The "Importance of Obtaining an Education" trailer – Video
Posted: February 19, 2012 at 10:03 pm
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The "Importance of Obtaining an Education" trailer - Video
NASA Selects DoDEA Teacher in Germany To Be "Agent of Change" for STEM Education
Posted: at 10:02 pm
Margaret Elaine Young, a teacher at Heidelberg Middle School, a Department of Defense School, Heidelberg, Germany, has been awarded an Endeavor Fellowship with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA's Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project provides live, online training for educators working to earn a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University, N.Y.
"This year marks the acceptance of 51 new Endeavor fellows in Cohort 4," said Katherine Bender, Education Specialist and lead for the project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "The project is funded through NASA's Office of Education. Implementation is through Glen Schuster and U.S. Satellite Laboratory, Rye, N.Y."
Teachers engage with education experts, NASA scientists, and with each other to carry back to the classroom a greater understanding of NASA discoveries, to impact student learning in real-world contexts, to inspire a next generation of explorers, scientists, engineers and astronauts.
"Endeavor offers educators research-based ways to bring relevant NASA and STEM discipline content to a school's curriculum. The project helps educators to do this effectively," said Shelley Canright, Manager of Elementary, Secondary and e-Education at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The 2012 cohort of educators from around the U.S. represents many of our nation's future leaders in science, mathematics and technology education."
The highly-competitive NASA Fellowship is a model for effectual improvements in teacher practice. Endeavor is collaborating with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, promoting effective strategies for teaching and learning.
The project was designed and is administered by the U.S. Satellite Laboratory Inc., of Rye, N.Y. Funding for the program is provided through the NASA Endeavor Teacher Fellowship Trust Fund, in tribute to the dedicated crew of the space shuttle Challenger.
For additional information about the Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project, visit: http://www.us-satellite.net/endeavor/
For information about NASA education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education
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NASA Selects DoDEA Teacher in Germany To Be "Agent of Change" for STEM Education
Iowa Virtual Academy is gaining interest & raising concerns among lawmakers
Posted: at 10:02 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS (KWWL) -
This weekend, a national online education company, K12 Inc., is pitching its services to Iowa families.
At an informational meeting in Cedar Rapids Saturday morning, parents Justin and Brenda Opperman are preparing for a big step in their oldest child's life -- kindergarten. The couple believes online learning may be the right option.
"The idea of learning at our own pace is pretty appealing -- to be able to work that in with our family schedule," said Justin Opperman.
K12 Inc is launching Iowa Virtual Academy in the fall. The K-6 school is based out of the Clayton Ridge Community School District in Guttenberg, but kids across the state can enroll full time in the program -- without ever setting foot in a classroom.
"We see kids who were struggling in a traditional classroom and they need the one-on-one instruction which the program would provide for them. Because it's tailor-made for each individual student. We've also seen the advanced learner who is moving ahead more quickly than the traditional class is going," said Rachel Hagan.
The brick and mortar school works for most kids. Iowa Virtual Academy is aimed at providing the same education standards, but allowing children to learn at their own pace. What concerns some lawmakers is regulating the program. The average Iowa school receives $5,883 per pupil funding. They use that money for playgrounds, teacher salaries, and supplies. The overhead cost to operate an online school is much less.
"We don't know how much it should cost. There's an amendment filed to bring it down to the same weighting as a home schooled assisted person. But at the same time, we're not sure that's what it costs. We don't want to underprice them so that we run K-12 out, so they don't have an option in our state," said Representative Renee Schulte, (R) Cedar Rapids.
K12 Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Last year, the company grossed $209.12 million. 85 percent of that revenue is generated by K12 Inc.'s online public schools. Meaning -- public tax dollars.
"Attorneys general office has been pulled into this to determine if what's happening is even legal," Schulte said.
There's another question lawmakers would like to see answered -- how effective is online-only learning.
"The idea that you're going to turn schools over to the Internet.. that's a bad idea. Kids need contact with people. Teachers, coaches," said Senator Rob Hogg, (D) Cedar Rapids
But some believe it's a good idea -- in fact, K12 has more than 100,000 students in 29 states.
Even if they decide to go a more traditional route, the Opperman family is grateful to have the online option.
