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Triangle Coalition Electronic Bulletin
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This Week's Topics:
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| In a plan designed to develop educational opportunities for students in grades 5-12, LI-COR Biosciences and the Tiger Woods Learning Center (TWLC) are collaborating to pilot a novel approach to genomics education. "A recent report by the National Research Council studied the declining interest in science and argued that students are more likely to have increased scientific interests if they are able to participate in hands-on experiences," says Jeff Harford, LI-COR product manager. Programs at the TWLC are designed to take young people (grades 5-12) beyond their traditional classroom experience through a unique after-school curriculum rooted in science, math, and technology. Currently TWLC offers two programs. The first is a week long program for elementary students and their classroom teacher designed to provide both an authentic hands-on learning experience. Fifth grade students participate in Crime Lab 101, a series of modules that teach students about forensic science as a career, utilizing the DNA sequencing system. Classroom teachers participate in professional development focused on science instruction and technology integration. The second program is a seven week, two days per week program that takes place after school for middle and high school students. The program provides additional direct, hands-on activities for the students. The 14-acre, $25 million educational center represents the vision of Tiger Woods to inspire and support the career exploration of students by providing free enrichment programs in reading, math, science, and technology. Specific classes promote career preparation in areas including forensic science, engineering, aerospace, video production, and marine biology. More information can be found at www.twlc.org. . |
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Westinghouse Electric Company has announced its winning entries for its "N-Vision Forms of Energy Contest." The winning high school video was from Hampton High School in Allison Park, PA. The winning middle school video was from Hebrew Day School in Maitland, FL. Administered through the company's speaker's bureau, N-Vision, the contest is designed to . |
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| A new education initiative has been launched between NASA and Disney Parks. Disney's Youth Educational Series and NASA have developed an online program known as the "Space Ranger Education Series." It includes fun educational games for students, as well as materials for educators to download and integrate into their classroom curriculum. "NASA is excited to help students understand the science and engineering currently underway on the International Space Station," said Joyce Winterton, NASA assistant administrator for Education. "The educational games and resources from this partnership will allow students to explore the science and math behind space exploration with a beloved character -- Buzz Lightyear." The games featuring Buzz Lightyear are available online and include: * "Mission Match Up: Create a Game" -- Match the International Space Station partner countries to space facts * "Connect it! Flight Path" -- Attach the Kibo laboratory to the International Space Station using a sequence of commands * "Load the Shuttle" -- Fill the shuttle with cargo to a certain mass * "I Spy: Reflections from Space" -- Find everyday objects on the International Space Station that were built on NASA technology * "Toys in Space" -- Navigate Buzz Lightyear to different toys to see a movie on how they behave in space For information about other NASA education programs, visit http://education.nasa.gov. . |
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For today's high school graduates, postsecondary education and training have become virtual necessities for a successful adult life. Yet conflicting signals about what it takes to do college-level work create confusion and significant hurdles for many students, according to a report recently released by Education Week. "Diplomas Count 2008: School to College: Can State P-16 Councils Ease the Transition?" explores the rapid growth of and challenges faced by state-level P-16 councils, which seek to better align educational institutions from preschool through postsecondary by bringing together key representatives from all levels of education, state government, business, and the community. The report also includes the latest analysis by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center of graduation rates nationwide, finding that an estimated 1.23 million students, or almost 30 percent of the class of 2008, will fail to graduate with their peers. Nationwide, about 71 percent of 9th graders make it to graduation four years later, according to data on the class of 2005, the latest available. That figure drops to 58 percent for Hispanics, 55 percent for African-Americans, and only 51 percent for Native Americans. While more than eight in 10 students graduate on time in Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin, that rate drops to fewer than six in 10 in the District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, and South Carolina. . |
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| Thirty-three young men and women from across the nation were recently awarded fellowships from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF), a national advocate for improving the quality of science and mathematics teaching. Renewable for up to five years and up to $150,000 in total, the KSTF Teaching Fellowship supports and sustains aspiring teachers of promise as they embark on careers teaching high school science and mathematics. The financial package encompasses tuition assistance, monthly stipends, and support for summer professional development. The program's professional benefits include everything from regular meetings and online discussions to teaching materials and a structured mentor relationship for each Fellow. Approximately half of all secondary teachers leave the field within five years. Explicitly designed to meet the financial and professional needs of new science and mathematics teachers, the KSTF Teaching Fellowship helps reverse the trend by ensuring that the nation's best remain in the profession to become leaders in the field. This year KSTF awarded 13 fellowships in mathematics, 11 in physical sciences, and nine in biological sciences. The 2008 KSTF Teaching Fellows are pursuing teaching degrees at Cornell, Harvard, New York University, Stanford, the State University of New York, and the University of California, Berkeley among other schools. Fully half of the Fellows have educators in the family and consider teaching a family tradition. More than two thirds have tutored or mentored through middle school and high school, and many have volunteered as teaching assistants at local schools while in college. At least six of the Fellows plan to teach in urban or disadvantaged schools. KSTF awarded its first four Teaching Fellowships in 2002. The program has grown every year since. The Foundation currently supports 111 Teaching Fellows (including the new 2008 Fellows) who, as a group, will impact nearly 10,000 students in the 2008-2009 academic year alone. More details are at www.kstf.org. . |
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TCEB Sponsors
To find out how your organization can sponsor the TCEB or support the Triangle Coalition in other ways, visit www.trianglecoalition.org/support.htm __________________________________________________________________________ |
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