Michigan Discovery Educator Network

On Wednesday, May 8, 175 Hamilton Schools staff members picked up new Mac Book Pros and attended breakout sessions throughout the day to get started using them. One highlight was the “Lunch and Learn” event sponsored by the Discovery Education Network, featuring Mike Bryant.  According to Andy Losik, one of the organizers of the day-long event, “Mike explained that DEN goes way beyond the Discovery Streaming that many in our district are already using, and that as they begin this journey there is a powerful network of support just waiting for them.”  Welcome to the DEN, Hamilton teachers.  Please consider becoming STAR members! 

The video was created with Animoto.  Information about getting an “All Access Pass” for STAR educators is available on the National DEN blog. 

Eric Strommer, a member of Michigan’s DEN Leadership Council, won a trip to Philadelphia to meet the cast and crew of The Deadliest Catch, a show on the Discovery Channel. According to Eric, “It was such a pleasure to be able to talk with the captains that were there (Sig, Andy, and Johnathon). They are just everyday guys that love their work and are taking all this attention in stride.”

While in Philadelphia, Eric was able to visit the Liberty Bell exhibit and see Independence Hall. Also valuable to Eric was having the opportunity to connect and have fun with other Discovery Educators. Eric came away with great memories and wishes to thank Discovery Education for this fantastic experience.

Click here to see all of Eric’s photos taken during the trip.

The Michigan DEN has three new STAR members!  Congrats and welcome to:

• Janine Campbell, Byron Center Schools
• John Phillips, Battle Creek Schools
• Esther Sherizen, East Detroit Public Schools

Emma Haygood, Science & Technology Teacher at Berrien Springs Middle School, just learned that her CSI in the Classroom proposal was fully funded ($256 in lab materials and a teacher handbook) by DonorsChoose.org.  Donors Choose allows teachers to write proposals for items they need for their classrooms.  Here is a link to Emma’s full proposal:  http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=113850.

Congratulations, Emma!

The DEN Spring Training 2008 promotion has just been announced!

• STAR DEs who report at least 3 events by June 6, 2008 will get a DEN water bottle. The events must be from this school year (Sept 1, 2007 through June 6, 2008).

• Any STAR DE who recruits a new STAR DE by June 6, 2008 will get a DEN baseball shirt. The STARs that are recruited must be official by June 6 in order for their “mentor” to get the shirt.

• The DEN Managers will be competing by Region (for fun) and the winning manager will get a DEN Louisville Slugger to take to events.

• The STATE that has the most new STARs during spring training will win a Day of Discovery featuring Hall Davidson. Let’s bring Hall to Michigan!

Next Wed (April 9) at 11 am EST, Discovery Education will be hosting a webinar for teachers and students featuring America’s Army and the Rise of the Video Games.  It will be a really exciting webinar for everyone, especially students, so please spread the word.   This is recommended for middle and high school students.  Register and read more about it here.

What kind of Earth will your grandchildren’s grandchildren grow up in?

Act Locally; Share Globally! 

Come join the 24-hour long conversation about the health of our planet.  Participants will be from around the world. Special guests include local leaders, student environmental advocates, scientists, engineers, and people like you who are interested in helping to make the world safe and healthy for future generations.  Participation can occur anywhere there is an Internet connection!  

There are three Ways to Participate:

1. Listen to the live show at http://www.webcastacademy.net/live.  There are several ways to listen to the audio:  iTunes, Windows Media, Real Player, and Ustream.  Select the option that works best for your computer system.  Use the chat room to ask questions or communicate ideas to the special guests.  See tentative schedule on the attached flyer below.
2. Create your own video or audio that can be played during the webcastathon.  Share how you are making a difference in your own community or any thoughts and ideas that you have about environmental issues.  Upload videos to youtube, teachertube, your blog or website.  Tag all content with earthcast08.  If you need help with the uploading or tagging process, contact Pam by leaving a comment. 
3. Add an an audio, video, or text comment to the EarthDay Webcastathon VoiceThread at  http://enviroscims.wikispaces.com/earthcast08+VoiceThread    

Please help spread the word!  Distribute this flyer to all your contacts who may be interested:   

webcastathonflyer.pdf

Congratulations to our newest STAR member, Krista Hanna.  Krista is a 6th grade teacher from Walled Lake.  She is now eligible to apply for one of the DEN National Institutes.  She also has other benefits of being a STAR member.  Welcome, Krista!

I spent an hour with Steve Dembo, who presented in Second Life for the first time. He spoke about how to bridge real life and Second Life. Here is a photo I took while at the presentation. That’s me with the Discovery jean jacket!