Children's Engineering Convention

The annual Children's Engineering Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Koger South Conference Center, Richmond, VA, February 24 - February 25, 2011.

The Children's Engineering Convention has three major components: 1) staff development for K-5 teachers focusing on ways to help children create, use, and control technology, 2) teacher demonstrations of ways to infuse technology activities into the Virginia Standards of Learning, and 3) a showcase of technology-based educational resources. In addition to the special interest sessions/workshops, other opportunities will include education vendor exhibits and an international keynote speaker during each general session.

Participants will experience technology-based activities that contribute to the development of technological awareness. Workshop highlights will focus on experiences that enable children to:

• Explore how people create, use, and control technology.
• Apply knowledge in mathematics, science, English, history, and social studies in solving problems associated with technology.
• Use tools and materials to explore personal interest with technology.
• Exhibit self-confidence through the use of technology.

Participants may receive fifteen (15) recertification points for full participation in the convention, when they have prior approval from their school administration.

We look forward to seeing you at the Children's Engineering Convention and to your participation in the professional development program. Visit www.childrensengineering.org/convention/ for details.

PATT 25 / Cript 8 Call for Papers

PATT 25 / CRIPT 8 will take place in London, England July 1-5, 2011. PATT 25 provides a unique opportunity, bringing together the research, discussion, and debate of previous PATT and CRIPT conferences. As a result, the planners anticipate a rich and diverse gathering of international colleagues whose interests span all phases of education, from early years through higher education.

This opportunity has prompted an overarching theme for the conference of perspectives on learning in Design and Technology Education. Within this we would welcome papers that present and discuss research that focuses on a range of key areas of importance from primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education. Topics could include aspects of learning, teaching, assessing, and related pedagogy; of global issues such as sustainability, ethics, values, and culture; of interdisciplinarity such as STEM, links with creative and performing arts, links with social sciences; of the impact of technological developments on learning, teaching, and assessing in Design and Technology education; on the potential of a design approach.

Timetable for submission:
Submission of outline: by 1st December 2010
Request for full submission: by 1st January 2011
Deadline for submission of full papers: 21st March 2011
Notification of acceptance/need for revision: by 18th April 2011
Final deadline for revised papers: 16th May 2011

Complete information is available at www.gold.ac.uk/patt/callforpapers/.

Almost Rocket Science

ITEEA member, Geoff Bergen, from Whisconier Middle School in Brookfield, CT, wants to share information about a project on which he is working. He writes:

Almost Rocket Science is our attempt to capture the world of STEM and bring it to you. We hope to show you just what STEM is and much more. We will be blogging and podcasting along our journey. We plan on interviewing some amazing people who are in STEM fields/careers. We hope to share with you how they got started, how they feel about their work, what inspired them to pursue a STEM career, and other interesting tidbits. We plan to get your input for the questions and even our guests and topics. Our aim is to inspire today’s youth and beyond!

If you or your students have any suggestions for guests, questions to ask our scheduled guests (see website for upcoming guests), or innovative projects to highlight, please let us know. We want your input! You can either email the crew at almostrocketscience@gmail.com; follow us on Twitter @almostrocketsci; or visit our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/almostrocketscience. Keep up to date by visiting www.almostrocketscience.com.

Our first podcast with the Science Channel’s Build it Bigger host, Danny Forster, will be available this week.

Einstein Fellowship – Application is Now Open!

The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship is a paid fellowship for K-12 STEM teachers. Einstein Fellows spend a school year in Washington, DC serving in a federal agency or on Capitol Hill. To be considered for an Einstein Fellowship for the 2011-2012 school year, apply online NOW, and submit your application and three letters of recommendation no later than January 4, 2011.

To learn more about the program and apply, visit www.trianglecoalition.org/fellows/einapp.htm.
If you have questions about the program or application, contact Program Manager Kathryn Culbertson at culbertsonk@triangle-coalition.org.

Construction Challenge

Construction Challenge is an innovative career-education initiative designed to engage high school students with real-world, hands-on experiences in the construction industry. Teen teams explore key elements of the highly diverse industry as well as develop/present solutions to transportation infrastructure, water infrastructure design, and local infrastructure challenges using teamwork, creativity, and problem solving.

Construction Challenge integrates technical preparation and career exploration and builds upon standards-based school curriculum. It prepares students for post-secondary education and technical training for entry into the 21st-Century construction workforce. Construction Challenge is sponsored by The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and presenting sponsor Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE), working with Destination ImagiNation® (DI).

High School teams compete at a Regional Rally on January 15, 2011. Regional Rallies: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Dallas, TX; Enid, OK; Milwaukee, WI; Seattle, WA; Toronto; ON. The top 24 teams advance to the Championship Finals at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, from March 21-25, 2011.