"Might as well start out on the right foot -- start out with the best options," Justin said.
Schulte said the House is considering putting a hold on allowing the online-only schools until they can determine how to regulate and fund the programs.
Clayton Ridge Community School District worked closely with the Iowa Department of Education to develop the program with K12 Inc. Anyone interested in the online-based school must first apply for open enrollment before March 1, 2012.
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Iowa Virtual Academy is gaining interest & raising concerns among lawmakers
Aem Healthy Living Programme-Sachin’s progress – Video
Posted: at 12:37 am
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Aem Healthy Living Programme-Sachin's progress - Video
EatMoveBeFit.com Offers Fat Loss Cheat Sheets to Combat Obesity Epidemic
Posted: at 12:37 am
New health and fitness online publication EatMoveBeFit.com is offering free fat loss cheat sheets in an effort to fight obesity.
Elizabethtown, KY (PRWEB) February 15, 2012
EatMoveBeFit.com, a new e-magazine devoted to topics in health and fitness, has officially started offering fat loss cheat sheets in an effort to combat rising obesity. The fat loss cheat sheets are free and available directly on the website.
According to a new study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, obesity is on its way to becoming one of the leading causes of health problems today. The study acknowledges the role of nutritionally questionable high calorie foods as a cause.
“Obesity has emerged as one of the leading medical challenges of the 21st century,” the study's authors claimed. “The growing obesity epidemic is linked to a substantial increase in daily [caloric] intake.”
The study notes that feedback loops within the bodies of obese people make it particularly hard to fight obesity. The study notes, however, that while obesity is partly genetic, the wide availability of tasty, high-calorie foods may be the main culprit.
The authors of the online publication EatMoveBeFit.com have stepped into the fight against obesity. Each week the website offers readers three new issues devoted to a range of health and wellness topics.
In recent issues, they have tackled nutrition, writing about certain foods that lead to fat accumulation. EatMoveBeFit.com has recently covered the specific benefits of strength training for fat loss, as well as general tips for reshaping your body.
Now, in the words of EatMoveBeFit.com's editor Scott Colby, the website has “taken it to the next level.” As of now, the website is offering free fat loss cheat sheets.
This free tool is designed to fight the obesity epidemic and teach people that it is a disease that can be fought.
“With our articles, we try to spread the best practices in health and fitness,” Colby noted. “Our goal with these cheat sheets is to make a fast and easy guide for body-conscious people to follow anytime.”
The fat loss cheat sheets are now available directly on the website: http://EatMoveBeFit.com.
EatMoveBeFit.com is a member of the Fitness Consulting Group family of companies. It is the world’s leading health and fitness website and newsletter for giving you a better body today.
To learn more, visit: http://eatmovebefit.com.
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/2/prweb9200549.htm
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EatMoveBeFit.com Offers Fat Loss Cheat Sheets to Combat Obesity Epidemic
Retirement optimism stifled by economic realities
Posted: at 12:37 am
My editor (age withheld) shuddered when I told her I had an item about what folks are thinking when they think about retirement.
Here's a clue: Most of them think the 49ers will win the Super Bowl before they get there.
Actually, it may not be quite as dire as my editor fears, if a new survey of Bay Area "pre-retirees" is to be believed. Most, for example, think they'll have enough money to live the good life through their golden years. Less than half believe they'll have to continue working.
There may, however, be an element of Cloud Cuckoo Land here. In a report to be released Monday by Wells Fargo, those surveyed estimate they'll need $1 million to enjoy retirement. On average, they're about 10 percent of the way there. Many acknowledge a lurking fear their savings won't be enough and swear they're going to cut back on spending today to save for tomorrow.
Kids, take note: One-third of parents surveyed said they probably won't be leaving their offspring any money when they die. Oh, and by the way, two-thirds of the pre-retirees, including parents, say they intend to stay in the Bay Area when they do retire. They like the weather and the health facilities.
While that suggests a comfort with their surroundings, said Bob Morgan, a financial planner at Wells Fargo, "There is a significant level of anxiety about what they can do to save and prepare for retirement."
The survey, conducted in December by Richard Day Research, interviewed 364 Bay Area residents, ages 25 to 75, with investable assets of more than $25,000. That amount, of course, excludes residents with far fewer assets and a great deal more to worry about.
