Formal Recognition in the National Ecosystem

 The Northern Virginia STEM Network began in 2007 as an informal network of CTE and other STEM educators with a focus on growing our own future workforce in Northern Virginia.  Many years later in 2021 we were integrated with the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) STEM Learning Ecosystem led by our long-term collaborators at Morgan State University and continued through multiple extensions of their DSEC grant.  

When that DSEC funding ended in 2024 we were encouraged by our supporters at T.I.E.S. to go big for national recognitions. Accordingly, we've "re-branded" as NoVaWISE (Northern Virginia Workforce Innovations through STEM Education).  We are currently looking for highly engaged leaders in technical industries, public school leadership, after-school and out-of-school innovators, and workforce development specialists.  

Virginia Tech is supporting the design of a new website.  Until then you can still catch us here at www.NoVaSTEM.net or NoVaSTEM.blogspot.com.

Contact Jim Egenrieder (JimE@vt.edu) or Courtney Kissell (CKissell@vt.edu) to get involved.

AI 101 from VASEM

 The Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued a 2025 White Paper, An Introduction to Artificial  Intelligence providing a foundation in topics such including:

• 
  the beginnings of Artificial Intelligence; 
• the emergence of Expert Systems; 
• the rapid evolution of Machine Learning;
• Deep Learning; 
• Generative AI;
• representative applications of AI;
• hallucinations and trust; 
• ethical issues;
• Artificial Intelligence vs. human intelligence, and Artificial General Intelligence; and 
• three visions for an "AI Future".

Read the paper at https://vasem.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/VASEM_AI_WhitePaper-2025.pdf

APS selects 2025-26 AI tools for teaching and operations

 

APS selects AI tools for teaching and operations in coming school year

By Scott McCaffrey

Published August 13, 2025 at 8:30AM

Students at computer (via Anastassia Anufrieva/Unsplash)

Artificial-intelligence tools will play a larger role in Arlington Public Schools classrooms and operations in the coming school year.

After a pilot program last year that involved about 400 educators, the school system has selected SchoolAI as its primary artificial-intelligence tool. In addition, staff will have access to Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini and NotebookLM for professional use.

Superintendent Francisco Durán said that SchoolAI was selected “due to its strong alignment with classroom needs, educator-control features and commitment to student-data privacy.”

“We’re looking at all the ways it can better support our school system,” Durán said in an Aug. 7 briefing to School Board members. “We need to prepare our students and staff for the future.”

The tools being rolled out will support students “with a secure and supportive environment” to explore AI, Durán said at the meeting.

The incorporation of AI tools into the curriculum represents what could be the biggest technological leap in the nation’s classrooms since computers first made their appearance in the 1980s.

AI will also provide opportunities for the county school system to be “more efficient and fiscally conscious,” School Board member Mary Kadera said at the meeting.

She pointed to the use of AI programs to streamline scheduling and optimize bus routes as opportunities going forward.

Bachelor's degrees by County

All counties in America where 40% or more have a Bachelor's degree

Source: Random Facts of the World

Register ASAP - Climate Change Research for Educators

RSVP via http://bit.ly/3Gjrqik

 

Tilly's Bionic Hands

 

After contracting meningitis as a baby, Tilly’s hands were amputated to save her life. But through state-of-the-art bionic hands controlled by her mind, Tilly has been able to live a normal life. This week, 19 years-old Tilly became the first person to get the most advanced wireless hands in the world - making her stronger than she’s ever been. She’s back in the studio to show us her new hands, alongside robotics engineer Joel Gibbard who helped create them.

Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus Academic Building One

 

Virginia Tech has opened it's new cutting-edge building in the Washington, D.C. area, Academic Building One. This state-of-the-art facility in Alexandria, Virginia, is designed to shape the future of technology and innovation. With a focus on computer science and computer engineering, this campus fosters collaboration between students, faculty, and industry partners to tackle real-world challenges. From project-based learning (PBL) to groundbreaking research in AI, quantum computing, next-gen wireless, and intelligent interfaces, this is a place where tech talent thrives. Virginia Tech builds strong partnerships with leading tech companies, government agencies, and startups, ensuring students gain hands-on experience and industry connections that drive impact. Discover how Virginia Tech is shaping the future of tech talent and research in the D.C. area. Learn more: vt.edu/innovationcampus