School psychologist conference
The 2008 annual conference of the Kentucky Association for Psychology in the Schools (KAPS) will be Oct. 1-3 in Lexington, with the theme RESPOND. A variety of state and national speakers will be addressing such topics as Response to Intervention, Specific Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, preschool assessments and treatment, resiliency, grant writing, school safety, cyber bullying, curriculum-based measurement, behavior disabilities, dyslexia, neuropsychology, and much more. For more information, contact Dr. Kristen Kyriacou, KAPS President, at (502) 485-6094.
UCSMP conference
The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) will host a conference for teachers and administrators who:
· teach from "UCSMP Grades 6-12" (third edition)
· are considering "UCSMP Grades 6-12" (third edition)
· use or have used earlier editions of UCSMP middle and high school materials
· use or have used UCSMP's "Everyday Mathematics"
This conference will be held on the University of Chicago campus Nov.15-16. Participants are asked to choose several textbooks to study in-depth and can schedule a meeting with an author.
Social studies conference
The 2008 KCSS Annual Conference will be held in Louisville Sept. 23-24. The theme for this year’s conference is “Leadership and Advocacy for Social Studies Education.” This year’s conference features Gene Wilhoit, executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers and former Kentucky education commissioner, delivering the keynote address, as well as numerous other educators providing both content and pedagogy sessions. Breakout sessions and workshops throughout the two days will include sessions for teachers at all levels.
Grant writing workshops
Kentucky Arts Council grant writing workshops for educators, artists and parents
are set for the following dates and locations:
· Madisonville, Aug. 21, 6-8:30 p.m. CDT
· Danville, Aug.26, 5:30-8:30 EDT
· Stanton, Aug.28, 6-8:30 EDT
History teachers
The Kentucky Association of Teachers of History (KATH) will hold its annual conference Sept. 28 in Frankfort. The keynote speaker is Roger Daniels, a University of Cincinnati history professor emeritus and author of books about Asian Americans and immigration. This year’s theme is “Tradition and Transforming: Teaching East Asian History in a Global Setting.” Conference participants will receive free classroom materials.
KASA bullying workshop
The Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA) is hosting a workshop in Lexington, Sept. 9, titled “Bullying… From Understanding to Action.” Presenters include Lynn McCoy-Simandle, research assistant for Kentucky Safe Schools, and Karen McCuiston, director of the postsecondary component with the Kentucky Center for School Safety. Cyberbullying also will be covered at the conference.
KCTM conference
The Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics (KCTM) annual conference is set for Oct. 11 at Ballard High School in Louisville. Early registration deadline is Sept. 12. The deadline to submit a speaker proposal form is Sept. 1. For more information, contact Bethany Noblitt at (859) 572-5778.
Instruction and assessment workshop
The annual Scott Trimble Workshop on Instruction and Assessment, titled “Keeping Kentucky’s Vision: Success for Every Student” and presented by the Kentucky Association for Assessment Coordinators (KAAC), will be Oct. 27-28 in Louisville. There will a three-hour pre-workshop session as an opportunity to expand the workshop experience.
Science Teachers conference
The Kentucky Science Teachers Conference and Professional Development in Lexington will be held Nov. 6-8. The theme is “Science for the Future,” and the strands are technology, literacy and content. Education Commissioner Jon E. Draud will be the keynote speaker on Nov. 7. That same day, a Green and Healthy Schools strand will be present all day. There will be over 100 sessions for K-college levels and all content areas. For more information, contact Sherry Fox at (502) 267-5078.
Major Gang Task Force conference
The annual national Major Gang Task Force Conference, set for Sept. 23-26 in Louisville, is an essential way for any organization to obtain new information regarding gang activities in the United States. The event will be hosted by the Kentucky Department of Corrections. For more information, contact Debbie Kays or Meredith Sanford.
KYSPRA PD conference
The annual Kentucky School Public Relations Association fall conference is set for Nov. 20-21 in Lexington. Among the working sessions for the conference will be: public relations tips from the pros, to what degree is your PR a success and how to deal with angry people.
KASC annual conference
The Kentucky Association of School Councils (KASC) will host its annual conference Sept. 29-30 in Louisville. Education Commissioner Jon E. Draud will deliver the keynote speech, and KDE Associate Commissioner Ken Draut will offer assessment updates on CATS and NCLB. The conference is approved for EILA credit. For more information, contact KASC at (859) 238-2188.
Middle School Association
The Kentucky Middle School Association (KMSA) annual conference will be held Sept. 21-23 in Louisville. Keynote speaker will be Sharon Faber, and there also will be sessions by the 2008 Schools to Watch, content area strands and more than 30 exhibitors.
Check the KDE Professional Development Bulletin Board for additional opportunities.
Educators Wanted, Call for Proposals and Presenters
Davidson Institute seeks achievers
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development is seeking 2009 Davidson Fellows, an honor accompanied by a $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship in recognition of a significant piece of work in science, technology, mathematics, music, literature, philosophy or “Outside the Box.” Applicants can’t turn 18 before Oct. 1, 2009. Application deadline is March 4, 2009.
