Author: Mia

Worst Cities for STEM Jobs

With “getting a better job” being one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) jobs expected to grow 1.7 times faster than non-STEM professions between 2008 and 2018, the leading personal finance social network WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2015’s Best & Worst Metro Areas for STEM Professionals.

On the heels of our earlier report on the Best & Worst Cities to Find a Job, WalletHub analyzed the 100 most populated metropolitan statistical areas across 11 key metrics to help STEM professionals find the best markets for their valuable occupations. Our data set ranges from job openings per capita for STEM graduates to annual median wage growth for STEM jobs.

Boston, Cambridge, Newton ranked #35 for Best Metro Areas for STEM Professionals.

Best Metro Areas for STEM Professionals		Worst Metro Areas for STEM Professionals
1	Houston, TX	91	Lakeland, FL
2	Austin, TX	T-92	El Paso, TX
3	Raleigh, NC	T-92	Stockton, CA
4	Denver, CO	94	Cape Coral, FL
5	Omaha, NE	95	Deltona, FL
6	Seattle, WA	96	Oxnard, CA
7	Oklahoma City, OK	97	Fresno, CA
8	Salt Lake City, UT	98	North Port, FL
9	Columbus, OH	99	Riverside, CA
10	Cincinnati, OH	100	Miami, FL

Key Stats

The job openings per capita for STEM graduates are 12 times higher in San Jose, Calif., than in North Port, Fla.
The percentage of all workers in STEM occupations is five times higher in San Jose, Calif., than in McAllen, Texas.
The projected number of STEM jobs needed in 2018 per capita is 13 times higher in Washington than in Baton Rouge, La.
The unemployment rate for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher is four times higher in Riverside, Calif., than in Ogden, Utah.
The annual median wage for STEM workers (adjusted for cost of living) is two times higher in Houston than in Honolulu.
The housing affordability for STEM professionals is two times higher in Winston-Salem, N.C., than in Honolulu.

For the full report and to see where your metro area ranks, please go here.

January 26, 2015

Scholarship for Advanced Middle School Students
EdX and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Announce Middle School Scholarship Challenge

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and edX today announced a scholarship challenge for advanced middle school students. Every eligible seventh grade student who successfully completes one of the five selected edX courses will secure a semi-finalist position in the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program.

The Young Scholars Program, a selective pre-college scholarship for high-performing middle school students with financial need, includes individualized academic advising, financial support, and a pathway to the foundation’s $40,000 per year College Scholarship.

The selected edX courses, which are designed for advanced high school and college-level students, are as follows:
- UT AustinX Jazz Appreciation (Starts Jan 20, 10 weeks)
- UC BerkeleyX Frankenstein (Starts Feb 2, 4 weeks)
- HarveyMuddX Programming in Scratch (Starts Feb 2, 6 weeks)
- DartmouthX Introduction to Environmental Science (Starts Feb 3, 6 weeks)
- HarvardX Super-Earths and Life (Starts Feb 10, 6 weeks)
“Through this unique partnership, we hope to identify academically gifted students to apply to the Young Scholars Program who we may be missing through traditional outreach,” said Harold Levy, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and former chancellor of New York City public schools. “The courses are rigorous, so seventh graders earning a certificate are likely the kind of students who would thrive in the foundation’s scholarship programs.”

“We are proud to partner with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to identify and support enthusiastic and motivated young scholars who may otherwise not have an opportunity to further their education,” said Anant Agarwal, edX CEO. “Our edX mission to provide quality education to everyone aligns with the Young Scholars Program, and we are honored to reach these students online where they are learning today.”

All of the selected edX courses offer free honor code certificates. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program receives 1,000-2,000 applications each year from some of the brightest students in the US. Typically, 500 applicants are advanced as semi-finalists.

Registration for the edX courses is open and selected courses begin as soon as January 20, 2015. Applications to the Young Scholars Program must be submitted by April 14, 2015. Details about the partnership and scholarship challenge can be found at www.jkcf.org/edx.

About edX

EdX is a nonprofit, open-source enterprise offering online courses from more than 60 member institutions, composed of both leading global universities and colleges and a diverse group of prominent organizations from around the world. Founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, edX is focused on transforming online and on-campus learning through groundbreaking methodologies, game-like experiences and cutting-edge research on an open-source platform. Based in Cambridge, MA, USA, edX is focused on people, not profit.

