Category Archives: Science

Colleges, Education, Schools, Science, Society, Student, Teaching, Training, Tutorials

Host a Rocket Contest and Help Kids Reach for the Stars

You have read about it and heard it in the news – students in the U.S. are falling behind in test scores.. We need to get kids interested in science, technology, engineering and math – the STEM subjects. To get them involved you have to get their attention. Nothing draws more attention than a rocket launch – except a rocket contest. To that end we offer the national Reach for the Stars Rocket Contest.

Rocket launches are great for publicity! Use the contest to advertise your presence, build your membership and / or raise funds. They are a terrific way to get kids excited about learning. Running a local event is as easy as 3, 2, 1. Three – find at least twelve contestants and order supplies. Two – build and launch your rockets. One – award certificates and prizes. A step-by-step video and on-line help are available to guide you.

Compete locally. Celebrate nationally. The contest, for ages 10 to adult, is designed to be run by local organizations, is safe, easy and affordable. Everyone benefits. All contestants get a reusable Estes model as well as the unforgettable experience of launching a solid-fuel powered rocket hundreds of feet into the sky. Everyone involved receives a commemorative achievement certificate – suitable for framing. Each certificate bears an inspirational quote from Christa McAuliffe. Sponsors receive recognition and the satisfaction of Helping Kids Reach for the Stars.

As Homer Hickam, author of “The Rocket Boys” (aka “October Sky”) recently stated, “What’s better than a rocket launch to inspire young people? They learn about science, engineering and, at the end, they get to launch a rocket.” Everyone remembers their first rocket launch. What other activity can you say that about?

The contest is in its third year. It runs continuously and has annual deadlines for each celebration. Go to TheRocketman.net for deadlines and details. Our six national winners get memories to last a lifetime and bragging rights for generations to come!

Results from local events are entered in the national contest. National winners get their choice of launching their rockets at the Astronaut Hall of Fame and celebrating at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – or they can celebrate with author, Homer Hickam and launch with the original Rocket Boys at the October Sky Festival in Coalwood, West Virginia. They will also receive a Space Shuttle Challenger – commemorative coin as well as other prizes.

Dr. Warren Layfield, Educational Director at COSROCS (Colorado Springs Rocket Society) and TARC mentor considers the Reach for the Stars Rocket Contest to be the “perfect training ground for kids who will go on to more challenging competitions like the Team America Rocketry Challenge and NASA’s Student Launch Initiative.”

Tickets to the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for three national winners and their families are provided by DNC Parks. Lodging and breakfast is compliments of the award winning Country Inns and Suites by Carlson in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Without the generosity of these companies, the winners’ celebration would not be possible.

Your efforts will promote the Helping Kids Reach for the Stars program and honor the legacy of Christa McAuliffe – NASA’s first Teacher-in-Space.

Via EPR Network
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Education, Schools, Science, Society, Student, Training

Npower Events ‘Enthuse’ A Local School

Npower volunteers have returned Greendown Community School, one of the first schools selected to pilot npower’s ‘enthuse’ programme in 2007, the third consecutive year the event has taken place at the school.

During the recent two day educational experience over 260 Year 9 students participated in a range of 

interactive activities designed to help them think about the impact science and engineering has on their daily lives. South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove also visited the school to find out more about the programme.

Enthuse, which is part of npower’s Brighter Futures Programme, is a five year scheme designed to inspire and engage students aged 12-14 years old in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

The students were encouraged to think of ways to improve existing products or design a completely new concept, before considering the very real problem of how we can meet and reduce the UK’s future demand for energy. These activities were followed by a ‘facts and fiction’ session where the students were given the opportunity to meet with engineering staff f r o m npower’s Swindon offices. Throughout the day, the students took part in a series of hands-on activities relating to the power industry.

The day ended when the school’s Director of Specialism, Gill Sarjent was presented with an award, which recognised the continued support and efforts of the school towards the highly successful enthuse programme.

