COMPANY NAME/URL	DESCRIPTION
SHUTTERFLY http://www.shutterfly.com/	We are a leading Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service that enables consumers to share, print and preserve their memories by leveraging our technology-based platform and manufacturing processes. We provide a full range of products and services that make it easy, convenient and fun for consumers to upload, edit, enhance, organize, find, share, create, print and preserve their digital photos in a creative and thoughtful manner.
SMILEBOX http://scrapbooks.smilebox.com/?partner=yahoo&campaign=scrapbook&utm_source=yahoo&OVRAW=Scrapbooking&OVKEY=scrapbooking&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=10594871512&OVKWID=38010666012	Smilebox is all about sharing extraordinary scrapbooks. In just a few minutes, you can create and share beautiful wedding scrapbooks, baby scrapbooks, and scrapbooks for everyday memories. You can email your scrapbook, post it to a website or blog, or print it!
PICABOO http://www.picaboo.com/ideacenter/scrapbooking/index.html?gclid=CNXq88_JspECFQTslgodylWNeQ	Find tips, techniques, and samples for creating stunning digital scrapbook pages or turning your hand-scrapped pages into digital albums that can be shared for free online or ordered as hard bound books. Whether you are new to digital scrapbooking or have years of experience, Picaboo is the perfect resource for publishing your creations.
ZScrapbook http://www1.zscrapbook.com/default.aspx	ZScrapbook.com is a combination of modern and traditional style scrapbooking. We have developed a way to give people of all types the ability to create a truly unique scrapbook that fits their personality. ZScrapbook - It's as easy as 1 2 3!
MIXBOOK http://www.mixbook.com/	Mixbook allows you to create books with your friends and family about the things that are important in your life. Mixbooks can be shared online or as coffee-table quality printed books.
PANRAVEN http://www.panraven.com/home/homepage.html	Our lives are filled with special events and memories that define and enrich us. Panraven was founded in June 2005 to offer rich new ways for people to capture, express, and share their life experiences through words, pictures, audio and video...richly and effortlessly...online and in print.
BUBBLESHARE http://www.bubbleshare.com/	Create a free account and upload photos to share with friends, family, or the world. Unlimited storage means you’ll never run out of space to keep hundreds, even thousands, of your favorite pictures. Add fun clipart, audio captions, video captions to your albums. Perfectly frame your photos with over 20 themes. Print stunning photo books, calendars and more!

View or Publish Your Projects Online

COMPANY NAME/URL	DESCRIPTION
SCRAPBOOKING TOP 50 http://www.scrapbookingtop50.com/
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING FREE SITE: (video tutorial) http://www.digitalscrapbooking-free.com/digital-scrapbook-tutorials.htm	DiDigital Scrapbooking Free Site: Download FREE scrapbook printables, templates, kits, ideas and more!
FREE DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING SITE (video tutorial) http://www.freedigitalscrapbooking.com/digital_scrapbooking_freebies.html
SCRAPGIRLS http://www.scrapgirls.com/	Try ScrapGirls University
THE SCRAPPER’S GUIDE http://scrappersguide.com/index.html

Online Scrapbooking Sites

U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative Nominations

The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is accepting nominations for 2008 American Stars of Teaching until March 31. Parents, students, colleagues, school administrators and others can nominate an exemplary teacher who they believe has the qualities to be an American Star of Teaching. We are seeking nominations of teachers across the United States who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies in the classroom and making a difference in the lives of their students. Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored as 2008 American Stars of Teaching this fall. To nominate a teacher, go to http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html.

The U.S. Department of Education received more than 4,000 nominations for the 2007 school year. A list of previous honorees can be found at http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/american-stars-teachers.html.

Teaching Ambassador Fellowship

Secretary Spellings has announced the creation of Teaching Ambassador Fellowship positions for currently practicing, K-12 public school teachers at the U.S. Department of Education for the 2008-2009 school year. These positions will offer highly motivated, innovative teachers the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and experience to the national dialogue on public education. The Fellowship includes two kinds of opportunities for teachers across the U.S. Up to 20 Classroom Fellows will remain at their schools under their regular teaching contracts and will be paid to participate in additional Department discussions and projects throughout the school year on a part-time basis. Up to five Washington Fellows will be chosen to become full-time, paid federal employees in Washington, D.C. for the school year, working on education programs and participating in policy discussions.

Teaching Ambassador Fellows will be selected based upon their record of leadership, impact on student achievement, and potential for contribution to the field. Highly qualified K-12 public school teachers who have spent at least three years in the classroom are eligible to apply. Teachers must be currently practicing in and employed by a public school district to be eligible. To ensure collaboration at the school and district levels, teacher applicants must have the full support of their school principals.

