6 experiences + scholarships to share now
1. For high school students studying biomedical sciences
 Here's something you won't see every day! BioKansas is taking applications for high school students interested in attending the Mechanisms of Disease Research and Recruitment Conference in early August. It's part of next summer's Innovation Festival, which will bring together breakout companies, technologies, and artists and introduce the collaborative effort to build the biologics industry in our region.
Selected students will experience one-on-one conversations with industry and academic leaders as they recruit for highly sought-after positions. Students should apply now for this unique way to build their networks and identify new possibilities. The deadline is March 18.
Learn more and apply here >
2. Missouri Health Care Career Day // Feb 25
Reminder: Next week brings a free inside look at health care careers in Missouri via a livestream Health Care Career Day. Sessions take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25. K-12 and higher education students and school groups can register to see inside different occupational pathways, learn about the future of health care and interact with professionals from around the state.
Register here >
3. MO STEM Signing Day Scholarship // Apps due Mar 1
Just like signing days for athletes, Missouri STEM Signing Day recognizes outstanding Missouri high school students who want to pursue a STEM career pathway in college and beyond. These career pathways can range from skilled technical to advanced professional.
On STEM Signing Day, select students will receive a $1,000 scholarship to go toward their college costs as they sign a letter of intent to pursue a STEM degree or certificate program at a Missouri post-secondary institution. The application deadline is March 1.
See who’s eligible and how to apply >
4. A podcast for students by students
Hot Off the STEAM! is a student-led pilot project that introduces teens to careers and other opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math fields while offering select students a chance to produce their own podcast. The pilot season opens with a mini episode with KC STEM Alliance's own Martha McCabe, followed by talks with professionals in IT/STEM education, interior design and orthopedic surgery.
Trailers for all three episodes and the first full episode are available now, with the others dropping over the next two weeks. Special thanks to podcast coordinator Queen Wilkes and the student team:
- Nakiya Woodley, Park Hill South High School
- Quin Nofziger, Lee’s Summit High School
- Brianna Alberti, Van Horn High School
- Keyra Castillo, Van Horn High School
- Sara Weeks, Oak Park High School.
Listen now >
5. Perry Outreach Program // April 30
Perry Outreach Program is a one-day career exploration for young women in high school who are interested in careers in orthopedic surgery, engineering or both. Complete six hands-on mock surgeries and learn directly from local medical professionals & engineers! The experience is free but space is limited.
Learn more and apply here >
6. Day camps, library programs and more
The upcoming holiday weekend will bring some special STEM programming for the younger set. Check out the Science of Color day camp at the Museum of Prairiefire, coding sessions at Code Ninja studios around the metro and engineering activities at Science City,
In honor of Black History Month, the Royals are covering admission to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum all month. And the Mid-Continent Public Library is back with in-person programming—check the STEM Connect-KC calendar for more!
Scout events now >
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CONNECTING & COLLABORATING
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aSTEAM Village NSBE Jr. Community STEM Day
Do you have a hands-on STEM activity to share with students in grades 3-12? aSTEAM Village seeks STEM and STEAM program providers to share hands-on STEAM exploration activities with students on Thursday, May 5, at the Royals Urban Youth Academy. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include Janeen Uzzell, CEO of the National Society of Black Engineers, as a special guest. Teachers, school administrators or youth-serving organizations interested in bringing students to the event should contact kidsfirst@asteamvillage.org directly.
Register for table space here >
Invite families to wonder and learn together:
Open your doors for Remake Learning Days!
 Remake Learning Days Across America is a festival of innovative learning for youth and their families to experience together through hands-on activities and events across six learning themes.
You can help Kansas City youth gain confidence in exploring and trying new things by opening your doors for an open house, offering a showcase of innovative student projects or offering a special session of your ongoing programming. All kinds of activities and experiences are welcome!
The celebration takes place May 6-16, but now is the time to plan activities and put them on the Remake Learning Days calendar!
