June 9th, 2010 Bob
A New U.S. National STEM Initiative for Grades 5-12 to inspire the next generation of spaceflight engineers and space scientists
June 7, 2010—The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) provides middle and high school classes across the U.S. the ability to propose experiments to fly in low Earth orbit, and to celebrate that accomplishment with their local community and with national and global audiences. Entire school districts can participate, with student teams proposing experiments like professional scientists and engineers.
Phase 1 of the program is a unique and historic opportunity to propose an experiment to fly aboard STS-134, the final scheduled flight of the Space Shuttle. Selected student experiments would fly for 10 days aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. Launch is tentatively scheduled for November 2010, but a launch slip to mid-January is expected, enabling this student spaceflight experiments opportunity.
We want the final voyage of the Space Shuttle to also mark a new beginning for private sector sponsored student experiments in space, which organizations on the SSEP Team have pioneered. The flight of Endeavour will be used as a gateway to Phase 2 of the SSEP—sustainable, ongoing access to space for grade 5-12 students inspired to propose experiments for low Earth orbit aboard the International Space Station (with transport via the Russian Progress and Soyuz vehicles), and on suborbital space flights.
The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) will immerse students across a local community in an exciting, high profile scientific investigation that is designed and owned by the students—the Flight Experiment Opportunity—and leverage the excitement by wrapping powerful, community-wide science education programming around the experience—the Community Program. It is about engaging students, their teachers, and their families in science education, with a focus on the process of inquiry, and in a manner that is customized to a school district’s strategic needs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
Visit the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Website for full details about this time-critical program opportunity, and a call to action in your community.CLICK HERE
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January 21st, 2010 Bob
See attached this month’s JanaGram from OSDE Science Director Jana Rowland. This month’s issue contains items that will require quick action if you are to take advantage of the opportunity. Science Museum Oklahoma has events THIS WEEK and there are a number of grant and awards deadlines that are just around the corner. Don’t delay! Download the the January JanaGram here.
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November 15th, 2009 Bob
Oklahoma youth have until Nov. 20 to submit their entries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s youth essay contest for the chance to win an all-expense-paid outdoor getaway courtesy of the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International.
According to Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the essay contest is an ideal way for youth to show their love for the outdoors and, in the process, possibly win a vacation in the great outdoors. “Each year we receive a number of great essays, and that shows just how much Oklahoma’s youth enjoy archery and sharing their hunting tradition,” Berg said. “Teachers often comment about how some students jump at the chance to write about their hunting experiences. I myself always found it more enjoyable to write about topics I’m interested in, and this subject matter connects with lots of students who enjoy hunting.”
To participate, students must be 11-17 years of age and currently enrolled in any Oklahoma school or home school. Students also must use the theme of “Hunting: Sharing the Heritage” or “Archery: What I like about Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting” or the concept of the theme to develop a descriptive essay or short story. Winners of the 2008 contest are not eligible. Applicants must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter Education course by the entry deadline, which is Nov. 20, 2009. There are two age categories — 11-14 and 15-17.
Winners in the 15-17 age category (one boy and one girl) will receive a guided antelope hunt in New Mexico, and winners in the 11-14 age category are competing for a scholarship within the Apprentice Hunter Program at the YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas. Safari Club International’s Apprentice Hunter Program is a unique, hands-on course designed for girls and boys aged 11-14. The program covers topics such as the history of hunting, the ethical basis of modern sport hunting, wildlife management, field identification, tracking and interpreting sign, game cooking and the SCI Sportsmen Against Hunger Program. There are three sessions — each a week long — during the summer of 2009.
The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. The winning student essays will be published in the OSCSCI newsletter, “Safari Trails.” Publication qualifies the winning entries for the Norm Strung National Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Several past national winners have come from Oklahoma, including two from last year’s contest.
Steven Maichak of Edmond took third place in the senior prose division (grades 9-12) of the national contest, and Raini Stiles of Collinsville took first place in the junior prose division (grades 6-8). Both received national recognition and cash rewards.
Essays may also be printed in Outdoor Oklahoma magazine.
One educator also will be awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship for an eight-day conservation education school at Safari Club International’s American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) at Granite Ranch near Jackson, Wyoming, according to Berg.
The AWLS program is conducted during the summer and presents an outdoor program for educators that concentrates on natural resource management. Participants learn about stream ecology, map and compass, language arts and creative writing in an outdoor setting, fly tying, shooting sports, wildlife management, the Yellowstone ecosystem, camping, white-water rafting, educational resources and how to implement outdoor education ideas. Six sessions will be offered June through August of 2010.
Both the essay contest rules and teacher scholarship applications are available from the Department’s Web site at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/writingcomp.htm.
