First-ever Idaho Science & Aerospace Summer Academy Kicks Off Next Week

The first-ever Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Summer Academy kicks off next week, giving 44 Idaho high school juniors the unprecedented opportunity to see the relevance of science, technology, engineering and math while working side by side with scientists and engineers from NASA and Idaho. 

The Summer Academy is the culmination of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program, which challenges Idaho high school juniors to take an engaging online course, developed by NASA and offered by Idaho Digital Learning Academy, during the school year and then to compete to attend the residential Summer Academy.

The Summer Academy will be held August 1-7 at Boise State University, Micron Technology, the Discovery Center of Idaho, and the NASA Ames Research Center in California.

Throughout the week, participating students will be learning from the best in the industry as they work in teams to construct rovers, robots and rockets, plan missions and understand the material in the context of the real world.

Here are some of the highlights of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Summer Academy:

Monday, August 2: Boise State campus

• 8 a.m.    Alan Ladwig, NASA Deputy Association Administrator for Public Outreach, will address students.
• 11 a.m.    State Superintendent Tom Luna will speak with students about the importance of STEM education.
• 1 p.m.    Team presentations on rocketry, model rockets, and lander safety.

Tuesday, August 3 and Wednesday, August 4: Students will travel to NASA Ames Research Center in California. 

Thursday, August 5: Boise State campus and Discovery Center of Idaho

• 1 p.m. Students will work on team project. (Boise State)
• 6 p.m. Wendy Lawrence, former astronaut, will speak with students. (Discovery Center of Idaho)

Friday, August 6: Boise State campus

• 8 a.m. Students will work on team projects.
• 1 p.m. Students will present their rover demonstrations.
• 6 p.m. Students will launch rockets on the Boise State Quad.

Thanks to the help of two diligent students, we’ll be live-blogging the entire week of activities right here on the Education Idaho blog.

Check back with us all next week or become a fan of Idaho Science & Aerospace Scholars on Facebook.

~ Melissa M.

Duncan Announces Race to the Top Round 2 Finalists

Today, 19 states became finalists for federal Race to the Top funding in the second round. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the finalists today during a speech at the National Press Club. 

The 19 finalists are: Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

Race to the Top is a highly competitive federal grant program, funded with $4.35 billion from the federal stimulus package. The Race to the Top grants will be awarded to states that demonstrate they can implement comprehensive, innovative education reforms.

In total, 35 states and the District of Columbia applied for the second round of Race to the Top. Applications were due June 1.

Delaware and Tennessee were awarded Race to the Top grants in the first round of Race to the Top grants. An estimated $3.4 billion remains for grant awardees in the second round.

Idaho applied for the federal Race to the Top grant in the first round in January but, after working closely with leaders of stakeholder groups, decided not to apply in the second round.

For more information, read the U.S. Department of Education’s full news release or check out the updates on Education Week’s Politics K-12 blog.

~ Melissa M.

44 Idaho Students Selected to Attend Idaho Science and Aerospace Academy

More than 40 Idaho high school students have been selected to participate in the first-ever Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Summer Academy this August.

At the Summer Academy, these students from across Idaho will have the unprecedented opportunity to design a human mission to Mars alongside NASA officials and Idaho experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The event is a part of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program, a competitive program that challenges Idaho high school juniors to take an engaging online course developed by NASA during the school year and compete to attend a residential Summer Academy where they work on projects with scientists and engineers from NASA and across Idaho.

“The Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Summer Academy is an exciting opportunity for Idaho high school students to gain hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics from the best in the industry,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “This is an example of the opportunities I have worked to create for Idaho students since taking office, and we need to provide more of them across our state.”

Superintendent Luna worked with former astronaut and Distinguished Educator in Residence at Boise State Barbara Morgan to develop the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program in 2009, with additional support from partners Boise State University, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, Discovery Center of Idaho, Micron Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Air National Guard, University of Idaho and Idaho State University.

The State Department of Education funded the initial pilot year of the project.

