One goal of the U of M MemphiSTEM program is to strengthen U of M STEM clubs by encouraging student participation, particularly for freshmen. Strong student organizations in the STEM fields can promote interaction between peers within similar majors and enhance understanding of STEM career opportunities, and improve retention in STEM fields.
National Education Association: The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
Their Top 7 STEM Resources are:
1. Exploratorium: Provides interactives, web features,
activities, programs and events for K-12. Saturday and
Summer professional development workshops are
available through the Teacher Institute.
2. NASA Educators provides lesson plans, teacher guides,
classroom activities, video clips, games, posters, and more
for teachers and students in grades K-4, 5-8, 9-12, and higher education.
3. eGFI: Dream Up the Future: Promotes engineering
education with K-5, 6-8, 9-12 lesson plans, activities,
outreach programs, and links to web resources.
Teachers and students can download the first three issues of eGFI magazine.
4. Kinetic City: Science games for students in grades 3-5.
One activity asks students to replace the body systems of a
character who sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The website requires free registration.
5. National STEM Video Game Challenge: Middle school (5-8),
high school students (9-12), and educators are invited to
design games that incorporate STEM content or STEM themes in
innovative and engaging ways. Home schoolers are elibible
to enter as well. Sign up to be notified about the 2013 competition.
6. Master Tools: Eight interactive math and science tools and
simulations for students in grades 6-12. All simulations and
curriculum materials meet the new National Science Education
Standards and National Math Education Standards.
7. Engineer Your Life: This guide introduces girls in
grades 9-12 to young women engineers and highlights careers.
A section for parent and counselors furnishes background
in engineering to better advise students. The site has a link to a companion site for girls in grades 5-8.