| The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) sponsors two student programs that nurture careers in science and technology, challenge students' intellectual curiosity and nurture their ability to synthesize knowledge and experience. The overarching goals of the CEE are to maintain U.S. international competitiveness in science and technology and promote international understanding among the world's future academic, research and engineering leaders.
Research Science Institute
The Research Science Institute (RSI) was launched in 1984 and is held each summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California Institute of Technology. Approximately 70 high school students gather for six weeks of a rigorous academic program that emphasizes advanced theory and research in mathematics, the sciences and engineering. More information is at www.cee.org/rsi/index.shtml.
USA Biology Olympiad
In 2002, CEE launched the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO), the premier competition in biology in the United States. While the U.S. has for many years participated in academic olympiads in mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science, the 2003 International Biology Olympiad (IBO) was the first at which the U.S. has fielded a national team at this level of competition and the 2004 U.S. Team brought home four gold medals from the IBO. More information is at www.cee.org/usabo/index.shtml.
As with all competitive CEE programs, RSI and the USABO are free of cost to all participating scholars.
The Center for Excellence in Education was established in 1983. Learn more and find out how you can get involved at www.cee.org. |
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Career day gets even more exciting when there is a pilot in the room. Two aviation-focused education programs that have come to our attention offer children unique opportunities to learn more about mathematics and science.
Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy
Sponsored by the Organization of Black Airline Pilots, Inc. (OBAP), the ACE Academy Program is to offers entry-level exposure to aviation for people ages 13 to 18. During the summer, ACE Academy participants engage in activities such as aviation seminars conducted by aviation professionals regarding how to get started in building an aviation career, aircraft orientation flights (both powered and glider aircraft) and visits to aviation museums and FAA and Air Traffic Control related facilities. In 2004, ACE Academy camps were held in several NASSMC member coalition states, including Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, and Georgia. More information is at www.obap.org/Programs/programs-ace-camps.asp.
Adopt-A-Pilot
Sponsored by Southwest Airlines, the Adopt-A-Pilot focuses on mathematics, science, geography, history and creative writing for hundreds of classrooms across the nation. Developed primarily for fifth-grade classes, the program unites students with Southwest pilots. For four weeks, students track their adopted pilot's journey and complete curriculum developed in cooperation with the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and other educational organizations. Students apply these subjects to aviation activities, made meaningful by their interaction with a real pilot. An online version of the program reaches outlying schools nationwide with "virtual Pilot," in which classes communicate with their adopted Pilots through e-mail. More information is at www.southwest.com/programs_services/adopt/adopt_home.html.
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NASSMC announces that as a result of the 2004 NASSMC Board Election, current members Charles Nash (AL) and Rick Scott (NM) have been elected to serve another term, and Pat White (ID) will be joining the Board as a new member. This election was our first use of an online ballot and produced the highest ever vote total for a NASSMC Board Election. The Nominating Committee put forth an excellent field of five candidates for the three positions. NASSMC thanks each of these candidates for their willingness to stand for election. We extend also our sincere appreciation to all of the coalition directors who voted. |
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent Federal grant-making agency dedicated to helping museums and libraries serve their communities by fostering leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning. In its second round of FY 04 funding alone, IMLS awarded over $19 million in grants to museums and libraries across the country.
The agency administers five grant programs for libraries and five for museums. The following FY 05 programs may be of particular interest to NASSMC member coalitions as they seek out opportunities to support mathematics and science education improvement in their states:
- Museums for America: Funding will support projects and activities that strengthen museums as active resources for lifelong learning and key players in the establishment of livable communities. Museums for America grants are designed to be flexible. They can be used for ongoing museum activities, research and other behind-the-scenes activities, planning activities, new programs or activities, purchase of equipment or services, or other activities that will support the efforts of museums to upgrade and integrate new technologies into their overall institutional effectiveness. Matching is required. Award Amount: $5,000-$150,000. Deadline: November 15, 2004.
- National Leadership Grants for Museums: This program makes funding available in three categories - (1) Advancing Learning Communities; (2) Building Digital Resources; and (3) Research and Demonstration. Museum priorities encourage, for example, leadership in the education of lifelong learners, widespread and creative use of new technologies, model projects that can be replicated, and maximum leveraging of federal dollars through collaboration. Award Amount: $250,000-$1 million. Deadline: February 1, 2005.
- National Leadership Grants for Libraries: This program makes funding available in three categories - (1) Advancing Learning Communities; (2) Building Digital Resources; and (3) Research and Demonstration. Successful proposals will, for example, have a national impact, propose models that can be replicated, reflect an understanding of current needs in library services, and provide leadership for other organizations. Award Amount: $250,000-$1 million. Deadline: February 1, 2005.
Agency research has found that library-museum partnerships offer several benefits to the community, including increased access to information, enhanced educational opportunities, expanded audiences, and expanded reach and scope of programming. While collaboration is not a requirement of the National Leadership Grants programs, it is strongly encouraged. Partners may include community organizations, institutions and agencies that promote learning, and public media, in addition to libraries, archives, museums, or other cultural heritage organizations.
IMLS offers extensive online resources for grant writers, including sample proposals and a tutorial for National Leadership Grant project planning. Applications are also available if you would like to serve as a reviewer.
For additional information, see www.imls.gov/index.htm. Additional funding opportunities that may be of interest to NASSMC member coalitions are available at www.nassmc.org/grant_seeker/gsintro.htm. |
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Look for an announcement and a Request for Proposals before the end of the year regarding a new solicitation for Partnerships for Sustainability with NASA Explorer Schools. Following the recent successful pilot with NASA and NSTA, NASSMC is nearing completion on preparations to open a new round of grants to coalitions for work in support of NASA's Explorer Schools program. This program establishes and supports advisory bodies to assist NASA Explorer Schools in continuous improvement of mathematics, science and technology education.
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NASSMC continues its work with the U.S. Department of Education and other agencies to develop a program to support state-level summits on mathematics and science education. Some funding is already in place and more is being sought to enable state coalitions to organize and conduct statewide conferences. The purpose of these events would be to bring together key leaders to examine the challenges currently facing STEM education and to develop strategies for improvement. It is expected that these events would focus on state-specific issues while also reflecting national concerns and federal initiatives.
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Make plans now to attend the Linking Leaders National Conference, February 9-11, 2005. Linking Leaders alumni coalitions are invited to participate in an exploration of the successful past and promising future of this NASA-sponsored program and to celebrate 10 years of progress in systemic improvement efforts. The agenda includes guest speakers such as Larry Gonick (www.larrygonick.com), a reception at the International Spy Museum (www.spymuseum.org/) and sessions with representatives from various government agencies and other potential funders of coalitions activities. This conference is also an opportunity for your coalition to share its accomplishments and future plans. More information will be posted on the NASSMC website as it becomes available. |
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While all of you reading this are already members of NASSMC, we feel certain you know folks in other states where there are not coalitions and hope you will encourage them to fill out an application and join us. To make that easier, we have updated, streamlined, reformatted and shortened the application form. Applicants can either download and complete it by hand or complete it electronically and submit it via email, fax or snail mail. Visit www.nassmc.org/join.html to see the new form or download it directly at www.nassmc.org/pdfs/nassmc_application.pdf. |
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