Create and Win $1000

The NASA Space Shuttle Art Competition commemorates the history of the Space Shuttle Program by inviting individual students to create original artwork that symbolizes its impact on our planet and people. They will also write a 250-word essay explaining their artistic entries.

Judging

Final judging will be conducted by an expert panel of artists in conjunction with NASA, NIA, and USA TODAY Education. They will select the top three entries from each of the two age brackets (9-13 and 14-17) based on the following criteria:

• Artistic interpretation: 20%
• Selection of innovation: 10%
• Creativity: 30%
• Essay justification: 30%
• Grammar and mechanics: 10%

Winning Entries

The top three winners in each age bracket will be notified no later than August 15, 2011, and will receive the following awards:

• $1,000 (for student) and $500 (for teacher/sponsor/parent).
• The winning renditions will be showcased as banner ads on USATODAY.com and USATODAYEDUCATE.com.
• Winners will experience a remote mentoring session from a USA TODAY professional graphic artist.
• Each winner will receive a certificate of accomplishment.

Checkout this link to enter the competition: Because It Flew Competition

Students from GW Long who enter the competition should email a copy of their official entry to Mrs D (anne.durrance@gmail.com).  Each of the entries will be displayed at GW Long and students from 5th and 6th Grade Science classes will select their favorite.  The winning entry at GW Long will receive a $25 prize. 

Honey, Have you Met the New Neighbors?

My husband noticed that some new residents had moved in to our birdhouse – and they don’t look anything like bluebirds.   In fact, he was about ten feet away and one of these bees flew straight toward him and stung him on the face without warning - Ouch!!

In the summer weather it’s easy to come into contact with stinging bees or wasps that make their homes in the ground or in cavities such as a birdhouse.  Some can be very aggressive.  While it’s important to be careful, it’s more important to know what to do in the event of a sting.  Don’t assume that a sting will just be a minor irriation; for some it can be life threatening.  Check out this website Bee Sting Treatment to learn what to do in the event of a sting….. and be sure to watch out for those new neighbors! 

YOU POURED WHAT ON THE GROUND?

Mrs. D just spent a week in Ocean Springs, MS learning all about our watershed and how our water affects water in the Gulf of Mexico. 

So, next time you want to just pour some garbage out on the ground,  

Think about it…….

Storm water runoff can collect many different types of pollution before it reaches a body of water.  This includes debris, dirt and chemicals.  The storm water collects these materials and flows directly into a body of water like a stream or a lake.  These bodies of water may be used for swimming, fishing and even DRINKING!  

Now that you know that pollution from storm water runoff can contaminate the water supply, here are some tips to help you on your way to a.....

POLLUTION SOLUTION:

*never dump anything down storm drains

*use fertilizers sparingly

*sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of using a hose

*properly dispose of hazardous household chemicals

*check car for leaks and recycle motor oil

*avoid pesticides

*educate friends and family

*RECYCLE

We're on Facebook !

You told us that we needed to add a Facebook page and we did !  It won't replace our blog but check out the new FB page (link at top right of this page) and stay in touch.  Hope you are having a great summer!

Georgia Tech Engineers Develop Robots to Help First Responders

Before firefighters rush into a burning building, they want to know the layout of the structure and how they can move around. Scientists collaborating with the Army Research Laboratory are trying to make that happen by developing teams of tiny robots that could explore and map the inside of a building during a dangerous situation so that humans know what they're charging into.  Learn more at this Popular Mechanics link: Robots Aid First Responders - Popular Mechanics