Austin Public Libary - Youth and Teen Virtual Art Exhibition

Austin Public Libary

"What do you wish for you and the world after COVID 19?"

Austin Public Library presents virtual exhibition of artworks and written words by youth and teen of the Greater Austin. In response to the theme, "What do you wish for you and the world after COVID 19?", students express their wishes, hopes and feelings through visual images and thoughtful words. Faced with this difficult time, it our pleasure to share their positive thoughts and innocent wishes to the public.

For more details, please visit: https://www.showandtag.com/exhibition/view?key=478

Girlstart STEM at Home

 

STEM AT HOME

Let’s have some hands-on STEM fun at home! Here you will find engaging activities, engineering challenges, Starry Nights at Home, and other STEM experiences that you can do at home with the whole family. We hope you and your community enjoy being brave, creative, and curious as you discover STEM is everywhere.

At Girlstart, we cultivate a culture where intellectual risk is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected. Girlstart girls are connected, brave, and resilient. 

 

Through its comprehensive programming, Girlstart provides a year-round, intensive suite of STEM education programs for K-12 girls. Girlstart’s core programs foster STEM skills development, an understanding of the importance of STEM as a way to solve the world’s major problems, as well as an interest in STEM electives, majors, and careers.

For more details, please visit: http://girlstart.org/stem-at-home/ 

YES2Best Youth Summit

The Yes2best Youth Summit is soon. Have you registered yet?

We invite our youth of ages 14 to 24 years to register to attend the free and virtual youth summit to be held on February 6th, 2021 from 10 am to 2:00 pm.

We will have entertainment, a special keynote speaker and giveaways. Did I say the Summit is free and virtual? You can join us from the comfort of your bedroom, your kitchen, living room and on the go. The Summit will be hosted on the Whova platform. Check it out here.

C-SPAN Student Cam 2021 - Documentary Contest

StudentCam is C-SPAN's annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation.

This year students in grades 6-12 are asked to create a short (5-6 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the competition theme, "Explore the issue you most want the president and new Congress to address in 2021."

With cash prizes totaling $100,000 each year, C-SPAN awards prizes to the top 150 student documentaries, and over 50 teacher advisers. Since 2004, C-SPAN has awarded over $1 million dollars in cash prizes to past-winning students and teachers.

"Explore the issue you most want the president and new Congress to address in 2021"

Students are asked to analyze the current and/or historical significance of their chosen issue, and include differing points of view.

 Have you finished working on your video submission for this year's StudentCam competition? If so, you can now submit your video and complete the Entry Form here.

Looking for C-SPAN videos to download for use in your documentary? We've added new clips, including reactions to the presidential and congressional elections, on our C-SPAN Downloads page.

Also, former competition participant Ella-Grace Rodriguez shares her newest tutorial with tips on how to approach researching your StudentCam topic. To watch all of her video tips for students, check out our Getting Started page.

For more details, please visit: http://www.studentcam.org/ 

PROFILE IN COURAGE ESSAY CONTEST

 

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Contest Topic

Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917. 

To learn more about political courage, visit Contest Information and FAQs.

All submissions must adhere to contest requirements.

The Profile in Courage Essay Contest opens for submissions on September 1, 2020. The contest deadline is January 15, 2021. 

Recognition and Awards

First-place: $10,000          

Second-place: $3,000          

Five Finalists: $1,000 each          

Eight Semi-finalists: $100 each
 

For more details, please visit: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest 

Davidson Fellows Scholarship - Scholarships for Gifted Students

 The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to gifted and high-achieving students, 18 years old or under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Apply today 

Deadline & Eligibility

• The 2021 deadline is March 10, 2021.
• Applicants must be 18 or younger as of the application deadline to be eligible.
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• Past Scholarship Recipients  
• Fellows Press Room 

Visit the How to Apply page to review category requirements. If you have any questions, please email DavidsonFellows@DavidsonGifted.org.

Austin Art Studio Tour - Virtual and Outdoor Art Experience

 

A Virtual + Outdoor celebration of Austin artists that introduces the public to new ways of experiencing art, and the creative practices of artists around our city.

This is our 18th year of producing a studio tour in Austin, and this year is a strange one, to say the least, but we are excited to present 420 Austin-based artists and collaboratives in a combination of the East and West Austin Studio Tours. The Austin Studio Tour continues our mission of fostering connections between artists all over Austin and presenting the public with a rare opportunity to engage and connect with many of the creatives that help define the culture of our city. 

