Welcome to the AV STEM Center Blog

This blog will provide information about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics efforts within the Antelope Valley, as well as links to helpful STEM sites and info from beyond. Check back periodically for updates.

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Showing posts with label Boeing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boeing. Show all posts

Friday, August 28, 2015

MEEC STEM Grants and Upcoming Activities in the High Desert!

Thanks to Samantha Murray for these items:

MEEC Grant-writing Workshop 9/24/15 in Victorville:

Join MEEC on September 24, 2015 for a FREE two-hour workshop spotlighting MEEC funding opportunities available to High Desert teachers!  During the workshop, teachers will have the opportunity to review MEEC’s grant application processes and walk away knowing the requirements for each of MEEC’s available funding sources.   Participants will  view sample applications for each program and have their application questions answered for the following grant opportunities:
EnviroBus Bucks Transportation Grants, School Garden Grants, EE Mini Grants, YELC and STEM Service-Learning Grants.

WHEN:  September 24, 2015
TIME: 4:30 PM-6:30 PM
WHERE:  Mojave Desert AQMD Offices, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392

Seating is limited, so early registration is recommended.  To reserve your space today, contact MEEC Program Specialist, Samantha Murray at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or email: smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov.  Registration Deadline is September 16, 2015.  For more info, visit:  MEEC Grant Workshop.


Energy from the Sun Teacher Workshop 10/1/15 in Palmdale:

Thanks to a generous grant from The Boeing Company, MEEC’s “Energy From the Sun”  teacher workshops will  equip educators with the tools to enable their students to conduct scientific research utilizing solar energy, draw conclusions, and develop critical thinking skills while learning how to reach logical conclusions and solutions about our future energy usage.

Each participating teacher will receive a kit that contains a Solar Oven, Solar Panel Kit, UV beads PLUS standards-based curriculum from the National Environmental Education Development Program (NEED).  NEED curriculum includes four levels: Primary, Elementary, Intermediate, and Secondary.  The NEED Project curriculum includes Teachers’ Guides and Student Lab Books for hands-on activities as well as a variety of resources to learn about renewable energy and their applications. Student Lab Book activities are designed for group learning, which promotes interaction among students. NEED's   K-12 curriculum helps schools meet the Common Core State Standards, develops student leadership, and brings the latest technology into the classroom.  Each kit is valued at over $200!!

When and where:  October 1, 2015, 4:00-6:00pm - AVUHSD Palmdale Conference Center, 1156 East Ave S, Palmdale, CA 93550.  RSVP by September 23, 2015 (currently full, but waitlist being taken); for details visit:  Energy from the Sun Workshop

Youth Environmental Leadership Conference 10/24/15 in the Victor Valley area: 

 Once again, the event will feature the "STEMFest" in addition to 3 workshops that the teams will rotate through. "STEMFest" is an opportunity for teams to rotate through the arena engaging with experts, mentors and other exhibitors to learn more about STEM environmental careers and projects while having fun with hands-on activities. Topics will focus on "green" themes such as water conservation, solar oven construction, robotics, composting, and school garden projects. The "technical" activities will be with the exhibitors in STEMFest, which provides a well-balanced program with something for everyone.  Attendees will hear a motivational address from Garner Holt, President and founder of Garner Holt Productions, Inc., an international design and manufacturing company that creates animatronics and special effects for theme parks, museums, shopping malls and restaurants.

Lunch, snacks, re-usable water bottles, YELC T-Shirts, and all conference materials are provided free of charge. Additionally, teams participating in YELC are eligible to apply for a project grant up to $250 to implement or further their environmental service learning project! By applying for and accepting these grant funds, you also agree to come back and participate with your team in the follow-up Spring 2016 YELC Showcase to share your project (regardless of what stage it's in) with other teams.  Transportation Reimbursement funds may be available upon request (if applicable) for participating teams in the Antelope Valley.

Teams of two to eight students, in grades 3 through 12, along with an attending teacher/advisor, from schools throughout the Mojave and High Desert, are invited to take part in this unique and FREE Conference.  Have parents complete the necessary participation forms and return them to MEEC by the October 5, 2015 Deadline.   Applications and transportation grants will be available online at: MEEC YELC 2016.

Environmental Education Mini-Grant Applications Due 10/30/15:

For a limited time, MEEC is accepting applications for environmental education school project and material mini-grants.   Recipients will be notified in early November and grants will be awarded by November 30th. Projects must be implemented/materials must be used in classrooms located in the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County, the Antelope Valley or the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside County.  Applicants must also teach within these jurisdictions.

Funded projects must be completed/purchased by June 18, 2016.  Average grant amount will vary from $100 to $500, but may be higher.  Individual award amounts to be determined by MEEC. Only one grant will be awarded per teacher per school year.

Application deadline is 5:00 PM October 30, 2015.  The EE Mini Grant Application is attached and can also be downloaded from MEEC’s website at MEEC EE Mini-Grants.   Completed applications may be mailed to MEEC/EE Mini Grants, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92392 or faxed to (760) 241-6271. For questions, contact Christie Robinson at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6101.