Applications are due by April 7, 2008. Teaching Ambassador Fellows will be named by early summer for the 2008-2009 school year.

Please read the detailed information found at http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship to learn more. Be sure to click on all of the links to review the following:
Program Overview (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/programoverview.html)
Eligibility (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/eligibility.html)
Applicant Info (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/applicant.html)
Application Instructions (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/applicationinstructions.html)
FAQs (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/faq.html).

United States Institute of Peace - National Essay Contest for High School Students

United States Institute of Peace - National Essay Contest for High School Students

Deadline: February 1, 2008

The United States Institute of Peace

http://www.usip.org

The Institute established the National Peace Essay Contest to expand educational opportunities for America’s youth. The topic for the 2007-08 competition is “Natural Resources and Conflict.” Participants are asked to write a 1,500-word essay stating what they believe are the necessary elements for the development of fair, peaceful, or effective use of natural resources after a conflict. Students are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, or if they are U.S. citizens attending high school overseas. Students may be attending a public, private, or parochial school, or participating in a high school correspondence program. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted. First-place state-level winners are awarded $1,000 each and compete for national awards. National awards include one first-place award of $10,000, one second-place award of $5,000, and one third-place award of $2,500. First-place state winners are also invited to Washington, D.C., for the awards program. The institute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals, and entertainment. Visit the USIP Web site for complete program information and entry procedures.

Taconic IPA Science Education Grants

Taconic IPA Science Education Grants

To: Public, Private, and Parochial Secondary (Grades 7-12) Science Teachers in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties
Taconic IPA Science Education Grants - The purpose of these grants is to expand students’ learning opportunities in the sciences through the acquisition of classroom and laboratory science equipment. This equipment could include microscopes, temperature probes, light probes, computer-related equipment and software, and other laboratory tools.
Application deadline 2/15; Notification late-April

Got to the following URL for more information and an application:

http://www.cfdcny.org/newsarticle.cfm?articleid=121261&ptsidebaroptid=0&returnto=page30019.cfm&returntoname=For%20Grant%20Seekers&siteid=1880&pageid=29999&sidepageid=30019&banner1img=banner%5F1%2EJPG&banner2img=banner%5F2%2EJPG&bannerbg=bannerbg%5Fcustom%2Ejpg

Sorry for the delay

Well I started a new job and now I need to find time to go into SL again. The new job has different hours and acces to computers during the work day so I can't just hope on during lunch like before.

My partner in crime and I have not had a ton of time since to work on this blog or our podcast, but I hope we will have some new information posted soon.

Thanks!

NASA Polar Year

From March 2007 to March 2008, the scientific community will be recognizing the International Polar Year. Scientists from around the world will examine the Arctic and Antarctic regions of Earth. NASA's Exploring Space Challenges invites K-12 teachers to design a challenge in conjunction with this event. Judges will select the best Challenges in grade-level categories K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. One overall winning Challenge will be used by NASA ESC for the next school year.

Registration is open until Dec. 30, 2007.

For more information, visit: http://esc.nasa.gov/html_files/TeacherChallenge.html

21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition

What do you think is NASA's greatest exploration achievement in the past 50 years, and why? That is the question NASA is asking students for the Second Annual 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition. Students will create an audio recording or video -- running one minute or less -- with their answer to the question.

The contest is open to U.S. citizens, ages 11 to 18. Entries will be judged on content, creativity, execution, clarity and overall impression. The 15 finalists in each format (audio and video) and each age category (ages 11-14 and ages 15-18) will be displayed on the contest Web site, where the public will vote for and select a "People's Choice" winner. Prizes will also be awarded for first, second and third place. Winners will be announced on the Web site Feb. 28, 2008.

Entries are being accepted now through Jan. 4, 2008, or when the first 1,000 entries in each category are received.

For more information, including tips for creating audio and video podcasts, visit: http://www.explorationpodcast.com/

Aeronautics Competitions for High School and College Students

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters announces a new aeronautics competition for high school and college students for the 2007-2008 academic year.

High school students are challenged to write a research paper to explain ideas for a future aircraft that could become the "DC-3" for cargo and passengers in the year 2058. Descriptions should be well-informed and include sections on fuel, environmental effects, noise levels, runway length and condition, operating costs, passenger and cargo loads, and service operations. Notice of intent for high school entries is due on Dec. 15, 2007.

College students are invited to design the next generation, 21st-century, "DC-3"-type aircraft. Some of the design considerations include reduced environmental impact, reduced noise, daily operations on short runways, cost analysis for production and operation, passenger and cargo limits, structure and materials, and engines. Students should also briefly describe three valid scenarios for potential use of this vehicle in the year 2058. Notice of intent for college entries is due on Jan. 19, 2008.

