Lots of robot competitions out there

[RoboMom]

Not just robotics. A great competition.

Please join the Lemelson-MIT Program for EurekaFest June 17 & 18 at MIT and June 19 at the Museum of Science, Boston.

Started by Josh Schuler, Executive Director of the Lemelson-MIT Program

Joining us for EurekaFest http://www.eurekafest.org will surely be inspiring to anyone with an interest in K-12 STEM education. This event will open a door into the Lemelson-MIT Program’s http://web.mit.edu/invent fascinating work, and how you can get involved in this important cause.

Thursday, June 17th events include exciting presentations and demonstrations by winners of the 2010 Lemelson-MIT Collegiate Student Prizes http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-student.html and InvenTeams http://www.inventeams.org , our high school teams from across the US. We will also be joining with the Boy Scouts of America to introduce the Inventing merit badge, and conclude with the presentation of the 2010 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-award.html .

On Friday evening, June 18, the program includes a showcase of InvenTeams and an awards ceremony which includes the awarding of, and presentation by, the 2010 recipient of the $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize. This year’s winner was announced last week: Carolyn Bertozzi of UC Berkeley and daughter of MIT Physics Professor, Bill Bertozzi http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-winners/a-bertozzi.html . Phil Sharp, Institute professor and Nobel Laureate, will preside over the presentation of this year's winner.

On Saturday, June 19, EurekaFest takes-over the Museum of Science, Boston, where MIT alumni and their families can cheer-on InvenTeams as they undertake an all-day design challenge or participate in hands-on invention activities for young children, including Howtoons http://www.howtoons.com .

More information about EurekaFest and event details can be found here: http://www.eurekafest.org

[RoboMom]

Not robots, but includes engineering.

http://www.shiftboston.org/competitions.html
MOON CAPITAL Competition 2010 - an international design challenge
When considering the future of design let's start looking out into space. WHAT IF we could occupy the Moon only 100 years after our first visit there in July of 1969? Might the Moon become an independent, self-sustaining, and sovereign state? If so WHY NOT start designing for that new world NOW?

THINK BEYOND what is familiar and envision design in DEEP SPACE.

“Fifty years after the creation of NASA, our goal is no longer just a destination to reach. Our goal is the capacity for people to work and learn and operate and live safely beyond the Earth for extended periods of time, ultimately in ways that are more SUSTAINABLE and even indefinite.”
President Barack Obama (15 April 2010)

On the way to Mars, the nations of our world will explore and demonstrate SOLUTIONS for living in deep space indefinitely, and for building colonies on other planets. Together, our governments and other commercial enterprises will also build on the Moon during this century with active research outposts, tourist destinations, and eventually new cities.

SHIFTboston seeks to expand the possibilities for the future of design by asking you to explore the concept of a moon habitat that will include both living and working in addition to collecting the most provocative visions for new Lunar possibilities. WE WANT YOU TO THINK BIG.

“The discovery of water gives a much bigger, potentially complicated picture for water on the moon than what was thought even just a few months ago. This is not your father’s Moon; this is not a dead planetary body, but one with a lot of dynamism in it.”
Michael Wargo, Chief Lunar Scientist for Exploration Systems
at NASA Headquarters

While we might be looking to Mars for long term civilization, the Moon is a resourceful body and a closer neighbor. The discovery of water fundamentally changed the practical VALUE of the Moon. After discovering where the water is, and how it is concentrated, we can also learn to collect it and use it to SUPPORT human life and to produce rocket propellant. It is time to consider the Moon as the next destination for human enterprise and designers should NOW be envisioning how it could work and what it might look like.

Overview of the Competition Brief

SHIFTboston calls on all architects, artists, landscape architects, urban designers, industrial designers, planners, engineers, and anyone else who would like to propose a Lunar concept. Please choose from the following two categories:

Competition Category 1: LET'S GET SERIOUS

Design a second generation living and working moon habitat. Written by Dr. Marc Cohen, a leader in the space architecture industry and a registered architect, the architectural program consists of four components: an above surface access unit, surface laboratories, an agricultural zone, and a core habitat located under the lunar surface. YOU WILL BE DESIGNING AN ACTUAL LUNAR BASE and will be contributing to advancements in design in the space architecture industry. There has never been an open competition such as this before. We are giving YOU the opportunity to learn more about designing for extreme environments and you will walk away understanding more than you ever have about our Moon and living in space.

