Opportunities for Teachers
IREX runs Teachers for Global Classrooms, which has now been absorbed into the Fulbright program. This is the program that allowed me to travel to Colombia. This was a whirlwind of a trip, spending part of the trip in the capitol with a cohort, then being placed in a host community with one or two other American teachers. You have the chance to pursue your own research question, then create a website. Click the picture to find out more.
|
By clicking the photo to the left, you will be redirected the the Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program, which is run by IIE. This is the program I will traveling to New Zealand with for Spring 2019. Up to this point, they have been incredible, making international travel easy. I will be on the long-term program (5 months), but they also offer short-term programs. The long-term program gives you the chance to design your own project and conduct research of interest to you. No teaching is required!
|
Click the picture to the left to find out more about the summer institute for teachers, where you get the chance to collaborate with other teachers, mathematicians, and computer scientists. The best part of this program (based on my reading) is that, while you will spend some time discussing best practice, a main feature is engaging in new mathematics. This is an opportunity I am seeking out more and more.
|
National Geographic offers an Educator Certification course, which then allows you to pursue opportunities like the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship, allowing you to travel to places like the Arctic to learn more about the changing ice. One of my colleagues was recently a fellow and had only positive things to say. Click the picture to get to the certification page.
|
Opportunities for Students
International
Each year, students from all over the world have the opportunity to participate in Global Math Week. One of the most famous activities is Exploding Dots, which takes you from basic arithmetic to modern mathematics through a seemingly simple concept. Involve students in this global event by clicking the picture to the left.
|
The International Mathematical Olympiad is a chance for students to collaborate and compete with their peers here and abroad. It also exposes students to the universal nature of mathematics, demonstrating how it is a language that stretches beyond borders and languages. Click the image to go to the homepage.
|
UNESCO, the education branch of the United Nations, supplies project-based math units organized by grade level. These units connect students to the world by using math to study topics such as energy, quality of life, and the study of change (populations, climate, etc.). Click the picture to the left to find out more.
|
Local
In New Mexico, with the help of the Santa Fe Institute and Los Alamos National Laboratory, students have the chance to compete in the New Mexico Supercomputing Challenge. This is a program for New Mexico middle and high school students to research a STEM concept, design a project, then report on the results of that project to STEM professionals. This gives students a chance to interact with other students and learn from internationally known scientists. Last year, I sponsored a team designing a drone capable of delivering aid to natural disaster victims around the world. Click the photo to learn more.
|
The Albuquerque, NM South Valley Economic Development Center has done significant work with the South Valley community to help residents start and/or grow local businesses. They have also helped to fund our school's organic farm, where students can learn about native plants, pollinators, and take part in producing food for the community. This is meant to tie students into the local, national, and international food movements. Click the photo to learn more.
|
The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program came about through a partnership between the Bosque School and the University of New Mexico, giving students a chance to understand the Rio Grande river ecosystem by collecting data, which contributes to publishable reports. This program has since expanded, giving students from all over Albuquerque the chance to participate for weekend and/or summer camp experiences. South Valley Academy regularly sends high school students here as part of the service learning program. Click on the photo to learn more.
|
Central New Mexico Community College now has the FUSE Makerspace, which is open to the public. Although our school has not yet organized trips here, the conversation has begun on how to make this happen. Given that many global issues revolve STEM concerns, giving students the opportunity to experiment with engineering their own ideas will be essential. Click on the photo to learn more.
|
Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions offers students the chance to participate in backpacking experiences around New Mexico. These programs are meant to educate participants on their natural heritage and how to be stewards of the Earth. A TGC alum, Jennifer Chavez-Miller, works at my school and organized an opportunity for the entire eighth grade class to participate in this program multiple times throughout the 2018-19 school year. Click the photo to the left to learn more.
|