Since ancient days, humans have marked the vernal equinox -- when daylight pulls even with darkness and signals winter's end. The Sphinx aligns with its rising sun. So does England's Stonehenge. Today's rites of spring run from surfing to balancing raw eggs. Have your young scientists step back in time March 20. See how many can calculate the Earth's circumference!
Already contemplating the summer solstice? Check out these cool engineering programs for students and teachers, including one sponsored by ASEE.
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Lesson: Calculating Earth's Circumference
 By the third century BC, scholars believed Earth was a sphere. But just how big was it? In this project, students in grades 6-12 will recreate the remarkable calculation of the globe's circumference first performed over 2,000 years ago by using rulers, protractors, and meter sticks to measure shadows cast by a stick on a day close to the equinox. The class also will join students conducting the same experiment around the world and submit their results to a website.
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Feature: As the World Turns
 Seasons have long played a powerful role in shaping human life. They affect what crops we grow, what customs we follow, even our moods. The science behind those changes in the day's length, however, took centuries to unravel.
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K-12 News: Teacher Firings Loom
 Teachers nationwide could face sharp reductions in their ranks as state and local governments tackle crippling budget shortfalls. Providence, R.I., sent notices to teachers last week warning that all of them could lose their jobs. New York City's preliminary budget calls for thousands of layoffs. How is your district faring?
To follow the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's overhaul, visit ESEA Watch.
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Coming in June: ASEE's K-12 Teachers' Workshop  Saturday, June 25, 2011 in Vancouver B.C., Canada. This day-long program for teachers and engineering educators from Canada and the United States offers a fast-paced and exciting overview of engineering education resources for the classroom. You'll discover valuable best practices, new contacts for collaboration, and the latest take-away tools for effective teaching about engineering education. Count on a full, fun and motivating day!
Learn more
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Our Facebook page for teachers is a great way to learn about contests, web resources, K-12 education news and lesson plans. It also offers a great way to interact with other STEM teachers across the nation--and around the world. Whether you're looking for a cool activity to engage your students or wrestling with rubrics, our Facebook community can help.
So, become a fan now!
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