Win a Complete Home Technology Makeover from Power to Learn

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Power to Learn, Cablevision has announced "The Power to Learn Optimum Technology Makeover" essay contest. Families are invited to submit an essay of 500 words or less focused on technology’s significant impact on learning, both at home and at school. Five families in Cablevision’s service area will win the Grand Prize of a complete home technology makeover that includes 10 prizes to celebrate 10 years, including a 42" HDTV, an Apple MacBook, an iPod touch and much more.

For more information, visit: http://www.ptlmakeovercontest.com/

SMART Notebook SE students can learn in their own style

SMART Notebook SE software makes it easy for students to create graphic-rich content and customize their assignments and other school work. They can search for and access files in a variety of simple and intuitive ways, including subject and keyword searches or a convenient Web 2.0 tag cloud. And, all of their files are automatically saved in one location, making it easy for students to keep everything organized.

SMART introduces interactive learning software designed just for students

Engaging students just got easier. The folkes at SMART are introducing, new interactive learning software designed especially for today’s technology-savvy generation.

With the SMART Notebook SE (Student Edition) software students can complete school work, take notes, manage due dates and organize digital material - all using the visual, free-form style they find most comfortable. Educators, you’ll be able to assign digital homework and be confident that each student has access to the same files and software.

Watch this video showcasing how SMART Notebook SE software benefits students. You can also find it on SMART’s TeacherTube channel.

Ideal for students on the go

Students can experience the benefits of SMART Notebook SE software in two ways. It can be downloaded directly onto a classroom computer, and it’s available on a portable bracelet. The SMART Notebook SE bracelet contains a USB key with the software loaded on it and storage space for files. It means no matter where students go - the computer lab, the public library or home - they will always have their files and SMART Notebook SE with them.

Computer Hardware in Plain English by the Commoncraft Show

American Honda Foundation: Grants for Youth and Scientific Education

The American Honda Foundation makes grants to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and other youth-focused non-profit organizations for programs that benefit youth and scientific education.

Maximum award: $60,000.

Eligibility: schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations.

Deadline: Grant applications are accepted four times per year; next deadline is May 1, 2009.

http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf

Visit Connect! Tech4Learning's Social Network

Connect is a place for educators implementing Tech4Learning tools to ask questions, raise issues, share the fabulous projects their students are building, and celebrate student learning.

To join this network and begin connecting with other educators blending technology, creativity, and curriculum, visit:

http://connect.tech4learning.com/

Lindbergh Foundation: Grants for Technological Advancement and Environmental Preservation

The Lindbergh Foundation Grants honor Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's legacy by funding projects that improve the quality of all life by seeking a balance between technological advancements and environmental preservation.

Maximum award: $10,580.
Eligibility: Citizens from all countries may apply.
Deadline: June 14, 2009.

For more information visit www.lindberghfoundation.org

New Web Site Offers Help with Science Fair Projects

Scotch Brand and Discovery Education have partnered to launch a Web site dedicated to helping students, parents, educators, and coordinators prepare science fair projects and, in fact, entire science fairs.

Scotch Science Fair Central, located at www.scotchsciencefair.com, is divided into three sections: Getting Started, Projects, and Presentations. The site provides a number of tools for the various participants, including a database of project ideas and how to locate available resources; a worksheet for students to plan projects, take inventory of resources, and follow a project from conception to implementation; a presentation guide featuring display guidelines and insight on what judges look for; and a comprehensive checklist for science fair coordinators to make sure their fairs run smoothly.

Discounted Educational Software Available

Through a new initiative called Technical Learning Solutions (TLS), we are able to offer schools educational software at an average discount of 40%.

You can order software through this program by visiting the FAMIS portal or www.shopdoe.com.

To order through FAMIS, click on “Contracted,” then “E-Catalog,” then “TLS – Educational Software.”

To order through shopdoe.com, enter your e-mail address, choose “Computer Software” from the drop-down menu, click on “TLS – Educational Software,” place the software you want to order in your cart, and e-mail the card to the person who places orders for your school.

