StationBreak July 2017

Celebrating Education: Prepare for the New School Year

When was the last time you learned something new, and you couldn't wait to share it with everyone else? Did your enthusiasm reflect back to you from those people?

Purposely seeking knowledge and experiences is an equation for growth. When you share that growth, you provide nourishment for your students and yourself.

Before you get caught up in the routine of buying supplies and preparing lesson plans, reflect on your work. Note the things that you enjoy, and find ways to appreciate the things you don't. Connect with your students and colleagues by including them in some of your new interests. Make it a point to get to know someone better. Open up, and let them get to know you. Keep a journal throughout the year. Teach, and learn.

Just in case you need help with the routine part:

Create a checklist.
Obtain all supplies.
Create policies and procedures.
Update class webpage, work packets and learning center.
Review first day and week plans.
Send a "Welcome Back" letter.
Establish communication with parents/guardians.
Prepare bulletin boards.
Set up classroom.

News from AETN

Emperor Science Award Winner

Sarah Shirley from Little Rock Central High School was selected as one of 100 award recipients nationwide for the second year of PBS LearningMedia's and Stand Up to Cancer's Emperor Science Award program. The initiative is designed to encourage students to explore careers in science, specifically cancer research and care, through a unique mentoring opportunity.

"I am truly honored to represent Arkansas as a recipient of the Emperor Science Award," Shirley said. "Cancer is extremely detrimental to those affected, and its cure has yet to be found. In order to find cheaper and more efficient treatments, more research needs to be conducted to further understand the mechanisms and characteristics of cancer. I am excited to be given the opportunity to work with such an esteemed researcher in order to contribute to the effort of fighting for a cure for cancer."

Shirley's grandparents suffered from cancer, prompting her to apply for the program. She said she plans to pursue a career in biomedical research and if she were a researcher she would study immunotherapies involving antibodies to target resistant tumors and cancers.

The Emperor Science Award Program extends the learning and outreach for the PBS documentary, "Ken Burns Presents Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies A Film by Barak Goodman."

For more information about PBS LearningMedia's and Stand Up to Cancer's Emperor Science Award Program and a full list of award recipients, visit emperorscienceaward.com.

Summer Adventure with PBS Education

Similar to "Flat Stanley," PBS KIDS has created printable "Wild Kratts" cut-outs you can decorate and take on your summer adventures. Throughout the summer, we encourage you to take a photo with your "FlatKratt" and share it with us via Instagram and Twitter. Images and tweets should be tagged with #FlatKratt so we can see all the places the #FlatKratt has traveled (or "adventured") this summer! For printable cut-out, visit aetn.org/kids.

News from ArkansasIDEAS

ArkansasIDEAS Child Maltreatment 2017-2018 teaser

NOW AVAILABLE - ACT 1236 of 2011: CHILD MALTREATMENT (2017)

As licensed professionals and school officials, one of our most vital responsibilities is to ensure that any concerns regarding the abuse or neglect of children are handled appropriately. This course, featuring Sherry Williamson from the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence, delves into the legal requirements of the "Child Maltreatment Act" and the penalties and protections relevant to mandated reporters. Ms. Williamson explains that it is the legal responsibility for all school officials, which includes any adult working in an administrative or supervisory capacity, to report suspicions of abuse directly to the child abuse hotline. Indicators of abuse and neglect are also provided, as well as recommendations for managing disclosures of abuse from children.

This course, which was recorded on April 25, 2017 at the AETN studios in Conway, Arkansas, meets the requirements of Act 1236 of 2011 for the 2017-2018 school year. If you have any reason to the abuse or neglect of a child, call 1-844-SAVE-A-Child.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

ArkansasIDEAS offers a variety of face-to-face training and professional development workshops taught by licensed educators and technology specialists. With advanced notice, we also can provide a facilitated version of any course available on the ArkansasIDEAS Learning Management System (LMS). Workshops can be customized to meet the unique needs of your school or district.

Topics include overviews of the ArkansasIDEAS LMS, access to Lynda.com, and an overview of PBS Resources; including PBS KIDS Island and AETN PBS Learning Media.

All face-to-face training is free of charge and may be conducted at AETN or at the location of your choice. To request training, please contact ideastraining@aetn.org.

TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

ArkansasIDEAS offers a mobile iPad learning lab for professional development. This lab provides educators with complete, flexible and convenient access to technology. Mobile iPad learning lab service includes delivery and pickup and is offered to all Arkansas school districts free of charge.

The iPad mobile learning lab is equipped with software that enhances professional development trainings. In addition to default applications, fun and helpful apps like PBS KIDS ScratchJr, Cyberchase 3D Builder, TED Talks and Khan Academy are included. To schedule the mobile iPad lab for your school, please email ideastraining@aetn.org.

AETN Programs

Click on the images below for more info.

Upcoming Education Events

July 18 - 19
DigitalEd Alliance Mid-South Summit
Trumann High School, Trumann, AR
View information page

July 30 - August 1
Arkansas Career and Technology Conference
Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, AR
View information page

In the Community

Kids at camp birdwatching with binoculars

Kid's Camp

Early learners visited AETN to learn about birds with educators from Audubon Arkansas and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Campers explored bird characteristics, behavior, and needs. They looked at feathers through viewing scopes, painted bird houses, and took a nature walk to learn how to watch birds with binoculars.

Arkansas STEM Girls "Explore & Discover" Workshop - July 14 at 9 a.m.

What do food, the human body, and lip gloss have in common? Spend the day exploring and discovering with Arkansas STEM Girls to find out. Learn the science behind the food we eat. We will be doing experiments with food such as: changing the state of matter, altering colors in food, extracting nutrients and forming polymers, and looking at GMOs. All of this will relate back to nutrients and how they affect the body.

L'Oreal Cosmetics will help us understand the science behind makeup and the STEM careers in the industry. Girls will have an opportunity to experiment with techniques to change colors in products such as lip gloss.

Community partners include: L'Oreal USA-North Little Rock, University of Arkansas Extension Office, Conway Regional Health Systems, and Smoothie King of Conway.

Lunch and snack provided. Space is limited.
aetn.org/arstemgirls