Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Harvard HSSP Program - Please share with your students

We at MIT ESP would like to introduce you to our sister program, Harvard HSSP. The program will run on Saturdays from October 2 to November 13 on the Harvard Campus.

Online registration for grades 7-12 is now open. The first round of registration closes on September 25th. So register SOON at http://esp.mit.edu/learn/HSSP/index.html

Further details are below:

Harvard ESP is proud to announce that their second annual High School Studies Program (HSSP)is taking place this fall! This year, HSSP will be open to middle school and high school students in grades 7-12.

HSSP is a perfect opportunity for students with diverse interests and a passion for learning to explore their passions through fun and helpful classes. Our classes are mostly taught by our very own undergraduates, all of whom have a genuine interest in the subject they're teaching. With classes that include "Theoretical Linear Algebra," "Hamlet: An Overview," and "Digital Art," students will be sure to find classes that they enjoy and that will help nurture their love of learning.

Two-hour classes begin on Saturday, October 2nd and run on seven consecutive Saturdays until November 13th. All classes will be held on the Harvard University campus. Online registration is now open at http://esp.mit.edu/learn/HSSP/index.html. Students may register for up to three classes. The registration fee is $30 per student and is waived for any student on the free or reduced lunch program. Financial aid is also available to all students who apply and demonstrate necessity.

We look forward to seeing you this fall at HSSP!

Sincerely,
MIT and Harvard ESP

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

FAB@School - worth a look

http://www.fablevision.com/new/index.html

FABLEVISION CELEBRATES WINNING NEWS:
FAB@SCHOOL PROJECT LANDS MACARHUR "LEARNING LAB DESIGNERS AWARD!
FableVision, U.Va, & Cornell Celebrate Big Win in MacArthur Foundation/HASTAC's
Digital Media & Learning Competition - Fab@School Project Named Winner of
“21st Century Learning Lab Designers” Award
Facing stiff competition from over 800 entries, the Fab@School initiative has been selected as one of only ten "Learning Lab Designer" winners in the MacArthur Foundation/HASTAC's Digital Media and Learning Competition. FableVision's CEO Paul Reynolds was in Washington, DC at the awards presentation with partner Dr. Glen Bull of the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education.
The Fab@School initiative, which starts at the elementary school level, features an inquiry and project-based curriculum/toolset which allows students to create three-dimensional objects - everything from model skyscrapers and bridges to pop-ups, gears, and working mechanisms - using a digital fabricator. Students design the objects on a computer and then send it to the fabricator to "print." When finished, a student has in physical form what they created on the screen. The FableVision team, led by Dr. Peggy Healy Stearns (who co-created FableVision Learning's award-winning Stationery Studio K-5 writing software with Peter H. Reynolds), will be producing and publishing the classroom software with long-time ed tech partner MacKiev Software, under the leadership of Jack Minsky.
Along with lead partner Dr. Glen Bull of the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education, some of Fab@School's other project partners include Cornell University Computational Synthesis Laboratory, Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE), Hofstra University, and the International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA).
Watch the short video below to learn more about how Fab@School is aiming to revolutionize elementary STEM learning with its engaging constructivist/constructionist approach. For more information, check out the Fab@School Project on the Digital Media and Learning Competition website

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

West Point Bridge Design Contest

http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/

Welcome to the 2011 West Point Bridge Design Contest
HOW TO ENTER

Download and install the West Point Bridge Designer 2011 software.
Use the software to design and test a virtual bridge.
Register your team.
Log in and submit as many designs as you like.
It's absolutely FREE!

Who: U.S. students age 13 through grade 12 are eligible for prizes. Anyone else may enter our Open Competition. More about eligibility...

When: The 2011 contest will begin on January 10, 2011, and the Qualifying Round will end on February 25. More about the contest schedule...
Prizes: Each member of the first-place team earns a $10,000 scholarship. Each finalist wins a notebook computer. More about prizes...

Thursday, September 16, 2010

PCAST (President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) STEM Report

PCAST Releases Major Report on STEM—Today the White House Office of Science and Technology will release the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology long-awaited final report on actions the federal government can take to strengthen STEM education. The report goes directly to President Obama and is sure to have an impact on future policy and funding decisions.

Link to full report
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp


You might want to take a look at some of the recent reports. Please post your comments.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEM INNOVATORS: INDENTIFYING AND DEVELOPING OUR NATIONS HUMAN CAPITAL

PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEM INNOVATORS: INDENTIFYING AND DEVELOPING OUR NATIONS HUMAN CAPITAL

http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/stem/

Summary
The development of our nation's human capital through our education system is an essential building block for future innovation. Currently, the abilities of far too many of America's young men and women go unrecognized and underdeveloped, and, thus, they fail to reach their full potential. This represents a loss for both the individual and society. There are students with high potential from every demographic and from every part of our country, who with hard work and the proper educational opportunities, will form the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) innovators. The National Science Board (Board) believes that the recommendations set forth in this report will help ensure a legacy of continued prosperity and a renewed aspiration towards equity and excellence in U.S. STEM education.

Background for the STEM Innovators Project
To produce this report, in August 2008, the Board charged the Committee on Education and Human Resources to form an ad hoc Task Group on STEM Innovators. The Task Group was directed to identify strategies for increasing the number of future STEM innovators and synthesize recommendations for how the National Science Foundation (NSF), and possibly other Federal entities, might engage in fostering the development of these individuals. This report and the recommendations set forth herein are based on the findings from an expert panel discussion held on August 23-25, 2009, and a 2-year examination of the issue by the ad hoc Task Group.

FULL PUBLICATION AVAILABLE
Preparing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators: Identifying and Developing Our Nation's Human Capital (Full Report; PDF)
National STEM Action Plan
A National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education System
Download A National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education System.

Paper copies of the action plan can be ordered by submitting a Web-based order form at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/orderpub.jsp.