For additional information, visit http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/DCP/BuyingTools/TLS, call (718) 935-3205, or e-mail software@schools.nyc.gov.

Gifts, Gifts and More Gifts!

The House and the Senate recently vied for the right to bestow a greater sum on the education community which is particularly good news as schools devise ways to tighten their collective belts in the wake of the current economic downturn.

Following are some ongoing federal grants and a few private donors that could bring joy to your hearts and keep you busy as bees as a result of a monetary Valentine's kiss!

• National Science Foundation promotes the progress of science and advances scientific knowledge in K-12 institutions.
• Twenty-First Century Grant funding is used to simulate before- and after-school programs.
• Title 1 funding are monies directed at helping high-poverty schools.
• Carl Perkins Funding are funds that lean heavily toward vocational skills.
• Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant is focused on ensuring a technologically literate student from grade school through high school.

The Fund for Public Schools Awards Library REACH Grants to Bronx Schools

The Fund for Public Schools has awarded Library REACH (Revitalizing Education for Adolescents and Children) grants to four Bronx schools. Schools applied for the grants last fall, and may request up to $10,000 each for library improvement projects. In the past, these projects have ranged from new computers and SMART Boards to updated book collections and comfortable couches and rug areas for students.

Library REACH grants are awarded annually, and are supported by Shop for Public Schools, a week-long partnership between New York City's public schools and the retail community. This year's Library REACH grants were also supported by Lexmark, Polo Ralph Lauren, and other corporate and foundation partners. To date, the Fund for Public Schools has awarded over 200 REACH grants, improving school libraries that serve over 150,000 students.

We congratulate the following recipients of this year's Library REACH grants:

• (07X005) PS 5 Port Morris Elementary School
  
• (08X100) PS 100 Isaac Clason Elementary School
  
• (08X560) Bronx Academy High School
• (10X439) Bronx High School for Law and Justice
  

Classroom Learning 2.0

Visit Classroom Learning 2.0 for a free professional-development tutorial on Web 2.0 tools.

Students Who Serve: A call to schools. Enter now.

The folks at SMART Technologies like to encourage you to get students excited about giving back to the community. So they're reaching out to teachers across the nation, inviting you to participate in the Students Who Serve Promotion. You could win a classroom technology package worth over US$12,000.

To enter, send them a lesson activity, created with SMART Notebook software, that teaches students the value of community service. You could focus on any related topic - how about the role of volunteerism in American history? Or what about a profile of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Then show them how your students took action. They're looking for lessons that get students up and moving. So part two of your entry involves telling them about the fruits of your labor. Show them how your students learned from the lesson and tell us what action they took. They'd really like to hear about the people they helped.

To learn more, visit http://smarttech.com/studentswhoserve/index.html

McGraw-Hill: Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

The 2009 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education will be awarded to three individuals who have addressed innovation and education, focusing on the whole child, in one of three broad categories: professional development and teacher education (in school, only); pre-K-, elementary- and secondary-level education programs (in and out of school); and policy maker.

Maximum award: $25,000.

Eligibility: policy makers, leaders in higher education, and school-based
personnel.

Deadline: March 20, 2009. Click here for more information.

Bridgestone Firestone: Safety Scholars Video Contest

The Bridgestone Firestone 2009 Safety Scholars Video Contest will award college scholarships for the most compelling and effective videos that drive home life-saving messages on auto and tire safety, and includes a chance for young filmmakers to have their auto safety videos broadcast as a public service commercial.

Maximum Award: $5,000 scholarship; new set of Bridgestone tires.

Eligibility: high school students.

Deadline: entries accepted May 27-June 17, 2009. Click here for more information.

Last Year's Doodle4Google Contest

Doodle 4 Google is BACK!

Welcome to Doodle 4 Google, a competition where the folkes at Google invite K-12 students to play around with their homepage logo and see what new designs they come up with. This year they're inviting U.S. kids to join in the doodling fun, around the intriguing theme "What I Wish for the World."

