The Grinch pays a visit to Avon East

First grade classes from Avon East Elementary School connect to Global Leap in London for the closer look at the Grinch that stole Christmas. The students start with the Dr. Seuss holiday classic being read to them by Kathryn Griffith. Images from the story were displayed behind her.
After the story the students discussed the similarities between our town countries in how the holidays will be celebrated. The students enjoyed the discussion as much as the story.

Avon Students participate in the 2nd annual Holiday Tradition Conference

The door to the Distance Learning room at Avon East became a revolving door during St. Francis Universities Holiday Traditions Conference. Online from 7:30am to 3:30pm the students from twelve different classrooms took turns participating in discussions from presenters from around the world.

The students enjoyed time spent with Santa as well as the opportunity to learn how communities from around the world celebrate the holidays. We look forward to participating in this great program again in 2007.

Thanks again St. Francis University

Shipwrecked students perform their chapters with partner schools

Mrs. Friedell’s third grade students from Heritage North participated in a collaborated readers theater of their chapters on their story shipwrecked as part of the Chapter Project with Independence and Fremont. The students took turns performing their chapter and their conclusions. All three of the classes were loaded with props and costumes showing great efforts and pride in their chapters.

Once the stories were completed the students shared their favorite parts from each others performances. The students had great comments and shared some interesting comments. The classes did a great job and all enjoyed the project.

Mrs. Clark’s class shares artifacts with their partner school in the UK

The third graders in Mrs. Clarks get a better understanding of their community while learning about the United Kingdom through a virtual artifact exchange. The classes have been exchanging clues about their location for the past couple of weeks and completed the project through the sharing of artifacts brought in by the students that represent their communities.

The Students used the document camera and scripts created by the students to identify the object and how it relates to our community. The students brought in Ohio State, Cleveland and Avon icons to give the students from Banford a better understanding of our community and why Avon is a great place to live.

The artifacts presented by the students from Bamford a suburban community outside of London were great representations of their city. The Avon students loved seeing the items from Bamford and how similar their communities were.

The classes look forward to starting a new project with their partner school.

Gingerbread baby visits Miss Lavelle’s with the Center of Puppetry Arts

The second grade students from Miss Lavelle’s class were treated to the Holiday program the Gingerbread Baby from the Center of Puppetry Arts in Atlanta Georgia. The class looked at the many different versions the Gingerbread family from locations from around the world. The class enjoyed a great performance of the Gingerbread Baby with shadow puppets.

Once the story was complete the students created stick puppets to make their own shadow puppets. This activity was a great Holiday session that reinforced listening and reading skills. The students created their own versions of Gingerbread boy using their puppets.

Avon Multi Media Students complete in Henkle Duct Tape commercial contest

Mr. Garvelink’s Multimedia students participated in the regional judging of the Henkle Duct Tape commercial contest. The Avon students submitted nine sixty second commercials featuring Henkle Duct Tape. There were construction workers, super hero’s and monks demonstrating the multiple uses of duct tape and why Henkle stands above them all.

While all of the entries were entertaining and demonstrated the hard work of the students; only one commercial could advance to the State Finals. This year the Monks from Holy Trinity advance representing the Avon Schools.

Thanks the Henkle Duct Tape Company the students are treated to a real world activity and get a chance to compete with classes from around the state. The winning commercial of the State competition receives a Cannon GL2 video camera for their school. We wish the Eagles luck in the State judging.

Magnolia shares chapter 1 of Magic in a Sack a collaborative writing project

Avon’s partner class in Magnolia Texas shared the first chapter of the classes collaborative story. The students from Mrs. Lasater’s 4th grade class read their chapter over the video system and answered questions about the characters to help the Avon students prepare the second chapter.

The interactive chapter story titled the Magic Sack is a four chapter book that is split between the two classes. After each chapter the classes connect over the video systems to share their progress, answer questions about characters and discuss predictions of future chapters. Completed chapters are placed on the project wiki hosted by www.wikispaces.com.

Check out the great efforts of the classes at http://avonmagnolia.wikispaces.com/

Amon Carter Museum uses art work to display the People of the Plains

Third graders from Avon Heritage South Elementary School discussed the people of the plains using reproduced painting with the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth Texas. While connected to the Nancy Strickland from the Amon Carter Museum the students in small groups looked over several of reproductions from their museum and broke the art work into themes. Nancy helped guide the students to a better understanding of the Indians in Planes through details in the paintings. The students broke the painting into themes of games, hunting, ceremonies protection. Each group shared details of the works they held as the camera viewed the exhibits in the museum.

Thanks to the Amon Carter Museum the students have a better understanding of what life was like back when the Indian Nations lived and traveled the plains.

Avon Students learn about the Sioux Nation with the Green Bush ESC

Several second grade classes developed a better understanding of Indian culture and history through an interactive lesson provided by Lisa Pride at the Green Bush ESC. Students discussed the many artifacts and their uses to identify the roles people played in the Sioux Nation. The students discussed the different forms of written communication and how important it was to Indian tribes throughout the world.

The students demonstrated their understanding of image writing by creating their own messages using examples provided by Lisa at Green Bush and some images of their own. The students tore paper backs to represent animal hides and wrote messages using pictures to their classmates. Once completed; the students shared their stories to the class and Mrs. Pride.

Reptiles and Amphibians invade Heritage South through Video Distance Learning

Mrs. Frank and Johnson’s third grade classes introduce reptiles and amphibians to their science classes with the Lorain County MetroParks. The students discussed the difference between mammals, amphibians and reptiles through several live examples. Leslie McNut did a great job explaining the difference between cold and warm blooded animals and the way they survive.

The students enjoyed the snapping turtles, snakes and toads that were placed in the document camera. The close up view from the camera provided the students a view the snakes scales, the toad’s skin and the bottom of the turtle shells. This provided students a better view of these animals than if there are at the nature center. One of the favorite parts of the session was watching the toad eat.

This session was one of the many great programs provided by the Lorain County MetroParks. To learn more about their programming you can visit them on the web at www.loraincountymetroparks.com/dlc.htm

Up In The Air Introduction of Students

Science students from Mrs. Neumann’s class at Avon MS meet their partner class at Amherst Steele HS. The classes will be sharing lessons and activities with each others schools. The HS students will be reinforcing their science curriculum through mini lessons with AMS. The AMS students plan to share information and lessons learned during the school year.

The first meeting of the classes gives the students a better understanding of the technology and the opportunity to meet the students they will be working with throughout the school year. The students introduced themselves to their partner school and asked questions about their schools and communities.

We are looking forward to working with Amherst HS this year.

LCDLC takes part in the world’s largest videoconference

Dave Miller and Paul Hieronymus were delighted to present at the Internet 2 Megaconference VII. We connected at 7:15 am and enjoyed wonderful music from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Orchestra was fantastic and the dance performed was impressive. The audiences were treated to several great sessions from presenters from all over the world.

The LCDLC was honored to be selected as a presenter at 11:45 sharing our virtual college tour project. We provided the group an overview of our consortium, the project and shared a four minute video of last year’s session. Our fifteen minute of fame was a great way to share our efforts to the world.

Megaconference is a great program that provides students an opportunity to see presenters from around the world. Each year the program tops the previous years with dynamic and exciting presentations. The sessions are streamed online for viewing at any time.
Check out the Megaconfernece website at http://www.megaconference.org/

Fifth graders from Heritage North explore wetlands with Old Women Creek

Mrs. Meikle’s fifth grade science classes connected to the NOECA Intercom group for a presentation from Old Women Creek. The students identified the characteristics of wetlands and the animals that live in a wetland environment. The students were placed in groups of four with cards of mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, plants and insects. Once broken into groups the students placed them into food chains for them to share with the presenter and their classmates.

After placing the items into their chains the students had to identify what would happen if that part of the food chain was missing and its effect to other parts of the wetlands. This lesson was a great reinforcement to our science curriculum.

Technology Toolbox – Yawn… Oh your PowerPoint is finished

Avon Middle School played host to schools from across the state of Ohio in a closer look at Microsoft PowerPoint. The Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium is offering professional development sessions to member schools and others on technology topics. The sessions are offered at 2:30 and 4:00pm to allow teachers at different ending times the opportunity to participate.

The PowerPoint sessions focused on making PowerPoint an interactive tool to enhance student learning. The teachers received several PowerPoint templates of games and activities that they could edit and use for remediation, review or assessment. As a finale a demonstration of MS Producer was provided to the teaches with a standard webcam.

To learn more about Technology Toolbox check out the offerings on the web at www.lcdlc.org/TechnologyToolbox.htm

Decision 2006 – The race for Governor makes a stop to Mr. Rowe’s class by videoconference.

Lee Fisher Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor made a scheduled stop at Orange High School to connect to over 15 schools via videoconference to discuss the race for governor. Students from across the state were able to ask live questions about the campaign and the role of Lieutenant Governor in Ohio’s government. Mr. Fisher meet with the students for over an hour discussing the state economy, education and many of the other hot topics in our state.

We wish more of our candidates were willing to meet with our students over videoconferencing. They do not realize that our students have a direct line to their voting parents. The schools that were able to take part in the videoconference well represented the states regional geography and the questions asked by the students represented their districts with pride.

The Avon Schools would like to thanks the Orange City Schools for hosting Mr. Fisher and Melissa Higgs-Horwell from the SCOCA consortium for organizing the event. We wish Mr. Fisher luck at the polls and hope to see him online again in the future.