Gill Sarjent said: “The school is very proud to be involved with the ‘enthuse’ programme since day one and continued participation during the last few years. The students have been given an excellent insight into what it would feel like to be an engineer. Also, the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with staff f r o m npower helps bring the activities to life and gives the students a great introduction into the world of work.”

Anne Snelgrove MP commented: “It was fantastic to see the students having such a good time while they were learning. This scheme brings science and technology to life and makes it real.”

Connor Wood, a year 9 student, added: “I think the whole day was good as I liked learning about different careers and I really liked all the “hands on” activities. My favourite workshop was ‘Bright Ideas’ as I liked designing a new product, which was completely different. I think we should run this event every day for year 9 students!”

In 2008 alone, npower ‘enthuse’ days reached out to over 3400 students across the UK.

To find out more about npower’s education programme and free resources for schools and community groups, visit www.npower.com/education.

 

About npower:
npower is one of the UK’s largest electricity suppliers and draws on 50 years experience in supplying electricity and gas. npower offers a range of essential home and business services to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

RWE npower has been awarded the prestigious CommunityMark f r o m Business in the Community (BITC). npower is the only utility business, amongst 21 other companies in the UK, to receive this accolade. The CommunityMark is a new BITC standard which has been created to recognise companies that are good investors in local communities and who have brought about real and positive changes.

The aim of the npower Brighter Futures programme is to inspire young people f r o m their first day at school to their first day at work. This is achieved by helping them to develop their skills and knowledge to make their own choices and empowering them to achieve their vision of a ‘brighter future’ for themselves and for the environment. npower Brighter Futures also includes our apprenticeship and graduate recruitment schemes.

Via EPR Network
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Award, Colleges, Education Resources, Education Software, Educational System, eLearning, Science, Universities

The Integrated Solution Group To Develop Web-Based Interactive Learning Portal For The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance

Tennessee State University (TSU) has awarded The Integrated Solution Group, Inc. a contract to develop a statewide database and web based interactive training assessment system for The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA). The system will provide TECTA with a central database for student tracking and reporting, and a web based interactive learning and assessment environment where material is presented to foster understanding and use of the Tennessee Early Learning Development Standards (TN-ELDS) to training participants providing care and education to young children.

Tennessee State University (TSU) is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational land-grant university founded in 1912. The university has two primary locations – a 450-acre main campus, with more than 65 buildings, located in a residential setting; and the Avon Williams Campus located in the heart of downtown, near the center of the Nashville business and government district. TSU is a Tennessee Board of Regents System institution. The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) is the sixth largest system of public higher education in the nation, with 45 campuses, over 185,000 students, and 15,000 full-time employees. Tennessee State University is one of the leading institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents system for research funding.

The TECTA program, managed by the Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences in the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs at Tennessee State University, is sponsored and funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. TECTA is a consortium of nine TBR universities and community colleges that provides an academic gateway for preparation of professional early childhood personnel. The web-based interactive learning portal will be the first e-learning initiative established by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

About ISG

Founded in 1993, The Integrated Solution Group specializes in the design, development, and deployment of database driven custom software applications for Windows and Open Source environments. Typical ISG projects include the development of sophisticated data driven web-sites and smart-client desktop software for business, non-profit, and educational institutions throughout the US. ISG also provides database design and software consulting services.

Via EPR Network
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Diplomas, Education, eLearning, Knowledge, Schools, Science, Student, Teacher, Universities

University of New England’s Online Graduate Education Program Hits Record 500 Enrollments

The University of New England’s online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) program exceeded the 500 student enrollments barrier this fall, just one year after the program was launched.

Said Dr. Arthur Goldstein, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, “We are very excited to see such tremendous success so early in the life of this program. To have come this far so quickly is a testament not only to faculty and staff but also to our students.”

The program is already garnering recognition within the tight-knit education community. Tech & Learning magazine recently identified University of New England’s online master’s in education as one of the top online programs in the country.

