TxGCP STEM Google Groups Across Texas
The TxGCP Google Groups are open to companies, organizations, schools, universities, individuals and others engaged in K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach. The purpose of the regional Google Groups is to provide connections, resources and a sense of community across all engaged in K-12 STEM outreach in the region.
Anyone subscribed to one or more of the regional Texas STEM Google Groups may send messages to the group(s) to which they are subscribed. The Google Groups, launched by the Texas Girls Collaborative Project in 2010, are open to companies, organizations, schools, universities, individuals, and others engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outreach and education. The purpose of the regional STEM Google Groups is to provide connections, resources, and a sense of community across all engaged in STEM outreach and education in the region. The list of Google Groups and links to subscribe can be found at https://www.txgcp.org/k-12-stem-outreach-google-grou -- share in your networks so the lists continue to be vibrant, active, and far-reaching!
How to Send a Message to One or More Google Groups:
Sending messages to a Google Group is no different than sending a message to an individual from your preferred email system (gmail, outlook, etc.). Open up a new message, add the email address for the Google Group in the “To” field, craft your clearly constructed, STEM-related email with a clear subject line, add your contact information in your signature block (be sure your signature block includes your email address!!), and hit “Send” to push your email into the moderation queue. Emails are typically approved within 24 hours but may take up to 72 hours so plan accordingly if your message has a short window of relevancy.
“FROM” Field: The email must come from the email address subscribed to the Google Group. Only Google Group subscribers may send messages to the subscribed-to Google Group. You may subscribe to more than one Google Groups to send to more than one group across the state.
“TO” Field: Enter the email address for the STEM Google Group(s) you are subscribed to and wish to send a message out to. If you plan to send your message to more than one Google Group, enter ALL the Google Group addresses into the “To” field and send as one email. Google Groups are smart enough to know if someone is subscribed to more than one list and won’t send them multiple emails for your one message (please don’t SPAM subscribers!). The list of Google Group emails is below – these are the email addresses you would enter into the “To” field.
CLEAR SUBJECT
CLEAR CONTENT that is STEM-related:
Be sure your message is STEM-related
No asking for money, sponsorship requests, fundraising pleas, fundraising gala invites, etc. or it won’t make it through the moderation process; it’s ok if your program has a fee, but if you are for-profit trying to sell something, this is not the place (the Google Groups are not free advertising for for-profit businesses)
No forwarding of newsletters (google group subscribers did not subscribe to your newsletter); feel free to pull STEM content from your newsletter to share with an invitation to join your newsletter or listserv; or forward to the groups exciting or relevant STEM content from other newsletters you may be subscribed to and include your source and a link to where people could subscribe to the newsletter if they are interested
Include content in the body of the message and not just in an attachment or graphic; include links to external resources or registrations or information to make it easy for recipients to access your information; don’t just say “see the attached flyer” and not include any of the relevant content or links in the body of the message…people may never open your flyer or the attachment
Limit graphics within the body of the message so it makes it easily through the listserv to the recipient; HTML and graphics are allowed with Google Group messages
CLEAR SIGNATURE with YOUR CONTACT INFO
Include your full name, email address, and organization at a minimum
Include your role and phone number if appropriate
Include a link to your organization if appropriate
Also please know that if you share something that seems appropriate to share state-wide, or if you clearly state in your email to share this information statewide (and/or beyond), your message will automatically be forwarded the message to the other Google Groups. You do not have to be subscribed to all lists for this to happen. Also, note that content shared with the Google Groups is shared out in our monthly Texas Girls Collaborative Project eNewsletter. The more we all share, the better and richer our STEM community!