The Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) Program promotes original research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level and publicly recognizes students for outstanding achievement. By connecting talented students, their teachers, and research professionals at institutions of higher education as well as research centers and by rewarding research excellence, JSHS aims to widen the pool of trained talent prepared to conduct research and development vital to our nation.

The regional competition is held annually at ASU and this year the event is being held on Friday evening March 28th and Saturday March 29th, 2008. Oral Presenters at the AZJSHS will be competing for 3 tuition scholarships ($2000, $1500, $1000). The top two winners will have an opportunity to present and compete for additional scholarships in the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium to be held in Orlando, Florida in May 2008.

For more details go to our web site for the regional competition, see

http://azjshs.asu.edu

Orkin Launches Junior Pest Investigators…

Know a primary school science teacher looking for fun lesson plans, or even just a curious neighbor kid?
Check out http://www.juniorpi.com/

”Junior Pest Investigators is an online resource designed to help kids and teachers discover green, environmentally friendly ways to prevent insects, bugs and rodents from entering our spaces and becoming pests. You’ll find four fun and interesting lesson plans for your grade level, along with teacher materials such as grading rubrics, quizzes and assessment tools. Whether you teach kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth grade, you’ll benefit from the well thought out inquiry-based lessons that meet national science standards.”

Teacher Grants Available

Please consider applying for these funds--it's very doable and there are folks to help you through the process!
What could you do with $5,000 or $10,000 for your classroom?
The reason for this message is to alert you to the availability of $5,000 and $10,000 grants that are available to NM teachers (from public or private schools) and I strongly encourage you to consider applying. My name is Maddie Zeigler, and as a grant development professional, I've been hired by BP America, Inc. to provide technical assistance to NM teachers applying for these grants and also to conduct workshops to walk teachers through the grant application process. Please consider attending a workshop or contacting me for assistance in developing your grant proposal. (See details below.)

Global energy provider BP has launched A+ for Energy, a program to recognize instructional creativity through grants to New Mexico educators to teach students about energy and energy conservation. In 2008, BP will award half a million dollars for grants to New Mexico teachers working with Pre-K through 12th grade students.

Grants will be in the amount of $5,000 or $10,000, and will be presented directly to teachers who submit creative classroom, after-school, extracurricular and summer activities focused on energy education and/or energy conservation. This program provides resources to enhance teaching and learning--and can expand and enrich what you're already doing.

It's easy--the application is only 5 pages! We encourage teachers of all disciplines to apply. Previous winners include teachers of all grades and disciplines: science, math, English, drama and PE! Creative and innovative ideas are the key! So what could you do with $5,000 or $10,000 for your classroom?

Application deadline March 7. For more info or to download an application visit www.aplusforenergy.org or call 1-800-877-711-3030.

You don't have to work on this alone! BP is offering workshops and technical assistance to teachers in NM. You can also contact the following individuals, who are available to provide assistance with grant writing and grade-level content ideas:

Maddie Zeigler (professional grant writer and program developer) - grantwriterz@msn.com or 505-385-9637

Kathy Jones (former teacher, 30+ yrs experience, strong science background) - kathyloujones@gmail.com or 505-345-3772

Albuquerque (2 workshops offered; includes dinner and raffle prizes). Select the most convenient date.

Date: Tuesday, February 26

Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (1801 Mountain Rd. NW)

Date: Wednesday, February 27

Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (1801 Mountain Rd. NW