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A Focus on Schools

Dateline: 09/13/97

Did you know that using computers and the Internet can make you smarter? According to an independent survey commissioned by Gateway 2000, 56% of the children ages 10 to 18 reported significant improvement in grades after starting to use computers regularly, and 67% of the students aged 10 to 12 reported improvement from using a PC. (Computing for Kids, PC Novice, Vol. 3, Issue 9).

Lately I have been visiting some schools who have been very smart with their use of computers. This week I’m going to take you on a tour of schools with some great projects and ideas.

Cool Schools

Athena Space and Science for K12
Arbor Heights Elementary, Seattle, Washington.

The Chena River Microcopia
University Park Elementary, Fairbanks, Alaska.

Weather Wizards
Crozet Elementary School, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Worms!
Bridlemile Elementary School, Portland, Oregon.

News for Parents and Educators

President Clinton's Call to Action for American Education in the 21st Century
To prepare America for the 21st century, we need strong, safe schools with clear standards of achievement and discipline, and talented and dedicated teachers in every classroom. Every 8-year-old must be able to read, every 12-year-old must be able to log onto the Internet, every 18-year-old must be able to go to college, and all adults must be able to keep on learning.

Teachtalk
The TeachTalk Mailing List is an unmoderated forum for posting and answering questions and passing along news, comments, and observations related to teaching and education. It is also a great place to network with other on-line educators!

The Teacher's Place
Voice's of Youth at Unicef offers a forum for educators to share experiences and ideas about the educational potentials and pitfalls of the World Wide Web and online learning.

A School's Guide to Getting Online
Everything you need to know about getting connected.

Computer Learning Month
October is Computer Learning month and is a time for focusing attention on the important role computers, software and other technologies play in our lives, particularly in our children's learning and their future.

Resources for Schools

The Telecommunications Act of 1996: A Guide for Educators
The Snowe-Rockefeller-Exon-Kerrey Amendment to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 provides for the first time telecommunications discounts to schools. Learn what schools should be doing to take advantage of the discounts.

Net Day
Answer the NetDay Roll Call now and make the map show your school's commitment to the future of children in your community.

Grants and Awards

Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Teachers
This award honors one teacher who has demonstrated exemplary approaches to science teaching and new designs using science equipment and facilities available at the K-12 level. Equipment and facilities include classroom and laboratory space, furniture, fixtures, and science teaching apparatus.

Barrick Goldstrike Exemplary Elementary Earth Science Teaching Award
This award is given to an elementary science teacher who has demonstrated exemplary earth science (specifically environmental or geology) teaching practices in one or more of the following areas: innovative design and use of hands-on earth science materials; creative design and implementation of earth science lesson plans/curriculum; and fostering student, school, and school-community instructional programs in elementary earth science.

Robert H. Carleton Award
This award recognizes one individual who has made outstanding contributions to and provided leadership in science education at the national level and to NSTA in particular. It is NSTA's most prestigious award.

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