Over the summer, judges will choose up to 51 semifinalists: one from each state and the District of Columbia. Ten finalists will be selected to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the final challenge in October. The winner will receive $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds ($25,000 cash value) and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” All finalists receive amazing once-in-a-lifetime trips.
One teacher will be selected to win an all-expenses-paid trip to NYC to participate in the final competition as an honorary judge or host.
Underlining the importance of communication skills in the science field, the competition challenges middle school students residing in the United States to create a one- to two-minute video about a specific scientific concept that relates to innovative solutions for everyday life. Evaluated by a panel of judges, all video entries for the 2009 competition will be assessed based on creativity, persuasiveness, classroom suitability and overall presentation. Videos will not be evaluated on production skills and may be recorded on cell phones or simple digital cameras. All video entries must be submitted online at www.youngscientistchallenge.com by May 20, 2009.
The video entry should use science to create an innovative solution to one of these everyday problems:
How can I play my music system for my own enjoyment, without disturbing the rest of the house?
What can I do to the soles of my shoes to make them better perform when I skate board?
What can I do to reduce the glare on my television when I’m playing video games?
What device or method can I create which might help lower my family’s heating or cooling bills?
For more information on the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, including submission guidelines and examples of entry videos, go to www.youngscientistchallenge.com
Upgrade your future and register for an innovative, 30-credit, fully online M.S. in Instructional Media brought to you through collaboration between Discovery Education and Wilkes University.
Enhance your classroom and your career as you learn practical integration strategies through courses designed by renowned educators like Kathy Schrock, Lance Rougeux, Joe Brennan, and more.
The #1 provider of digital content to U.S. schools, Discovery Education transforms K-12 and higher-ed classrooms with the highest-quality content that empowers educators to measure and improve student achievement.
New Summer 2009 Courses Session 1: May 2 - June 19 Session 2: June 20 - August 7
ED 520: Using Assessment to Guide Instruction
Session 1 & Session 2 Explore various assessment strategies and current methods of assessment, through the study of theory and effective practices. Learn how to interpret student data and how to implement effective change in teaching and assessment practices.
EDIM 503: Differentiation Supported by Technology
Session 2 Develop 21st century techniques for using technology to help create a stimulating, effective classroom for all students, including English language learners, special education students and students with a variety of learning styles.
The Discovery Educator Network is seeking feedback from educators who have participated in the DEN and/or attended DEN-sponsored events. This survey should take you about 5 minutes to complete. We really appreciate your feedback.
If you are a blogger and would like to embed this survey on your blog, click here to copy the iFrame embeddable code.
[Note: If you do not see the form embedded below, click here to open it in a new window.]
“We are grateful to the team at ComputED Learning Center for this recognition,” said Kelli Campbell, Senior Vice President of Content and Product Development for Discovery Education. “We strive to create not only outstanding instructional tools such as Discovery Education streaming and Discovery Education Science for Elementary, but also programs like the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge and the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which ignite student curiosity and engage students in learning.”
So join me in congratulating my colleagues here at Discovery Education on winning two more very prestigious awards!
This Earth Day, start talking trash in your classroom!
What happens to the waste we all produce? When does it make sense to recycle? Can trash become energy?
Get answers to these timely topics brought to life at www.ThinkGreen.com/classroom, a new K-12 resource from Waste Management and powered by Discovery Education.
Complete with standards-based lesson plans, compelling videos, interactives, and Think Green® resources to engage students and extend the learning to the home, www.ThinkGreen.com/classroom is a powerful new suite of tools for educators seeking new materials to enliven environmental lessons.
Think green in your classroom just in time for Earth Day and visit www.DiscoveryEducation.com/thinkgreen to get started.
[Note: The information from this post came from DiscoveryEducation.com newsletter. Do you want to receive this newsletter or other valuable educational news feeds from Discovery,]? Visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com/, sign in with your DiscoveryEducation user name and password, click on My Preferences and set your e-mail subscriptions. Or, visit the Discovery Education subscription center.]
I’m really excited about this series as I had the opportunity to travel to Alaska in February to work with the terrific teachers in the Anchorage School District.
Yes, we did actually see a moose!
[It probably wasn’t advisable to get this close to the moose, but when will I ever get a picture like this again?]
What is “The Alaska Experiment”?
The experiment begins when nine ordinary people are abandoned off in Central Alaska with only a few essential supplies and a goal to make it back to civilization. Alaska wastes no time testing their wilderness experience and severe hunger sets in.
There are some terrific interactive features posted on the series website.
So, if you are looking for a terrific series with great classroom extensions, check out “The Alaska Experiment” premiering on April 14th at 10:00 PM ET on the Discovery Channel.
We’re looking for a few good DEN (sorry, couldn’t resist)!
Seriously, the DEN has doubled in size since last year and this amazing growth has a lot to do with our incredible DEN Leadership Councils. We are in awe of the work they have volunteered to do to make the DEN community what it is today. Wouldn’t you love to be part of these incredible groups of STAR DEs? Now’s your chance.
In order to provide the necessary support to ever-growing state-level DEN communities, give new STAR Discovery Educators the opportunity to take an active leadership role with the DEN, and allow current LC members a break (if they choose) we are starting an annual LC election process.
From now until Friday, May 15, 2009, you have the opportunity to express interest in staying active as an LC member, joining an existing LC or helping to launch a new LC.
Every STAR Discovery Educator is encouraged to formally express his/her interest by completing the self-nomination form. You will select which leadership role(s) you are interested in as well as provide a brief statement of interest that will serve as your “campaign speech” should someone else wish to be considered for the same leadership role.
In order to be considered for the Chair, Blog Coordinator or Events Coordinator roles you must serve on the DEN LC for at least one year as part of the Events Team or Blog Team. For new LCs this does not apply.
For more details about the DEN Leadership Councils including the roles, responsibilities, benefits and the election process please read the DEN LC Overview.
If you have any questions, please post them as comments on the National Blog so everyone can see the response.
Most adults would immediately recognize the significance of April 15 - Tax Day, but many of our students have little concept of its importance. Luckily, teachers can tap the media library in DE streaming for content to help their students understand what taxes are, how they are assessed and collected, and how they are used by the government.
Here are some quick suggestions: (Note: When you click on the hyperlink you will be prompted to sign into your Discovery Education account to view the media. If you are not currently a Discovery Education streaming subscriber, you can activate a free trial of DE streaming and DE streaming Plus.)
Tax Day is also the perfect time to address financial literacy with students. This can be accomplished regardless of grade level. Here are a few outside resources that may prove helpful.
The award-winning producers of FETC and T.H.E. Journal invite you to participate in a FREE virtual conference for K-12 educators and technology staff exploring the most pressing issues related to 21st Century Skills.
Join your peers and industry experts as they investigate a range of compelling topics including:
Career and technical education
The Obama administration’s global workforce development agenda
Digital teaching methods and tools
Stop by the DEN virtual booth on April 23 from 11 AM to 7 PM EDT. For more information and to register check out http://virtual.fetc.org.
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