Energy Quest Energy News Update

The Astronauts Memorial Foundation is honoring K-12 teachers who integrate technology and education. A teacher will be selected for the quality and innovation of his or her teaching methods. Teachers must be nominated by a principal. The award will be presented the 25th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, March 30 - April 2. The deadline for nominations is January 19. For more information, go to
http://www.amfcse.org/Alan%20Shepard%20Award/alan_shepard_award.htm

Toyota and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) will award 50 grants of $10,000 and 20-32 mini-grants of $2,500 to outstanding science educators who demonstrate excellence and creativity in the classroom. The grants are offered for innovative projects that enhance science education. The deadline to apply is January 21. For more information, or to apply online, go to
http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/

The Bayer “Grow Together with Roses” award will help schools establish rose gardens designed to nurture peaceful relations and instill a strong sense of community. Twenty-five schools will receive a selection of rose bushes and educational materials. The deadline to apply is January 23. For more information, or to download an application, go to
http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/rosegrant.asp

Sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA), ExploraVision encourages K-12 students to create and explore a vision of future technology by combining their imaginations with the tools of science. Students work in groups of two, three, or four, along with a teacher, to simulating a real research and development team. ExploraVision prizes include a savings bond worth up to $10,000, notebook computers for schools, and a special gift for each student, teacher and mentor. The deadline to sign up is January 28. For more information, go to
http://exploravision.org/

This conference is open to all educators and students in high school or above who are interested in exploring Earth and space science. It will be held near Pasadena, California on January 24-25. Pre-registration is mandatory, and the deadline to register is January 16. For more information, or to register, go to
http://education.jpl.nasa.gov/events/conference20090124.html

The California Climate Champions program, sponsored by the California Air Resources Board and the British Council, is giving students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to show leadership and commitment towards one of the most pressing issues of our time. The winners will participate in a wide range of activities starting in February 2009 through to August 2010. Entries are due January 19. For more information or to apply, go to
http://coolcalifornia.org/climate_hm.html

Flex Your Power has announced its 6th annual award winners. Each year, Flex Your Power seeks to recognize companies, organizations, businesses and local governments across California that make an outstanding effort to save energy. To view the complete list of winners, go to
http://www.fypower.org/feature/awards/6th/

Big technology comes in tiny packages. New cell phones, music players and personal computers get smaller every year, which means these electronics require even smaller components on the inside. Engineers are looking for creative ways to build these components, and they’ve turned their eyes to graphene, a super thin material that could change the future of electronics. To continue reading this article, go to
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/39300/title/FOR_KIDS_Graphenes_superstrength

We are pleased to announce a funding opportunity to promote Flex Your Power, a statewide community outreach campaign to promote energy efficiency. We are seeking organizations that want to take an active role in educating their communities about ways to save energy, save money and save the environment. Former grantees have included school districts, environmental groups, chambers of commerce, community action agencies, agencies that serve seniors, youth development groups, volunteer centers and United Way agencies. To download an informational MS Word file, please click the link.
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/teachers_resources/2009_FYPower_Grant_Info.doc

The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is open to current public and private elementary and secondary math, technology and science teachers with excellence in teaching. Selected teachers will spend a school year in a congressional office, the Department of Energy, or a federal agency. The deadline for this opportunity is January 13. For more information, or to apply online, go to
http://www.trianglecoalition.org/ein.htm

This conference, which is open to all K-12 educators, will be held at Space Center Houston on February 5-7. The conference offers a chance to network with other educators and to learn from scientists, astronauts and engineers on subjects from science and language arts to math and history. Attendees can also receive up to 24 hours of Continuing Professional Education credit. To register, go to
http://spacecenter.org/TeachersSEEC.html

NASA’s Earth Observatory posted an image of a volcanic haze, vog – a mixture of sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases that lingered over the Hawaiian Islands this December. The vog came from Hawaii’s most active volcano, Kilauea. This highly active volcano not only produces vog, but also produces hot lava which continuously creates new land. To view the picture and to learn more about vog, go to
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=36089

Don’t feel bad if it took forever to wrap your brain around math. Mastering arithmetic requires major reorganization in the way the brain works. As kids grow up, the parts of the brain used to do math problems change. In elementary school kids, a region of the brain called the prefrontal cortex lights up while doing arithmetic. To continue reading this article, go to
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/39167/title/FOR_KIDS_Math_is_a_real_brain_bender

