2005 NASA Explorer Schools Partnerships Grants Awarded

NASSMC, in cooperation with NASA, has awarded six grants to support the formation and operation of partnerships committed to strengthening and sustaining NASA Explorer Schools beyond the initial three years of Agency funding.

The NASA Explorer Schools Partnerships for Sustainability program is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It also addresses the critical need to improve education for students in underserved and underrepresented communities. NASA Explorer Schools Partnerships for Sustainability proposals are solicited annually. To date, awards have been made to 18 states.

The 2005 grantees are:

• Idaho: Idaho Science, Mathematics, and Technology Coalition in partnership with Carberry Intermediate School, to provide a support system for Carberry administrators, teachers and students that will connect them to resources and expertise within the coalition's network of educators, business leaders and policy makers.
• Maine: Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) in partnership with Biddeford Middle School and John F. Kennedy School, to combine national, regional, state and local resources to improve STEM education in the Maine NES and the surrounding districts in southern Maine.
• Maryland: Maryland Mathematics and Science Coalition (MMSC) in partnership with Eastern Middle School, to establish a Coordinating Council, provide assistance and support, set up in-depth professional development to teachers, and link the school to available state resources.
• New Hampshire: New Hampshire Mathematics, Science and Technology Coalition (NH MaST) in partnership with the Indian River School and Mascoma Valley Regional High School, to assist in the progression of stronger teaching and learning in STEM through an articulated partnership of organizations in New Hampshire.
• Oklahoma: Coalition for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education in Oklahoma (CASMEO) in partnership with Sasakwa Public Schools, to increase NES recognition and influence in the state in STEM education and to integrate the schools into the state infrastructure and into a network of resources that wi ll lead to long-term viability.
• Wisconsin: Wisconsin Science Network (WSN) in partnership with Cumberland Middle School, to develop a culture of professional improvement, establish a local and state outreach program and engage community and state leaders in efforts to sustain the NES vision and objectives.

Learn more at http://www.nassmc.org/pfsproject.html.

Upcoming State STEM Education Summits

In an effort to address the challenge of crisis proportions in mathematics and science education that will impact business and industry for decades and affect the nation domestically and internationally, several NASSMC coalitions are holding state STEM education summits this fall and winter. Most of these events are funded through the NASSMC State Summit Implementation Program (NSSIP) with support from NASA and the U.S. Department of Education.

Dates for upcoming events include:

• Connecticut: October 26, 2005
• Iowa: Nov. 10-11, 2005
• Maryland: November 17, 2005
• New Mexico: Nov. 17-19, 2005
• Colorado: February 23, 2006
• Tennessee: spring 2006
• Alabama: spring 2006

Some states not awarded NSSIP grants in this cycle are proceeding with Summit planning and NASSMC is providing as much support as possible. Among those are Texas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and Ohio. South Carolina held its Summit in April 2005.

A second NSSIP solicitation is expected this winter.

Learn more at http://www.nassmc.org/summits.html.

National Academies Release Report Calling for Strengthened Scientific Competitiveness in the U.S.

In a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode. A comprehensive and coordinated federal effort is urgently needed to bolster U.S. competitiveness and pre-eminence in these areas so that the nation will consistently gain from the opportunities offered by rapid globalization, according to a new report from the National Academies.

The report, entitled Rising Above The Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, issues four specific recommendations:

1. Increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K-12 mathematics and science education.
2. Sustain and strengthen the nation's commitment to long-term basic research.
3. Develop, recruit, and retain top students, scientists, and engineers from both the United States and abroad.
4. Ensure that the United States is the premier place in the world for innovation.

Download a copy of the report at books.nap.edu/catalog/11463.html?onpi_newsdoc10122005

Recent and Upcoming Events

The following upcoming events may be of interest to your coalition; NASSMC will be represented at/participating in each:

• Association of Science Materials Centers (ASMC) Next Step Institute: An Advanced Institute for Instructional Leadership in K-8 Science. October 19-22, 2005, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This collaboration brings together the expertise of a national network of science leaders who willingly share their passion for improving science instruction. The South Carolina Coalition for Mathematics and Science is a strategic partner with ASMC. Together, they develop efficient and equitable systems to support the use of exemplary science and mathematics materials in classrooms across the state.


• Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) Diversity Summit: ITAA, in partnership with the Virginia High Tech Partnership (VHTP), is hosting a Diversity Summit on Wednesday, October 26, 2005. This half-day Summit will convene top leaders from industry, education, and government to discuss strategies for increasing opportunities for women and minorities in the IT sector. Additionally, the event will include a briefing on ITAA's new diversity report and panel presentations focused on corporate diversity program best practices and recruiting minority IT talent.


• National LASER Middle School Science Education Planning Symposium: St. Louis, Missouri on December 5-10, 2005. This event is an intensive symposium designed to guide school districts through the process of developing tailored strategic plans for initiating and implementing an effective inquiry-centered science program.To apply for the symposium at the reduced rate of $700 per team member, postmark (or e-mail or fax) your application to the NSRC by October 19, 2005. The original deadline was September 30.
  

Visit the NASSMC Events page for more information.

Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award

Nancy and Rich Kinder of Houston, TX established a $100,000 cash prize, the largest unrestricted K-12 teacher award in U.S. history, to be awarded to an extraordinary teacher in an underserved community. The award seeks to recognize innovative and results-oriented teaching and to raise public awareness of the importance of effective and committed teachers. The award was created to honor Rich Kinder's mother, Edna C. Kinder, a former teacher in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, MO.

Teachers must be nominated to be selected for the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award. Nominees must be currently employed in a K-12 school, public or private, in the U.S. where at least 50 percent of students qualify for the free- and reduced-price meal program. Nominations should be submitted online by December 31, 2005. The winner will be announced summer 2006.

The Kinders have partnered with KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) to administer the award's nomination and selection process. In 2002, the Kinders established an award to honor excellent KIPP teachers. This year, the Kinders decided to expand beyond the KIPP network of schools and created a new and larger national award for non-KIPP teachers in K-12 education serving underserved communities. No educator employed in a KIPP school during the 2005-2006 school year is eligible in 2006 for the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award.

Questions or suggestions should be sent to Catherine North (415-503-8654, cnorth@kipp.org)

Learn more at www.kinderaward.org.

GrantSeeker Page Updated with New Information and Opportunities

Navigating through the breadth of information on funding opportunities to find matches for your program ideas can be a daunting task. Limited staff and resources, lack of time, and the prohibitive cost of subscription services may not allow you to devote a full effort to those critical first stages of researching external funding options.

NASSMC's GrantSeeker service can help you identify both federal and private funding opportunities exclusively designed to meet the needs of member coalitions. Thanks to a recent expansion, NASSMC now has access to information on over 300,000 public and private sponsoring agencies, including program announcements and guidelines, application materials, the latest updates and deadlines, awards lists, and funded proposals.

Programs currently highlighted include:

• National Science Foundation is soliciting proposals for the Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program
• Echoing Green Fellowship
• Waksman Foundation for Microbiology: Grants to Enhance K-12 Education
• John S. and James L. Knight Foundation: Community Partners Program
• American Association of University Women: Community Action Grants
• Mathematical Association of America: Tensor Grants
• The Fluor Foundation: Contributions Program

Results of the 2005 NAEP Nation's Report Card on Mathematics and Reading to be Released October 19

2005 mathematics and reading results for grades 4 and 8 will be released on October 19 by the National Center for Education Statistics. The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reports statistical information about student performance and factors related to educational performance for the nation and for specific student groups in the population (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender). It includes students drawn from both public and private schools and reports results for student achievement at grades 4, 8, and 12. These assessments follow subject-area frameworks developed by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), and use the latest advances in assessment methodology. These assessments are distinguished from NAEP long-term trend, which, although national, uses frameworks and questions that remain constant over time. As the content and nature of the NAEP instrument evolve to match instructional practice, the ability of the assessment to measure change over time is reduced. While short-term trends can be measured in many of the NAEP subjects (e.g., mathematics, reading), the most reliable instruments of change over time are the NAEP long-term trend assessments. Watch the webcast of the data release event in Washington, DC live at 10 AM EDT on the morning of October 19. On the day of the release at 3 PM EDT, join the StatChat — a live web chat with the Associate Commissioner Peggy Carr about the results of the release.

