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Lemelson-MIT Program Develops Tomorrow's Inventors
The deadline for applications for the 2007 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is May 5, 2006. InvenTeams, a nationwide initiative to foster inventiveness among high school students, invites students and their teachers and mentors to identify a problem that can be solved through an invention, for which InvenTeams may provide up to $10,000 per team in funding to develop a prototype. A sampling of earlier InvenTeam sponsored inventions developed by high school students include a watermelon-ripeness evaluator, a pothole detection and filling device, and inspection-friendly luggage. High school science, math, and technology teachers and their students at public, private, and vocational schools are eligible to participate. Applications and additional information are available online at web.mit.edu/inventeams.
 

Volunteer Speakers Needed To Talk Physics
The World Year of Physics has come to an end, but with the support of a private donation the WYP Speakers Bureau will continue to operate thru 2006 and perhaps beyond. The Speakers Bureau seeks volunteer speakers who can talk to students and other interested groups on topics related to Albert Einstein, general relativity, history of physics, relativistic astrophysics (i.e., quasars, cosmology, black holes, etc.)

The Speakers Bureau was established by the Topical Group on Gravitation and General Relativity (TGG) and the American Physical Society’s Forum on History of Physics (FHP) primarily to encourage four-year college students to remain in the sciences. However, requests for speakers have also come from two-year colleges, community groups, K-12 teachers, and others. To date, approximately 140 visits have been arranged.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer speaker, contact Virginia Trimble (vtrimble@astro.umd.edu). Provide your name, address topics on which you would be willing to speak.

Under certain circumstances, funds to cover travel expenses may be available to eligible two- and four-year colleges and universities. Ask for details.

 

Math and Science Equals Success
The Partnership for Reform in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) launched a public awareness campaign aimed at increasing student achievement in math and science at all educational levels throughout the state of Georgia.

“Getting Georgia students on a better track with mathematics and science achievement is a process that involves the student’s community-at-large, not just the educators,” says Jan Kettlewell, chair and principal investigator of PRISM, in a press release dated January 23, 2006.

The strategy is to spread the theme of the campaign, “math + science = success,” across the state via billboards, public service announcements, print and broadcast media ads, in-school posters, and outreach. is being spread and associate vice chancellor for P-16 Initiatives for the University System of Georgia. PRISM’s research indicate that math and science skills are important for students’ future, from graduating high school to advancing through college to doing well in a career or technical field. The ads and other messeges were crafted to reflect the research findings.

The public awareness campaign is a key element of a five-year initiative funded by NSF and administered by the University System of Georgia. For more information visit the PRISM website at www.gaprism.org

 

The Exciting World of Science and Engineering Presented by JETS
The Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) offers an array of resources that help math and science instructors prepare pre-college students engineering and technology related study. Pre-Engineering Times, an electronic newsletter produced by JETS, features descriptions of unusual science fair projects, classroom activities, as well as profiles of famous engineers, and useful information on scholarship opportunities. Another resource of interest to teachers is NEAS+, a self-assessment tool that enables students to identify their strengths and weaknesses in subject areas critical to success in a college-level engineering program. Examples of JETS-sponsored student competitions include First Robotics Competition for students age 9–14; Intel Science Talent Search for high school seniors; and ExploreVision, a K-12 competition, just to name a few. JETS is a nonprofit organization established nearly 50 years ago at Michigan State University to help the United States maintain its global competiveness by promoting a technically skilled workforce. To this end, JETS offers programs and other resources to increase awareness of and interest in engineering and technology-based careers.

For the complete list of programs and other activities or to learn more about JETS, visit the website at www.jets.org.

 
New Learning Resource Focuses on Science Education for Girls
In its effort to make science and technology more accessible to girls and women, the National Science Foundation has published a resource filled with examples of unique and creative inquiry-based learning. The book, titled New Formulas for America’s Workforce: Girls in Science and Engineering, catalogs the methodology and results of 211 NSF grants issued since 1993, and includes descriptions of special programs, contacts, references, and software downloads. The book is available free from NSF. Printed copies and compact disks (http://www.nsf.gov/home/orderpub.htm) may be ordered. The printed version’s document number is NSF 03-207, and the compact disk document number is NSF 03-208. A PDF (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2003/nsf_03207/start.htm) version may be downloaded.
 
Teachers Can Request Free Videos on Nature and Process of Science
Search for Solutions is a 10-part series that explores the nature and process of science — creativity, modeling, application, theory and argument — and how these processes play out in science and technology. More than 60 different scientists from all fields of study are guides and storytellers discussing their work and scientific philosophies. The series is designed for junior and senior high school students. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) in partnership with ConocoPhillips produced the videos. Search for Solutions DVDs or videos are available free to certified teachers at http://www.nsta.org/sfs. Teachers guides are also available for download at the site.
 

Science Fair Inspires Pre-College Students To Be Scientist or Engineers
The Internet Science and Technology Fair (ISTF) is an annual science competition hosted by the University of Central Florida, College of Engineering. From October through February each year, elementary, middle, and high school teams develop web-based research projects based on national science content standards developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Top teams receive certificates of awards from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Medal Technology Program.

ISTF provides science and math teachers the opportunity to intergrate the Internet with other reseach methods and technologies to solve real-world problems focusing on National Critical Technologies areas including renewable energy, advanced batteries, and photonic materials.

Teachers and professionals in a science-related filed wanting to participate in ISTF should visit the website at http://istf.ucf.edu.

 
AAPM Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program
The AAPM Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program is a program designed to provide opportunities for undergraduate university students to gain exposure to and experience in medical physics by performing research in a medical physics laboratory or assisting with clinical service at a clinical facility.  The program is aimed at junior and senior undergraduate students, particularly those that will become qualified for future graduate studies in medical physics.  We expect there to be twelve summer undergraduate fellowships, each carrying a $4000 stipend.  The fellowship will be for a period of 10 weeks during the summer academic period (May 1 to September 30), which is mutually suitable to the mentor and fellow.  Should you need additional information or an application, please contact Program Administrator, Shantelle Corado, at the AAPM Headquarters Office at (301) 209-3350 or visit http://www.aapm.org/announcements/summer_undergrad_fellow/