Mathematics teachers needed for study
Kentucky mathematics teachers in grades 5-7 can earn $200 for participating in a federally funded research study for LessonLab, a Pearson Education company. Teachers will need to allow LessonLab to videotape one fraction lesson on either ratios/proportions or variables/expression/equations. For more information, contact Frank Sotelo at (310) 664-2347.
KCSS accepting proposal submissions
The Kentucky Council for the Social Studies (KCSS) is accepting proposal submissions for the KCSS Conference Sept. 23-24, in Louisville. The theme is “Leadership and Advocacy for Social Studies Education.” For more information, contact Mark Kopp and (502) 564-9848.
Grants, awards and contests
BubbleWrap design contest
Sealed Air Corporation and the National Museum of Education will host the third annual BubbleWrap® Competition for Young Inventors for grades 5-8. This contest incorporates national and state academic standards in the fields of engineering design, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and all of the core curricular subjects. The deadline is Nov. 3. For more information, call (330) 376-8300 or go to info@nmoe.org.
National Geographic Bee
The National Geographic Bee is a school competition for students in grades 4-8. Schools registered by Oct. 15 will receive contest materials in early November. For more information, contact S. Kay Gandy at (270) 745-2991.
St. James Art Show scholarships
The annual St. James Court Art Show Scholarship Competition will award eight scholarships to high school seniors in portfolio, watercolor and photography. The deadline for entries is Sept. 22. For more information, contact Norman Nezelkewicz at (812) 282-1470 or Kim Crum at (502) 417-3424.
Siemens, Discovery Education and the National Science Teachers Association will host the first of its kind national K-12 student sustainability competition this fall for students in grades 6-8. The Siemens “We Can Change the World Challenge” will provide students and teachers with the tools and resources to inspire innovative thinking about sustainability issues, and engage them in developing actionable solutions for a greener world.
Technology in Motion
Sony Creative Software, with support from the International Society for Technology and Education, is sponsoring the Technology in Motion Project. This contest, themed, “Community of the Future,” is currently accepting entries until Oct. 15. Entrants will then receive a Technology in Motion launch kit and will then create a film to submit for judging. Film entries must be received between Jan. 1 and April 1, 2009.
The Kentucky Historical Society has grants available for field trips and projects in the classroom for K-12 public or private schools. Heritage Education and Lincoln Heritage Education Grants are available. The first deadline for both upcoming grants is Sept. 30. For more information, contact Kate Hesseldenz at (502) 564-1792, ext. 4477.
Licensing to Sylvan Dell Publishing
Sylvan Dell Publishing is offering grants for a free, one-year site license, providing unlimited access to all 35 Sylvan Dell e-books. The license can be used on all school computers and may be placed on secure school Web sites, enabling students and their families to log in and access eBooks from homes. With each book comes free online educational material available for cross-curricular learning. Click here to view a list of available books.
Conservation art and writing contest
The Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts and Kentucky Farm Bureau will be hosting the annual Writing and Jim Claypool Conservation Art contests. Information has been placed on the two Web sites. This year’s theme is “Working Trees: Kentucky’s Renewable Future.” The writing contest is for students in grades 6-12 and the art contest for students in grades 1-5. For more information, go to www.conservation.ky.gov or www.kyfb.com.
2008-09 juried art exhibition
Crayola is sponsoring an online art exhibit for students in grades K-6. Each visual art image will be accompanied by children’s written statements expressing the dreams, thoughts and feelings that inspired their work. This year’s theme, “Green – Earth’s Favorite Color,” asks children to express how they are and can be a hero for the planet. The exhibit will be supported by lesson plan ideas. Educators and parents are asked to upload children’s art to the Crayola Online Gallery by Nov. 1. Cash prizes will be awarded in addition to publication in the book.
Future City competition
Middle school students across the state can compete in the Kentucky Future City ’09 competition, sponsored by the National Engineers Week Future City Competition. Future City encourages interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on applications. This year’s topic focuses on water use, challenging students to create self-sufficient water systems for the homes in their future cities. Registration deadline is Oct. 15. For more information, contact Diana Anderson at (606) 337-4386.
Grant Opportunity at the KASC Conference
Three DREAM grants will be awarded to educators who can take something from the 2008 Kentucky Association of School Councils (KASC) Conference, develop it for classroom implementation and then share their project at the 2009 KASC conference (which they will attend as guests). The grants are $250 each and will be awarded to selected applicants from KASC member schools who attend the Sept. 29-30 conference. For more information, contact Lisa Stone at (859) 238-2188.
Educational Opportunities
Toyota Environmental Education Center
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) invites people to visit the Toyota Environmental Education Center Nature Trail for an outdoor environmental education experience. Be sure to check out the KERA-aligned curriculum for grades 4-12, which makes relevant connections to the environment through hands-on learning.
