Kansas

How many of you out there are like me in that we can not decide what areas to pursue or college to attend in earning a Master’s Degree?  Well, your answer has arrived- participate in Discovery Education & Wilkes University’s Master of Science Degree in Instructional Media.

As we look down the road to education, all of us will need to learn to communicate in a myriad of ways; whether it is face-to-face or virtually, via streaming video or even digital storytelling for starters.  These methods are just part of the tools, concepts, and pedagogy educators are offered to thrive in the world of 21st century learning.  The folks responsible for engaging you consist of:

• Lance Rougeux
• Steve Dembo
• Jennifer Dorman
• Kathy Schrock
• Joe Brennan
• Grace Smith
• Stephanie Throne
• Matthew Cwalina
• Scott Garrigan
• FrankGuttler
• Luke Lyons

So what are you waiting for?  Checkout the website for further details including class offerings, registration deadlines, informational webinars, program news and more.  Follow them on Twitter as wuInstMedia

The DEN Leadership Council for Kansas want to welcome Kay Tibbs as our newest DEN STAR! A list of new STAR educators and the latest news in the DEN, such as information about STEM Academy, upcoming webinars and so much more can be found on the DE Weekly Update. View it HERE. Or, you can subscribe to get these weekly updates straight in your email inbox. Simply log in to DE, click the DEN tab and click My Subscriptions. There you can select from a number of subscription. Happy reading!

Participating teachers and students can assist in helping “Planet Earth” Go Green!  Siemens “We Can Change the World Challenge“ is open for registration through March 15, 2010.  The challenge is for students to create solutions for resolving environmental issues by starting with their own community.  Participants can choose their appropriate grade level by selecting one of the options available on the Siemens site.  Grade levels are broken down as:

1. K-2
2. 3-5
3. 6-8

Upon selecting the appropriate grade level participants will find student resources, step-by-step challenge process guidance, and an interactive classroom.  The Siemens Challenge is designed using an inquiry based project that has students identify, research, and communicate their resolution with other participants.  Students and Teachers will be competing for $100, 000 in grants and prizes.  There is even an chance for them to appear on television as well as the Jumbotron in Times Square of New York City before presenting their project to the United Nations.

To sign-up and participate visit Siemens We Can Change The World.

The Discovery Education team has been working for the last few months to review DEN Guru applications and have selected the first inaugural class. DEN Gurus will be representing the DEN on a national level in a number of way. The winners are:

• Traci Blazosky
  Creative Construction with Multimedia
  Clarion Area School District, PA

• Tim Childers
  Project Based Learning
  Bradley County Schools, TN

• Patricia Duncan
  Science
  Wallenpaupack School District, PA

• Lee Kolbert
  Personal Learning Networks
  Palm Beach County, FL

• Nancy Sharoff
  Visual Literacy
  Ellenville Central Schools, NY

This information came from the DEN weekly update, which can be viewed in full HERE.

Join Discovery Education Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 4:00pm ET for the Siemens STEM Academy webinar.

The Siemens STEM Academy, an online portal with a wealth of STEM resources, presents STEM Spotlight webinar with Dr. Michio Kaku, Host of Science Channel’s Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible.

Register Today

Register to hear Dr. Michio Kaku, host of Science Channel’s “Sci Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible”, theoretical physicist, best selling author and co-creator of string field theory, talk about the various science topics covered in his television show. “Physics of the Impossible” takes viewers to the frontiers of science with an authoritative exploration of the world of phasers, force fields, teleportation, time travel, and more. Dr. Kaku investigates the physics behind some of science fiction’s wildest offerings and concludes that many of the technologies once thought impossible may actually be inevitable.