Technology Toolbox – Yawn… Oh your PowerPoint is finished

Avon Middle School played host to schools from across the state of Ohio in a closer look at Microsoft PowerPoint. The Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium is offering professional development sessions to member schools and others on technology topics. The sessions are offered at 2:30 and 4:00pm to allow teachers at different ending times the opportunity to participate.

The PowerPoint sessions focused on making PowerPoint an interactive tool to enhance student learning. The teachers received several PowerPoint templates of games and activities that they could edit and use for remediation, review or assessment. As a finale a demonstration of MS Producer was provided to teaches with a standard webcam.

To learn more about Technology Toolbox check out the offerings on the web at www.lcdlc.org/TechnologyToolbox.htm

Careers in Architecture

Avon High School students in Mr. Lindway’s Tech Ed Class provided his students career programming through videoconferencing with WVIZ PBS 25. Robert W. Blatchford Jr. President of Lesko Architecture in Cleveland provided students with back ground information about the field of architecture the current projects he is involved with in the Cleveland area.

This session was perfect timing with our class. Mr. Lindway’s students had just completed their bridge project. Each student drafted their own design which was later constructed out of balsa wood. The completed bridges were tested with weights. The a architecture discussion was a fitting conclusion to their project.

Avon East students build a better pencil with the Greenbush ESC

Mrs. Scaletta’s 2nd grade students discuss the scientific process and inventions through an interactive session with the Greenbush Educational Service Center in Girard Kansas. The students discussed how sticky notes have changed our everyday life and why it was invented. Once the students had a better understanding on inventions the students took their best efforts to invent a better pencil. They identified the problems the have with their pencils. Once the problems were identified the students in groups of three picked one of the problems and built a better pencil with items given to them from their teacher and Greenbush. The students shared their pencils with Mrs. Pride using the document camera. The students used pipe cleaners for better grips, larger erasers, cotton to avoid splinters and other cool designs to keep the pencil from rolling away.

This was a great program aligned to Ohio’s science content standards and will help our students prepare for our state science test.

Way to go Greenbush!

LCDLC launches Technology Toolbox Professional development programs

The LCDLC offered their first of several technology professional development sessions to member schools and to schools outside of the consortium. Schools from Lorain, Lima, Steubenville and Tiffin connected to Avon Middle School for an interactive discussion on how to use Microsoft Outlook 2003 to improve organization and productivity.

Sessions were offered at 2:30 and 4:00 PM to meet the dismissal schedules of LCDLC member schools. Technology Toolbox is the consortiums first effort to provide Technology PD to schools through videoconferencing. The next opportunity will be October 24th with a presentation on best practice of Microsoft PowerPoint titled “Yawn, oh your PowerPoint is Finished??”. Sessions will be offered at 2:30 & 4:00pm from Avon Middle School.

Want to learn more about Technology Toolbox? Check out the LCDLC programming schedule at www.lcdlc.org/TechnologyToolbox.htm

Students make gourmet dinner for worms with home made composts

Second grade classes from Avon East Elementary School created composts to develop a better understanding of chemical change, decomposition and the difference between organic and inorganic objects. The students chose several items to place in the compost piles making predictions to whether they would decompose or remain in the same state. Students from Avon, Ohio and Miami Florida discussed the items and their predictions.

Classes started with large freezer bags half filled with dirt. After adding organic and inorganic objects, the groups added water and worms for the feeding to begin. The worms will enjoy their new dinner for a couple weeks as they are only disturbed for class observations. The students from both schools are looking forward to comparing their results.

Compost recipe

One large freezer bag with six small holes in the top
½ a bag of dirt
¼ cup of water to moisten the soil
Several pieces of lettuce
Dried leaves
Grass from the playground
1 paper clip
A piece of Styrofoam
A piece of plastic
1 banana peal
1 acorn
A handful of clover
A sprinkle of rosemary

Serve cold and wet for two plump and juicy worms.

Isopods make Avon East their home away from home

Mrs. Masin and Grabert’s second grade classes at Avon East took a closer look at isopods with their partner classes in Miami Florida. The students observed pill bugs or potato bugs as they are commonly called in Northeast Ohio before they added them to their terrariums.

The students shared the changes that took place in there terrariums with their partner classes and observed the pill bugs as Mrs Gerber explained the unique characteristics of the isopod. The students will collect additional insects to add to their terrariums and observe the environment from week to week.

The LCDLC uses video podcasts to update consortium members

You get hundreds of email messages listing program opportunities for videoconferencing. Why not just watch them???

The LCDLC has been creating video updates for over a year, but for 2006-07 school year the consortium has converted these to video podcasts available on iTunes. With video iPods becoming more and more popular the consortium started to convert their updates to MPG4 for easy viewing with quick time player. Using the RSS feed, the LCDLC has subscribed their updates to iTunes for teachers to view and for updates to come to them automatically. The LCDLC video update podcast is compatible with iTunes, Google, Yahoo, Newsgator and many more...

Want to subscribe to our Podcast??

1) Go to the LCDLC weekly update page at http://www.lcdlc.org/streaming.htm
2) Drag the XML icon or use one of the links to be subscribed to on of the RSS readers
3) Start watching!

You can also search iTunes for LCDLC. Subscriptions are FREE

Hola Avon East Amigos

Avon High School and three second grade classes from Avon East Elementary School started their Spanish classes over videoconferencing. Avon High School students from Mrs. Ventresco’s Spanish 3 and 4 classes reinforced there language skills be working with Mrs. Cogar, Triplett and Hartmen’s classes. The students learned to words hello, good bye, friend, Mr and Mrs.

The classes sang songs and answered questions asked by the High School students with the guidance of Mrs. Ventresco. Spanish lessons will be offered every Friday to the classes from Avon East. Each week the High School students will have more involvement in the lessons. The elementary students were thrilled with the class and the opportunity to learn a foreign language.

Mrs. Scaletta’s second grade classes visit the rainforests with Greenbush Kansas

Mrs Scaletta’s second grade class discussed food webs and the rainforest habitat with the Greenbush IDL program. Mrs. Pride brought out several rainforest creatures during the presentation to demonstrate the many adaptations they use to survive. The students were treated with snakes, iguana’s, tarantula’s and one cool hissing cockroach!

After the animals Mrs. Pride discussed food webs and assisted the students as they created their own food using paper strips to make a chain. The Avon students created hain links for animals found in the rainforest and at home. This great lesson was a fitting completion on Mrs. Scaletta’s rainforest unit. The students enjoyed the session and look forward to more programs from Greenbush.

Send in the worms!

The second grade classes from Avon East Elementary School met with their partner classes at Miami Country Day School in Miami Florida to share the changes the have occurred since their last meeting and to add a living organism to the soil of their terrariums.

Mrs. Gerber share information on the anatomy of a worm, while the Avon site broadcasted an earthworm on the systems document camera. Once the students observed the earth worms, they listed their worm’s characteristic and drew pictures. The students added their warms to their terrariums and set them aside until the next class meeting.

Avon Heritage South and Magnolia Texas start collaborative story project

Mrs. Erreditario, a forth grade teacher at Avon Heritage South met with her partner teacher from Williams Elementary School in Magnolia, Texas to plan their collaborative story project. The classes will use a Wiki to help share chapters with each others school and for their classes to collaborate online.

The classes will brainstorm their favorite fictional topics to be shared with their partner school in October. During a meet and greet session the classes will vote on their favorite topic and the story writing will begin. The classes will create a four chapter story in which each class will be responsible for two chapters. After the completion of the fourth chapter both classes will complete the conclusion and present their ending to their partner class.

2nd grade classes create terrariums with Miami Florida

Mrs. Grabert and Masin’s 2nd grade classes started their terrarium project with students from Miami Country Day School in Miami Florida. Using see through salad containers donated by the Avon Heinen's grocery store the student’s added soil, rocks, bird seed and dried up grass/leaves to create their own ecosystem.
Mrs. Gerber from Miami described the difference between dirt and soil as students compared samples of each other soil. Water was added to help the seed planted by the students. The classes made predictions of how their terrariums will change by the next time the classes meet.

Avon East students join Possum at his Harvest Moon Party

Several classes from Avon East Elementary School took part in Avon’s Story Time program. Story Time is an introduction to videoconferencing for teachers and students through stories read over the system. Three first and second grade classes discussed the faces of the moon and how people and animals use the moon as a calendar for the seasons. The students shared the many different ways that animals prepare and survive in the winter.

Students were read Possum’s Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter by Avon’s Curriculum Technology Coordinator from Avon Middle school using the document camera to display pictures from the story. Students were asked to list the animals from the story and why they were to busy to attend the party.

Careers in TV Broadcast News

Alternative School students from Avon Middle School learned more about careers in TV & Radio with an interactive interview with Obie Shelton, a reporter, WKYC TV 3 News. Students from across Ohio had the opportunity to ask questions about his career and how he got started as a reporter. Obie Shelton has been a Cleveland icon for many years. The students enjoyed the opportunity to meet him over videoconferencing.

This program was provided to LCDLC schools and the Ohio K-12 network through Ideastream WVIZ PBS 25 and the NOTA network.

Constitution Day: Creating Classroom Rules

Second grade students from Miss Lavelle’s and Mrs. Cruzado classes celebrated Constitution Day through a lesson on classroom rules with the Columbiana ESC. Classes from Salem Buckeye, Crestview, Kensington Intermediate School in Rocky River, & East Liverpool shared need for classroom rules and how they relate to the constitution.

