Develop Design Thinking, Celebrate Earth Day, Diagnose Autism & More
April 1, 2015
In Partnership With:
IN THIS ISSUE
Grants, Competitions and Other "Winning" Opportunities
Resource Roundup
Professional Development Plus
Mobile Learning Journey
STEM Gems
Worth-the-Surf Websites
Grants, Competitions and Other "Winning" Opportunities
Encourage Careers in Science Research
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and PBS LearningMedia have announced The Emperor Science Award Program, an initiative that will encourage disadvantaged high school students to pursue careers in science, with particular emphasis on cancer research, through a year of mentorship with a scientist from a leading research institution or industry. The education initiative is being launched in connection with Ken Burns Presents Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, a three-part, six-hour film on the history of cancer that will air on PBS on April 1. Students may apply for awards or may be nominated by teachers. The first 100 awardees (high school students from Title I or similarly “economically disadvantaged” schools) will receive $1,500 grants as well as one-on-one science mentoring over the course of a year or an intensive summer schedule. Students will be connected with science mentors from a host of high-profile medical research centers, universities and industry leaders in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Students will be provided with electronic tablets to enhance their studies and extend the reach of mentors of major research institutions to students in rural and suburban communities. In the coming months, information about The Emperor Science Awards will be posted on www.cancerfilms.org and www.su2c.org. Free resources to accompany the film are available on PBS LearningMedia’s website.
Deadline: Applications available in August 2015; check PBS LearningMedia’s website in August for application deadline
Click Here for More Information About PBS Film
Click Here to Access Free Resources
Foster Design Problem Solving Skills
Sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the DiscoverDesign.org National High School Architecture & Design Competition promotes architectural awareness and design problem-solving skills in high schools across the United States. To participate in the competition, students must design a pocket park for a small piece of land near their school or in their neighborhood. The design needs to provide spaces for people to gather as well as activities for multiage groups. Students’ pocket parks should be no bigger than 14,500 square feet and include a variety of elements that make a park—from benches, bike shelters and meeting spaces to playgrounds and pavilions, to cafés, information kiosks or arts performance areas. Students should also consider sustainability issues and the environmental impact of their design. Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. The jury will also recognize one student and one architect mentor who did the most to foster, encourage and build an online design community of learners. Through comments and feedback, mentors will provide both encouragement and constructive criticism on students’ work throughout the run of the competition.
Deadlines: April 25, 2015, for registration; May 20, 2015, at 5 p.m. (CST), for entries
Click Here for More Information
Recognize Successful Educational Technology Collaborations
CDW•G, in partnership with eSchool News, is sponsoring Collaboration Nation, an awards program that will recognize the nation’s finest examples of collaboration and successful educational technology projects. CDW•G will share the winning school and district’s keys to success and will award that school or district a grand prize of $50,000 to spend with CDW•G on products and services from partners such as HP, Lenovo and Meraki. From March 2 through June 30, 2015, schools and districts are invited to submit a nomination and short video on the Collaboration Nation website. The winning school or district’s nomination and video will demonstrate exemplary technology collaboration across departments and describe how the project had a measurable impact on teaching and learning.
Deadline: June 30, 2015
Click Here for More Information
Plus: Schools and districts are encouraged to be a part of the Collaboration Nation community on Facebook by sharing videos of collaboration successes. Each month (April, May and June), the school or district video that has the most shares on Facebook will win a $15,000 prize in products from Collaboration Nation partners such as HP, Lenovo or Meraki.
Click Here to Access Collaboration Nation Facebook Community
Sponsored By:
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Resource Roundup
Get Help for IT
LapCabby has been doing things differently in IT storage for more than 25 years. Born in the UK, LapCabby’s laptop, netbook, tablet and Chromebook carts are a big hit in schools worldwide—and they’re now available in the US and Canada. The cleverly designed carts give you everything you need in the classroom: storage, safety, simplicity—even charging and syncing.