Essays and applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 20, or delivered by Nov. 20 in person to the Department of Wildlife’s Jenks Office at 201 Aquarium Drive, Jenks. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Attn: Education Section Supervisor, ODWC Jenks Office, P.O. Box 1201, Jenks, OK 74037.
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October 28th, 2009 Bob
The National Environmental Education Foundation provides knowledge to trusted professionals who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Together, we generate lasting positive change.
“That’s the basis for my call to action – the utilization of environmental education to assure an infusion of wonder in the years of promise.” ~Richard C. Bartlett
Environmental education (EE) programs succeed when teachers are passionate, creative, and able to connect with their students and inspire their peers.
The Bartlett Award, given annually by the National Environmental Education Foundation, recognizes an outstanding teacher who has successfully integrated EE into the traditional classroom setting and served as an inspiration and model to others. A $5,000 award is provided for the recipient to continue their work in EE, in addition to a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with representatives of the EE community to further his or her network and identify new resources to use in his or her classroom.
The award honors teachers who bring EE into the curriculum and the community, not just teaching about environmental challenges but also engaging students in the solutions. The $5,000 award is made possible by the Baxter Healthcare Corporation.
For more information on the 2009 Bartlett Award winner, Bertha Vazquez, visit www.neefusa.org/bartlettaward.
2010 Nominations
Do you know a high school teacher who stands out among the rest? If so, please nominate him or her for the 2010 Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award!
• High school teachers in the United States public, private, or homeschools are eligible for this award.
• Nominations are welcome from anyone involved with the nominee including parents, administrators, fellow teachers and students. Self-Nominations are encouraged.
• Nominated teachers must have at least five years teaching experience.
• Nominations are due January 15th, 2010.
From October 19th, 2009 – January 15th, 2010 nominations may be submitted online at www.neefusa.org/bartlettaward.
In addition to the online nomination, three letters of support must be submitted in order to complete the nomination. Eligibility criteria include the following:
For more information please call 202-261-6466 or email bartlettaward@neefusa.org.
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September 17th, 2009 Bob
The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) invites you to participate in the 5th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest! It is only open to 9th 12th grade students this year.
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2010 at 5:00 PM EST
Please visit http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml for details.
2010 Essay questions:
Option 1 Scientists can now determine the complete DNA sequences of organisms, including humans. Now that this milestone has been reached, is there a reason to continue learning about Mendel, alleles, and inheritance patterns? Explain your answer.
Option 2 Genetic testing allows geneticists to determine an individuals DNA sequence, and research has identified a number of genes, such as HMGA2 and GDF5, that are associated with height. Will such associations allow scientists and physicians to predict a persons final adult height from infancy? Explain your answer.
A 1st, 2nd, 3rd place will be chosen for each question. Winning students will receive:
1st Place Winners: $400.00 + Teacher receive a $2,000 grant for laboratory genetics equipment
2nd Place Winners: $250.00
3rd Place Winners: $150.00
Please expect an email in January 2010 when the submission site is live. Questions? Please email Angie Wong).
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September 15th, 2009 Bob
It’s that time of year again! NSTA and its sponsors are kicking off another exciting year of rewarding and recognizing high-performing science educators and students through our large-scale, nationally known competitions and grant programs.
Check out the following opportunities listed below.
Disney’s Planet Challenge®
Fourth through sixth grade students have the opportunity to make a difference in their surroundings while using science, math, composition and problem-solving skills. Disney’s Planet Challenge has gone nationwide and now students across the country can participate! Registration is now open and students can win prizes, classroom grants, a trip to Disneyland(r) with their classmates, a chance to be on a TV show and much more! Teachers can use the Challenge with their lesson plans. Sample plans can be found on the website. Disney’s Planet Challenge is a great way to get students involved with their environment in a fun and creative way. Go to http://disney.go.com/planetchallenge/ to get started. Registration closes December 18, 2009.
DuPont Challenge(c) Science Essay Competition
DuPont Challenge(c) Science Essay Competition gets students writing about science! Students in seventh through 12th grade research and write a 700 to 1,000-word essay about a scientific discovery, theory, event or technological application that has captured their interest. Created to honor the Challenger astronauts, students can win savings bonds up to $5,000, and a trip to Walt Disney World and to the Kennedy Space Center. Teachers win too! Along with the trips with their students, teachers can also win $500 grants. Students have the opportunity to be inspired, to be creative, and to tell a story in this essay about any scientific topic. Teachers can use this competition to motivate students to reach beyond themselves and push the limits! To learn more about the competition, check out the website at http://thechallenge.dupont.com . Entries will be accepted from December 1, 2009 until January 31, 2010.
Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
K-8 students have the opportunity to become “Agents of Change” as they team up with their classmates to create replicable solutions to environmental issues in their classroom, school and community. Student and teacher/mentor prizes, which vary according to grade level, include savings bonds, school grants, exciting trips, TV appearances and much more. Applications are now being accepted. The deadline for elementary level entries is January 31, 2010 (finalists and winners to be announced March 10, 2010); and the deadline for middle school entries is March 15, 2010 (state winners to be announced April 26, 2010, and national winners to be announced May 10, 2010). For more information about the Challenge or to register for the competition, visit www.wecanchange.com.
Spirit of Innovation Awards
Sponsored by the Conrad Foundation, the Spirit of Innovation Awards is an annual competition that challenges teams of high school students to create innovative products for use in one of four categories: aerospace exploration, space nutrition, renewable energy and green schools. Teams and their coaches will compete for more than $100,000 in cash prizes; the opportunity to be designated as Pete Conrad Scholars and have the opportunity to commercialize their products for general market use; and annual memberships to the Conrad Foundation, Sigma Xi, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the National Science Teachers Association-the Foundation’s official education advisor. For more information about the program, visit http://www.conradawards.com. Applications must be submitted no later than December 15, 2009 to be considered.
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Program
ExploraVision is a competition that makes science fun and exciting for students and gives educators an innovative way to present science topics in the classroom. This competition encourages K-12 students of any interest and ability levels to imagine a future technology using present day predicaments. Students can win up to $10,000 in savings bonds for college and cool gifts from Toshiba. Applications are now being accepted; the deadline is February 2, 2010. For more information about the program or to learn how to apply, visit www.exploravision.org.
Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers
The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program, one of the largest science teacher grant programs in the nation, and is now accepting entries for the 2009-2010 competition. Now in its 20th year, the program offers grants up to $10,000 to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in their school and/or school district over a one-year period. For more information about the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program or to learn how to apply, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/. Applications must be submitted no later than January 18, 2010 to be considered.
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September 11th, 2009 Bob
EXPLORAVISION AWARDS 2010: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Challenge today’s young minds to create tomorrow’s world.
Your students will invent the future. They’ll discover new, improved technologies and scientific advancements that will create tomorrow’s world. As an ExploraVision coach, you inspire them to make these breakthroughs.
Jumpstart your students’ imaginations by encouraging them to compete in the ExploraVision Awards competition. and integrate the competition into your curriculum.
Sponsored by Toshiba and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, the ExploraVision competition gives students in grades K – 12 the chance to create their own visions of the future. It’s a challenging but rewarding contest in which student teams select and research a current technology, and then explore what it could be like 20 years from now. Research topics can blend in with your syllabus, enhancing your students’ grasp of your material and helping you meet classroom goals.
Members of the four first-place teams will each receive a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond and an expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC to be recognized for their achievements. Four second-place teams will also receive $5,000 savings bonds. Big thinking and big stakes those are great reasons for your students to start imagining the future.
Click here to get more information and register your team(s).
Become a fan of ExploraVision on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
- The ExploraVision Team
Contact ExploraVision Mailing Address:
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards
1840 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201-3000 Phone:
1-800-EXPLOR9
E-mail: ExploraVision@nsta.org
Challenge today’s young minds to create tomorrow’s world.
Your students will invent the future. They’ll discover new, improved technologies and scientific advancements that will create tomorrow’s world. As an ExploraVision coach, you inspire them to make these breakthroughs.
Jumpstart your students’ imaginations by encouraging them to compete in the ExploraVision Awards competition. and integrate the competition into your curriculum.
Sponsored by Toshiba and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, the ExploraVision competition gives students in grades K – 12 the chance to create their own visions of the future. It’s a challenging but rewarding contest in which student teams select and research a current technology, and then explore what it could be like 20 years from now. Research topics can blend in with your syllabus, enhancing your students’ grasp of your material and helping you meet classroom goals.
Members of the four first-place teams will each receive a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond and an expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC to be recognized for their achievements. Four second-place teams will also receive $5,000 savings bonds. Big thinking and big stakes those are great reasons for your students to start imagining the future.
Click here to get more information and register your team(s).
Become a fan of ExploraVision on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Contact ExploraVision Mailing Address:
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards
1840 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201-3000 Phone:
1-800-EXPLOR9
E-mail: ExploraVision@nsta.org
Copyright © 2009. Sponsored by Toshiba and administered by NSTA.
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December 12th, 2008 Bob
The Sutton Avian Research Center, is partnering again with NatureWorks to offer the Sutton Awards for Conservation Communicators! They are looking forward awarding up to $15,000 to talented 10th, 11th and 12th grade students here in Oklahoma!
