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Friday, November 21, 2008

Quote of the Day
"What the country needs are a few labor-making inventions."
Arnold Glasow

Topics in This Issue
01. ITEA Election Results
02. ITEA is Going to Louisville. . .
03. ITEA's Grants, Scholarships, and Awards – There Is Still Time!
04. SWE Outreach Expo
05. It's Here – The Capstone Course You've Been Waiting For!
06. NCATE to Develop Options Within Accrediting Process
07. ITEA Membership Can Help Protect Your Identity
08. IMSTEA Receives Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence
09. Introducing a New Generation of Inventors
10. 2009 TOSHIBA/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Program Now Open for Student Entrants
11. 2009 Team America Rocketry Challenge Accepting Applications
12. INSPIRE From NASA
13. Other Opportunities From NASA
14. NASA Education
15. Young Thomas Edison – A New Product Series for Students to Learn About the Great Inventor
16. The Jason Project Announces New Energy Curriculum
17. K-8 STEM Programs in Ohio
18. EnviroTech Professional Development Opportunity
19. NJTEA Update News
20. More Opportunities
21. the cad academy®

ITEA Election Results
Congratulations to the recently elected members of the ITEA Board of Directors!

President-Elect Gary Wynn, DTE	Region I Director Joanne Trombley	Region III Director Mike Neden, DTE	TECA Director Andrew Klenke	CS Director Greg Kane

ITEA is Going to Louisville, KY, March 26-28, 2009 with an exciting conference schedule lineup!

• Dedicated Exhibit Hours
• Over 100 Professional Development Learning Sessions
• Lunch in Exhibit Hall
• Specialized Preconference Workshops
• Morning General Sessions
• Expanded Registration and Resource Booth Hours
• Specially Selected Educational/Industry Tours
• Lowest Room Rates Available

 Preregister for this exciting conference and:

• Save nearly 15% on conference fees
• Be entered in a drawing to win a $100 VISA Gift Card. (Drawings will be held at the General Sessions on Thursday and Friday morning. You must be present to win.)
• Pick up your packet on Wednesday before the conference starts
• Receive a certificate for 25 hours of Professional Development

Register online or mail or fax your completed forms, postmarked by the deadline—February 27, 2009. (Registrations received after this deadline will be held for onsite registration.)

Forms can be found online at http://www.iteea.org/Conference/registration.htm.

Register today!

ITEA’s Grants, Scholarships, and Awards – There Is Still Time!
Apply Before the December 1st Deadline

Are you an elementary or secondary teacher who is integrating technology and engineering into your school's curriculum?
 
Are you an undergraduate majoring in technology education teacher preparation?
 
Are you a technology teacher who is also a grad student?
 
There is something for everyone on ITEA's Awards page: http://www.iteea.org/Awards/awards.htm.
 
Don't delay! Awards will be presented at ITEA's Annual Conference in Louisville, KY on March 26-28, 2009.
 
Individual ITEA membership is required for all grants, scholarships, and awards.

SWE Outreach Expo

ITEA recently was invited to participate in the Society of Women Engineers’ (SWE) Outreach Expo at its 2008 National Conference, Women Leading a Technical Revolution, in Baltimore, MD. SWE’s Outreach Expo provided an opportunity for invited organizations to meet SWE members who are excited about outreach to children, educators, and parents. ITEA was invited to attend because of its “commitment to inspiring young people in STEM careers,” a commitment that is shared by the SWE organization.

It’s Here – The Capstone Course You’ve Been Waiting For!
ITEA is proud to announce the availability of Engineering Design, Second Edition, the high school capstone course of the Engineering byDesign™ Standards-Based National Model Program.

Engineering Design, Second Edition offers students the opportunity to understand and apply knowledge and skills required to create and transform ideas and concepts into a product that satisfies specific customer requirements. Students will experience design engineering in the creation, synthesis, iteration, and presentation of design solutions. Students will coordinate and interact in authentic ways to produce the form, fit, and function documentation, with appropriate models to completely define a product. Engineering Design, Second Edition is an interactive electronic publication.

The special introductory price is just $69.00 ($62.00 for ITEA members).
To order or for additional information, contact ITEA at 703-860-2100 (order code P222CD).