Click Here to Visit Website
Protect Nature, Preserve Life
The Nature Conservancy and its 550 scientists have created Nature Works Everywhere to help students learn the science behind how nature works for people—and how they can help keep it running strong. Nature Works Everywhere gives teachers, students and families everything they need to start exploring and understanding nature around the globe, alongside Nature Conservancy scientists. The resources include interactive games and interactive lesson plans that are aligned to national standards and can be customized for each classroom. Tap into these interactive resources to celebrate Earth Day on April 22—and year-round.
Click Here to Access Free Lessons, Videos and Garden Tools
Plus: Join one of The Nature Conservancy’s water scientists on a virtual field trip to find out how geography, people and water interact in two of America’s “wildly” unique biomes: the temperate rainforest and the desert. The 40-minute virtual field trip will take place on YouTube, on April 8, 2015, at 12 noon (ET). The content of this virtual field trip is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the National Geography Standards.
Click Here to Register for Virtual Event
Get to Where You're Headed
Common Sense Education provides award-winning resources to help schools integrate technology in a meaningful way. Coming in April is Digital Compass, a new interactive game for grades 6–9. The game is a choose-your-own-adventure, animated learning experience that introduces or builds on the fundamentals of digital literacy and digital citizenship. The storyline encourages teens to explore how the decisions in their digital lives may impact the lives of others through decision making and perspective taking. Digital Compass will be available as mobile and web-based apps, all for free. The web version will require Internet access, but the app versions, once downloaded, will not need a connection to the Internet. The iOS and Android phone versions will be available in August 2015.
Click Here to Access Free Game
Professional Development Plus
Identify Subtle Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder can be diagnosed in people of all ages, not just children. When it comes to identifying students at risk, educators are on the frontlines. On April 8, 2015, at 6 p.m. (ET), Big Deal Media’s new Everyone CAN! community on edWeb.net will host its inaugural webinar titled “Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder in School-Aged Children,“ sponsored by Think Asperger’s, an outreach program of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC). This free webinar will reprise a presentation about keeping students with Asperger’s from falling through the cracks. The presenter will expand the question-and-answer portion of the webinar to address many of the major concerns brought up during the previous presentation, including who should compose the evaluation team, how to work with parents and what to do after a diagnosis is received. Join this interactive session to understand the subtle signs of autism spectrum disorder and the free tools available through the Think Asperger’s website. The webinar will be recorded and archived in the Everyone CAN! community for members to access after the event.
Click Here to Join Everyone CAN! Community
Click Here to Register for Free Webinar
Click Here to Access Previous Webinar
Click Here to Learn More About Think Asperger’s
Find Funds for Your Favorite Projects
You may have some students on free lunch, but not enough to qualify for Title I status. Although many grants target underserved populations, you still can find grants and other funding to help pay for what your school needs and what you want for your classroom. On April 16, 2015, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (ET), the GetEdFunding community on edWeb.net will host a free webinar titled “Is There Grant Money If You Are Not a Title I School?” In this webinar, sponsored by CDW•G, the presenter will help attendees get started with proven strategies for securing funding. The presentation will include ideas for creating projects for subsets of students that address specific subject areas, such as STEM, or for general education issues, such as literacy. The presentation will also offer suggestions for funding activities or projects—for example, Collaboration Nation—as well as suggestions for getting some of the $2 billion committed by companies for classrooms as part of the federal ConnectEd initiative. Attendees will also learn how to use the GetEdFunding website to help find appropriate grants and competitions. The presenter will field questions from attendees after the presentation. The webinar will be recorded and archived in the GetEdFunding community for members to access after the event.
Click Here to Join GetEdFunding Community
Click Here to Register for Free Webinar
Click Here to Visit CDW•G Website
[Re]Energize Your Classroom Through Multimedia Stories
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) require teachers of all disciplines to integrate writing and technology into their curriculum. To help educators address those standards, on April 20, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (ET), the Creating Multimedia Stories for Learning community on edWeb.net will host a free webinar titled “Celebrate Student Authors! Inspiring Common Core Writing with Technology.” In this webinar, sponsored by Shutterfly, the presenter will share strategies for using Shutterfly’s free Photo Story app for the iPad to inspire enthusiastic, confident student authors while also addressing the Common Core State Standards. The presentation will include the requirements for implementing technology that are specified in CCSS. The presenter will suggest strategies for integrating technology, writing, listening and speaking standards; present a timeline for creating ebooks with students; offer techniques for differentiating instruction to support diverse learners; and provide ideas for celebrating student writers in the classroom. The presenter will also field questions from attendees during this live interactive session. The webinar will be recorded and archived in the Creating Multimedia Stories community for members to access after the event.