DOWNLOAD
Category 1: Information (1 of 2)
Category 1: Program (2 of 2)
More Resources

Competition Category 2: LET'S HAVE FUN

“There are spaceships to build, Moon metals to mine, and energy resources to harness. Not to mention movies to make, low-gravity games to create, and advertising to sell. There’s every opportunity, from the more serious side of human behavior … to the more fun side of human behavior.“
Jeff Krukin, executive director of the Space Frontier Foundation

THINK: WHAT IF this could happen on the Moon? SHIFTboston seeks to collect visions that will re-imagine the Moon as a new destination. We want radical ideas for new lunar elements such as rovers, growing pods, inflatable structures, droids, clothing, and habitats. Envision an entire LUNAR CITY! How about a new Moon culture? What would it look like? Sound like? Envision having FUN on the moon with activities, fashion, and spacesuits!

YOU TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IS POSSIBLE ON THE MOON.

DOWNLOAD
Category 2: Information (1 of 1)
More Resources

Awards
The honorary recipients will receive a US$1,000 cash prize and present at the MOON CAPITAL Forum at the Cyclorama in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 21, 2010. The Forum will be a panoramic gala event, attendees will include members of the MOON CAPITAL Competition jury and advisory panel, astronauts, leading aerospace and astrophysics engineers, government, community, industry and academic leaders along with architects and other design professionals. The winning entry will be displayed in a new virtual moon game and become part of the MOON CAPITAL Exhibit at the Johnson Space Center. Select entries will be promoted on the SHIFTboston blog, website. Entries will also be selected as part of a new “Moon Independence” book.

[RoboMom]

Calling all tech-savvy young women, coders, gamers, and web divas!
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is seeking applications from young women for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Competition for the 2011 Award is open to any U.S. high school-level female (grades 9-12). Applications will be accepted beginning September 13, 2010, and must be submitted online at www.ncwit.org/award no later than 11:59 PM ET on October 15, 2010.

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing acknowledges the computing aspirations of young women, introduces them to leadership opportunities in the field and generates visibility for women's participation in computing-related pursuits.
http://www.ncwit.org

[RoboDesigners]

I found this challenge while browsing the web. It uses the LEGO Mindstorms NXT, and is basically a line following challenge. Unfortuately, it is held from January through May, so it might interfere with FRC deadlines...

Mini Urban Challenge
[From their website]

The Institute of Navigation’s (ION) Mini-Urban Challenge is an annual high school competition sponsored by The Institute of Navigation (ION) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) created to challenge high school students to design and operate a robotic unmanned car built from a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kit that can accurately navigate through a LEGO® city.

Click here for more information.

[RoboMom]

STUDENTS INNOVATE FOR A BETTER AMERICA – CHALLENGE APPEAL! Looking for ideas for student science projects from all scientists/engineers.

In September, 2010, Allegro Productions, Inc., in collaboration with our partner the National Museum of Education (NMOE), will launch STUDENTS INNOVATE FOR A BETTER AMERICA COMPETITION©: CONNECTING THE SCIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY THROUGH VIRTUAL OUTREACH, an interactive, internet-based program targeting students in communities traditionally under-represented in science.

The objective is to foster an understanding of the impact science has as a driving force in America’s economy, while encouraging students to consider a challenging career in science. The program is being funded through a grant from the Motorola Foundation and poses an interesting opportunity for scientists such as yourself.

At the core of this program is a competition that invites middle and senior high school science classes, in Motorola communities, to propose solutions to a variety of challenges posed by business leaders on NMOE’s web-based challenge list. We know you share our commitment to STEM education, and invite you to participate in this program by submitting an idea for a challenge or volunteering to serve as a Virtual Scientist Mentor as a part of the Virtual Scientist Guest Lecture Series™. Schools have the opportunity to win $1,000 in cash for their science program if their entry is selected for one of the three top prizes.

Some basic parameters for the challenge:
- Challenges have to be within the capacity of middle school (grades 6 -8) or high school (grades 9 – 12) students.
- Not require large purchases of equipment or materials.
- Encourage students to work in teams building on the strengths of the individual members.

Some basic parameters for Virtual Scientist Mentor:
- Volunteers should report to their assigned school for an initial orientation on Wednesday, October 13. This visit can be in person or virtually via Skype™.
- Thereafter, all visits will take place via Skype™ or videoconference.
- “Virtual mentor” estimated time commitment: two “virtual visits” to the assigned school per month; each approx 30 minutes in length.