NCATE to Develop Options Within Accrediting Process

Creating Value, Promoting Rigor and Inquiry, and Ensuring Cost-Effectiveness are Key Components of Redesign

The NCATE Executive Board voted unanimously at its fall meeting in October to redesign the NCATE accreditation process. The change is on a fast track. The Board asked Dr. James Cibulka, President of NCATE, to return in spring 2009, after consulting with all NCATE constituencies, with a comprehensive set of recommendations for redesign of NCATE’s unit accreditation and program review processes to provide options, promote rigor, relevance, and inquiry, and ensure cost-effectiveness. The Board is encouraging Cibulka to initiate and vet proposals in order to move forward as expeditiously as possible.

Cibulka emphasized that this move “is about using accreditation as a lever for reform of educator preparation. States are focusing on twenty-first century learning skills (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org) for P-12 students; teacher preparation must be on the same page. Higher education must make the transformation with P-12 and contribute to it by helping to build quality learning environments staffed with teams who can make those environments effective for student learning. Accreditation should encourage partnerships between higher education and P-12 schools and districts. NCATE can encourage institutions to focus on initiatives related to key national, state, and district needs through a continuous self-improvement process,” said Cibulka.

Dr. Cibulka also indicated that, “The NCATE Executive Board has provided a signal to the organization that we must be responsive to our institutions and the policy environment. I am committed to developing a process that promotes rigor and inquiry, and which makes the process useful to institutions as they strive to improve themselves.”

Cibulka continued by explaining four principles that will guide the redesign. He said:

1. “Accreditation must serve as a lever for reform of educator preparation and must work in tandem to help achieve transformation of P-12 education to focus on higher-order skills. It must raise the bar for educator preparation.
2. Accrediting high quality alternative providers and forging partnerships among providers and school districts must be encouraged and implemented. Accreditation exists in a mixed market of providers. Recognizing high quality innovations that can be brought to scale should be part of the work of accreditation. Teacher preparation accreditation should distinguish high-quality providers in this market, whether they exist within institutions of higher education or as other providers.
3. Accreditation must create value for teacher preparation institutions to help them improve their programs, and
4. Accreditation must be a cost-effective and cost-efficient enterprise.”

NCATE leaders and institutions echoed the unanimous vote of the NCATE Executive Board.  www.ncate.org

ITEA Membership Can Help Protect Your Identity

Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in America, and it affects millions of people each year. It only takes seconds for someone to steal and use your personal information, but it could take years to completely restore your identity.

If you’re an ID theft victim, you could spend months restoring your good name, or you could use ID Theft Assist, the most comprehensive identity protection and recovery service available. One call to their 24-hour Service Center stops theft and fraud on your accounts.

ID Theft Assist is a Partnership between a leading credit bureau and a respected 24/7 crisis response team providing a comprehensive identity recovery system. ITEA members get discounted rates of $99 per year for individuals, $119 for families. To learn more about this protection call (800) 265-9366, or to enroll online go to http://www.ftj.com/TIE/idtheft.

Indiana Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Alliance Receives Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

Representatives from the Indiana Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Alliance (IMSTEA) received a crystal trophy for achievements in the category of “Education and Outreach” during a special Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence ceremony. The award was presented during the Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management District’s 16th Annual Conference.

IMSTEA hosts the annual Super Mileage Challenge, which is a project that encourages Indiana high school students to design, build, and test prototype vehicles that achieve over 1,000 miles per gallon of gas. The challenge, which supports environmental education and awareness, also embodies the IMSTEA mission to improve the mathematics, science, engineering, and technological literacy of all Hoosiers.

“The Indiana Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Alliance deserves this recognition for creating and implementing an innovative project that can be admired by the entire community,” said Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Their contribution toward protecting Indiana’s environment is a standard that we should all strive to follow.”

Introducing a New Generation of Inventors
16 High Schools Awarded Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grants for Invention Projects

Grant Applications Now Available for 2009 – 2010 School Year

Nearly 94 percent of adults and 80 percent of teens in the United States believe the country needs to be more proficient in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), according to the 2008 Lemelson-MIT Invention Index. The Lemelson-MIT InventTeam initiative addresses this critical issue—this year, 16 teams of high school students, teachers, and mentors will be given the opportunity to develop their STEM and problem-solving skills as they embark on an inventive journey.
http://web.mit.edu/invent/n-pressreleases/n-press-08index.html

The InvenTeam initiative is designed to excite high school students about invention through hands-on learning while encouraging an inventive culture in schools and communities long-term. Each InvenTeam will receive up to $10,000 in grant funding to invent a practical solution to a real-world problem of their choosing. This year, the InvenTeams proposed inventions include an alternative energy refrigerator for northern climates, freeze protection system for citrus crops, and a sensing guide cane for the visually impaired.

