Latest Entries »

‘Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs’ Opens June 27 at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Filed Under: Education, Online Education by Jupetong
Jun.27, 2009

Doors will open tomorrow for “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs,” a touring exhibition featuring more than 100 authentic artifacts from the tomb of the celebrated pharaoh King Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian sites. The exhibition will be on display at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis from June 27 to October 25, 2009, its first Midwest showing following the U.S. premiere in Atlanta. Most artifacts in the exhibition have never visited the U.S. prior to this tour.

“Tutankhamun’s magic still captures the hearts of people all over the world, even though more than 85 years have passed since the discovery of his amazing tomb,” said Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. “America has welcomed the golden king, and now he is bringing with him all the great pharaohs of Egypt. This exhibition will raise much-needed funds for the preservation of Egypt’s monuments and the construction and renovation of museums throughout the country. I always say that Egyptian antiquities are the heritage of the world and that we are only their guardians.”

The exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. A portion of the proceeds from the tour will go toward antiquities preservation and conservation efforts in Egypt, including the construction of a new grand museum in Cairo.

“We have a longstanding partnership with Dr. Zahi Hawass and with Her Excellency Suzanne Mubarak, the First Lady of Egypt, and we are thrilled that collaboration has led to the incredible opportunity for Indianapolis to host this world-class exhibition and welcome the treasures of King Tut,” said Dr. Jeffrey Patchen, president of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “We look forward to welcoming people of all ages to our institution for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The exhibition features an audio tour and National Geographic video documentary, both narrated by award-winning actor, Harrison Ford.

“Egypt’s ancient treasures are among the world’s greatest cultural legacies,” said Terry Garcia, executive vice president, National Geographic Society. “Even with the great wealth of research that already exists, new technologies continue to open up the past in ways never imagined. Visitors to this exhibition will not only see stunning artifacts spanning 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, but they will also learn more about the life and death of Tutankhamun through recent CT scans conducted on his mummy.”

Teachers throughout the state of Indiana and beyond have a unique opportunity to teach a new generation about King Tut and ancient Egyptian history with financial assistance from Lilly Endowment, Inc., which has generously provided The Children’s Museum with a grant that will enable the museum to provide nearly 98,000 free tickets for teachers and their students. These free tickets are available to school groups on a first-come, first-served basis by registering at www.ChildrensMuseum.org.

To further the exhibition experience for students, The Children’s Museum has created Units of Study with customized lessons created in conjunction with the exhibition for students in grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. These materials are available free of charge at www.ChildrensMuseum.org. Designed to supplement class trips and curriculums, these materials let students become “Curious Egyptology Investigators” (CEI), using the strategies of Egyptologists and archeologists to discover clues and reveal learnings about the lives and customs of Egyptian royalty.

Northern Trust is a proud cultural partner of the tour, and American Airlines is the official airline.

“Corporate citizenship has been a focus at Northern Trust since our founding in 1889. We are proud to uphold this legacy by supporting important initiatives that promote cultural education and awareness,” said Frederick H. Waddell, president and chief executive officer of Northern Trust Corporation. “We look forward to sharing this inspiring educational experience with the local community and visitors from around the world.”

“American Airlines is thrilled to have a role in bringing ‘Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs’ to Indianapolis,” said Dan Garton, executive vice president of marketing for American Airlines. “As the official airline of the exhibition, we are pleased that American Airlines is helping to make it possible for these extraordinary objects to be seen by thousands of visitors.”

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

New Analysis Examines Fraud in Both Private and Public Health Insurance Markets

Filed Under: Education, Financial Aid, University by Jupetong
Jun.27, 2009

A new report from The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Department of Health Policy challenges the notion that fraud is a problem only in public health insurance markets and finds that fraud is a system-wide problem affecting private and public health insurance alike. The report finds that some of the most striking examples of fraud come from fraud committed directly by the private insurance industry itself. In 2007, when the U.S. spent nearly $2.3 trillion on health care and public and private insurers processed more than 4 billion health insurance claims, fraud was estimated to reach as much as 10 percent of annual health care spending. At this rate, the losses in 2007 alone -over $220 billion – would have been enough to cover the uninsured. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) has estimated conservatively that 3 percent of all health care spending–or $68 billion–is lost to health care fraud.

