T C E B TRIANGLE COALITION ELECTRONIC BULLETIN MAY 24, 2001 VOL. 7, NO. 21 _____________________________________________________ Published by the TRIANGLE COALITION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION _____________________________________________________ THIS WEEK'S TOPICS: TCEB SCHEDULING NOTICE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! HOUSE RATIFIES BUSH TESTING PLAN 15 STATES AWARDED GRANTS TO HELP RECRUIT DIVERSE PRINCIPALS NEXT GENERATION SCIENTISTS AND INVENTORS GATHER IN SILICON VALLEY FOR PRESTIGIOUS SCIENCE COMPETITION TRIANGLE COALITION MEMBER PROFILE: LOS ANGELES EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TOSHIBA/NSTA EXPLORAVISION PROGRAM ANNOUNCES STUDENT WINNERS NCTM STUDENT MATH NOTES ____________________________________________________ TCEB SCHEDULING NOTICE The TCEB will next be issued on June 7, due to the Memorial Day holiday. ************************************ CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! If you are interested in building and sustaining strong business, government, and education alliances in support of mathematics, science, and technology education, you are urged to register now for the Triangle Coalition conference: "Meeting the Challenges of the Decade." The Conference will be held on October 18th and 19th, 2001 in Washington, D.C. Participants will hear from leaders of successful alliances and help identify key characteristics, both from a business and education point of view, that make alliances effective. Conference attendees are also invited to participate in a poster session that will highlight a variety of partnership models for bringing diverse groups together in efforts to improve mathematics, science, and/or technology education. More information, including registration materials, group rates, a tentative schedule of events, and speakers may be found at www.triangle-coalition.org/conf.htm. ************************************ HOUSE RATIFIES BUSH TESTING PLAN (Source: AOL News, May 22, 2001) The House on Tuesday ratified President Bush's plan for annual math and reading tests for millions of elementary and junior high schoolers, the cornerstone of the new administration's legislation to improve student performance in classrooms across the country. The 255-173 vote marked a solid victory for the President and a bipartisan coalition on the first of several key challenges to the measure that Bush has declared his top domestic priority. As written, the bill would have tests designed by the states and administered to pupils in grades three through eight each year to measure performance in math and reading. States that already have testing programs would be required to report the scores to the U.S. Education Department. Other elements of the bill would increase federal financing for public schools and offer modestly more flexibility for school districts around the country, all in an attempt to repair failing schools. Under the president's plan, schools where test scores fell short of expectations would qualify for additional federal aid. Pupils eventually would be permitted to use federal money for tutoring, summer school, or transportation to other public schools. Eventually, should a school fail to improve, sanctions would be applied. The effort to strip out the testing requirement was a bipartisan effort mounted by conservatives and liberals. Most of the other key challenges were advanced by conservatives unhappy that the bill provided too much federal money, too much federal control and not enough flexibility; and that it failed to include Bush's campaign demand for private school vouchers for kids in failing schools. Indeed, a few minutes after rejecting the testing amendment, the House narrowly approved one that would give two school districts in every state virtually unlimited discretion to spend federal funds as they wish. The amendment, offered by Rep. Patrick Tiberi, R-OH, and Rep. Michael Castle, R-DE, was approved, 217-209. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney met at the White House on Monday with House GOP leaders, but the President and Vice President offered no assurances of support for major changes in the bill before it passes the House. Instead, Bush invited about 20 rebellious conservatives to the White House for a follow-up session Tuesday in an attempt to ease their concerns and win backing for the bill. Several officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bush would offer his assistance when the time comes for final compromise talks between the House and Senate but wanted their support on the legislation without changes for now. ********************************** 15 STATES AWARDED GRANTS TO HELP RECRUIT DIVERSE PRINCIPALS (Source: Education Week, May 16, 2001) Fifteen states will receive grants worth at least $50,000 each to draw up plans to recruit more women and minority applicants to become principals. The Council of Chief State School Officers announced the recipients last week as part of an $8.9 million grant program financed by the Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds. Each of the 15 states is also likely to receive a $250,000 award in the coming fall. While the looming shortage of principals has a number of