These are exciting times and both our country and the world are on the brink of significant change. At Google they believe in thinking big, and dreaming big, and they can't think of anything more important than encouraging students to do the same.

Registration closes at 11:59:59 PM Pacific time on March 17, 2009 and entries are due by 11:59:59 PM Pacific time on March 31, 2009. Teachers, you'll find everything you need to get started on the Registration page. Only teachers or school employees should register. Parents or students who are interested should contact their teacher to register them.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation Grants

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is committed to improving communities and impacting lives through unique philanthropic programs that help children and families, animals and the environment. If your school is seeking support on behalf of these causes, apply for a grant, especially since they review grants for these causes on a rolling basis. Their grants range between $1,000 and $10,000 with the average grant being $2,500. To apply for a grant from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation, click here for the online application.

"Teachopolis" helps educators spot high-tech cheating

Technology may make it easier for students to cheat and harder for educators to catch them, as students share tips on YouTube, such as advising others how to hide cheat sheets on soda-bottle labels and other high-tech methods. A Web site created by a community-college leader, Teachopolis.org, is compiling such methods in an effort to educate teachers and help change attitudes that promote cheating.

ISTE Outstanding Teacher & Leader Awards

These awards recognize and honor one leader and one teacher who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education.
The nomination process opens December 19, 2008 and closes March 20, 2009. Winners are announced in April and ISTE showcases the Outstanding Leader and Teacher Award recipients at its National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) held in June or July each year. ISTE publicize recipients’ achievement to more than 200 media outlets world wide.

To nominate an educator, visit www.iste.org

Discovery Education and 3M "Young Scientist Challenge"

Do you have what it takes to be America's Top Young Scientist? Discovery Education and 3M are looking for a few great students to inspire us with their enthusiasm for science, so show us what you've got! Create a short (1-2 min.) video about one of this year's scientific topics and YOU could win a trip to New York City to compete in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge finals. The winner will receive $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds ($25,000 cash value), and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

For more information, visit www.youngscientistchallenge.com/

Vitural Field Trips by Kids

"Meet Me @ the Corner" assists students with creating and editing their podcast for free. This is a great tool for PK-2 students. Learn more.

National Environmental Education Week

Register today for National Environmental Education Week (EE Week), April 12—18, 2009. EE Week promotes understanding and protection of the natural world by actively engaging K—12 students and educators of all subjects in an inspired week of environmental learning and service before Earth Day. This year's EE Week theme is "Be Water Wise!" Partners receive certificates of participation for themselves and their students, and those who register before January 30 will receive a free copy of National Geographic Explorer magazine.

Teaching Teens about Digital Harassment

The campaign and its Web site, ThatsNotCool.com, encourages teens to set their own boundaries on digital harrassment which includes excessite text-messaging, chat messages and offensive socialnetwork posts. The site offers an area where teenagers can seek advice, like how to stop a boyfriend from nonstop text-messaging or other forms of digital harassment. For more direct advice, the site tells teenagers to call or conduct a live chat with trained volunteers.

For more information, visit www.thatsnotcool.com/

What's new? Introducing SMART Sync 2009

SynchronEyes software has a new name and a variety of new and improved features, including the following:

• New student collaboration tools
• New administration tools
• Refined user interface
• Improved Internet blocking rules
• Redesigned student chat menu
• New flexible pricing

Click here to find out about all the features of SMART Sync 2009.

Digital Resources for "Black History Month"

During African-American History Month, explore the informative and inspiring materials provided by the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Department of Education . You’ll find links on influential African-American artists, inventors, civil rights figures, entrepreneurs, and others.

For additional resources on African-American history and culture, check out USA.gov’s Culture and Ethnic Groups page, where you can research genealogy, learn about plans for a new national museum, and more.

Explore, Search and Discover with Google Earth 5.0

Browsers on Google Earth can now dive into the digital ocean to take undersea trips to deep trenches, scout out prime surfing spots and explore coral reefs.


Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others.

