Justmeans's blogshttp://www.justmeans.com/editorials/education/3554.htmlTue, 21 May 2013 10:57:33 GMThttp://www.justmeans.com en hourly 1http://www.justmeans.com/Survey-Reveals-Top-Corporate-Supporters-of-Black-Science-and-Engineering-Education/58623.htmlMon, 01 Apr 2013 14:22:54 GMTHarry Stevens A survey published by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine lists the corporations and government organizations that are most supportive of America's historically Black engineering schools.The magazine asked deans of the engineering programs at 14 historically black colleges and universities to list the corporations and government or non-profit organizations that provide the most support to their schools. The survey also received responses from Advancing Minorities' Interest in Eng Read Full Article ]]> A survey published by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine lists the corporations and government organizations that are most supportive of America's historically Black engineering schools.The magazine asked deans of the engineering programs at 14 historically black colleges and universities to list the corporations and government or non-profit organizations that provide the most support to their schools. The survey also received responses from Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering, a corporate-academic alliance."Doing this survey for the eleventh consecutive time, we are consistently finding many organizations that are doing their fair share in building the STEM pipeline," said Tyrone Taborn, editor in chief of US Black Engineer & Information Technology. STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics."Black students and professionals want to know what these organizations are doing for their colleges because they want to work for employers that are committed to their community," added Taborn.The companies and organizations recognized hail from all over the United States. Some of the more well known corporations on the list include Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, Intel Corporation, Johnson Controls, Union Pacific and UPS."On behalf of Chrysler Group, we are honored to be recognized for our commitment to the nation's historically Black colleges and universities as a great source of STEM talent," said Georgette Borrego Dulworth, director of talent acquisition and diversity at the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automobile company."Identifying and recruiting diverse talent with world-class skills is imperative to our company's continued success," Dulworth added.Studies have repeatedly shown that Whites, and particularly White men, occupy a disproportionate percentage of the STEM workforce. Still, enrollments of African American students in graduate science and engineering programs grew by 50 percent in the last decade, compared with 35 percent for the nation as a whole, according to a report by Congressional Research Service.The report also shows that African American students in both the 4th and 8th grades performed better on national mathematics tests in 2011 than they did in 1990.Dr. James Mitchell serves as dean of Howard University's College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science, the program credited with producing the nation's largest number of African American engineers, architects and computer science professionals.In a recent interview with Afro magazine, Dr. Mitchell emphasized the integral role that corporate and government partnerships play in his school's development plan."The plan includes forging partnerships with corporations, government agencies and foundations so we can internally increase funding for research and development," said Dr. Mitchell.With unemployment for African-American men hovering around 50 percent, Dr. Mitchell said a STEM education can provide a huge boon for Blacks seeking work in a difficult and at times discriminatory job market."If you're trained to think analyze, diagnosis, make decisions, and plan to solve problems, you have a higher probability of being employed," he said. "And an education in the STEM fields provides those advantages."The US Black Engineer & Information Technology survey found that the aerospace industry is especially supportive of historically Black colleges and universities. Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Boeing Company received the highest number of votes from the survey committee.Image credit: Steven Depolo, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/PwC-Makes-Big-Contribution-to-Youth-Financial-Literacy/58375.htmlTue, 12 Mar 2013 14:21:54 GMTHarry Stevens PwC, one of the world's "Big Four" accounting firms, has announced the winners of two competitions designed to promote financial literacy at the high school level.In Riverview, Fla., Riverview High School received $40,000 from the PwC Charitable Foundation for winning the "High School Business Challenge." Meanwhile, at Wilson High School in West Lawn, Pa., Kathy Focht won $5,000 for her school by taking top honors in PwC's "Financial Literacy Award."Because it is not a manufacturing company, PwC Read Full Article ]]> PwC, one of the world's "Big Four" accounting firms, has announced the winners of two competitions designed to promote financial literacy at the high school level.In Riverview, Fla., Riverview High School received $40,000 from the PwC Charitable Foundation for winning the "High School Business Challenge." Meanwhile, at Wilson High School in West Lawn, Pa., Kathy Focht won $5,000 for her school by taking top honors in PwC's "Financial Literacy Award."Because it is not a manufacturing company, PwC is spared many of the thorny sustainability issues - resource scarcity, factory labor conditions, excessive carbon emissions - that confront companies that create