The report finds that no segment of the health care industry or geographical area is immune from fraud. It is estimated that 80 percent of healthcare fraud is committed by medical providers, 10 percent by consumers, and the balance by others, such as insurers themselves and their employees. Fraudulent billing, kickbacks, up-coding services and bundling are common examples of fraud. Avoidance of sick and high need members, along with the systematic misrepresentation of the cost of care to group plan sponsors, represent major examples of fraud in the private insurance industry.

The report also notes the distinction between fraud and improper payments. Fraud is a misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of material facts. Improper payments, on the other hand, tend to involve technical questions associated with verification of claims or related matters. The report also describes recent efforts to improve fraud detection and recovery across the public and private insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid.

“The evidence presented in this analysis should put to rest the notion that the problem of fraud is limited to public programs. Because fraud can arise in any sector of the health industry, comprehensive efforts to both detect and deter fraud system-wide are essential to national health reform,” said Sara Rosenbaum, Professor and Chair, Department of Health Policy.

“Health Insurance Fraud: An Overview” is available at http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/departments/healthpolicy/dhp_publications/pub_uploads/dhpPublication_EFDAD1BC-5056-9D20-3D3D36632A4F2163.pdf%20ht

The George Washington University Medical Center is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary academic health center that has consistently provided high-quality medical care in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, since 1824. The Medical Center comprises the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the 11th oldest medical school in the country; the School of Public Health and Health Services, the only such school in the nation’s capital; GW Hospital, jointly owned and operated by a partnership between The George Washington University and a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc.; and the GW Medical Faculty Associates, an independent faculty practice plan. For more information on GWUMC, visit www.gwumc.edu.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

International Baccalaureate Chooses ePals to Create Innovative Online Learning Community

Filed Under: Online Education by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has selected ePals, Inc., to implement and manage a customized hosted learning community for IB students, educators, alumni, and other stakeholders. The innovative site will utilize safe and collaborative communication tools to create authentic learning experiences and interactions on a global scale. The rollout will be multi-phased, ultimately enabling members of the worldwide IB community in 2,600 schools and more than 130 countries to connect, share and collaborate.

The IB provides international education programs to a worldwide community of schools, working to develop the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills students need to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. ePals will provide IB with – among other things – the ePals Distributed Learning Platform(TM). This platform will allow IB stakeholders to implement the exclusive learning community to foster in students the collaborative skills and learning required for success in the 21st century. The ePals Distributed Learning Platform is a unique collaborative environment optimized for global K-12 education. IB students and educators also will be able to connect and collaborate directly with the growing ePals Global Community of hundreds of thousands of educators and millions of students.

“At the core of our mission, we aim to promote intercultural understanding and respect as an essential part of life in the 21st century,” said Jeffrey Beard, Director General of the IB. “We feel that ePals can create the ideal community and technology platform for ensuring that students and educators at IB World Schools can safely communicate, collaborate and learn with their peers regardless of geographic, cultural or language differences. In addition to our content, which will be hosted on the site, this new IB hosted learning community will allow our educators and school leaders to connect to exchange, hone and develop best practices.”

“We are very pleased that a global educational organization of the stature of the IB is embracing the learning opportunities for teachers and students afforded by safe, collaborative online technologies, and has chosen ePals to provide it,” said Edmund Fish, President and CEO of ePals, Inc. “Like many other educational institutions, the IB was seeking an online environment where students, educators and others could collaborate in a safe, purposeful and authentic manner – both within their own member-based communities and on a broader scale with a global community of learners. We’re proud to bring our innovative technology and years of expertise to bear on such an important effort, and expect our joint work to encourage the development of new projects and learning experiences in schools around the world.”

Following pilot trials and beta deployments throughout the 2009 academic year, the co-branded ePals IB hosted learning community is expected to be available to all IB members by July 2010. ePals also is working with the IB to provide professional development opportunities for IB educators, administrators and staff focused on creating 21st century learning environments.

For more information about ePals, Inc., visit www.epals.com, or for company information, visit www.epalscorp.com.

