Middle School students in McLean, VA, took up a challenge to take a snapshot of the Earth’s curvature without spending more than $200. They pulled it off, using a cooler, camera, weather balloon, GPS cellphone — and all their math ability.

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Tags: Math, Mathematics, Technology, Technology for Learning

The Bridge Ocean Education Teacher Resource Center from the National Marine Educators Association offers a host of different resources approved by teachers, for teachers. The website features news, lesson plans, activities, data, publications, virtual expeditions, information on science topics, featured websites, teacher-chosen web resources, help in guiding students, science fairs, student programs, and professional development like workshops, grants, awards, courses, distance learning, and summer programs.

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Tags: Internet Resources, Ocean, Outreach, Teaching Aids, Web Resources

President Obama rode into the White House on a wave of support that included America’s two largest teachers unions. But more recently, the administration’s relations with the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have soured.

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Tags: Education Policy, Public Policy, Teachers

Carnegie Mellon’s new Fostering Innovation through Robotics Exploration (FIRE) program, a DARPA-backed effort to increase middle and high schoolers’ interest in STEM and computer science, will support the creation of programs such as game-like virtual worlds where robot programs can be tested and computerized tutors that teach mathematics and computer science in the context of robotics.

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Tags: Outreach, Robotics, University outreach

Author Mary Roach speaks at an evening lecture at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. on Wed., Aug. 4, to discuss her new book Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. She describes how astronauts prepare for and endure their trips to space, what happens when you don’t walk on the ground for a year, and the overall experience of space simulations. Cost: $25 Gen. Admission, $15 Member. Program Ended.

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Tags: Aerospace, Astronautics, Programs for Families, Smithsonian Institution, Summer Camps & Programs (Students), Summer Programs (Students), Summer Programs (Teachers)

PhysLink.com is a “physics and astronomy online education, research, and reference website” that provides news, articles, glossaries, and extensive number of links, , as well as an “As the Experts” section, science jokes and games, and a list of physics departments in colleges and universities throughout the world.

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Tags: Astronomy, Physics

The Teaching with Contests website lists various contests suitable for use in the classroom with students, as well as competitions geared to educators. It features contests and programs that have a primary goal of education, such as the Audubon Photography Contest, PBS Design Squad Trash to Treasure Contest, and The Ron Clark Academy’s Great American Teacher Awards.

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Tags: Contests, Internet Resources, Web Resources, Website

Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute is a science museum “in the spirit of inquiry and discovery embodied by Benjamin Franklin” that aims to inspire an understanding of and passion for science and technology learning. It offers visiting and permanent exhibitions, an IMAX theatre, planetarium, and school programs and summer camps. Its Center for Innovation in Science Learning provide educators with helpful resources, links, and news stories.

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Tags: Science museum

Come discover what all of the hype and interest lately has been about the planet Mars. Delve deep into the mysteries of our close neighbor with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s popular, educational and interactive summer event, “Mars Day!” on Friday, July 16 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, on the National Mall in Washington, DC. No new info on a 2011 event.

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Tags: Astronomy, Programs for Families, Programs for Teachers, Smithsonian Institution, Summer Camps & Programs (Students), Summer Programs (Students)