STEMResearcHER Newsletter: December 2024 Edition

Happy December!! The STEMResearcHER team is wishing you a great end to this year!

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STEM ResearcHER Team
December 01, 2024

STEM ResearcHER Newsletter: December

2024 Edition

Happy December!! The STEMResearcHER team is wishing you a great end to this year!

STEM ResearcHER is a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to bridge the gender and accessibility gap in STEM research fields through speaker workshops, mentorship programs, and other community events.

SIGN UP NOW - Chicago STEMStravaganza 2024!

Our Chicago STEMStravaganza is coming up on December 14th! This is an amazing opportunity for middle and high school girls to get involved in STEM. Our event includes hands-on STEM activities, guest speakers, opportunities to connect with peers, and interactive workshops. Plus, our generous sponsors have provided free swag for each participant to take home!

Space is limited! Sign up by December 8th with the link below! Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Date: December 14th

Time: 11am - 3pm

Place: Albany Park Library in Chicago

General Volunteer Applications

STEM ResearcHER is currently accepting applications on a rolling basis for volunteers. We have positions on our marketing, sponsorships, and ambassadors team. If you’re interested in contributing to our mission and working with STEM ResearcHER, please consider applying with this link! Email us at [email protected] if you have any additional questions! 

6 STEM Opportunities for Highschoolers

Nasa STEM Programs

  • SEES (STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science) Internship: A summer internship where students work on NASA-led Earth and space science research projects.

    • Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

    • Learn more

Research Science Institute (RSI)

  • A prestigious six-week summer program at MIT where students conduct STEM research under expert mentorship.

    • Eligibility: Rising seniors; competitive application process.

    • Learn more

Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program

  • A free summer program teaching computer science and programming to girls and nonbinary students.

    • Eligibility: High school students in 9th-11th grades.

    • Learn more

NIH High School Program

  • Students work alongside NIH scientists on biomedical research projects.

Simons Summer Research Program

  • Provides hands-on research experience in STEM fields at Stony Brook University.

    • Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors with an interest in STEM research.

    • Learn more

First Robotics Competition

  • A team-based robotics challenge where students design, program, and compete with robots.

    • Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide.

    • Learn more

Tips for Surviving Finals Season

It’s December, which means that finals season is approaching… Here are 7 tips for your finals this year!

  1. Use Active Recall
    Skip the passive re-reading and quiz yourself instead. Flashcards, practice problems, or explaining concepts aloud are all great ways to lock in what you’ve learned.

  2. Set a Timer
    Try studying in focused 25-minute intervals (Pomodoro Technique) with 5-minute breaks in between. It’s a proven method to stay productive without burning out.

  3. Break Down Topics
    Don’t let long study guides or tough topics intimidate you. Break them into smaller chunks and tackle a little bit each day. Progress adds up quickly when you’re consistent!

  4. Teach It to Someone Else
    The best way to know if you’ve mastered something? Teach it! Explaining concepts to a friend or even talking it out to yourself reinforces understanding.

  5. Take Care of Yourself
    Stay hydrated, snack on brain foods (like nuts or fruit), and take short walks between study sessions. A little movement can clear your head and improve focus.

  6. Mix It Up
    Switch between subjects to keep your brain engaged. For example, after solving math problems, shift to reviewing vocabulary or writing essays.

  7. Don’t Cram
    Cramming might seem like a shortcut, but it’s not effective long-term. Stick to your schedule, get some sleep, and you’ll perform better.

Organization Spotlight

Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG)

Scientific Adventures offers resources and programs to support girls in STEM, particularly those from marginalized communities. Read on for some of the ways you can get involved with Scientific Adventures. Keep in mind that some of these opportunities are only available to those based in the Bay Area. More information can be found here.

Get Involved:

  • Volunteer at their Family STEAM Nights

  • Become a Near Peer Mentor

  • Build Stem Kits for SAfG events

  • Sponsor STEM supplies for events

  • Support Financially

  • Become a Substitute Teaching Assistant

  • Become a Summer Library Teaching Assistant

Opportunities, Careers, and Advice for Highschoolers Interested in Stats

Opportunities for Highschoolers

High School Programs and Competitions

  • American Statistical Association (ASA) Stats + Stories Podcast: Learn about how statistics impact different fields.

  • Statistics Poster Competition: Showcase your creativity by visualizing data in impactful ways.

  • Data Science Bootcamps: Explore coding languages like Python and R, commonly used in statistics.

Online Learning Resources

  • Introduction to Statistics (Khan Academy): A great starting point for foundational concepts.

  • Harvard’s Data Science Online Certificate (Free): Learn beginner-friendly skills in data wrangling and statistical modeling.

Internships and Research

  • CDC Summer Statistics Program: Explore the role of stats in public health.

  • Local University Research Programs: Many universities have pre-college opportunities to work with real datasets.

Careers in Statistics

Traditional Paths

  • Data Scientist: Use statistics and coding to analyze data and drive decision-making for companies like Google, Spotify, or Netflix.

  • Biostatistician: Work in medicine or public health to analyze clinical trials or health trends.

  • Market Research Analyst: Study consumer behavior to help brands make strategic decisions.

Emerging Roles

  • Sports Analyst: Combine stats with sports knowledge to analyze performance or predict outcomes.

  • Climate Statistician: Use data to tackle environmental challenges and inform sustainable policies.

  • AI & Machine Learning Specialist: Build algorithms that rely on statistical principles to improve AI.

Advice

  1. Get Comfortable with Coding
    Learn Python, R, or Excel for statistical analysis. Platforms like Codecademy or DataCamp are beginner-friendly.

  2. Practice with Real Data
    Download free datasets (like from Kaggle or the U.S. Census) and try analyzing them. The more hands-on experience, the better.

  3. Build Communication Skills
    Stats isn’t just about math—it’s about telling a story with numbers. Practice visualizing data with tools like Tableau or Canva.

  4. Take the AP Statistics Exam
    If offered at your school, AP Stats provides a solid foundation and may even earn you college credit.

  5. Network in the Field
    Attend STEM fairs, join clubs like Math Olympiad or Science Bowl, and connect with professionals through LinkedIn or ASA events.

We would love to hear your feedback!

Contact Us:

Email [email protected]

Or connect with us on social media!