Common Core K-8 Math Learning Progressions Webinar 5/23/13

The CDE and San Mateo County Office of Education are partnering to offer a professional learning module webinar on innovative use of the grade K-8 Common Core math learning progressions.  The webinar will be held at 3:30pm PDT on Thursday, 23 May 2013.

Attendee information: 

URL: https://cde.webex.com/cde/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=499200653

Event #: 499 200 653

Event Password: 70811

Teleconference Call -in: 1-650-479-3207

Access Code: 499 200 653

Applications for Airborne Research for Educators Academy Now Available

NASA is once again hosting the Airborne Research for Educators Academy 15-25 July 2013 at the Palmdale AERO Institute.  STEM teachers (US citizens) of students in grades 4-12 will participate in virtual, in-person, and self-directed courses relating to two NASA GlobalHawk earth science missions - Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) and Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment (ATTREX).  Participants will translate their instruction and experiences into a thematic STEM module and plan for use in their classrooms.  For more information and to apply (period open until session is filled, requires letter of recommendation and resume, in addition to registration form, plus phone interview if selected), visit http://aeroi.org/node/13 or contact Shaun Smith at shaun.smith@nasa.gov .

Examples of Technical Math Problems

The British Columbia Institute of Technology has posted a database of examples of applied technical math in a variety of career fields at  Applied Technical Math Problems .  The page is divided by career field and by math discipline.  The BCIT and Maple TA are launching the "Building Better Math" project, a subscription service for assignments and lessons involving applied technical math.

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  .

Solar Oven Cookoff Contest Registration Deadline Extended to 5/29/13

MEEC has extended the deadline to register for the Solar Oven Cook-off to 29 May 2013.  The competition, for students in grades 4-12 in the California High Desert service area, will be held from 9:00am to 4:30pm on 15 June 2013 at the Mojave AQMD offices in Victorville, and nearly $2,500 in prizes will be awarded to winners in various categories and age levels, including solar oven construction and recipes.  For more information and to download registration forms, visit http://www.meeconline.com/meecs-1st-annual-solar-oven-cook-off-competition/ or contact Samantha Murray at smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov or Christie Robinson at christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov .

MEEC Clean Air Poster Contest Entries Due by 5/17/13

MEEC is sponsoring a "Clean Air" poster contest, with prizes of $100 and a new bike.  With a theme of "Bust the Dust," winners in age categories 4-7, 8-11, 12-18 will receive gift cards ranging from $15 to $100 plus a chance to win one of two bicycles.  Entries must be received by no later than 4:00pm on Friday, 17 May 2013.  For more information, visit Clean Air Month Poster Contest 2013 or call 760-245-1661 x 6104.

Busy STEM Weekend in the AV!

Saturday, 11 May 2013, saw several STEM-related events going simultaneously within the Antelope Valley.  Among them were the Tech Trek Awards held at the Palmdale School District Boardroom, where 35 seventh-grade young ladies received certificates acknowledging their scholarships to attend a one-week summer Tech Trek camp at either Whittier College, UC Irvine, or UC Santa Barbara sponsored by AAUW.  The keynote speaker for the morning was Taylor Lenton, QHHS grad and chemistry Ph.D. student at Cal Tech.

SOAR Prep student Elisa Washington receives Tech Trek scholarship certificate from Sylvia Weiss

 Also on Saturday, the AV Wind Turbine Challenge saw 10 teams from SOAR and 5 from Palmdale High Schools competing in this first annual event held at AV College.  The third place team (based on energy output tested in a wind tunnel, as well as innovation and other characteristics judged by Kriss Vanderhyde and Joel Beckmann) was the Hurricaneers, the second place team was named . . . First Place, and the first place team hailed from the FAST Academy at Palmdale High School;  winners received cash awards courtesy of TerraGen.

Hurricaneers -  3rd place

First Place -  2nd place

CCNC from FAST Academy - 1st place

Finally, the Agriculture and Environmental Science Academy at Littlerock High School hosted its annual "Ag and Environmental Science Expo" which featured events including soil testing, transplanting, recycling, and a petting zoo, among others.

LHS A&E Academy at Expo 2013

 

 

 

YELC STEM Service Learning Conference Set for 10/5/13

MEEC's annual fall Youth Environmental Leadership STEM Service Learning Conference will be held on 5 October 2013 at Granite Hills HS in Apple Valley, CA.  Not only is this premier STEM service learning event free for school teams to attend, but also there are transportation stipends and STEM service learning project grant applications available.  Applications to attend are due by no later than 5 September 2013.  School teams, including 3-5 students and a teacher advisor, may include students from the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  Registration is due by no later than 5 September 2013.  Teams which attend will also participate in a spring 2014 event.  For more information and to register, see YELC STEM Service Learning Conference 2013.

Lockheed Essay Contest Submissions Due by 5/23/13

Submissions for the MEEC essay contest sponsored by Lockheed Martin on the theme "Earth: There's Only One" are due by no later than 23 May 2013.  For all grade levels, the 250 word essay (drawing for K level), should address " FIVE ways that they can protect the Earth for future generations by reducing their ecological footprint."  First place winners in grades 1-12 categories will win a $50 gift card, second place $25, and third place $15 (K winner $10).  Students must submit their essays by no later than 5:00pm on 23 May 2013 to:  MEEC at 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392.  Winners will be notified by phone and invited to attend the Award Ceremony presentation at 5:00 PM on June 4, at the Antelope Valley AQMD Office, 43301 Division St. Ste. 206, Lancaster.  For further information, please call Samantha Murray, at: (760) 245-1661 ext 6717.

AVUHSD Summer Pre-Engineering Internships Online Application Due by 5/15

The online application for AVUHSD's Summer Pre-Engineering Internships course for high school juniors (meeting 10 June - 5 July) is now available at Summer Pre-Engineering Internships Application .  Completed applications, including teacher recommendation, 200-word essay, and parent and student information and signatures, are due by no later than Wednesday, 15 May 2013.  For further information, please contact either James Stockdale at jstockdale@avhsd.org or Diane Walker at dwalker@avhsd.org.