Robotics, Engineering, and Automation in Minneapolis

NEW Saturday specialized workshop open to ALL attendees: EbDLab™ HS: Pathway Extension™
Robotics, Engineering, and Automation

This high school workshop is open to all attendees and provides in-depth, hands-on exercises for teachers and administrators on the new EbD-PathwayExtension™ in Robotics Engineering and Automation. During the full-day session, participants build, program, and compete with robots using the same curriculum featured in EbD's Robotics PathwayExtension™. Each participant will receive a copy of easyC® for Cortex robotic programming software and "Introduction to Competitive Robotics" curriculum for use in the classroom! Space is limited – register soon! Laptops are required. This POST-conference, full-day workshop takes place Saturday, March 26th, 8:30am-4pm and has a fee of $95.

Details can be found in the Preliminary Program. Be sure to register early, as space is limited.

CSL to Present Workshops in Minneapolis

ITEEA's Council for Supervision and Leadership (CSL) plans to present three workshops on Thursday March 24th at the ITEEA Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN. These workshops are open to all conference attendees:

1:00-1:50 pm – CSL Workshop Session #1
Supervision and Leadership from Three Perspectives
Come listen to Technology and Engineering Leaders from ITEEA, the State level, and the local level. Areas of discussion: (1) Developing a Culture, (2) Financial, (3) How to Serve, (4) Curriculum, (5) Partnerships, etc.

2:00-2:50 pm – CSL Workshop Session #2
Your Issues (Think-Tank Roundtable)
Come discuss your state, district, and local issues with like-minded people. Topics could range from Curriculum to Funding to Mandates, etc. See how others are doing things.

3:00-3:50 pm – CSL Workshop Session #3
TECA Employability Strategies (Roundtable)
This will be a time for prospective candidates and employers to interact in mini interviews. Teachers and future teachers looking for employment should bring their resumes and dress to impress. All participants are welcome to stay for the roundtable reception immediately following this session.

SeaPerch Coming to Connecticut

Connecticut Technology Teacher Organization to Offer SeaPerch Workshop

The Connecticut Technology Education Association (CTEA) is offering an underwater robotics workshop conducted by the SeaPerch program on February 2nd and 3rd.

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that trains teachers to teach their students how to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Students build the ROV from a kit comprised of low-cost, easily accessible parts, following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. The teacher training is sponsored by the National Defense Education Program (NDEP), and SeaPerch, managed by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine engineers (SNAME), is funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

The workshop will be conducted at the Submarine Force Museum and Library in Groton CT. The museum is also the home of the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the museum and tour the Nautilus. Each workshop participant will build and test his or her own underwater robot. Testing of the robots will take place at the United States Coast Guard Academy, across the river from the Museum and United States Submarine Base. The teachers will also be hearing from Navy officials as well as representatives of the United States Submarine Veterans Association, Groton Base.

CTEA workshop coordinator and retired State Supervisor for Technology Education in Connecticut, Gregory Kane, who is a member of the Sub Vets Association and a docent at the museum, organized this workshop with the hope that this program, like other curriculum based robotics programs, will provide students with an exciting opportunity to study technology education and engineering.

For additional information, contact Greg at Gregory.Kane@ccsu.edu.

The Black Inventor Exhibit

The Black Inventor Exhibit (BIE) is a multimedia presentation, a traveling museum that pays tribute to the world’s unsung heroes, the Black inventor and scientist. “The Awakening: Black Inventors Worldwide” is this year’s theme, and the exhibit will be conducting its annual tour throughout the country in celebration of Black History Month 2011. The Exhibit showcases famous Black inventors and their respective inventions in the fields of science, aerospace, communication, health care, agriculture, transportation, and engineering. 

The Black Inventor Exhibit aims to enlighten and empower others through knowledge and understanding of the many prolific Black inventors and their individual accomplishments. Throughout the history of the United States, far too little attention and recognition has been given to the many inventions of Black people.

For more information, visit www.blackinventions101.com/.