Thanks to Mrs. Straub from the Columbiana ESC the students have a better understanding of the need for rules in the classroom and throughout the country. The students enjoyed the videoconference and interacting with classrooms around Ohio. We look forward to connecting to Columbiana County again and hope to see the other schools online again.

Constitution Day Presentation: It’s My Right!

Mrs. Gantz & Mrs. Haney’s 4th grade classes celebrated constitution day with the Columbia Educational Service Center, Wayne Elementary School and Rocky River. The students made a trip back in history to the writing of the constitution. The classes discussed the ratification process and the process of creating one of the greatest documents ever created.

After taking a closer look at the Bill of Rights the students were broken into groups playing the role of a student, congress member, small business owner, and parent’s point of view ranking the rights from most important to least important. Each of the sites presented the rights they felt were most important which consisted of right of opinion, religion and a speedy trial.

The Students enjoyed their first videoconference of the year and look forward to connecting to the Columbiana ESC again and to work with the other schools.

Avon Teachers get ready for their best IVC year to date!

Welcome Back!

You can easily tell that the summer is coming to a close. Classroom teachers are coming into the buildings again to get their classrooms ready for the first day of school, hallways are closed off due to wet wax and the districts Vtel & Polycom systems are being dusted off for another great year. It is great to see the classroom teachers return from vacation with new vigor and fresh ideas for their students. I am happy to hear that IVC will be playing a roll in our teacher’s plans and the project will see the return of two former project members. There have been some exciting changes to the consortium, the state and the local video systems.

Third Frontier Project and the LEECA Fiber project

More bandwidth = great opportunities! Ohio E-Tech and the Lake Erie Education Computer Association (LEECA) have been hard at work this summer upgrading the school networks. LEECA is finishing their upgrade to Columbus and the Fiber Project is near completion.

As many of you have heard through the network grapevine, Ohio’s K-12 video network has moved bridging services from OIT Video (commonly referred to as DAS) to Ohio E-Tech. We will miss the staff of OIT and the countless hours spent on the phone with their technicians. E-Tech has some large shoes to fill, but I am confident that they will provide our district with the same quality that we have come to expect from the state network. E-Tech still plans to support and maintain the ATM network, but the transition of IP is just around the corner. As with any change we expect a couple bumps in the road and ask that everyone use patience with the new network staff.

New IP numbers for Avon’s IVC systems

We have a new ISP which means all of the external IP’s have changed. New IP numbers will be posted on the TV’s of our systems in the fall. ATM & ISDN numbers are not expected to change.

Schools that would like to test their IP connectivity are welcome to dial Avon Middle School at 208.108.90.88. To help sites test their connections a camera is pointed out the window. Last year we had several schools take advantage of the site for testing, demos to staff and for presentations. We look forward to continuing this service to the IVC community.

IVC systems find new classroom homes in Heritage North and South

The Avon Local Schools student population is still growing which makes locations for IVC more difficult each year. Heritage South has converted two science rooms and the former DL room to classrooms this school year. The IVC system has been moved to the choir room and will have to split time with the schools indoor recess. The room is twice the size as the former classroom which will provide classroom teachers with great opportunities, but will need to schedule programs around the recess schedule in case of bad weather. Heritage North Elementary School has moved their IVC system to another wing of the building.

We hope to see you online this school year!

The Avon Schools and the LCDLC are hard at work planning collaborations and projects for the 2006-07 school year. We have several teachers grades K-12 looking for projects and partners. If you are looking for a school to collaborate with or have a project needing partners please keep us in mind. We look forward to see you online!

Paul Hieronymus
Curriculum Technology Coordinator
Avon Local Schools, Ohio
HieronymusP@Avon.k12.oh.us

Pirates invade Avon Heritage South for the year’s last videoconference

What could be better on the last day of school than a videoconference with the Mariners Museum on Pirates? Third graders at Avon Heritage South participated in a interactive discussion on the life of a pirate. The students compared and contract legends and movies to images and stories told by the museum.

The students enjoyed stories about Black Beard, Ann Bonnie and Mary Reed as much as the single shot musket pistols, swards and pirate money. The story of Black Beards six pistols and how he was captured gave the students great stories to tell their friends and parents. While traditional pirates have disappeared over the seven seas, everyone was surprised to hear that acts of piracy still occur today.

This was our first connection to Mariners’ Museum. Our classes and teachers were thrilled with the content and the program. We look forward to doing more with them!
Information on their programming can be found at http://www.mariner.org/educationalad/teachers/elec_classroom.php

Avon Distance Learning Coordinator participates in CILC focus group discussion

The Avon Local Schools continue its working relationship with the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) out of Indianapolis as part of a focus group discussion. A group of coordinators from Ohio, New York, Texas and South Dakota enjoyed an open discussion on many key issues involving videoconferencing as an enhancement to instruction in our school districts. The topics of best practice, professional development and concerns were the key topics.

While the discussion was centered around the CILC consortium and their roll in videoconferencing, the group was enjoyed each other comments and news of a follow meeting has been suggested by Brian Dzwonek of the 29-90 Distance Learning Consortium in South Dakota. The Avon Schools would be interested in further discussions and hope that these could lead to new partnerships and collaborations.

CSI Avon, Ohio

Mr. Kelly’s sophomore and junior health classes had the opportunity to learn more about DNA and the Human Genome through an interactive game of who done it with Heath Space Cleveland. The students discussed DNA and how genetic information is changing the field of health care. The students participated in a simulated forensics investigation using DNA evidence.

A murder had taken place on the grounds of Health Space Cleveland and skin was found under the victim’s finger nails. The Avon Students were given DNA data for five suspects. After breaking down the code of the five suspects and the sample taken from the victim the class determined which DNA was a match.

The program gave the students a better understanding of DNA forensic science. Lesson activities and materials can be found on the Health Space website. To learn more about their distance education programs check out their website www.healthspacecleveland.org/education/education.asp?detail=9

The Avon Local Schools would like to thank the Henkle Adhesive Corporation for the purchase of three distance learning programs. Through a generous donation by the company Lorain County Schools an receive free programming from Health Space Cleveland.

Heritage South students get wild with the Buffalo Zoo

Mrs. Johnson’s 3rd grade class at Avon Heritage South enhanced their lesson on rainforests and habitats through a videoconference with the Buffalo Zoo. The students named the layers of the rainforest and many of the animals that make it their home.
As the students observed exhibits of the Buffalo Zoo, the students identified the layers they lived and the adaptations they have made to be successful. The students viewed insects, birds, reptiles and Gorillas. The students are thrilled to see Barney the ball python. Placed on the document camera gave the students the ability to see the scales, and eyes. Lilly the Gorilla stole the show with her climbing skills.

One of the advantages of seeing snakes though videoconferencing is the ability to show close ups on part of the snake for all of the students even the ones afraid of snakes. This allows the presenter to show features quickly and allow the students to be moved from task to task. The Rainforest experience program with the Buffalo Zoo is a great program that has become a standard part of Mrs. Johnson’s science lesson plan.

The Buffalo Zoo Distance Learning Programs can be found online at http://www.buffalozoo.org/distance_learning.html

Avon Students use artifacts to better understand their community

Third grade students from Mrs. Friedel’s class at Heritage South connected to their partner school in Sedalia, Missouri to finish their artifact exchange project. The classes have been exchanging clues about their states and cities for the past month. The classes collected items that their students felt represented their community and sent them to each other through US mail prior to the videoconference.

Once the sites received their artifacts the classes connected through videoconferencing to share a last set of clues about their communities and presented the materials sent to each building. Heritage South sent a stuffed Eagle (Mascot), Duct Tape (Henkle Adhesives), maps of Lorain County and pictures of the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers and the Browns. Skyline Elementary School sent a picture of stealth bomber (manufactured near by), toolbox (manufactured in Sedalia), pictures of their school and a local newspaper.

The artifact exchange program is one of our favorite collaboration projects. The students enjoy the problem solving activity to enhance geography, measurement, communities reading and writing. The program makes an excellent ice breaker for future collaborations.

Thanks again Skyline Elementary School

Avon Students from Heritage North save the villagers on the island of Montserrat

Mr. Lima’s 6th grade science classes connected to the Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University for Operation Montserrat. The NASA E-Mission provides students with a simulation of a hurricane and volcanic disaster on an island of the Caribbean. The students are dived into three groups to track the hurricane, volcanic activity and to evacuate the community from danger. The teams are provided simulation data from the Challenger Center and our E-Mission controller Amy help guide the students through the catastrophe.

This session is an intense problem based learning activity in which the students are required to use science, math and planning skills to accurately track the dangers and work as a team to develop an evacuation plan. The connection takes over two hours to complete, but provides the students with a practical and real world learning experience.

This was Mr. Lima’s second year of connecting to the Challenger Center for this E-mission. We are happy to say that this program has become a scheduled part of our 6th grade curricula for our honors science classes.
To learn more about the E-Mission please visit their website at www.e-missions.net/om/

Smiley Shark visits Avon East to enhance Literacy and Science curricula

Mrs. Grabert and Masin’s 2nd grade classes had a great IVC connection with the MOTE Laboratory in Florida for a lesson on sharks. The students listed to the story Smiley Shark as a lead in to a discussion about the different species of sharks. The story was entertaining and informative for the class. After the story the students participated in an interactive multiple choice quiz about the story and sharks.