About the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Because the Foundation believes that high-performing, low-income students will excel educationally when given the resources to develop their talents, the Foundation offers them support from middle school to graduate school by providing the largest scholarships in the country, in-depth academic counseling, and other direct services. The Foundation also provides grants to prominent organizations that support high performing, low-income students with innovative programming. Founded in 2000 by the estate of Jack Kent Cooke, the Foundation has awarded over $125 million in scholarships to 1,800 students and $79 million in grants. www.jkcf.org
January 25, 2015
FA Day Middle School at Red Sox Game Fundraiser!

Go here to order. Deadline to order is January 28th!

January 23, 2015

Money and Earnings

The Great Recession was hard on all American families. But even as the economic recovery has begun to mend asset prices, not all households have benefited alike, and wealth inequality has widened along racial and ethnic lines.

The median wealth of white households was 13 times the wealth of black households and 10 times that of Hispanic households in 2013, compared with eight and nine times the wealth in 2010, respectively.

Racial, Ethnic Wealth Gaps Since Great Recession (Median HH Net Worth in $xThousands; 2013$)
*Group*	*1983*	*2007*	*2013*
White	$100.0	$192.5	$141.9
Black	10.0	19.2	11.0
Hispanic	10.0	23.6	13.7
Source: PEW Research Center, January 2015

The earnings gap between young adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher and those without has never been greater in the modern era, despite soaring student debt and high youth unemployment.

In 1979, when the first wave of Baby Boomers were the same age that Millennials are today, the typical high school graduate earned about three-quarters (77%) of what a college graduate made.

Today, Millennials with only a high school diploma earn 62% of what the typical college graduate earns.

Median Annual Earnings Among Full Time Workers Age 25 to 32 ($ in Thousands; 2012 Dollars)
	*Annual Earnings*
*Age Cohort*	*Measured In*	*Bachelor’s Degree*	*2 Year Degree College*	*High School Grad*
Silents	1965	$38.8	$33.7	28.0
Early Boomers	1979	42.0	36.5	32.3
Late Boomers	1986	44.8	34.6	30.5
Gen Xers	1995	43.7	32.2	27.9
Millennials	2013	45.5	30.0	28.0
Source: PEW Research Center, January 2015

January 22, 2015

YogaBox Everywhere?! Win FREE Class!

What can boxing do for you? The Fitness Magazine link below was ultimate stress reliever for Caroline McDavid-Seidner and helped her lose 115 pounds.

What can yoga do for you? TEDxTalk yoga teacher used yoga to help criminals reconnect with themselves to find their way back to living with society.

What about boxing and yoga as a combination? We think you can use the boxing for stress relief (aka getting your agression out), cardio workout, self-empowerment and muscle strengthening … BOX IN.

And the yoga for core strengthening, flexibility, lengthening, focus on the moment, and stress relief … YOGA OUT.

BOX in … YOGA out for a full mind, body and life workout in just 75 minutes!

We hope that you can join us on Tuesdays for YogaBox™ starting at 9:00 am and ending at 10:15 am. It’s a New Year and NOW is a great time to make the time for yourself to reach your fitness goals!

Nonantum Boxing Club
75 Adams St
Newton, MA 02458

Will Boxing Help Me Lose Weight?

Here’s an article from Fitness Magazine: Boxing Helped Me Shed 115 Pounds

Fitness Magazine
Pummeling a punching bag is the ultimate stress reliever for Caroline McDavid-Seidner, 25 and helped her lose weight.

Can Yoga Help with Addiction Issues?

Can yoga help people break away from a life of crime or drug addiction? As a long time Yoga-teacher Alexander helped heavy criminals and people with addictions master their lives, and cope. Here’s an interesting TEDxTalk:

Win FREE YogaBox Class!

Can you spot this? Dawn has been finding boxing images everywhere in Newton! Do you know where she found this pair of boxing gloves? Hint: It’s a place that might really like YogaBox! Leave your answer in the comments below. First person to get it right wins a free YogaBox class!

January 21, 2015
Open House at new Cardio High gym

Please join us for an Open House at the new Cardio High gym, on Saturday, January 24, 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Cardio High officially opened on January 5. At the Open House, we’re welcoming friends and neighbors to take a tour of new facility, see our state-of-the-art equipment, and watch live 5-minute demos of our program.

