STEM Today, STEM Tomorrow!

As a mom of 3 girls, I've always been a huge supporter of letting my kids explore a variety of activities and sports that they showed interest in. With the help of our local parks and recreation programs, I was able to register them for these activities at a relatively small price point.  We've done soccer, basketball, tennis, guitar lessons, ballet, hip hop dance, swim, ice skating, karate, and a host of other things.  There was only a small commitment (usually 4-6 weeks) and if they didn't like it we didn't have to sign up for another session.  Some interests gained steam and I signed them up with a local team or organization.  It just works out great for us.  

When my oldest daughter decided that she was interested in engineering, I knew I had a real task on my  hands.  The issue wasn't her interest, that made me really happy.  I just knew that inexpensive STEM camps were harder to find then Naomi Campbell's edges!  Being the most resourceful person this side of the Mason Dixon line, I scoured the internet and online parenting groups in hopes of finding something within budget.   I was able to find a program sponsored by the National Society of Black Engineers, called SEEK.  It was a FREE 3-week program focused on engineering.  As the years have gone by,  I've been able to enroll my kids in several other programs.  I wanted to share a few that I know of today.  I am sure I am missing some, so I hope that you'll share what you know in the comments section.  Low cost or Free is the goal, but I think all STEM opportunities are great opportunities and welcome information on those as well.  

The 9 links below are additional STEM camp/program opportunities.  Good Luck!!

http://www.dc-first.org/programs

http://stem4us.org (This link is for 2014 program, but contains camp contact information to inquire about 2015 programs)

http://www.sciencebuddies.org

http://smysp.stanford.edu/education/summerPrograms.html

http://www.pathwaystoscience.org

http://thegreatadventurelab.com/camps/stem-summer-camps/

http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/resources/summer_programs/science.html
https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip
http://www.cs.umd.edu/compsciconnect/

I Was Attacked by a Furggle

Monday I had to take a trip to MS for business travel.  With the recent snowy weather, the airport was packed with people rebooking delayed flights.  My original flight was delayed for 3 hours, but miracously was changed to only having a 30min delay.  My reality was actually a 1hr delay.  I didn't complain.  I boarded my flight, and the trip was uneventful for the most part.  I mean there was the incident with the Delta flight attendants arguing over who was doing more work than the other, leading to one of the attendants storming down the aisle speaking Spanish.  (yes this happened ON THE PLANE in flight).  

When I reached my final destination, I was told that my flight had been rebooked in ATL to leave the next day because they didn't think I was going to make my connecting flight.  Well I proved them wrong and hit the OJ Simpson moves as I raced throught the terminal at Flo Jo speeds.  I made my flight and all was well with the world....or so I thought.  

 

Shortly after take off my nostrils were accosted by the smell of something foul.  I chalked it up to someone's rude take off jitters and excused them, although I was still a bit pissed.  Well those jitters proved to be a full on assault to anyone sitting in the immediate area.  It made the cabin air thick.  I could friggin see green stink smells floating in the air.  My gag reflex kicked in.  It was bad.  I was hurt, I was sick, I was mad.  I need to send a letter to TSA because I am not sure the plane wasn't under some terrorist attack.  This went on for the entire flight, which thankfully was only 45 mins.  

 

So I take the biggest breath of fresh air when I exit the plane.  I was free from the foreign operative sent to destroy my nostril hairs.  I was no longer a POW. (kisses the ground and does the ugly cry)

 

In the car en route to my final destination, my smell sensors were attacked again, there were only 2 people in the car.  And I know for sure I was not the offender.  As I gasped for air, I choked the words "GrOSS!  What is that smell?!!"   He responds, "what smell?"  He swore that the smell that could gag a maggot, was no where to be found.  I told him that maybe it was a skunk outside.

 

*insert side eye*

 

Was he one of them?  Did he have a mission to fill as well.  I just couldn't be sure.  But I sure as damnn well knew there was a smell in the air.  

 

Fast forward to the next morning.  I hurry to the lobby and grab some OJ and hop in the car to head to our meeting site.  In the conference room of just 4 people my stomach began to gurgle.  I wiggled in my seat for a bit to distract the people in the room.  Then there was a huge gurgle that I couldn't mask for the lilfe of me.  I moved a bit, but it was the loooooooooooooongest noise known to man.  It got to the point that it seemed as if it was giving input to the topic of our meeting, so I had grab my stomach and mumble "ooh lord, my stomach!  I must be hungry".   But everyone in the room knew that wasn't a stomach growl. That was a "watch out she's gonna blow!" fart gurgle....Furggle if you will.  

 

I managed to hold my Furggle at bay during the rest of the meeting.  Thoughts raced through my head. I couldn't concentrate.  Had "they" chosen me?  Am I one of "them"?  Chosen to dessimate those around me with my thuderous butt trumpet?  "I REBUKE YOU FART GODS"  I screamed in my head as I struggled to hold it together.  

 

Lunch couldn't come fast enough.  Thankfully my phone charger broker so I had a great excuse to leave the premises solo.  I didn't need any company for what was about to take place.  No witnesses.  I don't care if I had to lie to my coworkers and tell them I had to save a kitten from a tree, rescue baby Jessica from a well, or go back in time real quick....the point would be I require NO COMPANY.

