[Bluestem] Hello

[Bob Howard]

Hi -

Thanks to Stacey for setting up this listserve.  It involves people 
who were involved in the MSP proposal and is one way for us to keep 
track of what's going on across the state.  The NSF MSP proposal 
review process is moving along -- the panels met last weekend in DC 
and we may get some requests for further information in the next few 
weeks.

In the meantime, BLUEstem is working on three things for the summer. 
We are working with OKC to offer some pilot science training, 
planning some preliminary work on the matrix for horizontal and 
vertical alignment K-12, and developing a pilot administrative 
workshop.  All of the core partners will participate in the alignment 
work and have a hand in shaping the administrator training.

Several projects that are aligned with programs in the BlueSTEM 
proposal are under development for the summer.

- Funding Sacra Nicholas requested for some pilot math work was 
approved through the NCLB  and will start to give us some direction 
beginning in June.

- A workshop in data analysis that Jayne Fleener proposed with 
Oklahoma City and Tulsa was also funded.

- If things continue to work out with the legislature, it appears the 
PDI program is on for next year with some more opportunities in 
elementary science.  The secondary science component of this is 
excellent and if funded gives us a much-needed opportunity for 
secondary teachers.  (Smith can say more about this.)

- I understand that EPSCoR will be offering a workshop in 
nanotechnology for secondary science this summer.  This and anything 
else EPSCoR provides will give us some unique opportunities.

- Diana Leggett and Stillwater are working with TERC to offer a Math 
Investigations workshop July 28-August 1 in Stillwater.

There are probably a number of other programs that slip my mind on a 
Friday afternoon.  However, this listserve might be an easy way to 
help match teachers with opportunities or at least let an interested 
group know what you are offering or what you need.

And if you have something to say about the MSP, please send it in so 
we can all see and respond.  We're a small group, and keeping in 
touch over such large distances is a challenge.