By Andi Packheiser
 
​As the new year begins, we often reflect on our past year’s achievements and look for areas where we can practice self improvement. However, it’s near impossible for a New Year’s Resolution to be sustainable, much less possible, without a solid, attainable, and tailored Individual Development Plan. An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is described by the University of California San Diego as, “a tool to organize and target your professional and personal development.  Its primary purpose is to help you reach short- and long-term career goals, as well as strengthen current job performance by providing a structured approach.”

By Robbin Koenig
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By Amy Massack
Are you still looking for a belated holiday gift?  Or perhaps thinking ahead to the next holiday or birthday right around the corner?  We’re here to help!  Below are some fun ideas for STEM-related gifts for the girls (and guys) in your life. Links are below the gift descriptions; happy shopping!
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By Jasmine Dyoco

By Alice Chou

Learn how to see. Realize that everything is connected to everything else.
​-          Leonardo da Vinci

By Emily Davidson
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As the holidays approach, here is your quick guide for STEM-inspired gifts for the budding scientistas in your life!

For the 3-5 year old:
This fun lab activity set by Learning Resources ® will have any preschooler feeling like a real scientist. Complete with test tubes, goggles, and a beaker, young girls can learn about scientific equipment while performing simple, hands-on experiments.

By Lauren Koenig
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The trend of STEM inspired gift-giving continues this year, with more options to choose from than ever before! We’re excited to see more gift ideas that integrate the “A for art” into STEAM toys and activities.

By Darren Incorvaia
              
October (or as I like to call it, Spookytime) is without a doubt the greatest month of the year. Ghosts, ghouls, and gremlins prowl around every corner; dentists put down payments on that new boat they’ve been eyeing; everything is right with the world. The truly great thing about spookiness, however, is that it transcends the month of October. Spooky stuff can happen at any time of year, and can even find a home in a subject that many people (incorrectly) assume to be dull and dry—science. That’s right, science can be spooky, and if you don’t believe me I’ve got the receipts to prove it. Humans may have to settle for trick OR treat, but other animals are more than capable of having both…

By Lauren Koenig
 
From DIY to last-minute-buy, it’s not too late to inject some science into your Halloween costume this year. Full disclosure: I love science-themed costumes! My personal experience in the biological sciences has convinced me that scientists and costume parties go together like caddisflies and precious gems – that is, some Scientista fashionistas excel at turning their day jobs into wearable works of art. Without further ado, here are this year’s top picks:

By Jennifer Banarez

"Help! I need Help!"
A disheveled, red-faced, soccer coach storms through the emergency room doors carrying a limp, sunburned child.  There were about ten girls behind the coach.  All were wearing their stripped soccer uniforms and gulping down water from the fountain.  Each was just as sunburned as the limp child and covered in dirt from the field.  It was 1:30 PM in July 112 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest temperature on record so far.