The Bay Area findings also differ markedly from a larger national survey conducted for Wells Fargo last year. It found 74 percent of middle-class Americans, ages 25 to 49, expected to work well into their retirement years, many by choice, and a quarter of them saying they will "need to work until at least age 80."
Their estimated nest egg needed for retirement was $350,000, far less than the Bay Area. On average, those surveyed nationally were 7 percent of the way there, even lower than the Bay Area. The reaction from Wells Fargo retirement specialists to the national survey was also more downbeat.
"The fact that the vast majority of middle-class Americans expect to work well past the traditional retirement age has significant societal and economic implications," said Joe Ready, director of the bank's Institutional Retirement and Trust department. "Will people be physically and mentally able to work later in life? What will it mean for young people entering the workforce?"
The Bay Area may be better off than most of the rest of the nation, but the same questions, and gnawing anxieties, still apply.
Less money, more risk: Younger pre-retirees among the state's public employees may have more to worry about, according to the California Public Employees' Retirement System.
Analyzing one of Gov. Jerry Brown's pension reform proposals - replacing the current defined benefits plan with a "hybrid risk-sharing plan," i.e., a tacked-on 401(k) type plan - CalPERS says that the resulting benefits will be lower for new employees.
The report, presented to the Legislature last week, also said the 401(k) element adds more risk and uncertainty for employee benefits.
CalPERS has yet to evaluate other proposals in Brown's reform package, including raising the retirement age from 55 to 67 and having a significantly greater percentage of the pension costs deducted from employees' paychecks.
Socially responsible reward: The Northern California Community Loan Fund got a rather nice 25th anniversary present last week - a $2 million grant from JPMorgan Chase.
The money will go toward the San Francisco nonprofit's housing preservation program in low-income communities, one of numerous programs it has developed since its founding in February 1987.
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Retirement optimism stifled by economic realities
Track. Boilers Wrap Up Indoor Home Slate
Posted: at 12:37 am
Feb. 18, 2012
Final Results
Final Stats
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's and women's track teams set a total of 19 personal records at the Boilermaker Invitational on Saturday. That number is the highest in the final weekend before Big Ten Championships according to head coach Jack Warner.
The women's throws group had an outstanding afternoon. Dani Bunch won the weight throw with a distance of 20.15m (66-01.50). That mark is good for her season best in the event and currently ranks 16th in the nation. Emily Leckenby finished second with an all-time personal best. Leckenby's first throw was a personal best and went 18.15m (59-06.00). The senior followed that throw up with an even better mark of 18.46m (60-06.75) which earned her the runner-up finish. Breann Fife also had a PR in the weight throw. Fife threw a distance of 17.12m (56-02.00) with her fourth throw to earn fourth place.
Kendria Kelly-Taylor posted a personal record in the women's long jump. The sophomore earned third place with a jump of 5.31m (17-05.25). Kelly-Taylor also had a personal best in the triple jump. She leapt 11.36m (37-03.25) to win the event. Bunch had a nice day in the shot put in addition to her weight throw performance. The sophomore finished second in the event with an all-time best of 16.09m (52-09.50). Terri Anderson also had a career best in the event. Anderson finished third with a mark of 15.01m (49-03.00). Liberty Slinden finished fourth with a distance of 14.62m (47-11.75).
Emily Becker matched her best in the high jump. Becker cleared 1.65m (5-05.00) to earn the top finish. A number of Boilermakers had career days in the women's mile. Stephanie Bonk finished second with a time of 5:05.90 while Autumn Beachy finished third with a time of 5:06.28. Both of those times were PRs. Dani Sullivan ran a PR while unattached. She finished seventh with a time of 5:09.92. Maria Paolillo also had a personal best with a time of 5:36.78.
Ciana Tabb had a nice day in the 60m hurdles. She finished first with a time of 8.66 seconds, just off of her career best. Bre'Anna Smith ran her best time en route to a win in the 600m run. She posted a time of 1:34.90. Megan Plenus finished second in the event with a 1:37.59. Alice Feslier Holmes won the 1000m run with a career best time of 2:57.09. Dana Payonk finished second in the event with a 3:06.23.
