Classnotes Podcast (April 13, 2012) Once seen as the cradle of knowledge for scientists and engineers around the world, the United States has fallen behind other first world countries in science and technology education. Schools today face the challenge of preparing students in the STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The challenge is even greater as minority, low-income and female student populations grow – students who schools have traditionally underserved. Rodolfo Andres Urby is one teacher who has seen a transformation. A high school physics teacher and robotics club coach at a high-poverty, high minority school, he shares the story of how his school is becoming STEM focused. Rodolfo is interviewed by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D. Show length: Send comments to [email protected]Sign up for Classnotes e-mail alerts.ResourcesThe Need for Minority High Schools with a STEM Focus             by Nilka Avilés, Ed.D., IDRA Newsletterhttp://www.idra.org/resource-center/the-need-for-minority-high-schools-with-a-stem-focus/Diversifying the STEM Pool – Revisiting the Recruitment of Underrepresented Students in STEM Careersby Paula Martin Johnson, M.A., IDRA Newsletterhttp://www.idra.org/resource-center/diversifying-the-stem-pool/Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation – America ’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads National Academy of Sciences.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sce.21032/fullEngage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED541511.pdfPrepare and Inspire: K-12 Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for America ’s Future President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)https://nsf.gov/attachments/117803/public/2a–Prepare_and_Inspire–PCAST.pdfIDRA South Central Collaborative for Equityhttp://www.idra.org/South_Central_Collaborative_for_Equity/SCCE Sex Equity and Desegregation Web PageIncludes forms of bias descriptions, terminology and articles.http://www.idra.org/South_Central_Collaborative_for_Equity/Sex_Equity_and_Desegregation/American Association of University WomenPromotes education and equity for women and girls.http://www.aauw.org/Minority Women in Science: Forging the Way (student workbook and teacher guide)Includes profiles of seven minority women scientists who have surmounted barriers to forge the way for themselves and future scientist, science lessons, and life skills lessons for the classroom.Student Workbook: http://www.idra.org/publications/minority-women-science-forging-way-student-workbook/Teacher Guide: http://www.idra.org/publications/minority-women-science-forging-way-teacher-guide/Your feedbackWe welcome your comments and questions to the podcast. Send an e-mail to [email protected].Listen to every episode!To ensure you don’t miss a single episode of IDRA Classnotes, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, (download iTunes free if you don’t have it) or sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as a new show is published.The post Creating a STEM Focused School Part 1 – Podcast Episode 105 appeared first on IDRA.