and sell physical products. Although there is an environmental component to the company's corporate responsibility strategy, PwC is able to invest the lion's share of its charitable resources in educational initiatives."As part of our firm's Corporate Responsibility strategy, we are making an investment to support youth education to increase proficiency in financial literacy, better prepare students to make responsible financial decisions and contribute to a healthier U.S. economy," according to the company's website.The team at Riverview High School outshone 168 other teams from across the nation in the High School Business Challenge for developing a business plan for a fictitious music label, which they called "Cut Above." The label was designed to "improve the world one fan at a time" by promoting artists driven by an agenda of social consciousness and environmental awareness.Nancy MacLauchlan, a teacher at the school, was thrilled at the announcement, telling local news station Bay News 9 that she "never dream[ed] it would happen." MacLauchlan and her students plan to use the $40,000 to purchase classroom technology and to fund the career and technology organizations within the school."Through programs like these, PwC is making a tangible impact in our nation's classrooms," said Shannon Schuyler, who leads PwC's US corporate responsibility efforts and sits on the board of the PwC Charitable Foundation. "I'm inspired by the individual stories of learning among teachers and students and honored to recognize those who are making a difference."In West Lawn, Pa., Kathy Focht won the Financial Literacy Award for submitting a video the showed highlights of a curriculum she helped develop to teach students about home mortgages, interest rates, and ways to save money on mortgage payments. Runners-up in Teaneck, N.J. and Southwest Ranches, Fla. each won $2,500 for developing similar curricula.PwC also took the opportunity to announce a whopping $300,000 grant to the MIND Research Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to improving math education and closing the math achievement gap."This grant gives thousands of disadvantaged students in low-performing urban schools across the country access to a truly 21st century learning environment," said Andrew R. Coulson, President of MIND Research Institute's Education Division."What students gain in math skills and financial literacy is just the beginning," he added. "Their lives can literally change through experiencing academic success, gaining confidence in their abilities, and being prepared to excel in high-demand hi-tech careers."The grant was part of PwC's "Earn Your Future" program, a $60 million commitment to promote youth financial literacy over the next five years.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/As-Sequester-Strikes-Schools---Box-Tops-for-Education--Program-Raises--500M/58218.htmlTue, 05 Mar 2013 15:25:10 GMTHarry Stevens General Mills' "Box Tops for Education," the company's school fundraising program where labels collected from product boxes earn 10 cents for schools, has raised over half a billion dollars since its launch. General Mills has set a goal of raising an additional $75 million by the end of 2013, money that may prove crucial as public schools across the country prepare to cope with the across-the-board federal budget cuts known as sequestration.Since 1996, Box Tops for Education has provided $525 mi Read Full Article ]]> General Mills' "Box Tops for Education," the company's school fundraising program where labels collected from product boxes earn 10 cents for schools, has raised over half a billion dollars since its launch. General Mills has set a goal of raising an additional $75 million by the end of 2013, money that may prove crucial as public schools across the country prepare to cope with the across-the-board federal budget cuts known as sequestration.Since 1996, Box Tops for Education has provided $525 million in unrestricted funding to more than 90,000 schools, funding field trips, classroom technology, library books, playground equipment, and arts and cultural programming.The program has raised $47 million in the past year alone, money that will become increasingly critical as the effects of sequestration become more apparent. The sequestration cuts that went into effect on March 1 will slash nearly $3 billion from education budgets nationwide, according to the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the United States representing over 3.2 million education professionals.Some of the worst effects of the sequestration are already being felt on Indian reservations and military bases. Debbie Jackson-Dennison, Superintendant of the Window Rock School District in the heart of Navajo nation, told the Washington Post that her district may be forced to close almost half its schools because of dried up federal aid."We may have to close those schools - we don't have any other avenues at all," she said.While Box Tops for Education will certainly not compensate for all of the cuts in federal funding for public education, the money could help stave off some of the most critical cuts."I witnessed the power of the program when I visited several schools in the state a few months ago," said New Mexico governor, Susana Martinez, whose state will lose an estimated $6.1 million in grants to local educational agencies and another $3.2 million in Head Start funding."After seeing how easy it was to earn cash for schools, I started encouraging everyone to participate to help students get the things they need most to improve their education experience," added Martinez. "I congratulate Box Tops for Education on reaching this impressive level of support for students everywhere."Mark Addicks, chief marketing officer at General Mills, thanked the more than 75,000 volunteer coordinators who motivate local communities to collect Box Tops."We couldn't be prouder to have reached such a significant milestone, but we couldn't have reached $525 million without the passionate coordinators that help collect Box Tops," said Addicks. "Through their amazing efforts, we've been able to help fund school programs that would have been lost if it weren't for the Box Tops program."Schools can earn up to $20,000 by clipping Box Tops coupons from 240 products and can earn eBoxTops by shopping online through the Box Tops Marketplace. More information about the program can be found at http://www.boxtops4education.com/.