Central Education Renewal Zone

NASA ESMD Research Paper Competition

pxcoker — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:07:05 +0000

Join NASA’s mission to send humans to the moon, Mars and beyond by submitting a research paper on one of four areas related to NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.

The research paper should relate to one of the following areas:
–Ground Operations : Spacecraft Landing and Recovery Architecture: Historical Approaches and Ideas for the Future

–Lunar and Planetary Surface Systems : Synergistic degradation effects of materials exposed to radiation, micrometeors, thermal sinks and lunar dust

–Propulsion : Loading of Cryogenic Propellant in Space Launch Vehicle

–Spacecraft : Determination of the Optimum Internal Cockpit Layout
The ESMD Research Paper Competition is open to students who are U.S. citizens in an undergraduate or graduate studies program. Students must be in good standing and enrolled full- or part-time at a college or university in the United States. Papers may be submitted by an individual or team. Papers that have been previously submitted in other competitions are permitted.

First place winners will be selected for each of the four areas. Each winner will receive a $3500 cash scholarship and VIP seating to an upcoming launch.

The deadline for submitting the research paper is Jan. 25, 2010.

For more information about this competition, visit http://education.ksc.nasa.gov/esmdspacegrant/ResearchPaper.htm .

Questions about the ESMD Research Paper Competition should be directed to Diane Ingraham at zola.d.ingraham@nasa.gov.

Schoolyard Habitat Workshop

pxcoker — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:18:28 +0000

WHEN: February 25, 2010

WHERE: DeQueen-Mena Educational Cooperative
305 South Hornberg Avenue
Gillham, AR 71841

TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

FEE: No charge but pre-registration is required
Substitute pay is available ($50.00 maximum)
Lunch can be brought or ordered/purchased on site, but
will not be provided.

WHAT TO EXPECT: make & take sessions, field experiences, hands-on activities, networking opportunities, and free resources including curriculum correlated to state frameworks.

You will earn 6 hours of Professional Development credit!

Please pre-register through ESCWorks

Additional contact information: Crystal France at (870) 386-2251 or ramseyc@dmec1.dmsc.k12.ar.us

https://mail.ualr.edu/uwc/webmail/en/mail.html?lang=en&laurel=on&cal=1

Teachers Domain

pxcoker — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:17:49 +0000

Check out the NOVA collection on Teachers’ Domain:

http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/3be5390bce

Features video segments, interactives and other classroom-ready
materials drawn from the NOVA series and aligned to your curriculum.
Visit the NOVA Teachers site to download teacher’s guides by program
title and subject.

On June 30th, join PBS in making Tuesdays “Super Science Night” with
back to back episodes of your favorite science documentaries:

NOVA airs at 8pm and NOVA scienceNOW kicks of Season 4 at 9pm.

You’re invited to an interactive webcast for educators with NOVA
scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Wednesday, May 27th

6-7pm EST

Enjoy an hour with Neil live online, and…

* get a sneak peak of upcoming shows
* learn about free media resources for your classroom
* sample hands-on activities
* Ask Neil questions about the universe!

To register for this free event, click here or visit
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/723b1cc418.
________________________________________________________

Browse our expanded collection of digital resources:

English Language Arts
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/b9d26a498d]
Mathematics
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/a7f0ef5b19]
Social Studies
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/b1956bd66d]
Arts
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/31599814c9]
Science
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/0aac3e3675]

Looking for end of the year resources?

Teachers’ Domain staff shares their favorite picks:

Body Control Center
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/f75c64540b]
- this interactive feature illustrates the constant monitoring and
adjustment of the nervous system in the human body.

