Friday, December 16, 2011

Looking for things to do over the Winter Break?

Open the images below to see a short listing of local activities and events happening during the school winter break!

Offerings include:
-The Museum of Science new exhibits!
-Theater shows
-sports programs
-Links for students to enjoy science games!
-First Night Boston FREE events
-and a listing of upcoming events

Enjoy your Holiday break by having fun while learning!




If you have a hard time viewing this and/or have questions, email the Center for STEM Education at: stem@neu.edu

Monday, December 5, 2011

National STEM Video Game Challenge

The 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge is launched in partnership with Digital Promise, a new initiative created by the President and Congress, supported through the Department of Education. The initiative is designed to unlock the promise of breakthrough technologies to transform teaching and learning.

Categories for middle school and high school students.

What are the different Challenge Entry Streams?
Individual Entries:
Team Entries:
Make a game about any topic using any game creation tool. Limit of four (4) youth per team.

What are the prizes for each Entry Stream?
Each individual winner and each member of a winning team will received an AMD-powered laptop computer with game design and educational software.
Each winning entry will also earn an award of $2,000 for your school (or the non-profit organization of your choice)!

Monday, October 24, 2011

SPLASH at MIT and BC - Programs for students in Grades 7 - 12

Forwarded from our colleagues at MIT ..

Greetings from the Educational Studies Program at MIT!

http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/index.html 


It's that time of year again: registration for Splash 2011 is opening soon! Have you ever wanted to take a class about...


- How to Have a Crushing Grip
- Moral Relativism in Comic Books
- Elevator Science
- Weird Atoms and Strange Photons
- Introduction to Zombie Defense
- Advanced Lightsaber Dueling
- Carbon Chauvinism
- To Infinity and Beyond! The History of Pixar
- The Great Lego Challenge: A Hands on Introduction to Engineering Design


...or any of 400 other awesome topics? If so, then Splash is the program for you! Splash will be running November 19th and 20th, the weekend before Thanksgiving, on MIT's campus.


Program Vitals:
What: A weekend in which you can take multiple classes on a huge variety of subjects.
When: The weekend before Thanksgiving. In 2011, Splash will be held on November 19 and 20.
Who: Students in grades 7-12
Cost: $30.
Where: On the MIT main campus.

Registration for Splash will open on October 25th at 8 pm. The class catalog will be available at http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/2011/catalog/  shortly before then. **Don't panic** if you can't see the catalog well in advance of registration opening! This year, classes are once again being scheduled by a lottery system to ensure that the process is as fair as possible. Preferences will be accepted until November 2nd; all preferences received before then will be treated exactly the same. It is strongly encouraged that you take your time and pick the classes in which you are most interested. For more information about the lottery, go to <http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/studentregFAQ.html>. After the lottery results are released on November 6th, first-come-first-serve registration will open on November 7th and remain open until November 13th. For more information, go to http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/studentregFAQ.html.

If you have any more questions about MIT Splash, feel free to email us at splash@mit.edu.

In addition to MIT's Splash, Splash will be held at Boston College on Sunday, November 13th! Come to The Heights to take a diverse selection of classes all taught by passionate BC undergraduates. Immerse yourself on BC's campus, connect with the undergraduates, and learn about something that would never be offered at your high school. BC's liberal arts classes range from "Political Structures and Policies in the World of Harry Potter" to "Egg Timer Art History" to "Entrepreneur State of Mind". BC Splash is free for all high school students and course registration is open now! For the complete course catalog and more information on how to sign up, you can visit the website at <http://bcsplash.learningu.org>, or reach them by email at bcsplash@gmail.com  or phone at 617- 297 - 7524.
https://bcsplash.learningu.org/ 


We look forward to seeing you at Splash!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) for High School Students


About SEAP

http://seap.asee.org/

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides an opportunity for students to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory during the summer.
The goals of SEAP are to encourage participating students to pursue science and engineering careers, to further their education via mentoring by laboratory personnel and their participation in research, and to make them aware of DoN research and technology efforts, which can lead to employment within the DoN.
SEAP provided competitive research internships to 245 high school students this year. Participating students spend eight weeks during the summer doing research at approximately 20 DoN laboratories.
The online application closes on January 6th, 2012.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

National Fossil Day

Celebrate Earth Science Week
Explore the amazing prehistoric world of fossils including trilobites, dinosaurs, Ice Age mammals, and other creatures.