Click Here to Join Creating Multimedia Stories for Learning Community
Click Here to Register for Free Webinar
Click Here to Visit Shutterfly Website
Transform Your Teaching with Technology
Educators can help students become more actively engaged in projects by making technology tools a seamless part of the learning process. On April 23, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (ET), the Amazing Resources for Educators community on edWeb.net will host a free webinar titled “Differentiating Instruction with Technology: A Framework for Success.” In this webinar, sponsored by Quill.com, the presenter will describe ways to differentiate instruction in the K–12 classroom using technology. Attendees will hear about integrating various types of technology—computers, smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, social media platforms and networks, software applications and the Internet—into daily classroom practices. The presenter will focus on ways that participants can use these technologies to transform their teaching and meet the unique needs of every learner in their classroom. The webinar will be recorded and archived in the Amazing Resources community for members to access after the event.
Click Here to Join Amazing Resources for Educators Community
Click Here to Register for Free Webinar
Click Here to Visit Quill Website
[Re]Invigorate Your Teaching with Digital Media
Discovery Education invites teachers and administrators worldwide to participate in the upcoming SpringVirtCon on April 25, 2015. This no-cost, daylong professional development event offers both virtual and face-to-face opportunities for educators to learn actionable tactics and strategies for deepening the integration of digital media into classroom instruction. Discovery Education is also encouraging educators to create local face-to-face events at which they can convene with their peers, participate in the online events and host discussions and workshops during the online presentations. Visit the conference website for more information about the 2015 Spring VirtCon, including details on registering, participating in online and in-person events, and hosting local events. Use the hashtag #SpringVirtCon to follow along with this event on Twitter.
Click Here to Visit Website
Mobile Learning Journey
Fill Your Classroom with Fireflies
Fireflies & Honey Bees is a delightful collection of original poems and watercolor illustrations designed especially for the iPad user. Narrated by the English actress Eila Ulyett and enhanced with interactive web links, the ebook is a treasure for all ages to enjoy. Cost: Free during April, National Poetry Month
Click Here to Visit iTunes App Store
Be Creative Anywhere
Designed by Vivid Apps, StripDesigner lets students become comic book writers using their own photographs and the templates within the app. With the app’s tools, students can write text bubbles, place them in frames and create color gradients for added effect. They can impress their friends with personal comic strips created on their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch using photographs from their photo albums or camera roll on their mobile device. To create their comic book, students select one of the many page templates that are included, insert photographs into the cells and add speech balloons with fun words. Then they can add effect symbols (stickers), such as “Boom,” “Splash” or “Bang,” to spice up their story. When they’re happy with their new graphic story, they can share it with friends and family. Cost: $2.99
Click Here to Visit Website
Click Here to Visit iTunes App Store
Explore Earth’s Deep History
Created by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the EarthViewer app for the iPad is like a time machine for exploring Earth’s deep history. Based on the latest scientific research, the app lets users scroll through the last 4.5 billion years with their fingertips. Students can follow a favorite landmark, such as Greenland or New York City, as its position shifts through time, or they can watch a famous fossil, such as Tiktaalik, make an incredible journey from its origin to its current location. They can layer their view of shifting continents with data on atmospheric composition, temperature, biodiversity, day length and solar luminosity to get a more complete view of planet Earth. Cost: Free
Click Here to Visit iTunes App Store
STEM Gems
Fight Monsters in the Name of Science
Students get to flex their design muscles in SpaceChem, an educational problem solving game in which gamers build factories that turn raw materials into chemical products. In the game, students take on the role of a reactor engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Their responsibility is to construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products. In the process, they must streamline their designs to meet production quotas and use logic to survive encounters with the sinister threats that plague SpaceChem. The game, free for schools, is available for use on Mac, Windows, Linux and STEAM platforms.