The students enjoyed the fun facts about sharks and developed a better understanding of the species. Once the lesson was complete the camera switched to their shark tank for the students to view the sharks. Our presenter was engaging with the students and provided an excellent Q & A about sharks during the shark tank viewing.

This was our first experience with MOTE and will not be our last. They offer an interactive session that kept the students engaged the entire program. The smiley shark session is one of their shorter programs, but you can tell that they are organized and provide nothing but quality. I recommend this provider to schools looking to enhance their science curricula!

Eagles and Bears unite to enhance student learning

Avon Heritage South took its first steps toward our first international collaboration. Through Mike Griffith of Global Leap a third grade teacher and a fourth grade teacher meet with our soon to be partner school in Bamford, England.

Avon Heritage plans to take advantage of their early start time to work with a school in England. The interest has been in the district for some time, but the time zones made it very difficult. With the Heritage campus’ moving their start time to 7:30 am the window of opportunity grew to a time that is manageable to both schools.

Out first meeting with Mike Griffith and Bamford Primary School took place at 7am EST which was 12pm in England. The goal of our first meeting was to meet the other school and discuss collaboration activities for the 2006-07 school year. This will give the teachers from both school districts the opportunity to communicate and plan over the summer for a soaring start in September.

Thanks Global Leap!

Avon Middle School students discuss privacy issues with RFID microchips

Through the Vanderbilt Virtual School in Tennessee Avon Students discussed the advantages and disadvantages of RFID microchips that can send information from packages, passports and clothing. The presenter provide students with a overview of the technology and a view from venders the positive usage RFID’s for tracking packages, shopping and auto safety. A walk through a demo of the “technology store” gave them a prediction of the future of shopping.

The program led to an interesting discussion with the classes as to where a line should be drawn with technology and privacy. It took the students a little time to grasp that this could be an infringement on their lives. Once they learned that Wal-Mart was working with RFID’s their opinions changed dramatically. One of our students made references to RFID’s to spy ware on computers which we enjoyed discussing after the videoconference.

A comical view of oh privacy can be challenged with technology can be found online. Check out buying a pizza in 2010.

www.aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf

Great Job Vanderbilt!!

An Egg-Citing Lesson from Greenbush

Fourth graders from Mrs. Haney’s science classes completed a science lab online with eggs to develop a better understanding of the science process. During each experiment the students generated hypotheses, took notes and drew pictures during the experiment and generated a conclusion. In the first experiment the students had to determine if vinegar added to water with food coloring creates darker colored eggs. The second experiment the students were asked if eggs float. The students were surprised to see the eggs float when salt was added to their mixture.

This was Avon’s first connection to the Greenbush Network but will not be our last. The experiments were great activities for 4th graders tat met several science and technology standards. The students enjoyed the activity and the connection.

If you have not had a chance to do a lesson from the Greenbush IDL Network in Kansas you should!

www.greenbush.org/IDL/home.html

LCDLC Update

Don’t miss this video email. We’ve got some important updates and opportunities.

P.S. – Be sure to forward this update to other interested teachers.

http://lcdlc.lorainesc.k12.oh.us/streaming.htm

To: Superintendents, Principals, District Advocates, Technology Coordinators, LCDLC Listserv
From: Dave Miller
Date: 4-24-06
Subject: LCDLC Updates 4-24-06


LCDLC Updates for the week of April 24th , 2006

1) 2006 YEAR END SHOWCASE -- MAY 16TH
2) TOP 10 TRICKS TO HELP YOUR VIDEO LOOK BETTER
3) CAREER EXPLORATION SEMINARS
4) CILC NEW PROGRAMMING
5) FREE ADMINISTRATIVE BEST PRACTICES SESSION
6) INTERNET2 COMMONS VIDEOCONFERENCING TRAINING COURSE
7) TIMELESS MASTERPIECES IN THE EXPLORATION OF ART
8) JASON PROJECT – DISAPEARING WETLANDS (WEB BASED NOT IVDL)
9) MAGICAL SCIENCE – JOHN MCINTIRE LIBRARY
10) WVIZ/NOTA PROGRAMMING



1) 2006 YEAR END SHOWCASE 16TH

Your invitation should be forthcoming! Celebrate 2005/2006 with us as we have our teachers share their favorite videoconferences from the year. The showcase should be attended by our administrators, techs, district advocates, and teachers at all levels who have been involved in videoconferencing. This is a once a year opportunity to see in a short time the many diverse opportunities videoconferencing provides to our classrooms. The meeting is at the Lorain County Community College, Spitzer Conference Center, the Grand Room, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 with lunch following. You should receive an invitation if you’re on our mailing list, or send an RSVP to Liesa Wetzig at 440 324-5777 ext 197 or lwetzi@leeca.org. We hope to see you there!

Dave Miller
Director of Distance Learning
Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium


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2) TOP 10 TRICKS TO HELP YOUR VIDEO LOOK BETTER

See attached for Video Tips and Tricks content session opportunity forstudents!Brent will be available throughout the day on May 10th to present thisinformation to students.Spaces fill up fast. Reserve your spot today! Registration form attached.SusannahSusannah AzzaroDistance Learning Projects ManagerInstructional Technology Services of Central Ohio, Inc.2400 Olentangy River Road • Suite 174Columbus, Ohio 43210614-247-8360http://www.itsco.org/


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3) CAREER EXPLORATION SEMINARS

The following career programs are available for you from:

April 24th, 2006— Mr. David Branch and
Mr. Robert Fogler will be staging a mock interview
process and then sharing interviewing
tips, tricks, first impressions and other
important information for people beginning
the process of job hunting. The time for this
session will be 1:00—2:00 pm.
April 25th, 2006— Bob Smith, owner of
Smith Ambulance will be sharing about careers
in the field of paramedics and EMT
services. Included in this conference
will be the life flight services
Smith provides for the Tuscarawas
County area. The time is
1:00-2:00 pm.
May 12th, 2006—Careers in Toxicology
with presenter Carrie Haglock. Carrie will
be sharing what a career in Toxicology
would mean to a graduate. The time for this
session is 10:00 am—11:00 am.

LuAnne Jackson
Technology Director
TCHESC
834 East High Avenue
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
phone: 330-308-9939 ext. 250
cell: 330-243-4538
fax: 330-308-0964
http://www.tchesc.org/

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4) CILC NEW PROGRAMMING

During the past week, the following new collaboration request(s) matching your profile were added to the CILC website:
Date Posted: 4/10/2006Name of Collaboration: Tolkien TrilogyAudience: Education: Grade(s): 10, 11, 12Objective of Collaboration: A central new york high school (TRILOGY is taught as an elective) class is searching for another class to play Trivial Pursuit over videoconferencing to see who is the Master Hobbit!For full details, click here.
Date Posted: 4/10/2006Name of Collaboration: Ratio andProportionsAudience: Education: Grade(s): 6Objective of Collaboration: Looking for an interesting, real life approach to the teaching of ratio/ proportions and percentsFor full details, click here.
Date Posted: 4/10/2006Name of Collaboration: macbethAudience: Education: Grade(s): 10, 11Objective of Collaboration: fun follow up projectsFor full details, click here.

The following programs and collaborations are new offerings that can be found on the CILC website http://www.cilc.org/. You may also click on the program title to go directly to the detailed program description on the CILC website.
Mote Marine Laboratory
Sea Me Read: Smiley SharkAudience: Education: Kindergarten, Grade(s): 1, 2, 3Description: SMILE! Join us on an ocean adventure and meet a lonely shark who loves to smile. Read along as we help him save the day and find some friends.Program Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization
First Long Islanders: Original InhabitantsAudience: Education: Grade(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, Curriculum Director, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Title One Coordinator, Teacher, Parent, Media Specialist/Librarian, K-12 Educator, Public Library: Library PatronsDescription: In this interactive videoconference, students will 'travel back in time' and explore how Native Americans interacted with the environment in their everyday lives on Long Island, NY. Our trained instructor will guide your students through an interactive discussion focusing on natural resources and family roles within the Algonquian culture.Program Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY
Thanks!Julia
Julia Shildmyer-Heighway Director of Content Providers Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) Office: 317-231-6529 Jheighway@cilc.org
This e-mail was automatically generated at http://www.cilc.org/, please do not reply directly to this e-mail.
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5) FREE ADMINISTRATIVE BEST PRACTICES SESSION

Hello and Happy Spring!

