Wisconsin’s Lessons in Democracy
Posted on February 20th, 2011 by Mary Lord
Teachers marching on the state capital. Legislators ducking out of town to stall a vote rather than let the governor abolish collective bargaining. For more than a week, mass demonstrations by public employees in Madison, Wisc., have given the nation a riveting a lesson in democracy — one that promises to continue now that educators have, at their union leader’s urging, returned to their classrooms.
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Tags: Education Policy, Public Policy, Teachers
More and more consumer products are being developed using super-small particles, but is it safe? This article examines the steps scientists are taking to try and find an answer, including research being done that has already shown some startling and complicated results.
In this quick, hands-on lesson, students in grades K-12 compare sunblock containing nanoparticles to those that do not and learn how nanoparticles are used to help block harmful rays from the sun.
Stanford University’s Center for Probing the Nanoscale (CPN) offers a one-week Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers. Daily sessions focus on content lectures and inquiry-based modules that explicitly address California’s 5-8th grade physical science content standards. Teachers will also receive a hands-on activity classroom kit with many fun activities that bring nanoscience into the classroom. Dates: July 18-22, 2011. Eligibility: Middle School teachers, grades 5-8. Stipend: $650, plus professional development units. Application deadline: May 1 , 2011.
The annual Engineers Week is the cornerstone program of the National Engineers Week Foundation, which strives to be the global leader in cultivating and celebrating the engineering profession. The 2011 Engineers Week is February 20-26.
Software engineer Sarah Blow enlists other female techies in events to promote engineering girl power. Thus was born Girl Geek Dinners, a networking organization for women in technology that’s since gone global.
In this lesson, students in grades 5 through 8 are challenged to redesign the classic paper cup so that no tape, glue, or staples are necessary, reducing production costs and the cost of individual paper cups. Each pair of students will be given a stack of paper to design a new paper container that can hold water for a short period of time.
