TEEAP News

The Technology Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEAP) has officially become the Technology and Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEEAP), as a result of the balloting of the association’s voting membership. TEEAP’s Immediate Past President, Peter Wright, received and tabulated 122 valid votes that were sent on or before June 11th, 2010. 92 votes were to change the name of our association to TEEAP (The Technology and Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania) while 30 votes were to leave the name as TEAP (The Technology Education Association of Pennsylvania). 75.4% of the valid votes were for the name change while 24.6% were against it. TEEAP won by a 3 to 1 margin.

The name change properly positions the association to deal with the ‘T’ & ‘E’ of a strong STEM education and allows the association to begin to address curriculum and professional development that includes both technology and engineering education at the K-12 level. The association’s membership has been comprised of teachers who have been working in both areas with some already having “engineering” in their department or course titles. Additionally, the Technology and Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEEAP) is now aligned with the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).

TEEAP’s publication titles and electronic communications have started the transition to new names and addresses to be in line with the association’s new name. The association’s new primary web address is www.teeap.org.

The first USA Science & Engineering Festival, “The Woodstock of Science”, is coming to the National Mall this October.

We would like to invite Pennsylvania schools’ science, technology, digital media, and video production enthusiasts to participate in our student science video contest.   We would love to see what PA students are doing in STEM programs!

The USA Science & Engineering Festival will offer hundreds of hands-on science exhibits, workshops, and performances. Over 400 of the nation’s leading science,engineering, and academic organizations will be participating in the festival and Expo. The national student contest opportunities are open now, and we are recruiting student entries. These contests are being held in advance of festival events during Oct 10-23 and the expo on the National Mall Oct 23-24.

“Why Science is Cool” The K-12 Kavli Science Video Contest. Kavli prizes are well known in the science community. The video competition is structured to offer unlimited opportunities for science teachers to mine their curriculum concepts more deeply while engaging their students to explore science and engineering from a personalized standpoint. We are challenging students to use their love of science to inspire everyone. The winning videos will be broadcast on a large screen at the festival, as well as other venues including potential media partners and websites.  Cash prizes will support science education at your school, and electronics certificates and software will be awarded to the students.  Winners will also win a trip to DC to attend the Expo. The Kavli video contest offers a great way to hone skills in digital story telling, electronic journalism, and media production, while broadening students’ understanding of science, and inspiring an appreciation for science through the art of communication.

This educational video activity pertains specifically to educational technology curriculum, as it aligns with objectives that promote creativity, collaboration,learning enhancement, and using technology for communication and expression.

As such, there may well be student projects already complete or now underway, that can be used for submissions to our science video contest.

This is an opportunity to nationally showcase Pennsylvania students’ accomplishments in innovative STEM programs, while teaching the rest of the nation why “Science is Cool”.

Click Here for Contest Details
Deadline-7/15
 
See the promotional videos:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUeXwkgL_vE
• http://www.schooltube.com/video/75f8ed0dec03694cc385/Do-YOU-think-Science-is-Cool

I would really appreciate your spreading the word about the Kavli science video contest within your communities. This school year’s end is fast approaching, and we are looking to engage wide, active participation in our pre-festival competitions!

Please contact me with any further questions. I appreciate your help, and we look forward to your students’ involvement.

Stacy Jannis
USA Science & Engineering Festival
Student Contests and School Programs Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 301.585.3981

Click here to view the Survey Results in PDF format.

There were 275 individuals who responded to the TEAP Name Change Investigation Survey that was emailed to members of the TEAP Listserv last week.  Results of the survey were emailed to you or can be obtained at the link above. Please take a few minutes to review the results and provide feedback in the TEAP Name Change Investigation Survey Results section below.

Thank you for your input into this important issue that faces our association.

Sincerely,

Brandt Hutzel, 2010 TEAP President

Joanne Trombley, NCI Committee Chair
TEAP Council for Leadership President

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)

Thanks to everyone who attend and was a part of the operation and planning of this year’s TEAP Conference! Special thanks to all Presenters and Exhibitors who provide the attendees with great information and new ideas. There are a number of items available on the website from this year’s conference including Yvonnne Spicer’s presentation which can now be viewed on the TEAP website on the Conference Follow-Up Page. In addition, you can also view and download the 2009 TEAP Conference Exhibitor’s Guide that can provide you with contact information for all of the companies, organizations, and educational institutions who were present on the exhibit floor this year.

2009 TEAP Recognitions:

• Dr. Joe McCade – Council for Leadership Exemplary Leadership Award
• Elizabeth Anderson – Dr. Nevin Andre Award (for her article IA to TE in Warren County)
• Joanne Trombley – TEAP Presidential Special Recognition
• Tanner Huffman – TEAP Outstanding Regional Vice President Service Award
• Bill Weitzmann – TEAP Silver Service Award
• Bill Bertrand – TEAP Outstanding Service Award
• Ed Hine – TEAP/ITEA Middle School Teacher Excellence
• Steven Drake – TEAP/ITEA High School Teacher Excellence
• Boyertown Jr. High Schools – TEAP/ITEA Middle School Program Excellence
• Lower Merion High School – TEAP/ITEA High School Program Excellence
• William J. Wilkinson Scholarship – Gary Thomas (Cal. U.) and Lucas Sandoe (Millersville)

Congratulations to all who were recipients of TEAP Awards and recognitions! Please consider applying for the TEAP/ITEA Teacher and Program Excellence Awards for next year. You are more than welcome to nominate a colleague or program that you feel should be recognized, or fill out the application for yourself or your own program for submission! Contact Joe McCade or Jared Bitting for more information regarding these opportunities!

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.

The people at Future City are excited to kick-off the school year by inviting you to participate in the 2010 Future City Competition.

This years focus will be Sustainability and creating an Eco-Friendly home/city… We certainly hope you can join us for this fantastic competition. The Competition Day has been set for January 24, 2010 at The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pa.

If you are planning on competing in the Future City Competition this year, Please go to register at http://www.futurecity.org/registration.shtm. Once you are registered, we will be sending your informational packets, SIM CITY Software and other related materials.

Also, they have several new mentors available this year, please send me an email if you are in need of one.
Let William Sutton know if you have any questions.

William Sutton, LEED® AP
Regional Coordinator
wsutton@futurecity.org
717-319-3409

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!

May 5, 2009 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Franklin Institute, Philadelphia

This project, funded by the National Science Foundation and administered by the Pennsylvania STEM Initiative, offers the chance for schools and organizations committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue classes and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to come together to share best practices, develop new collaborations, and share resources.  The successful career transition of students and the economic future of Pennsylvania are tied to increased participation of all students in careers that rely on STEM skills and competencies.

For more information check out Pennsylvania STEM Girls Collaborative Project here.