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October 9, 2018
 IN THIS EDITION
- WDE'S Math/Computer Science Consultant
- Wyoming Youth Voter Initiative
- Innovations in Learning Conference
- ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator & Online Test Administrator Training
- Edmodo Teacher Communities
- Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
- U.S. Navy Virtual STEM Field Trip
- Geo-Inquiry Online Course
- National Geographic Educator Certification
- Presidential Primary Sources Project
- Uncovering America: History and Art
- Billy Michal Student Leadership Award
- Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest
- First Lady's New Book for Fourth Graders
- Music Conference
- Environmental Stewardship Grants
- Human Population Video Contest
- Knowles Teaching Fellowship
- National Chemistry Week
- Northrup Grumman Teachers Academy
- Aspirations in Computing Educator Award
- Computing Award for Female High School Students
- ACS-Hach Professional Development Grant
- Violence Prevention Conference
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Welcome WDE's new mathematics/computer science consultant, Brian Cole. Brian taught mathematics in Evanston and has since returned to the University of Wyoming to complete a second degree in computer science. He enjoys spending time with his family and spends the majority of his spare time mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, playing chess, and working on programming projects with his two children.
Brian is not only excited about the incorporation of the computer science standards but enthusiastic about the benefits for Wyoming students.
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 A series of workshops to engage students in the 2018 election will be held in Cheyenne, Casper and Rock Springs in October.
The workshops are part of the Wyoming Secretary of State's Youth Voter Initiative and the Bill of Rights Institute and dedicated to encouraging Wyoming's youth to become more civically engaged and informed, and to vote in Wyoming elections.
The schedule:
- October 16 - 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Laramie County Community College
- October 17 - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Casper College
- October 18 - 9:50 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Western Wyoming Community College
Contact Will Dinneen, will.dinneen@wyo.gov, (307) 777-5365
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November 7-9, 2018 in Evanston, Wyo.
Discounted registration ends soon for the 2018 Wyoming Innovations in Learning Conference. The rate will increase from $40 to $50 on October 15.
The conference is an opportunity for educators to share and explore innovative teaching and learning practices for classrooms and distance learning environments from kindergarten through higher education.
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 November 5, 2018 in Evanston, Wyo.
Participants will learn about ordering and distributing materials, setting up testing schedules, monitoring test administrator certifications, and other details. In the afternoon training, test administrators explore how the WIDA Standards and Assessment System is connected to the ACCESS for ELLs Online. Participants will learn to administer the online test to students and be able to access sample items and the WIDA Assessment Management System.
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the training requirements and preparation
- Identify the purpose of the WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Framework
- Explain the technology basics for ACCESS for ELLs
- Describe the administrative functions of test coordination in WIDA AMS
- Explain scheduling, test administration monitoring and materials management
- Discuss the features of each of the different ACCESS for ELLs suite of assessments
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Identify the different aspects of paper test administration such as domain test details and the procedure for scoring the speaking test
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The WDE offers statewide PLCs on Edmodo allowing educators to ask questions and share information and resources. The site provides for sharing of lessons and mapped documents.
Links for Edmodo PLCs:
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 Student Application Deadline November 6, 2018
Students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The annual award recognizes exemplary work of middle and high school students.
Each state honoree will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. with a parent or guardian for four days of recognition events May 4-7, 2019.
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 October 16, 2018 at 11 a.m. MDT
The U.S. Navy will host a free virtual field trip geared toward middle schoolers and will be providing exclusive access to one of their premiere science labs: the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center.
The Navy is encouraging classrooms interested in STEM to view a live stream of their scientists performing seven experiments exploring light in the atmosphere and ocean as well as using infrared light and laser systems.
A short post-event quiz will be offered.
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 Enrollment Ends October 12, 2018
National Geographic's Geo-Inquiry Process is an instructional strategy that helps students develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and tools of a geographer. It provides a systematic way to investigate and understand the world through the patterns, processes, and interactions between human and natural systems, take action on issues they identify, and make a difference in their own communities.
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 Enrollment Ends October 21, 2018
The National Geographic Educator Certification Program seeks to inspire PK-12 educators to teach students about the world in innovative and interdisciplinary ways. The course will run September 10-December 2 and is self-paced.
You will have the opportunity to connect to inspiring educators, develop skills that will add depth and meaning to your teaching, and create a final project.
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 First Presentation January 17, 2019
The Presidential Primary Sources Project is a live, interactive web series in which your students can learn about presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Bill Clinton and others directly from National Park Service rangers and presidential historians.
This year's theme is Presidents and Places. Students will gain a greater understanding of not only our nation’s presidents but of the unique places that have come to define them.
