OSGC Educational Resources Blog

In an article posted in January of 2008 Jessica Hupp, a writer for the Online Education Database, offered links to 200 free online courses from some excellent universities. The article, titled 200 Free Online Classes to Learn Anything, lists a wide range of subject material in the sciences, arts, and humanities. Students and educators alike are free to study at their leisure using the same quality course materials provided to university students.

Enhance your current skills or learn about a new subject today. Visit the OEDb website to view the entire article and explore the links of interest to you. http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/200-free-online-classes-to-learn-anything

Back in January of 2008, Online Education Database writer Heather Johnson posted an excellent article listing 100 sources for free online education podcasts.  The article, titled Skip the Tuition: 100 Free Podcasts from the Best Colleges in the World, includes audio and video course content from such schools as Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Yale, and UCLA. 

Whether you just want to brush up on an old subject or expand your knowlege base, these podcasts provide a free and flexible alternative to traditional courses.  All you need is an MP3 player and an internet connection for downloading the content.

Check out Heather’s post at the following URL:
http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/skip-the-tuition:-100-free-podcasts-from-the-best-colleges-in-the-world

TAKE YOUR EDUCATION OR MILITARY EXPERIENCE TO NEW HEIGHTS!

Attend the Space Foundation’s sixth annual Space Career Fair on April 10, 2008, held during the 24th National Space Symposium at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Space Career Fair is open to college students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business administration and transitioning military.  Combine your education and talents with your interest in space and take advantage of a dynamic networking lunch.  (First 300 paid registrants receive a complimentary buffet-style lunch.)  This event is hosted by the Space Foundation, its corporate members, and sponsoring companies.

Whether you are a college student or transitioning military veteran, discover how to make the best of your career by attending this event.

WHAT: Space Career Fair Pre-registration is required. Please register online at www.SpaceCareerFair.org. Deadline for registration is April 4, 2008.
WHO: Undergraduate and graduate students with a valid student ID or transitioning military with a valid military ID
WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (pre-registered on-site check-in begins at 7:30 a.m.)
Door prizes: Airline tickets, small monetary college scholarships and space memorabilia
WHERE: The Broadmoor Hotel–Broadmoor West
COST: $14 (non-refundable) fee covers registration, use of the Space Career Fair Cybercenter, and afternoon access to the 24th National Space Symposium – Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center.  The first 300 paid registrants receive a complimentary buffet-style lunch.

The Space Career Fair features “Meet the Company” presentations with space industry representatives, entrance into the Space Career Fair Pavilion, and a visitor’s pass into the 24th National Space Symposium - Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center.  Registrants may e-mail their resumes to the leading space companies in attendance at the Space Career Fair prior to the event for a possible pre-scheduled interview.  Company representatives will be available to discuss current and future career opportunities, industry trends, and upcoming civil, commercial, and national security workforce needs.  A valid photo identification card is required at check-in.  Failure to produce proper identification on-site will result in cancellation of your (non-refundable) registration, and admittance into the 24th National Space Symposium – Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center will be denied.  REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR ID!  ALL SPACE CAREER FAIR REGISTRATIONS ARE NON-TRANFERABLE AND NON-REFUNDABLE.

Visit http://www.SpaceCareerFair.org  for more information.

The NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Program is a unique program designed to enhance the professional development of NASA employees and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) faculty at Minority Institutions (MIs)1. The program also strives to increase the capability of MIs to respond to NASA’s research, development, and education needs.

Since 1997, eighty-nine (89) fellows have entered the NAFP. Through the development and implementation of professional development plans tailored to each individual fellows’ and host institutions’ needs, the benefits to Minority Institutions, faculty, and NASA employees include:

• Access to NASA’s internal and informal information networks
• Opportunity to gain and expand knowledge of NASA’s technical and scientific needs
• Opportunity to share information about specific MSI capabilities and technologies
• Enhancement of undergraduate and graduate research
• Opportunity to build scholarly publication skills

In order to meet NAFP objectives, two categories of respondents are encouraged to apply:

1) NASA Career Employees – These fellows will teach and/or conduct research at a MI and participate in developmental assignments at NASA Headquarters, NASA centers, NASA related research organizations, other government agencies, or in the private sector. Employee fellows will spend approximately 9 months teaching at a MI and 9-13 months in professional development assignments. Typically, the NAFP tenure for NASA employees is 18-22 months.

2) STEM Faculty of Minority-Serving Institutions – These fellows will conduct research at NASA Headquarters, NASA centers, NASA related research organizations, other government agencies, or in the private sector. They may also pursue other developmental assignments over the course of the fellowship. Faculty fellows will spend 12 months conducting research at a NASA center and 9 months “in-residence” at their home institution conducting NASA-related research. Typically, the NAFP tenure for faculty fellows is 21 months.