Discover how fossils form and investigate fossilized bones, teeth, claws, and footprints.

Fossil Day is offered as part of Earth Science Week, encouraging people everywhere to explore the natural world and learn about the geosciences.

Wednesday, October 12 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Harvard Museum of Natural History: 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

AIA-Museum of Science Archaeology Fair


The archaeology fair is an event that features archaeologically themed programs and interactive activities for the whole family, free with a Museum of Science admission this weekend. Activities are created and presented by archaeologists, educators, and other specialists.

This is your chance to dig into the past! Here are some highlights of many participating organizations:

Boston National Historical Park
Digging up the Past: Come have a hand at “Archaeology in a Box!” Participants will use archaeological tools and methods to “excavate” artifacts as though they were on a real dig.

Diablo Glass School
Glassblowing: Come to an outdoor demonstration and watch an interactive exposition with the tools and materials used to blow glass!

Franklin Pierce Anthropology Club
Learn to Throw an Atlatl: Come learn about the history of the atlatl and how it was used in the past. Watch a demonstration of the power of this throwing tool, and even get a chance to try it out yourself!

Joe Bagley - Flintknapper
Flintknapping—The Art and Science of Stone Tools: Come see the ancient art of making stone tools! A hands-on display will feature modern arrowheads and other stone tools, and there will be live demonstrations of flintknapping throughout the day.

Legio III Cyrenaica
Roman Living Historians: Come see a display of accurate reconstructions of Roman Legion artifacts and equipment, some of which you can handle and even try on! Learn how to march and maneuver like a Roman soldier, and listen to a lecture describing the life of a man in the Roman army. Even have your photo taken with a Roman soldier!

9:00-2:00 Friday 10/7
10:00-3:00 Saturday 10/8


Free with Museum of Science admission

1 Science Park, Boston, MA, 02114, 617-353-9361

Friday, September 30, 2011

NU Engineering Visit Options for High school students

Engineering Wednesdays
Every Wednesday is Engineering Wednesday at Northeastern (except December 28, 2011). This "mini" open house for prospective undergraduate engineering students and their families is an engineering-specific information session followed by a tour of the College of Engineering led by one of our students. It is an opportunity to learn about our academic programs, cooperative education, support services, and the admissions process. It’s also a great time to see our facilities, meet other faculty and staff, and get your questions answered.
Wednesdays 10:30 AM in 110 Behrakis Center (Admissions Visitor Center) The program will last approximately two and a half hours. Many attendees also choose to take a general campus tour on the same day. Registration is NOT required.

 Open Houses
Two open houses are scheduled for October 8th and November 12th. These days are designed for prospective undergraduate students and their families. Representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Colleges (including each of the engineering departments) will hold information sessions. Families will have the opportunity to tour the campus and talk with engineering students, faculty, and staff. Registration for the Open Houses will be available on the Admissions website by mid-September.
For more information, please e-mail Rachelle Reisberg at r.reisberg@neu.edu.

 Women In Engineering Day - 10/28/11
Women in Engineering Day is an all day event for high school girls and their parents to find out more about our program. This year it is scheduled for Friday, October 28, 2011. The day starts out with a Welcome Continental breakfast, several information presentations, and a student panel of engineering women ready to answer all of your questions. Over lunch, meet our Admissions, Financial Aid, and Residential Life staff. The afternoon includes visits to our engineering research facilities with lots of fun activities. The day ends with an optional campus tour. To reserve a spot, please e-mail Rachelle Reisberg at r.reisberg@neu.edu by October 17th.

 Building Bridges
A day for high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to learn what engineering is all about. Students choose from a menu of hands-on interactive activities led by our engineering faculty and students from each of our departments. The next "Building Bridges" will be held on December 2, 2011. For more information, please e-mail Richard Harris at rharris@coe.neu.edu.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Franklin Park Forest Fall Festival

Saturday, October 1st from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Enjoy FREE outdoor activities for all ages in scenic Franklin Park. You can climb a tree, borrow a bike for a park tour, join a family nature hike, and forage for wild edible plants.