Thought that you might have some sites interested in the following session. I have room for 4 schools to participate (IP or ATM). This session is free. Please let me know.
Thanks

Tuesday, April 25 20062:15pm - 3:15pm
Administrative Best Practices ~
Assisting Teachers to Effectively Use Data: The Principal’s Role (Battelle for Kids)
This workshop will help principals and other administrators focus on effective data use practices for teachers. Participants will explore how to display data effectively, use data to help teachers focus their instruction, help students improve their performance, how to use data to help parents understand their student's achievement level and progress level on a yearly basis. Participants will end the workshop with answers to the question, "Why use data?" Date: April 25, 2006 Time: 2:15pm-3:15pm
Presenter:John Thomas, Battelle for Kids Faculty member
Sites:
NOECA (Fremont City)
(site)
(site)
(site)
(site)

Leslie Charles
Distance Learning Manager

Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center
205 North 7th Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
740.452.4518 ext 133
lcharles@mvesc.k12.oh.us
www.mvesc.k12.oh.us/tap/

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6) INTERNET2 COMMONS VIDEOCONFERENCING TRAINING COURSE

The Internet2 Commons is again offering its video conferencing training course this spring, via H.323 video conferencing. The course will be offered on May 25, from 12-5 EDT (GMT-4). It will be delivered Virtually, Online only. It will be taught by Megan Troyer, assisted by Gabe Moulton and myself, from Ohio State University as well as a guest speaker David Shaw of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Those who successfully complete the course will be certified as Internet2 Commons Site Coordinators. This will enable your organization to join [subscribe to] and use the Internet2 Commons [H.323 multipoint] services. Here is the course outline: * What is Videoconferencing? * The Network * Gatekeepers * MCUs * Gateways * Streaming and Archival * Endpoints * ViDe and GDS * Room Setup * The Internet2 Commons * Etiquette * Site Coordinators See http://commons.internet2.edu for more information about the Commons, and to register. There is a $125 fee per student. Students will receive a certificate, and an official Internet2 Commons polo shirt. These courses have proven to be very popular and are often oversubscribed, so be sure to get your registration in early. Registration ends Monday, May 22 at midnight EDT. Prerequisites for the course are familiarity with Windows and having used video conferencing. The entrance examination is being able to successfully connect to the conference. You will receive connection information after you register. To ensure that you receive maximum benefit from this course, you must give it your full attention. Please do not read email or carry on local conversations during the course. You may be called upon occasionally during the course, and roll call will be taken.

Please forward this announcement to other lists or individuals who may be interested.
ANYONE is eligible to take it , regardless of your location or network.

Robert S. Dixon, Ph D, PE Chief Research EngineerOhio Academic Resources Network (OARNet)andOhio State University, Office of the CIOOffice Telephone: 614-292-1638Fax: 614-292-7081

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7) TIMELESS MASTERPIECES IN THE EXPLORATION OF ART

Vanderbilt Virtual School announces "Timeless Masterpieces" in the Exploration in Art series on THURSDAY, MAY 11 at 9:00 and 10:00 (CDT). These are two identical presentations @ 9AM and 10AM Central Daylight Time. This videoconference is available for students in grades 5 - 12.
Exploration in Art series advocates the creative use of technology to enhance the K-12 educational experience and encourages interdisciplinary curriculum that fully integrates the arts with other academic subjects. These video conferences are designed to encourage art appreciation, artistic expression, interpretation, creativity, experimentation, curiosity, and imagination.
Register at: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/registration.htm.
Note: Students should do some advance study of some of the classical art masterpieces BEFORE the videoconference so they can be active participants.The topic of these videoconferences is "Timeless Masterpieces." Mark Scala from the Frist Center for the Visual Arts AND students from participating schools will study a selection of works by great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. They will consider the artists' individual talents and skills, the innovation represented by the works, and the social and artistic contexts that informed both their creation and designation as a masterpiece.
YOUR students will then examine a selection of contemporary works, and decide whether they are masterpieces for our own time, or for all time; they must decide what can be considered today’s timeless masterpieces. Remember that it is "first come, first served" so please register at: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/registration.htm.
Patsy Partin, M.Ed Vanderbilt University Virtual School 2007 Terrace Place Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 322-6384
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8) JASON PROJECT – DISAPEARING WETLANDS (WEB BASED NOT IVDL)

Join us for more real science- in real time- with real researchers!Cutting edge scientific research is going on right under our noses here in northeast Ohio. Take advantage of local researcher insights and talents as we join scientists around the world on expedition to the Mississippi River's last stop on this continent. We will take our virtual journey to the Gulf Coast of Louisiana to examine the wetlands of Louisiana and discuss the consequences of 100 years of wetlands loss. The JASON Expedition program is a year long, supplemental hands-on, inquiry based, multidisciplinary science and technology curriculum for 4th to 9th grade classrooms. This award winning program ties the curriculum to both national and state standards.Case Western Reserve University offers professional development around: JASON Expedition: Disappearing Wetlands-We'll follow the path of the great Mississippi River, the Nile of the New World, to the unique and fragile coastal wetlands ecosystems of Louisiana that provide habitat for an incredible diversity of plants and animals. Participants will acquire an understanding of wetlands here and along our nations Gulf coast and of the efforts to save and restore them.Our key speaker for this session is James M. Bader, Aquatic Biologist, Case Faculty in Biology.Teacher professional development sessions introducing this expedition are currently scheduled for : Tuesday & Wednesday, May 2 and 3 , Introduction to Disappearing Wetlands (4:30p.m. -8:00p.m. both evenings)The participant fee for any expedition is $125. The fee includes workshops, refreshments, the curriculum package, and access to Team JASON On Line (a gated web site) for the teachers and students. Teachers are required to attend the professional development sessions introducing the expedition to be eligible to participate.Contact Information: Center for Science and Mathematics Education at CASEPhone: 216-368-5075E-mail: kmk21@case.eduThe above sessions will be held on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. If you would like more information, please don't hesitate to call 216-368-5075 or e-mail at kmk21@case.edu. Thank you for your interest.
Kathryn M. KwiatkowskiAssistant DirectorCenter for Science and Mathematics EducationCase Western Reserve UniversityGuilford House 41210900 Euclid AvenueCleveland, Ohio 44106-7158Phone: 216-368-5075Fax: 216-368-5465web address: www.case.edu/artsci/csm
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9) MAGICAL SCIENCE – JOHN MCINTIRE LIBRARY

Happy Spring!

I have three open spots for this program presented by the John McIntire Library. If you have a class interested, please let me know. We can do IP or ATM connections. Details follow:

Title: “Magical Science”
Date: April 26, 2006
Time: 10:00am-11:00am
3 site limit
Cost: $50.00 per site

Session Description:

Be prepared for your students to be entertained, excited and amazed at the science that is involved in magic. “The Magnificent Marinda” will delight your students with stories, experiments and displays of magical science. Many science topics will be discussed, such as air pressure, condensation, number patterns, acids/bases, oxygen/carbon dioxide, and the life of Harry Houdini will also be explored.

To schedule this session, please contact: Leslie Charles (lcharles@mvesc.k12.oh.us 740-452-4518 x 133)

Leslie Charles
Distance Learning Manager

Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center
205 North 7th Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
740.452.4518 ext 133
lcharles@mvesc.k12.oh.us
www.mvesc.k12.oh.us/tap/

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10) WVIZ/NOTA PROGRAMMING
Advocates, Tech Coordinators, Counselors, Career Specialists:
Please share the attached career information with your teachers.
Thanks.
John

Career Connection program use IVC to enhance vocational curriculum

The students from Career Connections, Avon’s alternative school and the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School in Piqua Ohio discussed the career of pipe fitting with two certified HVAC sheet metal and pipe fitting supervisors from a local company. The students listen to a short presentation about the career and its benefits then had an opportunity to ask questions.

Through a partnership with WVIZ Idea Stream Channel 25 the Avon Local Schools has access to several career programs with a variety of vocational trades. While a videoconference to pipe fitters in Cleveland is not as glamorous as a virtual surgery or a connection to a foreign county. The program is a great enhancement to our alternative schools career programming.

LCDLC Program Opportunities

LCDLC Updates for April 10, 2006

1) MATH AND SCIENCE GUMBO RESCHEDULED
2) KOREA AND VIETNAM WAR VETERAN INTERVEWS
3) NASA ASTRONAUTS BECOMING AQUANAUTS
4) RFID: TRACKING EVERYTHING, ANYWHERE, ALL THE TIME
5) COSI ELECTRONIC EDUCATION UPDATE
6) FREE CONTENT PROVIDER LIST

View the video update highlights at http://lcdlc.lorainesc.k12.oh.us/streaming.htm

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1) MATH AND SCIENCE GUMBO RESCHEDULED

The FREE Math and Science Gumbo Professional Development Opportunity has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at 3:30-4:30pm over your schools videoconferencing system.

Weights, measures, cooking times and temps, physical and chemical changes … you name it and the Kitchen Mathematician will beat, mix, blanche, toast, boil and fricassee food to explore the math and science that goes into cooking.

Math and Science Gumbo takes the unique approach of using food and cooking to teach many principles of math and science. The series focuses on math concepts like unit pricing, fractions, estimation, units of measurement, area and so on. On the science side, the series looks at the concepts of physical and chemical change, preservation, refrigeration, enzymes, microorganisms and gas laws. Math and Science Gumbo is tied to Ohio’s Academic Content Standards.

WNEO will provide each teacher with a curriculum packet containing a teacher’s guide, worksheets and a video. There are over 20 lesson plans and activities designed for grades 3-6, but can easily be adapted to other grades and curricula.

Teachers can view the online materials at http://www.pbs4549.org/gumbo/index.htm

To sign up for this program contact Paul Hieronymus. Phiero@Leeca.org

Please list the connecting site and the amount of teachers attending.

Kits have been distributed to the schools previously scheduled. Additional teachers and sites will receive materials before or shortly after the videoconference.

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2) KOREA AND VIETNAM WAR VETERAN INTERVEWS

Greetings,

We're piloting a new program this year with our local Korea and Vietnam War Veterans. It's called Lest We Forget, and is based on a series of videos we made of our local veterans. Students watch the video, read articles and bios, participate in lessons on that particular war, and then prepare quality questions for the veterans.

I have a few spots left in the interviews with our veterans. You can read about the project online and also register online as well. We'd love to have you join us!

