Over the years the State’s MLTI program has provided computers, software and training. Last year the state provided funding for Computer Sciences allowing schools to chose between different options. You could pick between Robotics (Sphero and Lego) or Virtual World Building (Co-Spaces and Merge Cubes) with other support materials provided.  If you missed out on one of these items you can get a second chance with the next round!

MLTI Launches Teaching and Learning Technology Grant – #TeachWithTech

The Maine Learning through Technology Initiative (MLTI) is pleased to announce the launch of the #TeachWithTech grant. The grant is available to all MLTI school districts to provide supplemental technology to support teaching and learning with technology. This program aims to provide funding opportunities to MLTI educators who want to bring technology into their MLTI schools in a way that is innovative, impactful, and intriguing. From 3D Printing Laser cutters Video production equipment Audio / Podcasting equipment Robotics & Coding Kits Drones Digital microscopes & doc cameras Specialized cameras (GoPro, 360, etc.) the options are amazing!

Wade Institute's Design Challenge

• The Wade Institute for Science Education is a 501 (c)(3) Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to hands-on, minds-on, inquiry-based science education. We connect classroom teachers and informal educators with science, technology and engineering content expertise, inquiry-based instructional methods, regional STEM resources, and peer learning communities. We help educators discover first hand the value of inquiry-based learning, and master innovative ways to spark students’ curiosity for STEM.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

• Each year, Samsung hosts a $2 million national competition for public schools grades 6 – 12 in which student are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM can be used to create change in their communities. Their teacher will apply on their students’ behalf to the contest and compete to win up to $100,000 in prizes for their school. Scroll down to see the contest prize tiers and contest timeline.

NASA Tech Rise Student Challenge

A total of 60 winning teams will be selected to build their proposed experiment. Each winning team will be awarded:

• High-Altitude Balloon with approximately four hours of flight time at 70,000 feet and exposure to Earth’s atmosphere, high-altitude radiation, and perspective views of our planet

• Rocket-Powered Lander that will fly for approximately two minutes at an altitude of 80 ft (~25 m) over a test field designed to look like the Moon’s surface

  • $1,500 to build their experiment

  • A flight box in which to build it

  • An assigned spot to test their experiment on a NASA-sponsored flight

  • Technical support during the experiment build phase from Future Engineers advisors, who will help students learn the skills they need to turn their experiment idea into reality.

• Adam Savage, from Myth Busters, YouTube channel.  From shop infrastructure, to modeling and life lessons for the MAKER philosophy Adam explores it all. 

Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools is a web site which recommends the best/cheapest tools available. Tools are defined broadly as anything that can be useful. This includes hand tools, machines, books, software, gadgets, websites, maps, and even ideas. All reviews are positive raves written by real users. We don’t bother with negative reviews because our intent is to only offer the best.