1:30 and 3:00pm: Family nature hikes & activities with Boston Nature Center educator
4:00-6:00pm: Fall foraging edible plant walk with local naturalist, Pam Kristan
1:00-4:00pm: Tree Climbing with Boston Area Recreational Climbers

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Weekend Events!

Check out these exciting opportunities below:

Smithsonian Magazine's "National Free Museum Day" - Saturday, September 24

Rappin' with Raptors Festival - Saturday, September 24, 1-4 p.m., Mattapan

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Welcome back to school / September Resources!

Yes, it is that time of year again; it’s “Back – to – School” season!

The Boston youth zone (bostonyouthzone.com) has sent out information in their newsletter for September and Back to school resources!

Here are a few below to point you in the right direction if you have any questions about the new school year!

Links for back to school tips:

Welcome Back from the Boston Public Schools!: Check out www.bostonpublicschools.org/welcome for information about starting the school year. Access the school calendar, important documents, and more.

Back-to-School Parent Hotline: Call for help with school assignments, transportation, and other back-to-school questions. Open weekdays through Sep 16, 7am-6pm. 617-635-9046

Boston Public Schools Calendar: Remember important dates, school vacations and more. Do not forget that school starts on Sep 8 for grades 1-12. www.bostonpublicschools.org/district_calendar

Boston Centers for Youth and Families After School Programs: Visit your local community center to find out about after school programs and fall activities. 617-635-4920, www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf

Links for tutoring and homework support tips:

Homework Assistance Program (HAP) at BPL: Students in grades K-8 can get free after-school homework help in all subject areas at any library branch. Academic support and mentoring is also available. Assistance is provided by high-achieving high school mentors. Starts Sep 12, Mon-Thurs 3:30-5:30pm. Sat hours vary by branch. 617-859-2382, www.bpl.org/homework/index.htm

Boston Teacher’s Union Tutors: Students in all grades can receive homework help and tutoring from Boston Public School teachers. Tutoring starts the week of Sep 26 at Boston Public Library branches from 4-6pm. Days vary by branch. bchaney863@aol.com, www.bpl.org

Project D.E.E.P Tutoring: Dorchester students in grades 5-8 can receive one-on-one help with their homework, projects, and reports in any subject by signing up at the Leahy-Holloran Community Center on Sep 24. Students will meet with tutors for 90 minutes throughout the year with a one-time $50 registration fee. beth@projectdeep.org, www.projectdeep.org

If you found some of these links helpful, feel free to sign up for the newsletter and receive monthly information from the Boston Youth Zone for you and/or your child!

Just visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/subscribe/ to sign up for the free newsletter!

DISCOUNT DEALS at Boston Museums for youth!

Are you ever looking for something to do with your child afterschool or on weekends? Here are a few places that offer good deals to get you into exhibts and have fun!
1. The Children’s Museum has Dollar days where every Friday sponsered by Target it only costs $1 to get in to the museum (5-9pm) and allow your children to explore every floor!
For more information about the Museum and to plan a visit go to their website.

2. If you like learning about culture and Arts (and maybe take a class, or just visit!)The Museum of Fine Arts offers discounted deals during non-school hours where you can get your child (kids age 7-17) in to the museum for FREE (weekdays after 3 pm, weekends, Boston public school holidays) *Note: general admission otherwise is $7.50 and kids under 6 are always FREE.
To learn more about the location and what the Museum of Fine Arts offers please visit their website!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

MIT Middle School and High School 2011-2012 Programs!