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Michelle-Obama-Seeks-Corporate-Support-for-Fight-against-Childhood-Obesity/58185.htmlMon, 04 Mar 2013 20:31:36 GMTHarry Stevens First Lady Michelle Obama has published an article in The Wall Street Journal that has rallied businesses to the fight against childhood obesity."Every day, great American companies are achieving greater and greater success by creating and selling healthy products," she wrote. "In doing so, they are showing that what's good for kids and good for family budgets can also be good for business."The First Lady named several examples of large U.S. companies that are doubling down on healthy food. Wal- Read Full Article ]]> First Lady Michelle Obama has published an article in The Wall Street Journal that has rallied businesses to the fight against childhood obesity."Every day, great American companies are achieving greater and greater success by creating and selling healthy products," she wrote. "In doing so, they are showing that what's good for kids and good for family budgets can also be good for business."The First Lady named several examples of large U.S. companies that are doubling down on healthy food. Wal-Mart has cut costs on fruits and vegetables and reduced the amount of sugar in its products, all which seeing increased fresh produce sales in improving its brand value. Likewise, Disney is eliminating junk food ads from its children's programming and Walgreens is adding fresh fruits and vegetables to its stores in underserved communities.Obama pointed out that "American businesses are stepping up to invest in building a healthier future for our kids" because consumers are increasingly demanding healthy foods. She cites a 2011 study by the Hudson Institute which found that healthier foods have generated more than 70 percent of the growth in sales for consumer packaged goods.The First Lady has lent the prestige of her office to fighting childhood obesity, the incidence of which has increased alarmingly in recent years. As of 2010, more than one third of Americans between the ages of 6 and 19 are clinically overweight or obese. In the U.S., $190 billion are spent each year treating obesity-related health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.In 2010, Obama launched "Let's Move!", a nation campaign to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Let's Move! provides support for parents, advocates for healthier food in schools, helps children be more physically activity, and seeks to increase the availability of healthy food nationwide, especially in so-called "food deserts" where natural food is scarce.Last week, the General Mills Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the giant food corporation, announced it will be lending its support Obama's work to fight obesity. The Foundation has committed $10 million to help implement the new President Youth Fitness Program, a school-based fitness assessment program.The company made its announcement at an event in Chicago where the First Lady launched "Let's Move! Active Schools," a program that emphasizes quality physical education. "General Mills is thrilled to be here today to support the First Lady's efforts to improve youth fitness," said Kim Nelson, senior vice president of external relations at General Mills and president of the General Mills Foundation."We believe the Presidential Youth Fitness Program will provide a groundbreaking, sustainable approach to improving the health and well-being of our nation's youth," she added. "This new partnership allows General Mills to broaden our commitment and positively impact even more young people."The new Presidential Youth Fitness Program represents a significant shift in how schools approach physical fitness. Instead of recognizing athletic performance as the old Youth Fitness Test did, the new program assesses students' health-related fitness and helps them progress over time."The Presidential Youth Fitness Program isn't about who is the fastest or the strongest. It is about healthy kids and lifelong physical activity," said Dr. Jayne Greenberg of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition council member."The General Mills Foundation has a strong track record in supporting youth nutrition and fitness," she continued, "and we are grateful for their commitment and the marketing expertise they will provide to help us make this new program a success."]