E-Blast # 1 November 2011
New Orleans NSTA area conference, Morial Convention Center, November 10-12
- Featured Speakers
- Exhibit Showcase
- Field Trips
- Strands on major science education themes
- Hundreds of Concurrent Sessions
- Saturday morning Community Event for students and families.
- Free Saturday Extended sessions for LA Teachers
It is not too late to attend…register on-site!
Don’t miss the LSTA Awards Reception Friday night November 11th R02/03 of the Convention Center.
Information on the items listed here can be found below.
1. CORE Element Strike for STEM New Orleans November 7
2. State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants: Deadline November 9
3. Geography Awareness Week November 13-19
4. America Recycles Day; November 15
5. COSEE Community Oil Spill Forum November 19, 2011
6. NOAA's TEACHER at Sea application deadline November 30
7. Team America Rocketry Challenge; Registration deadline November 30
8. Get Green Video Contest from Planet Connect Deadline December 8
9. Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching; Application Deadline December 15
10. Disney Planet Challenge; Deadline December 23
11. EPA Presidential Innovation Environmental Educator Award Program
12. America’s Wetland Eye on the Prize $5,000 Grant Deadline January 15
13. Captain Planet Foundation grants; Deadline January 31
14. NSF Science Radio 360
15. NOAA Investigate the Weather
16. USA Biology Olympiad
17. World Moon Watch Project and Federation of Galaxy Explorers
18. CBS News Science: Periodic Table Rap
19. The Einstein Fellowships for K-12
20. November Stargazing Summary
21. Samsung - Solve for Tomorrow; Sharing the Wonder of STEM; Deadline March 12
22. Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science
23. 2012 Moody’s Mega Math Challenge
24. Louisiana Civil Air Patrol a resource for teachers and schools
1. CORE Element-The Greater New Orleans Stem Initiative is engaged in promotingquality teaching in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics. OPSBis very excited about the impact oftheprofessional development effortsand classroom support provided by through CORE Element. COREElement will hold its First Annual Strike for STEM fundraiser at Rock & Bowl 3000 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans featuring the 610 Stompers, the Boogie Men, and Big Screen HD projection of the LSU v Alabama game, Saturday, November 5th, 7pm-9:30pm. Everyone is welcome to come out and show your support. Please join us for a wonderful time and a good cause.
2. State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants: Deadline November 9
State Farm is proud to team up with YSA to offer grants of up to $1,000 for service-learning projects in K-12 public schools in all fifty US states and the District of Columbia, and in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick. The State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants encourage semester-long projects. Up to 125 grants will be awarded; at least 10-15 grants will support projects addressing teen driver safety issues. Learn more at
3. Geography Awareness Week; November 13-19
This year‘s National Geographic’s Geography Awareness Week theme isThe Adventure in Your Community. A geographic perspective of a community, no matter how big or small, can help us understand that community better. National Geographic is challenging people to participate in missions that involve activities such as photography and mapping.
4. America Recycles Day; November 15 Nothing more need be said…do your part to reduce, reuse, recycle, repair! Make recycling a daily part of your life.
5. The Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence of the Central Gulf of Mexico is hosting a videoconference in three cities, simultaneously. The COSEE Community Oil Spill Forum will take place November 19, 2011, 10am-1pm. Speakers include Drs. Ed Overton, Julie Anderson and Lucina Lampila (all of LSU) and Ms Suzanne Smith of the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. These speakers will provide a general overview of the oil spill event and aftermath, information regarding seafood safety, dispersant use, and large animal rescue. There will also be opportunities for participants to ask questions and engage in learning activities developed around the oil spill. Participants may attend the Forum at either of these locations:
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University, local host is Louisiana Sea Grant
- New Orleans, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (local host)
- Shreveport, Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center (local host).
This event in open to the public, including adults and their children over the age of 12. Teachers in attendance will receive CLUs for their participation. For more information, please contact Jessie Kastler, 228 872 4269, .
6. NOAA's TEACHER at Sea now accepting application for 2012 Field Season
Are you an educator interested in doing research on a ship and gain first-hand experience of science and life at sea?If so, we encourage you to explore the opportunities offered by theNational Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Teacher at Seaprogram.Teachers have enriched their classroom curricula with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with those who contribute to the world's body of scientific knowledge.
