During the November board meeting, the board decided to offer a special award at the STEAM Expo scheduled for February 26, 2016 at IJ Holton Intermediate School. This award will be called the AAUW Inspiring Scientist Award. It will be given to one project from each school and judged based on proper use of the scientific method, creativity/originality of the project, and the student’s ability to explain their findings and their meaning. This is an excellent opportunity for AAUW to get their name out in the community and support our students in their study of science.
One project from each school will receive this award. Since students often work in pairs, this means we need to be repaired to provide 10 total awards and prizes. The winning students will be able to choose a science kit or book for their prize. Students will complete a form indicating which prize they want and then AAUW will order it and ship it to them. In order to cover this, we are asking for donations from our members. There will be an opportunity to donate to this effort at the December meeting. Based on the funds that are raised, the possible prizes for students will be identified and announced at the January meeting. We will also need volunteers to help judge this award at the science fair. We will send around a sign-up sheet in January to identify these volunteers.
Please help support this effort by bringing your donations to the December meeting. If you have any questions, contact Catherine Haslag at cshaslag@gmail.com.

Women’s History Project Update: Help needed!

As already announced, we have engaged the explorer, Ann Bancroft to be the speaker for the all school assembly at AHS in February. (The school chose the date.) Her fee is $2500 and so far we have received donations from Austin Human Rights Commission, Early Morning Kiwanis and Rotary for a total of $1400. Any contribution you can make to this effort will be much appreciated, no matter how small. And if you have ideas of other groups who could be approached, please let us know.

Sue Grove and Carolyn Bogott had a very supportive meeting with the past and present AHS Honors History teachers. The new teacher, Dennis Schwab, is enthusiastic about working with his students on their women’s history projects. He will let us know the date of the judging so that some of you can see the projects and help with the evaluations. The projects will be on display in an open place so other students can see them as well. The two parts of this project reach all students at AHS, a rare opportunity, so please help if you can.