National TSA Conference Offers EbDLabs™ June 28-July 2
 ITEEA's STEM Center for Teaching and Learning (STEM±CTL) will provide half-day EbDLabs™ at the TSA National Conference June 28-July 2 in Baltimore, MD to highlight middle and high school Engineering byDesign™ course offerings. These half-day EbDLabs™ will be hands-on workshops that will provide an orientation for teachers on the EbD™ courses. The sessions will be hands-on, minds-on, preparing teachers with the fundamentals necessary to understand the basics for implementing a standards-based course. Teachers will receive an overview of the course as well as experience in how to use EbD™ lesson plans at the high school level to engage students of all ability levels. Participants will get a certificate for five professional development hours.
The EbDLabs™ will be facilitated by Dan Caron, DTE, EbD™ Professional Development Associate/Specialist from New Hampshire.
Cost for each EbDLab™
ITEEA Members = $50
Non-ITEEA Members = $75
(Nonmembers can join ITEEA for $65 and receive special Members Only pricing – go to the URL below and register as a nonmember to get this SPECIAL OFFER!)
REGISTER HERE: www.regonline.com/tsa_iteea_ebdlabs
MORE INFORMATION: www.tsaweb.org/2010-National-Conference |
ITEEA Partners With Triangle Coalition for Annual Conference on STEM Education Policy, October 21-22, 2010
 The Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education will host its Annual Conference on STEM Education Policy on October 21-22, 2010 in Washington, DC at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. The conference will focus on the key issues confronting education leaders at all levels. The theme of this year’s conference is “STEM Innovation…Leveraging Government, Education, and Business.” It will focus on the transition from policy to practice, with panel discussions on Congress’s legislative agenda, the Administration’s education priorities, the implications of these issues to the various Federal Agencies with STEM education programs, and how state and local education leaders can build on these policies and influence educational excellence in their communities. The conference will conclude with attendees making visits to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional delegates to discuss these key issues.
 All Triangle Coalition members are eligible to receive a 20% discount on registration—use the Member Discount Code sent to you via email. All early-birds who register before September 1st will save 10% on the cost of registration. To register or to find out more information about the conference, visit the conference webpage. While you are in town, make plans to attend the Inaugural USA Science and Engineering Festival and Expo to be held on the National Mall on Saturday and Sunday October 23-24 (see below).
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USA Science & Engineering Festival
 The first USA Science & Engineering Festival is coming to the National Mall this October. The USA Science & Engineering Festival will offer hundreds of hands-on exhibits, workshops, and performances. Over 400 of the nation's leading science, engineering, and academic organizations will be participating in the festival and Expo. The national student contest opportunities are open now, and student entries are being recruited. These contests are being held in advance of festival events during October 10-23, and the expo on the National Mall is October 23-24.
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Siemens STEM Institute Fellows Announced: ITEEA Member Selected...
 ...as a 2010 Siemens STEM Institute Fellow!
The Siemens Foundation, in conjunction with Discovery Education and College Board, announced 50 middle and high school educators from across the country chosen to participate in the inaugural Siemens STEM Institute this summer. Among the honorees is ITEEA member Kimberly Forbes of Ferndale Middle School in High Point, ND. Selected from a pool of nearly 600 applicants, these Fellows will spend a week at the world headquarters of Discovery Communications, outside Washington, DC, where they will be immersed in hands-on STEM professional development. Educators will spend the week engaging with top scientists, thought leaders, personalities, and innovators and visiting leading institutions where they will observe real-world applications of STEM subject matter and find opportunities for networking and collaborating with peers from across the nation.
Kimberly writes: “I joined ITEEA as a new Technology Education teacher five years ago. I believe that the Professional Development is second to none. As a member of ITEEA, I joined the IdeaGarden. The communication, the collaboration, the cooperation and, most recently, the congratulations from colleagues has definitely made me a better teacher. I believe that was why I was chosen as a Fellow at the Siemens Institute.”
Congratulations, Kimberly!
Read more about the Siemens STEM Institute Fellows... |
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Recent News Via ITEEA Social Networking
 The House of Representatives has reauthorized an act that provides $84 billion in funding to help the United States stay competitive in technology and science.
www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/
show
Article.jhtml?articleID=225200723&subSection=News
State College educators are successfully combining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
www.centredaily.com/2010/05/24/1994283/
district-shakes-up-science-courses.html
Miles and miles and miles...
www.albertleatribune.com/news/2010/may/27/miles-and-miles-and-miles/#comments |
EurekaFest in Mid-June at MIT and Museum of Science
 The Lemelson-MIT Program’s fourth-annual EurekaFest will take place June 16-19, 2010 in Boston. EurekaFest is a three-day celebration that brings together inventors of all ages and aims to inspire our next generation of science, technology, and design leaders. Events are held at MIT and the Museum of Science, and one of the highlights of the multi-day event is the InvenTeams Showcase, where 20 teams of high school students display and discuss invention prototypes that they worked on throughout the school year, refining their technology and engineering know-how through hands-on learning.