See for yourself, visit http://earth.google.com/

Free Online Training Sessions by SMART Technologies

Learn how to use a variety of SMART products by attending free weekly online training sessions that teach you how to set up, maintain and troubleshoot your SMART products. These 30- to 60-minute sessions require only a telephone and an Internet connection. They are available in English, German, Spanish, French and Portuguese, for both Windows® and Macintosh operating systems.

Click here for the schedule and registration.

Motorola Foundation Calls for Innovation Generation Grants Applications

Motorola has opened its call for applications for the 2009 Innovation Generation Grants, the technology company's signature giving program. Innovation Generation Grants support programs that inspire and cultivate the next generation of inventors and innovators by making science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) accessible and relatable to students at any age. In 2009, the Motorola Foundation will provide $5 million in Innovation Generation Grants to organizations that engage U.S. Pre-K through 12 students, especially girls and underrepresented minorities, and teachers in STEM programming.

For more information, click here.

Check out this Online Leadership Game for students!

Help your students build leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills with the new interactive online leadership game, TeamTreks: Glacier Bay!

The adventure begins when a player is dropped off near Glacier Bay, Alaska for a kayaking trip with three TeamTreks characters, supplies, and a map. The goal is to lead the team back to the TeamTreks cabin before one of the characters gives up and calls in a rescue Designed for grades 4-7, it also develops map-reading, navigation, and geographic literacy; science inquiry, history and wildlife, navigation, and mathematics skills. Individual student licenses are just $10 per year! Included with each license is a complimentary teacher account with access to the TeamTreks Toolkit.

VISIT www.teamtreks.com to try out the game online.

The World Math Day Video Challenge!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Are you looking for the ultimate class project? Now your students can show off their creative abilities and talents online in the World Math Day Video Challenge! The contest is open to all classrooms in the United States, grades 3-8.

How the Contest Works

1. Record a two-to three-minute video of your students preparing for World Math Day. Be creative. Tell your story with a song,cheer, rap, or narrative.

2. Register for free at www.teachertube.com (only registered teachers can upload videos).

3. Upload your video to www.teachertube.com/worldmathday where it will be voted on by fellow teachers, students,and parents.

Learn more

World Math Day Video Challenge

IBM's "Power Up" Adds a New Hydroelectric Mission

We love to share innovative educational technology tools that are designed to help students learn. Gaming is one of those technologies that many once believed would sap our attention spans and remove us from the very outside world that now needs rescue. Last week we shared with you that Tabula Digita has released a 2.0 version of its DimensionM Multiplayer. This week, PowerUp adds a new hydroelectric mission to its free online science game.

We first introduced you to PowerUp last year. PowerUp, part of IBM's TryScience initiative, is perhaps the most sophisticated of these new video games. The game charges players with saving the imaginary planet Helios from ecological destruction by carrying out missions to supply solar, wind, and water power before severe storms wreak havoc. Students learn engineering and science principles by building solar towers or searching junkyards for parts to repair wind turbines.

One reason for PowerUp's success is that it draws on concepts that today's children already know and challenges them to build on that knowledge.

For more information, visit: www.powerupthegame.org/

WE NEED ECO-HEROES TO HELP SAVE THE PLANET!

Now through March 15, 2009, middle school students can "go green" and team up for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge , the first and only national K-12 sustainability education initiative aligned to education standards.

Prizes for students and teachers include Regional and National Recognition, Cash and an Appearance on Discovery's Planet Green Television Network.

The Challenge is entirely web-based and provides a robust collection of resources for students and teachers from interactive labs to lesson plans , custom developed by the same curriculum team that brings you our award-winning services Discovery Education streaming and Discovery Education Science.

Come check it out at wecanchange.com and you can even take a quiz to measure your own environmental IQ!

Inspiration Software Launches 2009 Webcast Series

Inspiration Software, Inc., has kicked off 2009 with the launch of a new series of popular free webcasts designed to help teachers use visual learning instructional techniques to improve student achievement across the curriculum. As a result of educators' high level of interest in 2008's visual learning webcasts, they will offer two workshops per month during the 2009 school year.