President Obama Signs the Competes Act

President Obama signed the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (Competes) Reauthorization Act of 2010 on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, ending a year-long battle over extending research grants prized by the technology community. According to the White House, the bill "reauthorizes various programs intended to strengthen research and education in the United States related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."

The act also distributes a significant portion of research funding through a series of contests, most of which will be posted on Challenges.gov. The Obama administration has emphasized distributing financing through contests in hopes of increasing the amount of publicity and the range of participants eligible for federal research funding.

Read the full article by Gautham Nagesh at http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/135991-overnight-tech.

Source: The Hill, Friday, January 7, 2011 – © 2011 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.

New Design Squad Nation Website Launched

The new Design Squad Nation website launched with an expanded online community for kids and a redesigned Parents, Educators, and Engineers section. Still offering the same great resources, the Educators site is now better organized and more robust, with an emphasis on multimedia learning. A new blog offers educators a place to find resources, get ideas, and build a community dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers. Check it out today at http://pbskidsgo.org/designsquadnation/parentseducators

Looking for Free STEM Professional Development This Summer?

Apply now!

The applications for the Siemens STEM Academy Summer of Learning programs are now open. 

The Summer of Learning includes two all-expenses-paid programs for STEM educators: Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs) and Siemens STEM Institute.

• Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs):
STARs gives 20 middle and high school STEM educators the opportunity to spend two weeks engaging with top scientists and researchers on mentored research projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, America's largest multipurpose national research laboratory.

To see the STARs from last year, photos, and more, click here.

• Siemens STEM Institute:
The Institute selects a diverse group of 50 STEM educators to attend a week of STEM immersion at Discovery's world headquarters outside of Washington, DC, where they will hear from guest speakers at the forefront of STEM, take field trips to leading institutions, and network and collaborate with peers from across the nation.

To see previous Fellows, last year's program schedule, and more, click here.

Questions?
If you have any questions, email us and we'll get back to you shortly. 

Apply today to the 2011 Summer of Learning!

The Power of Recycling

From NASA's Space Place

What can you do with the energy saved by recycling one aluminum can? In the newest Green Career profile added to NASA’s Climate Kids website, Kate Melby explains recycling as a powerful way that individuals, businesses, and schools can help the environment. Read her profile and see what one can can do!

Enjoy!

Check out these other great NASA sites for kids:
http://scijinks.gov
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov

NASA Space Technology Research Fellowships (NSTRF)

NSTRF - Fall 2011 Fellowship Start Solicitation Now Open!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters released a solicitation on December 29, 2010 entitled NASA Space Technology Research Fellowships (NSTRF) – Fall 2011 Fellowship Start. This call for graduate fellowship proposals solicits applications from accredited U.S. Universities on behalf of highly qualified individuals pursuing or planning to pursue Master’s (e.g., M.S.) or Doctoral (e.g., Ph.D.) degrees in relevant space technology disciplines at their respective institutions. This fellowship opportunity is open to students pursuing advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The goal of NSTRF is to provide the nation with a pipeline of highly skilled engineers and technologists to improve America's technological competitiveness. NASA Space Technology Fellows will perform innovative space technology research while building the skills necessary to become future technological leaders.

All applications must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative. Applications are due on or before February 23, 2011. Detailed submission instructions (for the faculty advisor, student, and authorized organizational representative) are provided under “Other Documents” on the NSPIRES webpage associated with the NSTRF11 solicitation. Potential applicants, their advisors, and proposing organizations are urged to access the electronic proposal system well in advance of the proposal due date to familiarize themselves with its structure and to enter the requested information. The solicitation is available by opening the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/, selecting “Solicitations,” then selecting “Open Solicitations,” and, finally, selecting “NSTRF11.” Go directly to the NSTRF11 page on NSPIRES here.

Comments and questions may be addressed by email to the NSTRF Point of Contact, Claudia Meyer, at hq-nstrf-call@mail.nasa.gov. Responses to inquiries will be answered by email and also included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the solicitation (anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved).

Good luck, and we look forward to welcoming you into the Space Technology community!