On the men's side, the Boilermakers had a nice day as well. Gary Bush won the long jump with a leap of 6.89m (22-07.25). Akeem Hunt finished fourth in the event with a jump of 6.58m (21-07.25). In the pole vault, Kyle Campbell and Zack Saunders took the top two spots. Campbell cleared a height of 4.95m (16-02.75) while Saunders cleared 4.80 (15-09.00). Jakob Engel finished second in the shot put. The junior threw a distance of 16.73m (54-10.75).
Three Boilermakers qualified for the 60m high hurdles finals. Brandon Winters took the top spot with a career best-tying time of 7.97 seconds. Shane Mikesky finished with a season best time of 8.09 seconds which was good for third while Mike Willey finished in sixth with a time of 8.30 seconds. Josh Lee won the men's 400m dash. He crossed the finish line in 49.64 seconds.
Five Purdue men qualified for the finals in the 60m dash. Akeem Hunt ran a personal best time of 6.89 seconds in the prelims to advance while Mario Cosey ran a 6.99 to move on. Ishmael Aristide, Winters, and Mikesky also advanced. In the finals, Cosey finished second with a time of 7.01 seconds while Aristide finished fourth with a 7.06. Cosey also finished second in the 200m dash with a time of 22.05 seconds.
Kevin Griffith ran a career best time in the 600m run. He finished first with a time of 1:20.38 while Mitch Keyser was just behind him with a time of 1:21.16, good for second place. Dan Porter and Tyler Wynn finished one-two in the 1000m run. Porter finished in 2:31.73 and Wynn crossed the line in 2:34.43.
The Boilermakers wrapped up their indoor home schedule with Saturday's meet. They will travel to Lincoln, Neb., next week for the two day Big Ten Indoor Championships. The Championships will begin on Friday and wrap up the following day.
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Track. Boilers Wrap Up Indoor Home Slate
Talk Your Walk (Part 3 of 9) – Video
Posted: at 12:36 am
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Talk Your Walk (Part 3 of 9) - Video
Amazon's Still Facing an Identity Crisis
Posted: at 12:36 am
James is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.
A week ago I shared a less-than-enthusiastic view of Amazon.com's (NASDAQ: AMZN) future. I didn't bring the proverbial hammer down. But, I didn't pull any punches either, observing that the company's heavy spending on the development of the Kindle Fire and the establishment of new fulfillment centers (aka warehouses) was starting to take a real toll on earnings. That's no problem if the investment is (1) a temporary outlay, and (2) produces a decent return. The problem - my problem - was simply that I had my doubts on both fronts.
That opinion sparked several, shall we say 'colorful disagreements'? That's ok. In fact, I like healthy debates... especially ones where both sides of the table can gain some perspective and knowledge.
Well, having had a week to think about all the feedback I got after sharing my side of the story, I can now say...
...I haven't changed my mind about Amazon. It's still a fine company, but gone are the days where that triple-digit (or at least well above the 80's) P/E ratio can be justified by admittedly-impressive revenue growth. I have, however, better defined my argument thanks to some help from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) that couldn't have been better scripted.
One of the things I specifically said in the last write-up: "Perhaps we've finally reached the point where Amazon can't fruitfully out-size and out-spend the competition." I followed that up in the comments section with "The plan for now is to reel in spending by 2013, but what happens when Apple and other hard-goods retailers up the ante and Amazon has to upgrade the Kindle Fire to something else and start the R&D and expansion game all over again."
Keep the key words "fruitful" and "out-spend" in mind for a moment.
Like clockwork, between then and now Apple did the very thing I warned about. Yes, the world's biggest consumer technology is rumored - though it's one solid rumor - to be developing a 7 inch iPad that will be able to compete head-on with Amazon's Kindle Fire. The device is likely, though not absolutely certain, to cost at least a little more than the Kindle Fire, but it's also sure to cost considerably less than the lower-end iPads currently priced around $500.
So now what does Amazon do to stay competitive against the most competitive technology company in the world? That was my point all along - there is no endzone.