Join them for their next event:

Webcast: Using Visual Learning Techniques to Improve Academic Performance with Inspiration
Date: Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Time: 12:00-12:45 p.m. Pacific Time, 3:00-3:45 p.m. Eastern Time

Register for this event today!

Complementary Webinar Sponsored by SMART Technologies

"Engage your students with classroom management software"

Learn how you can use classroom management software to create an interactive environment for your students and actively engage them in the learning process. At the end of this complimentary webinar, you'll understand how classroom management software can help do the following:

• Improve student focus, comprehension and participation
• Give you better ROI from an integrated IT system, making it secure and easy to maintain
• Provide an easy-to-use tool that lets teachers do what they love to do: teach

You'll spend 45 minutes with Leslie Wilson, president of the One-to-One Institute, along with the director of technology of The John Carroll School, Greg Russell. Together, they will examine the challenges that today's schools face and explore how classroom management software can help improve student outcomes.

Register now for this February 11 event, 4PM Eastern.

FYI: Announcing the Release of Frames 4!

Frames 4 makes it easier than ever for students to share their ideas and understanding using stop-motion and clay animation, capture processes using time-lapse, and employ digital storytelling techniques to communicate with the world.

With Frames 4 student can:

• Create Amazing Illustrations
• Import Images from a Digital Camera
• Connect your digital camera for direct access to your pictures from the Library tab.
• Use New Digital Storytelling Features
• Frames 4 works in English, French, and Spanish! Choose a language or allow Frames to use the default language for your computer.
• Export to Adobe Flash®

Visit their website, read about the new features, download an evaluation version, and find upgrade pricing.

Attend a Transformational Technology Seminar and win a 21st Century Classroom Kit

CDW-G and PolyVision are sponsoring a "Transformational Technology Seminar" on Thursday, February 5, 2009 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Steelcase/PolyVision Showroom located at 4 Columbus Circle, 8th floor terrace, New York, NY 10019. Attend and learn about the ‘best in class’ classroom solutions and add excitement to today’s 21st century classroom! The Seminar will featuring the following:

• eno - PolyVision’s next generation interactive whiteboard
• RM educational software tools and resources
• Qwizdom student response systems
• Avermedia document cameras/network sharing
• Mitsubishi Short throw projectors

Agenda:
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Welcome - refreshments served

4:30 pm – 6:15 pm
Hands-on demo sessions

PolyVision, RM and Qwizdom
6:15 pm – 7:00 pm

Refreshments on the terrace

For more information contact Deborah Mason at d.mason@rmeducation.com or to register by phone, find out more information or prefer to have a district on-site presentation please contact me at 1-866-728-6758 ext. 15.

FYI: Tabula Digita Bumps DimesionM Games to Version 2.0

Tabula Digita has launched a new version of its multiplayer, immersive educational video game, DimensionM Multiplayer 2.0. The latest release, introduced earlier this month, offers expanded curriculum content and offers instructional activities covering more than 200 math skills for students in grades 3 through 12.

Tabula's DimensionM incorporates algebra and pre-algebra lessons into a 3D environment in which players carry out missions (lessons) in multi-player tournament-style games. Players face mathematical obstacles, which, when solved, allow them to advance and score points. Tabula Digita said the new version 2.0 features "vastly expanded" content presented through "immersive, action-packed simulations." Some of the new features include:

• Support for student-created avatars;
• In-game reports on performance and mastery of concepts; and
• New communication and collaboration features.
• DimensionM Multiplayer 2.0 is is aligned with New York State standards and correlates with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
  

All schools and students participating in the NYCDOE Citywide Initiative will still have access to the original Evolver Multiplayer game, but will now have this to more thoroughly integrate the immersive and engaging gaming approach into the classroom. The new software and one Curriculum Content Pack will be available to all schools that have purchased licenses for Evolver Multiplayer.