The competition consists of two parts: the first is a presentation piece (fine arts, video, photo essay, advertisement) that tells a compelling story of a current conservation issue. This piece will count as 2/3 of the scoring. The second part is a short (no more than two pages), but detailed essay that describes the project, explains how the project impacts conservation efforts, and tells why it was chosen. This essay will count as 1/3 of the scoring.
The Center notes that they have been making a special effort in the past few years to include science and environmental students as well as arts students in their outreach. In fact, some of they winners this past year came from a science class that had used the Sutton Award guidelines as an assignment! Once again, the winning entries from this contest will be displayed among the works of professional artists from around the country at the NatureWorks Art Show and Sale! This show takes place Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1. Winners, their parents and teachers will also be invited to the opening gala on Friday evening and for the NatureWorks’ breakfast on Sunday morning where they will receive their awards.
Applications and flyers can be obtained by contacting Margie Nolan via email or by phoneat 918-595-0005 You can also visit our website at www.suttoncenter.org for more information You can download the application here and download the award flier here.
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November 3rd, 2008 Bob
Your students are invited to participate in the 17th Annual Oklahoma Mesonet Weather Science Fair. The fair will be held at the National Weather Center in Norman, OK on February 21, 2009. All projects must use weather data.
Teachers must register their classes by
November 14th, 2008. Send an email to
earthstorm@mesonet.org which includes your contact info, the name of your school, and the number of projects you plan to bring. If you have not participated in the fair before, please indicate that you are a new school.
The competition is divided into junior (grades K-7) and senior (grades 8-12) divisions. The projects are to be of three types: Experiment, Investigation or Technology in one of the ten categories. See the
website for details.
All projects must be registered using the online database by December 5, 2008. Full research plans are due January 23, 2009. Instructions for using the database will be provided to all new schools.
Go to the Mesonet website
Here.
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October 2nd, 2008 Bob
Every year, young people across Oklahoma share their outdoor heritage by competing in a youth outdoor writing contest for a chance at a trip of a lifetime, and you need only ask Coweta High School student Shane Ellison if it was worth his time to enter the contest. The essay contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International, took Ellison on a New Mexico antelope hunt after he won the senior division of the contest last year. Ellison, accompanied by his dad, attended his hunt at the Martinez Ranch in August and found just the right setup for his hunt.
“We had picked a spot the day before on the top of a ridge with a valley on one side of it,” Ellison said. After a 30-minute wait, a nice buck antelope showed itself and gave Ellison a hunt to remember. “I sat on the side of the ridge for about an hour while the buck was slowly approaching. When he got about 300 yards away, he sat down and was facing away from me. I got up and slowly started walking towards him until I was about 250 yards away. This is where I took my first and only shot to harvest my antelope!”
According to Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Wildlife Department, the essay contest is an ideal way for youth to show their love for the outdoors and, in the process, possibly win a vacation in the great outdoors. There are two age categories (11-14 and 15-17), and one girl and one boy winner are chosen from each one. To participate, students must be 11-17 years of age and currently enrolled in any Oklahoma school or home school. Winners of the 2007 contest are not eligible. Applicants must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter Education course by the entry deadline, which is Nov. 19, 2008. Students also must use the theme of “Hunting: Sharing the Heritage, Archery: What I like about Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting” or the concept of the theme to develop an expository essay or short story.
Winners in the 15-17 age category (one boy and one girl) will receive a guided antelope hunt in New Mexico, and winners in the 11-14 age category are competing for scholarship for the Apprentice Hunter Program at the YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas. Safari Club International’s Apprentice Hunter Program is a unique, hands-on course designed for girls and boys aged 11-14. The program covers topics such as history of hunting, the ethical basis of modern sport hunting, wildlife management, field identification, tracking and interpreting sign, game cooking and the SCI Sportsmen Against Hunger Program. There are three sessions, each one week long, during the summer of 2009.
The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. The winning student essays will be published in the OSCSCI newsletter “Safari Trails.” Publication qualifies the winning entries for the National Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Several past national winners have come from Oklahoma. One educator also will be awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship for an eight-day conservation education school at Safari Club International’s American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) at Granite Ranch near Jackson, Wyoming, according to Berg.
The AWLS program is conducted during the summer and presents an outdoor program for educators that concentrates on natural resource management. Participants learn about stream ecology, map and compass usage, fly tying, shooting sports, wildlife management, the Yellowstone ecosystem, camping, white-water rafting, educational resources, how to implement outdoor education ideas and language arts and creative writing in an outdoor setting. Both the essay contest rules and teacher scholarship applications are available from the Department’s Web site at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/writingcomp.htm. Essays and applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 19, or delivered by Nov. 19 in person to the Department of Wildlife’s Jenks Office at 201 Aquarium Drive, in Jenks. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Attn: Education Section Supervisor, ODWC Jenks Office, P.O. Box 1201, Jenks, OK 74037
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