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This
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Events,
Opportunities and Announcements
A meeting was tentatively scheduled at Northeastern University for Thursday,
November 16th from 3 - 5 p.m. Due to a very limited response, we will not
be holding a meeting tomorrow.
GBEast is moving
forward with a proposal submission in response to the "Massachusetts
STEM Pipeline Fund". Our proposal will include seminars and cross-district
networking meetings in addition to a "Showcase Project" addressing
one or more of the Pipeline Goals. Organizations interested in bringing a project
to the attention of the Advisory Board were asked to submit an abstract to
GBEast for review. We also intend to encourage and support the development
of future proposal efforts between partner members as we move forward.
Invitations to
participate in our selected "STEM Showcase Project" will
be sent directly to school district contacts.
If you have not already completed our district survey, please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=908612719026
Please add additional comments in fields provided regarding your specific
needs. Completion of this survey will also add you to our database.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Claire Duggan at
c.duggan@neu.edu.
NSTA's New Awards
NSTA
awards offer opportunities to share your school’s science education
success stories. NSTA offers several new awards this year. The deadline to
apply is November 15, so don’t miss your chance. To learn more about
the awards and to download or print application forms, visit
http://www.nsta.org/awardscomp.
- NSTA Distinguished Fellow Award. This award recognizes NSTA members (the number
of awards will be determined by the Awards Committee) who have made significant
contributions to the profession that reflect dedication to NSTA as well the
entire educational community.
- NSTA Legacy Award. This award posthumously recognizes long-standing members
of NSTA for significant lifelong service to NSTA and contributions to
science education.
- Sylvia Shugrue Award.The Sylvia Shugrue Award honors an elementary school
teacher who has established an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based lesson
plan.
- Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers. The
Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers provides selected K-12
teachers
(up to
25 awards) in their first three years of teaching with funds to attend
NSTA’s National
Conference on Science Education.
- VSP Vision of Science Award. This award recognizes one classroom
science teacher (grades K-8) who has developed creative, innovative
science
lessons that develop
an understanding of eye health and vision.
"Science
Network" Annual Conference
Saturday, November 18
MIT, Cambridge
The Science Network is
an annual event that addresses the unique needs and concerns of secondary,
undergraduate, and graduate students living in New England who are underrepresented
in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Students interested in STEM
and attending New England high schools, colleges, and graduate schools
are invited to participate. For over fifteen years, NEBHE has brought
together more than 500 students and over 100 industry and academic leaders
every year for the annual Science Network meeting.
For more information or to
register, visit http://www.nebhe.org/content/view/26/62.
Use "scinet14" (all lowercase) as your password
for registration.
New tool gauges value of ed-tech investment
District-level technology chiefs can now calculate the potential costs and
benefits of ed-tech purchases in measurable terms, thanks to a new Consortium
for School Networking Value of Investment tool. Project director
Rich Kaestner says his group's Web site will eventually include resources
that allow educators
to perform project risk analysis and estimate savings and revenues. read
more >>>
Be a volunteer in the Science Buddies Ask an
Expert Program.
Volunteer
as a Science Buddies online Expert and be a role model for science students.
Experts provide real-world scientific knowledge and examples of career
diversity. The Science Buddies Ask an Expert Program offers personalized
help to answer science fair project questions from middle and high school
students across the nation. This online bulletin board takes questions
in all fields. Volunteer Experts point students in the right direction,
give research advice, and help students refine and improve their experiments.
The goal is for students to have more fun and less frustration as they
complete a science fair project while getting guidance that may not be
available from their parents or teachers. There is also an option to
work in a semi-private forum. This is called the Ask an Expert Mentoring
Program. A small team of adult and high school Experts works with a group
of pre-selected student Investigators. You will advise the same group
of students from the start of their science projects until they finish.
You'll answer questions, review their work and provide feedback on their
projects. For more information, visit the website http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/opp_detail.jsp?oppid=182924
Fellowship Opportunity for K-12 STEM Teachers
The Einstein Fellowship
Program is an opportunity for K-12 science, math, and technology
teachers to
spend
a year in Washington,
D.C. working at a federal agency or on Capitol Hill. Some of the outstanding
contributions of Einstein Fellows have included drafting legislation
and influencing policy that seek to improve K-16 education in the United
States; initiating collaborations and establishing partnerships between
federal agencies; designing and implementing national science, math,
and technology education programs; creating web-based science education
programs; establishing and evaluating national and regional programs
centered on school reform and teacher preparation in science, mathematics,
and technology; and creating and producing educational curricula and
products with national distribution. For more information about the Einstein
Fellows program visit http://www.trianglecoalition.org/ein.htm or
contact Andrea Bodmann at bodmanna@triangle-coalition.org.
