Strengthening the STEM Pipeline

A robust STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) pipeline that nurtures future scientists and engineers and supports current STEM professionals is vital to the nation's economy. On November 12, 2012, the Academy brought together more than 400 global leaders in science, education, government, industry, and academia, as well as a host of special guests—including middle school students, science teachers, and graduate student mentors—in support of its STEM education programming at the Science & the City 9th Annual Gala. The theme of the Gala was "Strengthening the STEM Pipeline: Mentoring the Innovators of Tomorrow."

Featured guests—such as Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor, The State University of New York, and Board Chair, The New York Academy of Sciences; Dennis M. Walcott, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education; and Dato' Sri Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid, Science Advisor, Prime Minister's Office, Malaysia—discussed the Academy's programs in four critical areas of the STEM Pipeline: K-12 education, higher education, professional community building, and international collaboration, and recognized the winners of the Academy's 2012 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists.

"The Academy's STEM-related programs focus on repairing the cracks and bolstering the weak areas in the existing STEM pipeline—from inspiring a first love of STEM subjects in school-age children to providing opportunities for established scientists to network with peers across fields and organizations," said Academy President and CEO Ellis Rubinstein. "These efforts are vital to creating the next generation of capable scientists who will be able to positively contribute to tackling the world's most pressing problems." Read more about these programs below.

	Academy Program K-12 Education: Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program The Academy's Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program in New York City and Newark, NJ, trains and places young scientists in afterschool programs to lead students from low-income middle schools in hands-on STEM projects.
	Academy Program K-12 Education: Pathways to Science The Academy supports science teachers through its Pathways to Science programming, which connects teachers, provides helpful resources for teaching STEM subjects, and holds events on timely education-related topics.
	Academy Program Higher Education: The NeXXt Scholars The Academy, the U.S. State Department, and a consortium of 39 U.S. women's colleges are collaborating to empower women from countries with predominantly Muslim populations, as well as American counterparts, to pursue STEM fields at the undergraduate level through The NeXXt Scholars Initiative. Apply today to become a mentor for the Spring 2013 semester in New York City or Newark, NJ. The application deadline is December 1st.
	Academy Program Higher Education: Science Alliance The Academy's Science Alliance—a consortium of universities, teaching hospitals, independent research facilities, and organizations—helps scientists-in-training attain successful and rewarding careers by providing career development courses, as well as unparalleled networking opportunities through events with leaders in academia and industry.
	Academy Program Professional Community Building: Frontiers of Science Frontiers of Science is the Academy's core program for scientific conferences and symposia. Frontiers of Science provides a neutral forum for participants to exchange information on basic and applied research and to discuss the broader role of science, medicine, and technology in society through interdisciplinary conferences and discussion groups.
	Academy Program International Collaboration: The Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council International Collaboration: The Global Science and Innovation Advisory CouncilThe Academy has been advising the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who has invested heavily in all stages of the STEM pipeline, on the development of programs that will foster the next generation of global innovators in Malaysia.
	Awards Program The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists The Academy congratulates the 2012 winners and finalists of The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists. From December 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013, the Academy will be accepting applications for the 2013 Blavatnik Awards. Check back on December 1 to apply or nominate someone!
	Annals The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists 2011 Delve into this Annals volume comprising contributions from faculty and postdoctoral finalists and winners of the 2011 New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists.

About the New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. With 25,000 members in 140 countries, the Academy is creating a global community of science for the benefit of humanity. The Academy's core mission is to advance scientific knowledge, positively impact the major global challenges of society with science-based solutions, and increase the number of scientifically informed individuals in society at large. Please visit us online at www.nyas.org.