The NMOE website has some challenges already listed to give you some ideas: http://www.nmoe.org/students/list.htm

Please submit ideas to:
National Museum of Education, Akron, OH
info@nmoe.org
Please insert: MOTOROLA CHALLENGE in the subject line
Or call: GAY EVANS at 330-376-8300

If you would like to volunteer in the Virtual Scientist Guest Lecture Series™, please respond with your contact information and we will send you information as to how you can sign up to be a Virtual Scientist Mentor.

Our deadline for submissions is Friday, September 24, 2010.

Thanks so much for your ideas and for sharing this information with those who might find it of interest.

All the best,

On behalf of Scott J. Forman, President,

[RoboMom]

The Contest
Are you a visionary? An innovator? Someone who has cool ideas once in awhile? We are working to develop a family of science-based educational apps for the Google Android smartphone, and we need YOUR help to come up with app ideas! Winning concepts from this contest will be professionally developed and distributed on the Google Android Marketplace.
The Rules
The mobile app must:

• Promote or teach science education in an innovative, effective manner.
• Impact many.
• Have the potential to be a competitive and viable mobile app on the Google Marketplace.
• Be your original idea!

Please submit app proposals by midnight, September 30, 2010, to: technovation.challenge@gmail.com with the following sections:

• Name/Address/ Age/Email/Phone/brief resume or linkedin profile/Past Technovation Challenge or Technovation Express Program Graduate (yes/no)?
• Concept: What does your app do? How will it help produce science education?
• Target Audience: Which populations will your app reach?
• Market Opportunity: Why and how is your app unique amongst the thousands already out there?
• Marketing Plan: How will your app be distributed?
• Sustainability: Will your app generate revenue? How?
• Impact: How will you demonstrate your app’s effectiveness?

Our panel of judges will screen the proposals. The best ideas and most well-thought-out proposals will be invited as finalists to promote their work. The public will be invited to choose the app concepts they like best. The winning app concepts will be professionally developed, distributed and marketed on the Google Marketplace.
Background
Through our Technovation Challenge (link) high-tech entrepreneurial programs, we teach under-served/represented students programming and entrepreneurial skills, give them access to professional mentors, and form them into teams where they create mobile app prototypes, business plans, and funding pitches for their virtual high-tech companies. The best mobile app concepts are professionally developed. The Technovation Challenge program has run successfully in the bay area, and will be growing to serve Los Angeles and New York in Spring 2011. Check us out on (link), become our fan on facebook, and help us launch our family of science-based educational apps by entering the Iridescent App Development Challenge!
More Info
Visit www.iridescentlearning.org, and www.technovationchallenge.org for more info!
Contest Rules & Guidelines
Eligibility

All are eligible to enter the contest.
Teams of between 1 and 5 are permitted to submit proposals.
Entries from outside the U.S. are permitted. All entries must be in English-language.

Entries must be submitted in standard Microsoft Office format via e-mail to technovation.challenge@gmail.com

Entries will be accepted through midnight (PST) September 30, 2010.
You may submit only 1 entry. Keep copies for your records. Iridescent assumes no responsibility for lost, misdirected, illegible or late entries or for failed computer transmissions or technical failures.

[RoboMom]

For high schools in Baltimore-Washington area.

Innovate Our World http://www.innovateourworld.org/projects.html

Want your high school involved in planning a cutting edge space mission? Innovate Our World is looking for two Baltimore-Washington area high schools who want to make plans to rediscover space history – the Apollo lunar landings - and potentially make new history. Nearly 40 years since the last time humans have walked on the Moon, the Apollo Rediscovery Mission project seeks to make these landing sites and their history more accessible to people on Earth. Working with lunar scientists, aerospace engineers, and other space professionals, teams will plan and design a mission to send a payload to an Apollo landing site with the goal of increasing public awareness of space history and exploration. Teams will work closely with a company planning its own lunar landing mission on aspects of payload intergation and operation

Teams will meet weekly during the school year. During Fall 2010, students will learn about the Moon, telescopes, and space history; form a project team; and perform mission conceptual planning to choose a specific mission to pursue. Optional learning activities will be held at the Glenelg Country School observatory in Ellicott City, MD. After the holiday break, student teams will perform mission planning and payload design/prototyping culminating with a presentation to a group of project sponsors, including space industry professionals with lunar mission experience. Schools interested in participating in this project for the 2010-11 academic year can make inquires to Ron McCandless, Director, STEM Programs at ron@innovateourworld.org.

[RoboMom]

Call for ADULT volunteers


Please find information about the eCYBERMISSION program below. If you have any further questions please feel free to e-mail volunteerprogram@ecybermission.com

eCYBERMISSION is a free, web-based, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine. Now in its ninth year, eCYBERMISSION is able to continue to grow and be successful because of our dedicated volunteers.