InvenTeams applications for the 2009–2010 school year are now available on the InvenTeam website and are due next spring: http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/apply.html

2009 TOSHIBA/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Program Now Open for Student Entrants

The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Program, one of the world's largest science and technology competitions for students in Grades K-12, is now accepting entries for its 2009 competition. ExploraVision invites students to select a current technology and imagine what it might be like in 20 years. Up to $240,000 in savings bonds will be awarded this year to student winners whose innovative ideas combine imagination with the tools of science. 

This is a great opportunity to get students excited about science, build their resumes, and win savings bonds for college. The deadline for submission is January 28, 2009. For more information or an application for 2009, visit www.exploravision.org or email exploravision@nsta.org.

2009 Team America Rocketry Challenge Accepting Applications

Registration is open for the Team America Rocketry Challenge 2009, a national model rocket competition for U.S. students in Grades 7 through 12. Thousands of students compete each year in the Team America Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest model rocket contest. Cash prizes are awarded to the top finishers.
 
Teams of three to ten students design, build, and fly a model rocket to carry one raw egg for a precise flight duration of 45 seconds and to an exact altitude of 750 feet. The team whose rocket comes the closest to both—and brings the egg back unbroken—wins.
 
To be eligible for the national fly-off, teams must fly a qualifying flight observed by an adult member of the National Association of Rocketry. The top-scoring 100 teams in the country will be invited to participate in the final fly-off to be held in May 2009.
 
Participation is limited to the first 750 teams who register by December 1, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.rocketcontest.org/ .
 
Questions about this contest should be sent to rocketcontest@aia-aerospace.org.

INSPIRE From NASA

Applications are due December 31, 2008 for this project for U.S. students in Grades 9-12 or in their first year of college.

The Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience (INSPIRE) is a multi-tiered project for students and their parents or legal guardians. Applications are being accepted for INSPIRE's online community from students in the 9th to 12th grades now through December 31. INSPIRE provides grade-appropriate NASA-related resources and experiences to encourage and reinforce students' aspirations to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. Activities include participation in video teleconferences with NASA scientists, design competitions, and learning modules. The online community allows students to interact with other students with similar interests, to ask questions, and to share knowledge, thus building a Community of Practice. The online community will also offer support for parents to help them better champion their student's goals. INSPIRE provides participants a rich online community, as well as opportunities to participate in NASA/STEM Experiences. Once selected for the online community, students will be invited to compete for unique, grade-appropriate summer experiences, such as a one-day VIP tour and workshops, a two-week on-campus collegiate experience, and paid summer internships. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/programs/INSPIRE_Project.html. If you have questions about this opportunity, please email your inquiries to INSPIRE Project Manager Steve Chance at steven.h.chance@nasa.gov.

Other 2008-09 INSPIRE Scientific Scholarship Opportunities:

Space Academy for Educators Scholarship Program
JULY 2009, NASA Marshall Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Application Deadline: February 16, 2009
The INSPIRE Project Inc. is offering two full scholarships to Space Academy for Educators. This five-day program for educators includes intensive classroom, laboratory, and training time, focusing on space science and space exploration. Educators also take part in astronaut-style training and simulations, as well as activities designed to promote lifelong learning in a classroom setting. All lessons and activities link to National Science and Math Standards and are ready to use in the classroom. All expenses are included. http://theinspireproject.org/index.php?page=nasa-space-camp  

Robotics Weekend Workshop Scholarship Program
JULY 2009, NASA Marshall Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Application Deadline: February 16, 2009
The INSPIRE Project Inc. is offering two full scholarships to the Robotics Weekend Workshop in July 2009. As part of the Education Department of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's professional development program, the Robotics Weekend Workshop is the perfect way to learn how to incorporate Lego Mindstorm / NXT Robotics equipment into your curriculum or as an after school program. This workshop is intended for teachers with very little experience in robotics. All expenses are included. 
http://theinspireproject.org/index.php?page=robotics-weekend-workshop-for-educators

For more information on The INSPIRE Project, Inc. visit the new website at http://www.theinspireproject.org/ or contact Kathleen Franzen, President, at president@TheINSPIREProject.org, 202-547-1364.