About International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate offers three high quality and challenging educational programs for a worldwide community of schools. Over 40 years, the programs have gained a reputation for their high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalized 21st century, and for helping to develop the future citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world. For more information about IB programs, visit www.ibo.org.

About ePals, Inc.

The mission of ePals, Inc., is to support lifelong learning through collaborative experiences that empower and inspire. Through its technology, programs and services, K-12 students and teachers around the world build and exchange knowledge based on safe and protected communication tools, evidence-based curricula and authentic, collaborative learning experiences. The ePals Global Community(TM) is the largest online community of K-12 learners, enabling more than half a million educators and millions of students across 200 countries and territories to safely connect, exchange ideas, and work together. The company’s curriculum-based e-mentoring program, In2Books®, uniquely builds reading, writing and critical thinking skills and embeds literacy instruction across the curriculum. These, and a host of partner products, are built on the ePals Distributed Learning Platform(TM), an innovative online collaborative environment optimized for K-12 audiences and learning. ePals is especially committed to enabling academically rigorous educational opportunities in economically disadvantaged environments worldwide through the ePals Foundation.

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

Improved Networking for CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway ‘Shadowing’ Groups Thanks to ALCS Sponsorship

Filed Under: Online Education by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

In the second year of their three-year sponsorship deal with CILIP, the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society’s (ALCS) support has enabled CILIP to introduce major developments to the Medals shadowing scheme website. These developments provide improved networking for shadowing groups who are now able to connect to each other with more room on the site to exchange news and views about what’s going on.

“We’re delighted that our support has made these developments possible,” says Barbara Hayes, ALCS’ Deputy CEO. “The improved networking reflects the current trends on social networking sites and helps ensure the CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway ’shadowing’ website remains as popular as ever with young readers.”

ALCS continues to promote a schools copyright competition via the Medals’ website and has updated their two copyright education packs available to download from the resources section. Developed by educational writer, Susan Elkin, the packs offer lesson plans and fun ideas to introduce young people from 5 – 18 to copyright and intellectual property rights. The packs help them understand why these rights are important, how they benefit from them and how, by respecting these rights, they help writers in all mediums to continue writing.

“It’s increasingly important that young people understand the issues of copyright and intellectual property especially when using the internet,” continues Barbara Hayes. “Our partnership with CILIP helps us engage a wider audience of young people with these issues. It is vital that the ‘internet generation’ understand what’s at stake when they are copying and using other people’s work and the damage that can be done if they do not respect writers’ copyright and IP.”

Responding to CILIP’s primary research amongst shadowing groups, and the National Literacy Trust’s research into reading incentives, both of which showed how important social networking was to young people, the Carnegie & Greenaway ’shadowers’ now have a larger platform on which to construct an identity for their group and personalise their pages. Groups can see a selection of neighbouring groups in their area and have the option to add other registered groups as ‘friends’ to their page. They can also indicate ‘what they’re doing now’ by updating their status and captioning their photographs.

Groups can link to past winning books via the ‘A Step Back in Time’ function, while the ‘Spotlight On’ feature highlights a favourite author or illustrator. They can upload their own video, write a blog, design polls and questionnaires, select their favourite three books on the ‘Reading Barometer’ and showcase their ‘Star Review’.

About ALCS: ALCS collects fees on behalf of the whole spectrum of UK writers: novelists, film & TV script writers, literary prize winners, poets and playwrights, freelance journalists, translators and adaptors, as well as thousands of professional and academic writers who include nurses, lawyers, teachers, scientists, and college lecturers. All writers are eligible to join ALCS: further details on membership can be found at http://www.alcs.co.uk

The Society collects fees that are difficult, time-consuming or legally impossible for writers and their representatives to claim on an individual basis: money that is nonetheless due to them. Fees collected are distributed to writers twice a year in March and September. Since its inception, ALCS has distributed over GBP200 million to the nation’s writers.

CILIP CARNEGIE & KATE GREENAWAY MEDALS

CILIP – The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information professionals and knowledge managers. CILIP annually funds and administers the Carnegie Medal awarded for an outstanding work of fiction for young people and its sister award for an outstanding work of illustration, the Kate Greenway Medal.

For further information on the shortlists, the winners and the ’shadowing’ scheme please see http://www.ckg.org.uk.