Any U.S. student enrolled in an accredited high school, secondary school, or home school in the United States or its territories is eligible to enter the competition for cash prizes. Non-U.S. citizens and students in international locations can enter as well, but they are not eligible for cash prizes. Trophies and certificates will be awarded to each winner, regardless of citizenship.

For complete details, visit: http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/competitions.htm

ISS EarthKAM Image Competition Entries Due Nov. 28, 2007

Educators and their students are invited to participate in the International Space Station Earth Klimate Analysis Mission Image Competition. Participating classes will create a collaborative investigation about climate change using EarthKAM images.
Each classroom should focus their investigation on a specific topic. The investigation should include background research and supporting images. Schools are encouraged to select a topic that is relevant to their local community.

The entire project must be submitted electronically, no later than Nov. 28, 2007. The EarthKAM team will evaluate the submitted investigations based on content, creativity and overall presentation. Prizes will be awarded for the best projects, and the winning projects will be posted on the EarthKAM Web site.

To learn more, visit: http://www.earthkam.ucsd.edu/public/about/missions/index.shtml

Please e-mail questions about this contest to ek-help@earthkam.ucsd.edu

NASA/NSTA Web Seminars -- Inquiry in Science and Mathematics Education: Parents as Partners

Join NASA and NSTA for two, free Web seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. Designed for educators of grades K-6, the seminars will focus on how educators can better engage parents and enlist their support for inquiry-based science and mathematics education. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters’ PowerPoint presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Nov. 20 and Dec. 12, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Denver/webseminar.aspx

IPY/NSTA Web Seminars -- The Role of Polar Regions in Earth’s Changing Climate System

Join NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association for two free Web seminars on the topic of the International Polar Year. The seminars are designed for educators of grades 5-8. The sessions will focus on the interaction of polar regions with Earth’s climate system, atmospheric gas changes over Earth’s history, what ice cores tell about past climate, and the implications of climate change in the polar regions. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA, NOAA, and NSF. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters’ presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Nov. 27 and Dec. 13, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Denver/webseminar.aspx

Meet Me at the Corner, Virtual Field Trips

Ever wonder what you could do with younger students where they use digital camcorders to do interviews, or create a show? Well here is a site that has looked at that very question (in my opinion) an dthe children do a great job with. Meet Me at the Corner is a virtual tour of NYC with specific places and peopel discussed. Something I think you could do with almost any aged students who can come up with a story idea or some questions. Check out the link for more information.

http://www.meetmeatthecorner.org/

Some Interesting Information/Contests

Well I just stumbled into several pieces of information that I wanted to post and share. I'm not sure how much of this would be an every year event or just a one shot this year, but take a look and see what is there.

Evaluate Online Information

World Book, Inc. has announced the World Book Fact or Fiction? Student Video Contest, inviting students to create an original video on what makes an online site a good information source. The contest encourages students to be discerning about the trustworthiness of the information they are finding online when they conduct research on topics for school or their personal interest. The contest is open to students in elementary, high school and college. Students get to vote for their favorite video from December 1, 2007 through January 7, 2008. The creator of the top vote-getting video will win a MacBook, and his or her school will receive a digital video camera. Deadline: November 30, 2007
http://videocontest.worldbook.com/

Preserve and Protect the Environment

2008 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of students and teachers who work at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. Eight projects will be selected, and each winning group will receive $10,000 to benefit the award-winning project; an all-expenses-paid trip for three students and one adult leader to an Anheuser-Busch theme park for a special awards event; a Fujifilm digital camera for use by the award-winning group—and more.
Deadline: November 30, 2007
http://www.swbg-animals.org/conservation-matters/eea/about.htm

NASA Educator Guides

The Educational Materials section of NASA's Web site lists classroom activities, educator guides, posters and other types of resources that are available to be downloaded and used in the classroom. Materials are listed by type, grade level and subject. The following educator guides are now available as complete guides or can be downloaded in easy to use individual lesson plans.

Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide

This NASA educator guide for grades 5-12 focuses on the technology behind spacesuits. Briefly discussed are the space environment, the history of spacewalking, NASA's current spacesuits and the work that astronauts do during spacewalks. This guide includes classroom activities, a glossary and a list of other NASA resources.

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Suited_for_Spacewalking_Educator_Guide.html

Space Food and Nutrition Educator Guide

Space food research meets the challenge of providing food that tastes good and travels well in space. The activities in this NASA educator guide for grades K-8 emphasize hands-on and cooperative involvement of students as they explore the unique problems of keeping astronauts happy and healthy in space.