The National Center for Education Statistics has also released national and state-level Projections of Education Statistics to 2014.

Getting to Know the Periodic Table of Elements: Lithium, Beryllium, and Boron

LITHIUM
Etymology
From the Greek Lithos (stone)

What it is
Helium is the lightest metal, half the weight of water in fact. It is an alkali metal, a soft, silver white in pure form. It does not occur freely but must be isolated and separated from other elements in igneous rocks or from mineral spring water.

What it is used for
Although lithium is corrosive, it and its compounds are used in heat transfer applications; as an alloying agent; in the synthesis of organic compounds; in nuclear applications; as a battery anode material; in special glasses and ceramics; in air conditioning and industrial drying systems (lithium chloride, lithium bromide); as an all-purpose and high-temperature lubricant (lithium stearate); in dry cells and storage batteries; and as a mood stabilizer treatment (lithium salts).

Why it is important to brown dwarfs
Lithium is generally present in brown dwarfs and not in low-mass stars. The presence of the lithium line in a possible brown dwarf's spectrum is a strong indicator that it is substellar. The use of lithium to distinguish candidate brown dwarfs from low-mass stars is commonly referred to as the lithium test, and was pionereed by Rafael Rebolo and colleagues. That being said, the lithium test is not perfect since lithium is also seen in very young stars and some dwarfs can burn off their lithium by as certain age if they have the proper mass.

Atomic Number: 3
Atomic Symbol: Li
Atomic Mass: ~7

BERYLLIUM
Etymology
From the Greek beryllos: beryl; also called Glucinium or Glucinum, from the Greek glykys (sweet)

What it is
Beryllium is found in 30 mineral species and is one of the lightest of all metals; it has one of the highest melting points of the light metals.

What it is used for
Beryllium is used as an alloying agent in the production of beryllium copper, which is extensively used for springs, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes, and non-sparking tools. It is also a structural material for high-speed aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, and communication satellites. It is used in construction of structural components of the space shuttle including windshield frame, brake discs, and support beams. Ultra-thin Beryllium foil is being used in X-ray lithography for reproduction of micro-miniature integrated circuits. It is used in nuclear reactors as a reflector or moderator for it has a low thermal neutron absorption cross section. And finally, it is used in gyroscopes, computer parts, and instruments where lightness, stiffness, and dimensional stability are required.

Why you should approach it cautiously
Beryllium is potentially a carcinogen. At best, it is toxic. Early researchers tasted beryllium and its various compounds for sweetness in order to verify its presence. Fortunately, modern technology has rendered that dangerous activity obsolete. Still, the release of beryllium dust is potentially dangerous. The EPA has estimated that lifetime exposure to 0.04 µg/m 3 beryllium can result in a 1/1000 chance of developing cancer.

Atomic Number: 4
Atomic Symbol: Be
Atomic Mass: ~9

BORON
Etymology
From the Arabic Buraq from Persian Burah

What it is
While Boron compounds have been known for thousands of years, the element itself was not discovered until 1808. Boron is a poor conductor of electricity at room temperature but a good conductor at high temperature. Although toxic, it does not require special handling.

What it is used for
Boron, in a variety of compound and isotope forms, is used for applications ranging from pyrotechnic flares to provide a distinctive green color; in rockets as an igniter; in the manufacture of insulation fiberglass and sodium perborate bleach; as a mild antiseptic; in the manufacture of borosilicate glasses; as a control for nuclear reactors, as a shield for nuclear radiation; in instruments used for detecting neutrons; used to make a material as hard as diamond; and as a lubricant. Other boron compounds show promise in treating arthritis. It has been studied for use as rocket fuels and demand is increasing for boron filaments, a high-strength, lightweight material chiefly employed for advanced aerospace structures.

