This week in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) news, female meteorologists use Pi Day to raise awareness for women in STEM.

Female Meteorologists Wear “The Dress” on Pi Day to Raise Awareness for Women in STEM

Last year, a collage featuring female meteorologists wearing the same dress circulated last year, poking fun at the outfit’s widespread popularity.

Yesterday, female meteorologists from across the country put the dress back on to stand in solidarity of supporting women in STEM fields.

The women want to raise awareness for the obstacles hat women in STEM can face.

"Women in STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than those in non-STEM occupations and experience a smaller wage gap relative to men. And STEM careers offer women the opportunity to engage in some of the most exciting realms of discovery and technological innovation. Increasing opportunities for women in these fields is an important step towards realizing greater economic success and equality for women across the board,” said News4Jax.com.

Read the full story.

Grant Program Helps Increase STEM Resources in Hawaii Schools

12 Hawaii schools will be able to expand STEM resources thanks to a $2.2 million grant program made available to them.

The program will help the state’s high schools develop programs in computer science, engineering and biomedical science pathways. It will also help improve teacher training at The University of Hawaii- West Oahu.

Read the full story. 

Opinion: Show Kids STEM Is Fun Before Telling Them It’s Important

Despite the fact that STEM certainly is important in this country’s current landscape, Heraldnet.com’s Emily Yim and Patrick Pierce think parents should emphasize how fun it is before how important it is when encouraging kids.

"Building things that work. Mastering Minecraft code. Finding the answer to ‘why?' STEM invites you to unwrap the world and tinker with the insides. It should be fun. Yet, 61 percent of middle schoolers would rather take out the garbage than do their math homework. Only 6 in 100 ninth graders will graduate from college with STEM degrees,” they say.

Emphasizing how fun it can be to be a creator versus how important it is for the country’s future might be the way to turn more of America’s children onto STEM.

Read more here.

New Online Journal for STEM Educators Announced

"-The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), today debuted Connected Science Learning, an online journal for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) educators,” according to a statement from the two partners.

"The journal will be a valuable resource for a wide range of educators, both inside and outside the classroom. It also will be informative to policy makers, corporations, foundations, and others seeking to advance student learning in STEM.”

See here to find out how to sign up.

Compiled by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

3/15/2016