Korea: April 26: 3 sessions with 3 slots each: 9:30-10:30; 10:45-11:45; and 1:00-2:00 EST
Vietnam: May 23: 3 sessions with 3 slots each: 9:30-10:30; 10:45-11:45; and 1:00-2:00 EST

http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl/veterans/

Janine Lim
Instructional Technology Consultant
Berrien County ISD
711 St. Joseph Ave.
Berrien Springs, MI 49103

jlim@remc11.k12.mi.us
Ph: (269) 471-7725x101
Fax: (269) 471-1221
Web: http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl
Blog: http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/

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3) NASA ASTRONAUTS BECOMING AQUANAUTS

Dear Partners in Education!

We want to let you know about a very exciting educational opportunity taking place on April 14, 2006 at 1:30pm-2:15pm Central and 2:30pm-3:15pm Central, and April 17, 2006 at 11:10am-11:55am Central and 12:10pm-12:55pm Central! Join us for videoconferences in which NASA Astronauts becoming Aquanauts onboard the Aquarius Underwater Habitat! Your students will be able to ask questions to the Aquanauts "live" during the program!

NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) is looking forward to it's 9th mission to the Aquarius habitat. This mission will be a collective effort between NASA and The Canadian Space Agency. The primary goal of this mission is focusing on long-distance health care such as telemonitoring and telerobotic surgery. This technology could be the key to maintaining the wellness of future spacefarers and responding to medical emergencies on the International Space Station, the moon or Mars!

If you're looking for a way to capture your students' attention while teaching them science and technology concepts in the context of real research, then this is the project you've been searching for!

The crew will use the undersea habitat as practice for long-duration space habitation, living in a volume similar to the habitation module of the International Space Station off the coast of Key Largo, Florida.

General Aquarius Information

The NEEMO missions are a cooperative project of NASA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Undersea Research Center (NURC) and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). They use Aquarius, the only undersea research laboratory in the world, which is owned by NOAA and managed by UNCW. The 14-meter-long (45 feet) by 4-meter-diameter (13 feet) underwater home and laboratory operates 4.5 kilometers (3 miles) off Key Largo in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Similar in size to the International Space Station's Zvezda Service Module, it is situated next to deep coral reefs and provides life support systems that allow scientists to live and work in reasonably comfortable quarters. The facility is supported by a 10-meter life support buoy on the surface which provides power, life support and communication requirements. There is also a shore-based "mission control" which supports all Aquarius missions with 24-hour mission monitoring. This mission also will be supported by JSC's Exploration Planning and Operations Center (ExPOC) control room, simulating the interactions between astronauts and control rooms on spaceflights. http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/

To participate, your school must have videoconferencing capabilities. For more information on technical requirements: http://nasadln.nmsu.edu/dln/content/techinfo/

If you would like to be placed on the " we're interested" list, contact NASA's Digital Learning Network @ 281-244-7325, or e-mail jsc-dislearn@mail.nasa.gov. Please respond immediately if you'd like to participate in this exciting event! When replying, the subject line must be: NEEMO 9

Please reply with the following information:
Your name:
Your email:
Your telephone number:
Your school's name:
Your school's state:
Student grade levels:
Regional Service Center your school is part of, if applicable:


Thank you, NASA Digital Learning Network
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 281-244-7325

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4) RFID: TRACKING EVERYTHING, ANYWHERE, ALL THE TIME

Have you taken RFID home with you? RFID chips, tiny tracking devices the size of a speck of dust, can be used to secretly identify you and the things you're carrying.
Data can be read right through clothes, wallet, backpack, and purse.

What will the future look like when every belonging is marked with a unique number identifiable with the swipe of a scanner; when the refrigerator or medicine cabinet keeps track of its contents; when the location of a car or a cell phone is always pinpoint-able; and even when signal-emitting microchips storing personal information might be implanted beneath the skin or embedded in inner organs?

Will personal privacy be discarded as every move is "tracked" into a database? What are the implications (pro and con) of RFID?

Join Vanderbilt Virtual School in this lively videoconference discussion on
THURSDAY, MAY 4 at 9:00 and 10:00 (CST).

Register at www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/registration.htm

**Note the times are in Central Time Zone, Please add an hour to each start time**

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5) COSI ELECTRONIC EDUCATION UPDATE

COSI Columbus - Electronic Education Broadcast E-mail April 2006

You have indicated an interest in receiving information about distance education from COSI Columbus. If you know of others who would like to receive these updates or if you do not want them in the future, please respond to this email and let us know.

For further information on any of the events listed below or to schedule an event please see our web site at:
http://www.cosi.org/educators/education-programs/electronic-education/
or call 1-888-819-2674.

Program Dates for Next School Year
Many of you are already asking when certain programs will be available next year. We are beginning to build our calendar and will be checking with various surgeons, hospitals, pathologists and other personnel to confirm the dates. Generally, we can't get confirmation of everything until late April. Once the dates are confirmed, you'll get them first through this email. Then we will post them on our web site and finally, we will open reservations for the '06-'07 school year on July 3 at 8:00 AM.

If you would like to request a topic for our Experts program, we can find someone and get them scheduled for next school year.

In Depth: Autopsy - Sold Out for both videoconference and live audiences.

Surgical Suite
Surgical Suite: Open Heart is sold out for the 2005-2006 school year, but Surgical Suite: Total Knee Replacement still has openings. We are also accepting schools on our waiting lists for dates that are already sold out. We are also still accepting reservations for those audiences that would like to come to COSI to see Surgical Suite: Total Knee Replacement. We have the following videoconference openings remaining for this school year:

Knee Surgery -
April 19, 2006 at 11:00 AM ET
May 10, 2006 at 8:45 AM ET
May 31, 2006 at 11:00 AM ET

Expert Special Events
COSI has a series of programs that connect Experts in science and technology with middle and high school students for a 15-20 minute presentation followed by a learner-led question and answer session. For further information on these events, please see our web site:
http://www.cosi.org/educators/education-programs/electronic-education/experts/.
Event titles are listed below.

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE SCHEDULE:

Nanotechnology, Plastics, and Your Future Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

Crash Scene Reconstruction
Monday, May 8, 2006, at 11:30 AM ET


Full listing of events for STUDENTS:

Forensics - Arson Investigation
Monday, April 10, 2006, at 11:30 AM ET

The Effects of ATP and Lactic Acid on Muscles and Exercise Monday, April 10, 2006, at 1:00 PM ET

Let's Get Physical*and Chemical for ELEMENTARY Students Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 10:30 AM ET

Mapping the Brain
Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

Gene Therapy for Diseases of the Nervous System Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 10:30 AM ET

Forensics: Latent Prints
Friday, April 21, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

Genetics and Personalized Medicine - Current Options and a Vision of the Future - SOLD OUT Friday, April 21, 2006, at 1:00 PM ET

Forensic Dentistry
Monday, April 24, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

Nanotechnology, Plastics, and Your Future Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

The Battle of Intellect: Humans vs. Machines Friday, April 28, 2006, at 10:30 AM ET

Genetically Profiling Cancer
Friday, April 28, 2006, at 1:00 PM ET

Black Holes
Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 1:00 PM ET

Forensic Entomology
Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 10:30 AM ET

Obesity in America: Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 1:00 PM ET

Crash Scene Reconstruction
Monday, May 8, 2006, at 11:30 AM ET

Exploring Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents
Thursday, May 11, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

The Potential of Genetics and DNA, or Don't Not Analyze It!
Thursday, May 11, 2006, at 12:00 PM ET

Engineering: Bridges and More
Monday, May 15, 2006, at 12:30 PM ET

Chemical Engineering - What is it?
Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at 11:00 AM ET

Conservation Biology of Ohio Amphibians
Thursday, May 18, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

Astrophysics: There's More Out There than Meets the Eye Thursday, May 18, 2006, at 1:00 PM ET

Exploring the Ocean with Robotic Submarines Monday, May 22, 2006, at 11:30 AM ET

Forensic Toxicology
Wednesday, May 24, 2006, at 1:00 PM ET

Forensic Handwriting Identification
Thursday, May 25, 2006, at 9:00 AM ET

To register for one of the above events, go to our online reservation system at https://education.cosi.org/eers/. Log into the system and click on the date of the program to register for the show. Or call 1-888-819-2674.

If you have a topic you'd like to see, please email us at electroniceducation@mail.cosi.org.


Gadget Works: Simple Machines for Grades 2-6 COSI is available for Gadget Works programs on (possible start times are indicated):

Monday, April 24 at 11:00AM ET
Tuesday, April 25 between 10:15AM and 11:00AM ET Friday, April 28 between 8:30AM and 9:00AM ET Monday, May 1 between 8:30AM and 9:00AM ET and between 11:45AM and 1:00PM ET Wednesday, May 3 between 8:30AM and 11:15AM ET Thursday, May 4 between 8:30AM and 9:00AM ET Monday, May 8 between 8:30AM and 9:00AM ET Tuesday, May 16 between 8:30AM and 9:30AM ET Monday, May 22 between 8:30AM and 9:00AM ET or between 12:45PM and 1:00PM ET Thursday, May 25 between 10:15AM and 11:15AM ET Friday, May 26 between 10:15AM and 11:00AM ET Tuesday, May 30 between 10:15AM and 11:00AM ET Wednesday, May 31 after 1:15PM ET Thursday, June 1 before 1:00PM ET Friday, June 2 at any time

To make a reservation for a Gadget Works show, select your desired day from the calendar on our reservation system and select "Request show not scheduled" at the bottom of the pop-up window. You may then request your Gadget Works show at your desired time and proceed to register your school for that show.

