NOT robots but what a great opportunity!
from:
http://www.northropgrumman.com/corpo...arthwatch.html
The Northrop Grumman Foundation Earthwatch Educator Program
Fellowship Overview
The Northrop Grumman Foundation has partnered with Earthwatch Institute to develop an innovative environmental education program for teachers. Educators from Northrop Grumman communities across the country will have the opportunity to participate in an Earthwatch expedition focused on climate change or oceans preservation. This is an invaluable experience intended to be transferred to the classroom and shared with students year after year.
There is a growing concern regarding the declining number of students in the United States entering science, technology, engineering and mathematic careers. One way to reverse that trend is to make science and math fascinating and applicable for students. To accomplish that goal, The Northrop Grumman Foundation is helping Earthwatch to provide educators with a hands-on professional development opportunity, which will ultimately impact students' math and science education and help create our next generation of environmental ambassadors.
2011 Fellowship Eligibility
All Middle School teachers (grades 6-8) from Northrop Grumman communities are eligible. The fellowship covers all costs associated with the research, food and accommodations. Travel to and from the site is covered by the fellow. Upon completing all fellowship requirements, fellows will be awarded a travel reimbursement of up to $850.00 for travel to and from the site. This stipend will cover the majority if not all of the travel costs to and from the research site. Details for the fellowship requirements can be found on Earthwatch’s Fellowship Obligations page. Educators from year-round schools will need to secure vacation and substitute teacher time before applying for the fellowship. Educators who have participated in Northrop Grumman Foundation’s Weightless Flight of Discovery program in either 2009 or 2010 or teachers who participated in the 2009 and 2010 Northrop Grumman Foundation Space Academy for Educators are not eligible to apply for the Earthwatch fellowship.
Expeditions
Excited yet? Here is an overview of the expeditions:
* Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas
Help save the beaches and reefs of the Bahamas
Dates: 6/27 – 7/8, 2011
* Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge
Help monitor the Arctic's vast stores of greenhouse gasses
Dates: 6/19 – 6/29, 2011
* 2011 Earthwatch Fellowship overview flyer (PDF)
Application and Awards Process
Earthwatch awards Educator Fellowships through a competitive application process. The applicant's geographic region, potential contribution to the research, and follow-up curriculum plans are all taken into consideration. Criteria used to assign fellows to expeditions include interests, skills, and availability, along with project need. Contact us directly with any specific questions regarding our review process at:
FellowshipAwards@earthwatch.org
Fellowship applications should be submitted by February 4, 2011. Those applications will be considered for expeditions fielding in the summer of 2011. Fellowship applicants will be considered for ALL opportunities for which they are eligible; there is no need to submit multiple applications to Earthwatch. Please keep in mind that you may receive a fellowship only twice, typically from a different funding source and it cannot be in consecutive years. You are not eligible for a fellowship if you have already reserved a seat on an expedition.
Apply!
Click here to complete an application form.
(
http://www.northropgrumman.com/pdf/2...hwatch-app.pdf)
************************************************** ************************************************** *************
Teachers Embark on Northrop Grumman Foundation's
Second Annual Earthwatch Educator Program
James Locke
Location: Manhattan Beach, Calif.
School: Manhattan Beach Middle School
Grade: Seventh grade Life Science and Forensics
Expedition: Arctic, June 20 to 30, 2010
James Locke
"I use my own life experiences to connect with and enrich the curriculum. When I can talk about things I have done or seen,
I am more excited and that comes through in my teaching.
"I want to bring home to my students the beauty of the Arctic, and that climate change is affecting the world we live in. I also want them to understand the whole gamut of scientific research—data collection, organization, explanation and communication. Most of all, I want to show them that science is fun!"
Click here to read Locke's blog from
the Arctic.
Luann Hoyseth
Location: Herndon, Va.
School: Rachel Carson Middle School
Grade: Eighth grade Physical Science
Expedition: Arctic, June 20 to 30, 2010
Luann Hoyseth
"This was one of the most exciting things I have done professionally—this made me feel like a 'real scientist.' I felt like I was making a difference in the scientific world as well as the education world. I will be able to provide real information to my students and challenge them with my experiences from the field.
"I never dreamt I would stand in the middle of the Hudson Bay on an ice floe, or see pods of beluga whales surrounding me. I want my students to understand that climate change is something that they really need to think about. I want them to understand that they can make a difference and that they need to start now. Even one person can make a difference."
