Nationwide
New Mexico

Non-Governmental Organizations

• AAAS Education (Senior Scientists and Engineers)
• Adopt-a-Physicist
• Atlantic Science Links Ass'n (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Bay Area Science Alliance (San Francisco)
• Boston Science Partnership
• Cambridge Science Festival (Cambridge, MA)
• Caltech Precollege Science Initiative (Pasadena, CA. See also this site.)
• Community Resources for Science (Berkeley, CA)
• Maine School Science Volunteers (Topsham, ME)
• Nashville Scientists in the Classroom Program
• Retired Scientists, Engineers & Technicians (ReSET, Washington, DC)
• Retirees Enhancing Science Education through Experiments and Demonstrations (RESEED, Boston)
• San Diego Science Alliance
• Scientists and Innovators in the Schools (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Senior Scientists and Engineers (affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science)
• Teaching Opportunities for Partners in Science (TOPS) (affiliated with the San Joaquin County, CA Office of Education)
• Volunteers for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Internet Clearinghouse (Knoxville, TN)

Department of Energy

• Argonne Division of Educational Programs
• Brookhaven Office of Educational Programs
• DoE Academies Creating Teacher Scientists (ACTS) Program
• Edward Teller Education Center
• Fermilab Education Office
• Lederman Science Center at Fermilab
• Jefferson Laboratory Science Education
• Lawrence Berkeley Lab Center for Science & Engineering Education
• Lawrence Livermore Science and Technology Education Program

NASA

• NASA's Mars Exploration Program
• Studying Space Storms

Defense Department

• Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Student Programs (Includes the GEMS, SEAP, and CQL programs)

National Science Foundation

• Armada Project – Research and Mentoring Experiences for Teachers
• National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Center for Integrating Research and Learning

Many of these activities have been in existence for several years -- significantly longer than the Alliance (see below for more detail).

There is now an initiative to link these organizations together to create a state-wide resource of engineers, mathematicians, and scientists to bring significant added value to K-14 math and science education in our state. It is part of an overall plan, (New Mexico Project 2012) to begin a transformational change in the way K-12 math and science education is carried out in New Mexico.

Inventory of Existing “STEM Professionals in K-12 Math and Science” Activities in New Mexico (as of November, 2008)

¡explora! Science Center. ¡explora! has recently received federal funding to develop a training program for engineers, mathematicians and scientists who wish to work with K-12 students and parents, in classrooms or at ¡explora!.

The Fractal Foundation. The beauty of fractals is used to educate and inspire people about mathematics, art, science, nature and the lessons of chaos theory. Fractals provide insights into the world as a non-linear, unpredictable, interconnected complex system. This new paradigm, chaos theory, is still virtually absent from conventional education.

Innovative Digital Education and Learning in New Mexico. (IDEAL–NM). This project is a statewide eLearning program that invests in technology and new opportunities for New Mexicans to access high-quality online courses no matter where they are in the state. Secondary students can now access previously-unavailable math, science and other courses, thereby expanding opportunity in every zip code. IDEAL-NM is also working to create statewide connections between the New Mexico schools and regional education centers already creating their own online programming. eLearning is critical to the success of individuals, organizations and communities competing in the world-wide knowledge-based economy, and this project uses 21st century learning tools to work toward that success.

Los Alamos National Laboratory. LANL offers a wide range of science education outreach activities that annually engage over 25,000 northern NM students, teachers and community members in science lectures, workshops, classroom demonstrations, museum visitations, classroom visits, and other structured programs designed to help build understanding, engagement, and enthusiasm for science and science careers. The Laboratory also sponsors several K-12 teacher professional development programs including the Los Alamos Space Science Outreach summer institutes and the intensive three-year-long Northern NM Math and Science Academy. The Bradbury Science Museum offers a changing portfolio of exhibits at the museum as well as a traveling "Science on Wheels" van that brings science lectures and demonstrations to about 12,000 students and teachers in their Northern NM classrooms annually. Through its Science Education Community Service Time program, LANL sponsors additional interactions with about 9000 NM students annually. Contact the LANL Community Programs Office.