Other Opportunities From NASA

NASA/NSTA Web Seminar: Discover the Universe – From Galileo to Today
Educators are encouraged to join NASA and NSTA for two free Web seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. The seminars will focus on key science concepts—Earth’s place in the universe; light, energy, and optics; and models and evidence in science—as participants investigate how NASA’s space-based missions extend the legacy of observation and discovery that Galileo Galilei initiated when he turned his telescope to the skies in 1609. The presenters will share their science expertise, answer questions from the participants, and provide information regarding websites that students can use in the classroom.
 
Designed for educators of Grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminars will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST on December 16, 2008, and January 20, 2009.

To learn more about these seminars and to register online, visit http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall08/NASA/webseminar.aspx . If you have questions about the Web seminars, please email your inquiries to webseminars@nsta.org.

NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program
NASA's Aeronautics Mission Directorate is currently accepting scholarship applications from undergraduate and graduate students in aeronautics and related fields for the academic year beginning in fall 2009.
 
Twenty undergraduate students in their second year of study will receive up to $15,000 per year for two years and a summer internship at a NASA center with a $10,000 stipend. Five graduate students will receive up to $35,000 per year for three years and two summer internships at a NASA center with $10,000 stipends. All applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Applications are due January 16, 2009.
 
For more information about this opportunity and to apply online, visit http://nasa.asee.org/ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/odysseyofthemind/. Questions about this scholarship should be directed to nasa.asp@asee.org.
 
NASA Undergraduate Student Research Project Summer 2009 Session
NASA’s Undergraduate Student Research Project is currently accepting applications for 10-week summer 2009 internships. These internships offer students the opportunity to work alongside NASA scientists and engineers at NASA's field centers, laboratories, and test facilities.
 
Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a 3.0 GPA. They must have an academic major or course work concentration in engineering, math, computer science, or physical or life sciences. Participants work on practical problems that will be applied in aerospace or on future NASA missions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
 
The application deadline for the summer 2009 session is January 23, 2009.
 
For more information, visit
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/programs/Undergraduate_Student_Research_Project.html.

National Space Biomedical Research Institute Summer Internship Program
The NSBRI’s summer program is for graduate or medical students and undergraduate students who have completed their second year of undergraduate studies. Applicants are asked to send a curriculum vitae or resume, a letter of interest indicating available dates during the summer, and two letters of recommendation. The program is open to U.S. citizens.
 
The deadline to apply for the 2009 program is January 31, 2009.
 
For more information, visit http://www.nsbri.org/Education/SummerInternship.html. Questions about this opportunity should be directed to info@www.nsbri.org .

"Your NASA Dream Experience" Contest
"Your NASA Dream Experience" is a nationwide contest as seen in Seventeen Magazine. A team of two students (ages 16-20) and an educator/sponsor will earn the chance to spend three days at either Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, or Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This opportunity will include job shadowing and behind-the-scenes experiences during the spring of 2009.
 
The deadline for entries for the contest is December 15, 2008.
 
For more information about the contest, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/education/seventeen.html.
 
If you have any questions about the Johnson Space Center experience, please contact Susan H. Anderson at 281-483-8630. For questions about the Kennedy Space Center experience, please contact Cheryl Johnson at 321-867-4602.
 
2008-09 NASA University Design Contest in Exploration Systems
NASA invites college students to get involved with NASA's return to the moon by helping to design the tools and instruments needed for the next-generation manned moon rover. Student projects will tackle real problems to be solved for a successful manned lunar mission.
 
Examples of problems include:

• Navigation in the darkness around the moon's South Pole.
• Sample retrieval and on-site analysis.
• Radiation detection and avoidance.
• Communication with lunar outpost, with orbiters, and with Earth.
• Video capture of sorties for transmission back to Earth.
• Astronaut rescue and recovery.
• Lunar regolith mitigation strategies for rover and space suits.

The contest is open to U.S. citizens enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary institution in the U.S., including universities, colleges, trade schools, community colleges, and professional schools. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, across departments and institutions.
 
An email notice of intent is due by December 15, 2008. Final entries are due on or before May 15, 2009.
 
For more information about the contest and to register online, visit http://moontasks.larc.nasa.gov http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/odysseyofthemind/. Questions about the contest should be directed to Dr. Elizabeth Ward at Elizabeth.B.Ward@nasa.gov .