"A Garden in Every School" Grant Applications Due by 10/30/15:

Through the generous support of MEEC’s  sponsors and a special grant from MEEC partner Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation (AWAC), schools may apply for a grant to provide them with the basic tools necessary to start or sustain a school garden.  This grant opportunity is now open to schools in the Antelope Valley.

Interested teachers must submit a completed application form that includes the proposed project, desired materials , a budget cost breakout based on the actual material costs, including shipping and handling, if applicable (labor costs are not eligible for funding)  and how the project will address educational standards.  Recipients will be notified in early November and grants will be awarded by November 30th.  Grant Applications are attached and also available on MEEC’s website at MEEC School Garden Grants .

The maximum grant amount is $500.00. Individual award amounts will be determined by MEEC. Only one grant will be awarded per school per school year. To date, MEEC has awarded school garden grants to 29 schools in the High Desert.  The application deadline is 5:00 PM October 30, 2015. Completed applications may be mailed to MEEC/School Garden Program, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92392 or faxed to (760) 241-6271. For questions, contact MEEC Program Specialist Samantha Murray at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

"Waiting for a Rainy Day" Essay Contest Deadline 4/3/15

In honor of Earth Day, The Boeing Company’s  “Waiting for a Rainy Dayessay contest deadline has been extended to April 3, 2015. With California experiencing one of the most severe droughts on record, this is an excellent way for your students to dive into an investigation on the status and current events related to the drought.   With Earth Day just around the corner, it’s a good time to think about one of California’s most priceless resources and the vital role it plays in our lives. 
 In 500 words or less, can you describe at least three environmental impacts from the California drought?  If you can, you might win a $50, $25 or $15 gift card! This competition is open to students in grades K-12, with  FIVE Prize categories:
Kindergarten: Can you draw a picture with 2-3 sentences about the concept?
Elementary School (grades 1-2) Middle School (grades 6-8)
Elementary School (grades 3-5) High School (grades 9-12)
First, second, and third place winners will be awarded in each category. All awards are gift cards.
First place winners will receive $50, second place $25, and third place will receive $15. Kindergarten winners will receive a $10 award for all places.
CONTEST CRITERIA
Essays should be no more than 500 words in length. Each essay must contain the author’s name, grade, school and contact phone number to be considered.
Deadline for submission is March 26, 2015 at 5:00 PM.
Winners will be notified by phone and invited to attend an Award Ceremony presentation
on April 21, 2015 at the Antelope Valley AQMD at 43301 Division Street, Suite 206, Lancaster, CA 93535.
Submissions may be mailed or delivered to:  MEEC, 14306 Park Ave,  Victorville, CA 92392
You may also fax your submissions to (760) 241-6271 or email to smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov
All submissions become the property of MEEC and The Boeing Company.   For further information, please call Samantha Murray, at: (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717.
 Help  celebrate  Earth  Day  2015  and  submit  your  entries  TODAY!!!  For more information, visit MEEC's website at: MEEC Boeing Essay Contest "Waiting for a Rainy Day" .

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Boeing Essay Contest Entries Due By 4/10/14

"Oceans: Preserving the Earth's Liquid World" is the theme of this year's Boeing spring essay contest, sponsored by MEEC.  Students in grades K-12 may enter the contest, with kindergarten students able to offer a drawing plus 2-3 sentences about the theme, and other essays not to exceed 250 words in length about the subject.  Winners in each age category (K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) will receive gift cards.  "EACH ESSAY MUST CONTAIN THE
AUTHOR’S GRADE, SCHOOL AND HOME PHONE NUMBER TO BE CONSIDERED.  Submissions may be mailed, delivered or faxed by 10 April 2014 to:MEEC, 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392 or (760) 241-6271.  All submissions become the property of MEEC and Boeing. 
"Winners will be notified by phone and invited to attend the Award Ceremony presentation
on April 23, 2014 at the Antelope Valley AQMD located at 43301 Division St, Suite 206, Lancaster.  For further information, please call Samantha Murray, at: (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717."



Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Marine Ecology Workshop for Teachers 6/23-6/25/13

MEEC, sponsored by the Boeing Corp.,  is offering sixteen scholarships for High Desert California (AV and Mojave/Riverside) teachers to attend a three-day, two-night marine ecology workshop on Catalina Island hosted by The Catalina Experience at White's Landing on 23-25 June 2013.  The rustic experience will include both classroom and field work using the scientific method focusing on marine biodiversity and environmental marine biology.  Scholarships include transportation to/from Catalina Island, all meals, lodging, curriculum materials, and a $50.00 transportation stipend. Scholarship recipients will be required to post a $45 refundable deposit, as well as bringing their own bedding and personal items for the bunkhouse cabin accommodations.    The deadline for applications is update: 10 June 2013; to download the application, go to http://www.meeconline.com/catalina-island-marine-ecology-teacher-workshop-scholarship/  .  For more information, contact Samantha Murray at smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov  .