NASDCTEc To Host GEF Webinar on Green Building Curriculum Project on 9/27/11

The Green Education Foundation will be holding a free webinar at 11:00 am PDT on 27 September 2011 regarding their new curriculum pilot projects for career-technical education, including a one-semester Green Building Course; the project targets 11th and 12th graders to learn about green building attributes and benefits, providing resources on how to improve the environmental efficiency of their own school buildings.  "Topics covered include: sustainable sites, energy sources and conservation, water efficiency and indoor environmental quality as related to building construction, operation and maintenance."  There will also be information provided on a new professional development resource for K-12 teachers on "Sustainability Education Concepts and Teaching Methods."  http://blog.careertech.org/

To access the webinar, go to  http://nasdcte.adobeconnect.com/r37lcw2zvl5/; no advance registration is required.

MEEC Student Essay Contest Submissions Due 9/29/11

The first MEEC student essay competition, sponsored by Southern California Gas, deals with the theme “Powered by Natural Gas: Power for our Future?”.  Students must, in 250 words or less, tell how they are currently using natural gas in their homes or businesses, and how it might be used in the future to reduce energy costs and pollution.  Winners will receive gift cards for first, second, or third place.  Kindergarten students may draw a picture with 2-3 sentences for their entry.  Submissions are due to MEEC by no later than 5:00pm on 29 September 2011

 

Each essay MUST contain the author’s grade, school, and phone number to be considered.  Submissions may be mailed or delivered to:   MEEC, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392.  Winners will be notified by phone & invited to attend the So. California Gas Company Essay Contest Presentation October 12, 2011 at the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District Office at 14306 Park Ave., Victorville.

For further information, please call Christie Robinson at: (760) 245-1661 ext 6101.   All submissions become the property of MEEC and Southern California Gas Company.

"Science Buddies" Webinar Tour Offered On 9/14/11

The "Science Buddies" website will offer a webinar on Wednesday, 14 September 2011, from 3:30 to 4:30pm PDT.  The session will provide a comprehensive guided tour of the resources and show how they and ideas can be used with your students.  "We will also introduce a new set of video and computer game design resources, developed with support from the AMD Foundation, for classroom instruction and student exploration at home."  All participants who complete a survey at the end of the session will be entered in a drawing to win one of three external hard drives.  For more details and to register, visit https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/227047702

"Science Budddies" is listed in this blog's "Helpful STEM Links" section.

ITEST Webinar on Bioscience Careers 9/20/11

ITEST STEM Learning Exchange is offering a public webinar on 20 September 2011 from noon to 1:00pm Pacific time on bioscience careers designed to provide guidance counselors and educators information to promote STEM career awareness.  "The series features STEM professionals speaking about their fields of expertise, how they became interested in this career, and how their work contributes positively to society. The session will include recommendations for transferring these learnings to increase students’ engagement and motivation in STEM learning."   For additional information and to register, visit http://learningtimesevents.org/itest/

NSF Studying If Women STEM Professors at Community Colleges Happier

An NSF study is focusing on the hypothesis that women professors in STEM fields are happier than their counterparts at four-year institutions of higher education.  Initial findings revealed at the American Sociological Association's annual meeting in Las Vegas support the research question, citing parity in pay and despite heavier teaching loads.  http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/08/23/study_finds_high_satisfaction_by_women_in_science_at_community_colleges

Different Math for Different Careers

Sol Garfunkel and David Mumford wrote in a recent op-ed for the New York Times that there is no one set of mathematical skills which will prepare all students for 21st Century careers.  Rather, an applications-based, practical math curriculum would better serve the needs of all, while still providing valuable knowledge of abstract concepts and quantitative reasoning.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/how-to-fix-our-math-education.html?_r=1

HR378 Seeks Stronger Science Content in NCLB

Congress Members Biggert and Holt have introduced the House Resolution on Science Accountability (HR378  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.RES.378: ) seeking strong consideration of science achievement in the re-authorization of "No Child Left Behind."  The STEM Education Coalition is also asking for letters to members seeking support for the resolution.  http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/stemedcoalition/action/TakeAction.Contact/lettergroupid/6

LEGO (r) Smart Creativity Contest Period Open Until 10/14/11

LEGO (r) Education is sponsoring a contest to showcase how you use LEGOs to foster creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning.  Entries must be 150 seconds or less,and on-line registration must occur by 14 October 2011.  The first 8,000 entrants will receive a free Smart Kit and challenge card. For more information, visit http://aux.legoeducation.us/Forms/LEGOSmartContest.aspx.

Environmental Education Mini-Grant Applications Due by 11/15/11

MEEC is now offering teachers in the High Desert area of Southern California environmental education classroom mini-grants of approximately $100 to $500.  "Interested teachers should submit a letter describing the proposed project and/or desired materials, the project/materials’ environmental component and how the project will address educational standards in one to two pages maximum.   Letter must also contain a timeline for project implementation and a budget or cost breakout based on the applicant’s research of actual material costs, including shipping and handling, if applicable.  Labor costs are not eligible for funding.  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 same jurisdictions.

"The application deadline is 15 November  2011.  Proposals may be mailed to MEEC/EE School Mini-Grants, 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392 , e-mailed to vroberts@mdaqmd.ca.gov or faxed to (760) 241-6271.  For questions, contact MEEC Executive Board Chair Violette Roberts at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6104."

EnviroBus Bucks Grants Now Available Through MEEC

High Desert Teachers - do you have a field trip that you would like to implement for your students, but lack some funding to do so?  If it has an environmental education focus, you may be eligible to receive "EnviroBusBucks" from the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC).  Transportation grants are available beginning 29 August 2011, and applications must be received by no later than 31 October 2011.  For more information, visit http://www.meeconline.com/teachers/busbuck/.