All guests receive free Cardio High swag. After the Open House, you’re invited to join us for drinks at Bocca Bella Bistro and Café – located just steps away. Cardio High is located at 271B Auburn Street in Auburndale — in same building as Abraxis Framing.

If you can’t make it on Jan 24, you’re welcome to drop by anytime for a tour, demo, or free trial class.

Discover the benefits of high intensity interval training (HIIT). A Cardio High workout burns fat for up to 36 hours, improves athletic performance, and helps clients get fit fast. It also minimizes the stress on joints. Learn more at www.cardiohigh.com.

You can also invite people via our Facebook event post.

January 21, 2015
Stone Zoo Deal of the Week!

Stone Zoo is having ‘Deal of the Week’ through their website.

Each week, Stone Zoo will offer a ‘Deal of the Week’ discount of some sort through February 8!

Week of January 19th: Buy ONE get one FREE!

Coupon deal for Franklin Park Zoo for the month of January here.

January 20, 2015
Astroblast!: New Animated TV Show for Kids

Check out these out-of-this-world adventure this winter with 17 new episodes of Astroblast!, the hit CGI-animated series for preschoolers from Scholastic Media and Sprout!

Astroblast! Code Blue

Astro-Blast! Magazine

The fun blasts off beginning Monday, January 19, at 1pm on Sprout with the debut of two back-to-back, smoothie-powered stories – and kicks-off more than two weeks of brand-new Astroblast! escapades!

Astroblast! follows the zany adventures of Comet, Halley, Sputnik, Radar and Jet, a crew of animals who run the Astroblast Space Station, the coolest hangout in the galaxy, all under the watchful eye of Sal the Octopus. Along with a constantly changing cast of quirky visitors from other planets, the Astroblast Space Station gang cooks up the perfect recipe for promoting positive relationships, self-esteem, good nutrition and physical activity.

Astroblast! is inspired by the Scholastic books of the same name by award-winning author/illustrator Bob Kolar, and every episode offers fun stories with age-appropriate messages about friendship and self-awareness. Like many of Scholastic Media’s popular TV series, Astroblast! is also a perfect choice for kids and families to tune-in to together – and its humor will have viewers of all ages laughing along.

Here’s a sneak peak:

January 19, 2015
Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo at NNHS
Want your teen to be a safer pedestrian, biker, and driver?

Looking for ways to encourage your teen’s positive self image?

Wondering what resources Newton offers for teens and families?

ALL parents/guardians and teens are invited to the

Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices expo
Thursday, January 22
5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Newton North High School
- Discover community resources promoting positive decision making for teens
- Enjoy refreshments and student performances as you browse the exhibits
- The first 50 teens who bring a parent will receive a treat bag
- Raffle grand prize: iPad mini
- “American Ninja Warrior” live demo!
This expo coincides with Junior Parent Night; parents/guardians of juniors are asked to come early to explore the expo.

Walnut and Lowell Street lots and Hull Street will be available for parking. Please observe neighborhood signs and restrictions.

To learn more go to www.NorthPTSO.org.Say you’re coming and invite friends at https://www.facebook.com/events/742044892543333/
January 18, 2015
Ivy and Bean: the Musical!

The JCC Magic Ark Performing Arts Series for Families presents

Ivy and Bean: the Musical!

Monday, January 19 – Special MLK Day Shows

11am and 1pm

Ivy and Bean: the Musical! will be performed at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC on Monday, January 19^th. Show times are11am and 1pm and tickets are $13 general admission. The Leventhal-Sidman JCC is located at 333 Nahanton Street in Newton. Tickets are available Bostonjcc.org/magicark or by calling 617-965-5226.

Win a pair of tickets for each show. Enter HERE!

Produced by Maximum Entertainment and the Tony Award-winning Atlantic Theatre Company, Ivy + Bean: The Musical is based on the New York Times best-selling children’s books series by author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackhall. The popular series explores the unexpected friendship between two very different second graders—the wild and goofy Bean and the quiet, contemplative Ivy. The original book was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book; Editor’s Choice, Best Books by Booklist; and the Best Children’s Books/Best Early Chapter Books by Kirkus Reviews. The latest title in the series ranked #3 on Amazon’s Best Books of 2013 list for ages 6–8.

January 17, 2015

Author: Mia

Will Boxing Help Me Lose Weight?

Can Yoga Help with Addiction Issues?

Win FREE YogaBox Class!