The Dreyer's Foundation is offering grants of $3,000 or less and ice cream donations, gift certificates and auction items to bona fide nonprofit organizations. It is designated for events that promote family, school and community environments in young people. The deadline is ongoing and is checked on a monthly basis. For more information, go to
http://www.dreyersinc.com/dreyersfoundation/small_grants.asp

The Coca-Cola Foundation is offering grants to K-12 public school programs, teacher development programs, and smaller projects dealing specifically with elementary and secondary classrooms. These grants are intended to enhance classroom resources, pursue teacher professional development opportunities, and update curriculum lesson plans. For more information, go to
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_guidelines.html

National Geographic is hosting a contest with a chance to win a trip to Peru! The contest is open to 3-8 grade teachers on any subject matter during the 2008–09 school year and who plan to teach during the 2009–10 school year. Instruct a hands-on activity in your classroom that increases your students’ knowledge of Peru to enter. The deadline is February 5, 2009. For more information, and to enter, go to http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/Explorer-trip-2009-teachers?source=email_education_20081203&email=education

Earth & Sky radio shows have aligned with PLT activities to provide educators with access to accurate, reliable, and understandable scientific research and data. Teachers can "virtually" bring a guest scientist into their classroom by using Earth & Science radio shows in conjunction with PLT activities. For more information, or to view the radio shows, go to
http://www.earthsky.org/teachers/

What are the secrets of a volcanic eruption? A few hundred courageous scientists around the world are trying to figure out the answers, often at great personal risk. One of them, geologist Michael Ramsey, has spent 12 years investigating volcanic behavior, and is now using thermal infrared technology and data from NASA and weather satellites to determine when and how violently volcanoes will erupt—research that will help to save lives. To continue reading this article from the National Geographic, go to http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081120-volcano-satellite-images-missions.html?
source=email_education_20081203&email=education

Books of Hope, a non-profit, service-learning project, needs your class to create and donate student-written books. Uganda is this year’s focus country as it has been in an on-going civil war for over 20 years and its schools need books. To see how your school can make a difference in other students’ learning capabilities, please visit
http://booksofhope.org/

Go to the Discovery Science Center in Orange County to participate in hands-on food science activities, cooking demonstrations, decorating classes, speeches from area architects, and other interactive learning stations. Toys from the National Toy Hall of Fame will also be showcased. This event takes place from November 24 through to January 4, 2009. Also, submit your gingerbread creation into this year’s Gingerbread competition by December 1. For gingerbread recipes, fun facts, games, or more information about the event, go to
http://www.discoverycube.org/programs.aspx?q=69

Do you see something in your community that needs improvement? Get your students involved by encouraging them to participate in a service-learning project. Esurance and Project Learning Tree have joined together to award the school with the best service-learning project a grant of $6000. Applications are due January 30, 2009. For grant information or to apply online, go to
http://www.forestfoundation.org/gw_esurance_apply.html

In mid-November, a large “bloom” of phytoplankton (a plant-like organism that fish feed on), could be seen in the Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand. The bloom changes the way the surface of the ocean reflects and absorbs sunlight, which creates bright blue swirls of color. To see the satellite photo supplied by NASA’s Earth Observatory, go to
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=35913

Download a free copy of Conservation International's new interactive magazine, Team Earth. Travel to exotic environmental hotspots around the globe and learn about the unique people, wildlife and vegetation in these fragile ecosystems. To get your copy, go to
http://www.africageographicdigital.com/teamearth/teamearth.html

The competition will be held April 29 – May 1, 2009, and is open to high school students. Students will be asked questions concerning soils and land use, aquatic biology, forestry, wildlife and biodiversity. Start preparing your team for the competition now! For more information, go to
http://www.caenvirothon.com/

Today's kids are hardwired in a fundamentally different way than most of the adults who teach them. Every child from high school on down grew up immersed in a world of technology. None have known a world without visual computing. Many never saw a day in which broadband Net access wasn't delivered directly to one of the two or three PCs in their house. Other items within easy daily reach include a DVD, various cell phones, and game consoles. To continue reading this article, go to
http://www.edutopia.org/student-opinions-classroom-technology

The Energy Commission is joining the Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District (SMUD), Lodi Electric, Roseville Electric and the LegiSchool Project at CSUS to host the first annual Youth Energy Summit (YES) January 23-24, 2009. This exciting event will give 100 students from participating high schools the tools to become civic-minded energy advocates.