 

As I sashayed to the rental car, my eyes filled with tears.  I climbed into the car and tooted up and down Highway 49.  They weren't boisterous or smelly.  Thank goodness, I can't afford to have the rental reupholstered.  I'm pretty sure I got better gas mileage from what was going on inside.  (teehee, sorry I couldn't resist).

 

I emptied my tank, but as I type this post back at my meeting site, my stomach is furggling again.  I guess I have more  work to do.  I'll keep my composure because I, of course, am a lady.  I just have to get through this meeting and then the drive back to the hotel, where may God have mercy on my soul for the unleashing that will happen then.  

 

What do you do when you have Furggles?  I need some more tricks, because shifting in my seat, coughing and speaking loud aren't working anymore.

 

Basic Training

This week and next I am in training for my job.  It's offsite, and two separate courses each week.  The first class is for data analysis and the second class is for contracting.  It never fails how I get so excited about the thought of training.  I search the course catalog as if I was searching for a fancy, new car, or some exotic vacation.  I circle 3, 4, 5 different courses to take.  Then I narrow down my results, and take my requests to my supervisor for approval and to the budget lady to make sure we have funds to cover the training.  I'm set! 

Counting the days that I get to be "out of office" and in a different setting.  I make sure I set my Out of Office reply:  

I am unable to respond to your email at this time.  I'm in training until the 9th of August suckas!  While you guys are rotting at your desk, I'm out learning stuff [sticks tongue out].  If you need immediate assistance, feel free to contact someone else.  If this is an emergency and you really need to reach me....D'ah well. 

The night before my training, my brain taps me on my shoulders, and says YOU BIG DUMMY!!  Well my brain says this because it just realized that I am going to have to be at said training site ON TIME, EVERYDAY (bye bye telework on Tuesday/Friday), and actually pay attention.  Oh my damn is all I can utter, as I walk into the class of 7 people.  I can't get jiggy with this sh*t!!  I need more people so I can fade away in the back ground.  It's going to be obvious if I want to check my phone, go on FB, play Candy Crush.  UGH!!  

So as I face the realization that I need to be a good student and keep my electronics tucked away in my purse until breaks and lunch, I start to check out my surroundings.  I realize I am at the table with all the guys.  The "lady table" is all full.  Honestly, this was a blessing in disguise.  

So day 1, the school gives each class a box of Dunkin Donuts in the morning.  A nice gesture I suppose.  Well everyone is just staring at the closed box like it was the Jumanji box.  They looked scared.  So me being the greedy person that I am, jumped up and grabbed a donut.  Then here goes the "lady table":  "Oh keep those away from me, I worked out for 1.5 hours this morning.  That is just bad stuff right there. I am eating right."  They are ALL cackling about watching their weight and not eating junk.  I just smiled and ate my glazed donut.  Then the guys jump up and grab their donut.  I'd like the record to show that not more than a few hours later, AFTER lunch, these heffas (don't be offended, that's just what I jokingly call people) are snacking on flavored sunflower seeds, jalepeno cheetos, Starbucks and Mt. Dew.  I just shook my head. 

Then you know in every training you have certain types of people.   You know who I'm talking about right?  No?  Ok, let me give you the quick break down.  

"Well-Actually..."

 The "Well-Actually" person is the person that always has to correct the teacher based on their 2 mins in the government.  The teacher says something, and this person says "well actually, in my department we aren't allowed to do that."  They always have something to say, and usually make the class about them, and how they are better than this class, and they do this stuff already.

"It's Just Allergies"

This lady started coughing on day one of the training.  Someone offered her peppermint tea, and she declined.  She said she just has a tickle in her throat.  This woman has been coughing non stop since Monday!! That's not a tickle ma'am!! That's germs!  Yek!!  But there is always a sicky in the group that blames their diseased sneezes and coughs on allergies or throat tickling. 

"Busy Body"

 This is the person that feels that while they enrolled in this course, everything else in life is more important.  The busy body of my class was actually "Well Actually" too.  So while she was schooling us on what they do at her job, she was also checking her email on her laptop, that she set up at a vacant table, checking her blackberry, and sending text messages.  Not to mention that she had to stand up during most of the class because she has a back injury.  Now I am not trying to diminish the fact that she has back problems, but don't look around the room for confirmation that the class sees you getting up and walking around.  Just do what you need to, stop making a scene. 

"Smarty Pants"

 Smarty pants knows everything.  He's usually really quiet, but you know he knows the answers.  I was at the table with smarty pants.  I hope my table mates couldn't tell, but I didn't really validate my answers until I saw his.  I mean I would compare my answers with the other people, but gave them the side eye until I compared with him.  It got to the point where I would ask a question, and not even hear the other two because I was waiting on Smarty Pants to reply.  I know it's wrong, but it's the truth.  He made me feel smart. LOL.

"Tha Joka"

Now what is any type of class without the class clown.  He is always making jokes, and scanning the room to see who's laughing.  He's not always funny, but he gives it his best shot.  I have one in my class, and he sits at my table.  The only reason why he doesn't annoy me is because I know why he keeps joking around.  He's an older gentlemen and not really good at math,  and I can tell he uses "humor" to deflect the fact that he is still on problem 2 when we are on problem 20.  I get it.  So when he starts cracking jokes, someone leans in and starts helping him.  

Of course there are many more characters in the wonderful world of training, but I figured I would just rattle off a few of my top favorite.  I still have a week left of this training.  I am frightfully interested in who the cast will be for next weeks training.  

Pray for me yall!!  LOL!!