Don’t miss this exciting event on January 19, 2010 at 4pm ET. Sign Up Today

** Post is from the Discovery Education Communications e-mail newsletter 1/15/2010.

The Kansas DEN Leadership Council met in Overland Park on January 9 and 10 to plan for this Spring and have some exciting things coming up for just Kansas DE users in addition to a number of DEN national events. Here’s a quick preview:

• DEN Virtual Conference - April 24 - The LC will be hosting a number of face-to-face events across the state in conjunction with the Spring Virtual Conference. Check the KS blog for details closer to April 24.

• DEN Geocaching Day - May 22 - Kansas and Missouri will be working together to sponsor an event at Garmin in Kansas City for the DEN Geocaching Day. Further details will be posted on both the KS and MO blogs. There may also be other events across the state, so be sure to check for all locations.

• Webinars - All spring long - Discovery Education hosts a large number of webinars throughout the year for anyone interested for free. Click HERE to view the whole DEN national schedule.

Starting a new year with New Year’s resolutions fresh in our minds, here is a tool for all of you who are interested in tracking your fitness, nutrition and health goals. http://www.sparkpeople.com/ This site allows you to track meals, find recipes, create workouts, set fitness goals, network with other people, read health articles and view training videos. Take a look and “spark” the new you!

Please help the KS LC welcome Chelsea Whisnant from Rossville to the Kansas Discovery Education DEN family.  You can catch her on Plurk talking about how well her elementary students are adapting to the assignments and quizzes she builds via the Teacher Center.  If you want to learn more about the Builders, read the “Diamonds in the Rough” blog posts here on the KS LC site.

Educators are always on the look out for something new to introduce and stimulate student learning through engagement.  Discovery Education has provided educators two new great resources: Ready Zone: Continuity of Learning  and STEM Connect. These are available in the “Teacher Center” of Discovery Education.

Ready Zone was created to provide opportunities for ongoing education of students absent long term or in case of school closings.  Educators can use resources and lesson plans as they are written or even modify them to meet standards that need to be stressed.  Resources are broken down by the following grade levels:

• K-2
• 3-5
• 6-8
• 9-12

The curriculum areas of Science, Math, Social Studies, and English/Language Arts are composed of various subtopics permitting a deeper focus for students.  For example, Social Studies is compiled of the options: Civics, Geography, American History, Ancient Civilizations, and World History.  When you select one of the subtopics a new page will appear providing a variety of videos accompanied by lesson plans, worksheets w/answer keys, and possibly a pre-created quiz.

On November 23rd, 2009 President Obama started his initiative “Educate to Innovate” focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  In support of President Obama’s plan   Discovery Education has collected resources and videos for middle school and high school students and teachers in each of the four “STEM” points of emphasis.  Upon selecting one of the specific disciplines a variety of career related videos and activities (PDF files) will appear on the new page.  There will also be a list of related content provided on each of the individual “STEM” focus pages as illustrated in this image. 

If you would like to view President Obama’s speech on this campaign view the following YouTube video (18:16 in length).  

SCIcon2010

Saturday, January 9, 2010    

9 AM to 4 PM ET

Drop by for an hour or stay for the whole day!

It’s virtual and it’s FREE!Register for the online sessions at:http://links.discoveryeducation.com/denscicon

or

Register for one of many in-person events hosted by our DEN Leadership Councils.  Click here to see the list of in-person events.

About DEN SCIcon

DEN SCIcon 2010 is an online conference (with a twist) focused on providing participants with some of the most effective strategies for transforming their science classes through the meaningful and effective integration of digital media content.  Join thousands of educators from around the world for an amazing day of professional development sessions, networking and sharing.

Download an informational flyer about DEN SCIcon to share with your colleagues.

Agenda (all times ET)

9 AM  Change the Present, Change the Future with Lance Rougeux

In our opening session we present our overarching theme for the day - change.

Our students are leading the green revolution and sustainability is an engaging topic for every grade level and subject area.  In order to engage our students in the curriculum and prepare them to be agents of change in the future we need to constantly assess our instructional strategies and the resources we employ.  Help your students change the world every day by 3 o’clock using the digital tools they love.  Customized placemarks in Google Earth and digital posters with Glogster.  Virtual labs about alternative energy sources and digital storytelling projects with a green screen.  You’ll learn a new idea for every day of the week.