Students will attend educational sessions given by field experts to learn about energy, energy-related legislation and policies, and green collar careers. The students will use their acquired knowledge to complete energy-related service learning projects in their school or community and present them at the State Capitol on Earth Day 2009.

The top five teams will be awarded scholarships. To participate, students must submit an essay to LegiSchool by November 14.

Earth & Sky radio shows are wonderful, short broadcasts on science and nature that allow teachers to “virtually” bring a guest speaker to the classroom. The programs can also be used with Project Learning Tree (PLT) environmental curricula. To learn more about Earth & Sky and PLT, go to
http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_23_60.html

The Protect Your Climate curriculum is now available online from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The curriculum is targeted to teach lessons that investigate the science and causes of climate change and take action to protect our climate. In using Protect Your Climate’s hands-on activities, students learn how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make a difference to the environment. To download your free copy, go to
http://www.baaqmd.gov/pln/climate_program/documents/protectyourclimate.pdf

Princeton University set up a website consisting of resources for climate change featuring stabilization wedges. The "stabilization wedges" concept illustrates the scale of emissions cuts needed in the future, and provides a common unit for comparing the carbon mitigating capacities of various energy and storage technologies. The website offers background information, calculations and diagrams, a flash movie and a teacher interactive. To learn more, or experience the site yourself, go to
http://www.princeton.edu/~cmi/resources/stabwedge.htm

This site allows students to have fun while learning. It offers a variety of educational games that teach students about the environment and how to be eco-friendly. Students learn about geology, endangered species, migration, habitat restoration and plant identification. To try these online games, go to
http://www.nps.gov/goga/forteachers/onlinegames.htm

Earth & Sky is a great science radio program heard by millions of listeners worldwide. Its programs highlight the wonders of science and nature through daily radio shows. Listen to fascinating science podcasts online or via iTunes. Find out what Earth & Sky offers to listeners at
http://www.earthsky.org

Join your peers from around the country for a concentrated week of special events and community outreach activities designed to raise awareness and build support for service-learning. Through this challenge, you can promote service learning projects among primary, secondary and college-age students. For more information about the National Learn and Serve Challenge, go to
http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/index.php

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world, organized by Youth Service America, with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner and a consortium of international organizations and over 120 national coordinating committees in participating countries. GYSD is an annual global event that highlights and celebrates the contributions of youth to their communities through volunteer service. For more information, visit:
http://ysa.org/GlobalYouthServiceDay/tabid/254/Default.aspx

Project Learning Tree, in partnership with the World Forestry Center, has completed a new set of secondary activities Global Connections: Forests of the World that explore from a global perspective the factors and challenges impacting this critical natural resource. The module consists of nine activities that provide students with the opportunity to do research and apply critical thinking skills to consider the social, economic and environmental implications that underlie decisions about forest management. Educators can use the module in biology, geography, agriculture and other science and social studies courses at the high school or early college level. The module includes a poster and set of maps. To learn more, go to
http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_21_17.html

Learn more about your furry and feathered neighbors with eNature's website. It allows you to look up wildlife, trees and plants by zip code. To find out what lives near you, visit
http://www.enature.com/home/indexNew.asp

Solar System Ambassadors is a public outreach program designed for space enthusiasts from various walks of life who are interested in bringing the excitement of space science and exploration to their local communities. To join the program, email ambassadors@jpl.nasa.gov.

Eight future scientists won 2008 Energy in Science Awards sponsored by the California Energy Commission. Their projects were selected from nearly 100 energy-related projects entered into the 2008 California State Science Fair.

Two awards of $500 were presented in the Senior Division. Logan Brabham (grade 11), Erica Fine (grade 10) and Michael Laity (grade 11) shared one award for their project, "The Potential for Vegetable-Oil-Based Fuels as a Substitute for Diesel."

Sarah Adams (grade 11), received the second award for her project, "The Utilization of a Photobioreactor to Optimize the Growth Rate of Lipids in Microaga for Use in Biofuels."

Awards of $250 were presented to four exceptional students in the Junior Division:

Congratulations to these students, who really wowed the judges with their energy projects.