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Food_and_Nutrition_Educator_Guide.html

Register Today for NASA/NSTA Web Seminars -- Igniting the Flame of Knowledge: Human Space Flight

Join NASA and NSTA for two free Web seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. Designed for educators of grades 4-9, the seminars will focus on the biological and physical aspects of humans living and working in space as NASA completes the International Space Station, returns a human presence to the moon and looks forward to Mars and beyond. The presenters will share their scientific expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters' PowerPoint presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open. Visit: http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Detroit/webseminar.aspx

Announcing the 12th Annual IGES Art Contest for Grades 2-4

Entries are currently being accepted for the 12th Annual Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Art Contest for students in grades 2-4. This year's theme is "The Ocean: From Bottom to Top." Entrants are encouraged to learn more about the ocean and send in a drawing about what they have learned.

The contest is open to all U.S. citizens in grades 2-4. The winning entry will be printed as the IGES greeting card and the first-, second- and third-place artists will receive savings bonds. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.

Entries are due on Oct. 26, 2007. For more information, visit: http://www.strategies.org/ArtContest

Social Networking Safety

With all of our discussions on Social Networking either here in the blog or in our podcast, we thought we should add in some sites that talk about being safe while using these sites. On the right hand side of the blog there is a new area titled Social Networking Safety. If you are looking for more information on this topic to share with students, or family then take a look and see what is there. I'll add some more as time permits, but I wanted to at least get some up.

As we said, we are not anti- social networking sites, but we are for safe use of these sites. Think before you post something is one rule that everyone should follow when dealing with blogs, diaries, and all social networking sites.

Thanks,

Karen and Sean

Social Networking and Bookmarking

Interested in learning about Social Networking websites? I am sure you have all heard of Myspace.com. However, there are many, many more than this. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites to check out some others you may not have heard of, but your students are definitely using or http://social-networking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/

Okay, many of you reading are probably still wondering what is a Social Networking site. Basically, a social networking site is an online place where a user can create a profile and build a personal network that connects him or her to other users. It is an online hangout to meet friends and make new one.

Top Social Network sites:

February 2007*

Rank Name Domain Market Share

1 MySpace www.myspace.com

2 Facebook www.facebook.com

3 Bebo www.bebo.com

4 BlackPlanet.com www.blackplanet.com

5 Xanga www.xanga.com

6 iMeem www.imeem.com

7 Yahoo! 360 360.yahoo.com

8 Classmates www.classmates.com

9 hi5 www.hi5.com

10 Tagged www.tagged.com

11 LiveJournal www.livejournal.com

12 Gaiaonline.com www.gaiaonline.com

13 Friendster www.friendster.com

14 Orkut www.orkut.com

15 Live Spaces spaces.live.com

16 HoverSpot www.hoverspot.com

17 Buzznet www.buzznet.com

18 Sconex www.sconex.com

19 MiGente.com www.migente.com

20 myYearbook www.myyearbook.com

MySpace, with 70 million visitors, has become the digital equivalent of hanging out at the mall for today's teens, who load the site with photos, news about music groups and detailed profiles of their likes and dislikes. Other social network sites include Facebook, geared to college students, LinkedIn, aimed at professionals, and Xanga, a blog-based community site. In all, an estimated 300 sites, including smaller ones such as StudyBreakers for high schoolers and Photobucket, a site for posting images, make up the social network universe. There is even http://www.Kaneva.com , which has a 3-d virtual world with stores, clubs and a mall that created avatars can meet friends in online to hang out.

On the Horizon, “Both companies (Myspace and Facebook) are planning to extend their reach beyond the computer screen to cell phones. Cingular Wireless, Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless are starting a service that will allow users to post messages on Facebook's home pages or search for other users' phone numbers and email addresses from a cell phone. MySpace has a pact with Helio, a wireless joint venture between SK Telecom and Earthlink, that will allow users to send photos and update their blogs or profiles by cell phone. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1463

We have posted some resources for Social Networking safety to the left and in our delicious tags.

Younger versions of Social Networking sites:

http://www.Webkinz.com

http://www.Clubpenguin.com

Disney and Nickelodeon have a social networking site for kids.

Stemming from Social Networking is Social Bookmarking, which definitely has it place in education and research in this digital high tech world. Social bookmarking websites are becoming more and more popular. They allow you to save bookmarks online and Tag/Categorize them with keywords instead of saving them as bookmarks in the favorite’s list of your browser. This technology makes accessing your favorites easy to do anywhere anytime. It also makes search for topics easier since you can add people to your network with the same interests.

Go to http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/social30.html for the August 2007 top listing of Social Bookmarking sites. Probably the most popular is Del.icio.us. Sean and I both have delicious accounts and we invite you to join them at the links provided below this posting.

Regards,

Karen and Sean