NASA-APL Internship Program Now Accepting Applications

APLapp.com is pleased to announce the launch of the 2011 NASA /Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) application. It is online and available at www.APLapp.com.

Students participating in the NASA/APL Internship Program will work at APL and will contribute to current and future missions during their assignments in the Space Department. APL's Civilian Space Business Area makes critical contributions to the missions of its major sponsor, NASA, to meet the challenges of space science. They conduct research and space exploration; develop and apply space science, engineering, and technology—including the production of one-of-a-kind spacecraft, instruments, and subsystems; and focus primarily on the science discipline of space physics and planetary science. http://civspace.jhuapl.edu

If you have any questions about the APL programs or the application system, please contact Johnny Erickson at 301-585-1261, ext. 316.

STEM Education Web Sessions from NASA

Join NASA Endeavor and The NYS STEM Education Collaborative for Live, Online, Interactive, NO-FEE “STEM Education Web Sessions”

Who should attend?
All STEM stakeholders, including: Superintendents, Administrators, Curriculum Leads (Science, Technology, Math), Teachers, and Parents

When:

• Thursday, January 20, 4:00‐4:50pm
• Monday, March 7, 4:00‐4:50pm
• Wednesday, April 13, 4:00‐4:50pm
• Tuesday, May 11, 4:00‐4:50pm

Sessions cover:

• What is STEM Education?
• How do we infuse and integrate STEM in the district?
• How do STEM disciplines become integrated?

First Session on January 20:
Engineering in K-12 Education—Best Practices Integrating Design and Technology with Content
Become familiar with current and evolving practices in K‐12 Engineering Education. The session provides free engineering and technology curricular materials, best practices from teachers and teacher educators, and a step-by-step “how-to” for the infusion of Engineering in your district. For example, explore environmental and biotechnology engineering applications in K‐12 classrooms.

Other scheduled sessions:

• March 7: STEM Professional Development for School Teams—Pictures of Practice
  
• April 13: What is STEM Education? The Integration of Instructional Technology Tools, Technology & Engineering Design
• May 10: Application of STEM Design & Inquiry Strategies to Mathematics Curriculum

NASA’s Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project awards 50 fellowships each year to current and prospective teachers across the U.S. Funding authorization is provided through the NASA Endeavor Teacher Fellowship Trust Fund, as a tribute to the dedicated crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

• Participating educators WILL BE ISSUED proof of continuing education hours for participating in the series of interactive webcasts upon request.
• Participating educators can earn Graduate Credit. Contact Glen Schuster for details: gschuster@us‐satellite.net

Register here: www.us‐satellite.net/endeavor/nys‐stem

Refueling the U.S. Innovation Economy: Fresh Approaches to STEM Education

Is the United States getting it wrong when it comes to educating tomorrow's innovators in critical fields? We have known for years that the only way to compete globally in information technology, engineering, nanotechnology, robotics, and other fields is to give our students the best educational opportunities possible. But do we have a successful formula when it comes to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education? A new report released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation intends to challenge our approach to STEM education and argues that reforms are urgently needed to better match the talents of students, the needs of employers, and our goals as a nation.

According to the report, "Refueling the U.S. Innovation Economy: Fresh Approaches to STEM Education," the best and easiest way to produce more and better STEM graduates is to create new institutions that can provide high-quality, best-in-class STEM education. The report recommends that we should fund the U.S. Department of Education to create 400 new specialty STEM high schools. It further recommends that we establish a STEM talent recruiting system by ensuring that the hundreds of outreach coordinators managing the hundreds of federal agency high school outreach program sites actively work to recruit students with an interest in STEM for the right opportunities for STEM education. Other recommendations:

• Shift accountability measures for high schools from a content-based to skills-based paradigm.
• Reduce course requirements to provide students the opportunity to pursue depth in their K–12 studies, including STEM.
• To help reduce the university freshman STEM student dropout/switchout rate, the President should issue an executive order requesting that at least 30 percent of federal-agency-funded undergraduate research experiences be moved to the freshman year and the following summer.

Source: Triangle Coalition Electronic Bulletin
January 7, 2010 - Volume 17, Number 1 Online Version