Two programs at MIT that your students can apply to attend! Follow the information below:

(1) If your student plans on taking AP courses at their High School, try looking into MIT's Delve program where they prepare students to succeed in those classes:
DELVE
Registration for Delve 2011-2012 will run to Sep 10, 2011. Student registration will close Sep 10, 2011
Program Vitals:
- What: Advanced Placement (AP) preparation classes
- When: Year-long (9/18/11-5/6/12), Sundays 10:00-3:00pm; lunch 12:00-1:00pm
- Who: Students in grades 9-12 during the 2011-2012 school year
- Cost: $250, plus $150 deposit for books. Generous financial aid is available.
For more information and to find out how to apply, follow this link:
http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Delve/index.html

(2) If your student enjoys learning about subject areas such as: mathematics, literature, science, arts, sports, and more, than take a look at MIT's Splash 2011 One weekend program!
SPLASH 2011
Registration will open in late October.
Program Vitals:
- What: A weekend in which you can take multiple classes on a huge variety of subjects.
- When: The weekend before Thanksgiving. In 2011, Splash will be held on November 19 and 20 (from 9:00 am - 10 pm on Saturday and 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sunday, with lunch from 12 - 2 pm on both days. Check-in will open at 8:00 am both days. Classes are held on MIT’s main campus)
- Who: Students in grades 7-12
For more information follow the link below (More information about Splash 2011 will be posted on the website in September):
http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/index.html

Monday, August 1, 2011

Back-to-School Jamboree: Saturday, August 27, 2011

Amazing event for Families and Students!

Back-to-School Jamboree
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Starting Time: 10:00 a.m.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston School Committee and Superintendent Carol R. Johnson

will host the 3rd annual Boston Public Schools Back-to-School Jamboree on Saturday, August 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on City Hall Plaza.

The event will feature live performances, health screenings, community resources, activities, prizes and more.

If you are a vendor and would like to participate, please download the application form here.


Finish time: 3:00 p.m.
Office Telephone: 617-635-9660
Email: b2sjamboree@boston.k12.ma.us
Directions: http://www.cityofboston.gov/contact/directions.asp
Event Type: System-Wide Event
Location: Boston City Hall Plaza
United States
See map: Google Maps or Plan trip using MBTA Public Transit

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Free Events During the Cambridge Science Festival April 30-May 8

The Cambridge Science Festival, the first of its kind in the United States, is a celebration showcasing Cambridge as an internationally recognized leader in science, technology, engineering and math. A multifaceted, multicultural event every spring, the Cambridge Science Festival makes science accessible, interactive and fun!

Events take place all over Cambridge, at the Museum of Science, MIT, Harvard and more. Check their website for more information!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Summer Camps - PBHA Camps for children from Boston and Cambridge

Camps
PBHA’s Summer Urban Program is a set of 12 student-run summer camps for children in Boston and Cambridge. Each summer, approximately 150 college students work in these communities. Serving over 800 youth, the summer programs are structured into mornings of curricular, classroom-based enrichment and afternoons of field trips in and around Boston.

Each camp uses the city as a classroom without walls, and the summer culminates in final trips and a show. An essential element of the summer program is community partnership; teens who are often former campers are hired as junior or senior counselors and directors, and parents and community leaders play an important role in working with the program. Many camps have been operating in their neighborhoods for decades.

http://programs.pbha.org/sup/camps-2/


SUP Camps

Camper Applications -

http://programs.pbha.org/sup/camper-applications/


Boston Refugee Youth Enrichment
Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program
Chinatown Adventure
Franklin I-O
Keylatch Summer Program
Mission Hill Summer Program
Native American Youth Enrichment Program
Refugee Youth Summer Enrichment
Roxbury Youth Initiative
South Boston Outreach Summer

Monday, April 11, 2011

The ARTEMIS Project -FREE computer science 5 week summer program at Boston University for rising 9th and 10th grade girls

The Artemis Project is a free, five-week computer science summer program for rising 9th and 10th grade girls. Artemis introduces participants to the creative thinking and problem-solving skills that are at the core of computer science. The program was founded in 1996 at Brown University and we are very excited about launching the first program in Boston this summer.

Artemis sparks the interest of girls by making fundamental topics in computer science fun and engaging, incorporating lessons with hands-on activities as well as real-world applications. In Providence, Artemis has taught the girls how to design their own websites in HTML/CSS, build and program robotics, and create games using programming languages such as Java, Python, Scheme and Visual Basics. Sample conceptual topics included introduction to search and sort algorithms, cryptography, artificial intelligence, circuits, and recursion through Towers of Hanoi. We hope that students will leave Artemis with both the practical skills and the conceptual background that will help them succeed.