“Engaging the next generation in research and opening their eyes to the possibilities of STEM is a priority at Boise State, and this program is an outstanding extension of our mission,” Morgan said. “I am proud of our Idaho State Department of Education for taking the lead and inspired by the collaboration among so many dedicated people in business, industry, government and education that is making this opportunity possible.”

This year, 73 students participated in the online portion of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program. Of those, 44 were selected to attend the Summer Academy based on their performance.

The Summer Academy will be held August 1-7 at Boise State, Micron Technology and the Discovery Center of Idaho as well as the NASA Ames Research Center in California. During the academy, students will attend presentations given by NASA astronauts and work in teams to create space robots and land missions for rockets.

Based on the program’s initial success, NASA awarded a $1.2 million grant to the State Department of Education to expand the program to serve 400 students over the next two years.

The following is the list of the 44 students selected to attend the inaugural Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Summer Academy and their hometown:

Garrison Cox - Ammon
Sean Anderson – Boise
Zachary Funke - Boise
Victoria Gunning – Boise
Jared Hand - Boise
Corbin Hennen – Boise
Samuel Jones - Boise
Scott McKenzie - Boise
Kelsey Nelson - Boise  
Abigail Sevier – Boise
Jonathan Ung - Boise
Patrick Yang – Boise
Marquina Araquistain - Caldwell
Zachary Howard - Caldwell
Savannah Kisling – Caldwell
Taylor Loosli - Chester 
Gerhart Suppiger IV - Cocolalla
Luke Phipps – Fruitland
Jarod Armenta - Homedale 
Jonathan Stacey - Homedale    
Connor Hall - Idaho Falls
Michael Rynders - Idaho Falls
Kayla Evans - Kooskia   
Shad Jensen - Marsing
Tyler Clark - Meridian
Dillon Irminger – Meridian
Garrett Mick – Meridian
Zachariah Steiner – Meridian
Anna Harris – Moscow
Nathanial Davis - Nampa
LaCinda Villanueva – Nampa
Sheldon Brown - Paul
Nicholas Johnson - Potlatch
Alyssa Miller – Potlatch
Forrest Potter – Potlatch    
Steven Hallgren – Rathdrum
Ryan Moeller – Rexburg
Daniel Durand – Richfield
Nicholas Long – Rupert
Cody Race - Shoshone
Amanda Olsen - Shoshone  
Nicholas Cordell - St. Maries
Tyrnee Nakano - Stites
Lindsey Rush - Victor

~ Melissa M.

Micron Foundation Donates $1.2 million to University of Idaho for STEM Education Research

The Micron Technology Foundation announced today it’s awarding a four-year, $1.2 million grant to the University of Idaho to help with the university’s research in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and the development of educational programs. The initiative also focuses on why Idaho is losing its advantage in global competitiveness, and why Idaho students are not pursuing careers in these areas.

Superintendent Luna and the State Department of Education have partnered with the University of Idaho as well other industry partners Boise State and Idaho National Laboratory to develop educational programs and solutions for STEM education. This collaborative effort is known as i-STEM.

This week, for example, the state is kicking off the first i-STEM Institutes in Twin Falls and Coeur d’Alene to give Idaho teachers the opportunity to explore research-based practices and cross-curricular applications along with specific STEM content. Sessions will focus on astronomy, energy, and applied mathematics and science.

The University of Idaho’s STEM Educational Research Initiative, funded by the Micron Technology Foundation, will further assist the state in gathering current, accurate data we can use to shape future STEM programs to engage Idaho students.

Specifically, the study will analyze current barriers that hinder STEM education, while also understanding how cultural, socio-economic, and rural and urban factors impact students’ ability to grasp the STEM disciplines, and STEM teacher education and development.

The University of Idaho’s STEM Educational Research Initiative has distinctive elements that will help it affect deep changes in attitudes, learning and outcomes in how science, technology, engineering and math are perceived, taught and learned.