For more information on the science fair and to view abstracts of the winners' projects, visit http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/

As part of its Youth Investment Program, the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council will grant between $2 million and $2.5 million in funding to improve the lives of underserved youth by providing greater access to outdoor experiences from urban parks in the city to watersheds in the wilderness. In 2008, there are four different grant rounds three rounds focused on outdoor and environmental education programs and one on building parks and playgrounds. For more information, follow this link to the 2008 RFPs:
http://www.stewardshipcouncil.org/youth_investment
/guidelines_and_application.php?v=0

What early inventions can we attribute to Leonardo da Vinci? What item does virtually every household have that was dreamed up by a 14-year-old plowing a field? Test your knowledge about great inventions at
http://www.livescience.com/php/trivia/?quiz=inventions

How do you provide reliable healthcare Riders is an award-winning nonprofit that works to make sure all health workers in Africa have access to reliable transportation so they can reach the most isolated and vulnerable people. Riders' providers use low-tech motorcycles with high fuel efficiency. The organization also makes sure that the bikes are well-maintained, and the health workers ride them responsibly, so that they provide reliable transportation in remote areas and emissions are kept to a minimum.
http://www.riders.org/default.aspx

The 2007 Peace Prize was awarded jointly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and to former Vice President Al Gore, Jr., "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change." Did you know that scientists from Lawrence Berkeley Lab contributed to the IPCC's climate change research reports? Click below to read the article. http://eetd.lbl.gov/newsletter/nl27/eetd-nl27-5.html

What else do you know about Nobel Prize winners? To learn more about great scientists, activists, writers and others who have won the prize, hear what they have to say or watch a YouTube video of the award ceremony, go to
http://nobelprize.org/index.html

The Center for Global Development (CGD) in Washington, D.C. has a new online database called Carbon Monitoring for Action (CARMA) that documents the carbon emissions of thousands of individual power plants worldwide, giving people access to information helpful for reducing fossil fuel pollution in their regions. Check the power plants in your area at
http://carma.org/

Create a lesson plan and qualify to win a mobile digital camera lab plus as many as 43 different grants for hardware and software. The program is sponsored by Olympus. Deadlines are open. For more information, go to
http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grant_awards

NASA offers a number of activities requiring students to apply their math skills to solve problems in space. The problems are authentic glimpses of modern engineering issues that arise in designing satellites to work in space. Each word problem has background information providing insight into the sun-Earth system, specifically space weather. Teachers' guides with answer keys are also included.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/
listbytype/Extra-Credit_Problems_in_Space_Science.html

This comprehensive guide lists hundreds of service project ideas, including projects for community development and beautification, crime fighting, the environment, health, and many more for which young people's service can make a difference.
http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=2918

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers 350 lessons and activities on energy efficiency and renewable energy. It's website, "K-12 Energy Lesson Plans and Activities," organizes the materials by grade level and topic. A wide range of topics are available, including biomass, geothermal, hydrogen and fuel cells, ocean energy, solar power, transportation fuels, wind energy, and energy efficiency and conservation. Site visitors can learn about passive solar buildings, advanced photovoltaics, or basic wind turbines. They can also take an energy awareness quiz, estimate their carbon footprint, and then find ways to reduce it. Access the website at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/.

The EPICS program invites high schools to create engineering projects in service-learning. Designed to engage and motivate high school students in the fields of engineering and computer sciences, this program offers much more by teaching them the professional skills needed to succeed in today's workforce.

EPICS is also offering summer training sessions to high school teachers and administrators who want to use the model for their students.

DonorsChoose.org is an easy way for teachers to find donors to fund their classroom project proposals. The web site reviews teacher proposals and then matches them with "Citizen Philanthropists." Learn how this unique funding program works at
http://www.donorschoose.org/contact/link.html

Extraordinary Road Trip is an educational computer game that teaches players how driving affects air quality. Players make transportation decisions for 25 characters to learn how these choices impact the environment. XRT is fun and free edutainment for teens and drivers of all ages.
http://www.extraordinaryroadtrip.org/

Teachers can order a free, student-produced video, "Easy Breathers," which helps teens and others make informed decisions about driving and air quality
http://www.easybreathers.org/index3.asp

Play Energyville and find out. Energyville is an online game sponsored by Chevron and the Economist Group. Power your city and network with other players to find energy solutions.
http://www.willyoujoinus.com/