For more information, visit www.constructionchallenge.org or email help@constructionchallenge.org

From the IdeaGarden

If you haven’t tried the IdeaGarden lately, look at what you’ve been missing. Gardener Mike Fitzgerald has lots of information to share with technology and engineering educators:

Upcoming Events:
• Technology and Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEEAP) invites teachers from outside of Pennsylvania to attend this year’s TEEAP Conference!
Attention technology and engineering education teachers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia! If you are a member of your state's ITEEA Affiliate organization, you may attend the 58th Annual TEEAP Conference at the member rate of just $40 (plus any extra events you wish to attend) without the need to become a member of TEEAP! The conference will be held on November 4th and 5th at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Conference Center in Camp Hill, PA. We have a full slate of Special Interest Sessions, a great General Session speaker, and free Engineering byDesign™ Trainings/Labs lined up—in addition to all of the great exhibitors that set up tables on the exhibit floor. Visit www.TEEAP.org for more information! Should you have any questions, contact Brandt Hutzel at Brandt.Hutzel@TEEAP.org. Deadline to preregister is October 23rd, 2010.

• Aerospace for Educators: STEM Teacher Workshop at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: November 2, 2010
Don’t miss this opportunity to: strengthen and increase student interest and knowledge in aviation and space; learn how to make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and core subjects exciting for students through practical applications, inquiry-based strategies, and real-world problem solving; receive eight professional development hours/credit, certificate, and resource goodie bag. Registration deadline: Monday October 18, 2010. Registration is first come, first served. Late registration will be accepted, providing space is available. We will wait-list registrants! To register, email: Doug Baldwin, workshop coordinator, at baldwind@si.edu.
 
Resources:
• A FREE Water Rocket Simulator for Fun and Science Studies
This program can help students and rocketeers understand the physics of water rockets and how to optimize their water rocket launches to obtain the highest apogees. The interface is designed to be easy to use and understand. But don't be fooled by the program's simple layout: few if any of the other simulators you may find are as accurate. Read More

• Rockets Away
Welcome to the 4-H Rockets Away website. The Rockets Away educational program teaches about the science of rocketry through the use of hands-on experiments, computer software, and the building and launching of 2-liter bottle rockets.

• Free Bridge Design Software
The West Point Bridge Designer 2011 is the only version of the software that can be used to enter the 2011 West Point Bridge Design Contest. Find out More

• Educator Associate Memberships to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Are Free!
Once you are a member, you are eligible to receive a $200 classroom grant. Go to www.aiaa.org. AIAA is also providing the resources that can help you INSPIRE your students to reach their potential! Resources that you can use in your classroom or you can forward to a colleague. Download the latest AIAA STEM K-12 Connections brochure (PDF) here.

• The Design Process of Baseball Bat Technology
In order to create a baseball bat, creators must research and develop a specific problem-solving approach to prepare bats for the marketplace. Read More

• First Aircraft With Flapping Wings
Engineers at the University of Toronto managed to create the first aircraft in history to fly with flapping wings, dubbed the "Snowbird." Read More

News & Views:
• A Career in Engineering
In order to be successful in the engineering field, you must understand the intersection between science and math and be able to meticulously document then recreate a process – for starters. Read the full article.

• Oldest man in the world sheds light on 100 years of technology
When Walter Breuning was a boy, houses didn't have running water, the automobile hadn't been invented, and everyone walked or relied on horses and trains. At 114, Walter is considered to be the oldest person alive on the planet today. His birthday just came and went on the 21st of September (happy birthday!), and he agreed to an interview covering the invention of the car, the changes he's seen over the last 100+ years. View the video here.

Grants, Awards & Opportunities:
• NASA Announces High School Competition for Future Engineers
Teams to Design Software for Small Satellites on the International Space Station. Learn More 

• Extreme Redesign Contest
We're looking for CAD students worldwide to submit their most creative, useful, and innovative Extreme Redesigns. Whether it's a new perspective on an everyday product or a fresh vision for a piece of art, animation, or architecture, Dimension will award student scholarships based on the design's creativity, usefulness, part integrity, and aesthetics. Learn More

• The Air Force Association grant program is now accepting applications
These are $250 grants, max of 2 per building per year. The deadline is in November. Learn More

IdeaGarden is a free service to ITEEA members: www.iteea.org/Networking/IG/IG.htm.

From NCTL News, October 2010

• Engineering Education for Innovation Act (E2) Gains Steam
In February, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and House Representative Paul Tonko introduced the first legislation promoting K-12 engineering education in core academic classrooms. We need more cosponsors of the Engineering Education (E2) for Innovation Act. You can help by asking your members of Congress to cosponsor this historic bill.
Learn More

• Educators Share Lessons at National Symposium
In June at the Museum of Science, 30 educators from across the country shared what they learned from introducing the NCTL's Engineering is Elementary® (EiE) curriculum in classrooms nationwide. One school's 5th grade science test scores jumped from 45% in 2009 to 83% proficiency this year.
Learn More  

• Federal Funds Enable North Carolina Teachers to Introduce Engineering
With federal funding, the North Carolina State University will immerse teachers at six of the state's schools in the NCTL's Engineering is Elementary (EiE) curriculum via professional development activities. Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system educators also want to use EiE. Contact Liz Parry.
Learn More  

NCTL News is an electronic newsletter from the Museum of Science, Boston. To subscribe, click here.