The multi-year initiative includes:

• Conducting focus groups and interviews statewide with citizens, teachers, parents, students and school administrators to identify community-specific factors that shape attitudes toward STEM disciplines and how those attitudes impact success;
• Identifying challenges to success in science, technology, engineering and math and formulate programs and courses of study that engage and excite students to succeed;
• Sharing information through a statewide dialog and discussion on barriers and paths forward; and
• Developing educational programs to create a corps of STEM-literate teachers.

In addition to the i-STEM partnership, Superintendent Luna has been working to improve STEM education statewide through the successful Idaho Math Initiative, which began in 2007, and the newly created Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program, a partnership with NASA. 

Through these efforts and the University of Idaho’s STEM Educational Research Initiative, Idaho is aiming to set the national standard of excellence in STEM education.

~ Eva C.

Superintendent Luna Addresses Educators at First i-STEM Workshop

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna will address nearly 120 Idaho educators are participating in the first Idaho Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (i-STEM) institutes at the College of Southern Idaho campus this week.

The four-day, all expense-paid workshops, will allow teachers the opportunity to explore research-based practices and cross-curricular applications along with specific STEM content. Sessions will also be focusing on astronomy, energy, and applied mathematics and science.

The academies are part of the Idaho STEM initiative (i-STEM), an extensive partnership of educators, government and businesses working to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in Idaho.

PCS Edventures, Boise State University, the Jason Project, College of Southern Idaho and teachers from Shelley and Idaho Falls will be directing the hands-on activities throughout the week.

An additional i-STEM workshop is taking place at North Idaho College this week as well.

Since taking office in 2007, Superintendent Luna has strived to improve STEM education for all students.

He secured funding for and implemented the Idaho Math Initiative in 2008 to raise student achievement in math across all grades.  Now, Idaho students rank among the highest in the nation in mathematics.

In addition, Superintendent Luna has worked closely with former astronaut and Boise State Distinguished Educator in Residence Barbara Morgan to create the Idaho Science and Aerospace Academy for high school juniors. 

The Idaho Science and Aerospace Academy is a competitive program that challenges Idaho high school juniors to take an engaging online course developed by NASA during the school year and compete to attend a residential Summer Academy where they work on projects with scientists and engineers from NASA and across Idaho.

More than 70 students participated in the first year. With the support of a $1.2 million grant from NASA, Idaho will expand this grant to reach 400 students over the next two years.

~ Eva C.

Idaho Ranks High in Results, but Not in Spending

In recent days, lots of media outlets have been talking about a U.S. Census Bureau study on per-student spending on K-12 public education in every state and Washington, D.C.  Idaho ranks next to last, just above Utah.

According to the 2008 Census data, public school systems spent an average of $10,259 per pupil, a 6.1 percent increase over 2007. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia spent above this amount; 32 spent less.

The states that spent the most per pupil: New York ($17,173), New Jersey ($16,491), Alaska ($14,630), the District of Columbia ($14,594), Vermont ($14,300) and Connecticut ($13,848).

The states that spend the least per pupil: Utah ($5,765), Idaho ($6,931), Arizona ($7,608), Oklahoma ($7,685) and Tennessee ($7,739).

“We must consider this report in context. I’ve now worked at the local, state and federal levels in education, and there has never been a time I have said, ‘Take this money back. We can’t figure out how to spend it.’ We’re always looking for more sources of revenue,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.

“Still, while looking at revenues and per-pupil expenditures is important, it is not the most important indicator in measuring the success of a public education system. The most important indicator is results,” Superintendent Luna said.

Idaho has made great stride in student achievement, especially when compared to other states.

Over the past two years, Idaho has led the nation in the increase in the number of schools meeting Idaho’s high academic goals, known as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).  In 2007, 26% of Idaho schools made AYP. Just two years later, 66% of schools made AYP.

Idaho also performs well on the Nation’s Report Card, the only nationwide assessment that compares states based on student achievement. 

Last year, Idaho was one of only a few states to show progress in raising student achievement in math on the Nation’s Report Card. In fact, only eight states scored higher than Idaho in 8th grade math scores on the 2009 assessment.

