Take a moment to consider sending a representative to the Microsoft Innovative Educator Program. This program impacts teaching and learning by providing teacher-trainers, teacher-leaders, instructional facilitators, and mentors resources and training focused the integration of technology into the curriculum across content areas. 

The application asks that the representative is able to reach at least 100 other teachers. This may be accomplished in your district, in partnership with WA-ACTE, NCCE, or other professional organizations, in partnership with your ESD, or through working with the area WAVA groups. This will allow your region to have a go-to trainer for technology in the classroom needs.

There is no registration for the training, although districts are responsible for supporting the release time and travel for participants. 

Upcoming dates include:

• October 10-11, 2011, in Spokane
• November 16-17, 2011, in Bellevue

The purpose of the grant is to designate up to three middle schools and three high schools to serve as resources and examples of how to combine the following best practices:

• Small, highly personalized learning communities;
• An interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), delivered through a project-based instructional approach; and
• Active partnerships with businesses and the local community to connect learning beyond the classroom.

The designated middle and high schools shall serve as lighthouse programs and provide technical assistance and advice to other middle and high schools and communities in the initial stages of creating a learning environment focused on STEM. The designated schools must have proven experience and be recognized as model programs.

Due date is October 14, 2011. Visit iGrants form package 545 to apply.

The new VEX Robotics Competition game for the 2011-2012 season is  Gateway, and was revealed at the 2011 VEX Robotics World Championship. Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors will aim to build the most innovative robots possible and work together to obtain the most points possible. In addition to just having a great time and building amazing robots, through their participation in the VEX Robotics Competition and their work within their team, students will learn many academic and life skills. 

• Gateway animation, rules, and information.
• Gateway game objects and VEX fields.
• E-mail events@vexrobotics.com for information on hosting a VEX event.

October 14 and 15, 2011, at the Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center on the Georgetown Campus of South Seattle Community College. Experience Green as never before. Cutting edge students and industry exhibits, vendor show, industry tours and hands-on workshop from business, industry and apprenticeships for your 7th through 12th grade shop programs. Washington Association of Skills and Technical Sciences (WASTS) is co-sponsoring all the workshops on Saturday. Create an awareness of non-traditional career opportunities and training requiring less than a 4 year degree. Math and Science connections to real life projects featuring many of the construction, aerospace and manufacturing cluster pathway programs. 

See www.greenexpo-wa.com for registration and additional details.

• Social Networking Pitfalls
• Introduction to Camtasia Studio
• Mimeo Pads
• The IT side of Microsoft IT Academy, and more.

Samsung has launched an education initiative, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow for the 2011/2012 school year. From now until October 31, 2011, Samsung is accepting applications for this program. By entering Solve for Tomorrow, your school will have a chance to win a piece of $1,000,000 in technology.

Samsung and its partners are asking teachers to participate in this contest, which aims to address a key academic challenge in our country:  increasing the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. By applying, teachers will be entered for a chance to participate in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. Twenty-five classrooms will be selected and equipped with a camcorder, laptop, and video editing software to create videos addressing the challenge, "Show how STEM can help the environment in your community?"  Of the 25 schools submitting videos, the top 12 will win a technology grant worth at least $70,000 and will be prominently featured online for voting in a "People's Choice" category which could result in being awarded a $100,000 technology grant. In addition to the "People's Choice" award, four schools, decided on by a panel of judges, will also be awarded $100,000 technology grants. The teachers and student representatives of the five finalist schools will be invited to attend an awards ceremony with education thought leaders and celebrity supporters.

The Council of Educational Facility Planners announces the annual competition challenges middle school students to design or redesign their schools to enhance learning, conserve resources, be environmentally responsive and engage the surrounding community. The multi-disciplinary solution requires students to follow a planning process from the concept phase to the completion of a formal school building project. The students present their project to a jury for review. The School of the Future Student Design Competition is an opportunity for students to develop math, science, language, communication and leadership skills through the process of design. Students have a chance to work with architects, engineers, and facility planners. In working with these professionals, students foster thoughtful development and sustainable stewardship of our limited and precious resources.

Register online at www.cefpi.org/sbw/ 

Encourage your CTE Students to submit to ACTE's Video PSA Contest. They must be uploaded by October 17, 2011. Get all the rules and details at www.acteonline.org/psacontest.apspx.

• Essentials Training Library: 12 Free online advisor training modules are available to increase the effectiveness of your chapter. Go to www.skillsusa.org/educators/change2.shtml
•  Chapter Activity Planner: Make planning and conducting chapter activities fun and effective. Go to www.skillsusa.org/educators/cap.shtml
•  Personal Leadership Inventory: On line self-assessments for student to grow their skills as individuals, team memb3ers, citizens and employees. Go to  http://www.skillsusa.org/educators/pli.shtml 

Up to $25,000 each for Community Improvement and Community Rebuilding Grants to be implemented in 2012. Due November 1, 2011.

Go to http://skillsusa.org/educators/lowes.shtml

OSHA 10-hour Construction or General Industry Safety Credential vouchers available. 

Fill out the electronic CareerSafe Voucher application at http://skillsusa.org/educators/lowes.shtml.