The participation of fellows from both NASA and academia will serve to increase knowledge of the scientific and technical needs of NASA as well as increase the capability of MIs to participate in NASA-sponsored research and development (R&D) programs. Fellow participation will also allow NASA to share information about leading edge technologies and establish relationships with the MIs. In addition, fellows will receive training in the latest methods of teaching mathematics, science, and engineering, and in the presentation of research results. These benefits will strengthen the fellows in their careers and provide enhanced capabilities to assist in the academic preparation of future scientists and engineers.

The application deadline for the NAFP program has been extended until February 21, 2008. Please visit the following website for details and application forms.
http://www.uncfsp.org/spknowledge/default.aspx?page=program.view&areaid=1&contentid=179&typeid=nafp

Applications are now available for educators interested in joining NASA Explorer Schools during the 2008-2009 school year. Schools from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands may apply for the NES 2008-2009 school year. NES offers unique opportunities designed to engage and educate the future scientists who may someday advance U.S. scientific interests through space exploration.

Teams composed of full-time teachers and a school administrator develop and implement a three-year action plan to address local challenges in science, technology and mathematics education for grades 4-9. Schools that are selected are eligible to receive funding during the three-year partnership to purchase technology tools. The project also provides educators and students with content-specific activities that can be used within the curricula to excite students about science, technology, engineering, and math.

Applications are due Jan. 31, 2008. For more information, visit http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes/menuitem.3a9dc5f6e0302a448258f708c41a5ea0/

The Ames Education Associates Project is a unique experiential learning project that provides university students and faculty the opportunity to experience NASA. Selected applicants participate in and contribute to an effort at a NASA facility. Academic credit for the experience is available.

This project is open to students and faculty members at accredited U.S. colleges and universities, active K-12 educators, and postdoctoral students. Most positions are open to applicants with backgrounds in science, engineering and technology, but opportunities are also available for those with social science, business, communications, arts and humanities backgrounds.

Opportunities are available year round. For more information, visit:
http://server-mpo.arc.nasa.gov/Services/eap/About/associate.tml

The MS PHD’S in Earth System Science Initiative provides minority undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities for increased exposure to, interaction with and participation in the Earth system science community. The Professional Development Program was carefully crafted utilizing community input, insight gained from the 2003 Ocean Sciences Program, as well as other efforts designed to engage minority students in science and engineering fields.

The Professional Development Program will engage 30 minority undergraduate and graduate student participants in a series of activities (conducted in three phases) designed to:

• Increase exposure to the Earth system science community, via participation in scientific conferences, mentoring relationships, virtual activities, and fieldtrips
• Enhance professional skills, grantmanship, oral and written communication
• Provide resources regarding future funding, education and career opportunities
• Facilitate networking opportunities with established researchers and educators
• Provide on-going interaction, communication and support via membership within a virtual community comprised of peers, junior- and senior-level researchers, and educators committed to facilitating the full participation of minorities in Earth system science.

Applications for 2007 are currently being accepted.  Phase I of the 2007-2008 MS PHD’S Professional Development Program will occur December 8-14, 2007, in San Francisco. The deadline for completed student participant application packages is September 2, 2007.

Find out more and submit your application here:
http://www.msphds.usf.edu/app-opp.html 

The National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) Webcast will be held on April 25, 11AM-12PM Pacific. The Webcast will include an overview of the project and an update from each of our new regional collaboratives. Learn how the NGCP can connect you to other girl-serving organizations in your area and across the country, both in person and though innovative online methods. We encourage anyone working with girls in STEM or interested in this issue to participate.

NGCP Webcasts are presented by the Education Development Center (EDC), to provide project updates and resources relating to informal learning and evaluation and assessment. Two weeks before the webcast, all registrants will receive the webcast URL, a toll-free call-in number, and a technical systems check link.
To register for the webcast, please RSVP to Bethany Carlson, BCarlson@edc.org

The Oregon Department of Education has a wealth of information and links on their website. Information provided includes curriculum, standards, assessment, and links to other sites with interesting or useful content.

List of Subjects and Links to More Information:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=54

Misc Science Links:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=248

When: Saturday, April 14, 2007 9am-1pm
Where: Lane Flight Technology Center - Eugene Airport Eugene, Oregon

This free three-part conference will focus on women in aviation and the future of the space industry. Guests include former WASPS, 99’s, and Rosie the Riveters as well as women involved in contemporary aviation. An open forum will provide opportunities for photos and one-on-one discussions with guests. Advance registration is not required.  For more information please visit:
http://www.lanecc.edu/flight