Click Here to Visit Website
Gamify Common Core Mathematics
Prodigy is a free adaptive math interactive that integrates Common Core mathematics for grades 1–6 into a fantasy-style game. However, Prodigy takes game-based learning a step further and provides teachers with reporting and assessment tools that allow them to easily identify trouble spots, differentiate instruction and better manage class time. The game’s personalized approach quickly identifies gaps in students’ understanding. Students then work on prerequisite skills with scaffolding that moves them forward through more difficult concepts. As a web-based game, Prodigy can be accessed at school and at home on virtually any device.
Click Here to Visit Website
Stop Emerging Destruction
In ClearLab’s Atomic Hero game, students take on the role of an ace chemical engineer who has just been recruited by the government for a top-secret mission. Five years ago, experiments in cold fusion were well under way in the thinly populated district of Fernoble in the barren north, but an unknown accident left the facility in ruins, and the report became highly classified. While the loss of the research and technology were bad enough, the effects of the accident have continued to grow, threatening the community and the livelihood of the people. The aspiring young engineer has been assigned to investigate the Fernoble accident, determine its cause and stop the emerging destruction before it threatens the entire nation. The student/engineer must be prepared to use his or her knowledge of chemical reactions and molecular theory to overcome anything that may arise. The game is aligned to National Science Education Standards and Project 2061 Benchmarks for Science Literacy. The topics include atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonds, compounds, chemical reactions and balancing chemical equations.
Click Here to Visit Website
Worth-the-Surf Websites
Examine How Wars Have Shaped History
Americans have gone to war to win their independence, expand their national boundaries, define their freedoms and defend their interests around the globe. The Price of Freedom exhibition, hosted by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, examines how wars have shaped our nation’s history and transformed American society. The exhibition, which highlights the service and sacrifice of generations of American men and women, is presented online using an interactive timeline. Students navigate the timeline by selecting one of the highlighted conflicts, such as the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War II or the Vietnam War. They can also navigate the exhibition by selecting a category, such as animal heroes, art, espionage or music. After making a selection, students enter the online exhibit that features that conflict or category. There, they will find short videos and images with artifacts, as well as primary source documents, to enhance their understanding of military history. In addition, educators will find a printable version of the exhibition and a Teacher’s Manual for grades 3–12.
Click Here to Visit Website
Click Here to Access Price of Freedom Timeline
Click Here to Access Printable Version
Click Here to Download Free Teacher’s Manual
Discover What Lies Beneath Earth’s Surface
How far would someone have to travel to reach Earth’s core? And what would the person see along the way? Students will discover what lies beneath Earth’s surface in Journey to the Centre of the Earth, an interactive infographic produced by the BBC. As students scroll down the infographic, information will slide into the graphic from each side. These bits of information offer fascinating facts, such as the maximum range of most metal detectors, the deepest animal burrows, the depth at which the Chilean miners were trapped in 2010 and the pressure at the center of Earth.
Click Here to Visit Website
Develop Healthy Coping Attitudes Among Youth
Sources of Strength is designed to build socioecological protective influences among youth to reduce the likelihood that vulnerable high school students will become suicidal. The program trains students as peer leaders and connects them with adult advisors at school and in the community. With support from advisors, peer leaders conduct well-defined messaging activities intended to change peer group norms influencing coping practices and problem behaviors, such as self-harm, drug use or unhealthy sexual practices. Peer leaders have one-on-one conversations within their network of friends and develop posters and public service announcements with local faces and voices. They also give peer-to-peer presentations and develop messages to be delivered via video, the Internet or text messages. Specifically, these activities are designed to reduce the acceptability of suicide as a response to distress, increase the acceptability of seeking help, improve communication between youth and adults and develop healthy coping attitudes among youth. The program is also designed to positively modify the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the peer leaders themselves.
Click Here to Visit Website
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