Said Dr. Douglas Lynch, Chair, Department of Education, “The online Master of Science in Education program is a fantastic opportunity for motivated teachers and educational leaders to interact and learn. Our student base from across the nation enhances the shared-learning experience. The curriculum requires teachers to employ what they learn in their classroom making the program highly engaging and authentic. Teachers can apply what they learn right away.”

The students themselves appear to share the enthusiasm for the curriculum as is evidenced by the program’s retention. University of New England’s online MSEd program boasts a 98% retention rate, a figure many institutions rarely see.

Said online student Kimberly Rockwell, “I feel I interact more with my instructors online than the traditional format. They are very accessible and regularly check-in. It is much easier to write a quick email anytime of the day than to wait for certain hours to visit the professor in his/her office.”

About University of New England
The University of New England (UNE) is an independent university with two distinctive campuses on the coast of southern Maine, University Campus in Biddeford and Westbrook College Campus in Portland. The University’s mission is to provide a highly integrated learning experience that promotes excellence through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in education, research and service. UNE has four schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Health Professions, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the newly established College of Pharmacy. University of New England is a leading educator of healthcare professionals and an innovator in biomedical and healthcare research. With internationally recognized scholars in the humanities and marine sciences, UNE is building an outstanding faculty and provides a balance between students and faculty that ensures close collaboration and strong interactions. UNE’s student-centered, interdisciplinary programs promote experiential learning, critical thinking, and lifelong service to community.

For more information on the University of New England’s Online Master of Education programs call 1-800-994-2804 or visit www.education.une.edu.

Via EPR Network
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Curriculum, Education, eLearning, K 12, Knowledge, Math, Schools, Science

Cybershala.com is a new educational website that brings, via easy to access virtual classrooms, advanced international curriculums like Singapore Math to children all across the United States

You see it on the news time and time again – American students are falling behind the rest of the world in Mathematics, Science, and other subjects. In fact, a recent study published Nov 14, 2007 by the American Institutes for Research puts American children far behind their foreign peers in regards to math and science.

It was this very notion that led to the birth of a new virtual learning website dedicated to bringing US students the best educational curriculums the world has to offer.

Launching earlier this month, Cybershala.com is the brainchild of Ripujeet Sharma, an engineer who found his own children were having trouble with math. Being a world traveler, he did some research, and found a few interesting notions. “In my research and studying other curriculums, I found out there was a huge ‘learning gap’ in what was being taught, and what could be learned” says Sharma “In essence, we’re doing it backwards, and that’s why we are ranking so low.”

Sharma took the next logical step and created a substantial website that acts as an online learning portal. His website offers an international curriculum via online virtual classes, and is aimed primarily at home schooled children and public school students who need extra help. The first offering is what his own children had trouble with – math.

“The website is starting out by offering what is called ‘Singapore Math’” commented an excited Sharma “and Singapore Math is simply a name for the Math Curriculum they teach to students in Singapore, whom have consistently ranked amongst the highest in the world.”

Indeed, Singapore Math has gained worldwide respect, and differs from other math curriculums because it utilizes a visual approach to problem-solving instead of solely a memory-based one.

Sharma also built the educational and online learning website to be, in his words, “effective, accessible, and affordable. We have the best instructors, an affordable price of $10 per hour, and the benefit of teaching the best curriculum around.”

The classes themselves are also different, exclaims Sharma: “The classes differ from traditional online classes in that there is real interaction. We have textbooks and workbooks that we provide, and small 6-person virtual classes with face-to-face live video. The child is in their home, but they can see and hear the teacher, and vice-versa, in real time.”

“In other words, it’s a real class” adds Sharma.

While the website has launched with the focus on k-12 math, Sharma also plans to add science and technology based curriculums in the near future, making cybershala.com a well-rounded answer to some of America’s most troubling academic questions.

About Cybershala.com
Cybershala.com inc. is an online educational portal dedicated to bringing the best of international curriculum to the US, and to close the “education gap” between what is taught, and what can be learned. Their first curriculum is the highly successful “Singapore Math”, which they offer via virtual classrooms.

Via EPR Network
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