For more information on Tabula Digita's DimensionM gaves visit www.DimensionM.com. For more information on the NYCDOE's Tabula Digita Citywide Initiative visit NYCDOE Technical Learning Solutions.

AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award

Established in 2000, the $2,500 AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award recognizes and encourages collaboration and partnerships between school library media specialists and teachers in meeting goals outlined in Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning through joint planning of a program, unit or event in support of the curriculum and using media center resources. The deadline if February 2, 2009.

Download the 2009 application

$2,500 to $10,000 for teachers sponsored by the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program

The Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program was born out of my firm belief that education is the key to opportunity and to building commitment among students to the core values which foster personal excellence and achievement. These grants are given to support teachers and provide access to additional resources. Your school may be eligible for the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program. For information about the program, including eligibility requirements, please visit: www.jordanfundamentals.com. The program is presented by the Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc. and administered by Compass Consulting.

• Innovation Grants: Grants averaging $2500 will be awarded to individual teachers for projects that will impact classroom innovation and improve instruction.
• Inspiration Grants: Winners of Innovation Grants may apply for an Inspiration Grant. Grants totaling $10,000 will be awarded to teams of teachers in support of scaling-up implementation of approaches developed with Innovation Grants.

The application deadline has been extended to April 15.

Apply NOW!!

Teachers! What could you do with a $5,000 or a $10,000 grant for your classroom?

The A+ for Energy program was developed by BP to recognize teachers for innovation and excellence in teaching energy and/or energy conservation in the classroom. PreK-12 teachers in an eligible U.S. location, who are currently teaching in a public or private, accredited or licensed school are encouraged to apply. BP will award up to $4 million in grants and scholarships to fund innovative classroom, after-school, extra-curricular, or summer projects focused on energy and/or energy conservation aligned with the application criteria. Grants of $5,000 or $10,000 will be awarded directly to teachers, reflecting the budget request submitted with their application.

ALL ELIGIBLE TEACHERS can apply online at the A+ for Energy website. Applications for the 2009 program will be accepted now through March 9, 2009. Click here for more information.

2009 Adobe School Innovation Awards

The stage is set for high school students who have unique stories to tell about their world. The 2009 Adobe School Innovation Awards will honor the most innovative print, web, and video projects created with Adobe software.

Students can win valuable Adobe software — and an exciting awards ceremony will take place in the Best-of-Best Winner's own community. The winner will receive an award of Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Master Collection software for use on up to 30 seats in a lab at the student's school (or home school). Students should start preparing their entries today.

The theme of the competition is The World is Your Stage. High school students (ages 14 to 19) can submit entries in three categories: Web Design and Development, Film and Video, and Graphic and Print Design. Category winners and finalists will be chosen, as well as the Best-of-Best Winner for the top overall submission.

The deadline for submissions is May 8, 2009, at 5pm (Pacific Time). Winners will be announced at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in June in Washington, D.C.

Register now >

Download the 2009 Adobe School Innovation Awards flyer

Enter to Win the 2009 Schools of Distinction Awards!

Does your school demonstrate excellence in math and science?

The yearly Intel Schools of Distinction Awards recognize U.S. schools that demonstrate 21st century teaching and learning environments and implement innovative, replicable programs that inspire their students to excel in the areas of math and science.

Who Wins?

• Two categories: Math and Science
• 18 Finalists: 3 each in grade group: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12
• 6 Winners
• 1 Star Innovator for 2009 (one school selected from the 6 winners)

Awards:

• Winners receive $10,000 each from the Intel Foundation and more than $100,000 in products and services from the program award sponsors.
• The Star Innovator for 2009 receives an additional $15,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation as well as additional services and products from the award sponsors.

Apply now for the Intel Schools of Distinction Awards
before February 17, 2009!

Free Educator Open House February 11th @ The Skyscrapter Museum

The Skyscraper Museum invites
New York City Educators to a
FREE EDUCATOR OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, February 10th
4 – 5:30 PM, Remarks at 4:30 PM
Light refreshments will be served

All attendees enjoy $35 off a scheduled class visit!
(However, you must RSVP by calling 212-945-6324 or by
email to education@skyscraper.org.)