Unhinged - a video about the evolution of snakes and the adaptions
caused by changes in their environment.
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/edbd687d1d]

The Lanyard - Billy Collins reads his humorous poem about a childhood
gift he made for his mother.
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/bd5a2080b2]

Kid Musician: Mexico’s Guitar Town - a video segment from ZOOM where
guest host, Andres, shows us that guitar music goes beyond simple
sound vibrations in his native town of Michoacan, Mexico.
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/dff66ada3b]

Documenting Glacial Change - a collection of photo pairings that
demonstrate glacial change over time.
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/72baeeafe5]

__________________________________________________

Teachers’ Domain Professional Development

Inquiry-Based Science in Action

See inquiry classrooms in action, learn science concepts, and earn
graduate credit through Teachers’ Domain Professional Development
online courses. Digital media from award-winning public television
programs is a part of every course.

Teachers’ Domain Online Course Spotlight:

Science and the Living World
K-4 Elementary Life Science

This course helps teachers learn about the nature of science and how
to use scientific inquiry to learn and teach about the living world.

All Teachers’ Domain courses include rich digital media. Have you ever
assumed that the ocean is a quiet place? Did you know that a whale’s
ear canal is larger than a human skull? Visit this link to view a
sample of the media in Science and the Living World and learn why
ocean sounds are vital to the survival of underwater creatures.
whale.jpg

Related Resource: Guess How Whales Hear!
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/d22b3f642f

MORE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS:

Are stimulus funds for professional development coming to your school?
You can use WGBH Teachers’ Domain online courses to impact science
teaching and learning. Contact Carolyn Jacobs:
carolyn_jacobs@wgbh.org or 617-300-3640.

Summer sessions for TDPD courses across the country:

Missouri Educators: eMINTS -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/e36e923e85

Michigan Educators: Madonna -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/f4306d3c3c
Massachusetts Educators: Merrimack Education Center (through Fitchburg
State College) -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/ec3494166b

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
(DESE) is offering our Teaching High School Biology course this summer
as part of a Professional Development Institute. For registration
information, contact MaryEllen Morcaldi at 978-345-3234 /
morcaldim@fitchburg.k12.ma.us or click here.

Additional courses are offered nationally through PBS TeacherLine.
Log on now and choose from seven Teachers’ Domain courses offered this
summer:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/e91755fd55.
Hurry – courses start June 25th!

_____________________________________________________________

National Science Digital Library

Summer Brown Bag Webinar Series:

What Works? Using NSDL Collections in the K-12 Classroom

In this three-part webinar series, we’ll explore some of NSDL’s
collections and highlight what works for teaching chemistry, physics
and physical science, as well as the use of rich-media in teaching
science–all of these free and accessible on the web!

While finding quality resources is half the challenge, we’ll also
provide tips on how to use these materials more effectively. Whether
you’re teaching these subject areas for the first time or need some
new material to freshen up next year’s curriculum, sign up for our
next session:

WGBH Teachers’ Domain: How to Use Rich Digital Media to Impact Science
Teaching and Learning

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern Time

Audience: K-12 educators

To register for this free event, click here
[http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/1923dc078a/a014ad57b7/6cb638bc65/udc=1op253zn9d4dr]

NSTA EXPRESS –Children’ s Book Council Release 2009 List of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12

pxcoker — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:44:49 +0000

Today’s classrooms have no real walls! Students explore the world on field trips, during virtual journeys on the world wide web, and through the books they read. These pathways help them fly to the ends of the universe to satisfy their scientific curiosity.

Again this year, the professionals of the NSTA/CBC Review Panel for Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 have been pleased to serve as travel guides, identifying the best in trade books for student explorations. Their recommendations encourage young readers to fly Over the Rivers, brave the Antarctic with Emperors of the Ice, come Face to Face With Elephants, or help a family of mountain gorillas Looking for Miza. There are journeys to microworlds as well, inviting students into Dr. Frankenstein’s lab to investigate the human body, to search nests for Eggs, or work with a National Geographic scientist to explore Genetics.