Further Information, Registration and Questions???
For further information on any of the programs listed above please see our web site:
http://www.cosi.org/educators/education-programs/electronic-education/
&
http://www.cosi.org/educators/education-programs/electronic-education/experts/


To register for programs please visit our online reservation system at https://education.cosi.org/eers/ or call: 1-888-819-2674.

Questions: e-mail: electroniceducation@mail.cosi.org

We look forward to connecting with you in the future!

Gail Wheatley
Director of Electronic Education

Electronic Education
COSI Columbus reservations: 1-888-819-COSI ext.0 or on web site web site: www.cosi.org
e-mail: electroniceducation@mail.cosi.org

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6) FREE CONTENT PROVIDER LIST

To help teachers with limited to non existent budgets for videoconferencing I created a list of content providers that do not charge for their programs.

See the attached document for a list of FREE content providers.

Please note that every content provider is different and the cost of their programs does not always indicate the quality of their programming.

** Attached Document**

Searchable Content Provider Databases

LCDLC(NOECA) http://lcdlc.lorainesc.k12.oh.us/contentproviders.htm
NOECA Intercom http://intercom.noeca.esu.k12.oh.us/intercom/tcn.htm
SchoolVoice http://www.schoolvoice.org/default.htm
CILC http://www.cilc.org/default.aspx
BCISD http://dl.remc11.k12.mi.us/programs01/FMPro?-db=programs01&-lay=Browse%20Programs&-format=search.htm&-view
Noodle Trip http://www.noodletrip.com/


Paul Hieronymus
Educational Consultant
Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium

Avon and North Lamar students Meet the Musher and share Iditarod Data

How can students from a suburban school near Cleveland, Ohio and students from North Lamar ISD in Paris Texas meet a dog sled racer??


Through Videoconferencing that’s how!

Mrs. Michelich a third grade teacher at Avon Heritage South Elementary School created an interactive project for her third grade group and shared the summary activity with the students of North Lamar. The third grade students read the Stone Fox during reading, kept journals on selected mushers in language arts and graphed the mushers progress in math class. Mrs. Atkins fourth grade class created journals and graphed mushers in their computer class. The classes agreed to connect over videoconferencing to share the data collected about their mushers.

As an enhancement to the program the schools connected to Northern Michigan University for the Meet the Musher virtual field trip. In the University TV studio one of the staff members from NMU brought in her dog sled, her guide lines and one of her race dogs. The students discussed the parts of the sled, training procedures of the team, race commands and the supplies need to complete a dog sled race. The students were treated with video of a race and pictures of the racers kennel. The presentation gave the students a better understanding of the sport of dog sled racing and how difficult it is for racers in the Iditarod to complete the race.

After the presentation the schools stayed connected and shared their data in a newcast format. The students from North Lamar stole the show brining in a husky representing their racers lead dog. The students from both sites enjoyed both parts of the conference. The sites used the last minutes of the bridge time to ask questions about each others communities and weather.

Great Job NMU and North Lamar!

LCDLC Updates for the week of April 3, 2006

1) CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM FREE PROGRAMMING
2) FREE NASA WEBCAST
3) MEGACONFERENCE JR FOR STUDENTS IS FREE & REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
4) LCDLC LESSONS FROM TEACHER – SEE THEIR VIDEOS PROMO CLIPS
5) ASK AN AUTHOR – LIZZIE BRIGHT & BUCKMINSTER BOY – NEWBERRY HONOR WINNER 2005
6) CILC NEW PROGRAMMING
7) CONTENT PROVIDER YELLOW PAGES DATABASE UPDATED!
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1) CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM FREE PROGRAMMING

Dear List,

We are winding up our school year and Ohio E-tech grant funding. We are offering FREE video conferences for all Ohio schools for the rest of the 2006 school year. Please take advantage of this while you can.

You can find program information at:
http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/greatfun/video_conferencing.shtml
or contact:
Carrie Atkins Maras
(513) 639-2974
Video conferencing studio number:
(513) 639 -2349
Out of State ISDN
(614) 722-0923
In state ISDN
(513) 722-0923

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2) FREE NASA WEBCAST

NASA's Digital Learning Network invites you to join us for web casts about NASA Astronauts becoming Aquanauts on board the Aquarius Underwater Habitat. The web casts will connect you live with the Aquarius crew as they conduct important underwater research. Join us to find out how this project is helping NASA prepare for future space exploration!

Web cast Dates & Times: 4/5/06 10:15 - 11:00 ET 4/5/06 11:15 - 12:00 ET 4/14/06 3:30 - 4:15 ET 4/17/06 12:10 - 12:55 ET

How to connect: Click on the following link to connect to the event via RealPlayer. You may also use this link to test your computer connection in advance. NASATV is always streamed until the day and time of the event.
http://technology.grc.nasa.gov/broadcasts/nasatv_rtsp.ram Ask a question "Live": If you would like to ask the aquanauts questions during the event, click on the following website http://nasadln.nmsu.edu/dln/content/askaquestion/?erid=2949&hostid10. The program host will ask the question on your behalf. Please list your first name and the city you are viewing from.
Cool Activities for Students: http://nasadln.nmsu.edu/dln/content/catalog/details/?cid=494 About NEEMO 9: NASA's Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) 9 is a joint project involving the Center for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS) at Mc Master University, The US Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Adminis ration (NOAA), the National Undersea Research Center (NURC) and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW).

The mission will take place at Aquarius, the only undersea research laboratory in the world, which is owned by NOAA and managed by UNCW. The 14-meter-long (45 feet) by 4-meter-diameter (13 feet) underwater home and laboratory operates 4.5 kilometers (3 miles) off Key Largo in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Similar in size to the International Space Station's Zvezda Service Module, it is situated next to deep coral reefs and provides life support systems that allow scientists to live and work in reasonably comfortable quarters. The facility is supported by a 10-meter life support buoy on the surface which provides power, life support and communication requirements. There is also a shore-based "mission control" which supports all Aquarius missions with 24-hour mission monitoring. This mission also will be supported y JSC's Exploration Planning and Operations Center (ExPOC) control room, simulating the interactions between astronauts and control rooms on spaceflights.

As an 18-day mission, NEEMO 9 is the longest mission to date. http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/2006/04_2006/expd.htm
************************************************
Marilyn J. Heath, Ed.D.
National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning
21st CCLC
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
211 East 7th Street, Austin, TX 78701-3281
E-mail: mheath@sedl.org
Voice: 512-476-6861 x 272
Fax: 512-476-2286
http://www.sedl.org/
http://www.sedl.org/afterschool

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3) MEGACONFERENCE JR FOR STUDENTS IS FREE & REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Dear Colleagues:
Megaconference Jr. is once again approaching us and I would like to request your kind assistance again this year to get the word around. In an effort to Bridge the Digital Divide; please help us circulate this open free registration announcement for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2006 to anyone who may be interested in your areas. Megaconference Jr. "An Event For and By Students of the World"; in its third year had over 320 sites connected last year from all over the world. It was a tremendous success. If you would like to assist and if you have your facility available perhaps you can invite your local schools to your facility for being part of this great event. A lot of schools do not have either the equipment or a suitable internet connection, your help will be greatly appreciated. If you are a library it may be a way for inviting your neighborhood schools.

FREE general registration for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2006 event is still open.
Please go to: http://www.megaconferencejr.org/ and click on the "Register" link. Read the explanation and review the schedule and presentations prior to completing the registration. You now have the ability to interact live with one of the presentations. You will be asked to make your selection towards the end of the registration form. When you have completed all fields click the "Submit" button. You should receive an email confirmation.

The interactive registrations with presenters are on a first come first serve basis. Once we have five for each presentation, interactive registration will be closed. General registration will continue through April 28, 2006.

Again this year we look forward to your involvement!

1) What is Megaconference Jr.? Megaconference Jr. is an international project designed to give students in elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real time, using advanced multi-point videoconferencing technology. Now in its third year, Megaconference Jr. brings together students from countries all around the world for 12 hours of interactive presentations, cafes, and forums. Megaconference Jr. will take place on May 18, 2006. For more information go to http://www.megaconferencejr.org/ .

2) WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE? The event will be on May 18, 2006, and it will run from 7:00 am until 7:00pm EDT (UTC-4). The 12-hour duration will make it possible for schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school hours.

3) What do I need to participate? Connected sites need H.323 videoconferencing capabilities and access to a national research and education network such as Abilene (Internet2) in the United States, CA*net 4 in Canada, or Gèant in Europe, GLORIAD in China Central Asia. Numerous other state and regional networks and GigaPoPs (ie: OARnet, MAGPI, SURA, SOX, NOX, IHETs, MERIT, CENIC, MAX, NYSERNet) are available. If you are not surewhether you are connected to such a network, you can download the Internet2 Detective (http://detective.internet2.edu/), ask your local network person, or contact us at (megajr@sccresa.org).

4) Do I have to be on Internet2 to participate? Sites are strongly encouraged to connect over Internet2 or other high speed networks for the best quality videoconference experience.

5) Do I have to go to a university to participate? No. You can participate through a local university or other organization, but you can also participate from your own office or classroom if your Internet connection is sufficient. We can work with you to determine if your connection will work.
6) How much bandwidth do I need to participate? The preferred connection speed for the event is 384 kbps. If you do not have access to Internet2, your local university may have a site you can use. We can work with you to arrange a site if needed. Cable modem service usually works.

