The University of Rhode Island’s Office of Marine Programs is now accepting applications for the ARMADA Project- Research and Mentoring Experiences for Teachers. The ARMADA Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, provides K-12 teachers an opportunity to actively participate in ocean, polar, and environmental science research and peer mentoring.

Selected Master Teachers (with five or more years teaching experience) are paired with leading scientists and participate in shipboard, field, or laboratory research with all expenses paid. Research experiences will take place during the summer, although there may be opportunities during the school year. Upon completion of their research experience, Master Teachers develop ways to bring the fruits of their research experiences, including scientific data, methodologies, and technology into their classrooms. They share their experiences by mentoring new teachers in their school district and by presenting their results at the National Science Teachers Association National Conventions.

The ARMADA Project has placed teachers in research experiences all over the world. Past experiences include taking part in the largest North Pacific humpback whale study in the waters off the coast of Alaska, investigating the impacts of global change in the Arctic Ocean and the Antarctic, monitoring and assessing tidal creeks in South Carolina, studying the impact of human activity on dusky dolphins in New Zealand, identifying foraging behaviors of Antarctic Crabeater Seals, water circulation studies in the Norwegian Sea, and a variety of ecosystem monitoring projects in the Bay of Fundy, Narragansett Bay, Gulf of Maine, Stellwagen Bank, Western Shelf of Florida, Sargasso Sea, Bahamas, Alaska, and Block Island Sound. See www.armadaproject.org for more information on past research experiences.

Application deadline is February 4, 2008

For more information about teacher qualifications, responsibilities, and to download an application see the ARMADA Project website  or contact Andrea Kecskes at 401-874-6211 or armada@gso.uri.edu.

32 Outstanding Teachers Will Be Recognized in Communities Where Amgen Operates

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2007) – Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that it now invites applications for its 17th annual Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE). This award is designed to recognize and honor extraordinary science teachers at the K-12 level, who significantly impact their students through exemplary science teaching and who achieve demonstrated results in student learning in communities where Amgen operates.

With a longstanding commitment to science education, Amgen established the teacher awards program to promote and encourage science excellence in public and private schools. Since the program’s inception in 1992, Amgen has awarded more than $1.7 million to educators who have made exceptional science-teaching contributions and who have significantly impacted the lives of their students. Amgen is expanding its program this year, and will honor a total of 32 teachers in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington and Canada (British Columbia and Ontario).

“An inspirational teacher can truly make a difference for students,” said Phyllis Piano, vice president Corporate Communications and Philanthropy. “Amgen is proud to honor educators who inspire their students to learn more about the wonders of science.”

The 32 selected winners within the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada will receive the following benefits:
An unrestricted cash award of $5,000USD or $5,000CAD;
A restricted $5,000USD or $5,000CAD cash grant to the recipient’s school for the expansion or enhancement of a school science program, science resources, or the professional development of the school’s science teachers

Applicants are also required to submit an innovative lesson plan that they have successfully incorporated into their classroom and can be shared with other teachers. A panel of independent judges will select the winners based on the following criteria: creativity of teaching methods; innovative lesson plan; effectiveness in the classroom and the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools.

A select number of the lesson plans submitted by 2008 AASTE Award winners will be posted to Amgen’s Web site, with the intent that other teachers will benefit from these innovative materials. Select lesson plans from 2007 AASTE Award winners are available for download at no cost; educators are encouraged to review and implement any of these plans into their own curriculum.

Those interested in applying should visit http://www.amgen.com/citizenship/aaste.html for more information. Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2008 to be valid. Winners will be notified in May 2008.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

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CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Sarah Rockwell, (805) 447-9953 (media)

Be sure to check out the two new BSI workshops.

The Cell: The Basic Unit of Life
Dates: Feb 9th and March 1st
Workshop Fee: Free
Credit Available
Designed for: Middle and High School Teachers

Barbie and Ken: Culture versus Biology
Date: Jan. 26
Workshop Fee: Free
Credit Available
Designed for: High school teachers

What is the greatest challenge facing our world? How will agricultural and biological engineers be a part of meeting that challenge?

Answer these questions with a brief essay, illustrating your vision with a promotional brochure. National finalists will create a slideshow and present their work at the ASABE Annual International Meeting in Rhode Island, June 29-July 2, 2008.

Pre-registration required–closes January 25, 2008. Click here for entry forms and complete details.

1st Prize - $4000
2nd Prize - $2000
3rd Prize - $1000

The Myra Sadker Foundation awards grants and scholarships to students and teachers in K-12 and post secondary education. Projects and studies related to gender equity can be awarded up to $2,000. The deadline for some of these awards is December 1st. Please share this information with colleagues.