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Hilton-HHonors-Creates-Travel-Grant-Program-for-Teachers/58123.htmlThu, 28 Feb 2013 09:50:08 GMTVikas Vij Hilton Worldwide's loyalty program, Hilton HHonors, has launched a program that offers travel opportunities for a selected group of teachers. The program, called the Teachers Trek Travel Grant Competition, was developed in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE). The program will fund 15 teachers to travel and receive first-hand exposure on the subject they teach. This opportunity for teachers will eventually help enrich their curriculum and allow them to share their expe Read Full Article ]]> Hilton Worldwide's loyalty program, Hilton HHonors, has launched a program that offers travel opportunities for a selected group of teachers. The program, called the Teachers Trek Travel Grant Competition, was developed in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE). The program will fund 15 teachers to travel and receive first-hand exposure on the subject they teach. This opportunity for teachers will eventually help enrich their curriculum and allow them to share their experiences with students.Jeff Diskin, executive vice president, Hilton Worldwide, said: "With more than 34 million Hilton HHonors members worldwide, we see firsthand the profound impact travel and cultural experiences can have on people's lives, a philosophy that originated with our founder Conrad N. Hilton. As curators of knowledge, teachers have an invaluable role in inspiring their students to learn about and experience other cultures, and the HHonors Teacher Treks program will help them bring their real-world experiences back to the classroom. Teacher Treks embodies our corporate responsibility commitment to Travel with Purpose and highlights our belief that celebrating cultures can foster greater understanding between people and nations."Hilton HHonors recently commissioned a survey that revealed that 93 percent of teachers view themselves as 'travelers' and agree that traveling opportunities offer a cultural education that cannot be fully substituted with classroom teaching. Teachers spend an average of 1,200 hours with the students in a year, which gives them an opportunity to do more than just teach. Teachers have the chance to inspire and enlighten the next generation of global citizens. The current program will equip teachers with the tools to share their travel experiences with students, families and local communities.Allan E. Goodman, president, Institute of International Education, said: "Whether analyzing historic works of art or telling a riveting account of an ancient civilization, teachers are the ultimate conduits to help students expand their world view and cultural literacy. By partnering with a global hospitality company through the Hilton HHonors Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition, we will help foster increased cultural understanding and support more people around the world to think, act and live as global citizens."IIE, with its more than nine decades of experience in handling educational and cultural exchanges, will support the program's goals to enhance curriculum by incorporating wider global understanding and internationalize classrooms. IIE will offer cultural training to the selected teachers and support them as they share their experiences with their students.Photo Credit: Stevekrh19]]>http://www.justmeans.com/After-Divesting-from-Fossil-Fuels--Unity-College-Will-Focus-Entire-Curriculum-on-Climate-Change/57736.htmlFri, 01 Feb 2013 13:41:14 GMTHarry Stevens Unity College, the small school in rural Maine that made headlines last November when its board voted to divest its endowment from fossil fuel companies, has become the first U.S. institute of higher education to focus its entire curriculum on climate change.The college said it "has tied every aspect of its curriculum to the mitigation of global climate change." Unity's multidisciplinary approach to sustainability science ensures that every Unity student, whether majoring in conservation law enf Read Full Article ]]> Unity College, the small school in rural Maine that made headlines last November when its board voted to divest its endowment from fossil fuel companies, has become the first U.S. institute of higher education to focus its entire curriculum on climate change.The college said it "has tied every aspect of its curriculum to the mitigation of global climate change." Unity's multidisciplinary approach to sustainability science ensures that every Unity student, whether majoring in conservation law enforcement, biology or environmental writing, will incorporate skills to help them address the mitigation of climate change.There is broad consensus in the scientific community that climate change is occurring due to human activity, and that the impacts of climate change will be catastrophic if carbon emissions are not drastically reduced in a relatively short period of time.Still, Business remains the most popular undergraduate major in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics, which does not even keep data on Environmental Science majors. Unity hopes its multidisciplinary approach to sustainability science will serve as a model for other schools."We really believe that what we're doing is... going to serve as a template for others to follow," says Mark Tardif, Associate Director of College Communications.Unity's decision to focus its curriculum on climate change mitigation is the culmination of several steps the college has taken to increasingly focus on the impacts of global warming since the arrival of President Stephen Mulkey in 2011.Mulkey, an environmental science researcher and university administrator whose enthusiasm about climate change attracted a $10 million endowment gift from an anonymous donor, has outspokenly targeted climate change mitigation as the proper subject of higher education."We are running out of time," wrote Mulkey in a blog post announcing the Unity board's decision to divest the college endowment from fossil fuels. Mulkey noted that the world is currently emitting greenhouse gases at a rate that will increase global temperatures by more than 5 degrees Celsius by 2100."This will be a planet that is not consistent with our civilization and the impact will be largely irreversible for a millennium," he wrote. "I don't know how the stakes could get any higher."In November, Unity was the first college to divest its endowment from fossil fuel companies as part of a nationwide campaign organized by 350.org, an organization that raises awareness about climate change.Thus far, only one other school, Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., has divested its endowment from fossil fuels, but Jamie Henn, 350.org's Communications Director, says that 230 campuses in around 40 states have active student campaigns lobbying their boards for divestment.Those schools include large state schools like the Universities of California, Colorado, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as smaller schools like Middlebury, Swarthmore and Tufts."Higher education is positioned to determine the future by training a generation of problem solvers," wrote Mulkey. "As educators, we have an obligation to do so."]