Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Opportunity Available

Please share this exciting opportunity with students and teachers in your
area!

Program Dates: Wednesday June 9 to Sunday June 27.

There are no fees to participate in this residential program and all meals
and housing are provided.

12 students will spend the month of June and traveling across Oklahoma and
Nebraska to collect data, excavate fossils, hike, work with real
scientists, and make new friends.

Apply Now!

Paleo Expedition applications are now open to all Oklahoma resident
students currently enrolled in grades 9, 10 and 11.

Students will be chosen based on a competitive application and interview
process.


If you have any questions about this program, please contact us at (405)
325-2802 or explorology@snomnh.ou.edu.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Grants and Workshops Available

Middle and high school students can head to Oklahoma colleges and universities this summer and experience life on campus while exploring exciting careers in math, science and technology. Architecture, forensics and "smart sensors" are a few examples of the fields students can explore at the free 2010 Summer Academies in Math, Science and Technology.
View entire release
The Store Grant has another category--Field Trip Grants. This category has awarded 7,400 grants, totaling more than $6 million, to educators in all 50 states. More than 729,000 students have explored the world outside the classroom with a Target Field Trip Grant. Target staffers tell Federal & Foundation Assistance Monitor that applications will begin being accepted for this grant category on Aug. 1. http://www.cdpublications.com/d092


NanoFocus 2010
April 1-2, 2010 at the Reed Conference Center, Midwest City
Sponsored by The State Chamber of Oklahoma
Due to Spring Break, registration is $95 until Monday, March 22nd. After this date, registration is $125. For more information, see www.oknano.com ( http://www.oknano.com/ ).


Grant Resource - American Honda Foundation
Category - Youth Education
Description - The funding focus of the American Honda Foundation is youth education, specifically in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the environment, job training and literacy, including K-12, colleges and universities, community colleges and trade schools are eligible, as well as nonprofit organizations and other foundations. "Scientific education" encompasses physical and life sciences, mathematics and the environmental sciences.
Size of Grant -$60,000
Cost Sharing or Match - No
Web

Deadline Date - April 1, 2010 Letter of Intent, May 11, 2010 Proposal
Grant Resource - US Department of Education
Category - ARRA Innovation in the Classroom
Description - These ARRA funds support efforts to expand the implementation of innovative classroom instruction techniques. There are three tiers of i3 grants: Scale Up grants (awards up to $50 million each): Funds go to "scale up" practices, strategies or programs with strong evidence that they are having significant effect on improving student achievement or student growth. Validation grants (awards up to $30 million each): These funds support practices, strategies or programs that show promise, but for which there is currently only moderate evidence of success. Development grants (awards up to $5 million each): Funds support proposals that are each based on a "reasonable" hypothesis or theory. Applicants must meet one of the following four absolute priorities to be eligible for funding: 1) Innovations That Support Effective Teachers and Principals. 2) Innovations That Improve the Use of Data. 3) Innovations That Complement the Implementation of High Standards and 4) Innovations That Turn Around Low- Performing Schools. Technical assistance workshops Denver, March 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Marriot Denver Airport at Gateway Park, and Atlanta, March 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport.
Cost Sharing or Match -No
Web - http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-5139.htm

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

eGFI: News For Teachers

The Great beyond

New Space Frontiers

The Moon or Mars? More robots, fewer astronauts? U.S. space policy is in flux, but the thrill of exploration continues. While space tourism beckons the wealthy few, satellites are teaching us more about Earth and how it's changing. An array of activities and lessons can bring the excitement to your classroom. eGFI News For Teachers Newsletter

Learn More about Aerospace

Space Adventures

Students Photograph Earth from Space

Monday, March 15, 2010

PLTW Announces Engineering Alliance

You know firsthand the excitement, sense of adventure, critical thinking and problem-solving that happen each day in PLTW classrooms. Now, we are happy to announce another tool to complement your students' learning adventures: Engineering Alliance

PLTW, the Technology Student Association (TSA), and SkillsUSA have joined forces to develop Engineering Alliance, which adds a competition to each required course offered through the established PLTW curriculum. Students will now be able to compete in online contests and leadership activities that will reinforce problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as add an additional element of fun and friendly challenges to their lessons.

Engineering Alliance was developed in response to requests from PLTW teachers, as well as state career and technical education leaders who saw the need for a program that incorporates student competitions and leadership training in the PLTW curriculum. Communication and presentation ability, diversity, time management, goal-setting, organizational skills, continuous improvement, and teamwork are all addressed through leadership activities and e-learning modules.

PLTW instructors who participated in field testing of Engineering Alliance materials unanimously found that: this program adds value to lessons; competitions are high-level and cognitively rigorous, and; they would recommend Engineering Alliance to other PLTW teachers. Students gain additional motivation and recognition through a program that integrates seamlessly into your existing PLTW structure and is available completely online.

You can join Engineering Alliance right now. Your affiliation will allow you to use the program immediately during the current school year and through the 2010-2011 school year.