With the safety of our artists and audience at the forefront, the Austin Studio Tour presents creative ways to safely experience art through virtual programs and self-guided visits to public art. The expanded website (AustinStudioTour.org) includes artist profiles, images of artworks, virtual studio visits, demonstrations, artists talks, and a map of outdoor installations and public art.

Although we cannot visit studios and see art in person, please take time during the Austin Studio Tour to engage and help the creative sector thrive.

Dates and Times

Free and open to the public, online and outdoors, November 14 - 22, 2020.

For more details, please visit: https://www.bigmedium.org/austinstudiotour

2020 Kids Art Contest – A Healthy Planet Earth

 

Calling all children ages 3-17!

Announcing the 11th Annual International Children’s Art Contest!

Hosted by Frogs Are Green

It has been a challenging year for the entire world, and we hope that you are safe and healthy. A pandemic has changed life as we know it, and until scientists can discover and provide us with a vaccine, we must continue to modify our behavior.

We’ve been thinking for weeks about what this year’s kids art contest theme should be, and with COVID-19 affecting everyone, everywhere, we wanted to keep as broad a topic as we could, to remain positive.

This year’s theme is “A Healthy Planet Earth.” Below you will find these videos: “How to Save Our Planet,” “Kids Take Action Against Ocean Plastic,” “Air Pollution 101,” “World Rainforest Day 2020,” and of course, two videos on how to protect ourselves from catching COVID-19, one for younger children, “How To Teach Kids about COVID-19” and one more complex for older kids, “Dr. Anthony Fauci – Coronavirus Infections: More Than Just The Common Cold.”

As always, we hope children will be inspired and express what is most important to them. Whether they’re about rainforests, wildlife, or just wanting to be healthy and close to your friends and family, we look forward to your submissions.

For full contest information, please visit: https://frogsaregreen.org/contests/2020-kids-art-contest-a-healthy-planet-earth/ 

Explore the World with Explore Webcams!

Explore provides a library of live webcams from around the globe of different animals. What will you discover?

To learn more, go to https://explore.org/livecams

Middle Galaxy by Texas OnCourse

Texas middle school students have big decisions to make about their futures, starting in eighth grade! This space-themed game makes it easy to learn about options in high school and beyond.

To learn more about Middle Galaxy, go to https://texasoncourse.org/tools/middlegalaxy/

Explore the Wonders of Learning with Wonderopolis!

Wonderopolis was created by the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) in 2010, and it has become one of the most popular education sites today. Some highlights of the platform include:

2,000+ Wonders of the Day (and counting!), covering a vast range of topics—you're sure to find something that interests you!

More than 130,000 Wonder questions submitted by our users in the Wonder Bank. All of our new Wonders of the Day now come from questions from our users.

Platform extensions including the gamified Camp Wonderopolis and the Wonder Ground educator network.

The excitement of learning that comes from curiosity and wonder is undeniable, and Wonderopolis helps create learning moments in everyday life—ones that fit in with dinner preparations, carpool responsibilities, a stolen moment between breakfast and the bus, or within school curriculum and education programs. 

To find out more, go to https://wonderopolis.org/

Khan Academy

20 hours of practice on Khan Academy is associated with an average 115-point score increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT, nearly double the average gain without Khan Academy!

To learn more, go to https://www.khanacademy.org/

SENG Resource Library

The SENG Resource Library is an online digital library that includes original and reprinted articles and columns, organized by topic. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.sengifted.org/senglibrary

Storyline Online

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Daytime Emmy®-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Rita Moreno, Viola Davis, Jaime Camil, Kevin Costner, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Silverman, Betty White, Wanda Sykes and dozens more.

To learn more, go to https://www.storylineonline.net/

Accessing Resources During Covid-19

Learn more about how agencies across the city are providing services during the Covid-19 pandemic response. For more information, click HERE.

Austin ISD Let's Talk!

Austin ISD has a Let's Talk button on its home page that you can click and find access to different teams. You can also send a Let's Talk! text to (512) 886-6434. You can also call the Family Support line at 512-414-9187. Support is available Mon.–Thurs. from 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

To find the Let's Talk button, go to https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk

Smithsonian Learning Lab

The Smithsonian Learning Lab is about discovery, creation, and sharing.

The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access created the Smithsonian Learning Lab to inspire the discovery and creative use of its rich digital materials—more than a million images, recordings, and texts. It is easy to find something of interest because search results display pictures rather than lists. Whether you've found what you were looking for or just discovered something new, it's easy to personalize it. Add your own notes and tags, incorporate discussion questions, and save and share. The Learning Lab makes it simple.

