Exploring Diversity: The Search for New Medicines Resources

What medical secrets do venomous snails hold? (Just FYI – my son has been struggling with severe pain and the doctors tried this snail toxin by injecting it into his spine. Unfortunately, it didn’t help him, but it does show promise for many people. - Jana)
How can listening in on bacterial conversations help develop new antibiotics? This new, free two-DVD set from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute includes detailed chapter search by scientific topic; direct access to animations; special features on symbiotic bioluminescence, seashell taxonomy, and Philippine maritime culture; and a discussion on biodiversity and conservation To order this and other free Holiday Lectures on Science DVDs from HHMI ( http://www.nabt2008.org/procs/CLink.php?c=240&s=418&m=2&r=mjrow@classicnet.net&lid=1816 ), just go to and click the Order link. HHMI also offers many resources such as the Virtual Transgenic Fly Lab.
Visit .
Resource for use in teaching about STEM careers
A recent ASQ/Harris Interactive ( http://www.asq.org/ ) survey askedstudents what they thought of their science teachers. The students gave U.S. teachers high marks for science smarts, but their grade drops significantly when it comes to connecting learning to STEM career options. The survey shows 63 percent of youth say their teachers are not doing a good job of talking to them about engineering careers, and 42 percent feel their teachers aren't good at showing them how science can be used in a career. The survey was aimed at uncovering how well teachers translate their knowledge and passion for science to getting kids excited about engineering and science careers.
Triangle Coalition member, the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, provides a wide range of resources educators and others can use to help students explore over 185 STEM and healthcare careers. Browse interviews with hundreds of professionals who offer candid insight into their own diverse careers.
Most resources are also as PDFs, PowerPoints, and podcasts.
Available at .

BioWorksU

A virtual environment where you can learn about careers in biotechnology and health care. A project of IPIC, the Indianapolis Private Industry Council Inc. and funded by US Department of Labor. This is a great site for Biotech, Bio II, Anatomy/Physiology classes. This is an interactive site - be sure to have students check out the Hospital - Pathology Lab links. Students can diagnose patients based on lab results.
See <>.

Genome Science Summer Institute at the Genetic Science Learning Center:
Centered around the free, award-winning, classroom-ready curricula available on the Learn.Genetics and Teach.Genetics websites, this institute will translate directly back to your classroom and fortify your genetics unit or course.
July 12- 16, 2010
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Travel and Lodging: For participants living more than 50 miles from the University of Utah. Stipend: $250 and Breakfast and lunch provided. Deadline is: May 2, 2010
Information available at .
Genetic Science Learning Center has some great resources for teaching genetics at ( http://www.learn.genetics/ )> and ( http://www.teach.genetics/ )>.

Engineering Resources

Engineer Your Life (EYL) has FREE resources you can use to spark girls' interest in engineering. EYL is a national campaign that breaks down stereotypes about engineering and encourages college-bound girls to consider it as a career option. The multimedia website EngineerYourLife.org features ten great reasons to become an engineer, streaming video of inspiring women engineers, descriptions of dream engineering jobs, and advice for parents, educators, and engineers on how to talk to girls about engineering. Share this web site with your school counselors. Order FREE brochures/postcards by sending an email to feedback@engineeryourlife.org

Potato Chip Challenge

The Potato Chip Challenge is a free nationwide challenge to engineer the smallest, lightest package that will protect a potato chip being sent through the mail so that it arrives at its destination undamaged.

Here's how it works:
Pre-tech whatever fits your class best, Newton's laws, distribution of force, materials and package engineering, measurement, environmental impacts of packaging, etc...
Register your classes at www.potatochipchallenge.org before May 1st.
The week of May 1st, all registered chips will receive a match, and your students will mail their packages via the US Postal Service. Each chip sender will receive a chip from somewhere across the country. Students measure and judge their received chips, and enter the data. By early June, standings and winners for each grade will be announced. There may even be prizes (we're working on that) The last cohort of matches for 2010 will be made the week of May 1st, 2010. Please register your chips before then. The challenge is targeted for Middle School, and is open to K-12. Each grade will have delcared winners. For more information, visit www.potatochipchallenge.org.

New Student Orientation and Enrollment day

Pre-Engineering Instructors: Please spread the word to your students!

The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at OSU will hold a special New Student Orientation and Enrollment day for PLTW students on June 14-15. OSU has space for 35-40 students on this day. Students who would like to participate need to send Kevin Moore the following information: kevin.moore@okstate.edu. Space is limited so send your information!

* Name

* Campus Wide ID (CWID) number

* Number of guests

This is very exciting for our Oklahoma students! Let me know if you have questions and I can be the liaison between our sites and OSU.

Dr. Adams Lecture

The third lecture in our forensic science series is coming to Science Museum Oklahoma on Thursday, April 22nd. Dr. Dwight Adams, former director of the FBI laboratory in Quantico Virginia, recipient of the highest honor a government employee can receive, and current director of the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute, will be offering a free lecture entitled How Do I Become a Forensic Scientist? The evening will begin at 6:00 PM with a meet-and-greet with complimentary food and drinks, followed by the lecture, beginning promptly at 7:00.

Admission is free, however seating is limited. Please RSVP for the event by contacting Hettie Davis at (405) 602-3671 or via email at communications@sciencemuseumok.org

K-12 Teachers, Educators, Administrators:

Register now for ASEE's workshop, "Discovering Engineering in the
Classroom," and learn fun ways to get students excited about math and
science. This energizing, highly informative event will introduce you to
innovative, effective engineering education lessons, best practices, and
take-away tools. Kentucky teachers who participate will be eligible for
continuing professional education credits. Out-of-state teachers will
get a certificate to use in seeking credits through their own state
authorities.

When: Saturday, June 19, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 South 4th Street,
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2903

Free to all who register by June 4. For details and to register, visit:
http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/category/workshop/