The Skyscraper Museum invites New York City educators to the gallery to view the current exhibition, Vertical Cities: Hong Kong | New York and to learn more about our educational offerings including:

+ IMAGE-BASED tours for your students

+ FREE classroom resource, the TOWER TUBE, including 14 enlarged images from the Museum's collection and a comprehensive Tower Tube User Guide.
To register, visit www.skyscraper.org/towertube

+ ACCESS to over 2000 historical images of New York

Please RSVP to 212-945-6324 or by email to
education@skyscraper.org

Directions: www.skyscraper.org

The Inauguration: A TeqSmart file for use with SMART Notebook

The folkes at Tequipment have put together a great file for use in exploring the day's events. It is available free for download in their Educator Resource Center (you must register for the site - also free). It is in the DOWNLOADS section under Social Studies - Middle School or, if you are already a member, just click here to be taken directly to the file.

Announcing Connect! Tech4Learning's Social Network

The Tech4Learning team is constantly amazed, inspired, and awed by the work students and teachers are doing with our tools. To help foster this creative energy and share these great ideas, they have created their own social network at connect.tech4learning.com!

Connect is a place where educators can ask questions, raise issues, and share the fabulous projects their students are building with Tech4Learning tools.

Connect gives you a place to reach out to educators around the world who, like you, are teaching our 21st-century students.

To join this network and begin connecting with other educators blending technology, creativity, and curriculum, visit:

http://connect.tech4learning.com

They look forward to connecting with you!

Tech4Learning's Spring 2009 Webinar Schedule

Join a Tech4Learning Webinar!
The spring 2009 webinars are designed to help you consider purchasing or begin implementing Tech4Learning tools.

Use the Webinars to:

• Explore ideas for curriculum connections
• Get an overview of software features
• Learn strategies for successful implementation
• Discuss resources and lessons plans
• Learn strategies for engaging your students
• Visit http://tech4learning.webex.com to learn more, explore upcoming webinars, and register for the one that meets your needs.

Upcoming Webinars in 2009:

• January 14: Curriculum Standards with Frames 4
• January 20: Literature Connections with Linda Oaks
• January 21: WebBlender Across the Curriculum
• January 28: Address Early Literacy with Pixie
• February 11: Valentine's Day Lessons with Pixie
• February 18: Digital Storytelling with Frames 4
• February 19: Visual Literacy and Content Standards
• February 25: Adding Creativity to your Curriculum
• March 4: Using Pixie with a Whiteboard
• March 11: WebBlender: Connecting Home-School
• March 18: Pixie: Creativity & Curriculum
• March 25: Meeting Standards with Frames 4

Register Today!

FREE Engineer Your Life Webinar - Feb 10 - Don't Miss it!

Are you looking for FREE resources and communication strategies to inspire girls to explore engineering? ITEA is joining forces with Engineer Your Life (EYL), a national campaign to showcase engineering as an exciting and rewarding career choice for high school girls. Join them for this 45-minute webinar and you will learn about the research behind the project and how you can encourage girls (and boys) to consider engineering by promoting it through the lens of what matters to teens. You will also hear firsthand from ITEA members about how they are using EYL to reach out to students and fellow colleagues in their schools.

www.EngineerYourLife.org

To register, go to: https://wgbh.webex.com/wgbh/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=667134988 (event password is Itea2009)

WHO:
High School Teachers of Science, Engineering, Math and Technology

WHEN:
Tuesday Feb 10, 2009
4:00 pm EST, 1:00 pm PST

WHERE:
Your Computer

HOSTED BY:
WGBH and ITEA

Congratulations to the 20 Teams that placed in the US FIRST Lego Robotics Bronx Qualifier Tournament

Congratulations to the Teams Participating and the US FIRST Lego Robotics Bronx Qualifier Tournament. We will see you at the Javits Center in March!