TryEngineering.org
TryEngineering.org, a new website launched by the IEEE, is packed with information
about engineering careers, university engineering programs, and the various
fields of engineering. The site includes a one of a kind searchable database
of accredited engineering programs in the U.S. and Canada, which will be expanded
to global coverage over the next year. TryEngineering aims to inform students
(ages 8 to 18), teachers, school counselors, and parents about what engineering
is and what engineers do.
http://www.TryEngineering.org
Consumer’s
Guide to Afterschool Science Resources
Getting kids hooked
on science is easy when you have the right materials to help you—but
finding good resources is sometimes a challenge.
To help educators, The National
Partnership for Quality Afterschool at SEDL teamed up with the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California,
Berkeley, and the Coalition of Science After School to produce the Consumer’s
Guide to Afterschool Science Resources. Although these resources were selected
especially for afterschool programs, many are suitable for the regular classroom.
The Consumer’s Guide is an online searchable guide of science resources
that have been reviewed by afterschool and science content experts. Users may
browse resources by title, subject, grade level, audience, or cost.
To access the Consumer’s Guide, visit http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/guide/science/index.html.
For more information on science activities especially appropriate for afterschool
programs, visit http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/toolkits/science/.
NSTA Web Seminars NSTA Web Seminars are
90-minute, live professional development experiences that use online learning
technologies to allow participants to interact with
nationally acclaimed experts, NSTA Press authors, and scientists, engineers,
and education specialists from NSTA government partners such as NASA, NOAA,
FDA, and the NSDL. Seminars run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. EST. These online events
are grant-funded, so they are offered at no cost; however, the number of participants
is
limited—first come, first served up until the day of the program. Register
early to receive a username. Password and other program information will follow
via e-mail. For a complete schedule of seminar topics, dates, and times, and
to register, visit
* Seminars are conveniently scheduled to allow educators from all U.S. time
zones to participate!
* Travel is not required-the program takes place at your desktop!
* Get real-time answers to your questions from content and pedagogical experts!
* The programs are live and interactive -all online tools are provided!
Educators use online tools that allow them to mark-up and annotate presenter's
slides or share desktop applications in addition to engaging in chat with others
online and answering quizzes and poll questions. Seminars may be archived and
available for viewing after the live event has occurred.
A new series of NSTA Web Seminars is scheduled between September 2006 and
March 2007. Topics include: nutrition and food safety, the Moon, the ocean's
role
in weather and climate, living and working in space, force and motion,
energy, and the International Polar Year!
http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp.
Session Materials
available online
U.S.
Department of Education Teacher-to-Teacher Workshops
The U.S. Department of Education
held a series of workshops for teachers and principals
in summer 2006. Some of the nation's best teachers and practitioners
shared their strategies for raising student achievement
and informed teachers of the latest, successful research-based
practices. Session materials are available
at
http://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Sessions.asp. Materials cover subjects such
as reading, math, history, art and foreign language as well
as topics like differentiating instruction and teaching students
with limited English proficiency. These free materials are
within the public domain and may be used widely, and we encourage
teachers to share them with their colleagues. The Teacher-to-Teacher
Initiative will announce the dates and locations of some
of the 2007 free summer workshops later this fall.
NSTA
Session Proposal Submissions Deadline: January 15 and April
15, 2007
Have a good idea? Submit an
online proposal for an NSTA conference and share your
teaching experience with our attendees! Visit http://www.nsta.org/conferences to submit your proposal for our 2007–2008 conferences.
In 2007–2008 NSTA will hold conferences in:
2007 Area Conferences on Science Education
Proposal Deadline: January 15, 2007
Detroit, Michigan
October 18–20, 2007
Denver, Colorado
November 8–10, 2007
Birmingham, Alabama
December 6–8, 2007
2008 National Conference on Science Education
Proposal Deadline: April 15, 2007
Boston, Massachusetts
March 27–30, 2008
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Funding Opportunities
Air
Force Association’s
Educator Grant Program
The AFA Educator
Grant Program is designed to promote aerospace education activities in
classrooms
from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The program
encourages
development of innovative activities within the prescribed curriculum.
The program also encourages establishing an active relationship between
the school and the local Air Force Association chapter.
