A plethora and then some!  As we head into the 08-09 school year, I look over the webinar schedule and I am just stunned by what we have to offer.  As of right now, we have over 100 webinars on the calendar that you and your colleagues can participate in!  It truly is an astonishing amount of professional development available to you, and that’s just what’s on the calendar as of today!

So what can you register for?

EdTechConnect webinars: This monthly series brings you up close and personal with some of the biggest names in education.  The year begins with Tim Magner of the US Department of Education, and we take off from there.  We’ll be featuring Bernie Dodge, Alan Kay, Jason Ohler, Tim Tyson, Bernajean Porter, Tony Vincent and finishing the 08-09 program off with Ian Jukes!

DEN Webinars: Last year, the DEN team offered webinars twice a month on subjects on integrating media in the curriculum, podcasting, Web 2.0, digital storytelling and more.  Those sessions were in such high demand that we’ve decided to double our offerings this year!  That’s right, every week you’ll be able to attend a webinar hosted by a member of the DEN team.  We kick off the year with a Back to School Boot Camp series, followed up by a month of Integration Ideas.  Then all bets are off as the DEN team brings you an enormous variety of ideas for using digital media in your classroom.

DE Product Demonstrations: You may know all about DE streaming, but how familiar are you with DE Science?  Or Elementary Science?  What about Discovery Education Assessment?  Or even MediaShare?  Every Friday at 1pm EST, we’re hosting product demonstrations so you can learn more about the incredible services Discovery Education has to offer.  Each session is offered by the people who know the products best… the people who created them!  You’ll get a personal demonstration of the site and have plenty of time to get your specific questions answered.  Bring your administrators along so they can see firsthand the different ways that Discovery Education can help transform learning in your district.

Special Events: Scattered throughout the year are some incredible events you’ll definitely want to participate in.  This year we’ll be hosting the 3rd annual Streamathon as well as two DEN Virtual Conferences.  Additionally, we’re hard at work lining up new Discovery Connect webinars, connecting you and your students to the television programs on the Discovery networks.  More details on those will be coming soon!

The best part is, they’re all on the calendar RIGHT NOW for you to register for.  Go ahead and sign up now, we’ll send out reminders prior to the event so you don’t forget.  Not only that, let your colleagues know about them so they can take advantage of these great opportunities as well!

Visit our webinar calendar to register for any and all of these events.  While there’s too many to list, here’s a list of some of our upcoming events, just to whet your appetite.

Tonight! - 50 Ways to Spin a Digital Story

August 11th, 1pm EST - Response to Intervention (RTI)

August 12th, 7pm EST - Building a Bigger Builder, Your guide to the DE streaming tools

August 22nd, 1pm EST - Discovery Education Professional Development Opportunities Overview

August  August 29th, 1pm EST - Discovery Education PowerMediaPlus

September 5th, 1pm EST - Discovery Education Assessment - Predictive Benchmark

September 9th, 7pm EST - 50 Ways and Beyond

September 12th, 1pm EST - Discovery Education streaming, Plus, Media and Language Packs

September 16th, 7pm EST - DEN State of the Union Address with Lance Rougeux

September 17th, 7pm EST - EdTechConnect featuring Tim Magner, director of the office of educational technology for the US Department of Education.

Apple’s popular iTunes Store isn’t just for music and videos anymore. With the unveiling of Apple’s iTunes U, a free section of the site dedicated to providing educational content, Liberty Science Center is among the first providers, along with colleges, universities and other prominent educational institutions. There are lessons, lectures, even entire courses designed for use in elementary, middle and high schools. Liberty Science Center is excited to share their expertise in teaching kids about science in engaging and memorable ways with you and the iTunes U community. You’ll find Liberty Science Center in the “Beyond Campus” category at iTunes U. Check it out and download us today. Don’t have iTunes? The software is free.

Download Liberty Science Center on iTunes ]]> http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/newjersey/2008/08/07/liberty-science-center-now-on-itunes/feed/ http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/newjersey/2008/08/06/heasullis-daily-diigo-bookmarks-08062008/ http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/newjersey/2008/08/06/heasullis-daily-diigo-bookmarks-08062008/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:30:06 +0000 Heather Sullivan http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/newjersey/2008/08/06/heasullis-daily-diigo-bookmarks-08062008/

(NEW YORK- July 28th) – The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Communications and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) have joined together to inspire student achievement in sustainability through a comprehensive education initiative, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Announced today, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is an unprecedented partnership between three industry leading organizations that are committed to educating, empowering and engaging students, teachers and communities in environmental sustainability.

Kicking off the 2008 school year in September, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
is the first and only national K12 sustainability education initiative aligned to state education
standards and uniquely tailored to match students’ growing comprehension abilities throughout their
school aged years. By partnering with Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications, which provides scientifically proven, standards based digital media tools and resources to classrooms nationwide, and the NSTA, the largest science teacher organization in the world dedicated to improving science education and increasing student learning by engaging all teachers of science, the Siemens Foundation will serve as a pioneer in recognizing sustainability efforts within the K12 education system.

“As a leader in environmentally relevant businesses, Siemens knows the answers to tomorrow’s
critical environmental questions are in the minds of today’s students,” said James Whaley,
President, Siemens Foundation. “Uniting with Discovery Education and NSTA complements
Siemens’ commitment to the future and to those who are going to create it. We look forward to
unleashing this tremendous reservoir of potential through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge.”

“Education and the environment have always been part of Discovery’s core mission and we are
proud to be a partner in encouraging students to learn about and create sustainable solutions through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications.

“The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will engage science teachers and allow
students the opportunity to think like scientists, learn more about key environmental issues, and to develop critical thinking skills that will help them to make informed decisions regarding stewardship of the planet,” said Dr. Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director, NSTA.

Designed to equip students in every grade level with the tools and inspiration to develop innovative green solutions for schools, homes and communities, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will transform participants into active citizens for a greener tomorrow. The program begins by helping young students understand the basic concepts of sustainability and why it’s important to protect the environment. At each subsequent stage, the concepts expand to engage students beyond their classrooms, into their communities and to the global world.

·K-2:

• My Classroom: Introduce students to the importance of “being green” and provide opportunities for active learning and engagement.

· 3-5:

• My School: Inspire students to think beyond their classroom — using science and math skills to take their school “green.”

· 6-8:

• My Community: Empower students with tools to apply the Scientific Method to real world “green issues” in their local communities.

· 9-12:

• My World: Connect students with real world scientists as they tackle today’s “green challenges” — moving from insight to global action.

In September, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge launches with a national middle
school competition where teams of students will identify an environmental problem in their
community and will research and recommend a reproducible environmental improvement program. Teams will then provide an explanation about how other communities across the country can launch similar environmental improvement programs.

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will expand to kindergarten and elementary
school students in 2009 and to high school students in 2010, complete with standards based
lesson plans and teacher materials, student projects and prizing to foster learning, team work and problem solving around sustainability.

For more information about the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, visit
http://www.wecanchangetheworldchallenge.com.

About the Siemens Foundation:
The Siemens Foundation provides over $4.5 million towards science, technology, and engineering and math initiatives annually. Its signature programs, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and
the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, reward exceptional achievement in science, math and technology. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. The Foundation’s mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens’ U.S. operating companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.siemensfoundation.org.