Amazon probably did "out-spend" (relatively) the competition with the development and prep-work for the Fire, but with Apple now talking about a 7 inch tablet, Amazon's Kindle Fire work isn't going to be nearly as "fruitful" as first imagined. So, Amazon is forced back to the drawing boards to work on its next great idea.... not to get ahead, but just to keep up. The effort will likely cost another big chunk of money, and it will also take time. That's not to say the effort won't work, but let's face it - Apple's got a lot more experience with product development than Amazon does, and with one swift blow just kiboshed a big chunk of Amazon's proposed future. Ugh. Yet, it's likely to keep happening again and again; that's just business.
The other point I made a week ago was that although the establishment of several new fulfillment centers was a customer-centric action from Amazon, it wasn't necessarily a fiscally sound one.
Geographically speaking, yes, the more FCs that are, out the lower the distance-based shipping costs get. That's not just for the customer's benefit, however. With the heavily-pushed 'Amazon Prime' program (at $79 per year) offering free shipping, anything that can help lower Amazon's costs is a good thing.
There's a flipside to that coin though... will it actually save Amazon any money? Assuming a bunch of pickers/packers making $10 per hour plus a fulfillment center management team plus utility bills plus rent or mortgage payments, there may not be a significant fiscal net benefit. One also has to wonder if free shipping will spur a whole lot more purchasing, which is great from a retail sales perspective, but how many items can Amazon afford to ship for free before eating those costs is no longer 'worth it'? That $79 per year may not go far when it also includes access to a ton of digital content like TV shows and e-books. [I don't think anybody really knows the answer, including Amazon.]
Again, I don't think Amazon is a bad company. I just don't think it's a great company anymore now that it's all grown up and has to get this creative - something it's not got much experience with - to continue pumping up its top line. Apple just undid a year's worth of work on the Kindle Fire, which was the necessary centerpiece for Amazon's budding digital content ecosystem that was hoped to rival Apple's. Now what?
Yeah, the party's over. Now Amazon is just another e-commerce stock with a rather high P/E, no clear competitive advantage, and no clear end to the need for development-spending. You can find plenty of those, and at a much lower price.
jbrumley
James Brumley
James Brumley is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network.
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Amazon's Still Facing an Identity Crisis
Tony Blair's charity refused aid funding
Posted: at 12:36 am
Mr Blair thanked Mr Mitchell for the “support” he “always” receives from officials on his visits to Africa. In a handwritten section he added: “We are really excited by our capacity building work. I think it is a major part of a successful future for Africa.”
The letters were obtained by The Sunday Telegraph under the Freedom of Information Act.
AGI, which employs 29 people, was set up by Mr Blair in 2008. Run by Kate Gross, a former Downing Street aide, it has staff in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.
Its aim is to help the four governments to run more effectively and it intends to expand into other African nations.
Mr Blair’s office is adamant that his commercial activities are not in conflict with his charitable work and that he does no business in countries where AGI operates.
The precise details of the applications made by Mr Blair’s charities were not disclosed.
AGI applied last year to become part of DfiD’s tendering process to carry out “public sector governance” work — helping to improve governments in 28 countries across Asia and Africa.
Last year DfiD spent £787 million on “government and civil society” schemes and its budget will rise in total to £11 billion by 2015, having escaped the Government’s austerity drive.
In a separate bid — which was also unsuccessful — the charity sought a grant from the Government’s Global Poverty Action Fund, which distributes £40 million a year to organisations proposing to help reduce poverty in dozens of countries, including the four states where AGI is active.
The correspondence obtained from Dfid shows that as a result of separate discussions, Elizabeth Carriere, the head of DfiD’s Rwanda and Burundi office, agreed to attend meetings with AGI’s backers, including Lord Sainsbury, a prominent Labour donor who was a minister under Mr Blair.
A DfiD spokesperson said: “In 2011, the African Governance Initiative applied to DfiD for a Global Poverty Action Fund grant and to become eligible to compete for contracts on public sector governance.
"Both applications were conducted on an open and competitive basis. Neither application was successful.”
A spokesman for AGI said it was “completely normal” that Mr Blair should write to and meet both the Secretary of State and DfiD officials to brief them on the charity’s work.
“As patron of AGI, Tony Blair provides his time on a pro bono basis. Tony Blair has not raised the AGI proposals for partnership to which you refer with the Secretary of State or any other government official,” he said.
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Tony Blair's charity refused aid funding