View this year’s class of InvenTeams here. The full EurekaFest schedule is available here. |
From NSTA Express
 • STEM Education and National Security
On Thursday, May 27, the Obama Administration released its National Security Strategy (NSS) document that lays out a strategic approach for advancing American interests and addresses a wide array of issues, including strengthening STEM education. The document notes that America’s long-term leadership depends on educating and producing future scientists and innovators. We will invest more in STEM education so students can learn to think critically in science, math, engineering, and technology; improve the quality of math and science teaching so American students are no longer outperformed by those in other nations; and expand STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and girls. We will work with partners—from the private-sector and nonprofit organizations to universities—to promote education and careers in science and technology. Read the report
Source: NSTA Express, Week of May 31, 2010
• Call for High School Teachers and Their Student Teams to Compete in the Real World Design Challenge
High school teachers with an interest in engaging Grade 9–12 students might consider an annual competition called the Real World Design Challenge. This is an opportunity for students to apply classroom lessons to real-life technical problems. In support of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the Challenge asks student teams to develop solutions to address a leading industry problem. This year, the 2010–2011 Challenge focuses on fuel efficiency in aviation. Student teams compete on a state level, and winning state teams will advance to compete nationally.
Teacher/coaches who lead their teams and professional scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who volunteer as mentors are an integral part of the Challenge. Sponsors will donate $1 million in professional engineering software to teacher/coaches and provide training so they can better utilize and apply the tools to teach design and global engineering. Mentors provide guidance to students and support teachers with content knowledge and experiences that can supplement the teacher’s expertise. Top national winners will receive outstanding prizes, awards, and recognition from leaders in government, industry, and higher education. Registration for the free competition is open. Visit www.realworlddesignchallenge.org for details.
•...from NSTA's Online Calendar:
Techbridge's Summer Institute, August 2–4. This three-day workshop, held in Oakland, California, will give participants strategies and curriculum for inspiring girls in technology, science, and engineering.
Are you wondering what else is going on? Visit the NSTA online calendar to find out!
Source: NSTA Express, Week of June 7, 2010 |
Destination ImagiNation 2010 Global Finals
 A total of 1,032 teams, including 148 international teams, competed in seven Challenge categories at the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals on May 30th at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, which marked the conclusion of the 2009-10 Destination ImagiNation season and competition. Beginning in late February 2010, local teams began presenting Challenge solutions at local competitions as the first step toward Global Finals. Teams that qualified at the local level moved on to the Affiliate Tournaments, where the competition was tougher. Global Finals is the highest level of competition for Destination ImagiNation teams.
A complete list of results can be found at www.GlobalFinals.org, including video and photos from all of the events and competitions. The 2011 Global Finals will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville May 25-28, 2011. |
Public and Parents Buy Into the Need to Ramp Up Math and Science Education...
 ... but Most Still Think Their Local Schools are Fine
On June 2 Public Agenda released new national research (underwritten by the GE Foundation) revealing that, while Americans believe math and science skills are crucial for the future—with broad support from parents and the general public for K-12 national standards, 52% of parents say the math and science their child is getting in school is "fine as it is." The report “Are We Beginning to See the Light?” is based on a national survey of Americans and parents of children Grades K-12 and uncovers how they view science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in public schools.
Last November President Obama launched an “Educate to Innovate” campaign to improve the participation and performance of America’s students in STEM fields. U.S. students rank 25th in math and 21st in science skills internationally, and only 43% of graduating seniors are ready for college math and 27% are ready for college science. “Are We Beginning to See the Light?” provides insight into how Americans perceive the problem and how they identify solutions that could help solve the nation’s STEM education problem.
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Space Week 2010
 On October 20-22, 2010 Space Week will take place in New Mexico where ISPCS, the leading meeting of the commercial and personal spaceflight industry, is held. ISPCS is organized by the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, a member of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, administered by NASA.
WhiteKnightTwo and VSS Enterprise will fly over Spaceport America as part of the celebration. This will be the first long-distance test flight of the VG spaceship and mothership system, inaugurating the completion of the runway at Virgin Galactic’s future home—Spaceport America. A flyover on October 22 of the two craft will be a unique event, enabling attendees to see both the spaceport and the vehicles. For more information on ISPCS 2010, visit www.ispcs.com. (Pictured at left is the Spaceport America runway under construction.) |
Green Technology
 • ITEEA Continues Its “Green” Efforts
On February 1, ITEEA launched a new area of its website that is completely devoted to “green” resources for teaching professionals.
Located at www.iteea.org/Green/green.htm, this new resource offers information pertaining to green topics such as food, biodiversity, environment, energy/power, health, green building, water resources, transportation, and green funding. The “green page” also includes green rss feeds, miscellaneous green resources, articles, presentations, activities, and more.