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. As an affiliate of the Smithsonian, the Museum serves as America’s resource for nuclear science and history. It presents exhibits and educational programs that convey the diversity of individuals and events that shape the historical and technical context of the nuclear age. It strives to ensure that sources are accurate and supportable; it presents elements of social and technical concern; and presents multiple viewpoints without bias or favor. For both in-house and outreach services, the museum solicits the input and volunteer services of science, math, and engineering professionals. It has a partnership to work with scientists from Sandia National Laboratories through the lab’s Community Involvement Department, as well as with personnel in the State Universities (UNM, NMSU) and community entities. These professionals help present annual educational programs, perform laboratory demonstrations, discuss careers, and present lectures to students of all ages and community members. The annual “Zoom into Engineering” event, quarterly Science Cafés, robotics camps, and regular lecture series provide a venue for professionals to be educational partners with the museum.

New Mexico Academy of Science Visiting Scientists Program. (New Mexico Highlands University). Some of the most distinguished scientists and mathematicians in New Mexico are offered by the New Mexico Academy of Science as guest lecturers for classes. These individuals represent a wide variety of areas in the standard sciences and some of specialized fields as well. At the invitation of a teacher, a participating scientist will visit a class or school to present a lecture and/or demonstration on a topic in his area of expertise.

New Mexico Computing Applications Center. NMCAC was founded by New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, New Mexico State University, the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory. It serves to promote science and technology education and research, and high tech business development, in New Mexico through applications of scientific computing. To this end NMCAC is establishing a computational institute in the Albuquerque area that will serve as the hub of a series of "gateway" facilities physically located at all 44 New Mexico Public Colleges and Universities tied together over State and private computer networks. The gateways will provide visualization, collaboration, and computing capabilities to the institutions of higher education, K-12 teachers and students, as well as business and community members. NMCAC will provide assistance and instruction in the use of computing applications to businesses and schools and provide a communication and super-computing infrastructure to support the diverse STEM programs in New Mexico.

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Consulting Scientist Program. Engineering and science faculty and staff from NMT are available to come to K-12 classes to update students and teachers on the latest discoveries in math, science, and technology. Faculty from the areas of biology, chemistry, computer science, Earth and environmental science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, materials engineering, mathematics, petroleum and natural gas engineering, physics, and psychology are available. The Consulting Scientist Program is offered at no cost to the schools. NMT also has a significant ongoing effort in distance learning.

New Mexico Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Inc. NM-MESA promotes educational enrichment for middle and high school students from historically under-represented ethnic groups. NM MESA, in partnership with schools and universities, prepares these pre-college students for college and careers in mathematics, engineering, science and related fields.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The museum has scientists on staff for education and public outreach activities. In addition, "outside" scientists work with the museum for public programs and with teachers in some workshops. Some of the volunteer docents have STEM backgrounds as well. While the Museum does not do many classroom-based programs, it works with thousands of students at the museum.

New Mexico Optics Industry Association. An organization composed of 40 corporate members that are involved in the optics and photonics industry. One of the major restraints to the rapid growth of the optics and photonics industry is the availability of an entry level, technically skilled workforce. Hence, strengthening science education and workforce development is a primary focus of the Association. To this end, optics and photonics curricula have been established at West Mesa High School, Central New Mexico Community College and the University of New Mexico. UNM has degree programs at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels, but student interest in middle and high school must be stimulated.

New Mexico State University. NMSU has extensive ongoing activities in STEM education, some of which involve NMSU faculty working directly with K-12 teachers and students – for example, involving K-12 students in lab work on campus, or participating in the Science Education Alliance Science Advisor Program in the Las Cruces public schools (see below). Math and science faculty also participate in professional development activities for teachers via the Mathematically Connected Communities (MC2) and Scientifically Connected Communities (SC2) programs.