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Students-Make-Big-Impact-in-Intercollegiate-Volunteering-Challenge/57600.htmlMon, 21 Jan 2013 15:02:22 GMTHarry Stevens A competition to promote social and environmental responsibility on college campuses is launching on Monday, Jan. 22. Undergraduate schools will vie for several prizes in a competition to generate to the greatest social or environmental benefits.The competition, called "Small Steps, Big Wins Campus Challenge," is a program of Net Impact, a nonprofit that encourages young people to create positive change in the workplace and around the world.This spring will be the second such competition, the fi Read Full Article ]]> A competition to promote social and environmental responsibility on college campuses is launching on Monday, Jan. 22. Undergraduate schools will vie for several prizes in a competition to generate to the greatest social or environmental benefits.The competition, called "Small Steps, Big Wins Campus Challenge," is a program of Net Impact, a nonprofit that encourages young people to create positive change in the workplace and around the world.This spring will be the second such competition, the first having ended on Dec. 15, 2012. In a ten-week period, 1,340 students collectively volunteered over 300 times during the school semester and over the holiday break.To earn points, students completed environmentally-friendly actions like air drying laundry, riding bikes, and using reusable mugs and water bottles. The winner of last year's competition was Wartburg College, based in Waverly, Iowa, which won in a landslide victory."Small Steps is a great first step for college students to learn about impact careers and how one person's actions can make a difference," said Madison Stumbo, a student leader at Wartburg College.The 1,775-student undergraduate school used their campus news station, social media, and their professors to get about one sixth of the entire student body involved in the Challenge."Wartburg is a perfect example of how individuals can truly drive others to make a big difference," said Liz Maw, CEO of Net Impact. Maw added that the Challenge "inspired many Wartburg students to start thinking about adding a social entrepreneurship minor."Maw said that Net Impact expects even more success with Small Steps, Big Wins in the upcoming semester. "We're envisioning many more campuses and students participating in the future, so that our impact begins to compound exponentially. At Net Impact, we're dreaming big and thinking about how we can take the Small Steps challenge to the next level to increase our impact."Net Impact aims to reach 50 campuses and 300,000 students by May, 2013. Maw said that Net Impact's experience with college students belies the media's portrayal of the Millennial Generation as apathetic."Every day at Net Impact, our 30,000+ members, many of whom are millennials, challenge the negative stereotypes of their generation," she said. "Last semester's challenge absolutely supported my belief that young people care deeply about issues impacting our world and its people."Maw cited several compelling examples. Small Steps participants at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo collaborated with other campus clubs to help the Morro Bay Harbor Festival generate zero waste; meanwhile, students at Tulane University worked with campus administrators to string up laundry lines in dorms so students could air-dry their clothes to conserve energy.Net Impact has already garnered robust corporate sponsorship from organizations including the Alcoa Foundation, Microsoft, 3M, Avon, Johnson & Johnson, Target, REI, PepsiCo, and Timberland."Net Impact students have the motivation, ideas and energy to create positive, meaningful change while mobilizing others to join their quest for a greener world," said Alcoa Foundation President Paula Davis.Echoing this sentiment, Microsoft's senior Director of corporate citizenship Dan Bross said: "We are proud to support Net Impact in fostering a new generation dedicated to driving positive social and environmental impact."More information about the Small Steps, Big Wins Challenge can be found at smallsteps.netimpact.org.Image credit: Sterling College, Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Michigan-Science-Center-to-Reopen-with-Big-Corporate-Donations/57063.htmlTue, 11 Dec 2012 10:31:54 GMTHarry Stevens The Detroit Science Center, which closed over a year ago amidst financial troubles that have been endemic across the Motor City, is getting a new lease on life with the support of several car companies.The GM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of General Motors; the Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota North America; and the Chrysler Foundation have all announced grants to the 150,000-square-foot museum, which will be renamed the Michigan Science Center.The Chrysler Foundation anno Read Full Article ]]> The Detroit Science Center, which closed over a year ago amidst financial troubles that have been endemic