states worried, officials with the Washington-based council and the foundation said diversity is their No. 1 goal with the program. "We want to attract a broader pool of applicants to be principals," said Lee D. Mitgang, a spokesman for the New York City-based fund. He cited a need to "reflect the rest of the world," especially by attracting more women and minority candidates. The states that received the $50,000 planning grants are: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. Doug G. Miller, the coordinator of professional development for the Missouri Department of Education, said his state's highest priorities were recruiting more principals and retaining newly hired principals. "One of the greatest difficulties we have is that a lot of people are licensed, but they don't do the job well because it's become so stressful and complex," Mr. Miller said. The state hopes to use part of the expected $250,000 grant in the fall to hire 15 to 20 mentors for first-year principals, he added. New Jersey plans to use part of the money for various professional-development programs for principals, superintendents, and supervisors of curriculum programs, said Jay Doolan, the director of the office of standards and professional development for New Jersey's education department. Ms. Tibbals of the Council of Chief State School Officers said a committee was likely to approve all 15 states for the $250,000 grants, though she added some could be denied the additional funding. ************************************ NEXT GENERATION SCIENTISTS AND INVENTORS GATHER IN SILICON VALLEY FOR PRESTIGIOUS SCIENCE COMPETITION Silicon Valley, the center of innovation and discovery, welcomed the world's next generation scientists and inventors for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2001 presented by Applied Materials. This week-long event, the "Olympics" of high school science competitions, was held in San Jose on May 6-12. The Intel ISEF recognizes and rewards the world's brightest young minds and encourages them to continue to refine their science and technology skills. The Intel ISEF is the only international science fair for students in grades nine through 12 that showcases all life sciences. This year's event displays research projects by more than 1,200 of the world's best young scientists and inventors who will compete for $3 million in awards and scholarships. Student finalists emerged from a field of approximately one million students who competed in more than 400 regional Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs around the world during the 2000 to 2001 academic year. Research projects include a glove that translates sign language to a computer, a more efficient way to decode DNA, and a method of reducing harmful fuel emissions through additives. Although developed by high school students, the projects often represent significant research that rivals work done at the post-collegiate level. In fact, more than 10 percent of the students compete with patents pending on their research. The Intel ISEF has been coordinated for the past 52 years by Science Service, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications and educational programs. In its fifth year as title sponsor, Intel commits several million dollars annually to develop and promote the competition. For more information on Science Service and the Intel ISEF, see www.sciserv.org. ************************************ TRIANGLE COALITION MEMBER PROFILE: LOS ANGELES EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP Triangle Coalition member, the Los Angeles Educational Partnership (LAEP), is an independent non-profit organization working to foster and support excellence in public education in the Los Angeles area. Since 1984, LAEP has invested more than $50 million in collaborative efforts with educators and community members to develop, test, and implement new strategies to improve the quality of teaching, strengthen communities, and reform preK-12 schools. LAEP has a track record of success in actions ranging from the support of the innovative work of individual teachers to complex initiatives that engage schools and communities in comprehensive educational reform. Among teachers, LAEP works to develop teacher knowledge and skill and to foster and support teacher innovation and leadership. LAEP teacher development efforts range from classroom projects to professional development for state and national certification. At the school site, LAEP works with schools and across pre-elementary, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary systems in support of comprehensive school reform and improved access to education after grade 12 for all students. In the community, LAEP initiatives seek to engage the talent and resources of the Los Angeles community to overcome barriers to student learning and to foster an informed and ongoing source of support for excellence in public education. For further information, contact: LAEP, 315 West Ninth Street, Suite 1110, Los Angeles, CA 90015; call 213-622-5237; fax: 213-629-5288; e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; or visit www.laep.org. ************************************ TOSHIBA/NSTA EXPLORAVISION PROGRAM ANNOUNCES STUDENT WINNERS The Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) ExploraVision Awards Program has announced its finalist winners. The eight winning teams selected technologies that exist today and envisioned what they would be like in the year 2021. The ideas offer a glimpse of how students see the future and how science and technology can improve people's lives. The eight finalists were selected from nearly 4,000 teams, representing more than 12,000 students from public, private, parochial, and home schools in the US and Canada. Many of the ExploraVision student winners envisioned advancements in medical and biological technologies. Winning projects include: P.E.E.P.: Photo-Electric Eye Prosthesis, a substitute eye for visually impaired persons that uses technology from digital cameras; All Wrapped Up: Bandages Through Time, microchip-equipped bandages that not only stop bleeding, but also diagnose serious illnesses, clean wounds, and relay vital signs to a database; The Cardio-Mate, a device implanted in the coronary artery of a high-risk patient that detects heart failure, applies remedies, and alerts health care personnel using a miniaturized GPS system; and Eagle Eyes: Contacts of the Future, lenses that not only function like conventional contacts, but also act as binoculars or a magnifying glass at the command of the wearer. Proving that they can be just as innovative as their older peers, a team of first- and second-graders envisioned the Cavity Zapper, a device that uses photonic energy to eliminate bacteria before they cause cavities! For a list of winners, visit the NSTA web site at www.nsta.org. Students on each of the four first-place teams will each receive a $10,000 US Savings Bond (series EE Savings Bonds Issued at $5,000). Student on second-place teams will receive a $5,000 US Savings Bond (series EE Savings Bonds issued at $2,500). Schools and teachers of the eight finalist teams will each receive selected Toshiba products. The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards program, funded by the Toshiba Corporation, the Toshiba America Group Companies, and the Toshiba America Foundation, and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, is open to all K-12 U.S. and Canadian students who are citizens or legal residents. Deadline to submit entries for the 2002 ExploraVision competition is February 2002. For more information or an application, call 800-EXPLOR-9, or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Information is also available at www.toshiba.com. ************************************ NCTM STUDENT MATH NOTES Expanded for the web, Student Math Notes online (www.nctm.org/publications/smn) presents ready-to-use mathematics activities for students in grades 5-10 that are available in PDF format for easy printing. Previously a supplement to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) News Bulletin, Student Math Notes is now available only online. All activities may be reproduced for classroom use. Activities currently available include: - A Sweet Dilemma: An activity that explores mathematics and fudge. - Let's Go Home: An activity exploring mathematics and the remodeling of a house. - Tetralope: An activity that explores what you get when you cross a tetrahedron with an envelope? - Let's Be Discrete: In this activity, students are exposed to discrete mathematics through engaging activities that explore sequences, Euler relationships, and the method of finite differences. - Special Delivery: An activity that explores whether that 33-cent postage stamp is a good deal. - Census 2000 and Sampling: This activity explores the mathematics of the US Census. _____________________________________________________ This TCEB is made possible by a grant from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Please visit their web site at www.dupont.com for more information about their educational support programs. The TCEB is a newsletter provided to members of the Triangle Coalition. Members may forward individual articles or the issue in its entirety providing that credit is given to the Triangle Coalition, and all of the following contact information is included in any republication. For TCEB subscription or membership information, contact: Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 phone: 800-582-0115 fax: 202-289-1303 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.triangle-coalition.org To submit information for possible inclusion in TCEB, contact: Joanne Van Voorhis, Target Marketing, Editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] ************************************ THE MISSION OF THE TRIANGLE COALITION IS TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AMONG LEADERS IN EDUCATION, BUSINESS, AND GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. The Triangle Coalition membership includes business, labor, education, science, mathematics, technology and engineering organizations, and community and state-based alliances. ************************************ -- This is the ISTA-talk mailing list. To unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For more information: <http://www.ista-il.org/ista-talk.asp> To search the archives: <http://www.mail-archive.com/ista-talk@lists.csi.cps.k12.il.us/>