Online PD offered through e-Learning Kentucky
High-quality, facilitated and interactive courses are available for those interested in six, 12 or 24 hours of professional development or EILA credit. Registration is going on through Sept. 5, with seven-week courses starting Sept. 17. For more information, call (866) 432-0008 or click here.
State fair educational opportunities
The Kentucky State Fair is hosting two thematic exhibitions. “Infrastructure: Supporting Kentucky’s Future” is a 12,000-square-foot interactive exhibition offering a behind-the-scenes look at the essential services, products, facilities, and people that make Kentucky work and that will secure the Commonwealth’s future. “Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln” will prepare fairgoers for the bicentennial of President Lincoln’s birth in this exhibition focusing on Lincoln's Kentucky connections. There will be many other educational opportunities as well, and discounted admission is available to school groups booked in advance.
College tour to visit 10 schools
Thoroughbred College Tours, LLC. is offering the Spring 2009 College Tour for high school seniors, juniors and sophomores, March 29 through April 3. The college tour trip including stops in Tallahassee, Fla., Atlanta, Nashville and Frankfort. In all, 10 colleges will be visited. The cost is $600 per student, but those who pay by Nov. 30 receive a 10 percent discount. Meals, transportation, guided campus tours, sightseeing tours, and college and career workshops are included in the price. For more information, call (502) 386-6008 or e-mail thoroughbredcollegetours@yahoo.com.
Speed Art Museum
The Speed Art Museum in Louisville will present “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery,” through the rest of the calendar year. For more information, contact Kirsten Popp.
Upcoming themes related to the event include:
· Quills and Calligraphy, Sept. 13
· Costumes and Historic Clothing, Sept. 27
· Decorative Miniatures or Toy Furniture, Oct. 11
· Life and Liberty Art Family Day, Oct. 25
· Campaign Posters, Nov. 4
· Book Making, Nov. 8
· Family Portraits, Nov. 22
· Cartooning, Dec. 13
· Art in Motion Family Day, Dec. 27
Photography exhibit
Ekstrom Library, University of Louisville's main library, will be showing a photography exhibit by Milton Rogovin from Sept. 22 through Oct. 31. The exhibit's content highlights global diversity, including coal miners of all races and ethnicities. The photography exhibit will hang in the media department and on the lower level across from the Chao Auditorium. The library is open in the fall term from 7:30 a.m. until midnight, Mondays through Thursdays, from 7:30 to 6 p.m. on Fridays, from 9 to 6 on Saturdays and from noon to midnight on Sundays.
Education Outreach performances
The Kentucky Repertory Theatre’s Education Outreach Performances for the fall will feature the following productions in Horse Cave:
· "Abraham Lincoln," Aug. 22-Nov. 1
· "To Kill a Mockingbird," Oct. 3-Nov. 15
· "Amadeus," Oct. 24–Nov. 15
· "King Lear," Nov. 21–Dec. 4
For more information, contact Kentucky Repertory Theatre at (800) 342-2177.
Resources
Science Literacy maps
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is preparing to launch online, interactive versions of the Atlas of Science Literacy maps.
Online college information search tool
CampusCompare offers a new way of tackling the college search and selection process. It takes all the information out there, abridges it and adds the comments and thoughts of students who have experienced the college first-hand, allowing college-bound students to get opinions on schools. This free and interactive online resource and social networking community helps college-bound students find the right school for them with up-to-date college information and reviews from students and alumni on the most important topics.
Online magazine for teachers
Ohio State University and the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) have launched an online magazine for teachers in the early grades. The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded publication, “Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears” is designed to help teachers develop knowledge of the Arctic and Antarctica and to use best practices to integrate science and literacy instruction around polar themes. Click here for more information.
'Google Earth Lessons'
"Google Earth Lessons" is a free public resource by teachers to give other educators tools and ideas for using the free Google Earth software in their classrooms. A section called "Google Earth How-tos" gives educators the basic skills needed for the software, and a discussion section includes threads for exchanging ideas on a variety of topics.
KET EncycloMedia
This Internet-based comprehensive learning service is free to Kentucky public schools. It is the result of a partnership between Kentucky Educational Television and the Kentucky Department of Education. It offers teachers and students more than 4,000 videos, 40,000 video clips and thousands of digital images, all searchable by keyword, content area, grade level and Kentucky academic standards.
Kentucky Teacher
The Kentucky Department of Education keeps people informed about the good things happening in Kentucky schools through its professional development publication, "Kentucky Teacher."
Online KDE Bookstore
Buying publications, compact discs and videotapes about the state's education system has been made simpler by the opening of the Online KDE Bookstore.
For Parents
The Kentucky Department of Education has a Web site, "For Parents," that gives parents of Kentucky schoolchildren one-stop access to education information, resources and "ParentInfo" e-mail updates.
Scholarship information
Find helpful scholarship information and tips to avoid scholarship scams.