or research. It can be innovative, creative, and unique. Take a look at six of the most cutting-edge and coolest careers in STEM.

1.

Music Data Journalist A music data journalist helps educate music industry professionals on the value of data and technology. They play a large role in forming and analyzing music charts. A music data journalist works daily with graphic design, studies current events in the music industry, and searches for industry data trends.

2.

EA Environmental Scanner

3.

Sports Statistician

4.

The EA golf (and most other sports) video games are created with the help of an environmental scanner.

This person’s job includes flying around the world to scan famous golf courses and other sports arenas, so they appear as realistic as possible on the video game. The scanned data is then transferred to a modeling application to create visual effects within the game.

A sports statistician works to provide research and data to sports announcers, coaches, and other sports professionals. They work to optimize plays by studying the numbers and stats of athletes and teams. On a daily basis, a statistician must use economics and engineering to gain insight on trades, free agency, draft analysis, and coaching issues.

Ethical/White Hat Hacking While “hackers” usually have a negative connotation attached to their job, ethical or white hat hackers are hired to break into systems as an angry employee or illegal hacker would do. Ethical hackers help companies develop custom software to prevent real hackers from accessing important information.

30 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs

5. Legoland Designer A legoland designer uses engineering, architecture, and electrical design to make Lego models. As with most architectural structures, Lego displays are first created on the computer with programs such as Photoshop, before they come into fruition.

6. 3D Animation: Character Artist Character artists build animated people, and anything else that can move and talk.

They turn drawings into animated movies and video games, bringing a 2D sketch to life. Animators use STEM techniques such as graphic design and computer modeling on a daily basis.

JOIN US AT THE 3RD

A FREE EVENT

USA SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FESTIVAL

APRIL 23-27, 2014

WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER WASHINGTON, D.C. | TAKE METRO TO THE FESTIVAL

FEATURING:

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FEATURING B ILL E SCIENCE GU E TH Y™ NY

APRIL 24: X-STEM presented by Northrop

Grumman Foundation and MedImmune

APRIL 25: Sneak Peek Friday presented by the

Department of Defense

APRIL 23-25: U.S. News STEM Solutions Conference

APRIL 26 -27: GRAND FINALE EXPO

LINE-UP OF SPEAKERS INCLUDES: Basketball Legend KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR Host of Nova Science Now DAVID POGUE Host of PBS's Design Squad Series NATE BALL Mathematician, Author & Actress DANICA MCKELLAR

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Agilent Technologies, PBS Kids, Illumina, Inc., The KidWind Project, Forbes/Wolfe, CrazyEngineers.com, U.S. News STEM Solutions, Washington FAMILY Magazine, Microsoft, American Architectural Foundation, Physics Today, National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII), American Farm Bureau Federation, IEEE-USA, WAMU 88.5 American University Radio, Amazon Web Services, DuPont, SEGA, Express Employment Professionals

Center for Biotechnology Education at Johns Hopkins University, CERVIS Technologies, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), SpaceX, Department of Defense, Northern Virginia Technology Council, Xconomy, Children’s National Medical Center, FEI, Purdue University, Genentech, Celestron, SCOPE, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, U.S. Department of State, The Scripps Foundation for Science and the Environment, TeenLife Media, Koch Industries, Inc., Georgetown University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Midwest Technical Institute, ThinkGeek, Tulsa Welding School

Index

ADVERTISEMENT LISTING

STEM Programs Boston Leadership Institute

21

14

Boston University: SummerLab Biotechnology Program

-

14

Dordt College

5

12

FIRSTÂŽ (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

13

16

Florida Polytechnic University

inside cover

12

iD Programming Academy, iD Game Design & Development Academy, and iD Film Academy

-

16

iD Tech Camps

-

14

i2 Camp

11

16

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

1

12

Montana Tech: Mines Summer Camp

7

16

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU)

15

12

Penn Engineering: Summer Academy in Applied Science & Technology (SAAST)

2

16

Sonoma Academy

9

14

Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU)

17

12

Stevens Institute of Technology

19

12

Tennessee Tech University (TTU)

23

12

University of Advancing Technology (UAT)

back cover

12

University of Vermont (UVM)

29

-

USA Science & Engineering Festival

31

-

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

inside back cover

14

32 The TeenLife Guide to STEM Programs