TEEAP News

For those of you who were unaware or unable to attend Judy Hawthorn’s Special Interest Session at this year’s TEAP Conference, the Pennsylvania Standards for Science and Technology Education have undergone a revision in the recent past. They are currently working through the approval process at the Pennsylvania Department of Education and are currently planned to be approved in January 2010 with implementation then occurring later in the Spring of 2010. You can view and download these documents here by clicking on the links below.

• Revised PA Standards for Science & Technology & Engineering Education (Elementary)
• Revised PA Standards for Science & Technology & Engineering Education (Secondary)

ITEA’s 2009 Louisville Conference was the launch date for ITEA’s latest initiative to help its membership become stronger leaders through the use of GREEN initiatives toward building a sustainable environment. ITEA’s President-Elect, Gary Wynn, DTE, spoke at the President’s Roundtable to the Affiliate Representatives about this initiative that will include members being involved in the following ways:

• Learning to teach the basics of GREEN TECHNOLOGY in their program.
• Building a state team of ITEA leaders who are teaching about GREEN in their programs.
• Becoming a part of a larger ITEA networking group, working at the national level to teach about GREEN TECHNOLOGY.
• Leading their community, school, and students in creating a more sustainable society.
  Being dedicated to making the technology/engineering teaching profession one of the best in the field of education.
• Becoming an outspoken professional and advocate about the importance of teaching technology/engineering in their community.
• Helping fellow teacher by inspiring greatness far greater than what they could develop by themselves.
• Going the extra step to help their fellow teachers and colleagues.
• Helping their colleagues be recognized and rewarded for being outstanding educators.

Wynn used examples of GREEN initiatives such as the ongoing statewide initiative by the Pennsylvania state association. ITEA Past President, Andy Stephenson, DTE, has volunteered to lead this nationwide effort, which will include a website, learning communities, and numerous other activities that will help ITEA members use their leadership skills in leading education.  Members who want to know more about this initiative or want to lead with Stephenson should watch ITEA communications and publications as well as contact Stephenson at andy.stephenson@fayette.kyschools.us.
 
For more information about ITEA’s GREEN initiatives, go to www.iteaconnect.org or email itea@iteaconnect.org.

Bill Bertrand recently received permission to share the newly proposed revised standards for Science and Technology that were finalized in June. Everyone must know that they have not been approved by the State Board of Education but are going through the approval process at this time. When they are officially approved they will be published in the PA Bulletin which will make them law. They will soon be place on the PDE website or Ed Hub portal. You may use them in your planning of curriculum for your district. Any questions and comments should be directed to William Bertrand (wbertrand@state.pa.us) and he will share them with the appropriate people. Please pass this on to those who you feel should know but be sure to note that they are not approved by the State Board as of yet but are going through the process to be approved.

The proposed Revised Pennsylvania Standards for Science and Technology will be posted very soon on the TEAP Website, or links will be provided to the PDE Ed Hub so you can access them directly. This is exciting news, and be sure to go view them to see the changes that have been made.

So, here we are with one of the first real discussion related topics. As was said in the 2008 Summer edition of the TEAP Journal, the summer is a great time to look around your local area for things to do. These local places are often not only enjoyable, but can be used as references in your classrooms for students to go and learn more about what you teach. For instance, where I live in the Lehigh Valley we have the DaVinci Science Center as well as the Reading Public Museum which often has some great events that are technology related. Currently, we also have the Kutztown Folk Festival which not only has arts and crafts but is a great way to see the history of technology in the Pennsylvania Dutch region. This year they have a great set up about Electric cars showing how they are not exactly NEW technology. My son and I plan to visit the Franklin Institute and maybe even take the drive out to the Air & Space Museum near Washington where they have the shuttle Enterprise as well as the SR71 Blackbird. Sure, my kid just wants to make sure it really isn’t a Decepticon, but I am sure we can fit some other learning in there as well.

So, now it is your turn. Please leave comments on places all around Pennsylvania that we as educators can use to help our students gain more knowledge about technology right here in Pennsylvania. We have a great history be it canals, coal mining, or even the first oil wells. Let’s us know what else is out there and we can build a list on the TEAP Website for future use!

In order for Marlene and Ginger to make any headway in advocating for Children’s Engineering/Design & Technology in the elementary classroom they need your help.

1. A SHORT survey will be showing up in your mailbox before September 15th. It will ask you what non-members of the ITEA want to see from the association. Unless you hold an individual membership to the ITEA, this means they need your input. (It will take you more time to read this email than to complete the survey.) Ginger will use the results to develop a briefing for the ITEA Board of Directors. It is a chance for elementary teachers to be heard.
2. Marlene and Ginger need every elementary educator with any interest in children’s engineering to join the Innovation Station Elementary Listserv. To date, postings by elementary educators have been very limited. The goal is to change that so the listserv becomes a place for elementary educators to share ideas for activities, classroom organization hints, and successes with their students! Have questions? Need help? Innovation Station can become the “go to” place for elementary educators involved in children’s engineering. Only you can make this happen.

Traffic on Innovation Station will also allow leaders of the ITEA and other organizations to keep current of what is really going on in elementary classrooms across the nation. And it will provide elementary educators a way for their needs and wants to be heard.

You can subscribe to Innovation Station at http://www.iteaconnect.org/Networking/IS/IS.htm It is FREE. You can choose to have the postings sent to you as they are posted OR sent in one batch each day.