To serve as an eCYBERMISSION volunteer, you must have a background or interest in STEM or education. We have three volunteer roles available; Ambassadors, CyberGuides and Virtual Judges.

Ambassadors:

* Serve as the "face of eCYBERMISSION" by promoting the competition and recruiting both students and volunteers in their community
* Registration opened on Aug. 1, 2010 and remains open through June 2011
* Ambassadors must have an active Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance or go through a federal background check

CyberGuides:

* Provide online assistance to eCYBERMISSION students through the use of Discussion Forums, Chat Rooms, Instant Messaging and interactive webinars
* Registration opened on Aug. 1, 2010 and remains open through Feb. 4, 2011, with CyberGuides' last day online being Feb. 25, 2011
* CyberGuides must have an active DoD security clearance

Virtual Judges:

* Evaluate and score Mission Folders via the eCYBERMISSION web site during the month of March 2011
* Each Virtual Judge is asked to score between 20 - 25 Mission Folders (the final project submitted by students) during the Regional Judging period, and if they choose, an additional amount of Mission Folders during the Alternate Judging period
* The Regional Judging period lasts from March 1, 2011 - March 22, 2011 and the Alternate Judging period lasts from March 23, 2011 - March 29, 2011
* Each Mission Folder is scored by multiple Virtual Judges and the score is determined by dropping the highest and lowest score and averaging the remaining scores
* Registration opened on Aug. 1, 2010 and remains open through Feb. 25, 2011
* Virtual Judges must have an interest or background in STEM or education, but do not need an active DoD security clearance or federal background check

[RoboMom]

Want to engage high school students using the current topic of infrastructure?
http://www.constructionchallenge.org/
Construction Challenge is back! Sponsored by Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Volvo Construction Equipment through partnership with Destination ImagiNation, January 15th will hold Regional Rallies in 8 cities. Advancing teams will go to Finals at CONEXPO/CON-AGG in Las Vegas in March. If you have high school students, form a team of 5-7 students, do 6-8 hours of research on infrastructure (roads, bridges, drinking water and wastewater), and come to a Regional Rally for hands on activities where they will apply their knowledge in 3 fun Challenges. This is workforce development initiative that highlights careers that use math and science.

[RoboMom]

Open to college students at these institutions: http://www.grandchallengescholars.org/active-programs

What is the NAE Grand Challenge Scholars Program?

The National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge Scholars program is a combined curricular and extra-curricular program with five components that are designed to prepare students to be the generation that solves the grand challenges facing society in this century.

In 2008, the NAE identified 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century. The Grand Challenges are a call to action and serve as a focal point for society's attention to opportunities and challenges affecting our quality of life.

[b.morales99]

I wish I could be a part of this great event in the future, kudos for sharing!

[RoboMom]

More mail from Miss Mary at Northrop Grumman

Greetings! This a reference list of known Cybersecurity competitions for students. Please spread the word to students who might be interested in participating.
__________________________________________________ __________________________

CyberPatriot by the Air Force Association (AFA) –

Website: http://www.afa.org/CyberPatriotII.asp

Ages: High School

Challenges: http://www.saic.com/cybernexs/#media-downloads

Dates: Open thru winter

Format: Teams

Target: Network defense



Sponsored by Northrop Grumman. CyberPatriot is a High School Cyber Defense Competition conducted by the Air Force Association. It is a competition in computer system & network defense ‐ where the competitors attempt to analyze the security state of the competition network and then must secure the systems while maintaining services and responding to attacks by a hostile Red Team. This is a preparatory program that encourages students to continue their security training in college and to compete in the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. One of four CSIS / USCC Challenges.



CyberPatriot is a national high school cyber defense competition created to inspire high school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. Three qualification rounds are designed to test each team’s ability to find and remediate vulnerabilities that are pre-configured into one or more VMware images (called Target Images). The SAIC CyberNEXS competition environment will be used for these competitions. The teams are assessed points by the CyberNEXS scoring system. Each team will start with a set of identically configured Targets.



The final competition of the 2010-2011 season will take place at AFA’s CyberFutures Conference at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md. April 1-2, 2011.

