Finance a Field Trip through Target

Many teachers would like to extend their students' learning by taking them on a field trip to a museum, zoo, farm, nature center, or other informal science education venue. But tight budgets may make this almost impossible. Fortunately, Target has established a Field Trip Grant program to help teachers continue to take their students on field trips.

Each Target store will award three Field Trip Grants to K–12 schools nationwide, enabling one in 25 schools throughout the United States to send a classroom on a field trip. Teachers can use a grant to fund a school field trip that connects their curriculum to out-of-school experiences. Each grant is valued up to $700. The application period opened this week; visit the website to learn more and apply.

Don’t let tight budgets get you down! Visit the NSTA Calendar to find out about other grants for teachers.

Toilets that generate electricity - New Gates Project

Gates project info:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/foundationnotes/Pages/frank-rijsberman-reinvent-the-toilet.aspx

Toliets that generate electricity! Talk about awesome EDP.
Here is an example of a project that was awarded funding:
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/onepercent/2011/07/green-mahince-researchers-desi.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

WEB Resources that might be of interest

Dan Meyer - http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?page_id=2716
I'm Dan Meyer. I taught high school math between 2004 and 2010 and I
am currently studying at Stanford University on a doctoral fellowship.
My hobbies include graphic design, filmmaking, motion graphics, and
infographics, most of which have found their way into my practice in
some way or another. My specific interests include curriculum design
(answering the question, "how we design the ideal learning experience
for students?") and teacher education (answering the questions, "how
do teachers learn?" and "how do we retain more teachers?" and "how do
we teach teachers to teach?").

Sir Ken Robinson - http://sirkenrobinson.com/skr/
Sir Ken Robinson, PhD is an internationally recognized leader in the
development of education, creativity and innovation. He is also one
of the world’s leading speakers with a profound impact on audiences
everywhere. The videos of his famous 2006 and 2010 talks to the
prestigious TED Conference have been seen by an estimated 200 million
people in over 150 countries.


http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LelXa3U_I


Dinae Ravitch
http://www.dianeravitch.com/


Diane Ravitch is Research Professor of Education at New York
University and a historian of education. In addition, she is a
nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington,
D.C. She shares a blog called Bridging Differences with Deborah Meier,
hosted by Education Week. She also blogs for Politico.com/arena and
the Huffington Post. Her articles have appeared in many newspapers and
magazines.

Win a Professional Development Scholarship-Apply by Aug. 1

If you’re a 2nd or 3rd year secondary science teacher, you’re eligible to become a Fellow in the New Science Teacher Academy, one of NSTA’s premier programs providing professional development and mentoring. Two hundred teachers will be chosen to participate in the 2011 Academy and take advantage of cost-free, consistent online professional development activities along with face-to-face experiences.

The Academy provides each teacher with:
• A year-long, discipline-specific mentor
• Web-based content development courses and other resources
• Membership with full benefits in the NSTA
• 2012 National Conference on Science Education attendance including air travel, lodging, meals, and registration fees.

We know districts are struggling with budgetary constraints and new teachers, especially, are feeling the pain of temporary displacement. We’re working with teachers to provide flexibility in the application process while districts try to make difficult staffing choices. So we encourage you to apply to participate in the Academy even while you wait to hear about your fall classroom posting. The Academy has supported more than 600 teachers nationwide and this exciting opportunity is waiting for you.

To find out more about the Academy and how to apply for a scholarship, visit www.nsta.org/academy/ or contact the project director, Damaries Blondonville, at dblondonville@nsta.org.

Timely Resource for AP Teachers

Timely Resource for AP Teachers

Now that the AP tests are over, we understand that you may have time for innovation. This may give you the opportunity to sample one of our nanotechnology lessons. We've simplified it for you by offering comprehensive lesson plans (many of which have been improved by teachers' feedback) and by providing materials with a typical one to two-day turnaround.