The mission of NOAA¹s Teacher at Sea program is to give teachers a clearer insight into our ocean planet, a greater understanding of maritime work and studies, and to increase their level of environmental literacy by fostering an interdisciplinary research experience.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 11:59 PM EDT
Apply at:
7. Team America Rocketry Challenge
Registration is open for the Team America Rocketry Challenge 2012, a national model rocket competition for U.S. students in grades 7-12. Thousands of students compete each year, making TARC the world's largest model rocket contest. Teams of three to 10 students are challenged to design, build, and fly a model rocket that will climb to 800 feet with a payload of two raw eggs and stay aloft for 43 to 47 seconds. The payload must then return to earth unbroken. Cash prizes are awarded to the top finishers. NASA invites top teams to participate in their Student Launch Initiative, an advanced rocketry program.Participation is limited to the first 1,000 teams who register by Nov. 30, 2011.
8. Get Green Video Contest from Planet Connect asks high school students to create a video to show how they can green their city or town with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The videos should capture an innovative idea using two or more of the elements of STEM to make a town or city greener, more sustainable and a model of 21st century living.
The top videos will win cash prizes, a Samsung Galaxy Tab, a Netbook, and an HD camcorder. This year's Get Green Video Contest winners will also have the opportunity for their videos to be broadcast on Eco Company TV, a nationally televised program.
Deadline December 8.
9. Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching
Fulbright Awards in Teaching programsends highly accomplished primary and secondary teachers from the United States abroad and brings international teachers to the United States for three to six months. The program will provide U.S. awardees an opportunity to study in an overseas research center or university. In addition to working on individual capstone projects, participants may enroll in graduate-level classes, conduct research, and lead seminars for teachers and students in the host country.
U.S. grantees will receive an award to cover all expenses pertaining to their overseas program, including international airfare, housing fees, tuition fees, transportation costs, meals, and incidentals. U.S. full- time teachers of any subject may apply, as well as individuals involved in their support. Applicants must have five years of teaching experience and possess a graduate degree.
Applications and supporting documents must be postmarked no later than December 15, 2011.
10. Disney Planet Challenge; Deadline December 23
The Disney Planet Challenge Project-Learning Environmental Competition is an opportunity for teachers and students to join a project-based learning competition inspiring environmental stewardship. Students in grades 3-8 identify an environmental issue in their local community and offer a solution that they manage and document from start to finish. The website offers lesson plans and other resources.
11. EPA Presidential Innovation Award Program for Environmental EducatorsU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2011 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators Program. The program, which will be implemented through a partnership between the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and EPA, recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students.
“This awards program will highlight and encourage innovative ways to betterintegrate environmental issues into our young people’s everyday learning experiences --helping to turn environmental education into environmental action.”
“We need to reward and recognize teachers who are focusing on the environment, reinforcingscientific knowledge, developing critical thinking skills, and preparing students toparticipate in the green economy.”
Two teachers from each EPA region will be selected to receive the award. Recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and an award of $2000, to be used to further their professional development in environmental education. Additionally, the local education agency employing each teacher will receive an award of $2000 to further the recipient’s environmental educational activities and programs. EPA and CEQ will announce the inaugural award winners in the spring of 2012.
For more information on eligibility requirements and selection criteria or to submit an online application, please visit . The application deadline is December 30, 2011.
12.America’s Wetland Eye on the Prize $5,000 Grant
The America's WETLAND Foundation has kicked off its third Keep Your Eye on the Prize competition to engage Louisiana students in saving coastal wetlands at a time when coastal land loss is increasing and more Louisiana communities are being affected. The Keep Your Eye on the Prize contest is designed to encourage students across the state to consider the significance of Louisiana's coastal wetlands to their own lives by writing essays, creating artwork or taking photographs on the topic. The subject of the 2012 essay entries will be, "How can Louisiana adapt to coastal land loss and what changes should be made?" The subject of the 2012 art/photo entries will be, "Why should the area known as America's WETLAND be saved?" For Contest Rules Click Here...
13. Need $$$ a hands-on environmental project for your students?
The window for applying for Captain Planet Foundation grants of up to $2,500 for hands-on environmental projects will beNovember 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012.The web site has information about the process and provides examples of projects that received funding in the past.If environmental education is part of your curriculum, and if you wish you had some funding for a special project, maybe this is the opportunity you have been waiting for!
14. Science360 Radio
NSF Launched a new resource recently: Science360 Radio for Web, iPhone and Android.(STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programming now streaming 24/7.
Science360 Radio showcases 100+ radio shows and audio podcasts.The stream also includes webcasts, events, in-depth interviews, and documentaries from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other contributors.This new offering is part of the Science360 Network, which also includes a STEM video library, a daily news service ( an iPad app.
