Kids' Tech University, Jan. 29, 2011!

In case you are starting to wonder what is going on behind the scenes here at Kids' Tech University we're gearing up for the upcoming semester at Virginia Tech! On Monday, I will be emailing the parents the information on where to go on Jan. 29th. If a KTU parent hasn't received this information by Monday night, they should get in contact me (Kristy Collins).

We also encourage parents take a look at the "For Parents" website on the KTU homepage. It'll answer a lot of questions regarding timing, parent activity, lunch information and the rules on bringing children other than those enrolled to the program.

Kids' Tech University offers Teacher Workshops!

Kids' Tech University is offering teacher workshops in conjunction with the program. Teachers and agents will earn CEU (Continuing Education Unit) credits for their participation. We are offering workshops based in mathematics (Jan. 28 and 29), climate change (Feb. 25 and 26), ecology (March 25 and 26), and health sciences (April 8 and 9). The workshops for this year are different than the ones offered last year.

Virginia 4-H is offering to pay for the registration fee ($30) for the first 10 registrations for each workshop.

Check out the website for times, registration and information on the workshops!

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"Patterns with nature: Math concepts explained"
Workshop instructors: Dr. Reinhard Laubenbacher and Dr. Kathleen Jamison
January 28, 12:30-4:30pm & January 29, 9am-4:30pm
CEU credits offered- 1.1
Have you ever heard that math is the universal language? That it is constant and can define the world around us? Find out more about mathematical patterns that are all around us, and how math can help us to find patterns in nature with this January teacher workshop. In this workshop teachers will learn about the math concepts that are applicable to nature and the various online learning tools that may be brought into the classroom.

"Hot Topics in Cool Science"
Workshop instructors: Louise Huffman and Dr. Kathleen Jamison
February 25, 12:30-4:30pm & February 26, 9am-4:30pm
CEU credits offered- 1.1
Through the compelling story of ANDRILL's research in the extremes of Antractica, participants will be introduced to cutting-edge climate change science and "Antarctica's Climate Secrets" hands-on materials.

"Interactive Learning with Science: Exploring Your Environment"
Workshop instructor: Dr. Kathleen Jamison
March 25, 12:30-4:30pm & March 26, 9am-4:30pm
CEU credits offered- 1.1
Exploring Your Environment is a 2 volume 4-H Curriculum with a facilitator guide designed for middle school age learners, but has been used effectively with upper elementary school aged children. It teaches basic ecological concepts that help learners understand how nature works and how we affect it and are affected by it. Each section of the curriculum focuses on an environmental question or issue and has a corresponding activity that allows learners to jump right into real-world issues that affect our life by completing investigations and explorations of the natural world. The primary focus areas are: ecosystem services, water conservation, energy use, climate change, recycling, natural resource stewardship and air quality.

"Interactive Learning with the Health Sciences"
Workshop instructors: Dr. Kathleen Jamison and Dr. Helena Carvalho
April 8, 12:30-4:30pm & April 9, 9am-4:30pm
CEU credits offered- 1.1
Teachers will take away hands-on activities to do with their classes that explain general health science concepts such as testing for sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste.

Kids' Tech University is on Facebook!

Hi everyone,

Kids' Tech University has a facebook page! You are welcome to add us!

Best,

Kristy

Kids' Tech University Registration

Hi everyone,

Wow, last night was an exciting night! Kids are registered from three different states!

Please note that if you have registered your child you should have received a "KTU Registration Confirmation" email. Please verify that you have received that email.

Best,

Kristy

VT Kids' Tech University registration opens today!!

Hello!

Registration opens today at 6 pm for the VT Spring Kids' Tech University!

Here are a couple of hints to make the registration process even more easy than what it already is:

1. At 6 pm, refresh your website link. We change the page at 6 pm and make all buttons active at once. SO MAKE SURE YOU REFRESH YOUR WEBSITE LINK.

2. Add my (Kristy Collins) email address to your email contact/friends list- kdivitto@vbi.vt.edu . In about 2 days (Wednesday/Thursday) I will start sending registration confirmations. If you don't add me to your contact/friends list the email will get put in the spam box.

3. After you register make sure you send in your 25 dollar registration fee or email to Ms. Foley. The address on where to send the fee or email is on the exit page of the registration procedure. MAKE SURE YOU PRINT YOUR EXIT PAGE; it contains a lot of valuable information.

If you ever wonder what the behind the scenes actions are...Kris and I (Kristy Collins) order a large pizza at work and we are monitor the registrations until about midnight. Yes, we are that dedicated! And we drink a lot of coffee! I'll also be hanging around my work phone...I get a lot of phone calls right around 5:50 to about 6:30 pm (see number 1).

VSU KTU exhibitors

• Dr. Christopher Catanzaro (from VSU) - Plants for the seasons.
• Drs. Kristy Collins (from Virginia Bioinformatics Institute) and Dr. Kathleen Jamison (from Virginia 4-H) - will be working with teachers from the surrounding communities. We will have exhibits set up from ANDRILL's Flexhibit materials. Also come by to see the Extreme Cold Weather gear scientists wear down in Antarctica to keep from freezing!

Virginia is for Kids!

Kids' Tech University was recently mentioned on the virginiaisforkids.com website. We are honored for the mention!

Tina states "This blog is written by Tina in Virginia, a full-time working wife and mom who enjoys living in Virginia and exploring this beautiful Commonwealth with her family. Through her personal experiences, Tina shares thoughts and suggestions for traveling and sightseeing with children in Virginia and elsewhere."

Thank you, Tina!