ESTELLE REEL DAY

JANUARY 7

• In recognition of Estelle Reel, the first woman elected and to hold the office of state superintendent of public instruction in Wyoming, and the second woman elected and to hold a statewide office in the United States, January 7 of each year is designated as "Estelle Reel Day."
• The day shall be appropriately observed by state and local governments and may be observed in the public schools of the state and by organizations within the state.

PAEMST NOMINATION DRIVE

Nominate an Outstanding K-6 STEM Teacher

• Eligible educators are those who teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science as part of contracted teaching responsibilities at the K-6 level in a public, including charter, or private school.
• Nominees must have at least five years of full-time employment as a K-12 teacher prior to the 2021-22 school year during which science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science has been a part of the applicant's teaching duties each of the five years.
• Nominations close on January 7, 2022.

WYOMING STATE SCIENCE FAIR

• Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit original science, engineering, and math research for competition.
• Regional competitions begin in mid-January.
• Prizes include cash, internships, gadgets, and opportunities to compete at Broadcom MASTERS or the International Science & Engineering Fair.
• Visit the Wyoming State Science Fair website or Facebook page.
• For more information, contact Erin Stoesz at 307-760-2465 or wyostatefair@gmail.com.

STATEWIDE SCIENCE COLLABORATION COURSE

February 1, February 22, March 22, April 26, & May 17, 2022

• Join a statewide community of educators to discuss, troubleshoot, and expand your ideas around 3D science teaching and learning. 
• The Science and Mathematics Teaching Center at the University of Wyoming invites K-12 teachers from Wyoming to join a statewide course community for five virtual sessions across the spring of 2022. 
• Sessions will focus on teacher-identified topics and give space for teachers to collaboratively work on problems, receive feedback on instructional materials, plan, and/or explore resources connected to their current classroom needs.
• PTSB and graduate credit available. Sessions are from 4:30-6 p.m.
• Check out the flyer and register here.

EDUCATORS SOUGHT FOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE REVIEWS

Biology NGSS Programs Will Be Reviewed Initially

• EdReports is seeking educators to join a national network to help other educators find quality science instructional materials. 
• Classroom educators, district specialists, state specialists, non-formal educators, retired educators, and those pursuing advanced science education degrees are encouraged to apply.
• Chosen reviewers must possess expertise in the Next Generation Science Standards and a commitment to quality instructional materials. 
• EdReports plans to review five biology NGSS programs in the inaugural review. 
• Applications for reviewers are being accepted for the inaugural high school science review beginning in April 2022. 
• Stipends range from $1,750 to $2,500 depending on the role you play on a review team, opportunities to learn with national experts in the field, and more.
• Apply/Learn more.

NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE CAMP (NYSCamp)

June 27-July 20, 2022, Online

• Graduating high school seniors are eligible to represent Wyoming at the 2022 National Youth Science Camp. 
• The experience includes lectures and hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation. 
• Delegates must demonstrate superior academic proficiency in mathematics and science, exhibit leadership abilities and community involvement, and enjoy challenging themselves in the areas of biological and physical sciences. 
• Applications are due March 31, 2022. 

AG IN THE CLASSROOM BOOKMARK CONTEST

Entries Due February 11, 2022

• Theme: Stewardship of Wyoming Resources
• To showcase their understanding and appreciation of Wyoming’s essential resources, students from grades 2-5 can create a bookmark illustrating a Wyoming resource message. 
• About 10 winning designs will be printed and distributed around the state.
• More Information. 

POETRY OUT LOUD

Registration Deadline: January 24, 2022 

• Poetry Out Loud inspires high school students to find their voice and the confidence to make themselves heard, using one of the most powerful tools at their disposal: art.
• Students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.
• The Wyoming state champion receives:
• A $200 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
• $500 for their school to purchase literary materials.
• An opportunity to compete at the national finals for college scholarship funds.

NCTE PROMISING YOUNG WRITERS

Electronic Submissions Due February 15, 2022 

• 2022 Themed Writing Prompt: Exploring Boundaries
• A boundary can be constraining or freeing; may mark a limit or distinguish a line; exist between space and time; or span across spaces and places. This past year, some boundaries have been challenged while others created. Some have been broken or tested.
• More information.

CANCER UNWRAPPED TEEN WRITING CONTEST

Deadline: March 4, 2022

• Learning about a cancer diagnosis – your own or that of a loved one – can cause a storm of emotions, and everyone experiences it differently. What was this experience like for you?
• Students are invited to submit a short essay about their experience with cancer for the opportunity to win cash prizes.
• More Information.

JOHN F. KENNEDY ESSAY CONTEST

Entry Deadline: January 14, 2022

• The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students is accepting submissions.
• Students can win up to $10,000.
• Entrants will describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during, or after, 1917. 
• More information.

HEART MOUNTAIN WORKSHOP

February 19, 2022, In-Person

• Heart Mountain Interpretive Center invites educators to apply for a workshop focused on the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and centered on the wartime experiences of Japanese Americans.
• President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of the order led to the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. 
• The workshop will be hosted at the interpretive center near Powell and is free to attend, but registration is required and space is limited.
• Former Heart Mountain incarceree and nationally recognized speaker Sam Mihara, who will attend virtually, will headline the workshop.
• Apply/Learn More

ELEVATE CIVICS

A Collaboration of iCivics and Princeton University

• Join the Elevate Civics Research Project and receive:
• A $150 Amazon gift card.
• 10 expertly designed lesson plans.
• An assessment of your students’ learning.
• Access to a vetted civic education resource repository.
• Participating teachers will:
• Teach the 10 provided lessons.
• Record classes (using Zoom/Google Meet or a recorder mailed to you).
• Administer short questionnaires to your students as a part of the lessons.
• Communicate with a friendly research team.
• The project will take place over a two-week period at your convenience from January through April 2022.
• Sign up.

iCIVICS EDUCATOR NETWORK

• The iCivics Educator Network application is open for the 2022 cohort. 
• The network comprises 330 professionals around the U.S. interested in connecting with other educators seeking to build and refine their craft. 
• Members serve for one calendar year. 
• It is not a paid opportunity, but iCivics offers compensation for certain activities like product-feedback workshops, conferences, and completing surveys. 
• Applications are being accepted until Dec. 17, 2021, and you’ll be notified in January 2022 if you’ve been selected. 
• For more information, contact educatornetwork@icivics.org.

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY SOURCES

• Engage your students in a participatory learning experience as they develop critical thinking skills and discover our nation’s national parks, museums, and libraries through the Presidential Primary Sources Project's video conferencing series. 
• The next program is January 18: "The War of 1812" featuring Andrew Jackson's Hermitage.

HISTORY EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Theme: Historical Communities of Promise and Practice

• Early bird registration is open for the online National Council for History Education Conference, March 17-20, 2022.
• Rates will increase January 1, 2022.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE TECHGIRLS

Application Deadline: January 15, 2022

• TechGirls is an international summer exchange program designed to empower and inspire young women ages 15-17 from the U.S. and around the world to pursue careers in science in technology.
• As a TechGirl, you commit to eight months of leadership training and join an alumnae network of TechWomen and TechGirls who will support you as you plan your higher education, careers, and community-based projects.
• Apply/More information.

COMPASSION CULTIVATION TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS

4-6 p.m. MST on Tuesdays from January 11-March 1, 2022

• Interested in learning tools to integrate more compassion into your life and work?
• Compassion Cultivation Training is an eight-week training developed at Stanford University and taught around the world by certified facilitators.
• Free, on the Zoom online platform.
• Sign up or learn more.