Reports on recent College activities and a selection of announcements, events and initiatives in the wider education community.
Contests
Teaching with technology
Teachers driving change in the classroom
CDW Canada's Teaching with Technology Story Contest and Sweepstakes promotes the role of information technology (IT) solutions in the learning process. Teachers can highlight their experiences with technology at school in less than 500 words for the chance to win a share of IT for their classroom valued at $20,000, while entrants have to be more succinct to win as part of the secondary Tweet ur Tech Tale Contest. The third component is a sweepstakes open to all Canadian educators, administrators and school board IT staff, where five winners are chosen at random to receive a prize donated by contest sponsors.
Two Ontario teachers were among the winners of the 2009-10 contest. Julie Millan, OCT, a teacher-librarian at John Wanless Junior PS in Toronto, won sixth place with her entry about the previously untapped and underestimated computer skills of kindergarten students. Third place went to Farhana Panju, OCT, of Richmond Rose PS in Richmond Hill, whose entry documented the role of technology in educating her students about Haiti after the earthquake.
For information on the next contest go to www.teachingwithtechnology.ca.
ExploraVision Awards
Science and technology's best and brightest look toward the future
ExploraVision challenges young minds in the field of science through its annual competition - the biggest of its kind in the world. Students from Canada and the US articulate their vision of a specific technology of interest to be used 20 years from now. They are encouraged to think creatively but also to use realistic, in-demand research and development skills. This year two Ontario teams - one from W.I. Dick Middle School in Milton and another from Don Mills Collegiate in the Toronto DSB - saw their entries advance from the regional portion of the contest to the finals. Winners at the local level received a camcorder and other gifts. Grand prize winners received a savings bond, while other prizes were allotted for honourable mentions, which went to several to schools in the GTA. The next deadline for submissions will be late January or early February 2012. For more information visit www.exploravision.org.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Robots take centre stage at international challenge
Students from around the world took part in problem-solving tasks at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Competition Championships April 27=30 in St. Louis. The event was broken up into four divisions: the Junior FIRST Lego League (Grades K=3), the FIRST Lego League (Grades 4=8), the FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 9=12) and the FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9=12). Teams advanced to the finals after winning regional competitions and demonstrating a high degree of skill in robotics, mechanics and electronics. Several Ontario schools competed for a chance to win a share of a large scholarship fund. A team from Oakville - The Sentinels - took first place in the Lego League event, beating out teams from South Africa and the United States, who finished second and third respectively. This year's challenge required teams to create an autonomous robot out of Lego, incorporating biomedical engineering elements into its design and functioning. In the Robotics Competition, two Ontario teams finished on top: the Kinetic Knights from Kincardine in the Archimedes Division and The Spartonics from Niagara Falls in the Newton Division. A team from Stoney Creek received the Innovation in Control Award. Registration is in the fall. In January, teams are shipped a robot kit and given six weeks to solve a realistic problem through a design-and-build process. Regional rallies follow, leading to the final championships in St. Louis during the last week of April. For more information go to www.usfirst.org.
Sun Life Financial Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge
Students eye trip to prestigious Mathematical Olympiad
Sun Life Financial and the Canadian Mathematical Society will be hosting the 2011 edition of their Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge in November. Students can expand their math skills and have a chance to qualify for the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad. The Olympiad, to be held the following March, awards the winner a $2,000 cash prize and the Sun Life Cup. Students who earn an honourable mention can qualify to receive cash prizes. To find out more go to cms.math.ca/Competitions/COMC.
AEM Construction Challenge
Hands-on competition propels teamwork into spotlight
This competition, sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), provides practical experience for students who may want to enter the construction field. Teamwork initiatives feature hands-on projects, problem solving and specific skill sets. Participants will have the opportunity to mix with industry professionals in attendance. Students from three Toronto-area high schools - Holy Trinity Catholic HS (Simcoe), Alexander Mackenzie HS (Richmond Hill) and St. Patrick Catholic SS (Toronto) - competed in the championships, held in Las Vegas, after advancing from the Canadian regional rally. The Las Vegas event featured two challenges - one more hands-on, involving the transportation of construction materials along a custom course, and the other more theoretical, requiring students to address a water infrastructure concern. For additional information go to www.constructionchallenge.org.
CNIB Braille Creative Writing Contest
Extending the lines of communication
Visually impaired students from Grades 1=12 will have their chance to shine in the CNIB's Braille Creative Writing Contest. The contest encourages literacy in Braille, a form of communication strongly promoted by the CNIB. Entrants can write a short story or a poem on a topic of their choosing, with a chance to win a cash prize for finishing in the top three of their age group. Entries must be submitted by May 31. More information can be found at www.cnib.ca.
Lions International Peace Poster Contest
Kids encouraged to show off artistic talents in the name of peace
Lions Clubs worldwide have come together to sponsor the International Peace Poster Contest, which calls on students to summon their creative spirit with the goal of promoting peace. This year's theme, Children Know Peace, is designed to get kids thinking about their role and influence in the world. Entrants, who must be between the ages of 11 and 13 on November 15, are eligible to win a cash prize of US$5,000 for top spot or US$500 for finishing among the final 24. The deadline for submissions is December. Last year, Annika Ponzilius of the Selkirk and District Lions Club in Ontario was among the 24 finalists. To learn more visit www.lionsclubs.org.
Maple Leaf Math Challenge
Canada's mathletes take up the challenge
The Maple Leaf Math Challenge, formerly the Canadian Math Challenge, will see students from across the country compete for bragging rights and a boost in self-confidence. Mathletics and Canadian teachers are encouraging students from five to 18, of all proficiencies, to participate and work their way up to Gold status through a series of online questions. The program works with a mix of online interactivity and positive reinforcement to promote learning. Achievements are recognized through certificates and virtual trophies, but boosting the confidence of students who might otherwise shy away from math is the ultimate goal. Last year the top 11 students and top three schools overall came from Ontario. A practice week will be held from October 31 to November 4. The competition begins the following week. Find out more at www.mathletics.ca.
University of California, San Diego Academic Connections Scholarship Contest
Hawai'i 4.0
By filling out an application and making a video that addresses the theme of caring for the Earth, students from Grades 9 to 11 can qualify to spend a week on Hawaii's Big Island, in the company of marine biologists and environmental sustainability experts. The all-expenses-paid trip, which comprises one week of immersive research and investigation, is designed to pass the torch to the next generation of experts in the field through activities and instruction in an environment known for its biodiversity. Videos can be created using a variety of techniques, including animation, and are subject only to length and formatting limitations. Approximately 50 students can be part of the trip. The application and video submission deadline is June 30, 2011. For more information visit www.extension.ucsd.edu.
