A Tucson teacher has returned from an out-of-this-world experience designed to enhance STEM offerings for students.
Scott Weiler of Amphi Middle School was one of 200 teachers who participated in the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy.
Teachers experienced real-life astronaut training and simulated shuttle missions, designing building and testing their own rockets and meeting NASA scientists, engineers and former astronauts.
The experiences are to be incorporated into lesson plans to inspire students to pursue STEM careers.
Research has found that by the time students reach fourth grade, a third of boys and girls have lost an interest in science and math.
By eighth grade, almost 50 percent have lost interest or deemed it irrelevant to their education or future plans.
Two Marana schools picked
for computer science program
Two elementary schools in the Marana Unified School District were chosen as computer science immersion schools by a nationwide program.
Code to the Future, which helps integrate computer science into schools’ curricula in language arts, math, science and social studies, will work with Gladden Farms, which is a new school opening this year, and Quail Run elementary schools.
The program uses games and technology, such as Minecraft, to teach children about coding and computer science.
AZ schools chief Douglas
wants your feedback on ESSA
Arizona schools chief Diane Douglas is seeking feedback on the upcoming implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
ESSA, which will replace No Child Left Behind as the primary federal legislation addressing America’s public education system, is scheduled to be implemented in the 2017-2018 school year.
General feedback regarding ESSA and the transition process, which will be used over the next several months to help draft and develop Arizona’s state plan for ESSA, can be submitted via a survey at www.azed.gov/essa.
The website also contains links to additional ESSA resources and gives stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the proposed ESSA rulemaking that was introduced in late May.
The site will be updated frequently with information on stakeholder engagement opportunities and examples of comments as they are gathered.
Feedback also can be submitted via email at ESSAInbox@azed.gov, and Arizonans are invited to join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #ESSAinAZ. Anyone interested in receiving regular ESSA updates from ADE can sign up at www.azed.gov/essa/essa-updates/.
St. Michael’s starts
campus makeover
St. Michael’s School has broken ground on a major campus renovation.
The renovation is part of an ongoing capital campaign to support the school’s academic curriculum as well its performing arts and athletic programs.
In part, the campaign will support an enhanced science, technology, engineering and math program through the creation of a STEM Endowment Fund.
The fund has allowed for the hiring of a director of STEM education, and will expand professional development opportunities for teachers. A new multipurpose room will provide space for integrated lessons and for speakers from the STEM community.
Funds will also be used to transform the student center into a year-round space for athletic events and daytime arts performances.
The campaign will also seek to expand the school’s scholarship program to provide tuition assistance.
The school has already raised more than $750,000 of its $1 million goal. To make a donation, email Lonnie Reese at lreese@stmichael.net or call 722-8478 ext. 213.