across the Motor City, is getting a new lease on life with the support of several car companies.The GM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of General Motors; the Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota North America; and the Chrysler Foundation have all announced grants to the 150,000-square-foot museum, which will be renamed the Michigan Science Center.The Chrysler Foundation announced a $50,000 grant last week to support the opening of the new center."We are excited to continue our long-standing relationship with the Michigan Science Center," said Scott Kunselman, a Senior Vice President a Chrysler and a member of the Science Center's board of directors, "and to help it provide children and their families with opportunities to explore science in a fun, dynamic learning environment."Since its inception 59 years ago, the Chrysler Foundation has awarded over $500 million in charitable grants. Chrysler donated over $4 million to the Detroit Science Center for exhibitions and operations over the years. In 1999, Chrysler was the first sponsor to contribute $1.5 million toward the Science Center's modernization capital campaign in 1999.The Michigan Science Center will house the Chrysler Science Stage, a large hall for exhibits focusing on space, physical and life science.The Center, which closed in Sept. 2011 and had been as much as $6.2 million in debt earlier this year, will reopen to public on Dec. 26. A full schedule will begin on Jan. 30 when the exhibit "Bodies Human Anatomy in Motion" will debut."The Michigan Science Center offers the perfect vehicle for exposing and engaging children in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math at an early age," said Jeff Makarewicz, an executive at TCC, which announced its $300,000 donation last week."Toyota is proud to be able to support the reopening of the center and play a part in creating and inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists," added Mr. Makarewicz, who serves on the board along with Mr. Kenselman.Like Chrysler, Toyota has added its name to a theater at the new Michigan Science Center. The Toyota Engineering Theater presents video profiles of engineers and their education, lifestyle, and work day.The theater, one of five at the new Science Center, "will help visitors make the connection between everyday life and groundbreaking research, new inventions and scientific discoveries," stated TTC, which was established in Michigan in 1977 and has R&D facilities in Ann Arbor, Saline, Plymouth and Livonia.The GM Foundation made a $1 million gift, and other contributions have come in from Lear Corporation, the Penske Corporation, and the DTE Energy Foundation, all of which are also based in the Great Lakes State.In total, the center's fundraisers have raised $5 million. Kerri Budde, senior marketing manager for the Michigan Science Center, said they are "getting close" to their fundraising goal. The center is also raising money through its website, and all donors who give before the end of 2012 will receive an invitation to a special recognition event on Jan. 21, 2013.Image courtesy of the Michigan Science Center]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Skype-Launches-Contest-to-Give-Teachers-Classroom-Technology/56915.htmlWed, 28 Nov 2012 13:59:28 GMTHarry Stevens A few months back, one of Allison Holland's students at Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth, Ind., wrote Shaquille O'Neal asking for an autograph. But instead of an autograph, the student received the 7 foot 1 inch former NBA superstar himself, who met with the student and the rest of his classmates through a video call with technology provided by Skype.The video call was part of Skype's education program, called "Skype in the classroom," which helps create learning experiences for student Read Full Article ]]> A few months back, one of Allison Holland's students at Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth, Ind., wrote Shaquille O'Neal asking for an autograph. But instead of an autograph, the student received the 7 foot 1 inch former NBA superstar himself, who met with the student and the rest of his classmates through a video call with technology provided by Skype.The video call was part of Skype's education program, called "Skype in the classroom," which helps create learning experiences for students around the world using Skype's video conferencing technology. This week, Skype announced a new contest as part of the program called Santa in the Classroom. The contest gives teachers a chance to win $10,000 to purchase new technology and a Skype call with Santa Claus for their classes.Launched in March, 2011, Skype in the classroom brings celebrities and explorers, researchers and athletes into classrooms around the world. "Using Skype, the kids get really excited!" said Holland. "When the call comes in and they can see people's faces, everyone just yells in excitement. But after that, they always stay quiet in absolute wonderment. To get a full room of grade school kids completely silent and engaged...it's incredible."In celebration of World Teacher's Day on Friday, Oct. 3, Skype announced the addition of eight organizations to Skype in the classroom, including NASA's Digital Learning Network and The National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory."Skype provides a brilliant way of making contact with schools all over the world that otherwise wouldn't know that we offer interesting workshops," said Claire Jordan, Learning Officer for the National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory. "To be able to bring our collections to more people and give the opportunity to learn more about the National Museum of the Royal Navy or HMS Victory via Skype is great."NASA's Digital Learning Center joined