For further information on CILIP please see http://www.cilip.org.uk

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

NetDimensions Announces Partnership with Gilkron Ltd. to Deliver Legal Courses using EKP

Filed Under: Education, Training Programs by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

NetDimensions, a global provider of performance, knowledge and learning management systems, announces that it has signed a partnership agreement with Gilkron Limited, a provider of interactive online courseware created by leading experts and professionals — for professionals.

Tim Gilkison, Director at Gilkron says: “We provide professionals with the relevant legal or other knowledge they need to maintain their competitive edge and meet their professional or other learning obligations through our Novacourses website.”

Novacourses is powered by NetDimensions’ Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP), a robust, secure and multi-lingual enterprise learning management system.

“EKP enabled us to create a powerful yet easy to use tool that we believe will benefit lawyers and other professionals everywhere,” explains Gilkison.

Jay Shaw, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at NetDimensions notes: “We welcome Gilkron to our unique global partner network. As with the partnerships we have with many excellent organizations, our collaboration with Gilkron has yielded unexpected benefits.”

Gilkron’s innovations demonstrate the flexibility and power of EKP such as:

— Automatic enrollment of all new learners in an online course that teaches them how to use the system and
— A user interface that makes use of graphical help screens designed specifically with busy professionals in mind.

“Gilkron has shown us what else EKP can do with just a little added imagination,” adds Shaw.

Enabling compliance to mandatory professional requirements

Leading in-house counsels, private legal practitioners and corporate decision makers use Novacourses to comply with their continuing professional development (CPD) or continuing legal education (CLE) obligations.

Gilkron Director Ron Yu explains: “All lawyers regularly assess current and future knowledge needs relevant to their responsibilities, then plan and implement ongoing programs of training and development to address these needs.”

Lawyers in jurisdictions such as Hong Kong are exceptionally focused on CPD or CLE. Hong Kong enforces mandatory annual CPD or CLE requirements and any lawyer who fails to meet his or her CPD or CLE obligations cannot practice law in the territory.

“Novacourses is the platform where legal professionals will find unique courseware such as legal Mandarin, intellectual property valuation, ongoing obligations of AIM companies, comparisons of US and Chinese patent regimes, alternative dispute resolution in Asia, corporate rescue in China, protection of trade secrets in Asia and marketing for lawyers on a single site,” notes Yu.

For more information about Novacourses and the various courses available on the site, please visit http://www.novacourses.com .

About Gilkron Limited

Gilkron Limited produces innovative, relevant, interactive online courseware for legal and other professionals on its Novacourses platform ( http://www.novacourses.com ). The courseware is used by legal, business and other professionals to expand their knowledge or maintain their professional accreditations. Novacourses is a registered trademark of Gilkron Limited.

About NetDimensions

Established in 1999, NetDimensions is a global provider of performance, knowledge and learning management systems. The company’s key products include the Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP), the Enterprise Assessment Platform (EAP) and the Enterprise Content Platform (ECP).

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

CHET Challenges Connecticut Children to ‘Get Creative @ Saving for College’

Filed Under: College, Education, Training Programs by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier and the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), Connecticut’s 529 college savings program, have teamed up with the Connecticut State Library to introduce a new summer promotion at participating state libraries – “Get Creative @ Saving for College.”

This summer, a routine trip to the local library could lead to a prize of $1,000 for the parents or legal guardians of Connecticut students of any age through grade eight (8) during the 2009-2010 school year who enter the “Get Creative @ Saving for College” promotion. The promotion stresses the importance of reading and creativity to students, while introducing their parents or loved ones to the importance of saving early for college.

“We are pleased to partner with the Office of State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier and the Connecticut State Library,” said Pam McNulty, Vice President, TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc., Program Manager for CHET. “Reading is an important skill that is critical for a child’s advancement in grade school, college and adult life. In addition to encouraging children to read during the summer, the ‘Get Creative @ Saving for College’ promotion will help reinforce to parents and guardians the importance of saving early for their child’s future education. Even during today’s market conditions, continuing to invest in a child’s future over the long term can assist in preparing to meet college expenses.”