Did you know that free online courses are available for middle school, high school and college students who want to learn about the weather? Meteorology Education & Training (MedEd) offers education and training resources to professionals, scientists, educators and students on meteorology and weather forecasting. Learn about the water cycle, global climate change, satellite imagery and more on atmospheric science, MetEd is part of the Comet Program, which is funded by NOAA National Weather Service. For details, visit:
http://www.meted.ucar.edu/comm_k12.htm

Visit the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) Earth Portal, a website dedicated to science-based information about the environment. The portal was created by a global community of environmental experts and features an Encyclopedia of Earth, environmental news, and forum where experts discuss different issues. Check out all the Earth Portal has to offer at:
http://www.earthportal.org/

The Alliance to Save Energy is launching "Generation E," a nationwide campaign to help youth tackle climate change by promoting energy efficiency. Youth can register to form an Energy Club, and the Alliance will support them with activities, resources, guidance, and recognition. To learn more, visit
http://www.ase.org/

Do Something is a not-for-profit organization that works to inspire, support, and celebrate young social entrepreneurs and community activists. For more information, go to
http://www.dosomething.org/grants

As a Global Warming Ambassador, you will introduce the Federation to the general public through presentations and community events, explain how global warming affects wildlife habitat, and tell people what they can do to confront global warming. To get involved, visit
http://www.nwf.org/volunteertypes/

The Go Green Initiative is a simple, comprehensive program designed to create a culture of environmental responsibility on school campuses across the nation. Founded in 2002, the Go Green Initiative unites parents, students, teachers and school administrators in an effort to make real and lasting changes in their campus communities that will protect children and the environment for years to come. To learn more, go to
http://gogreeninitiative.org/index.php

Global warming has increased the odds against survival for many wild creatures. The sea ice that polar bears call home is melting. In Yellowstone National Park, the whitebark pine seeds that grizzly bears eat are disappearing due to increasing beetle populations. Longer droughts are making food scarcer for California's bighorn sheep, and Pacific Northwest salmon must spawn in unnaturally warm waters. In Florida, the last remaining manatee families are battered by more frequent and intense tropical storms. Check the Sierra Club's interactive map to see endangered species in your area and how global warming is affecting them.
http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlife/species/map/

Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies (F.I.L.M.) is sponsoring the Youth Film Project to encourage Hollywood to create more movies with positive messages. Several F.I.L.M. movies are now available for rental or purchase on DVD, including Happy Feet, and Dreamer: Inspired by You. F.I.L.M. offers online activity guides that focus on the main themes (such as the environment) from the movies and accompanying books. To learn more, visit
http://www.youthfilmproject.org/

Tools for Building Math Concepts, explores how teachers can use software tools to help 3rd-5th graders develop fundamental math concepts by gathering data and investigating patterns. Teachers who complete the Tools workshop will receive continuing education credits at no charge. The workshop connects teachers with the Math Forum's Math Tools, a digital library and teaching community of technology tools, lessons, activities, and support materials. Teachers can register online at
http://mathforum.org/toolsandconcepts

GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide education and science program. Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), it helps schoolchildren learn about the environment and Earth. Beginning in March, GLOBE will offer activities to celebrate International Polar Year, including pole-to-pole (that's the North and South poles) Web chats and a student-scientist Web forum. For more information, visit:
http://www.globe.gov/fsl/html/templ.cgi?ipy_announce&lang=en&nav=1

Ripple Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering kids to take action in their communities. Whether it is saving energy and addressing global climate change, picking up trash or raising money for pediatric cancer research, Ripple Kids wants to promote the good work of young people. To learn more, visit
www.ripplekids.com/howtobe.php

The five focus areas for U.S. applicants are education, health and human services, arts and culture, civic, and the environment. Grants are also available to organizations outside the U.S. Boeing also provides in-kind donations and services. Guidelines, including deadlines for applications, are available at
http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/community/focus_objectives.html

Correspondence Match is a two-year exchange between Peace Corps volunteers and students in U.S. classrooms to promote cross-cultural learning. Teachers can choose any region of the world, any kind of program (e.g., environment, agriculture, business, education, health), and even a specific volunteer. Participants receive a handbook to facilitate the exchange. To learn more, visit
http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/correspond/

Energy Quest, the California Energy Commission's energy education website for children, received two "Dottie Awards" at a presentation ceremony in Sacramento.

The Commission's website won top honors in the Education and History category. And when all the numbers were tabulated and judges' votes added up, Energy Quest had the highest numerical score and was given the "Top Dot" award - the top website of all 80 finalists. More...