carlyo | October 2, 2013X-STEM - presented by Northrop Grumman Foundation and MedImmune - is an Extreme STEM symposium for elementary through high school students featuring interactive presentations by an exclusive group of visionaries who aim to empower and inspire kids about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These top STEM role models and industry leaders are sure to ignite your students’ curiosity through storytelling and live demonstrations.
Our spotlight on our X-STEM Speakers continues with Titanic Explorer Dr. David Gallo!
The world deep beneath the surface of the ocean is a…
carlyo | September 30, 2013Guest Blog from the USA Science & Engineering Festival Sponsor United States Air Force
The U.S. Air Force and GOOD are pleased to announce the start of the second project in The Air Force Collaboratory, an interactive online platform that invites science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) inclined students, educators and innovators to solve some of the Air Force’s toughest challenges. Over 900 ideas have already been submitted by participants in the first project of The Air Force Collaboratory, “Search and Rescue 2.0.” Contributors, whether new or returning, are now asked…
carlyo | September 25, 2013Bill Nye -- scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor -- is a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society, and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science understandable, entertaining, and accessible is something Bill has been doing much of his life, starting with his days as a math tutor in high school and later studying under Planetary Society co-founder Carl Sagan in college and working as a stand-up comedian. Following in Sagan's footsteps, Bill now serves as Chief Executive Officer of the…
carlyo | September 20, 2013X-STEM - presented by Northrop Grumman Foundation and MedImmune - is an Extreme STEM symposium for elementary through high school students featuring interactive presentations by an exclusive group of visionaries who aim to empower and inspire kids about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These top STEM role models and industry leaders are sure to ignite your students’ curiosity through storytelling and live demonstrations.
Our spotlight on our X-STEM Speakers continues with Space Traveler Anousheh Ansari.
Lifting off with the Expedition 14 mission crew on…
carlyo | September 17, 2013The USA Science & Engineering Festival is the proud recipient of the 2013 Hoyt S. Vandenberg Award from the Air Force Association in recognition of the Festival’s contributions to aerospace education and for its efforts in encouraging young people to pursue the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The award was presented yesterday morning at the annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in National Harbor, Md., and was made possible by the AFA’s National Aerospace Awards Committee.
The USA Science Festival was co-founded by serial entrepreneur…
carlyo | September 13, 2013Now entering its third year, the Kavli Science Video contest, an international middle and high school student competition that is held as part of the USA Science & Engineering Festival, has announced "Science in Fiction" as the contest theme! The contest, sponsored by the Kavli Foundation, is designed to challenge students to investigate science through video storytelling while promoting participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects.
The new theme, "Science in Fiction" was inspired by the mission of the Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program of the…
carlyo | September 10, 2013By Jeff Wilcox, Lockheed Martin Vice President for Engineering
Planning for the third USA Science & Engineering Festival is well underway, and I couldn’t be more excited.
As the vice president for engineering at Lockheed Martin, and the father of three sons, I’m proud to be part of a company that serves as the founding and presenting host of this Festival, which will inspire our youngest Americans with the power of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We have a vested interest in STEM—not just because it’s critical to the future of our company, but because it’s critical to…
carlyo | September 9, 2013This past June, more than 2,000 business, government, and education leaders gathered in Austin, Texas, to discuss the state of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in the United States at the U.S. News STEM Solutions National Conference. The USA Science & Engineering Festival was honored to attend and we are looking forward to our partnership for the 2014 National Conference this coming April.
"This is the absolutely perfect time to be talking about STEM education," explained Barbara Bolin, executive director of the Michigan STEM partnership. "Because STEM…
carlyo | September 5, 2013Plant Biologist Eloy Rodriguez came from humble beginnings and now is a leading authority on ethnobotanical medicine.
Eloy Rodriguez is an expert of ethnobotanical medicine (the benefits of natural plants to healing and disease prevention). He coined the concept and study of zoopharmacognosy, the process by which non-human animals(such as apes) self-medicate by selecting and using plants to treat and prevent disease.
Cited in books and passed down for centuries, plants have been used for ages by many ethnic cultures to treat infections, cancer, diabetes, malaria and other illnesses. "In…
carlyo | August 26, 2013Daniel Hale Williams- Surgeon and Medical Educator
Medical textbooks in the early 1890s said that operating on near the human heart was too dangerous. But on a hot summer's night in Chicago in 1893, surgeon Daniel Hale Williams -- while attempting to treat a life-threatening chest wound to a patient -- plunged courageously into this void, and thus made medical history. In 1891 he founded the first African American-owned (and non-segregated) hospital in America, and the first nursing school for African Americans.
Read more of his fascinating biography here.
Learn more about the USA Science…
carlyo | August 8, 2013Kristin Laidre --Marine Mammal Biologist
Kristin Laidre is one of the world's foremost experts on the elusive, mysterious Narwhal whale. Her work with native communities in Arctic regions of Canada and Greenland is helping to preserve the Narwhal and other sea mammals from the effects sea ice loss due to climate change.