Parents and guardians of Connecticut students of any age through grade eight (8) during the 2009-2010 school year can enter the “Get Creative @ Saving for College” at participating Connecticut libraries by filling out a summer reading promotion official entry form. Four families will be selected at random to each receive a check for $1,000. Checks of $500 will also be awarded to the libraries of the four winning families in order to further support future programs and initiatives.

In September, each winner will be recognized at a special event at his or her winning library. The four events, open to the general public, will feature check presentations for the winning family and library. The event will also include food and fun activities for children to enjoy while CHET representatives are available to discuss the importance of saving early for college.

Entry forms to the “Get Creative @ Savings for College” promotion and CHET materials will be available at participating libraries across the state of Connecticut. The program runs through August 21, 2009. Entries must be received by August 28, 2009. For more information, visit www.aboutchet.com/library.

The “Get Creative @ Saving for College” program is designed to raise awareness about CHET, and help all Connecticut families save for college regardless of background or income. Anyone with a Social Security Number or Federal Taxpayer Identification Number can get started with as little as $25 per investment option ($15 if their employer offers payroll deduction). Investors can even automate their investments via CHET’s Automatic Contribution Plan, making regular investments on a schedule designed to help meet their unique college savings goals.

CHET offers several different investment options, so account owners can select the investment options that suit their risk tolerance, while federal and state income tax advantages can help them to put more of their money toward future college expenses.

For official rules, detailed prize descriptions and more information, parents and guardians are asked to visit www.aboutchet.com/library or call (860) 305-4605. The “Get Creative @ Savings for College” promotion is sponsored by the State of Connecticut Treasurer’s Office, CHET and the Connecticut State Library.

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

Plymouth Rock Studios Internship Program Offers Entertainment Industry Experience

Filed Under: Training Programs by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

As plans progress towards groundbreaking, Plymouth Rock Studios and The Rock Educational Cooperative have hired 24 college interns as part of the larger initiative to help prepare a workforce for the studios’ opening. Hailing from local and national public and private institutions, the students in the 2009 summer program were selected from a field of over 2,000 applicants.

The ten week internship program offers employment in the fields of production, graphic design, animation, documentary research and writing, education, finance, human resources, real estate, legal, public relations, computer technology, and many more. The internships provide hands-on learning experience and enable the students to have a significant impact on the advancement of Plymouth Rock Studios and learn about the film industry without relocating to New York or Los Angeles. Also, many are working on “The Series,” a daily web series about the making of the studio on HollywoodEastTV.com.

“We’re thrilled that college kids can see the inner workings of a studio being built from the ground up,” said Kate Ayson, Executive Director of The Rock Educational Cooperative. “It’s also beneficial for the studio to have diverse input from the next generation.”

One fun aspect of the internship program is the weekly film screenings presented by David Kirkpatrick, Chairman of Plymouth Rock Studios. This is just one example of the unique access the interns have to individuals with depth and experience in the industry. “To watch a movie with the actual creator is unlike any other experience,” said Northeastern student, Amanda Stonely. The interns come from a variety of colleges and universities such as Duke, Princeton, Fitchburg State, Bentley, Boston University, Mass Art and many more.

Plymouth Rock Studios is a film and television studio opening in early 2011 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is projected to create over 2,000 jobs and infrastructure for the sustained growth of the entertainment industry. The Studios will have 14 soundstages and a 10-acre back lot, plus production offices, post-production facilities, a theater, hotel, and an amenity village, all being LEED®-certified. http://www.plymouthrockstudios.com

The Rock Educational Cooperative is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of Plymouth Rock Studios. Its mission is to educate and inspire the creative workforce in support of the long-term growth of New England’s entertainment industry.

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

AT&T Awards Annual Environmental Fellowship Funding

Filed Under: Education, Fellowships by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

AT&T* announced the 2009 recipients of fellowship awards through its Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellowship program. Contributions totaling $75,000 have been awarded to three academic research teams.

AT&T has a long history of enabling research on industrial ecology — a multidisciplinary science that investigates how the economy and the environment can coexist — through the AT&T Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellowship program. The annual program, which provides awards of $25,000 to three academic research teams at universities across the country, is designed to advance the development of research and help universities produce faculty and students who can contribute to solving global and regional environmental problems and help shape environmentally and economically efficient strategies.