NASA Education

A New Approach to Learning
NASA announces a new Web-based educational project offered free to every student and educator in the country, from kindergarten level through lifelong learners. Capitalizing on today's technology, NASA eClips are short, five- to ten-minute video segments available on demand via the Internet for the 2008-2009 school year. Over 220 video segments are projected to be available. This project highlights NASA's commitment to providing important science, math, and engineering educational materials in a useful video format that can be used in the classroom, at home, and by informal educational institutions such as museums, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Scouts.

Each level is designed as a resource for classroom teachers; downloadable video segments and teacher guides illustrating effective instruction in the twenty-first-century classroom provide valuable enhancements to teacher lesson plans. Students, teachers, and the public can look forward to new video and educational content highlighting current research and innovations throughout the school year. The video clips are available for streaming on the NASA website at http://www.nasa.gov/education/nasaeclips.

The NASA website permits educators and the public to download and save the video clips as well as stream them. In addition, the NASA website provides lesson plans and instructions for educators on how to use these videotapes in the classroom.

New Educational Materials Available at NASA.gov
The Educational Materials section of NASA's website offers classroom activities, educator guides, posters, and other types of resources that are available for use in the classroom. Materials are listed by type, grade level, and subject. The following items are now available for downloading:

Adventures in Rocket Science Educator Guide
This guide contains 25 activities designed for 4-H Clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, after-school programs, and other informal educational venues. Participants learn about the history and principles of rocketry and NASA's newest rockets—Ares I and Ares V. While doing these hands-on activities, participants also learn about Hero Engines, parachutes and surface area, altitude tracking, and Newton's Laws of Motion. Learners can also build four types of rockets and two types of egg drops.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Adventures_in_Rocket_Science.html
 
Environmental Control and Life Support Systems Water Filtration Challenge Educator Guide – Grades 5-8
Earth provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, and other conditions that support life. Earth is a natural life-support system. On the International Space Station, the Environmental Control and Life Support System provides these needs. The functions of an ECLSS include atmosphere revitalization; atmosphere control and supply; temperature and humidity control; water recovery and management; waste management; and fire detection and suppression. The activities in this guide focus on water recovery and management.
 
The challenge is to design and build a water filtration device using commonly available materials. To meet this challenge, students build, test, and measure the performance of the filtration device, analyze the data collected, and use this information to work towards an improved filtration design.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Water_Filtration_Challenge.html

Young Thomas Edison – A New Product Series for Students to Learn About the Great Inventor

The Edison Innovation Foundation (www.thomasedison.org) is a nonprofit operating foundation located in Newark, NJ that supports the legacy of Thomas Edison. The Foundation raises money for the restoration and operation of Edison’s legendary West Orange laboratories and encourages careers for students in science and technology. The Foundation also develops new educational materials and programs for use by teachers and hosts annual alternate energy technology workshops for science and technology education teachers.

Their new, critically acclaimed Young Thomas Edison educational DVD series is now available for purchase. The DVD won a 2008 Mid-Atlantic PBS Emmy in the Outstanding Children/Youth/Teen Program for inspiring creativity and inventiveness. The concepts, educational materials, and DVD characters within this series were originally conceived by veteran teachers. The materials are suitable for Grades K-4 and serve to revitalize the creativity and inventiveness the world associates with Thomas Edison—once again making his legacy prominent and entertaining in the minds of teachers and young folks.

The Young Tom Edison series is comprised of these products:

1. A single DVD containing two animated episodes, with original musical compositions, where Young Tom Edison and his inventive team (the Muckers) design a musicianless band and an automatic pen. These episodes also contain video segments where real-life young folks talk about science and show their experimental creativity. [$15.00]
2. Two scrapbook story albums, 12 pages each, with colorful and bold out-takes from the two animated episodes that can be used for reinforced learning and comprehension.  [(2 @ $7.00 ea.) $14.00]
3. Science Activity Book (The Young Muckers), 64 pages, filled with experiments and activities for young folks. [$12.00]

These materials may be sold individually or as a complete set. Individually, the materials would total $41; as a complete set, $39. Orders for these materials may be placed directly with: Christine D’Amico, 973-648-0500, cdamico@thomasedison.org.

The JASON Project Announces New Energy Curriculum          

Operation: Infinite Potential – Restructuring the Energy Portfolio

The JASON Project announced today that its upcoming science curriculum unit will focus on energy—one of the twenty-first century’s most riveting and important issues. Beginning in 2009, Operation: Infinite Potential will place students in the roles of scientists and technologists to explore past, current, and future challenges of energy generation, storage, and consumption.

