Congratulations to 2006-2007 Mini-grant Recipients!

Celebrate Chemistry IV - MS Educational Broadcasting video conferencing project for teachers demonstrates hands-on activities and other useful resources in teaching chemistry in middle grades and high school chemistry. For more information contact Lucy Ferron at MS ETV at 601-432-6254 or lucyferron@mpbonline.org.

MERMAIDS: S.E.T.ting the Standard - Tupelo High School's female program (Marine Educational Research with Mammals & Aerospace Investigation) begins after several successful years at the middle school level. Activities include: lectures, student research activities, scholarships, mentoring programs, and teleconferences. Contact Sherry Davis at Tupelo High School for more information ,ssdavis@tupelo.k12.ms.us.

ARGONAUTS-“A Mammoth Adventure in Science, Math & Technology” - Tupelo High School project will offer male students a variety of opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and interest in science, history and technology. Activities include: lectures, student research activities, scholarships, mentoring programs, and teleconferences. Contact Sherry Davis at Tupelo High School for more information , ssdavis@tupelo.k12.ms.us.

F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition - Provine High School's Robotics Team, established in 1999, will construct a radio-controlled robot to enter into competition at the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition. Students in under-represented groups explore the fields of science, engineering and technology and apply critical thinking strategies and problem solving techniques. Contact Redmond Malone at Provine High School for more information, rmalone@jackson.k12.ms.us.

Hands-On Astronomy Activities Workshop - Winter 2005 - A favorite among Mississippi astronomy educators, Jim Hill of Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium, offers a two-day teacher workshop on hands-on science activities in areas of current developments in space science. The workshop is planned during the week of April 15 - 21, 2007, at the Rainwater Observatory near French Camp, MS. Mr. Hill provides workshops in conjunction with the Mississippi Science Network and Rainwater Astronomy Association. For more information contact Jim Hill at 662-547-6377 or jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org.Teachers can receive (1) CEU hour toward teacher recertification through the University of MS..

The Sun-Earth Connection: A Workshop for Educators - Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium Director, Jim Hill, offers a two-day teacher workshop on hands-on activities to learn about the Sun: how it was born, how it lives, and why it is important to mankind on planet Earth. The workshop will be held November 3 – 4, 2006. Teachers will receive (1) CEU toward teacher recertification through the University of Mississippi. For more information contact Jim Hill at 662-547-6377 or jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org.

Backyard Astronomy - will be a series of four once a week presentations on observational astronomy and NASA space missions for the general public in the central Mississippi area. One series will be in the fall and other during the winter. There will be two additional evenings of observing at the Rainwater Observatory. For more information contact Jim Hill at 662-547-6377 or jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org.

B. F. Liddell Middle School: “The 50 Minute Science and Biology Break - a lab based program that will allow targeted 6th graders at the B. F. Liddell Middle School, Macon, MS, to participate in laboratory activities and experiments for 10 weeks as an after school activity. For more information contact Lillie Bryant at (662)726-4880 or clane5054@yahoo.com.

Patterns in the Sky: Using Stars and Constellations to Teach Astronomy - will be a two day teacher workshop, February 6 – 7, 2007, focusing on hands-on activities to teach about constellations and motions in the sky. Teachers will learn activities and receive materials that can be used immediately in the classroom and can receive (1) CEU toward teacher recertification through the University of Mississippi. For more information contact Jim Hill at 662-547-6377 or jhill@rainwaterobservatory.org.