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)

“Kids in Micro-g!” is a student experiment design challenge geared toward grades 5-8. Its purpose is to give students a hands-on opportunity to design an experiment or simple demonstration that could be performed both in the classroom and aboard the International Space Station.

The winning experiments will have observably different results when the experiments are performed in the “1-gravity” or “1-g” environment of the classroom, compared to when the experiments are performed by astronauts in the “Micro-g” (one-millionth of 1-g) environment of the space station. The apparatus for the demonstration must be constructed using materials from a materials tool kit provided to the astronauts on board the space station. The tool kit consists of materials commonly found in the classroom and used for science demonstrations.

The experiment demonstration must take no more than 30 minutes to set up, run and take down. Experiment challenge winners and runners-up will be selected regionally and nationally by the Education offices of the ten NASA centers. The ten regional winners, one national winner and one national runner-up winner will have their experiments conducted by the astronauts on board the space station in the April-May 2010 timeframe. The experiments will be recorded in HD video and the winners supplied with copies of their video before the end of their school year.

Experiment proposals may be submitted by educators on behalf of their student groups. Proposals may be submitted via e-mail or postal mail during the period from Jan. 4, 2010, through Feb. 19, 2010.

The winning experiment proposals will be announced on April 2, 2010.

For more information about the challenge, including a scoring rubric, proposal requirements and a list of materials available to the astronauts, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/nlab/experimentchallenge.html.

Questions about this challenge should be directed to jsc-iss-payloads-helpline@mail.nasa.gov

Now is the time to take action.  This is the biggest thing that will have the most impact on our field.  We will be a nationally tested area.  We need to make sure we are ready!  If we do not deliver who knows what will be coming next.  Everyone needs to give input to the survey!!  We need to encourage our people to be involved for if we are not we will be stuck with what the people who do get involved have to say.

NAEP Technological Literacy Framework for the 2012 test is open for public comment through January 15, 2010 (http://www.edgateway.net/cs/naepsci/view/naep_nav/9).  The framework is still in the development phase. Comments and suggestions are being accepted through January 15, 2010, using the online feedback survey. The National Assessment Governing Board is scheduled to take action on the recommended framework in March 2010. In addition to feedback on the framework as a whole, the project would like specific input on a title for the assessment. It has been suggested that “Technological Literacy” may not appropriately represent the contents of this framework. The Governing Board will be considering a title change and welcomes any alternative suggestions.

Do you have the student who has an amazing idea… one that could be patented and possibly be taken to the commercial marketplace?  The Spirit of Innovation Awards is looking for great ideas, amazing innovations, and entrepreneurial projects that solve real world challenges. Win a trip to California and an opportunity to meet industry leaders and venture capitalists who are also looking for great ideas.
 
To learn more visit www.conradawards.org  The deadline is December 15th!

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!