Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates the 5th Annual Massachusetts STEM Week at Northeastern University

 Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates the 5^th Annual Massachusetts STEM Week at Northeastern University

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Education Secretary James Peyser and Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun to kick off the 5^th annual statewide Massachusetts STEM Week, an effort launched in 2018 to inspire students in all grades, from elementary school to college, to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The kickoff event was held at Northeastern University, with the Governor signing a proclamation officially declaring October 17 through 21 as Massachusetts STEM Week.

Schools, colleges and universities, museums and businesses will hold STEM-focused events for young people. During the kickoff event, Northeastern University students, who are part of a team invited to design and build a Mars Rover that can compete at the Mars Desert Research Society in Utah, demonstrated their work. 

On Wednesday, several businesses will host tours and job shadow opportunities to give students a glimpse of STEM occupations as part of Industry Day, a new STEM Week effort this year aimed at making more connections between students and employers. Throughout the week, approximately 25,000 students in more than 1,000 classrooms will participate in one of six Design Challenges, which give students more exposure and experience in STEM subjects in an engaging and hands-on manner, announced earlier this year. 

Strengthening STEM education in all schools has been a priority of the Baker-Polito Administration since taking office in 2015. Lt. Governor Polito co-chairs the STEM Advisory Council along with U.S. Congressman Jake Auchincloss, and Dr. Jeffrey Leiden, executive chairman of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The STEM Advisory Council is appointed by the Governor and includes education and business leaders in STEM industries that work to promote STEM education, partnerships among industries and schools, and internships for students. 

“When our administration held the first annual STEM Week in 2018, we aimed to offer students, teachers and employers throughout the Commonwealth an opportunity to explore exciting fields of study and industries that benefit from hands-on skills and experience in STEM,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Since then, we have been proud to grow and expand STEM Week throughout the Commonwealth, ensuring that more organizations and businesses recognize the importance of encouraging young people to gain knowledge and skills in these in-demand fields.” 

“As Co-Chair of the STEM Advisory Council, it has been a privilege each year to host the annual, statewide Massachusetts STEM Week and ensure that students of all ages have the opportunity to see themselves succeeding in cutting-edge, leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics industries,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration has made strides in expanding STEM achievement and growing more robust STEM curriculum and training programs, but it’s imperative that this important work continues so that the next generation of our STEM workforce grows and thrives.” 

“Educators say students are more engaged and curious about their courses and learn how to problem solve through experiential learning, said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Exploring different fields helps students grow to their fullest potential. When students have a sense of purpose, they become more engaged in their studies, able to easily see how it all fits into the future they would like to create for themselves.” 

“Massachusetts is the STEM powerhouse of the next generation. But there are challenges: we face deep math learning loss due to COVID. We must redouble our efforts to improve math education so that every teacher and student can be successful,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss 

“It is well known that future economic growth is directly connected to the STEM fields,” said President Joseph E. Aoun of Northeastern University. “To further our competitive edge here in the Commonwealth—and the nation—we need to go beyond STEM. Students who master technology, data, and human literacies will be the graduates who shape our knowledge economy.”  

“STEM Week represents another opportunity to provide students across the Commonwealth with hands-on STEM experiences, with the goal of creating high-quality pathways into a STEM career throughout a student’s educational journey,” said Jeffrey Leiden, M.D. Ph.D., Executive Chairman at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. “As the largest biotech company in Boston, we at Vertex believe it’s important to be a leader in investing in STEM education and partnering with the community to ensure all students — particularly young women and those who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM — continue to have the opportunities they need to pursue and succeed in a STEM career.” 

Since taking office in 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has been committed to equipping students, teachers, and schools across Massachusetts with the resources necessary to expand access to STEM studies. 

Among its successes, the administration has worked to: 

• Expand college and career pathways for young people to pursue industry-recognized credentials.
• Invested in equipment, awarding more than $153 million in Skills Capital Grants to high schools, colleges, and other educational institutions to modernize classrooms and labs.
• Developed the Career Technical Initiative (CTI), turning vocational schools into three-shifts-a-day education sites so more young people and adults gain career experience and credentials.
• Boosted enrollment in vocational-technical programs by 8,000 more students than enrolled in 2015.
• Launched Innovation Pathway early career programs at 60 high schools to give thousands of students both technical courses and workplace internships in STEM fields.
• Adopted new digital literacy and computer science curriculum standards, giving public school students the first statewide computer science curriculum framework.
• Provided teachers statewide with access to professional development and high-quality applied learning STEM curriculum.
• Deepened partnerships between educational institutions and employers to offer more work-based learning experiences in STEM fields. 