The program will be held in Boston University's Photonics Center from June 27 through July 29, 2011 M-F from 9:00-4:00. For more information and to apply, please visit the program website at here.

New England Resource Directory

New England Resource Directory
The New England Resource Directory provides information to students, advisors and administrators on outreach efforts, internships and science-related programs at New England educational institutions, and biomedical and biotechnology organizations. The directory describes non-degree programs sponsored by high schools, colleges, universities, professional and graduate schools, hospitals, private industry, foundations and government agencies.
http://www.bscp.org/resourceDirectory.asp

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Submit a Video by Friday, April 15 for a Chance to Win $25,000

There are 12 days left to submit a video in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Upload your child's video by Friday, April 15 for their chance to win $25,000, the title of "America's Top Young Scientist," once-in-a-lifetime trips, and much more!


Need more info before you click submit? We're here to help! There's still time to put together a winning video entry: read through this year's video topics for all the guidelines, download a video checklist, or join a free webinar to get insider tips from the 2010 grand prize winner.


Encourage your child to finish their video... and enter today!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Microsoft STEM career event for female high school juniors and seniors

Microsoft New England would like to invite junior and senior high school women who are interested in pursuing careers in science, engineering and technology to an afternoon discussion this Thursday, April 7 from 3-4pm at Microsoft NERD Center in Kendall Square, Cambridge with Maria Klawe, Microsoft board member and president of Harvey Mudd College in California.

With Maria’s passion to increase the number of under-represented groups in STEM, she will be hosting a special talk for female undergrad and grad students in science and tech as well as mature HS juniors and seniors. She will discuss her career path, opportunities and challenges as a female in STEM and advice for success.

Registration details here.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Summer Opportunities from the City of Boston

Boston R.O.C.K.S!!! - Summer Recreational Opportunities for City Kids

BPS Summer Stuff Resources - When school's out for the summer, it's important for families to select fun, safe, healthy, educational activities for their children. The documents and links on this page are designed to help Boston families find programs and services to keep children active during the summer months.

Boston Centers for Youth and Families - summer programs

Monday, March 21, 2011

Student Competitions

Student Competitions

Disney's Planet Challenge

This week, Disney announced the launch of the second annual Disney’s Planet Challenge, a free project-based environmental and science competition for classrooms nationwide. Formerly open to 4th through 6th grade classrooms, Disney’s Planet Challenge is being expanded to include two tracks: one for elementary schools grades 3–5, and another for middle schools grades 6–8. The middle school curriculum will offer an increased focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

Developed in collaboration with NSTA and the K–12 Alliance, the Challenge offers students the chance to use their imagination and creativity to help the planet while giving educators a fresh new way to motivate students with the help of an educationally sound curriculum that meets national and state guideline requirements.

The national grand prize winning elementary school class will enjoy a celebration at Disneyland® Resort while middle school national winners will earn a $20,000 grant for their school. Both grand prize–winning classrooms will be illustrated and appear within a Marvel comic book. Winning teachers will receive a one year NSTA membership. The grand-prize winning educators will also receive an expense-paid trip to the national 2012 NSTA conference where they will be recognized at the NSTA awards banquet.

For more information or to enroll in the program, visit www.Disney.com/planetchallenge. Enrollment is open through December 17, 2010.

Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors

Are you ready to stretch your imagination? The Akron Global Polymer Academy of The University of Akron is hosting the third annual Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors to encourage students in grades 5–8 to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporates the use of rubber bands.

There will be two separate divisions of competition—Arts & Leisure and Science & Engineering. Four finalists will be brought to Akron, Ohio, where the first place winner and runner-up in each division, will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 14, 2011.

The first place winner in each division will receive a $1,000 savings bond, while the runner-up in each division will receive a $500 savings bond, respectively. The top eight semifinalists who are not chosen as finalists will each receive a $50 gift card. The top four schools with the most entries will each receive a $250 donation. For more information about the contest, visit the website.
http://rubberbandcontest.org/

Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

Earlier this month, NSTA, the Siemens Foundation, and Discovery Education announced the kick-off of the third annual Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, a program that educates, empowers and engages students and teachers nationwide to become “Agents of Change” in identifying and solving environmental problems. The third year of this national sustainability challenge—now expanded to include high school students—encourages all students, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, to team up with their classmates to create replicable solutions to environmental issues in their schools (grades K–5), community (grades 6–8) and world (grades 9–12).