Curiosity in the Classroom
Discovery Education and Intel have teamed up to create Curiosity in the Classroom, a website designed to bring teachers, students and families on a journey through life's biggest questions.
15. Investigate the Impact of Weather
NOAA Research is the research arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA scientists study weather and air quality, climate, and ocean and coastal resources. This site is a joint effort of NOAA Research and the College of Education at the University of South Alabama (USA). The goal of the site is to provide middle school science students and teachers with research and investigation experiences using online resources.
The site is organized around six research topics:
* In the El Niño section, students find out how El Niño forms and what its effects on the weather of the world are.
* In Storms, students investigate hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning by tracking their courses and measuring their strength.
* The Atmosphere section involves students in investigating the origins and effects of global warming and the effects solar events have on Earth.
* In the Fisheries section, students manage various fish species after learning about the impact of overfishing and the environment on commercial fishing.
* The Great Lakes section involves students in interpreting maps of winds, waves and temperature. In the Oceans section, students take real measurements, such as temperature and wave height, and graph the changes. They also find out about ocean currents.
* A Teacher section (indicated by an apple icon) provides free, downloadable resources for each topic. The resources include lesson objectives, interdisciplinary uses, NSTA and AAS standards and teacher preparation materials.
16.Accept the Biology Challenge: Become part of the USA Biology Olympiad
The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) is the premiere US biology competition for high school students. After two rounds of challenging exams, 20 students are invited to a residential training program at Purdue University where they experience labs and lectures with advanced biological concepts and exacting lab skills. The top four students go on to represent the USA at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in Singapore July 8 to 15, 2012. Online registration is open from October 24, 2011 to February 3, 2012 at For more information on how your students may participate in the USABO, please contact Kathy Frame at .
17. If you are interested in studying the moon as a class science project join the World Moon Watch Project for students in grades 4-8. Student handbooks and teacher handbooks are available as free downloads at Participants should register by r . This program was started in 2001 at Ball State University and won a National Science Teachers Association Ohaus Award in 2003.
Ambitious teachers can start a Federation of Galaxy Explorers chapter at your school for grades 3-12. There is no charge for establishing a Federation of Galaxy Explorers chapter at your school and the national headquarters supports local chapters by loaning educational program materials to the local chapter without cost, except for consumable items such as model rocketry supplies. Local chapters can barrow an extensive meteorite sample collection, a traveling space art display, mock astronaut space suites, a space shuttle flight simulator, and many other items, all free of charge to the local chapter. Students pay an annual $20 membership fee to join the Federation of Galaxy Explorers. Adult volunteers can join free of charge. Visit their website at The Federation of Galaxy Explorers also hosts a number of space education oriented summer camps for its youth members.
18. CBS News Science: Periodic Table Rap
(CBS) - Searching the Internet you can come across thousands of videos of cats, dogs, pranks and just about anything and everything you can think of. But what about music put to chemistry? Not so much as the poster of this video found out, so he decided to create a periodic table rap of his own. Take a listen.
19. The Einstein Fellowships for K-12 educators who want to spend a year in Washington in Public Policy positions is now open for applications.
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program offers current, public or private, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classroom teachers with demonstrated excellence in teaching, an opportunity to serve in the national public policy arena. Fellows provide practical insight in establishing and operating education programs. Fellowships increase understanding, communication, and cooperation between legislative and executive branches and the science, mathematics, and technology education community.
Full details, including a timeline for this year can be found at
20. November Stargazing Summary
Planets and stars team up to stage two pretty conjunctions this month, with the Moon passing by each duo. Mars and Regulus, which rise shortly after midnight, remain within a few degrees of each other all month, with Mars nearly doubling in brightness by month's end. Saturn and Spica, which are low in the southeast at first light, also snuggle close together throughout the month. In the meantime, Taurus climbs high across the sky, reaching its zenith around midnight late in the month. Orion and Gemini climb skyward earlier each evening, and by month's end are in good view by the middle of the evening.
More stargazing information:
21. Samsung - Solve for Tomorrow – Sharing the Wonder of STEM
Your school can win a part of $1,000,000 in technology.Samsung is dedicated to helping children share the wonder of life, learning, and our planet.This fall, Samsung is giving public schools nationwide the opportunity to share the wonder of Samsung technology. Samsung and its partners are asking teachers to participate in its contest, which will address a key academic challenge in our country: to increase the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. With Samsung and schools joining together, they are looking to foster interest in these subjects among students and illustrate the practical impact applying these subjects can have.The deadline to enter is March 12, 2012.