The need for STEM graduates particularly impacts Massachusetts because growth in these jobs will outpace average job growth and is projected to account for 40 percent of total employment increases in Massachusetts. According to 2018-2028 Massachusetts job growth projections, STEM occupations will grow at 7.2% versus 3% across all occupations. 

Yet, women and minority groups continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields in Massachusetts and across the country. Outside of healthcare, there are roughly three men to every woman in STEM jobs like computer science, mathematics, engineering, and 2020 data estimated that just 27% of STEM workers are non-white. In Massachusetts, just 5% of the STEM workforce is Black, and just 6% Hispanic. 

STEM Week is a collaborative effort with the STEM Advisory Council, which is working to generate interest from the business community for STEM Week activities around the Commonwealth, and foster partnerships with school districts. The state’s Regional STEM Networks plan and coordinate activities for STEM Week in conjunction with the STEM Advisory Council. Regional STEM networks connect educators, community leaders, and industry partners in order to foster opportunities for students in STEM fields. 

To learn more, www.massstemweek.org 

Healey & Driscoll 宣佈社區學院就業培訓計畫

Healey & Driscoll Release New Job Training Plan for Community Colleges

BOSTON – Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll released a new policy today to address the workforce shortage and need for improved job training programs. Their proposal, known as MassReconnect, will help support older and non-traditional students to complete their education and train them for good jobs in critical industries including health care, education, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and behavioral health. 

Modeled on programs in Michigan and Tennessee, MassReconnect will fund community college certificates and degrees for the Commonwealth’s residents who are 25 years old and up and have not yet earned a college degree credential. Students can pursue either high-quality certificates or degrees depending on which will better serve their career goals. 

“Our growing industries need more trained workers, and our residents need access to affordable education opportunities,” said Healey. “Under a Healey-Driscoll Administration, we’ll prioritize programs like our MassReconnect proposal to make job training available to more residents looking to get ahead in good-paying fields like health care and clean energy.”

“I’m the proud product of a state university, and I know how an affordable public education can open up new opportunities for hardworking people,” said Driscoll. “The MassReconnect program would allow older students to gain access to the industries that need workers the most through our excellent community colleges here in Massachusetts.”

MassReconnect covers more than just tuition, including costs such as mandatory fees, including lab and course-specific fees, application and graduation fees, as well as the cost of textbooks and course materials. The program provides last-dollar financial support through grants and scholarships, leveraging existing federal financial aid available for students and creating savings for the state, as well.

MassReconnect focuses on adults and is open to all Massachusetts residents over 25 with a high school diploma or equivalent, regardless of GPA or where they attended high school. The program allows for part-time enrollment, so students can work and raise their families while earning their credentials.  

According to U.S. Census data, more than 1.8 million Massachusetts residents over the age of 25 have a high school diploma or equivalent but no higher education credential, roughly 38% of this entire age group. Students of color and low-income students enroll and graduate at lower rates, and carry a greater unmet need for direct costs. 

麻州州長候選人Maura Healey當選機會濃 15日進華埠拜票

麻州州長候選人Maura Healey在波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)等許多華人出席支持中，來到華埠拜票，(黃周麗桃提供)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 民主黨籍的麻州州長候選人奚莉 (Maura Healey) 10月15日下午1點，由波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 等政要陪同，首度踏進華埠拜票，在天下為公牌樓前和逾百名支持者晤面。

麻州州長候選人Maura Healey(右三)和波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) (右二)、麻州總檢察長
候選人Andrea Campbell (左三)，聯邦眾議員Steven Lynch 左二))等人於 9 月24號到IBEW 103
的總部，為11月8日的大選誓師出征。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)

               近20年來，從Deval Patrick開始，接著有查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)， 踏進華埠拜票的州長候選人，最後都當上州長，還都連選連任地各當了8年州長。

麻州州長候選人Maura Healey 宣稱這是場價值觀競爭的選舉。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)

