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Optimists and pessimists alike will find something to embrace in the results of the 2011 Trends in International Math and Science St

Welcome to our second weekly roundup of STEM-related news.

Last week, the American Federation of Teachers released a proposal calling for a nationwide 'bar exam' for new teachers.

We're starting a new feature today:

CTEq is looking forward to the December STEM Salon, which is coming up next week a

To stimulate the STEM conversation, we've started curating a list of interesting, STEM related articles that we're reading now. Check them out! Read any other interesting articles this week? Post a link in the comments. 

Why People Really Love Technology, The Atlantic, November 28, 2012

Atlantic editor Alexis Madrigal interviews Intel R&D researcher Genevieve Bell. She's got some fascinating insights into the way we think about gadget adoption -- hint: it's not all about the young guys -- and what tech we may start using soon. Her goal?

In the spirit of the season, we've come up with a few STEM-Ed items that we'd like to see happen in 2013. Some are state initiatives, some federal, some private, some public, and they're listed in no particular order:

1.) Strong implementation of national standards

Over the next year, many states will be more fully incorporating Common Core State Standards into their curricula, with an eye toward full implementation in 2013-2014. Adopting the new standards will mean new textbooks, new materials, new assessments, and new technology. All of these may, without proper funding, face significant barriers. 

To complement Common Core, the Next Generation Science Standards (Next Gen) are also coming down the pike. They'll be in the final stages of review early next year. Both sets of standards get students, teachers, and schools across the country on the same page when it comes to math and science skills, and have incredible potential. But the devil's in the details, and it's important to get those right, too. 

2.) Continued innovations in STEM education 

The latest round of Investing in Innovation grants put a strong emphasis on STEM programs, whether it's

Saying "DARPA" might conjure up some sci-fi or high-tech images. But DARPA -- the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, or the research arm of the Department of Defense -- invests far and wide in tech (one of their earlier investments was in a little thing called the Internet). And one of their most recent investments can help high schoolers get involved in tech research, with potentially huge implications. 

As reported by NPR, DARPA  has committed $10 million to "hackerspaces" -- or equipped, democratic workspaces designed to tech creation and innovation -- in high schools. These freewheeling spaces