Archive for December, 2009

Grant opportunities for science teachers

Friday, December 18th, 2009

I want to make sure that all you hardworking teachers out there get rewarded whenever possible, so here are two more possibilities:

The Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence is an annual awards program that recognizes extraordinary contributions by educators who are elevatinf the level of science literacy through through creativity in the classroom An independent panel of judges selects the winners based on the following criteria: creativity and effectiveness of teaching methods; the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools; and an innovative science lesson plan showcasing innovative methods in the classroom. Thhairirty-four teachers will be honored. Read all about it.

The Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision Awards Program, the world’s largest K–12 science and technology competition, is now accepting entries for its 2010 program year. The ExploraVision program, sponsored by Toshiba and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), challenges teams of 2-4 students to research scientific principles and current technologies as the basis for designing innovative technologies that could exist in 20 years. Students on the four first-place ExploraVision winning teams will each receive a $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond valued at maturity.  Students on second-place teams will each receive a $5,000 bond valued at maturity. Student-team coaches/teachers will receive an expense paid trip to Washington, DC in June for ExploraVision Awards Weekend for the coach and mentor of each national winning team; a one-year NSTA membership to coaches of the national winning teams; a Toshiba-branded product for the coach and mentor of each regional winning team; a certificate of participation and an entry gift for each coach and mentor of every team that submits a complete entry; and a special discount on Toshiba computer products.
Schools will receive a Toshiba laptop for each of the schools of the regional winning teams and an awards ceremony for each regional winning team at their school where they will receive a winner’s banner, plaque, and other gifts. Details and how to apply are here.

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A semester on the Maine coast: science and adventure for girls, starts in February

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

The liminal space of the seacoast, that threshold between land and sea, and between sea and sky, is an ideal thinking and growing place for adolescents, who are also in transition, between childhood and adulthood.

When this opportunity in Maine showed up in my email, I found myself humming Gordon Bok’s Hay Ledge Song,” . . . give sadness to the wind, blown alee and gone . . . ” But sea chanties and sentiment aside — Coastal Studies for Girls is something I would have loved at age 15. (See earlier post on opalescent squid, if you don’t believe me.) Read on and see if you know a girl who would love it, too. Public school, private school, or home school background, it’s all good at CSG.

Coastal Studies for Girls is the country’s first residential science and leadership semester school for 10th grade girls. The girls who will thrive here have a love for learning and discovery, curious minds,CSGGirl-With-Laptop-] adventurous spirits, and a desire to challenge themselves.

CSG is much more than school—it is a profound experience with the potential to change a life. Girls leave here empowered to make a difference at home, in school, and in their communities.

The curriculum is built around three strands:

Scientific Research: comprises the challenging and rigorous science-based exploration that is the foundation of Coastal Studies for Girls. The Coastal Marine Ecosystems course is based in authentic research-based inquiry. Using the Maine coast as a natural laboratory, students design and conduct original research projects and present their results to an audience of peers, staff, family and community members.

The Core: ensures that students maintain good standing at their local high schools, enhances their college admissions prospects and adds the perspective of environmental stewardship in all subject areas.

Leadership: offers opportunities for personal growth and environmental stewardship. In the Leadership Adventure girls learn traits of an effective leader as well as a cooperative group member, through activities such as ocean sailing, backpacking, sea kayaking, team challenges on a ropes course, rock climbing and snow camping.

Do you know of a current tenth grade girl who would be successful at CSG? Is she willing, capable, adventuresome? Would she like the opportunity to live on the Maine coast in an 1850s farmhouse with a bunch of other girls, for 16 weeks, beginning in February?

Some very generous donors have committed to making this opportunity available to ALL girls, regardless of their ability to pay. Go to the CSG website and get excited. Tell them the NCGS AllGirls blog sent you.

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For teachers: follow your dream

Friday, December 4th, 2009

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Is now the winter of our discontent?  No, no, it’s not discontent, exactly. But these next few weeks before the winter solstice are the darkest days of the year, and in these parts, the cold is starting to settle in.

Teachers, here’s something to dream about, and better: a way to make those dreams come true. The Fund for Teachers offers $12 million in grants for summer fellowships which are open to teachers from both independent and public school schools.  Grants of $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for teams are available for teachers who design their own professional development experiences and apply online. Applications for 2010 are due on January 29th. It could be a glorious summer!

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