Over 13,000 students competed in the 2010 Challenge across elementary and middle school grades. Projects ranged from reducing lunchtime waste to saving local trees and encouraging eco-friendly gardens. The grand prize team, “No1Idling” from Novi, Michigan, focused on reducing community pollution by raising awareness about the environmental impact of vehicle idling among area drivers.

Student and teacher/mentor prizes, which vary according to grade level, include savings bonds, school grants, exciting trips and much more. The deadline for all entries is March 15, 2011. Finalists and winners will be announced in April 2011 and the national winners will be announced in May 2011. For more information, visit www.wecanchange.com or www.facebook.com/wecanchange.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Science of Baseball - Summer Program - MIT (Rising 8th/9th Grade Boys)

We are currently accepting applications for the 2011 session of MSBP. Boys who will enter the eighth or ninth grade in the fall of 2011 and who live and attend public school in Boston or Cambridge, MA are invited to apply.

New applicants: please download the application via either link below, fill it out completely, and mail it back to our office with supporting materials. If you have any questions, please call Kate Youmans at 617-324-4340.

Boys who participated in the 2010 session of MSBP may re-apply for 2011. To receive a returning student application, please contact Kate Youmans at 617-324-4340.

Applications/additional information - http://web.mit.edu/msbp/To_Participate.html

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

STEM Proram at MIT - Boston/Cambridge/Lawrence Public Schools

http://mit.edu/stem/Participate.html
STEM Program at MIT! The Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Program is a year-round academic enrichment opportunity provided free of charge to talented middle school students who want to get ahead in math and science.

During the summer, STEM offers a five-week Summer Institute on MIT’s campus for students entering sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth grade. Taught by MIT undergraduates, the Summer Institute courses combine lectures, projects and experiments to support learning. Participants learn college-level material, get to play a racquet sport, take field trips to places like the Museum of Science and meet some very interesting people.

During the academic year, STEM offers a nine-month Mentoring Program, which matches each of our middle school participants with an MIT student mentor, who shares similar interests. One Saturday each month, the mentors and mentees gather on MIT’s campus for brunch and a series of structured and unstructured social and academic exchanges.


Applications - http://mit.edu/stem/Participate.html

Whitehead Spring Lecture Series for High School Students

http://www.wi.mit.edu/programs/student/index.html

Whitehead Spring Lecture Series for High School Students

The Whitehead Spring Lecture Series for High School Students offers students an opportunity to learn about cutting edge topics in biomedical research. The three-day program, held over spring vacation, features lectures from leading scientific experts, laboratory demonstrations, visits to local biotech companies, and opportunities to meet with young Whitehead scientists.

Students in grades 9-12 are welcome to attend. Registration for the series opens in March and is first-come, first-serve.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Submit a 1-2 minute video and you could win $25,000 and be named America's Top Young Scientist

Who Will Win $25,000 and Be Named America's 2011 Top Young Scientist?

The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge
is officially open for entries!

Students in grades 5-8 can enter today for a chance to win: $25,000, a trip to 3M's global headquarters to work alongside leading scientists, and the coveted title, America's Top Young Scientist.

Each of the ten finalists will have an exclusive opportunity to work directly with a 3M scientist during a summer mentorship program. Each pair will connect virtually and work through a fun, original project that the student will present at the final event in October.

Follow these three easy steps to enter:

1. Parents submit an online consent form at www.youngscientistchallenge.com.
2. Parents fill out a registration form and choose a username/password.
3. Students login to upload a quick 1-2 minute science video about a possible solution to an everyday problem.

For video topic guidelines, tips from previous winners and more, visit www.youngscientistchallenge.com.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Google Science Fair

Google is putting on a virtual science fair, and anyone 13-18 years old can participate by creating a video or slideshow about their experiment. The winner gets a 10 day trip to the Galapagos Islands! The deadline is April 4.

