GreenWorks! service-learning grants up to $5,000 are available to PLT-trained educators at schools and youth organizations for environmental neighborhood improvement projects that involve youth with their community.

The deadline for applications for PLT’s second round of funding for this year is October 31, 2008. Visit http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_18.html for grant guidelines, and an application.

Schools, youth organizations, and other groups may apply online for a grant to implement a “learning-by-doing” environmental project that:

• partners PLT educators and their students with local businesses or community organizations
• combines academics with community service
• engages elementary through college-age students in active learning about the environment
• provides opportunities for student leadership.

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Sample projects include, but are not limited to, outdoor classrooms and gardens, habitat restoration, watershed improvement, energy conservation. To view a list of the GreenWorks! projects previously funded, visit www.plt.org

October 20 – November 3, 2008

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/starcount

This Windows to the Universe program is an international citizen-science event that encourages everyone, astronomers and non-astronomers alike, to measure their local light pollution and report their observations online. The Great World Wide Star Count, part of the Dark Skies Awareness cornerstone project for the upcoming International Year of astronomy, is designed to raise awareness about light pollution as well as encourage learning in astronomy. No prior experience is necessary–all information needed to participate is on the Star Count Web site, along with a downloadable activity guide available in eight languages. All observations will be available online via Google Earth and as downloadable datasets.

In 2007, people from 64 countries contributed more than 6,600 observations to the inaugural Star Count. In order to build momentum in for IYA in 2009, we are hoping to double our participation this year and need your help!

Please help us spread the word to your members, families, friends, and especially any teachers that you may know. Our downloads page also contains a half-page flyer that may be freely printed and distributed.

If you or your parent organization are interested or would like more information, please contact us at starcount_info@ucar.edu <mailto:starcount_info@ucar.edu>

Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets

Space Science Workshop for Teachers

Celebrate NASA¹s Kepler Mission and the International Year of Astronomy

Saturday, November 15, 2008

8:15 am 5:00 pm @ LASP

Join us for an exciting day of science and hands-on activities for middle school and high school science teachers. Dr. Jeff VanCleve will discuss the science behind NASA¹s Kepler Mission, which launches in March 2009.

Standards-based, classroom ready activities include: Human Orrery, Detecting Extrasolar Planets, Transit Tracks, and building a computer-interfaced transit model. Dr. Bill Possel will lead a tour of the NASA Mission Operations Facility at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).

Location: LASP Conference Room, 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO

Each workshop participant will receive a complete transit model, which includes a LEGO orrery, Vernier light sensor, interface and graphing software, and lamp and light bulb, a $150 value. Lunch will be provided.

A letter verifying 8 hours of professional development can be provided.

Learn about NASA¹s Kepler Mission: http://Kepler.NASA.gov

This workshop is free! To register, visit:

http://lasp.colorado.edu/education/Kepler_workshop.html and click on ³Registration Form². You will receive an email confirmation. Note: Online registration will be available next week. Follow instructions on the webpage for early registration.

Questions?? Contact Erin Wood at Erin.Wood@lasp.colorado.edu or call (303)735-0962.

Jointly hosted by NASA¹s Kepler Education and Public Outreach Program at NASA Ames Research Center, SETI Institute, and UC Berkeley¹s Lawrence Hall of Science in collaboration with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation.

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