"I was always interested in marine biology, marine animals, and even science as a junior-high and high school student," she recalls. "In upstate New York I rarely got to visit the ocean, but when I did (usually on Long Island), I loved it and knew if I could create the…
carlyo | August 2, 2013X-STEM - presented by Northrop Grumman Foundation and MedImmune - is an Extreme STEM symposium for elementary through high school students featuring interactive presentations by an exclusive group of visionaries who aim to empower and inspire kids about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These top STEM role models and industry leaders are sure to ignite your students’ curiosity through storytelling and live demonstrations.
Our spotlight on our X-STEM Speakers begins with Geneticist, Physician and Director of the NIH, Dr. Francis Collins.
Raised on a small…
carlyo | August 1, 2013Ronald Mickens -- Research Physicist and Mathematician
Ronald Mickens is a leading authority on oscillations (repetitive, vibrating motions that occur in cycles), and in developing mathematical models for predicting the spread of disease. He has been recognized as an expert on the history of African Americans in science and mathematics.
Although he is now a respected researcher and educator, Ronald Mickens can remember as a child being constantly in trouble at home because of his curious, active mind for dangerous scientific experiments. This includes conducting experiments with caustic…
carlyo | July 26, 2013Sign Our Petition: Support Science And Education Today!
Join Rep. Randy Hultren (R) and Rep. Joe Kennedy (D) in urging Congress to vote for H. Res. 276, which calls upon the U.S. House of Representatives to support the goals and ideals of National Science Week and the biennial USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C.. The resolution also calls on State and local governments to recognize the last week in April, 2014 as a National Science Week.
Click here to read and sign the petition.
carlyo | July 24, 2013Peggy Whitson -- NASA Astronaut and Biochemist
We continue to recognize 50 Years of Women in Space with STEM Role Model Peggy Whitson. Peggy Whitson grew up on a farm in Iowa with big dreams of becoming a NASA Astronaut. She was the first female commander of the International Space Station and a veteran of six space walks. She set records among American Astronauts for spending the most time in space.
Her achievements as a veteran space explorer are well known among the distinguished ranks of NASA astronauts, but learn of her harrowing and life-threatening journey back to Earth after her…
carlyo | July 15, 2013By Mark Modzelewski
Washington, DC, July 15, 2013 – Science Spark has teamed with Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) to support the University’s Mind Trekkers traveling science festival as it heads out across America. The Mind Trekkers tour will culminate at the USA Science & Engineering Festival, supported by presenting host sponsor Lockheed Martin.
The traveling festival offers children of all ages the opportunity to engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. The first stop will be the National Scout Jamboree, July 15-24, 2013 at the…
carlyo | July 10, 2013Clara Barton -- Nurse, Educator
Her work as a dedicated battlefield nurse during the Civil War, and her founding of the American Red Cross helped set the standards for emergency medical care and disaster relief.
She was so timid, shy and depressed as a child that she was removed from school. But later Clara Barton transformed these drawbacks into a career of helping others, hallmarked by her service as a valued nurse in treating wounded soldiers in the Civil War and later founding the American Red Cross. Learn how Clara -- known for her gutsy, no-nonsense attitude as a leader -- built a…
carlyo | July 8, 2013By Dr. Ray O. Johnson, Lockheed Martin senior vice president and chief technology officer
As the founding and presenting host of the third USA Science & Engineering Festival, Lockheed Martin returns to the 2014 Festival with inspiring, hands-on exhibits designed to drive excitement in our next generation of engineers, scientists, and technical professionals. The Lockheed Martin Experience promises to once again be a premier attraction at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, located in the nation’s capital. We will bring fresh exhibits that provide an innovative engineering and…
carlyo | June 28, 2013Stephen Hawking: Theoretical Physicist and Bestselling Author
Stephen Hawking is often regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein. He is best known for his compelling insights into such areas as Black Holes, relativity and quantum mechanics.
Since bursting onto the international scene in 1988 with his bestselling book, “A Brief History of Time", Stephen Hawking has become synonymous with helping us understand fundamental mysteries of physics and our existence, such as: Where did the universe come from? How and why did it begin? Will it come to an end, and if…
carlyo | June 26, 2013Kalpana Chawla -- Aerospace Engineer, NASA Astronaut
Born in the small town of Karnal, India, she became hooked on flight when she took her first plane ride in a small craft through the local flying club. Kalpana Chawla would later become a certified FAA flight instructor, a talented aerospace engineer, and a NASA astronaut. She was the first Indian American Astronaut and the first Indian-born woman in space. Her promising future ended in 2003 when she died with 6 fellow astronauts aboard the shuttle Columbia over Texas.
Read more to discover how her memory and love of spaceflight are being…