In reading, Idaho students also continue to outperform the national average on the Nation’s Report Card.

Superintendent Luna said he recognizes Idaho still has a long way to go in order to ensure every Idaho student graduates from high school prepared to live, work and succeed in the ever-changing 21st century.

~ Melissa M.

Idaho Lottery Cuts $17 Million Check to Idaho Schools

For the first time in its 21-year history, the Idaho Lottery returned a seventh consecutive record-setting dividend to the people of Idaho.

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter accepted the dividend check from the Idaho State Lottery Commission for $36.5 million. Of that, $17 million will go to Idaho’s public schools.

“Idaho’s public schools and public buildings are the beneficiaries of the Idaho Lottery’s success. And that means Idaho taxpayers are the real winners here,” Governor Otter said. “None of that would be possible without the responsible play of Idaho citizens and visitors to our state, or without the commitment to transparency and integrity that our great Lottery employees, vendors and retailers ensure every day.”

During today’s ceremony, Idaho Lottery Commissioners Roger Jones, Mel Fisher, and David Keyes joined Governor Otter in presenting dividend checks to the State Department of Education and the Idaho Department of Administration.

“On behalf of our schools, I want to thank Idahoans for contributing each and every year to public education through the Idaho Lottery,” said Rob Sauer, Deputy Superintendent of Innovation and Choice at the State Department of Education.  “The best investment we can make in our children’s future is to build a quality education system.  We at the State Department of Education work hard every day to raise student achievement and ensure a brighter future for all Idaho kids.”

Over the course of 21 years, the Idaho Lottery now has returned a total of $473.8 million to the people of Idaho.

Historically, Lottery dividends are shared by Idaho’s Public School Building Account and the Permanent Building Fund. A statute change in 2009, which sunsets in 2014, sets aside a portion of Lottery funds above the Fiscal Year 2008 funding level of $34 million for the Bond Levy Equalization Fund.

This year, the Bond Levy Equalization Fund will receive $2.5 million, bringing the two-year total to $3.5 million since the law was changed. 

This funding has already been built into the state’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget for Idaho’s public schools.

Check out the full story on the Idaho Lottery’s dividend presentation.

~ Melissa M.

Idaho's First College Access Summit Kicks Off Next Week

The Idaho State Department of Education and Idaho State Board of Education will kick off the first annual Idaho College Access Summit next week to help improve the number of Idaho students who go on and complete post-secondary education.

On July 7-8, 2010 at Boise State University, participants in the Idaho College Access Summit will focus on professional development, networking, best practices, and how Idahoans can work together toward common goals to better serve our students. Educators, policy makers, and members of the local business and non-profit communities are encouraged to attend.

“We know more and more jobs now and in the future will require some form of post-secondary education, whether it is professional-technical or a four-year college degree. We must ensure Idaho students are prepared to meet these challenges,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “The College Access Summit is a great way to bring all Idahoans together to discuss ways in which we can work together to improve students’ success after high school.”

“Collaboration between everyone involved is key,” said Dr. Mike Rush, Executive Director of the Idaho State Board of Education. “This is an incredible opportunity for everyone in the education community to come together for the betterment of our students and our state.”

At the Summit, educators can earn in-service credit while helping to shape the futures of students. Policy makers can collaborate to ensure Idaho has the most solid approach to education in Idaho. Members of the business and non-profit communities can find ways to further strengthen our local economy through the betterment of our future workforce.

Participants will also have the unique opportunity to hear the student’s perspective by interacting with 200 Idaho students in Boise for the GEAR UP Youth Summit. At the Youth Summit, these students get the chance to visit a college campus for four days and experience postsecondary education firsthand.

Registration for the Idaho College Access Summit is free, thanks to grant funding through the GEAR UP Idaho and the Idaho College Access Challenge Grant programs.

Nearly 150 people have already signed up to attend this free event, but there is still time to register. 

~ Melissa M.