Grants of up to $250 are made available to educators every twelve months.
In the past, grants have been awarded to help offset the cost of transportation
and admissions to museums, airports and military air bases; provide the necessary
funding to purchase additional textbooks, computer software, model rocket kits
and wind tunnels. Please note that the application
may have changed since you last completed one and that all parts of the application
must be completed for it to receive our consideration.
Completed applications must be postmarked no later than November
15, 2006 to the attention of Michelle Makinen in order to be considered. Grant
recipients will be announced and notified no later than January 31, 2007.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this program, please contact
Michelle Makinen at 703-247-5800 ext 4877 or via e-mail at mmakinen@afa.org.
Download application (pdf).
Toyota TAPESTRY grants for science teachers
A partnership between Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. , Inc. and the National Science
Teachers Association, the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers
program offers grants to K–12 science teachers for innovative
projects that enhance science education in the school and/or school district.
This year, 50 large grants of up to $10,000 each and 20-25 mini-grants
of up to $2,500 will be awarded to K-12 teachers of science in the United States. To apply for funding, qualified teachers must write
a Toyota TAPESTRY proposal according to the proposal requirements. The deadline
for the completion of the online application is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard
Time, Thursday, January 18, 2007.
http://ecommerce2.nsta.org/toyota/
Lowe's, International Paper, and National Geographic Outdoor Classroom Grant
Program
The Outdoor Classroom Grant Program provides outdoor, hands-on science
education to students in grades kindergarten through 12 and assists schools
in enhancing their core curriculum in all subjects. Lowe's Charitable and
Educational Foundation, International Paper, and National Geographic Explorer
classroom
magazine have partnered to create an outdoor classroom grant program to provide
schools with additional resources to improve their science curriculum by
engaging students in hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom.
The grants
can be used to build a new outdoor classroom or to enhance a current outdoor
classroom at the school.
Funds: Average grant size: $2,0000
Maximum grant size: $20,000
Number of awards: 100
Deadline: Rolling
Eligible: Elementary and secondary public schools in the United States
Information: Outdoor Classroom Grant Program, Post Office Box 3292, Memphis,
TN 38173-0292, Link: www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/apply1.html
There is also an online Learning Center on International Paper's website referred
to in the Lowe's opportunity. There are posters and teaching materials for
purchase and also posters to download for free: http://www.internationalpaper.com/Our%20Company/Learning%20Center/Life%20Of%20The%20Forest/index.html
American Honda Foundation
The
American Honda Foundation makes grants to K-12 schools, colleges,
universities, trade schools, and other youth-focused nonprofit
organizations for programs that benefit youth and scientific education.
Maximum
Award: $10,000 -$100,000.
Eligibility:
Schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations.
Deadline:
Grant applications are accepted four times per year: Nov. 1, Feb. 1, May 1, and Aug. 1.
See http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf for
details.
Assisting Youth at Risk
The Home
Depot Foundation gives cash and materials to help provide
young people with safe places to play and learn, leadership programs
that teach skills through community engagement, and job readiness
training.
Maximum
Award: Up to $25,000
Eligibility:
Schools and districts.
Deadline:
Applications are considered four times a year.
See http://www.homedepot.com/HDUS/EN_US/corporate/corp_respon/atrisk_youth.shtml for
details.
NEA Foundation for the Improvement of
Education
The NEA
Foundation supports a variety of efforts by
teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty
and staff to improve student learning in the nation's public schools,
colleges, and universities.
- Closing the
Achievement Gap: Many economically disadvantaged and
minority students do not have the same opportunities for academic
success as their more affluent peers. With support from The NEA
Foundation, partnerships led by NEA affiliates, school districts, and
community organizations will take action to accelerate the achievement
rate for disadvantaged and minority students, while raising achievement
for all groups of students. Details.
Application is by invitation only. Additional resources.
- Attracting and
Retaining Accomplished Teachers: The goal of these
grants is to establish the teaching and learning conditions necessary
to attract and retain accomplished teachers (including National Board
Certified Teachers) in hard-to-staff public schools. The foundation is
not currently accepting applications for this program.
- NEA Fine Arts
Grants: These grants enable fine arts teachers to create
and implement fine arts programs that promote learning among students
at risk of school failure. Read about the work of grant recipients.
The foundation is not currently accepting applications for this program.