Since its inception in 1993, the AT&T Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellowship program has provided environmental research fellowships to leading universities and their outstanding academic researchers across the country. In 2009, AT&T is supporting three academic research teams at the following universities:

* The University of Texas, Austin, for a project titled “Examining the Tradeoffs in Energy, CO2, and Water for Transportation & ICT Choices.” This research will analyze the tradeoff between carbon emission and water consumption in transportation, and develop a quantitative model of the relative impacts into an interactive online tool for public, educational and analytical use.
* University of Colorado, Denver, for a project titled “Diffusion of ICT Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in US Cities: Linking Industrial Ecology with Social Actors.” This project will explore how information and communications technology (ICT) strategies can be used to lower greenhouse gas emissions by providing assessment tools and decision support systems to homes, businesses and government bodies.
* University at Albany, SUNY, for a project titled “Investigating Complex Systems: Can Communicating Light Signals Reduce Congestion and Emissions?” The research team will study how self-organization of traffic signals will lead to improved efficiency of traffic flow, reduced average vehicle delays and lower greenhouse emissions.

“Research projects such as these help create the sustainable and economic efficiencies needed for a successful future. We’re proud to support students, professors and universities in their efforts that will help our business and others reduce our environmental impact,” said Clair Krizov, AT&T Assistant Vice President of Environmental, Health and Safety.

The AT&T Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellowship program is one way that AT&T collaborates with premier academic institutions and universities to advance education and research and to enhance the its ability to deliver innovative products and services. For a number of years, AT&T Labs has teamed with top universities around the world through research and mentoring programs. Through the Virtual University Research Initiative, AT&T selects a number of top universities and funds educational expenses of students who are working on their Ph.D. dissertations and are willing to do research in areas of interest to AT&T. Each year, AT&T also holds the AT&T Labs University Collaborations Symposium to bring together its researchers, university professors and interns to discuss current joint research projects and plans for future projects.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation’s fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation’s leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

Motorola Foundation Grants $5 Million to Programs That Engage Budding Innovators

Filed Under: Education, Finance Education, Study Abroad, Training Programs by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

The Motorola Foundation announced the recipients of its 2009 Innovation Generation grants, $5 million in funding to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education for America’s youth. Now in its fourth year, the grants create opportunities for students to experience STEM both inside and outside the classroom, equipping them with the skills essential to their lives today and to their success in the future.

“Science and technology come to life every day at Motorola. With Innovation Generation, we extend that experience to students across the country, so they will be inspired and prepared to embrace – or even create – the inventions of the future,” said Eileen Sweeney, director of the Motorola Foundation. “We support programs that make science, math and engineering compelling – whether that is with real-world role models, exciting out-of-school programming or experiences that are completely out of the box.”

Diversity Breeds Inventiveness

Different points of view are essential to innovation. Through Innovation Generation, the Motorola Foundation aims to reach untapped minds and increase opportunities among diverse populations to support the continuum of invention that will power the future. Among this year’s grantees:

* The National Society of Black Engineers’ Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) in Alexandria, Va., engages hundreds of students across the country in grades 3-8 in team-based, interactive engineering projects. SEEK camps enable students to participate in hands-on projects designed to increase their aptitude in math and science and spark their interest in pursuing careers in STEM fields.
* Latinitas’ Smart Chicas in Austin, Texas, hosts a series of bilingual workshops at 25 area schools that encourage Hispanic girls in grades 6-8 to consider careers in STEM fields. The workshops introduce them to college student mentors and professional role models, connecting the value of math and science to the real world and promoting classroom achievement.

Innovation Promotes Environmental Progress, and Vice Versa

From geo-systems to the “how-to’s” of recycling, environmentalism is top-of-mind for today’s youth who want to make a difference in the world. The Motorola Foundation selected educational programs that engage children in new solutions to environment sustainability. Examples:

* Sustainable South Bronx in New York introduces underserved minority middle and high youth to STEM skill sets that are used throughout the sustainable technologies industry. Participants study land use, energy, transportation, water and waste policy and education, advancing the environmental and economic rebirth of the South Bronx and inspiring solutions in similar areas around the world.
* The Long Island Science Center’s Boundless Environments in Riverhead, N.Y., recruits and trains teachers in a curriculum about environmental citizenship and green entrepreneurial ventures. This course of study highlights students’ roles in environmental change and encourages them to explore careers in the field.