Audience: General

9:50 AM  Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

10 AM  No Paper Left Behind: A New Age of Science Instruction with Brad Fountain

Take your typical lesson and witness the power of a true multi-sensory teaching approach as we explore scientific concepts using a wealth of multimedia resources that engage students at the highest level.  You will never feel the same about science again, nor will you ever teach it the same way.

Audience: DE Science and DE streaming

10:50 AM  Discovery Education’s STEM Connect

11 AM  Hands-On Digitalwith Patti Duncan

Science class is just not science class without hands on activities.  Getting “down and dirty” in the pursuit of knowledge can bring even the most reluctant student to the table.  Using digital media in conjunction with these activities can really make your lessons punch.  Computer simulations bring experiences not otherwise available to your students.  This session will show you the power of using simulations and interactives  to either introduce or reinforce the hands-on experience.  Tying it all together in a nice, neat package that all students will want to unwrap!

Audience: DE Science

11:50 AM  3M Young Scientist Challenge

12 PM  Polar Bears in a Changing Climate featuring STAR Discovery Educator Julene Reed

Polar bears and their habitat are affected by climate change, as are many other species and environments around the world. Through Challenge Based Learning, students can become actively involved in authentic, scientific studies, creatively design solutions, and take action to make a difference both locally and globally. Join Julene Reed during this session to learn how the polar bears in the Hudson Bay area are being affected by climate change, how Challenge Based Learning can engage students in related activities that are based on 21st century education skills, and how the”Tundra Connections” program from Polar Bears International is providing educators and students with live videoconferencing and webcast opportunities with scientists on the tundra as well as curriculum resources to inspire action and make a difference.

About Julene

Julene Reed is the Director of Academic Technology at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville, TN.  Julene is a STAR Discovery Educator and Apple Distinguished Educator.  She also serves on the Advisory Councils for Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots and Polar Bears International. Her work with those organizations has taken her to Tanzania, to the subarctic in Canada, and to several European countries. Julene is the director of “Tundra Connections,” the educational initiatives for Polar Bears International which include online curriculum for the Apple Learning Interchange as well as live webcasts and videoconferences from the shores of the Hudson Bay where polar bear research is conducted in Manitoba.

Julene is actively involved with both global education and educational technology. She conducts keynote addresses, workshops, webinars, videoconferences, and other professional development training to educators, administrators, and service leaders internationally. Julene has authored educational content for Apple that is published on the Apple Learning Interchange as well as other educational publications. Julene received her Masters of Education in the area of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Memphis and her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas.

Audience: General

12:50 PM  Discovery Education Wilkes University Master of Science Degree in Instructional Media

1 PM  Where Do Old Sneakers Go to Die?  Real-World Science with Mike Bryant

Have your students ever asked you this question: “When am I going to use this in real life?”  In this session, we’ll provide the answer as we use digital resources to investigate the science of everyday life.

Audience: DE Science and DE streaming

1:50 PM  Fuel Our Future Now

2 PM  Teaching Process Skills with the Mythbusterswith Lance Rougeux

Does a goldfish’s memory last longer than three seconds?  Would a helium-filled football have more “hang time” than an air-filled ball?  Bring the Mythbusters into your classroom to find out.  In this session we’ll explore a variety of ways to teach process skills using video segments from the Mythbusters.

Audience: General

2:50 PM  Discovery Education’s STEM Connect

3 PM  Do Try This at Home: Fun, Easy and Effective Experiments for Your Students with Mike Bryant and Brad Fountain

In our closing session we’ll stream out live to watch science in action as our DEN managers demonstrate several fun experiments that you can do with your students.

Audience: General

Register today at:http://links.discoveryeducation.com/denscicon.

** Posting was republished from Brad Fountain’s “Science In Action” blog.