Each of these books is not just accurate, up-to-date, and attractive but also represents a new, creative path to inquiry. They often have text at a variety of levels—suitable for first reading alone or in a group and for revisiting again and again to learn more. Graphics are often so detailed that they not only support the text but provide opportunities for students to hone their observation skills and to make connections and apply concepts. And almost all of these roads to adventure are linked to other paths (print and electronic) so that the curious explorer can go further. The journey begins here—come along.

Juliana Texley,
Lead Reviewer, NSTA Recommends

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National Science Teachers Association Web Seminars

pxcoker — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:48:55 +0000

National Science Digital Library continues its partnership with the National Science Teachers Association and NSDL presenting web seminars for teacher professional development that showcase NSDL experts and resources. http://nsdl.org/resources_for/K12_teachers/

North American Association for Environmental Education Grants, Awards and Contests

pxcoker — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:03:14 +0000

The Arkansas Fish and Game Commision sent an e-mail to ERZ listing 18 Awards, Grants and Contests and Conferences that are being offered in 2009. Teachers and students should be encouraged to look over the list. Call 800-364-4263. Go for It and good luck.

New Section

pxcoker — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:49:30 +0000

Please note that we have added a new section to our LINKS on this web-site. It is titled Grants, Funds & Awards and we believe it can be very helpful to you in pursuing financial rewards, for educational purposes. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the array of opportunities out there.

National Museum of Education

pxcoker — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:33:00 +0000

The National Gallery for America’s Young Inventors™ is the only nationally recognized HALL OF FAME FOR STUDENT INVENTORS, established in 1993 and given permission by the adult National Inventors Hall of Fame Board in Washington, D.C. to archive and
enshrine great student inventions and inventors K-12.

This site features many national competitions for K-12. They also publish a magazine The Inventucator.

http://www.nmoe.org/index.htm

Students and Teachers this is well worth a look.

ERZ Logic Model July 07

prpearce — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:17:47 +0000

Instructional Coaching

pxcoker — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:44:12 +0000

It is important to ADE that that the following information about the instructional coaching training offered for the 2008-2009 school year is available to anyone that could benefit from the workshop.

For the past two years ADE has provided training for literacy coaches around the state. According to a recent statewide survey, instructional coaches are asking for less content specific PD and more training on the strategies and skills necessary to perform their duties as a coach. A core team is now developing PD for all instructional coaches using information from the National Staff Development Council, The Arkansas Professional Development Toolkit, and Stephen Barkley. The training will center on the strategies and skills instructional coaches/leaders need in order to perform the variety of roles necessary for advancing professional learning and for the improvement of student achievement. This year the majority of the training will focus on:
• understanding how to establish partnership agreements with teachers and administrators in order to further learning
• developing a deeper understanding of the many roles of an instructional coach,
• understanding the impact of change on adult learners
The following training dates will occur by CIV:

• December 8th
• January 26th
• February 23rd
• May 11th
Additional days for content support will be provided.

Math (Linda Griffith) Science * Literacy *
July 28-31st Sept. 16th Sept. 16th
Sept. 10th Oct. 14th Oct. 14th
Oct. 8th Dec. 9th Dec. 9th
Dec. 10th Jan. 27th Jan. 27th
Jan. 14th - 09 Feb. 24th Feb. 24th
Feb. 11th May 12th May 12th
Mar. 11th *Science and Literacy content training will be determined by co-op Apr. 8th based on needs of participants.
May 13th
March 30th –April 3rd (one day regional meetings with Stephen Barkley)
In order to support and strengthen the role of the instructional coach/lead teacher, it is critical the principal attend the first meeting on September 15th.
Each school will be responsible for providing the necessary resources and substitute teachers.
Registration will be done through your local education service cooperative’s online professional registration system.
Deadline for registration is September 5th.

To register on-line go to ESC Works

or ADE’s To register on-line go to ESC Works

or ADE’s If you have any questions please contact:

If you have any questions please contact:

Karen Taylor
K-12 Literacy Specialist
Professional Development
AR Dept of Education
501/246-6572