Author Archives: Nicole Veilleux

Girls set AP Computer Science record –skyrocketing growth outpaces boys.

Ten years ago, just 2,600 female students took the AP Computer Science Exam.

Fast forward to 2017. Over 29,000 female students took an AP CS exam this year, which is more than the entire AP CS exam participation in 2013 when Code.org launched.

Participation in AP Computer Science is still far from balanced — female students still account for only 27% of all students taking AP Computer Science exams and underrepresented minorities make up just 20%. This problem continues through to higher education, where 83% of university computer science majors are men, and into the workforce as well.

Read the full Code.org article by Hadi Partovi.

 

Announcing PAID research internship opportunities for undergraduate STEM students

The Office of Science / US Department of Energy is pleased to announce paid research internship opportunities for undergraduate students majoring in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The application system for the Term Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program is currently open, with all applications due by 05:00 PM Eastern Time on October 02, 2017.

The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program places students from 2 and 4 year undergraduate institutions as paid interns in science and engineering research activities at DOE national laboratories and facilities, working with laboratory staff scientists and engineers on projects related to ongoing research programs. Appointments are for 16 weeks during the Spring term, are open to US Citizens and US Lawful Permanent Residents, include a weekly stipend, reimbursement for one round trip domestic travel to the participant’s host DOE laboratory, and possibilities for a housing allowance. More than 850 internships are sponsored annually.

Application is made online. Full program information and descriptions, including links to the online application system, are available on their website.

 

Why would anyone want to major in STEM?

It turns out many STEM students want to change the world, not just make money.

In 2012, the United States made it a national priority to increase the number of undergraduate degrees awarded in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by at least 1 million over the next decade in order to meet expected growth in those industries. In turn, many colleges and universities have bolstered their efforts to raise the number of students they enroll and graduate in STEM majors. For educators and policymakers, it seems a no-brainer to urge students into STEM given the high demand and attractive salaries in those fields. But increasing the number of STEM graduates is no simple task.

Read the full Psychology Today article by Ross E. O’Hara Ph.D.

Planning to Attend the Grace Hopper Conference in October? Apply for a grant!

The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC) is the world’s largest gathering of women technologists. It is produced by the Anita Borg Institute and presented in partnership with the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

GHC 17 will be Wednesday, October 4-Friday, October 6 in Orlando, FL. Professor Amy Briggs will once again be bringing a group of students to the conference this year. If you haven’t filled out Professor Briggs’ form already, please do so here to indicate your interest in attending. She would like you to fill out the form ASAP so she can finalize registrations and hotel rooms. Registration opens Wednesday, July 19.

Consider applying for registration funding:

  • Yext GHC17 Scholarship – Yext is a proud sponsor of the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. They are excited to provide sponsorships for students to attend & experience the world’s largest conference for women in technology.  Deadline Tuesday, August 1
  • CRA-W GHC17 Research Scholars Program –  the GHC Research Scholars program brings undergraduate women with interest in computing research to the annual Grace Hopper Celebration.The purpose of this program is to give attendees a unique experience, providing them a mentor, networking opportunities, and advising toward graduate school and research careers in computing. Deadline Tuesday, August 15

CSCI Majors/Minors: Google’s GHC 2017 Grant Application has been EXTENDED!

As part of Google’s ongoing commitment to increase the number of women in engineering, we are excited to offer travel grants to the 2017 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference taking place in Orlando, FL from October 4-6. Once again, this year’s conference will offer incredible opportunities for mentoring, networking and career development. As someone who indicated interest in hearing about CS opportunities with Google, we’re reaching out to invite you to apply.

University students and industry professionals in the US and Canada who are excelling in computer science and passionate about supporting women in tech can apply for a travel grant to attend the 2017 Grace Hopper conference.

The Grace Hopper Travel Sponsorship includes:

  • Conference registration
  • Round trip flight to Orlando, FL (from within the US or Canada)
  • Reimbursement for ground transportation to and from the airport and the hotel
  • Arranged hotel accommodations from October 3-7
  • $75 USD reimbursement for miscellaneous travel costs
  • A fun event specifically for travel grant recipients on one of the evenings of the conference!

Please apply here by Monday, July 17. The Grace Hopper Travel Sponsorship winners will be announced by mid-August.

If there are any questions at all, please direct to ghctravelgrant@google.com.

The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program

Pre-Vet students, did you know that the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a NIFA-designated veterinarian shortage situation for a period of three years. To learn more about the program, check out the VMLRP website.

Nurse Practitioner Demand Eclipses Doctors As States Lift Hurdles

The future’s bright for nurse practitioners; salaries AND demand are on the rise!

Nurse practitioners are more in demand than most physicians as states allow direct access to patients for these increasingly popular health professionals.

Only family physicians, psychiatrists and internists are more in demand than nurse practitioners, according to the latest snapshot into the U.S. healthcare workforce from MerrittHawkins, a subsidiary of AMN Healthcare.

Read the full Forbes article by Bruce Japsen.