Summertime is Prime Time for Discovery

A hallmark of Innovation Generation is exploration of science outside of school, because students understand concepts best when applied in their world. Many of the grantees harness students’ curiosity while school is out for the summer. Examples:

* The John G. Shedd Aquarium Society’s Underwater Robotics teacher training and out-of-school club provides students and teachers with the opportunity to build a functional robot designed to investigate aquatic environments. Participants apply STEM process skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving.
* WGBH Educational Foundation in Boston engages female and minority student viewers in engineering through an educational TV show series and video blog, which features Nate Ball, the host of the PBS reality competition series DESIGN SQUAD, in the inventor’s seat.

“This year, we’re proud to add 43 brand-new programs to the Innovation Generation network, including some that might not have been possible without our support,” Sweeney adds. “We value the fresh approaches these programs are using to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s innovators.”

The Innovation Generation grants are an integral part of the Motorola Foundation’s Innovation Generation program, which emphasizes much more than financial support. It encourages Motorola employee engagement with students and grantees, supports research that furthers understanding of effective practices in STEM education and builds sustaining networks among grantees.

In July, the Motorola Foundation will convene leaders in STEM education and Innovation Generation grantees for its first-ever Innovation Generation Conference. Attendees will explore best practices in collaborative learning sessions that address teaching innovation and entrepreneurship as well as pre-engineer, out-of-school, girl-centric and sustainability programming. By sharing best practices and convening a community dedicated to engaging students in STEM education, the Motorola Foundation is helping to build capacity for these organizations.

“The Motorola Foundation provides us connection to people and tools necessary to expand opportunities for our students and our program,” said Miquela Craytor, Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx. “Their Innovation Generation network shares our passion for engaging students through systems-thinking, science and technology, and we all learn from each other to further our work and success in equipping today’s young people with the skill sets they need to become the doers and thinkers for the 21st century.”

For a full list of grant recipients or to learn more about the Motorola Foundation’s Innovation Generation, please visit www.motorola.com/giving.

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more

Wayne County Community College District’s Downtown Campus Presents the 2nd Annual Summer Safety Fair

Filed Under: College, Education, Online Education, Training Programs by Jupetong
Jun.25, 2009

The Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Continuing Education Division presents the 2nd Annual Summer Safety Fair. This event will be held on Friday, June 26, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at the WCCCD Downtown Campus, located at 1001 W. Fort Street, Detroit, MI. 48226.

Nearly 6,000 children are killed and 14 million, or one in four, are unintentionally injured every year according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Although unintentional injuries can happen at any time, it seems these injuries coincide with the warmer weather. In fact, a May 2001 report issued by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign confirms that summer months do pose a heightened risk for childhood injury.

WCCCD is taking the initiative to educate the community about the importance of summer safety, and helping to prepare young people and their families for a fun and safe summer. Youth Centers, Youth Organizations, Recreational Centers and Day Care programs and the general public are encouraged to attend. Participants attending this program will be able to learn about the importance of safety, and how to avoid potential danger. Demonstrations at the Safety Fair will include:

Fire Safety Mc Gruff – Crime Prevention
Child Identification Cards Bike Show and Safety Presentation
Swimming Safety Injury Prevention
Skateboard Safety Eddy the Eagle – Gun Safety
Stranger Danger Emergency vehicles
The Safety Bear Program Poison Prevention

WCCCD is pleased to have the opportunity to present this Summer Safety Fair in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Children’s Hospital, Detroit Police and Fire Departments, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, The Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education (MIPSE), and Rise Above Entertainment.

WCCCD is committed to the continued development of new programs, hosting more community-based training sessions, improving student facilities and services, upgrading technologies, making capital investments in massive building expansion projects, training staff members to enhance their skills to maximize efficiency. For more information on WCCCD, please visit www.wcccd.edu. For a listing of all special events throughout the District, please call (313) 496-2704.

This event is open to the public at no cost.

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
read more
Powered by WordPress. Theme: Motion by 85ideas.