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 What does it mean to be an American? Discover compelling stories of creativity, struggle and resilience in a new set of resources for K–12 educators from the National Gallery of Art featuring works of art that reflect the richness and diversity of the people, places and cultures of the United States.
Encourage creative, critical, and historical thinking in your students as you examine works of art from the country’s creation to the present day.
Thematic modules contain:
- Introductory essays
- Downloadable high-resolution image sets featuring background information
- Essential questions for students
- Classroom activities
- Selected additional resources
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The National World War II Museum is accepting nominations for the top boy and girl in each state who demonstrates the American spirit in his or her community. Nominees should have a strong record of volunteerism, school and/or community activism, or implementing creative solutions to recognized problems.
Selected awardees will be flown (along with a chaperone) to New Orleans to participate in the museum’s American Spirit Awards celebration, May 22-23, 2019.
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 The Voice of Democracy, established by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), is an audio-essay high school competition designed to capture students’ democratic and patriotic-themed ideals. The 2018-19 theme is American History: Our Hope for the Future. The national winner receives a $30,000 scholarship; first-place winners from each VFW state receive a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington D.C.
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First Lady Carol Mead is providing copies of her second children's book to fourth graders throughout Wyoming.
Mrs. Mead partnered with several corporate sponsors to make 7,500 copies of Blazing Wyoming Bonnets available to school districts this fall.
The book, co-authored and illustrated by Centennial artist Melanie O’Hara, celebrates some of the trailblazing women in Wyoming’s history, including full-color illustrations, rhyming poetry, and brief biographical sketches.
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November 11-14, 2018 in Dallas, Texas
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is hosting its yearly music conference. Educators will have the opportunity to learn new innovative teaching strategies, expand their music toolkit, and collaborate with other music educators.
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 Application Deadline March 1, 2018
Dominion Energy is offering Environmental Education and Stewardship Grants grants to public and private K–12 schools and nonprofit organizations in areas served by the company, which include Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for short-term environmental projects with measurable results. Projects should educate students about environmental stewardship, help protect and preserve natural habitats or improve open spaces and make nature more accessible.
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 Submission Deadline February 28, 2019
Students can win up to $1,000 by creating a 60-second video about human population growth that highlights one of the following global challenges: Preserving Biodiversity, Sustainable Resource Use, or Protecting Human Rights.
All videos must include:
- How population growth impacts the issue
- At least one idea for a sustainable solution
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 Applications Due November 25, 2018
The Knowles Teaching Initiative is accepting applications for its 2019 cohort of teaching fellows. The five-year program supports early-career high school mathematics and science teachers in their efforts to develop teaching expertise and lead from the classroom.
Knowles awards approximately 35 fellowships to educators who display the potential to develop the content knowledge needed for teaching, exemplary teaching practices, and the qualities of a teacher leader.
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 October 21-27, 2018
Schools, businesses and individuals are invited to organize or participate in events in their communities during National Chemistry Week with a common goal: to promote the value of chemistry in everyday life.
A booklet, Celebrating Chemistry, containing learning activities and puzzles, is available from the American Chemical Society to engage students in grades 4-6.
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 Application Deadline November 12, 2018
The Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy is accepting applications for its 2018–19 cohort. The program is designed for grades 5-8 teachers to enhance confidence and classroom excellence in science, engineering and technology while increasing teacher understanding about the skills needed for a scientifically literate workforce.
The Academy, directed by the National Science Teachers Association, will support up to 29 teachers of physical science, engineering, and/or technology.
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 Application Deadline November 19, 2018
The National Center for Women and Information Technology seeks to celebrate educators who encourage female high school students' participation in technology pursuits.
The winner of the Aspirations in Computing Educator Award receives a prize of $2,500 and a trip to the NCWIT Summit on Women and IT in Nashville in May 2019.
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Application Deadline November 5, 2018
The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women in grades 9-12 who are active and interested in computing and technology, and encourages them to pursue their passions.
Recipients are chosen for their demonstrated interest and achievements in computing, proven leadership ability, academic performance, and plans for post‑secondary education.
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 Deadline January 4, 2019
The ACS-Hach Professional Development Grant supports high school chemistry teachers as they identify and pursue opportunities that advance their professional development and enhance the teaching and learning of chemistry in their classrooms. High school chemistry teachers in the U.S. are eligible.
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November 28-30, 2018 in Riverton, Wyo.
The 3rd Annual Wyoming Conference for Violence Prevention and Response will be held at the Wind River Casino. Featured presenters are Dr. Robert Anda and Laura Porter, experts on adverse childhood experiences (ACE).
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