up with Skype in the classroom for a series educational projects. Through Skype's technology, students can connect with NASA to learn how to prepare a spaceship for liftoff, learn from scientists and engineers about the basic principles of matter, and discover what it is like to live and work in space.The additional eight organizations, which also included British Council, Woodland Trust, VerbalizeIt, Action Aid, Education through Expedition and Choose2Matter, joined an impressive list of affiliates, including Save the Children and the New York Philharmonic. The New York Philharmonic's first project with Skype in the classroom was an exploration of Billy the Kid through the lens of Aaron Copland's 1939 ballet.The new Santa in the Classroom contest will provide winning teachers with $10,000 to purchase products from Microsoft's online store (Microsoft completed its acquisition of Skype in October, 2011)."Students will be able to broaden their horizons through the use of the new technology, and exposure to the cutting-edge devices and software will give them a clear advantage in their next years of school," wrote Shana Pearlman, Skype's Social Media Manager, in a blog post.The contest began on Nov. 26, 2012 and will end on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 11:50 p.m. PST. Teachers can enter the contest online at Skype's website.Image: "Virtual school visit using Skype"]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Grants-to-Help-Remedy-Americans--Climate-Change-Ignorance/55637.htmlWed, 22 Aug 2012 09:38:59 GMTHarry Stevens A new grant program announced this week will seek to better educate a relatively unpersuaded American populace about the realities of climate change.The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced new grants for community-based educational centers in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington D.C. The grants were awarded under the Climate and Urban Systems Partnership, an NSF-funded initiative that seeks to engage urbanites in community-based learning about climate change science.Whi Read Full Article ]]> A new grant program announced this week will seek to better educate a relatively unpersuaded American populace about the realities of climate change.The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced new grants for community-based educational centers in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington D.C. The grants were awarded under the Climate and Urban Systems Partnership, an NSF-funded initiative that seeks to engage urbanites in community-based learning about climate change science.While consensus in the scientific community overwhelmingly indicates that climate change is occurring due to human activity, Americans lag far behind their Canadian counterparts in their understanding of climate science.98% of Canadians believe that climate change is occurring, according to a survey released last week by IPAC-CO2 Research Inc., an environmental non-government organization."Our survey indicates that Canadians from coast to coast overwhelmingly believe climate change is real and is occurring, at least in part due to human activity," said Dr. Carmen Dybwad, CEO of IPAC-CO2 . "These findings have been consistent from 2011 and 2012. Canadians care about issues like extreme weather, drought and climate change."In the United States, on the other hand, only 62% of the public thinks that global warming is underway, according to a survey conducted by the National Survey of American Public Opinion on Climate Change. Similarly, a vast majority of Canadians (86%) believe climate change is occurring at least partially due to human activity, compared with only 48% in the United States.Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, which received $5,882,653 under the NSF grant, will establish Urban Learning Networks in participating American cities to share best practices to improve education concerning climate change.U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) was strongly supportive of the grants. "The Franklin Institute is one of our nation's leading scientific and educational museums. It is exactly the right place for a far-reaching program to educate Philadelphians, including school children, about the growing challenges and impending crisis of climate change," said Fattah.Fattah is the Ranking Democrat on the House subcommittee that oversees over $51 billion in funding for NSF, NASA, neuroscience research, the White House Office of Science and Technology, and the U.S. Departments of Justice and Commerce.Fattah received a 94% score on his environmental record from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). This puts him near the top of the most environmentally-friendly members of Congress, according to LCV.Fattah's record on the environment makes him an outlier in Congress. During last year's legislative session, the House voted 191 times to undermine efforts to protect the environment, thus "amassing the worst environmental record of any Congress in history," according to a House Committee on Energy and Commerce minority report."Philadelphians and residents of other cities rely on transportation, water, energy and public health systems that all are vulnerable to climate change," said Fattah. "I commend Franklin Institute for developing this major outreach effort to inform our citizens of this gathering crisis."Institutions receiving the award include the Franklin Institute, the Columbia University Center for Climate Systems Research, the University of Pittsburgh Learning Research and Development Center, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the New York Hall of Science, and the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences. The grant will cover a five year period.Image credit: Bonnie Brown]]>