To learn more about the Engineering Alliance, or to sign up today, visit www.engineeringalliance.org

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Summer Engineering Academy at the University of Tulsa for Precollege Students

Summer Engineering Academy at the University of Tulsa for Precollege Students June 21-25, 2010--Teachers please pass this great opportunity on to your students.
This academy makes students aware of career opportunities in electrical and mechanical engineering through hands-on design projects, interaction with industry professionals and an integrating project involving accident reconstruction. High school teachers will receive training and assist investigators with the academy's activities. These academies are open to 8th - 12th graders and are sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. For more information contact: Peter LoPresti, peter-lopresti@utulsa.edu or 918.631.3274.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

New Biotechnology Laboratory at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center


Congratulations goes to Southern Technology Center and Dr. Fiona McAlister for her countless hours in writing the grant received from the Noble Foundation and SOTC. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on March 4, 2010 to celebrate the move into the new double laboratory facility.

Date Change for Society of Women Engineers Annual High School Girls' Day

The date has changed from Friday, April 19 to Saturday, April 3 for the Society of Women Engineers Annual High School Girls' Day. For further information...

PLTW Assessment and Evaluation News Alert

Project Lead The Way's (PLTW) Assessment and Evaluation team would like to alert you to some upcoming e-mails and mail communications you will be receiving from Prometric, our new Internet-based testing partners, concerning the required end-of-course examinations. The communication campaign will begin over the next two weeks and will contain pertinent information on the Site Readiness Process that all high school PLTW teachers are expected to complete. Please read the e-mails carefully and contact us if you have questions or concerns. We are making important revisions to the process and we want to make sure you are aware of them.

PLTW end -of- course assessments are required no matter what stage of certification your school is in and no matter what type of schedule -- block, trimester, year-long or other -- your school follows. PLTW and your school, district, and state leadership teams rely on these results to strengthen the quality of your program. 100% participation of every school, teacher, and student is our goal.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Pi Day

Just a reminder that a week from Sunday, March 14, is "pi day" -- 3:14.

Invitation for Teachers

Invitation for Teachers to Participate in the Field Testing
of Middle School and High School Science Assessment Items
AAAS Project 2061 is developing assessment items to measure middle and high school students’ understanding of important science ideas from the National Science Education Standards and the AAAS Benchmarks for Science Literacy. We are recruiting middle and high school science teachers willing to field test our multiple-choice test items with their students in April, May or June of 2010. As an incentive, each participating teacher will receive a copy of Volume 2 of the Atlas of Science Literacy or a $50 gift card from either Borders or Barnes and Noble Bookstore. The assessment should take no longer than 45 minutes to complete, and will cover one of a variety of topics in science. It is not necessary that your students have had formal instruction on any of the topics being tested.
The guidelines for participation are as follows:
You must be a middle or high school science teacher in the United States.
Your students must be in 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
You must obtain permission to participate from the appropriate school or district personnel.
You must return all testing materials to AAAS Project 2061. Pre-paid shipping labels will be provided.
This study is not intended to evaluate teachers or students. Individual students will not be identifiable, and teacher information will remain strictly confidential. Our only interest is to learn how students respond to these test items so that we can design test items that are valid measures of what middle and high school students know about important science ideas.
If you are able to participate, please click the link below and complete the registration form that follows. Participation in this study is limited, so registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If necessary, we will also adjust our selections to achieve representation from urban, rural, and suburban schools from different parts of the country. Teachers who are selected to participate will be notified by email.
2010 Project 2061 Field Testing registration
The deadline for registration is April 2nd, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact the coordinator of this assessment study by email at 2061assessment@aaas.org or by phone at 1-202-326-6207.

Role of Elements in Life

Role of Elements in Life
More than 30 elements have a key function in helping plants and animals live and stay healthy. Elements are the basic building blocks of our lives. Elements combine with one another in different proportions to form everything from the air that we breathe, to the wood that we use to build our homes, to our own bodies. Some of the major elements that our bodies use to function properly are described along with some surprising minor elements.

InvenTeam Initiative

InvenTeam Initiative
The InvenTeam initiative is designed to excite high school students about invention through hands-on learning, while encouraging an inventive culture in schools and communities long-term. Each InvenTeam will receive up to $10,000 in grant funding to invent a practical solution to a real-world problem of their choosing.
Applications are due April 23, 2010.

Lawrence Foundation Grants

Lawrence Foundation Grants
The foundation is focused on making grants to support environmental, education, human services. Both program and operating grants are funded and there are no geographic restrictions on the grants.
Grant Applications are due April 30.

McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Teacher Development Grants

McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Teacher Development Grants
The Teacher Development Grants provide funding to individuals or small teams of teachers in the formation and implementation of groundbreaking k-12 classroom instruction. The grants provide opportunities for teachers to integrate fresh strategies that encourage critical inquiry and to observe their effects on students. Teachers have the opportunity to reflect and write about their projects, as well as to share their results with other teachers. The Foundation awards grants to individuals in amounts up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of three years, provided the eligibility requirements continue to be met.
CONSIDER APPLYING FOR THIS GRANT IF YOU AND/OR A SMALL GROUP OF YOUR COLLEAGUES…
…are eager to improve your classroom instruction
…are willing to document your new approach in detail
…have an imaginative and well-considered plan for enriching classroom instruction
…are licensed k-12 teachers employed in public or private schools
…have the background and experience to complete the project successfully
…are willing to work in collaboration with the Foundation
Applications are due May 1, 2010.

Recycling Classroom Curriculum/Activities

Recycling Classroom Curriculum/Activities
Oklahoma Recycling Association (OKRA) classroom resources

Oklahoma Aerospace Education Fellows

The Oklahoma Aerospace Education and Training Day Committee is now accepting applications for the “Class of 2010 Oklahoma Aerospace Education Fellows” (Fellows). Oklahoma teachers Grades 3 -12 and school counselors from public, private and Careertech schools are eligible to apply. 100 applicants will be selected to be Fellows and invited to attend the Education and Training Day (ETD) conference.
The 2010 Fellows will receive FREE summit and education training day registration, a FREE hotel stay for the evening of June 3, and a stipend to help cover the cost of travel or to spend as you choose.
The ETD conference will introduce the Fellows to Oklahoma’s aerospace industry with the purpose of achieving the following goals:
· Provide a clear picture of the magnitude of the Oklahoma Aerospace industry and the role it plays in our economy
· Educate teachers and counselors about the employment opportunities for their students in the aerospace industry
· Motivate teachers and students to engage in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education with aerospace applications
· Create partnerships among educators, industry, and government
· Provide teachers with an industry professional as a mentor to use as a resource throughout the school year

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 15thor when the number of chosen applicants reaches 100. Interested teachers and counselors need to apply now! Register Click on the tab that says “New Registration,” then click on the option that says “Teacher Registration.” Additional information can be found on the main registration page, on the upper right hand side, under the tab that says “Education & Training Day.”

Periodic Table Videos

Periodic Table videos
Chemistry and Physical science teachers, check out this web site featuring the period table and short videos for each element. Click the symbol for potassium and see a demo of the properties of the element. The videos are produced by the University of Nottingham, England. These are short videos, most no more that 3-4 minutes.

Teaching the Five Senses lessons
This web site has lessons ideas and resources for use in the classroom when teaching the five senses. The links Optical Illusions and the VSP Teachers Lounge have interesting resources – some of the optical illusions are for older students.


Pollinator Lessons and Info – Grades K-12
A new project, PollinatorLIVE Distance Learning Adventures, shines a spotlight on the major role that various pollinators play in production of food, the future of wildlife, and the health of flowering plants. For information on teacher and student webinars, a student satellite broadcast, live electronic field trips, and live interaction with scientists.

Join National Lab Day

Join National Lab Day
National Lab Day is a nationwide initiative to build local communities of support that will foster ongoing collaborations among volunteers, students and educators.
Volunteers, university students, scientists, engineers, other STEM professionals and, more broadly, members of the community are working together with educators and students to bring discovery-based science experiences to students in grades K-12. When an educator posts a project ( http://www.nationallabday.org/projects/all ), the system will help them get the resources needed to bring that project to fruition. The first week of May, 2010 this collaboration will be celebrated across the country with National Lab Day activities.

NLD is already underway! There are projects throughout the country; view an Interactive Map Oklahoma only has two posts right now, so join in with your project.
Check out the web site at

Oklahoma AP Roster 2010

Instructions for Educators with Students taking two or more AP exams

Monday, March 1, 2010

STEM Equity Webinar Available


Register for the March 2010 Webinar
What exactly is marketing, and why should you care about it?
Are you looking for ways to get more females interested in your program?
Have your self-produced communication pieces missed the mark?

Funded by a grant from the
National Science Foundation,GSE/EXT: STEM Equity Pipeline Project,
Grant No. HRD-0734056

WEBINAR

Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Time: 2pm EST, 1pm CT, 12pm MT, 11am PT

How to Market Your CTE STEM Program: Tell Your Story to the Right People the Right Way and Get the Right Results


Jill Chan Presenter: Jill Chan, MBA, Account Executive, Phillips Design, Sacramento, CA

Phillips Design has done extensive work in education. www.phillipsdesign.com

Description:
This webinar will help you to understand the dos and don'ts of successful marketing and to learn a focused strategy to create communication pieces that work! It will provide marketing strategies and examples to recruit and retain females in CTE STEM programs. Learn to:

* Determine your marketing objective
* Identify your target audience
* Consider the appropriate message
* Decide the best method to communicate

REGISTER NOW!

Female Engineering Video

Our Horizon channel here at the agency recently aired a clip on females in Engineering. Please click to see the video:

http://www.okhorizon.com/2010/Show1008/FemaleEngineer.htm