               刻正競選州長的奚莉，這天比前2任都大陣仗的進華埠拜票，似乎是延續，也擴大了了這一傳統。她在感謝眾人出席時強調，州市政府合作在創造機會，促進地方繁榮上十分重要，包括選票問題在內，這次的選舉還可能讓太多事務陷入危在旦夕處境，她希望大家在未來3週能積極游說朋友、家人出席投票。

15日這天，不但有華裔的波士頓市長吳弭，麻州眾議員陳德基 (Tacky Chan) ，康州總檢察長湯偉麟 (William Tong)，還有麻州眾議員麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz)、波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)等政要聯袂站台。

麻州州長候選人Maura Healey (中) 與支持者，右起黃國麟，余麗媖，黃周麗桃等人合影。
(黃周麗桃提供)

在麻州政治圈十分活躍的李超榮 (Leverett Wing)，華人前進會名譽主席李素影，具有紐英崙中華公所主席身分的雷國輝，波士頓華商會副會長陳仕維，財政余麗媖，紐英崙至孝篤親公所主席陳文珊，黃氏公所主席黃偉健，議長黃國麟，紐英崙至德三德公所元老黃周麗桃、主席曹品慈，紐英崙龍岡親義公所主席關莉莎，鳳倫公所主席司徒宗達，曾任萊鎮華盟主席王華等麻州郊區與波士頓華埠的華裔僑團首長，也都聚攏在華埠牌樓前為奚莉助陣，在麻州華人圈中締造了前所未見的派系融合支持同一候選人的場面。

               波士頓市長吳弭事後在推特上發文表示，給你們自己一位喜歡蛋塔，進華埠拉票的州長。

麻州眾議員麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz) (前)，陳德基(右一)，華人前進會榮譽主席李素影(右二)
都來站台，為Maura Healey (右三)助陣。(黃周麗桃提供)

               今年的麻州州長選舉，包括哈佛大學教授Danielle Allen，麻州參議員陳翟蘇妮 (Sonia Chang Diaz)等民主黨的參選人，在9月6日的初選前已一一退選，共和黨籍聲勢最強的參選人Geoff Diehl與奚莉的民調差距又頗大，人們普遍認為奚莉將在11月8日的大選後，成為麻州下任州長。

               愛默生學院 (Emerson)和WGBH在9月份向700多選民所做的民調也顯示，麻州選民52%支持奚莉，34%支持Diehl，有12%未決定，3.5%表示要選其他人，奚莉的勝算最大。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) (中)和波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn特地來站台。
(黃周麗桃提供)

               在競選經費上，奚莉也大幅領先Diehl。根據麻州競選及政治財務辦公室的資料，從今年1月到10月15日止，奚莉共籌募約438萬元，Geoffrey Diehl募到958,383元。從今年1月1日至9月30日，兩人未競選，依序分別花了433萬元和92萬6千餘元，截至9月30日止的手頭現金依序為355萬8千餘元和8萬8千餘元。

               不過在初選之前全力護航Andrea Campbell角逐麻州總檢察官席位，繼承她位置的奚莉，儘管局勢一面倒的顯示她將是下任州長，但她仍然積極拜票。

波士頓市長吳弭(左起)，康州總檢察長湯偉麟 (William Tong)，麻州眾議員麥家威
 (Aaron Michlewitz)，麻州州長候選人Maura Healey，紐英崙至孝篤親公所主席陳文珊，
波士頓華商會副會長陳仕維等人到糕餅店買蛋塔。 (圖片取自吳弭臉書)

               9月24日，奚莉還和波士頓市長吳弭，麻州總檢察長候選人Andrea Campbell，聯邦眾議員Steven Lynch，以及波士頓市議員Michael Flaherty， Erin Murphy，將順利連任的薩福克郡治安官Steven Tompkins等人，聯袂來到IBEW 本地103分會總部，為11月8日的大選” 誓師出發” ，上路拜票。

               10月12日，奚莉和Diehl還做了一次辯論，內容主要是關於川普 (Trump)、墮胎 (Abortion) 及投資。

               2022年的這場州級大選，登記成為選民的截止日期是10月29日，從10月22日起至11月4日可提早投票，申請郵寄投票的日期是11月1日。選票上的州長候選人將有4人，包括民主黨奚莉，共和黨Geoff Diehl，以及自由派的生意人Kevin Reed，右派維權人士Dianna Ploss。