ITEEA’s “Green Page” was launched in conjunction with the theme of ITEEA’s 72nd Annual Conference held in March of 2010 in Charlotte, NC. Additional resources are being actively solicited and should be sent to Andy Stephenson, DTE at andy.ste555@roadrunner.com. |
NASA News
 • Applications Being Accepted for NASA’s DEVELOP Program – 2010 Fall Session
The DEVELOP Program is a NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Sciences-sponsored internship that fosters the training and development of students in the atmospheric and Earth sciences. The DEVELOP Program extends the application of NASA Earth science research and technology to meet societal needs. Students conduct projects that focus on the practical application of NASA’s Earth science research and demonstrate how results can benefit partner organizations and local communities. Advisors and mentors from NASA and partner organizations provide the guidance and support for the program. Students gain experience by using NASA science and technology in a professional setting. Students from high school through doctoral levels are chosen in a competitive application process. The selected students work on teams at eight locations nationwide. Activities are conducted during three 10-week terms per year: summer, fall, and spring.
Applications for the fall 2010 session are due August 9, 2010.
For more information about this unique internship opportunity, please visit the DEVELOP website at http://develop.larc.nasa.gov.
Questions about the DEVELOP program should be directed by email to NASA-DL-DEVELOP@mail.nasa.gov or by telephone to 757-864-3761.
• NASA Workshop to Present New Educational Products
NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate invites educators to an exciting workshop introducing two new educational products. Educators will be introduced to NASA's Beginning Engineering, Science, and Technology, or BEST, student engineering activities and the Physical Science Problem-Based Instructional Units.
The workshop will take place on June 22, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Any educator, formal or informal, may participate in this unique one-day workshop at either NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, or NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. These two NASA centers will be partnering during the workshop via videoconference.
Please note, travel and food are not provided. The deadline to register for this free workshop is June 14, 2010.
To learn more about the educational products being presented, visit http://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/PBIU/PBIULanding.html
and
www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/index.html.
If you have questions about the workshop or want to register to attend, please contact one of the following:
• NASA Wants to Fly Your Face in Space
NASA wants to put a picture of you on one of the two remaining space shuttle missions and launch it into orbit. After registering at the Face in Space website, you’ll be able to upload an image that will be put on a disc and flown aboard a shuttle on a future mission. You’ll receive a confirmation number and information about which flight your “face” will be on.
Then, after the launch, participants will be able to print a commemorative certificate signed by the mission commander. You can also check on mission status, view mission photographs, link to various NASA educational resources, and follow the commander and crew on Twitter or Facebook.
To learn more and upload your image for flight, visit http://faceinspace.nasa.gov. Inquiries about this opportunity should be directed to David Kiss at David.J.Kiss@nasa.gov.
• 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.
Easy Ways to Obtain NASA Educational Materials Flier – All Grades
NASA's Office of Education works collaboratively with NASA experts to promote education as a component of NASA research and development missions. These efforts result in innovative and informative educational materials that engage student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This flier describes how teachers can access the materials. www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Easy Ways.html
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Bookmark – All Grades
The downloadable bookmark has the Web address to information about how students can use amateur radio to talk directly with International Space Station crew members.
www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/ Amateur_Radio_Bookmark.html
Robotics Education Bookmark – All Grades
The downloadable bookmark has the Web address for NASA's Robotics Education site. The website offers lesson plans, career information, and multimedia highlighting NASA's robotics projects.
www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/ Robotics_Bookmark.html
Hurricane Katrina: A Problem-Based Learning Module
Because it recognizes the importance of U.S. coastal areas to the nation's economy, the U.S. National Ocean Service has formed a task force that is studying the trends and impacts of hurricanes on coastal regions. They have invited your students to participate. In this activity, students are tasked with conducting an Earth systems analysis of Hurricane Katrina that will help answer the question "Is global warming causing an increase in hurricane frequency and intensity?"
www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/ Hurricane_Katrina.html
• Revised Virtual Skies Now Available
NASA has just released the new face of Virtual Skies, an online interactive program introducing the key concepts in the world of aviation in six independent modules. Your students will acquire and employ decision-making and collaborative skills while applying principles of algebra, geometry, and calculus in each of these modules.
Virtual Skies includes beautiful color graphics, problem-solving applications, a “Teacher’s Desk” guide to the online program, and an extensive glossary that supports and reinforces the concepts taught in the modules.
Virtual Skies is FREE to all users and can be found at http://virtualskies.arc.nasa.gov.
Virtual Skies is recommended for high school students, although college students and academically advanced middle schoolers also have found the site useful. After-school programs, home schools, and civil aviation clubs have used Virtual Skies successfully as a supplement to their regular educational and enrichment programs.
If you have any questions, please email barbara.e.patterson@nasa.gov. |
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International Technology and Engineering Educators Association
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iteea@iteea.org www.iteea.org |
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