Awards

Research/Project

• 1st Place Team#6368 PS153X
• 2nd Place Team#7780 IS 125X Henry Hudson
• 3rd Place Team#5909 PS 123X
• 4th Place Team#1636 ESMT IS 190X

Robot Design

• 1st Place Team#523 PS/MS 194
• 2nd Place Team#1739
• 3rd Place Team#2656 IS 98X Herman Ridder
• 4th Place Team#2266 PS 76X The Bennington School

Teamwork

• 1st Place Team#109 PS/IS 123X
• 2nd Place Team#1739 Kezner Academy @ IS 192X
• 3rd Place Team#901 MS101X Maritime Academy

Performance

• 1st Place Team#2656 IS 98X Herman Ridder
• 2nd Place Team# 5909 PS 103X
• 3rd Place Team#1636 ESMT IS 190X
• 4th Place Team#6182 Archimides Academy
• 5th Place Team#895 Bronx Latin MS

Champions/Director

• 1st Place Team#6182 Archimedes Academy
• 2nd Place Team#5910 PS103X
• 3rd Place Team#584 Pablo Casals MS 181X

Judges Award

• Team# 6388 MS144x Michaelangelo MS

The teams below did not receive trophies, but they are eligible to compete in the NYC FLL Citywide Event.

• Team# 7509 PS 108X Philip J. Abinanti School
• Team# 2545 272X Globe School of Environmental Research
• Team# 1172 MS 302X
• Team# 853 PS 121X

Electronic Music Composers Competition for High School Students

The Music Technology program of the Music Department, Northeastern University, Boston is pleased to announce an electronic-music composition contest for high school composers from the Northeast. The first prize will be a cash award of $250 and a performance of the winning work on a public concert at Northeastern in Boston in Spring, 2009. The second place winner will receive an award of $100 and a public performance of their work. Both winners will also receive a free copy of Cakewalk's Sonar 8 Producer Edition and Garritan's Personal Orchestra sample library. The music departments of both winners will also receive a copy of both programs. Additional awards will be given at the judges' discretion.

For more information, click here.

CDW-G Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes

Think about how The 21st Century Classroom - interactive whiteboard, notebook computers, wireless cart, projector, printer and document camera - could extend your teaching power.

Enter now for your chance to win one of five Grand Prize packages including a 21st Century Classroom and a $5000 digital media grant from Discovery Education. Plus, over 25 additional technology prizes!

Share Your Classroom-Management Tricks of the Trade with Edutopia!

Edutopia.org wants to hear from you about your favorite classroom-management tricks. Watch the Edutopia example.

Create a video with a classroom-management trick you'd like to share with other teachers and submit it by January 15, 2009, and they'll publish their favorites on Edutopia.org.

Click here for more information.

Request Live Internet Video Stream of Inauguration

The DOE has partnered with ABC News to provide schools with a live Internet video stream of the presidential inauguration on January 20. The ideal location for viewing the broadcast is an auditorium, cafeteria, or large library with projection capabilities (including a laptop or computer with an Internet connection).

If you are interested in taking advantage of this service, please e-mail your borough technology manager (click here to see the list) by this Friday, January 9. The subject of your e-mail should be “INAUGURATION.” Your borough technology manager will contact your to schedule a visit by a technician who will assess your school’s capability to access the video stream. Technicians will work with your staff to set up and test the necessary equipment. If your school has limited technology resources or no large viewing space, the technician will explore possible alternative solutions (e.g., utilizing existing cable television service).

Announcing the 2008-2009 Inspired Visual Learning Awards

Win Technology For Innovative Use of Visual Learning in the Classroom

Hurry! The deadline approaches for the 2008-2009 Visual Learning Awards!

This year, more than $22,000 in cash and technology prizes will be awarded to 15 educators and their students who are creatively using visual learning in their classrooms.




Award prizes include:

• Volume licenses of Inspiration, Kidspiration or InspireData
• A new Intel-powered Classmate PC donated by Intel Corporation
• A 6-month Atomic Learning
• training resource subscription, donated by Atomic Learning

Apply today! Applications are being accepted until February 27, 2009.