7) Why isn't the commercial Internet good for Megaconference Jr.? The commercial Internet (i.e. Yahoo, AOL, Netscape), is generally too slow and too unstable to support the high-quality interactive video and audio that takes place during Megaconference events. And ISDN videoconferencing is too expensive for multi-site international interactive videoconferencing events. However, if you have a high bandwidth Internet connection, we can work with you so that you can participate in Megaconference Jr.

8) How can so many sites be connected simultaneously around the world? The Internet2 Commons (jointly operated by The Ohio State University and the Ohio Supercomputer Center), makes this possible by connecting sites through its remote collaboration service. You can learn more about the Internet2 Commons at http://commons.internet2.edu/.

9) What kinds of presentations/activities will my students see? Presenters design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and activities focused on academic, cultural, scientific, social and a host of other issues. Participants will be able to ask questions of presenters and to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness. Examples of previous presentations include: "Being Australian"; "Hurricane Houses"; "Hatching Chicks and Birds of Prey"; "Commonality, Connection, and Conversation Across the Continents"; "Bums on Drums"; "Flamenco Dancing and Walking Around Barcelona"; "Open Forum on Bullying"; "Reenactment of the Oklahoma Land Run"; "Robotics"; "Native American Comanche Tribal Dancing"; and an interactive quiz game between students in Taiwan, Ohio and Australia.

10) How much does it cost to participate? Participation is free and open to everyone. The Megaconference Jr. event is a volunteer effort made possible through the dedication of students, teachers and technologists around the world. We only ask for your active engagement in helping to make Megaconference Jr. a fantastic event for all!

11) How can we participate in other Internet2 videoconferencing events? People enjoy Megaconference Jr. so much that they often want to participate in similar events. In addition to Megaconference Jr., there is also the annual Megaconference event, on which Megaconference Jr. was modeled. The Megaconference, now in its 8th year, is open to K-12 schools as well. Megaconference Jr. was designed to help foster collaborations among schools worldwide, so we encourage you to start your own Megaconference-type events locally. Many have already been created including state-wide mini-Megaconference Jrs. such as "Texas Connects: A Statewide Videoconference for Texas Elementary Students" and a "Holiday Megaconference Jr." event. For more information go to http://digitalunion.osu.edu/megaconference/index.html.

12) Do I need to register if I connect through a local organization? Yes, or else you will not be listed as a participant, and you will not be called in the roll call, or be eligible for door prizes.

13) Do I have to be there for the whole 12 hours of the event? No, most people do not participate for the entire 12 hours.Please see the Megaconference Jr. home page for important dates and deadlines, www.megaconferencejr.org .

NOTE: Please forward this message to anyone you feel would be interested.
Kind Regards
Arif Khan
Global Internet2 H.323 Services
NOC OARnet - A Division of Ohio Supercomputer Center
akhan@oar.net
Ohio Supercomputer Center
http://www.osc.edu
OARnet http://www.oar.net
Third Frontier Network http://www.osc.edu/oarnet/tfn/
Internet2 Commons http://commons.internet2.edu/
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4) LCDLC LESSONS FROM TEACHER – SEE THEIR VIDEOS PROMO CLIPS

Veteran teachers in the Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium developed lessons to share out with other teachers to participate in this year. Each teacher created a lesson plan and a short video detailing their lesson. The grade levels and subject areas are diverse in nature and can be found on our website by clicking on the link at the bottom of the homepage entitled “Projects”, or by clicking on the link http://lcdlc.lorainesc.k12.oh.us/projects.htm . Don’t miss out on these lessons!

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5) ASK AN AUTHOR – LIZZIE BRIGHT & BUCKMINSTER BOY – NEWBERRY HONOR WINNER 2005

Join us for an ASK author interview on April 18, 2006, with Gary Schmidt and his book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (a Newberry Honor winner in 2005). We still have an opening in each time slot - 9:30-10:30 a.m., 10:45-11:45 a.m. and 12:45-1:45 p.m. (all EST).

Cost - $70 or $35 for TWICE members

Grades 6-8

Register for this program at http://www.twice.cc/ASK/index.html

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
"It only takes a few hours for Turner Buckminster to start hating Phippsburg, Maine. No one in town will let him forget that he's a minister's son, even if he doesn't act like one. But then he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a smart and sassy girl from a poor nearby island community founded by former slaves. Despite his father's-and the town's-disapproval of their friendship, Turner spends time with Lizzie, and it opens up a whole new world to him, filled with the mystery and wonder of Maine's rocky coast. The two soon discover that the town elders, along with Turner's father, want to force the people to leave Lizzie's island so that Phippsburg can start a lucrative tourist trade there. Turner gets caught up in a spiral of disasters that alter his life-but also lead him to new levels of acceptance and maturity. This sensitively written historical novel, based on the true story of a community's destruction, highlights a unique friendship during a time of change."



Sue PorterInstructional Technology CoordinatorKent ISD2930 Knapp NEGrand Rapids, MI 49525-4518email: sueporter@kentisd.orgphone: 616.365.2273fax:616.364.1489


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6) CILC NEW PROGRAMMING

The following programs are new offerings that can be found on the CILC website http://www.cilc.org/. You may also click on the program title to go directly to the detailed program description on the CILC website.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Owls: A Museum Perspective
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7Description: Owls have long fascinated people because of their large,forward-facing eyes and their nocturnal habits. If your students are fascinated by these mysterious birds this program will use that interest to explore science principles relating to structure and function, diversity and adaptations, and populations and ecosystems.Program Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY

CILC Professional Development

Linking Leads to Learning: Integrating Reading Recovery Strategies into Classroom Instruction
Audience: Education: Curriculum Director, Professional Development Director, Paraprofessional, Administrator, Grade K-2 Teacher, Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, Title I StaffDescription: Struggling readers often do not make links on their own...they need us to help them see the connections between reading and writing instruction. In the Reading Recovery program, teachers work diligently to show children that what they know in reading can help them in writing and vice-versa through focused, explicit teaching and specific prompting language.This session focuses on how educators can utilize certain Reading Recovery teaching strategies with the entire class or small groups of children. Providing powerful book introductions, supporting children in their reading problem-solving skills, teaching for fluency, writing strategies, and word work ideas will be explored.Program Availability: Published Date(s) and Time(s) ONLY

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization

Windows Through Time: Journals of American Revolutionary War Spies!
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Curriculum Director, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Title One Coordinator, Teacher, Parent, Media Specialist/Librarian, K-12 Educator, Public Library: Library Patrons, childrenDescription: Engage your students in The Ward Melville Heritage Organization's (WMHO) literacy based distance learning program about America's first successful spy ring. Utilizing two-way videoconferencing, our instructor dressed in period costume of Anna Smith Strong (a spy ring member), interacts with the students while presenting material on the actual workings of this top-secret spy ring.Program Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY


During the past week, the following new program(s) matching your profile were added to the CILC website:
Provider:

CILC Professional Development
New Technologies: A Virtual Symposium on Nanotechnology and Biotechnology
Audience: Education: Teacher, Content Providers: EducatorDescription: Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity for K-12 educators! Participate on site in Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota or through desktop web conferencing from your own computer!Science educators have been looking for unifying science concepts and applications for many years. Integrated and unified science curricula are being offered in most high schools today. To understand the promise of New Technologies as an emerging science thematic application is to understand how biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering can work toward a solution. This focus can be useful in science instruction in the K-12 classroom. Topics of the symposium will include: *NSF activity in Converging Technologies in Industry*Nanotechnology research and applied science in industry*Biotechnology research and joint bio/nano projectsProgram Availability: Published Date(s) and Time(s) ONLY

What's all the Hype about Skype and other Web-based Collaborative Tools
Audience: Education: Individuals or teams that want to learn more about the FREE web-based tools.Description: So what IS all the hype about Skype and other web-based collaborative tools? Today there are so many FREE tools that can be downloaded and used to make our lives much more productive and collaborative. If you are interested in learning the basics about Skype, podcasts, blogs, wikis, and other tools, then this session is for you. Basic application ideas will be explored and participants will receive a handout with a multitude of resources, links to free downloads, and examples from the K-12 community. You'll be able to take your new knowledge and practice over the summer with your colleagues right from your home computer.Program Availability: Published Date(s) and Time(s) ONLY

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Maple Syrup, Sugar and Spotza
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 4, 5, 6Description: Witness the fascinating process of tapping trees, converting sugar water into maple products, and the stories associated with the maple industry of Somerset County, Pennsylvania's largest maple producing region.Program Availability: n/a

Mysteries of the Mesozoic
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 2, 3Description: Dinosaurs ruled the Mesozoic. We will explore the characteristics these specialized reptiles had in common, investigate the relationship between diet and teeth, examine familiar plants from dinosaur times and talk about why dinosaurs became extinct or did they? The fascinating work of a paleontologist will also be explored.Program Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY
This e-mail was automatically generated at http://www.cilc.org/, please do not reply directly to this e-mail.

Thanks!Julia
Julia Shildmyer-Heighway Director of Content Providers Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) Office: 317-231-6529 Jheighway@cilc.org
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7) CONTENT PROVIDER YELLOW PAGES DATABASE UPDATED!

Ever want the yellow pages for IVDL content providers? It’s here and up to date. We utilize a database that has hundreds of content providers and that is updated weekly. Most importantly, it has a searchable feature that allows you to search through its thousands of programs using keywords, cost, grade level, or subject area. Check it out if you have not already by going to our website and selecting the “Content Provider” tab, then select “LCDLC Content Provider Database” or click on the link http://intercom.noeca.net/lcesc/content.htm .