__________________________________________________ __________________________

NETWARS – SANS Network Attack competition

Website: http://www.sans.org/netwars/

Ages: High School through post-graduate

Dates: Open registration

Format: Teams or Individuals

Target: Network and software vulnerabilities



The Network Attack Competition conducted by the SANS Institute: a competition in network vulnerability discovery and exploitation. This program will include substantial ethical and legal instruction. An essential tenet of the emerging US national strategy for cyber security is that offense must inform defense. Perhaps the single most important reason that America’s computers are so easily exploited is that the government and the companies in the critical infrastructure relied for security guidance on individuals who were not intimately familiar with how cyber attacks work. One of four CSIS / USCC Challenges.



NetWars - ng Competitions take place live at every National SANS Event.

· NetWars - ng at Cyber Defense Initiative (CDI) 2010: December 13th & 14th 2010

· NetWars - ng at SANS 2011: March 31st & April 1st 2011

__________________________________________________ __________________________

DC3 Forensics Challenge - Digital Forensics Security Treasure Hunt

Website: http://www.dc3.mil/challenge/

Ages: High School through post-graduate

Challenges: http://digitalforensics.securitytreasurehunt.com/

Dates: Open registration

Format: Teams or Individuals

Target: Digital forensics



The DC3 Challenge encourages innovation from a broad range of individuals, teams, and institutions to provide technical solutions for computer forensic examiners in the lab as well as in the field. Approximately 25 different challenges ranging from basic forensics to advanced tool development are provided to all participants. Each challenge is designed to be unique and separate from another. The DC3 Digital Forensics Challenges are conducted by the DoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3). They are a competition in digital forensics where, in increasingly challenging scenarios, contestants attempt to uncover evidence on digital media, just like you see on all of the crime scene investigative shows on TV. Whether it is an intrusion by a nation state, or a child pornography investigation, digital forensics is the key to answering the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions. One of four CSIS / USCC Challenges.

__________________________________________________ __________________________

SANS Security Treasure Hunt & Web Vulnerability Assessment Security Treasure Hunt

Challenges: http://www.securitytreasurehunt.com/ & http://webvulnassessment.securitytreasurehunt.com/

Ages: **ALL**

Dates: Open registration

Format: Individuals only

Target: Network and software vulnerabilities



Designed to help identify people with information security interest and skills. Participants will be challenged to identify security flaws on a target system and answer questions based on those issues. Everyone is welcome to participate. If you live in one of three states currently hosting competitions, and are eligible, you will also compete for a free seat to cyber summer camp. One of four CSIS / USCC Challenges.



If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Karen S. Evans, Director, US Cyber Challenge at kevans@uscyberchallenge.org . If you would like to be a sponsor of the 2010 Summer Camps, please contact sponsorship@uscyberchallenge.org.

__________________________________________________ __________________________

US Cyber Challenge Cyber Camps –

Website: http://webvulnassessment.securitytreasurehunt.com/

Ages: 18 and over

Dates: Invitational only

Target: Network and software vulnerabilities



For the 2010 Summer Camps, please visit the Security Treasure Hunt Site. For this year, the competitors must be 18 years or older and reside in the participating state or be attending school in the state. Specific criteria are posted on the respective states' Web sites: In 2010, three camps were held in New York, California and Delaware (http://www.dti.delaware.gov/informat...hallenge.shtml ). Camps held in New York and California will be overnight camps beginning on a Monday and ending on a Friday. The Delaware Camp will be held during the days only, Monday through Friday.

__________________________________________________ __________________________



Summary on the above programs, issued by the White House:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/docu...%205-8-09).pdf

__________________________________________________ __________________________

National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) –

Website: http://www.nationalccdc.org/

Ages: Collegiate

Format: Teams

Target: Network and software vulnerabilities



What the students face: You have just been hired as the network and security administrators at a small company and will be taking administrative control of all information systems. You know very little about the network, what security level has been maintained, or what software has been installed. You have a limited time frame to familiarize yourself with the network and systems and to begin the security updates and patches before the red team starts actively attacking your company. In the midst of all the commotion, you have to keep up with the needs of the business and user demands while maintaining service level agreements for all critical Internet services. Welcome to the first day of the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC).



Mid-Atlantic / Maryland Regional Coordinator for CCDC participation: Dr. Casey O'Brien at CCBC; phone: Email: cobrien@ccbcmd.edu



National Competition, April 16-18th, University of Texas at San Antonio, TX -

CCDC is a three day event and the first competition that specifically focuses on the operational aspect of managing and protecting an existing “commercial” network infrastructure. Not only do tudents get a chance to test their knowledge in an operational environment, they will also get a chance to network with industry professionals who are always on the lookout for up and coming engineers

[RoboMom]

I've parked a list that is somewhat organized here:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...43&postcount=6

[RoboMom]

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."

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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.