Preview materials for the new curriculum unit are now available free online in the JASON Mission Center after logging in at www.jason.org. They include a content grid covering science concepts, research, and student activities; a downloadable curriculum sampler with a complete Mission (chapter); videos; and biographies of the scientists serving as Host Researchers as well as the National Student and Teacher Argonauts.

Operation: Infinite Potential is the third unit in JASON’s new curriculum line, following the award-winning weather unit, Operation: Monster Storms, and the recently released ecology unit, Operation: Resilient Planet. JASON curricula are developed in partnership with NOAA, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Geographic Society, JASON’s parent organization. They feature leading scientists working side by side with JASON students in the classroom and an online global community.

To join the expedition, go to www.jason.org and register – it’s free!

K-8 STEM Programs in Ohio

For those who are interested in the Ohio's STEM Schools efforts, the RFPs and scoring criteria are at the Board of Regents website: www.regents.ohio.gov.

EnviroTech Professional Development Opportunity

The Department of Technology at Ball State University (BSU –  http://www.bsu.edu/technology/) invites technology teachers to be a part of EnviroTech, a professional development project made possible through a grant by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

During the spring of 2009, participants will meet in five online meetings with experts to learn about environmental processes, technology assessment, and guided inquiry. In turn, these analytical, decision-making, and pedagogical skills will help EnviroTech teachers plan and implement activities to address Standards 5 and 13 of Standards for Technological Literacy.

Twenty applicants will receive an incentive package of $800 and 2.0 Continuing Education Credits. Graduate credit is also available.

Learn more and plan to apply by November 21, 2008, at: http://envirotech.iweb.bsu.edu

NJTEA Update News

From the NJTEA Update (#6 and #7):

Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering
The Directorate for Engineering (ENG), Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering program supports the active involvement of K–12 teachers and community college faculty in engineering research in order to bring knowledge of engineering and technological innovation into their classrooms. The goal is to help build long-term collaborative partnerships between K–12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers, community college faculty, and the NSF university research community by involving the teachers in engineering research and helping them translate their research experiences and new knowledge of engineering into classroom activities. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5736

Teachers In Space Program
Every journey begins with a single step. The Pathfinder program is the first step in the journey toward our goal of putting a thousand astronaut teachers into American classrooms. Pathfinders will be the first astronaut teachers to fly in space and return to the classroom. These Pathfinders will not only fly in space, they will also help us design the three-week training course for the large number of teachers who follow. We hope that Pathfinders will also return each summer to help us teach the course. (Can you think of a more exciting summer job?). We are currently accepting applications for the first two Pathfinders. (We aren't sure how many Pathfinders there will eventually be. This is the first time we've run a program such as this—in fact, the first time anyone has—so we're learning as we go.) We're looking for one Pathfinder who is knowledgeable in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) subjects. Applicants for the STEM Pathfinder slot are asked to submit a proposal for an experiment that could be performed on a suborbital flight. We're looking for another Pathfinder who has strong skills in lesson plan development. Applicants are asked to submit a lesson plan or curriculum module based on any aspect of human spaceflight. Teachers from all subject areas, STEM and non-STEM, are encouraged to apply. http://www.grantsalert.com/grants.cfm?id=4&gid=28692

What If Competition
What if you were the first space generation living in an orbiting space habitat? If you are a 6th, 7th, or 8th grader (ages 10-14) in the U.S., you can enter this essay competition and win a great prize! This year’s competition is about living on an orbiting space station as the first step to building colonies on the Moon or Mars. Use your imagination, innovation, and intelligence to tell us what we can learn from this experiment. This essay and any supporting information are due February 13, 2009. You can form a team of two or work alone, and you need to recruit an adult sponsor. http://www.whatifprize.org/competition/

American Honda Grant
The American Honda Foundation supports programs and organizations that directly benefit youth and education. Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000, with the average grant falling in the $40,000 to $80,000 range. http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf

Lowe’s Outdoor Classroom Grant
This school year, the program will award grants up to $2,000 to at least 100 schools. In some cases, grants for up to $20,000 may be awarded to schools or school districts with major outdoor classroom projects. The grants can be used to build a new outdoor classroom or to enhance a current outdoor classroom at the school. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/index.html

