Catching some rays this summer? Join the engineering crowd! Across America, solar panel grids (above) and other innovations are harnessing the sun's free, clean energy to heat water, cool homes, even recharge electric cars and cellphones. This week's activity may inspire your eco-minded sun worshippers to build a solar-powered shower. Bring towels! College-bound STEM majors? See if their campus offers MentorNet online mentoring. Seeking engineering scholarships? Check out our list!
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Lesson: Solar Shower Power
 In this activity, teams of students in grades 9 to 11 gain a better undertstanding of heat transfer and engineering by designing and building solar water-heating devices that mimic those used in residences. Once the model devices are constructed, students perform efficiency calculations and compare designs.
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Feature: Artificial Leaves Could Power Homes
 Scientists may have created an affordable solution for those who live without electricity. The invention is an artificial leaf, and it is powered by an advanced solar cell that mimics photosynthesis - the process green plants use to convert sunlight and water into energy. The device is the size of a playing card.
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K-12 News: Testing Nets Few Student Gains
 Almost a decade of "adequate yearly progress," high school exit exams and other test-based accountability systems has had little or no positive impact on student learning, a new National Academies report concludes. The blue-ribbon panel also found insufficient safeguards against gaming the system, and noted that incentives to raise scores undercut the validity of test results as a measure of academic progress.
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To follow the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's overhaul, visit ESEA Watch. |
Program Announced for ASEE's
K-12 Teachers' Workshop!  Build a guitar to teach math and physics. Integrate engineering into science classrooms using wind energy. Design a rover to introduce the engineering design process. These are just some of the exciting projects ASEE's day-long K-12 Teachers' Workshop will cover. You won't want to miss it! Saturday, June 25, 2011 in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.. You'll discover valuable best practices, new contacts for collaboration, and the latest take-away tools for effective teaching and engineering instruction.
Last days to sign up for free! (Complimentary registration ends June 10.) Register Now!
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 Classroom-ready and teacher-approved, these Introductory K-12 Teacher Kits make learning about engineering fun!
eGFI Introductory Teacher Kits include:
* 1 eGFI magazine -- our award-winning, comprehensive 64-page introduction to engineering.
* 1 set of eGFI cards -- 16 cards explain the major engineering disciplines, with a thought-provoking question about each field. An extra card provides ideas for using these materials in the classroom.
* 1 eGFI classroom poster -- a large 3x2 foot poster with illustrations of the most popular engineering disciplines.
* 1 eGFI kids' book -- "If I Were an Engineer" is a fun 40-page, rhyming book that introduces engineering to kids aged 5 to 8. Includes parent page with engineering disciplines explained.
* 1 bonus teacher guide -- 6 pages of engaging classroom activities using the eGFI magazine, cards, and website.
An incredible value -- just $24.95!
Order introductory kits for your classroom today!
Buy the Intro. Kit
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