司徒宗達(左二)曾是電工工會成員，和關麗莎等人一起在IBEW   103 會只為Maura Healey舉牌。

 

Maura  Healey在籌款會中感謝出席者支持。

麻州環保廳提醒人們提防黑熊出沒

 State Environmental Officials Remind Public of Black Bear Presence and Provide Tips to Avoid Conflicts

 

BOSTON – With black bears actively trying to increase body fat ahead of the winter season, the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) are asking the public to help keep bears wild by removing all easily available food sources, such as bird seed feeders and unsecured trash cans. During this time of year, black bears across Massachusetts are in the process of fattening up in preparation for hibernation, which begins as early as November. Importantly, because they don’t eat or drink during hibernation, fall is an important time for bears to gain the fat reserves required to keep them alive during the winter season.

 

“Some bears have become accustomed to human-associated foods, such as bird seed, trash, and pet food, and are more likely to unfortunately cause damage and become a nuisance,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “Removal of food sources and other attractants is key to preventing problems with bears.”

 

Black bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both vegetation and meat. In the fall, they enter what is called hyperphagia, a compulsion to consume as much high-calorie food as possible. While bears naturally seek out calorie-rich foods like ripened corn and stands of oak, beech, and hickory trees, they will also visit bird feeders, chicken coops, orchards, and beehives. It is not unusual for bears to use residential areas, and they are often attracted to yards by bird feeders and unsecured trash.

 

“It’s important for the public to understand that just seeing a bear is not a public safety threat,” said Massachusetts Environmental Police Colonel Shaun Santos. “As the bear range expands eastward, many communities will begin seeing bears for the first time and residents will need to learn important strategies to coexist with bears.”

 

Depending on food availability and snow cover, bears enter their winter dens between mid-November and early December and exit between early March and mid-April. Bears commonly den in brush piles, under fallen trees or jumbles of rocks, or in mountain laurel thickets. A litter of usually two or three cubs is born in the den in mid-to-late January and they remain with the sow (adult female) for about 17 months.

 

“Here in Massachusetts, we have been tracking the movements of bears for many years,” said MassWildlife Black Bear Project Leader Dave Wattles. “Our research shows that bears will keep revisiting neighborhoods where bird feeders and other human-foods are present. They remember the location of food sources year after year, and this information is often passed from the sow to her cubs.”

 

With the increasing number of black bears found in many areas of Massachusetts, it is important for all residents to know how to prevent problems. While people living in western Massachusetts have been coexisting with bears for years, others in the eastern part of the state may be surprised to learn that black bears likely live nearby as well. In the mid-1970s, the Massachusetts black bear population was estimated at under 100, and now today the population is estimated to be over 4,500. The public plays a key role in preventing problems with bears now and into the future. To be effective, it's important for entire neighborhoods to adhere to the following guidelines:

 

Bird feeders

• If you live in an area with bears, it is best to avoid bird feeders altogether. Bears finding a bird feeder, bird seed, corn or other bird food will often revisit that site. Bird feeders draw bears closer to people, resulting in bears losing their fear of people. This process is called habituation. It’s not safe for bears or people to be close to one another. If you choose to put out feeders, doing so in the winter when bears are denned decreases the chances of a bear coming to your feeder. In general, most bears are denned from mid-December through February. Although most bears in Massachusetts enter winter dens, MassWildlife biologists have tracked bears that remained active for some or all of the winter if food is available. It is important that you remove the entire feeder at the first sign of bear activity.
• Many wild animals are attracted to bird feeders including wild turkeys and coyotes. Since bird feeders attract small mammals like squirrels, they can also attract animals like fishers and bobcats who prey upon the smaller animals.
• For those people who enjoy birds in their yard, MassWildlife suggests growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Adding a water feature is a big draw for birds.  Taking these actions may increase the diversity of birds you see and will prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife.
• Some bears have learned to empty bird feeders without destroying the feeder. DO NOT continue to fill a feeder.
• Do not leave empty feeders out. Residual smell and the sight of feeders can still attract bears.

 

Bees, chickens, crops, and livestock

• Use electric fencing to keep bears out and protect your property. Learn how to properly install an electric fence.