Why it is your friend when ingested properly
Boron helps the body build and maintain healthy bones; is necessary for the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium; elevates levels of serum estrogen and ionized calcium; and benefits proper brain functioning. Nontoxic sources: Fresh fruits, apples, carrots, grapes, pears, leafy vegetables, nuts, and grains. Toxic sources: Soaps, cements, some cleaners, glass, and ceramics.

Atomic Number: 5
Atomic Symbol: B
Atomic Mass: ~11

Of Interest...

+ Tuskless Elephants Evolving in China: Based on recent studies, more male Asian elephants (primary classification: Proboscidea) in China will develop without tusks. The primary pressure causing this change is considered to be poaching although that remains to be formally tested. The tuskless gene already existed in approximately 2-5% of Asian elephants but has increased to between 5-10%.

Photo by Steve Yanoviak.

+ Flying Without Wings: The ant Cephalotes atratus lives in the tropical forest canopy of South and Central America. Almost a centimeter long, its long hind legs and flanged head shield may be the key to its newly discovered ability to glide back to its home tree after falling or dropping. The ant actually glides backwards but the mechanism involved is not understood. Biologists from UC Berkeley will be travelling to Panama to study these ants more closely and learn more about wingless flight. Watch video of the gliding ants here: www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/02/09_ants.shtml.

+ Physics Songs: Why? Because songs help memorization of important concepts. What? Topics cover the entire range of phyiscs from waves and oscillations to electricity, magnetism, and optics. Where? Here: www.haverford.edu/physics-astro/songs/.

+ Mathematics of Atoms and Celestial Objects Found to be Almost Parallel: According to the American Mathematical Society, researchers have developed new insights into a hidden unity between the motion of objects in space and the smallest particles. It turns out there is an almost perfect parallel between the mathematics describing celestial mechanics and the mathematics governing some aspects of atomic physics. The connection between atomic and celestial dynamics arises because the same equations govern the movement of bodies in celestial systems and the energy levels of electrons in simple systems---and these equations are believed to apply to more complex molecular systems as well. These insights have led to new ways to design space missions, as described in the article, "Ground Control to Niels Bohr: Exploring Outer Space with Atomic Physics" by Mason Porter and Predrag Cvitanovic, which appears in the October 2005 issue of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society.

Warrior anemones reach over from several rows behind the front to attack animals from a neighboring colony. Credit: Rick Grosberg/UC Davis photo

+ Sea Anemone Wars: According to a new study out of UC Davis, colonies of sea anemones fight as organized armies with distinct castes of warriors, scouts, reproductives and other types. When the tide is out, the polyps are contracted and quiet. As the tide covers the colonies, "scouts" move out into the border to look for empty space to occupy. Larger, well-armed "warriors" inflate their stinging arms and swing them around. Towards the center of the colony, poorly armed "reproductive" anemones stay out of the fray and focus on breeding. When anemones from opposing colonies come in contact, they usually fight. But after about 20 or 30 minutes of battle the clones settle down to a truce until the next high tide.

The LASCO instrument on Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) eclipses the Sun to reveal a CME leaving the Sun and heading toward Earth on Friday, Sept. 9. Credit: NASA/ESA.

+ Innate Mathematics Ability: Researchers have discovered that children really do have an innate ability to perform mathematical operations. Presentation, however, is everything. Presented with visuals and sounds, the children easily flew through computations. These findings support earlier research on human children and non-human primates indicating that mathematical ability may be inborn. What does this mean for schools? It may mean new approaches to teaching mathematics that tap into this natural ability and maximize the learning potential.

+Massive Solar Flares: Scientists are currently tracking a large sunspot that has so far unleashed seven major solar flares. To say this is powerful is an understatement; this flare was the fifth largest ever observed. With the exception of brief radio blackouts, the flares have had little effect on Earth, although the NOAA Space Environment Center warns that as the spot moves toward Earth, agencies impacted by space weather storms may experience disruptions over the next two weeks. These include spacecraft operators, electric power systems, high frequency communications, and low-frequency navigation systems. Read the NOAA press release: www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2499.htm