Range and Natural Resources Camp in June 2016; Scholarships Available

The 32nd Annual Range and Natural Resources Camp will be taking place June 19-24, 2016 at the beautiful Elkus Youth Ranch in Half Moon Bay, California. The camp offers students between the ages of 15-18 the opportunity to work with peers from throughout the state and is designed to offer an appreciation of the extent, importance and value of California’s rangelands and natural resources. Range Camp fosters an appreciation for several fields of applied science and management through interaction with university faculty and experienced professionals in classroom and field activities.

Students will address the importance of such topics as plant identification, livestock production, wildlife management, forestry, fire ecology, geology, soils, water resources, rangeland ecosystems, technologies used in natural resource science and management.

At the end of the week, students will be evaluated on their understanding of the materials, with the top two scoring campers being awarded an all-expense-paid trip to represent California and the Pacific Islands at The Society for Range Management’s High School Youth Forum (HSYF) held in conjunction with its national science meeting in St. George, Utah, from January 29-February 2, 2016. The third highest scoring camper will be invited to attend as well, but will need to find other means of paying for the trip. (Delegates must still be in high school through Feb 2017.)

MEEC is offering four student scholarships that will be awarded to attend Range Camp this summer. Scholarships include tuition ($450) and roundtrip airfare up to $350 per person. To apply, students must be enrolled in a school located within the MEEC boundaries of San Bernardino County’s High Desert Region, the Antelope Valley or Riverside County’s Blythe Region and be age 15-18 by the start date of camp. The deadline for application submission to MEEC is April 21, 2016 at 5:00 PM.

APPLICATION, PHOTO RELEASE AND COMMITMENT FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MEEC IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP.  ANY APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY SUBMITTED TO RANGE CAMP CANNOT BE GUARANTEED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP.

 Please mail application to:  MEEC, 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392.  Applications may also be faxed to 760-241-6271

For more information please contact MEEC Program Specialist Samantha Murray at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or via email at smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov.

- See more at: http://meeconline.com/scholarships/2016-student-range-camp-scholarships-now-available/#sthash.LBmJPeNL.dpuf

Solar Oven Challenge Registration Now Open Until 4/30/16

MEEC is pleased to announce the 4th Annual “Solar Cook-Off Challenge!” which will be held on 14 May 2016.

This event provides students in grades 4-12 the perfect opportunity to utilize their STEM and critical thinking skills working as a team to design, build, and create a solar cooker and winning recipe.

This year, through an ongoing partnership with San Bernardino County First District Supervisor, MEEC will be hosting the event at the Victor Valley Museum located in Apple Valley. With this new prominent public location, MEEC is anticipating an increased number of registered teams and a large number of the general public on hand to enjoy the event and learn more about solar and solar cooking. A large shade tent, tables, and chairs will be provided for the teams. Lunch, snacks and event T-Shirts will also be provided for all participants in the event. Family and friends are welcome to attend the event but will not be allowed in the competition areas or eligible for meals. There are many fast food and restaurants in the immediate area that they are welcome to visit. MEEC also encourages visitors to tour the newly remodeled Victor Valley Museum. Students and advisors will be admitted for free. 

At the Solar Oven challenge, teams will demonstrate the performance of their solar cookers by creating an original dish(es) of food for the challenge. Three awards will be given in each age division for the BEST OVEN DESIGN and TOP RECIPES. Grade Divisions are: 4-6; 7-9; and 10-12.

Awards are:

Construction: 1st: $250 2nd: $150; 3rd: $75

Recipe: 1st: $200 2nd: $100; 3rd: $50

A total of $2,475 in Prizes will be awarded!!!! We are looking forward to a huge event this year!

This is one sizzling hot event that you don’t want your students to miss out on!  Applications are available for download at: http://meeconline.com/solar-oven-cook-off/.  The deadline to register is 30 April 2016.

For more information on this event, please contact event coordinator Christie Robinson at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6101 or email at christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov 

"Beyond Reasonable" Drought Workshop for Teachers 3/8/16

 Liberty Utilities is proud to present “Beyond Reasonable Drought” a FREE K-12 Teacher Workshop focusing on the California drought and water conservation!!!!!
 
What do you think when you hear the word “drought?”  Do you think “dry,” “hot,” “dusty,”    “cracked earth,” or even “no water”?  If so, you’re on the right track!

