Connecticut BioBus Connects Students to Biosciences

Connecticut has combines the efforts of local educators, state representatives, and the biotech industry to create the BioBus Educational Programs that include a unique “BioBus.” For scheduled school visits, the Connecticut BioBus arrives--free of charge--at the school so students can participate in bioscience experiments. The staff scientist uses a donated SMART Sympodium interactive pen display and AirLiner wireless slate to teach the lesson. The students follow the lesson, and the see the notations from the scientist, on the 10 LCD screens along the interior of the bus. The Connecticut BioBus staff uses Notebook collaborative learning software to create original lessons that they can share with other students across the state.
Bottom line: The BioBus Educational Programs consists of four parts: 1) a mobile science laboratory (Connecticut’s BioBus); 2) an equipment loan program (BioConnection); 3) custom-developed curricula: and 4) teacher professional development. The Programs’ mission is to be a key bioscience education resource in Connecticut. The Programs--offered free of charge thanks to the sponsors--have already visited more than 56,000 students.

Portable iPod Lab

Looking for a quick way to juice up your classroom’s iPods? The new case from PARAT enables secure storage, transport and quick access to iPods for applications like language labs. The iPod Case accommodates one MacBook (or similar notebook up to 17”) and up to 20 iPods (Classic or Nano) along with their power supplies and headsets.

Best Practices Guide to One-to-One Computing Released

Want to start a one-to-one program, but not sure how to get started? The Center for Digital Education and MPC Gateway released the K-12 2.0: A Complete Guide to One-to-One Computing in the K-12 Environment. The handbook includes expert information and real-world examples about designing and supporting one-to-one programs. K-12 2.0 features results and analyses of successful and replicable one-to-one deployments from across the nation, and offers guidance on budgeting for one-to-one initiatives and potential funding streams. Professional development and classroom management tips also included.