By encouraging users to create and share personalized collections of Smithsonian assets and user-generated resources, the Learning Lab aspires to build a global community of learners who are passionate about adding to and bringing to light new knowledge, ideas, and insight.

To find out more, go to https://learninglab.si.edu/

Duke TIP Resources

Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program) provides several resources for families including the Gifted Today blog, Tips for the College Bound, and an Opportunity Guide. https://tip.duke.edu/resources

Screen-Free STEM Activities for Pre-Schoolers

Build an apple boat, a toothpick-marshmallow castle, attempt a pom-pom drop, and indulge in baking soda science!

Read on for a list of 25 tried-and-true screen-free STEM activities to do with your preschooler.

SENG Library

The SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) Library offers a variety of topics that address the experiences and needs of gifted children and adults. https://www.sengifted.org/

GoNoodle Go Summer!

School’s out for summer, but we’re keeping the energy UP with GoNoodle GoSummer, an experience created especially for kids at home! Make screen time active with NEW How-To videos, dance-alongs, and stretch-alongs for the whole family!

PBS Learning Media (4th-12th grade)

On PBS Kids, you are able to find elementary, middle, and high school resources and lessons to inspire your student! Find videos, games, and activities aligned to state and national standards that will interest and motivate your student to learn!

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

The Electric Company Summer Learning!

Hey, you guyyyys! Get ready for rich learning moments! The Electric Company media and resources entertain and engage children ages 5–9 while teaching four crucial areas of literacy that are challenging for struggling readers: Decoding, Vocabulary, Comprehension of Connected Text, and reading Motivation. Here you’ll find full episodes, clips, games and activity sheets to excite even the most reluctant readers. 

Plus, check out more from The Electric Company, including educator resources, activities for building math skills and vocabulary, and lessons for English Language Learners—just browse through this collection page!  

Tips to Help Teens Cope During Covid-19

When our world changes quickly and suddenly because of things like COVID-19, it is common to experience changes in our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Feelings of anxiety, fear or worry are typical in stressful situations.

This resource may support students and their families during this time of change. 

If you would like to know more, click here. 

Camp Google

Camp Google is a four-week online summer camp designed to get kids exploring by asking questions about the world around them. Partners include Khan Academy, NASA, National Geographic and the National Park Service. Lessons are broken down into four themed one-week sessions that explore the ocean, outer space, nature, and music.

http://www.359am.com/camp-google

Camp Wonderopolis

Join the Camp Wonderopolis free, online camp sponsored by the National Center for Families Learning. 42 STEM-based learning experiences.
https://camp.wonderopolis.org/

PBS Kids Lab Summer Learning (K-1st grade)

Teaching Tips, developed by the Boston University School of Education, enable parents and teachers to successfully integrate PBS KIDS online games into learning experiences to enhance children’s early math and literacy development. The Teaching Tips provide step-by-step lessons for using educational media to enhance standards-based teaching and learning.

Each Teaching Tips module offers 20-minute lesson plans for three to five games and suggests ways to use the games in teacher-led, whole-class activities, and for independent learning.

Visit PBS Kids Lab!

AISD Conversation Circles

AISD Hosts Conversation Circles

Your voice is an essential part of our considerations as we examine the many possibilities for the 2020-2021 school year. The district is hosting a series of virtual conversation circles events to help us understand:

• What do you need to feel comfortable returning to school? 
• What would you need to be successful if the district must continue some form of distance learning? 
• What we might not be thinking about?

Participants will also receive an update on where we are in the reopening planning process, and what we do and do not know for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Event details and information to join via Zoom are listed below. We hope you will join us and share your valuable perspectives. 

Event Schedule

Information to join all meetings via Zoom: 

https://zoom.us/j/92847208844?pwd=Smw2cDZKVGJYTVJxQW5rUVhLd2R6QT09 

Meeting ID: 928 4720 8844

Password: AISD

Join by phone: 1 346 248 7799 

(Please note that to access the interpretation feature you will need to download the free Zoom app on your phone or computer.)

Congressional Art Contest (grades 9-12)

Check out the Congressional Art Competition!

https://www.house.gov/educators-and-students/congressional-art-competition

About the Competition

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

How to Enter the 2020 Art Competition

1. Contact your representative to confirm your district’s participation and obtain specific guidance.
2. Review the 2020 Rules for Students and Teachers.
3. Complete the 2020 Student Release Form.
4. Submit the Student Release Form and any other required materials to your representative by the deadline specified on their website.

(Texas State Representative's webpage information: https://doggett.house.gov/services/students)