 

Garbage, compost, and other attractants

• Store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. Do not leave your garbage barrels outside overnight. Rather, put them by the roadside before pickup. Using double bags or sprinkling with ammonia will help reduce odors. Bears and other wild and domestic animals will tip cans and scatter garbage. Smelly cans may attract bears even if there isn’t anything in them, so store garbage cans inside.
• Compost responsibly. Do not throw meat scraps, greasy, oily or sweet materials in your compost pile. These kinds of food attract bears and other animals.
• Bear-proof garbage cans may be available from municipalities or waste management contractors. In communities where bears are more common, bear-proof dumpsters are recommended for apartments, condos and campgrounds.
• Clean greasy barbecues and grills after each use. Do not leave food scraps, grease containers or spilled grease in your yard.

 

Pet owners

• Pet food is a tasty treat for bears so don’t leave pet food outdoors.
• The presence of a dog could trigger a bear to be aggressive. Keep dogs leashed and never let dogs chase or interact with bears.
• Check your yard for bears before letting your dog out.
• If you encounter a bear while with your dog, back away slowly and leave the area.

 

For more information about black bears and how to prevent conflicts, please visit MassWildlife’s webpage regarding the species.

麻州公共衛生官員鼓勵人們接種流感及新冠疫苗

 Massachusetts Public Health Officials Urge Vaccinations for Flu and COVID-19 as Flu Season Begins

 

 

BOSTON (October 14, 2022) – With flu season underway, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging residents to get their flu shot and get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster for which they are eligible.

 

October is an ideal time to get a flu vaccine before the flu season reaches its peak. Every person over the age of 6 months is recommended to get a flu shot annually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that people 65 years and older get a high-dose flu vaccine this season. Individuals can receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines in the same visit, including from many retail pharmacies. Both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines are safe and effective, and have been shown to reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

 

“Every flu season is different, and while it is difficult to predict severity, vaccination remains the best way for people to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities against flu,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “Now is also a good time for residents to get their COVID-19 vaccines and updated bivalent booster if they haven’t yet, particularly those who are at increased risk of developing serious illness. This includes people with certain chronic health conditions.”

 

DPH began its statewide surveillance reporting for the 2022-2023 flu season the first week of October. Beginning today, October 14, weekly data will be reported every Friday, including metrics measuring the severity of influenza-like illness, hospital visits, and flu-related hospitalizations across Massachusetts. Since October 2, 96 lab-confirmed flu cases have been reported in Massachusetts. The majority of individuals with influenza-like illness are not tested; therefore, the number of positive test results does not reflect the total number of influenza cases in Massachusetts.

 

Federal public health officials are expecting higher flu activity this season as compared to the previous years based upon the high number of cases recorded this past winter in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in Australia.

 

The flu can be very serious. Nearly every year in the United States, millions of people get the flu, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands die from flu-related illnesses. The most common symptoms of flu are fever, cough, and sore throat. Symptoms can also include body aches, headaches, chills, runny nose, and fatigue.

 

Flu vaccination is especially important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, such as those with a chronic respiratory condition, heart disease, a weakened immune system, or who are pregnant. Because flu and COVID-19 are both expected to be circulating this fall, and may have similar symptoms, people with flu-like illness should get tested for both COVID and flu. 

 

COVID and flu vaccines are both widely available for everyone 6 months and older. Other actions that people can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like flu and COVID-19 include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and practicing good hand hygiene.

 

“It’s important that everybody over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine annually, and even more so this year because the lack of infection over the past couple of flu seasons likely means there is less immunity to flu than in prior years,” said Dr. Larry Madoff, Medical Director of DPH’s Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. “The flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine or booster can be given during the same visit. We really urge people to get vaccinated to protect themselves, those around them, and to help prevent the circulation of flu on top of COVID, which could cause a strain on our health care system.”

 

DPH has launched a new seasonal flu public awareness campaign for television, online, and on billboards across the state encouraging residents to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 to keep themselves, their family, and community healthy. People who have questions about getting both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the same visit should speak with a health care provider. See more information on how to find a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine site near you.

 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, visit mass.gov/covid19. For more information about influenza, visit mass.gov/influenza or call your health care provider, local board of health, or DPH at (617) 983-6800.