New Mexico Supercomputing Challenge. The Challenge provides a learning experience for teams of pre-college students in scientific inquiry, project management, computational analysis and presentation skills. The Challenge is a year-long state wide competition for prizes and scholarships. Its goal by 2012 is to have at least one student team compete from each mid-school and high school in the state and at least one teacher/sponsor with the necessary skills to support student teams. The Challenge offers a unique experience to New Mexico students: the opportunity to work on the most powerful computers in the world, studying problems of real-world interest, under the guidance of experienced mathematicians, engineers, and scientists.

Project GUTS: Growing Up Thinking Scientifically. Project GUTS is a year-long science, technology, math and engineering (STEM) learning experience for middle school students in Santa Fe. It was designed for students from all different backgrounds to engage in scientific inquiry by investigating topics of interest to their local communities. Project GUTS gives students the opportunity to conduct scientific research at school and around the community. Technology is used to explore real-world problems and analyze them with scientific tools. Project GUTS helps students explore careers in science, technology, and engineering and propels students along a path to success by developing their computer skills, and giving them access to the very latest technology.

Sandia National Laboratory Education Partnerships (CrossLinks program). CrossLinks is an outgrowth of the Sandia Science Advisors (SCIAD) Project (1989-1997). This very extensive effort produced a great deal of extremely valuable experiential learning about “best practices”; and a wealth of excellent written guidance. It was the precursor effort of all similar activities in New Mexico. CrossLinks provides connections between volunteer Sandia employees and contractors and the Albuquerque Public Schools (and some schools outside Albuquerque). About 60 volunteers are presently active at about 50 schools, some of which are private. It provides brief training for volunteers, and involves them mostly in kit-based, inquiry-based learning that is aligned to state science standards. A “resource room”, with demonstration equipment and purchased kits, is available for their use.

Santa Fe Institute. Interdisciplinary science educational activity involving mathematicians and scientists in contact with kids and teachers. The Institute offers a variety of activities for middle- and high-school students, including Project GUTS (see above). The Institute’s Public Lecture Series is also an excellent introduction to interdisciplinary science.

Santa Fe Science Initiative. SFSI was created in 2001 to enhance science education by providing year-round professional development through teacher training/mentoring and materials support for elementary classrooms. The program encourages the use of inquiry-based science, which is a method of teaching that enables both teachers and students to acquire valuable skills through active interaction, collaboration, and problem-solving rather than passive reading of textbooks. A number of STEM professionals help in leading professional development workshops and by serving on the SFSI Board of Directors.

Science Education Alliance. The SEA Science Advisor Program was established about 15 years ago with the Las Cruces Public Schools as an outgrowth of the Science Advisor (SciAd) Program created by the Albuquerque Public Schools and Sandia National Labs (see above). The SEA/SCIAD Program attempts to reach as many students as it can, having reached as far as the Lordsburg, Hatch, and Gadsden School Districts, but for volunteer convenience operates mostly in the LCPS. As with the Albuquerque program, it relied at first on recruiting its science advisors from organizations like NASA, the NMSU Physical Science Lab, and others. It presently has roughly 50 volunteers to draw on, many of whom come from NMSU and Doña Ana Community College. Last year they contributed about 800 hours of time: 95% at elementary schools, 4% at middle schools, and 1% at the high schools. Some of the volunteers are students from NMSU. The LCPS has a Science Resources Center, and this facility is helpful in providing some needed supplies, lab equipment, demonstrations, etc.

Science Education Solutions. Science Education Solutions is a small research and development company invested in promoting science and technology literacy. It involves engineers, mathematicians and scientists in many aspects of K-12 education, including scientist-teacher partnerships, curriculum development, professional development for teachers, and research experiences for science teachers and their students.

University of New Mexico. UNM has an extensive ongoing activities in STEM education, some of which involve UNM faculty working directly with K-12 teachers and students. Examples include involving K-12 students in lab work on campus, and a “Chemistry Show” that can be taken on the road into rural parts of the state. UNM also provides engineering students to the West Mesa High School Photonics Academy as science advisors and teaching assistants.