The lessons, each of which illustrates a nanotechnology concept, vary in sophistication, so that you can find one that fits your class profile. We are available to discuss them with you and provide ongoing support since we realize that nanotechnology may be new for many of you.

The available lessons are:
• Properties of Colloidal Metals on Nano Scale
• The Molecular Scale: How do you measure what you can't see?
• Effect of Size on Reactions Hydrogels - Production and Applications
• The Effect of Particle Size on Filtering Efficiency of Water
• Hydrogels - Production and Applications

You also can access analytical instruments at our partner universities in your classroom through the Internet.

The lessons can be found on our website www.nanotecknowledgy.org at:
http://www.nanotecknowledgy.org/Lessons.aspx


The nanotecKnowledgy team looks forward to working with you to inspire your students with this exciting, 21st century technology that will have a profound impact on their lives.

Jim Murray, PhD, Chairman, Chemistry Department, Immaculata University
David Luzzi, PhD, MBA, Dean, College of Engineering, Northeastern University
Barry Stein, PhD, Senior Consultant
Mary Burch, PhD, Consultant

New Science Teacher Academy Application Deadline: July 1, 2011

New Science Teacher Academy Application Deadline: July 1, 2011

If you’re a second- or third-year secondary science teacher, don’t miss the deadline, July 1, to apply to NSTA’s New Science Teacher Academy. The Academy supports its Fellows through mentoring and other professional development resources during their initial, challenging second and third years of teaching. Striving for quality science teaching, enhanced teacher confidence, classroom excellence, and solid content knowledge, the Academy provides the following benefits:

• Full membership in the National Science Teachers Association
• Access to the web-based content development and pedagogy activities and resources including web seminars led by national experts
• Use of vetted science websites, state and national standards sites, other professional organizations, safety tips, and more
• E-mentoring with an experienced teacher in the same science discipline and grade band
• Access to a nationwide, online network of science educators and scientists for exchange of information, ideas, and resources
• Participation in a Research Dissemination Conference or a Professional Development Institute
• Paid accommodations, airfare, meals, and registration fees to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education
Who is Eligible?
• Applicants must reside in the United States
• Applicants must be entering their second or third year of teaching
• Applicants must be working a schedule with 51 percent of their classes in middle or high school science

Download and complete an application (www.nsta.org/academy) to become a Fellow in the New Science Teacher Academy. July 1, 2011 is the deadline for receipt of all applications.

Physics I: Mechanics & Energy - Laboratory-Based Physics Content Institute

Physics I: Mechanics & Energy - Laboratory-Based Physics Content Institute

Supported by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Wonderful activities and research-based discipline-specific pedagogy

67.5 PDPs for completion of entire institute

$550 of supplies and equipment

Course Descripton: Investigations will involve the study of motion, change in motion, force, work, energy and power. The use of probeware for both computers and hand-held devises and data analysis software will be used extensively to facilitate .learning from nature.. The .minds-on.
pedagogy of Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (ILDs), developed at .The Center for Science and Mathematics Teaching. at Tufts University, will be modeled throughout the institute. Teacherswill leave this institute with classroom activities, written resources and an assortment of supplies and equipment (valued at ~$550) to support a technology enhanced physics curriculum.

This will be a collegial, hands-on laboratory-based course that is especially relevant to teachers in grades 7 through 12 and special education staff supporting students who are learning physics concepts.
This physics course will help you develop more competencies in physics and increase your comfort in using technology resources in support of teaching ideas related to the Massachusetts state frameworks standards in high school and middle school physics.


Dates: July 11, 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, July 12-15 and July 18-21, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Follow-up: September 10 and December 3, 9:00 AM to 3:00PM

Location: Brockton High
School . 470 Forest Avenue, Brockton, MA

Contact: Mark D. Greenman
Email: mgreenman2@verizon.net
Mobile: 781-248-4952
Office: mgreenma@nsf.gov
Office: 703-292-5195

WEB Page:
http://mhs.marbleheadschools.org/teachers/page/greenman/Prof_Development


Please note: this is not a Northeastern University program.