When a place is in a drought, it is arid and often dusty; cracks may appear in the soil, and rivers, lakes, streams, and other sources of water can go dry. A drought means that a region has less precipitation (rain or snow) than normal over a few months, years or even longer.

What causes a drought? How does it really affect us? How can we prepare for drought? These are all important questions that will be answered during this two hour workshop which will explore ways to teach students about California’s drought and help you incorporate hands-on water conservation activities into your classroom lessons.

Learn how to construct an edible aquifer and conduct simple water audits in addition to receiving standards-based materials ALL FOR FREE!!

WHEN: Tuesday, March 8, 2016

TIME: 4:30-6:30 PM

Registration begins at 4:15 PM

WHERE: Mojave Desert AQMD Offices

14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392

RSVP by March 1, 2016

Seating in limited to 25 teachers, so early registration is recommended. 

To register, contact MEEC Program Specialist Samantha Murray at smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov or 760-245-1661 ext. 6717

 - See more at: http://meeconline.com/teacher%20workshop/beyond-reasonable-drought-k-12-teacher-workshop/#sthash.zX2IAjHh.dpuf

Forestry Institute for Teachers 2/20-2/21/16

 FIT+ (Forestry Institute for Teachers PLUS) is a two-day workshop that provides training in K-12 environmental education and special access to guest experts and a unique Southern California locale! All participants receive Project WET certification and a FREE K-12 curriculum guide. Special topics include water, fire, and urban ecology.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 and Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, 9 am to 4 pm both days

Location: San Gabriel Mountains (San Dimas Experimental Forest and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center)
Cost: $35 per person; includes light breakfast and lunch on both days.

Please register at https://fitplus2016.eventbrite.com/. For more information, contact Shayna Foreman at sforeman@ucanr.edu. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geological Sciences Workshops Offered

Thanks to Samantha Murray of MEEC and Cynthia Pridmore from the California Geological Survey for this information:

There will be a special session consisting of two earth science workshops associated with the regional meeting of the Geological Society of America. The conference runs from April 3-6, 2016. Teachers who register early for the workshop, can attend either of the workshops (described below) for $20. The workshops are sponsored by the California Geological Survey (CGS), the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), the California Mineral Education Foundation (CMEF), Women in Mining (WIM), and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Far Western Section (NAGT). Please feel free to contact me for more information. Details are below:

 Geological Society of America,  Cordilleran Section, 112th Annual Meeting, Ontario California http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/cord/2016mtg/

Two educator workshops will be held (in conjunction with the GSA conference) on Sunday, 3 April, at the Ontario DoubleTree Hotel. Generous sponsorships allow the organizers to offer these workshops at no charge, except for the normal meeting registration fee (Register by February 29 for discounted price: $20 for workshop only registration). http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/cord/2016mtg/registration.htm . Space is limited for the workshops. For general questions, please contact Jade Star Lackey<http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/cord/2016mtg/contact.htm>. Contact the workshop organizer with questions related to individual workshops.

1.       California Earthquake Hazards & Mineral Resources-NGSS

 Explore "Earth and Human Activity-NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea ESS3" with mini lectures and  mostly hands-on-activities covering California earthquakes, tsunamis, and mineral resources. Become part of QuakeCatcher Network, ShakeOut, and an expert on California minerals used in everyday life! Aligned with MS/HS NGSS but scalable for K-5. Maps, worksheets, CDs, minerals, and more! For more info on this workshop contact cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov<mailto:cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov>

Cosponsored by California Geological Survey (CGS), California Mineral Education Foundation (CMEF); Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC); and Women In Mining (WIM).

Sun., 3 April, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Limit: 30; refreshments included, but participants need to provide their own lunch.

Cynthia L. Pridmore, California Geological Survey, cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov<mailto:cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov> ; Robert De Groot, Southern California Earthquake Center; Joyce Pulliam-Fitzgerald, Elementis Specialties Inc.

2.       Creating Dual-Enrollment Honors Geology Classes at High Schools

  Dual-enrollment honors geology classes are a proven strategy to introduce college-bound high school students to the geosciences. This workshop will give an overview of the program developed by the Kern High School District and CSU Bakersfield. It is intended for university faculty and teachers interested in developing similar programs. For more info on this workshop contact dbaron@csub.edu<mailto:dbaron@csub.edu>

Sponsored by National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Far Western Section.