The Northrop Grumman Foundation teamed with the Earthwatch Institute for the 2010 Earthwatch Educator Program—an innovative environmental education program for teachers across the country. Twenty-two middle school science teachers from eight states in which the company operates were selected to participate in one of two expeditions: one focused on climate change, the other on ocean preservation. The goal is for teachers to transfer their experiences to their classrooms, and share them with students year after year to spark their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related careers, and encourage them to become environmental stewards.
The Earthwatch Institute supports research that examines the increasing impact of climate change on natural habitats, species and human livelihoods. Earthwatch projects also monitor the health of our oceans, which are negatively impacted by overfishing, shipping, pollution, and coastal development. These areas of research are reflected in the two Earthwatch Educator Program expeditions that took place this summer.
Ten teachers embarked on an expedition to help preserve the coastal ecology of the Bahamas, while 12 others joined an expedition to monitor climate change at the edge of the Arctic. The Bahamas expedition team focused on research sites on the southern islands of Long Island, Great Exuma and Great Inagua. The Arctic project took teachers to Churchill, Canada, near the geographical center of the North American continent, on the coast of the Hudson Bay.
Upon completion of the Arctic journey, James Locke, seventh grade life science and forensics teacher, said, "I had the opportunity to work with a team of amazing, like-minded teachers from across the country. We spent 10 days sharing ideas, brainstorming lessons, and creating ways to stay in touch and maintain this environment of sharing our best." Locke continued, "I have so many new ideas for my students that will enrich the depth and complexity of my curriculum."
Like Locke, participating teachers are enthusiastic about the experiences they will bring back to their classrooms in the fall. Four of them were interviewed about their expeditions and what they plan to share with their students to help improve their understanding of math and science, and inspire the next generation of environmental advocates.
Melanie East
Location: Albuquerque, NM
School: Wilson Middle School
Grade: Eighth grade
Science
Expedition: Bahamas, July 12 to 23, 2010
Melanie East
"This experience made me more passionate about science—specifically, conservation. The more excited I am about what I’m teaching and the more I can relate science to the real world, the more interested my students will be in learning.
"I am already preparing lessons on trash and recycling, comparing the flora of Inagua to the flora of New Mexico, and looking into starting a pen pal exchange between my students and those in primary grades in Inagua. Having my own experiences to draw on, my blog to refer to, and tons of pictures will help make what I learned and the lessons I want to impart that much more personal and relevant to my students and colleagues."”
Tamarah Dishman
Location: Lexington Park, MD
School: Spring Ridge Middle School, STEM Academy
Grade: Eighth grade Geometry and Science
Expedition: Bahamas, July 12 to 23, 2010
Tamarah Dishman
"This was by far the best professional development program I have ever experienced. The opportunity to work alongside a veteran field scientist, Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Sealey from the University of Miami, her team and a group of educator volunteers on the remote salt mining island of Inagua, was second to none. Our team conducted fish surveys from the most beautiful reefs in the Bahamas; collected data for pre-oil impact reports in response to the BP oil spill; captured and analyzed non-native, poisonous lionfish specimens; collected information on algae and water quality at each of our research sites; and completed the construction of and placed 20 parrot boxes in response to the need for more nesting options for this potentially endangered species.
"The challenges that I plan to bring back to my class and community revolve around questions of lifestyle sustainability and our impact on the health of the environment. We can all make better choices and together, take better care of our planet."
************************************************** ************************************************** ******
Nominate Teachers for the 2011 Northrop Grumman Foundation Earthwatch Educator Program
November 29, 2010
Since 2009, the Northrop Grumman Foundation has teamed with the Earthwatch Institute to offer an innovative environmental education program for teachers—the Northrop Grumman Foundation Earthwatch Educator Program. Each year, middle school teachers from across the country are selected to participate in one of two expeditions: one focused on climate change, the other on ocean preservation. The goal is for teachers to transfer their experiences to their classrooms and share them with students to spark their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related careers.
This year, Northrop Grumman employees are invited to get involved by nominating middle school math and science teachers in their communities for a Northrop Grumman Foundation Earthwatch Educator Fellowship. Selected fellows will embark on the “Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge” expedition or the “Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas” expedition for approximately two weeks during the summer of 2011. While on the expedition, fellows will work alongside researchers to gather data and address critical environmental issues. Teachers will receive hands-on professional development opportunities that will ultimately impact their students’ math and science education and encourage students to become environmental stewards.
The deadline for nominations, is January 7, 2011.