Project Learning Tree Fall Newsletter

With Winter around the corner, I wanted to post this before the snow flies.  I hope it flies soon!  I am posting my favorite crystal snowflake recipe tomorrow.  Check back!

http://www.plt.org/fall-2011

Herrett Center Planetarium Shows

These all look like great Holiday shows at the Herrett Center on the CSI Campus.  Take a break from shopping and enjoy one of these with your kids.  I can't wait to see the new show, "Santa Snork saves the Seasons!"

http://www.csi.edu/calendar/viewEvents.asp?ID=8469

Solar Energy Podcasts

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!  Maybe you have a few minutes to watch informative podcasts about solar energy from the American Chemical Society?  Or are you too busy shopping and eating?  Well, enjoy the break doing something you love!  I will post again on Monday.

http://www.acs.org/chemmatters

And thanks to my friend Cheryl who shares great articles...here is a 13 yr old kid who is designing solar panels using math!

http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/18/meet-a-13-year-old-solar-panel-developer/

Tweets for Science Teachers

This fun list may just get me to tweet after all...I got this link from my NASA online class that I am taking.  Enjoy!

http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/11/20-top-tweeters-for-science-teachers/

It's an excellent collection of science teachers who tweet.  I only followed @drwetzel and now I have a bevy.

Times-News Article about FRC Robotics

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FRC is coming to DHS!! A special assembly is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:00 PM at Declo High School. The Livewire team from Pocatello is coming to show us their robot and explain what FRC is and how much fun students and families can have participating in this program. Our school team is being organized now...so exciting!!

More Teacher Opportunities

Tonight as I reviewed an earlier post about grants for teachers, I was reminded how lucky we are to have access to so many opportunities.  Yes, you have to dig a little, but it is worth it.  Back in September, I posted the NSTA calendar of ongoing grants and other events, so take a look at that extensive list.  Here is just one example of another opportunity just about to expire...

http://www.spacefoundation.org/education/educators/programs/teacher-liaison-officers

Looks fun, huh?  Deadline is December 9.

New IPTV D4K Episode Today... Tuesday, Nov 15

http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season13/moon/

Remember that classes can submit questions to the show and win prizes.  I have a few more calendars left if you want one.  They are great for classrooms!

Local 4-H Robotics teams qualify for state competition | The Voice of Mini Cassia - Burley & Rupert Idaho

Here is the article about our boys. If you want to see them again, we will be at BJHS Science Fair on December 1. It is going to be a great event, so stop by and see STEM in action!

Local 4-H Robotics teams qualify for state competition The Voice of Mini Cassia - Burley & Rupert Idaho

Geography Awareness Week

Celebrate Geography Awareness Week with National Geographic this week. The theme is “Geography: The Adventure in Your Community”. Visit the link to start exploring your community, completing missions, and earning badges.

Geography Awareness Week - National Geographic Education

education.nationalgeographic.com

Launched in 1987 by presidential proclamation, Geography Awareness Week is an annual opportunity for families and schools to engage in fun, educational experiences that draw attention to geo-literacy and the importance of geographic understanding.

Another Great IDAHO STEM Website!

Thanks to TJ for providing this website and FB page for STEM events and news.  I am already excited about the information posted.  In fact, there is a cool science teacher symposium at USU on Monday. It looks so great!  I will check this new online resource and share what I find, but better yet, like it on FB and you will get reminders yourself!!

https://sites.google.com/site/idstem/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Idaho-STEM/283411208345640

Awesome!  Have a great weekend!

Online GPS Course this Saturday

So one of my favorite new resources is coming out of this NASA class I am taking.  Teachers from all over the country are sharing their backgrounds and connections with each other, and we have just added a place on our page to share events like this.  I know this is coming up in just 2 days, but I wanted to share anyway.  I might be able to fit it in myself.  How fun!  You know I like to letterbox, but I am not really confident using GPS in lesson plans.

Introduction to GPS (Grades 5-9)

Saturday November 12, 2011, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. AZ (10:00 Eastern)

The Global Positioning System is an engaging educational tool for teaching students science, mathematics, and technology. This session will introduce teachers to the science behind GPS, will contain engaging activities including determining the size of the Earth, and will cover associated NASA resources to aid in teaching GPS to students. Presented by: Todd Ensign - NASA IV&V ERC This is an online workshop. You only need an internet connection and a computer with the capability to receive audio to participate. Email deveaus@erau.edu to register. Registered participants will receive login instructions via email prior to the workshop and a certificate of participation following the workshop.

CSI Education Technology Article

Here is an article about my friend Dave Makings. I am enjoying the SeTEM class that I get to observe at CSI. I am also enjoying my first true online course through NASA and Georgia Tech. Last night I learned how to scan a QR Code and download documents to read. Very cool!

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http://magicvalley.com/news/local/twin-falls/future-teachers-prepare-for-classrooms-filled-with-new-technology/article_265c4d71-a53f-592b-8267-f3d25b5acc83.html

Twin Falls FLL Robotics Competition...What a DAY!

Well, how fun was that?  We are so proud of our Declo teams for doing so well and qualifying for State Competition in December.  Thanks to Darcy at the Herrett Center and all the CSI organizers and judges for helping our kids have a great day!  Thanks coaches and parents for supporting your kids.  These teams were judged on team work, presentation and research, programming and design, and robotic missions.  The theme this year is Food Safety and they have learned a lot.

               Hotwired presenting their project to the judges.

             Cassia Teams...BJH Bobocats, RoboRebels, and Hotwired

RoboRebels in competition!

Hotwired preparing to compete!

Our Mascot, Nash

Three of the best judges...Sue, Bill, and Dan

BJH Bobcat Team...good job!

Idaho EPSCoR Newsletter

I am very grateful for EPSCoR and their willingness to team up with and support CSI and STEM Outreach.  If you scroll down their summer newsletter, you will see a couple of our Declo Science Events from last Spring.  I am thrilled that our work was mentioned in their newsletter.

https://mail.csi.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=09792c81c3904d618f2a2ecbbe73794c&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.idahoepscor.org%2fUploads%2fEpscorNewssummer20111.pdf

So much happening in STEM!

My head is spinning with all the opportunities out there.  Last night I toured a local milk facility that makes powdered milk from local dairies, and I am never going to look at milk the same way again.  We take so much for granted when it comes to our food supply!  I was visiting with my son's robotics team so they could learn about food safety.  Their competition is THIS Saturday at the Herrett Center at CSI.  So much to do!

Also, I spent the day at the Junior High with the best 6th graders in Idaho.  I have known some of these kids since preschool, and we have a lot of fun doing science experiments.  It was their first time with the black box, and it went really well.  ( I will post pix tomorrow!)

Finally, I started an online course through Georgia Tech today.  I applied in the summer after I got an email from NEON, and I am excited to communicate with teachers all over the country about online education.  This course is free, and I am earning 2 credits if I am successful with all the requirements.   So teachers, keep an eye out for these kinds of classes, because they can really help us stay up on technology.

Scary Trees for Halloween

This was a fun post on the PLT website...thanks Michelle!  I enjoyed the examples in this collection of scary trees through time!  Enjoy and Happy November!

http://webecoist.com/2010/09/07/deadwood-30-scary-creepy-bizarre-trees/