- Arts@Work Grant
Program: The NEA Foundation's Arts@Work grants encourage
public secondary school arts teachers to collaborate with expert
technology-using teachers and the business community to develop
examples of technology-integrated arts curricula that meet high
standards for student achievement. This program is supported in part by
a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The foundation is not
currently accepting applications for this program. Read about the grant
recipients.
- The NEA Foundation
Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education honors an
individual who has made exceptional contributions to public education.
Recipients include The Magic School Bus® author and
illustrator, Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen; former
NEA President Mary Hatwood Futrell; actor LeVar Burton; former US
Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley; and the late Fred Rogers,
creator and host of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.
- Professional
Development Partnerships: The NEA Foundation funds systemic
demonstration efforts to improve the quality and availability of
professional development for public education employees. Application is by invitation only.
Free Weekly Funding
Update
The Weekly Funding Update
is a listing of funding opportunities, recent grant awards,
announcements,
and news from local, state, federal and private sources. The Update is
free and available on this website or by email. To receive the Funding
Update by e-mail, send an e-mail to Funding Update Mailing
List with "Join" in the subject line. Visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/intergovernmental/weekly.asp.
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Recent Articles & Reports
Business Higher Education Forum
The BHEF recently released
a report in their Forum Focus series, Boosting K-12 Student Achievement – How
Corporate America and Higher Education Can Help. The issue of Forum Focus features
BHEF’s latest initiative, improving K-12 student achievement, particularly
in mathematics and science. The report also highlights the Raytheon MathMovesU
program, among others. Visit their website to download the report: www.bhef.com.
UT-BATTELLE USES
SIGNING BONUS TO RECRUIT MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS:
UT-Battelle, which manages Oak
Ridge National Laboratory, has launched an innovative new plan to strengthen
math and science education in East Tennessee. The company has paid a $10,000 "signing
bonus" as an incentive for three teachers, two starting in Union County
and one in Morgan County, TN. Union and Morgan counties are the first to
participate in the initiative that focuses on schools where math and science
teaching positions have been vacant for at least one year. UT-Battelle offers
$10,000 up front to certified teachers who agree to teach at least three
years. The financial transaction is between UT-Battelle and the teacher,
with no money passing through the county government or the school system.
Jennifer Wilson joins the faculty at Union County this fall in what will
be her first teaching job. The school also recently received $10,000 from
UT-Battelle to equip a new science lab.
UT-Battelle initiated the signing bonus program as one of several efforts to
improve math and science education in East Tennessee schools. UT-Battelle also
sponsors a variety of science competitions and has provided approximately $350,000
to equip science laboratories in Tennessee schools. A spokesperson for UT-Battelle,
which has received interest from other area schools seeking to hire new math
or science teachers, said the company is prepared to offer five signing bonuses
a year and hopes that other Tennessee companies will join their effort. For
more information, visit http://www.ornl.gov/
“More
schools falling short”
Boston Globe, 13 September
2006
Massachusetts education
officials reported yesterday that twice as many schools have received the
worst designation for academic performance this year compared
to last. That designation is reserved for schools that fail to meet state
test goals for five years or more. Overall, 617 public schools
have failed to meet federal standards for at least two years, up from 420
last year.
“
We knew this was going to happen,” said David Driscoll, the state education
commissioner. “Standards rise every year. We anticipate more and more
schools will be designated.”
The worst-performing schools are eligible for restructuring.
So far, the state has partnered with local districts to restructure schools,
but with the number
of failing schools rising, some politicians and business leaders are pushing
for more severe measures, like takeovers. Most of the schools are in urban
areas.
Education advocates say the rising number of failing
schools indicates that additional resources are needed to help low-performing
students. The state
has only $5 million budgeted for intervention strategies, while some groups
estimate that they need five times as much.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/09/13/more_schools_falling_short/
Recent studies on science,
technology, engineering and math
Tapping America's Potential: The Education for Innovation Initiative (2005)
Business Roundtable
www.businessroundtable.org/pdf/20050803001TAPfinalnb.pdf
Science and Engineering Indicators.
2006 National Science
Board
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind06/
Rising Above a Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America
for a Brighter Economic Future (2005)
National Academies of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Inst. Of
Medicine
www.nap.edu/catalog/11463.html
National Innovation Initiative Report
2004 Council on Competitiveness
http://innovateamerica.org/webscr/report.asp The World is Flat
2005 Thomas Friedman, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/
Transforming America's Scientific and Technological Infrastrucutre: Recommendations
for Urgent Action
2006. Project kaleidoscope
http://www.pkal.org/documents/2006ReportOnReports-National.pdf
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