Siemens - We Can Change the World Challenge

What Is The Challenge?

Become Agents of Change!

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is the premier national environmental sustainability competition for grades K-12 students. Through project-based learning, students learn about science and conservation while creating solutions that impact their planet. Beginning August 13, 2013 through March 4, 2014, teams from across the country will be challenged to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements in their local communities.

To date, more than 80,000 students have participated in the Challenge. Give your students the opportunity, tools and inspiration to make a difference and become agents of change. Click on a grade band below for more information.

Four Free Webinars for this Week!

Achieve Student Success with Blended Learning - Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 1 pm CST with guest speakers Tom Vander Ark and Arthur VanderVeen from Compass Learning: 

Tom Vander Ark

Arthur VanderVeen

Often regarded as the path to personalized learning, blended learning models allow for more meaningful, small group and one-on-one interactions in the classroom.

Register here 

Empowering Students to be InCtrl in a Digital Age, Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 4 pm ET

Learn about InCtrl, a series of free, standards-based lessons and videos, and hear a middle school teacher describe how he's initiating conversations about digital citizenship with his students and helping the be smart online.

This free webinar is produced by Cable in the Classroom as part of Digital Citizenship Week during Connected Educator Month.

Register here

 

Ask the Expert:  Top Tips for Combating Stigma and Addressing Myths about ADHD, Thursday, October 24, 2013, 3 pm Eastern with Ruth Hughes, PhD

.
ADHD is caused by poor parenting
Your're an adult - you should have outgrown this by now!
Just cut out the sugar - the TV - video games and it will go away
You just need to take a firmer disciplinary approach

As any parent or adult who struggles with ADHD can tell you, it's frustrating to hear these sorts of statements, especially when we know they're not true.  How can you respond to people who perceive ADHD tis way and change their perceptions so they see ADHD for what it is - a real medical disorder with lasting effects on individuals and families?

Register here

Working memory is one of the most talked about areas of cognitive development today.  Working memory issues have been found to hamper academic success, reduce one's ability to pay attention and negatively impact behavior.

Register here

Upcoming Technology in Education Workshops

Applying the Principles of Universal Design for Learning to Access the Common Core State Standards

Presenters:  Greta Skiles and Smita Worah, Ph.D.
Day 1:  Friday, November 22, 2013
Day 2:  Thursday, April 10, 2013
Time:  9 am to 3:30 pm
Location:  SERC, Middletown
Activity Code:  14-28-105
Fee:  $110.00

To register:  http://14-28-105.eventbrite.com/

For additional information on the workshop, check out page 68 of Professional Development catalog at http://catalog.serc.co/

Creating and Sustaining AT Teams

Presenters:  Bill Bannish and Smita Worah, Ph.D.
Date:  Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Time:  8:30 am to 3 pm
Location:  SERC, Middletown
Activity Code:  14-28-104
Team Fee:  $150.00
Registration opens:  October 25, 2013

To register:  http://14-28-104.eventbrite.com/

For additional information on the workshop, check out the Professional Development catalog at http://catalog.serc.co/

Questions?  Please contact Linda Adorno, Senior Project Assistant, at 860.632.1485, 241 or adorno@ctserc.org.

Check out these resources for Hispanic Heritage Month

Check out the booklists for Elementary school students at
http://www.colorincolorado.org/read/forkids/hhm/.

For elementary school students booklists are broken down by these general topics with additional breakdowns within the general topics:  Biographies, Cultural traditions, Family stories, Fun with books, stories, and more, Growing up Latino, Holidays and a Recommended Resources section.



Check out the booklists for Grades 4-12 students at

http://www.colorincolorado.org/read/forteens/hispanic/.

These booklists for Grades 4-12 students are organized by the following topics and genre with additional breakdowns within the topics and genre:  My life, Growing up, and Genre

Upcoming Workshops at SERC!

From SERC's Autism Initiative.....

 

Data-Driven Decision Making for Students Diagnosed with Autism/ASD*

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

SERC, Middletown

Social Skills Study Group on Children Diagnosed with ASD

Thursday, October 24, 2013 (Day 1)

Friday, November 15, 2013 (Day 2)

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 (Day 3)

Rensselaer at Hartford, Hartford

DSM-5 and Autism:  What Now?

Thursday, November 7, 2013

SERC, Middletown

Evidence-Based Practices for Students with ASD:  Self-Regulation and Coping Skills*

Wednesday, December 18, 2013
SERC, Middletown

Building Relationships and Replicating Service for Students with ASD*

Wednesday, January 8, 2013

SERC, Middletown

Helping Students with ASD Navigate to New Environments

Friday, January 17, 2014

SERC, Middletown

 

*These sessions may be repeated in other areas of the state.

For more information, check out the SERC Professional Development catalog online at www.ctserc.org/catalog

 

For questions about registration contact Linda Adorno, Senior Project Assistant, 860.632.1485, 241 or adorno@ctserc.org

Meet the Author Night At The SERC Library!

Helping Children Cope with Challenging Events:  

Featuring:  Trey Rawlins
Author of When Mommy had cancer   

Wednesday, October 23, 2013
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
SERC Library
25 Industrial Park Road
Middletown CT 06457

Trey Rawlins was 4 years old when he was told his mom had cancer.  Through honest communication, love and understanding, Trey and his mom met the challenges of treatment and recovery together.  In fourth grade, Trey wrote a book of hope and courage, When Mommy had cancer, to share what he had learned with other families experiencing similar challenges.  Through it all, he and his mom not only coped, but thrived and grew closer.  Trey will share the difficulties they faced together, how he felt, how he helped his mom, and his accomplishments since that time.

Consultants from CSDE and SERC will share information and resources to assist other children coping with stressful events in their lives.

A book signing and reception will follow the presentation.  Books may be purchased for $10.00 at the event.

Please RSVP by October 18, 2013 to Signe Lambertsen via email lambertsen@ctserc.org or call 860.632.1485 x 272.