Engineering Information Foundation Grant
The Engineering Information Foundation is soliciting grants for its Women in Engineering Programs, which provides founding for developmental projects and training programs that encourage young women to choose a career in engineering. http://www.eifgrants.org/info/index.html

Goody’s Grants
Goody’s Good Deeds for Schools Grants provides grants of up to $10,000 to K-12 schools to pay for things they really want but cannot afford through regular education funding. http://www.goodysgooddeeds.com/

More Opportunities

DTE Energy Foundation Mini Grants for Educators
The DTE Energy Foundation is accepting applications for its Energy & Our World Mini Grants for Educators program. The program has awarded nearly $800,000 since 1990 to teachers to fund science projects that encourage students' curiosity and excitement about energy. "These grants provide teachers with funding for special science projects that school budgets typically cannot afford," said Carol Moore, DTE Energy Education and Community Relations representative. "Last year the program awarded grants to 142 teachers for really wonderful projects that helped students better understand energy and the energy industry." Teachers of Grades K–12 in public, non-public, and charter schools within DTE Energy's service territory may apply for the grants. Recipients will be selected by a panel of education personnel, who will look for the best interdisciplinary projects that incorporate problem-solving, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills. Grants typically range from $50 to $250, but some proposals may be funded for more. This year the DTE Energy Foundation is especially interested in funding projects that teach students about power generation, energy distribution, renewable energy technologies, environmental issues, and energy conservation. For more information, visit www.dteenergy.com/minigrants.
Source: NSTA Express,Week of October 20, 2008

Construction Challenge
Youth from Grades 6–12 are currently being recruited to participate in the 2nd Annual AEM Construction Challenge (www.constructionchallenge.org). This innovative (national) career education initiative is designed to engage middle school (Grades 6–8) and high school youth (Grades 9–12), in real-world, hands-on experiences exploring the twenty-first century construction industry through competitions in Manufacturing Design, Service Tech Simulation, and Critical Infrastructure. Regional Rally competitions will take place on February 7, 2009 throughout the U.S. and Canada.

This year over 750 teams drawing more than 5,000 youth nationwide are anticipated to participate. The nominal registration fee of $120 (for each school team of 5–7 members), includes Challenge Prep materials (including shipping costs) and a full day of fun and exploration ending with an awards ceremony honoring participants. Champions from each Regional Rally will advance to the Championship Finals to be held May 19-23, 2009 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, to compete for national awards and scholarships valued at over $75,000.

Schools may register as many teams as they desire comprised of 5 to 7 middle school and/or high school students accompanied by a supervising adult Team Manager who is at least 21 years old. Team Managers can be teachers, administrators, program advisors, parents, or community leaders. Due to the overwhelming response to last year’s competition, schools are strongly encouraged to register as early as possible. 

The Construction Challenge Registration Form can be mailed to the Destination Imagination corporate office at P.O. Box 547, Glassboro, NJ 08028 or faxed to 856-881-3596. Schools can also register online at www.ShopDI.org. The registration form can be downloaded at http://www.constructionchallenge.org/cc_downloads/forms/09_rally_regis_form.pdf

3M My Class Project(or) Video Contest
Ten 3M SCP712 Projection Systems will be awarded to the most creative videos from classrooms around the country

3M Projection Systems Department has launched My Class Project(or), a video contest that gives K–12 classes nationwide the opportunity to win a new 3M SCP712 Projection System. Individual students and classrooms are encouraged to carry out their creative skills and produce a video illustrating how a 3M SCP712 Projection System will transform their learning experience in the classroom, taking them from "Tired to Inspired." The My Class Project(or) Video Contest runs through January 15, 2009. To enter, the student or class will need to produce and submit a video one to three minutes in length, illustrating why their classroom will benefit from a 3M SCP712 Projection System. Because teachers are encouraged to help students with this collaborative project, 3M has developed lesson plans to make it easier for teachers to incorporate this project into their everyday curriculum. Winners will be chosen by an independent third party and announced inFebruary 2009. The videos will be judged based on the creativity and message used to demonstrate how the use of a 3M SCP712 Projection System can help their classroom move from "Tired to Inspired." Ten 3M SCP712 Projection Systems will be awarded to the winning classrooms. For more information on the My Class Project(or) Video Contest or to register, visit www.myclassprojector.com.

Submissions to Inside TIDE

To submit news or calendar items to Inside TIDE, email: kcluff@iteea.org.

End of Inside TIDE, Friday, November 21, 2008