See the one-page quick guide >
Judge a STEM project online
The KC STEM Alliance produces online competitions to recognize excellence in engineering design or biomedical research in Project Lead The Way students. Volunteers judge three to four projects online using a provided rubric. This typically takes four to five hours and can take place any time during the judging window of April 9-17. Sign up here >
The Greater Kansas City Science & Engineering Fair seeks judges for its 71st annual fair, set for March 23-26. Register here >
The KC Tech Council keeps a running list of volunteer opportunities for tech and STEM pros. Check it out >
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Let's hear it for the engineers!
Next week we pay tribute to the field of engineering! This year's E-Week runs Feb. 20-26 with the theme "Reimagining the Possible!" Let’s inspire the next generation by celebrating all the ways engineers turn what seems impossible—like creating green buildings, fuel-efficient cars and life-saving vaccines, to name a few—into reality.
Local celebrations include the E-Week Luncheon from the Kansas and Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day sponsored by SWE-KC. Tag @stemkc in your E-Week celebration posts!
Find resources for STEM outreach during E-Week and beyond >
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Girls in STEM Spotlight: Techy Tigerettes
Ms. Hill, Essence Mackey, Aaliyah Leonard, Emaya Brown-Mcabee, Samaree Green, Kianna Freeman
What a rookie season for the Techy Tigerettes, a FIRST LEGO League team from Kansas City Public School's Troost Elementary! The team advanced to the Greater Kansas City Regional Championships, picking up the Rising Star Award during their qualifying tournament. Judges give this award to a team they expect great things from in the future. Their teacher and coach Melissa Hill says the all-girls team learned valuable lessons both on the game field and in creating their Innovation Project.
Next they'll take what they've learned to the state capitol for Missouri STEM Day on March 3 and Hill has plans in the works for "Sisterhood to Success," a mentoring program to support girls interested in STEM.
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FIRST Robotics Competition regionals on deck
The excitement of in-person FIRST Robotics Competition tournaments returns to the Kansas City region this March with three FRC regional competitions. Mark your calendars now:
March 18-19, Heartland Regional, Olathe South High School
March 25-26, Greater Kansas City Regional, Lee's Summit North High School
April 2-3, Central Missouri Regional, Smith-Cotton High School, Sedalia, Mo.
Find out how to volunteer at a competition >
KC team wins Safety Animation Award
Each year FIRST HQ names a FIRST Robotics Competition winner and finalists for the Safety Animation Award sponsored by UL. This year's winner is Kansas City's own Team 1939, The Kuhnigits!
Watch the spot >
10 FIRST Tech Challenge teams advance to state
The Kansas City region just wrapped up league play in FIRST Tech Challenge with KC East and KC West tournaments each advancing five teams to the state competition March 5. Congrats to all!
Kansas City West League Awards List >
Kansas City East League Awards List >
FIRST LEGO League KC Regional Championships
Congratulations to Team Twisted Sister for advancing to the FIRST Worlds from the Greater Kansas City Regional FIRST LEGO League tournament last month at Crown Center.
See the full list of awards >
See the day in photos >
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Region shines in Cyberpatriot competition
Photo courtesy Olathe Engineering Academy via Twitter
Look at all of the regional teams on that scoreboard! Congrats to all students taking part in this cyber defense competition who are gaining skills for a career in cybersecurity. Learn more about this program at www.uscyberpatriot.org/.
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Join the STEM Connect-KC Network
 Is your organization listed in STEM Connect-KC? This is the place to find others working in or supporting STEM (and STEAM!) education in the Kansas City region, plus events, competitions, scholarships, educator professional development and more.
Joining the directory ensures you receive invitations for meetings and events happening in the STEM learning community. The Events Calendar is free and open to all to promote STEM events and activities, scholarships, summer camps and more.
Learn more | Add your organization | Update your profile | Post event
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Let us know with this form—> Share your news >
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