IN THIS ISSUE: Message from MAS Interim Executive Director | Minnesota COVID-19 News and Resources | MAS Program Updates | DOE Cancels National Science Bowl | MAS Launches Online STEM Resources Hub | Free Educational Resources

Message from our Interim Executive Director

Like you, MAS staff and board members are practicing social distancing and juggling the challenges of work while doing our best to keep our families and communities safe. We are working from home on our laptops while helping our kids with their school work. We are communicating with students online and figuring out how to keep our research moving forward.

We want to reach out to say we are here. We care. We are with you. We are proud of you. There has never been a more important time to support, share, and champion the work of the STEM community in our state and in our country. Minnesota's teachers and academics, healthcare workers, researchers, and industry professionals are working hard every day during this health crisis to keep us moving forward and make breakthrough discoveries that will safeguard our health and improve our lives.

We will get through this together.

In this special edition of our newsletter we have attempted to gather some resources relevant to the current situation we all find ourselves in. We hope they help in some small way.

Stay safe and healthy,

Lara Maupin, Interim Executive Director, Minnesota Academy of Science

Minnesota COVID-19 News and Resources

The University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy offers rapid updates and information related to COVID-19 research.

The Mayo Clinic News Network provides updates, podcasts, and the latest information about responding to COVID-19.

The Minnesota Department of Health offers guidance for all Minnesotans, mitigation strategies, and situation updates.

Science News editors offer their picks for the best COVID-19 articles and information.

The Star Tribune is offering free novel Coronavirus coverage.

The Council of State Science Supervisors offers Guidance for Supporting Students' Science Learning during COVID-19 School Closures. This link also provides guidance for parents and students. 

Minnesota Academy of Science Program Updates

Check mnmas.org/covid19 for updates

State Science and Engineering Fair
MAS is holding this statewide STEM research competition virtually. Winners will be announced at mnmas.org by March 30, 2020.

#MNSSEF on facebook, twitter and instagram

Junior Science & Humanities Symposium
MAS will hold this STEM regional research paper competition virtually. Winners will be announced at mnmas.org by March 29, 2020. The National JSHS will also be held virtually.

#NorthCentralJSHS on facebook, twitter and instagram

Winchell Symposium

This event is cancelled

National Science Bowl Cancelled, DOE Exploring Other Options

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Science (SC) have decided to cancel the National Science Bowl® (NSB) finals events scheduled to occur in Washington, DC, on April 30 - May 4, 2020.

The DOE is currently assessing the feasibility of a smaller-scale academic event for the 2020 regional winning teams that would be conducted through virtual or teleconference participation.

Minnesota's regional champions, Wayzata High School and Wayzata Central Middle School, await the outcome of the DOE's assessment. Minnesota Academy of Science staff and volunteers are standing by to assist in any virtual competition scheduled by the DOE in the coming months.

MAS Launches Online STEM Resources Hub

In the face of the continuing COVID-19 health crisis, MAS is dedicated to enabling STEM learning in the home for all Minnesotans. To encourage continued interest in STEM during this difficult and evolving time:

• We will be continually updating and improving our STEM resources pages to include new and interesting information and ways to keep engaged with STEM.

• We will be rededicating a portion of our monthly newsletter to STEM activities and learning suggestions that can be done from the home.  

• We will be searching for new ways to engage children, older students, and adults in STEM from their homes - stay tuned!

FREE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Google distance learning resources for educators

JSTOR open content

KQED at-home learning resources

LiveScience activities and online resources

Minnesota Science Teachers Association forum for sharing resources for teaching remotely

Science News for Students' activities and news article for learning at home

UNESCO's list of digital learning solutions for educators