Check out the webiste here for more information and to watch a really cool intro video.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Boston Youth Environmental Network

4th Annual Environmental College & Career Fair for Youth
February 22, 2011 at the Curry Center at Northeastern University
http://www.environetwork.org/default.aspx

Contact: Helen Christou, Network Weaver, Youth Employment at
hchristou@environetwork.org for more information on this event and other program offerings.

MIT - SPARK

Program Vitals - http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Spark/index.html

What: A Saturday in which you can take multiple classes on a huge variety of subjects.
When: March 12, 2011.
Who: Students in grades 7-12
Cost: $20.
Registration: Registration for Spark 2011 is likely to open sometime in mid February 2011.
Courses: View the 2010 (OLD) course catalog.
Where: On the MIT main campus.

Spark is a short program designed to give our students the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects. MIT students and community members teach a variety of classes, from urban orienteering to mathematics to Chinese brush painting, and everything in between! Spark runs one Saturday in early spring. Registration is done online on a first come, first served basis, and begins a few weeks before the program. Starting on registration day, you will be able to register for Spark through this website.

If you have any questions, please click contact to send us a message or email us at esp-spark@mit.edu. Financial aid is available for all of our programs on a need-based basis. You can apply for financial aid when registering for our program.

MIT - SATPREP - Registration Open in January

SATPREP REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN LATE JANUARY. DATES WILL BE POSTED HERE ONCE THEY’RE FINALIZED. IF YOU HAVE AN ESP ACCOUNT, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL AS SOON AS THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Create an account at http://esp.mit.edu/learn/index.html to receive information directly.

Program Vitals
What: Test preparation for SAT I
When: Spring and fall semesters on Sundays from 1:30PM to 5:00PM for 10 weeks. Fall SATPrep 2010 runs from September 12th to November 28th.
Where: On MIT’s main campus.
Who: Students in grades 9-12
How: Registration for Fall 2010 SATPrep is now closed. Spring 2011 SATPrep registration will open sometime in January (a definite date has yet to be determined).
Cost: $100 which can be paid in cash or by check. Generous financial aid is available!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Young Scientist Challenge


http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/

The 2010 competition is now closed. Sign up to receive information about the 2011 competition.

Overview
The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science and innovation among America's youth and to promote the importance of science communication. In 1999, Discovery Communications launched the competition to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline. In 2008 3M joined forces with Discovery Education in a quest to nurture the next generation of American scientists with an innovative and interactive science program open to every middle school student in America. Over the last ten years, more than 600,000 middle school students have been nominated to participate in the competition, and winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the nation's top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences.

How To Enter
In order to enter, students must be in grades 5 through 8, and must submit a video entry online.

Students will be challenged to create a one- to two-minute video about a specific scientific concept which they will select from a list of concepts provided by YSC judges.

Video entries must demonstrate the student's understanding of the scientific concept explained and should also exhibit his or her comfort level discussing science in general.

Videos do NOT need to be "produced" or have high production value. Judges are not evaluating production skills. Videos may be recorded on cell phones or simple digital cameras, for example. In addition, local libraries and schools may be able to loan cameras to students.

Videos will be screened to determine whether they meet all entry requirements and will then be presented to a panel of online judges.

Video entries will be due in May 2011.

Over the summer, judges will review the video submissions and choose up to 51 semifinalists: one from each state and the District of Columbia.


The Finals
In the fall, 10 finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the competition finals, consisting of a series of scientific challenges designed for students in grades 5 through 8.

Finalists will be judged on their scientific problem solving and communication skills.

Prizing
At the end of the competition, America's Top Young Scientist will be awarded $50,000 in U.S. savings bonds (a $25,000 cash value), and other finalists will receive exciting prizes.

Sample prizing for winners include:

Semifinalists (up to 51 - one from each State and the District of Columbia)

Cash Prize
Plaque/certificate
YSC Premium

Finalists (10 - chosen from the Semifinalists)

An all-expenses- paid trip for the student and ONE parent/guardian to competition finals
Cash prize
Medal/plaque/certificate
A chance to win various prize trips (in the past we've sent students to Space Camp, on a trip with Rangers at a National Park, etc.)

First Place

$50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds (Cash value $25K)
A trip to 3M's World Headquarters