AV Tech Classic Qualifying FIRST Lego Robotics Tournament 12/5/10

The AV Tech Classic Qualifying FIRST Lego Robotics Tournament will be held on Sunday, 5 December 2010, at University of the AV/Parkview campus (former Parkview Middle School) gymnasium on Avenue J in Lancaster.  The opening ceremony is set to begin at 9:30 am, followed by a practice round at 10:00, and with three performance rounds and judging beginning at 12:49pm.  The awards ceremony is slated for 4:20 pm.  Please contact Adriane Holmes if you can volunteer to assist. 

STEM TV on Rural Arkansas School Buses

The AP  (11/30, Bleed) reports that Arkansas' rural Hector School District "is participating in a new program believed to be the first of its kind: The school is playing science and math content over ceiling-mounted computer screens during the lengthy bus rides." The bus is equipped with "five ceiling-mounted screens that show educational content geared at different age groups" and headphones in each seat. "The programming rotates daily and features videos from PBS, NASA, the Discovery Channel and Smithsonian Institute." The AP adds that the initiative is a collaboration between the Hector School District and Vanderbilt University's Aspirnaut Program, which "works with rural schools in Arkansas and Maine to help educate students in science, technology, engineering and math." 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700086733/Arkansas-students-learn-on-high-tech-school-bus.html?s_cid=rss-34

NASA Kids in Micro-g Experiment Proposals due by 12/8/10

Students in 5th through 8th grades may submit proposals regarding an experiment to be performed in microgravity aboard the International Space Station from March to May 2011.  Proposals must be submitted by an adult educator representative of the students by no later than 8 December 2011.  Details regarding the experiment parameters and application process can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/nlab/experimentchallenge.html .

Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy Applications Due 12/31/10

Applications are now available for middle school math and science teachers to attend the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy in June, 2011 in Huntsville, Alabama.  Participants will complete two simulated space shuttle missions.  For details, visit http://www.spacecamp.com/educators/honeywell/

Google RISE Award Applications Due 12/10/10

Google RISE (Roots in Science and Engineering) Awards of $500 to $10,000 are available for organizations promoting STEM and computer science activities, and participation by under-represented groups of students in K-12 or college.   Applications are due by 10 December 2010.  See http://www.google.com/corporate/diversity/rise/index.html for more details.

NASA and NIA Sponsor RASC-AL Contest for College Students - Entries due by 2/4/11

Entries for the 2011 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts - Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition are due by no later than 4 February 2011.  Panels of experts from NASA and NIA will review the summaries, proposals and outreach plans related to one of four set themes and select up to 10 undergraduate and 5 graduate teams to present in Florida in June 2011.  For more information about the competition, visit the link at http://www.nianet.org/rascal .

Tech Trek Nominations Due 12/3/10 - Middle School Girls

Up to three teacher nominations of 7th grade girls may be accepted from each Antelope Valley school site for the Tech Trek engineering camp for summer 2011.  Nominations are due by no later than 3 December 2010.  Contact Connie Harney at connie.harney@verizon.net for more details.  http://www.aauw-techtrek.org/ 

Engineer Girl - Engineering Site for Middle School Girls

Engineer Girl - http://www.engineergirl.org/  - is a site targeted to middle school girls designed to promote engineering as a career; see materials and the 2011 essay contest now posted. 

On-line Engineering Games

Links to several on-line engineering games, lesson plans, opportunities for students, and other resources can be found at www.tryengineering.org , sponsored by IBM, IEEE, and TryScience.

PLTW Counselor Conference at Cal Poly Pomona 1/21/11

Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering will host a Project Lead the Way Counselor/Informational Conference on Friday 21 Jan. 2011, 7:30-11:45 am.  Complimentary registration, parking, continental breakfast, and sandwich lunch are provided.  Download the registration form at www.csupomona.edu/~engineering/locators/pltw/infoconferences.html and e-mail to klcapestro@csupomona.edu  Another session will be held on 15 April 2011.