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January 28, 2008

Instep Success Story!

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Arlen Anderson, middle school teacher from Devils Lake, ND, took part in the Instep program this winter. One of his goals was to do videoconferencing and then mentor another teacher. He exceeded these goals by following through with a videoconferencing event with NASA and then setting up two more events this year! He also exposed not one, but two other teachers to videoconferencing. One teacher is from Central Middle School and one from Rock Lake. Way to go Arlen!

More details for this FREE opportunity can be found at http://dln.nasa.gov/dln.


The following are some details Mr. Anderson shared with me about his experience. "Students at Central Middle School are currently taking part in Digital Learning Network with NASA. So far they have participated in "Spacebots". This
activity consists of in class work that supports the DLN event. Students
learn the basics of robotics including terminology, uses and hands on
applications. Students get to make their own end effectors to simulate a
robotic arm and grapple device. The information they learn in the classroom
is presented to a representative of NASA during the DLN event. We do the
videoconferencing with NASA at the School for the Deaf here in Devils Lake.
They have been real helpful by allowing our students to use there technology
to communicate with the Johnson Space Center down in Houston. We have
future DLN events schedule for this Winter and Spring. They include
"Spacebots" and "Return to the Moon". The part that is cool about the
"Return to the Moon" DLN event is that it is a two part event. The students
are given background information on the topic and a challenge during our
first videoconference. The students work on that challenge during the next
two weeks in the classroom and get ready to present to NASA. Students
present to NASA during the second DLN event day over at the School for the
Deaf."

January 24, 2008

Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Project

Do you and your students want to make a difference?

Please join us for our 3rd Annual Alex’s Virtual Lemonade Stand Project!
Help raise money for pediatric cancer and have fun doing it.

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade.html

ALEX’S VIRTUAL LEMONADE STAND 2008
Project Timeline:
Registration: January 15, 2008 - March 7, 2008
Videoconference Testing: March 12-26, 2008
Virtual Lemonade Stand Project: April 8 - 24, 2008
Kick-Off Virtual Spirit Festival Videoconference
April 8, 2008; 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. ET
Featuring Liz Scott, Alex Scott's Mother
Individual School Lemonade Stands
April 8, 2008- April 24, 2008
Wrap-Up Project Collage Videoconference Event:
April 24, 2008; 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. ET
Target Age Group: Grades K-12 (special projects for elementary school students, middle school students and high school students); Opportunities for Higher Ed Institutions and Public/Cultural institutions as well

Requirements for Participation:
There are two ways to participate:
Interactive Videoconference Sites: All participating interactive sites must have H.323 videoconferencing capabilities and be on their state/regional/national high speed research and education network.
Webstream Participants: Sites without videoconferencing capabilities or Internet2 connectivity can participate by watching the live webstreams and participating in special projects. Just make sure to check the correct level of participation when you register.
Description:

MAGPI, Lower Merion School District and Alex's Lemonade Stand are pleased to announce that the third annual ALEX'S VIRTUAL LEMONADE STAND will take place from April 8 - April 24, 2008.

In celebration of Global Youth Services Day, join other schools across the country as they host lemonade stands to raise money for pediatric cancer research and participate in other related projects. Schools will collaborate with each other through a blog, a special "kick off" videoconference spirit rally and closing project collage videoconference event.

During this two week project, each school will hold their own lemonade stands to help raise funds for pediatric cancer. Schools can hold one big lemonade stand day or a series of lemonade stand events throughout the two weeks. After each day of sales, schools will report their totals through the website. Last year we raised more than $17,000.

Schools will also have an opportunity to participate in a variety of special projects inspired by the idea of kids helping kids. All projects are tied to Pennsylvania and national standards. Most importantly - - they're fun!

Alex's Lemonade Stand is a national organization with Greater Philadelphia roots. The organization grew out of the front yard lemonade stand started by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, a pediatric cancer patient. In 2000, at the age of four, Alex opened her first annual lemonade stand with high hopes of raising money for pediatric cancer causes, specifically research into a cure. At the time, Alex was receiving treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for Neuroblastoma.

Every year thereafter, Alex held an annual lemonade stand in her Pennsylvania front yard and inspired others to donate money to her cause. After fighting her own battle with cancer for over seven years, she died peacefully at home in August of 2004. At the time of her death, she had raised over $900,000 for pediatric cancer research and, amazingly, was only eight years old. As of January 2006, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised more than $10 million for childhood cancer research.

Registration for the program opens on January 15, 2008!

Join us behind the scenes: Interested in getting involved? Join us 'behind the scenes!' We're currently looking for educators that want to help coordinate the poster contest, poetry contest, and song showcase. We're also looking for a guest school to perform the "Alex's Lemonade Song" as part of our Kick-Off Spirit Rally. Interested? Please email Heather (hweisse@magpi.net).

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade.html

January 9, 2008

EduWeb Examples

Here are a few examples of schools who are building their web pages using EduWeb.

Strasberg

RockLake

Harvey

Washburn

January 2, 2008

"Featured Workshops" for Spring 2008

Check out the following classes as they have been identified as "Featured" for ND Educators because of their educational value and the high interest level they have recieved.

Activboard in the Classroom

Smartboards in the Classroom

Podcasting Possibilities

Eduweb Training


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