Sun., 3 April, 8 a.m.-noon. Limit: 30; refreshment included.

Dirk Baron, California State Univ. Bakersfield, dbaron@csub.edu<mailto:dbaron@csub.edu>

 

NASA Is With You When You Fly 2/18/16

Do you know that NASA is with you when you fly?  Join NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Office of Education for an educator workshop on weather.  Learn about basic meteorological concepts designed to demonstrate understanding of the general characteristics of the atmosphere and how weather conditions and weather phenomena occur. There will be hands-on, standards-aligned mathematics, science and engineering activities about density, mass, fluid dynamics and weather that you can take back to your classroom.  Make real world connections with NASA and the airplanes that do weather research.  Hear from subject matter experts about cutting edge research that is happening right now through a partnership between NASA Armstrong and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with the Sensing Hazards with Operational Unmanned Technology (SHOUT) mission.

Target Audience: K-12 Formal and Informal Educators

When: Thursday, February 18, 2016, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm PT

 Location: NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute, 38256 N. Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550

Register Online: http://goo.gl/forms/tprszIeivN

 Questions? Call Sondra Geddes 661-276-2359 or email at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov

There is no charge for the workshop. Free NASA educational materials will be provided. Seats are limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. All participants must be 18 years old or older.

 

Registration Now Open for 4th Annual STEM Conference for Girls on 3/5/16

The Antelope Valley Union High School District and Antelope Valley College are co-hosting the 4th annual STEM Conference for Girls on Saturday, 5 March 2016, from 9:00am-3:00pm, at the AVUHSD Palmdale Conference Center.  The FREE event is open to 100 young ladies in grades 6-12, who will participate in hands-on workshops, and hear from industry and young professionals.  Pre-registration is required; a box lunch is provided.  There is also a strand available for a limited number of parents. 

To register and get further information, visit:  STEM Conference for Girls 2016 .

Lancaster MPAF STEAM Scholarship Essays Due 10/1/15

The Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation is accepting essay submissions for a new STEAM scholarship.  Open to high school juniors and seniors throughout the Antelope Valley, the 500-650 word essays will address the topic: "How art and technology will impact the future of the Antelope Valley."  Submissions, due by October 1, 2015,  will be judged on their demonstration of skills in writing, critical thinking and creativity.  The winner will receive a $500 scholarship and a tour of ABC 7 television studio.  The student and his/her family will be honored at the October 17, 2o15 MOAH gala.

For further information, visit:  www.lmpaf.org

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. 

New NASA/AERO Educator Opportunities!

Thanks to Sondra Geddes for the following information:

Please join the NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center in bringing the Apollo legacy
to your classroom by attending the Lunar Meteorite Sample Disk Certification workshop.  Learn hands-on activities that can be used in your classroom and give your students access to view and explore some small portions of these “extraterrestrial” materials.
NASA has actual lunar samples from the historic Apollo missions available to lend to
K-12 formal educators upon successful completion of the Lunar Meteorite Disk Certification
Workshop.

NOTE: To be eligible for certification, educators must be currently employed at an
accredited school as a formal K-12 classroom teacher or as a pre-service teacher
enrolled at a teaching institution.

WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2015, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm PT
Location: NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute, 38256 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550.  Register Online: http://aeroi.org/ercForm/index.html

There is no charge for the workshop. Free NASA educational materials will be provided. Seats are very limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Questions? Call Sondra Geddes at 661-276-2359 or email at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov


The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 Fellowship Year!

The AEF Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working in a Federal agency or U.S. Congressional office, bringing their extensive classroom knowledge and experience to STEM education program and/or education policy efforts.

Program applications are due November 19, 2015, 8:00pm EST, and must be submitted through an online application system.

To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be a current employed full-time in a U.S. public or private elementary or secondary school or school district, and must have taught full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years in a STEM discipline.

Current sponsoring agencies include, but may not be limited to, the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The DOE also sponsors up to four placements in U.S. Congressional offices.

The AEF Program is managed by the DOE Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Information about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, including eligibility requirements, program benefits, application requirements, and access to the online application system can be found at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/.