"Like" us on Facebook!

Hi everyone!

We have created a new KTU facebook site located- here. Please feel free to "like" the page. We will be updating the site routinely with information about our programs and opportunities for all Kids' Tech University sites at Virginia Tech, Virginia State University and Bowling Green State University.

Our old KTU facebook site is being deleted due to facebook platform changes so, if you've joined that page, you may want to transition over to the new page and "like" that page!

KTU Virtual lab website!

Hello Everyone!

I have another announcement for all of you who follow the new KTU virtual lab website!

On the "Most Beautiful Fractal Contest Results and Winners" button you will notice that above the images is a flash of the names of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place submissions.
Again Congratulations to those who won the contest and Thanks to all who submitted fractals or judged them!

Exciting News: Please keep an eye on the buttons on the main page for we will be putting a new flash player there.
This one will be devoted to Dr. Laubenbacher's lecture and will encourage the kids to go hunting for patterns.
It will take their learning to a more interactive level that is fun and entertaining.
Our webmaster has been working on it diligently and I got to test it out. Its quite fun!

Have a great day!

Kathryn

--
Kathryn Brewer, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Bioinformatics Institute
Mathematics Education
English Pre-Education
Virginia Tech 2012
kbrewer@vbi.vt.edu

"Our Green Future" High School Internship applications due June 13th!

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) is offering a high school summer internship, "Our Green Future", to expose students to the exciting fields of research in biology, plant pathology, the environment, climate and bioinformatics. This week-long program consists of several research activity labs, research-related tours, and a discussion/lecture series.

High school students interested in math and science, and are able to provide their own, reliable transportation to VBI each morning, are eligible for participation in the program. The main objective of this high school internship is to show students the fun and excitement of scientific research. Students will have the opportunity to explore the world of genomics and the environment with world-renowned research scientists in professional labs.

Dedicated work is key for success in any career, especially one in bioinformatics research. The internship experience will strengthen the principle of dedicated work through intensive laboratory research and journal keeping exercises given throughout the week. A highly motivated attitude is encouraged throughout the program!

Click here for- 2011 promotional flyer

2011 Program Dates July 11 - July 15

2011 Application Deadline June 13, 2011

Click here for- Program website

Our Green Future is funded by NSF Award Number IOS-0922747

Feel free to pass this information to anyone you think would be interested in a summer internship for high schoolers!

NEW KTU Facebook site!

Hi everyone!

We have created a new KTU facebook site located- here. Please feel free to "like" the page. We will be updating the site routinely with information about our programs and opportunities for all Kids' Tech University sites at Virginia Tech, Virginia State University and Bowling Green State University.

Our old KTU facebook site is being deleted due to facebook platform changes so, if you've joined that page, you may want to transition over to the new page and "like" that page!

KTU Most Beautiful Fractal Contest winners!

Hello Everyone! I hope you didn't forget about the "Most Beautiful Fractal
Contest!"

We had so many great submissions, several designs that I would never have even imagine could come out of the contest! Great Job Everyone!

Below is the list the winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and the runner up entries (in no particular order) of each category. Congratulations to all! We will be posting the entries on the website within the next day...so check back!

Most Creative:

1. Triangle by Liewen
2. The "M" Menace by Mustafa
3. Ladybugs Attack by Michelle
Runner up~ Super Circles by Safiya
Runner up~ A Hat of Smoke by Nicholas

Artsy:

1. Bushel of Roses by Krishna
2. Ficasso in Blue by Theresa
3. Spiral by Jessica
Runner up~ Fractal 1 by Elizabeth
Runner up~ Angry Storm by Brooke
Runner up~ Fractal 2 by Gracyn
Runner up~ Winter Wind by Kristina
Runner up~ Fractal 3 by Murphy

Math:

1. Fractal 8 by Christopher

Combination:

1. Tsunami by Paribartan
2. Fractal 4 by Faith
3. Mutant Bat by Isabelle
Runner up~ Solar System by Hunter
Runner up~ Fractal 5 by Henry
Runner up~ Fractal 6 by Isaiah

(those that were not named were given "Fractal ____" where a number was put
in the space)

Congratulations again! And I hope you all had fun!
--
Kathryn Brewer

Climate Change/Environmental Literacy Educator Workshop

Do you recognize an urgency to understand the evidence being observed in changing worldwide Earth systems? Do you need exciting, quality resources to teach climate science and environmental literacy? Then, this is the workshop for you!

On Saturday, Sept. 24th 2011 (12:30-4:30 pm) we will be hosting a free educator workshop called, "C2S2: Climate Change," based on the ANDRILL (ANtarctic geological DRILLing research project) Flexhibit materials for the classroom and out-of-school time settings. This workshop is funded through a partnership with VBI, Virginia 4-H, ANDRILL and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Those who attend the Sept. workshop will gain insight into climate science and experience with the Antarctica's Climate Secrets materials. They will leave with 5 posters and a DVD which includes videos and a 200+ page activity book of hands-on activities based on the 5 themes. These classroom materials were created with funding from the National Science Foundation.

Attendees at the Sept. workshop will guarantee an invitation to apply for Workshop 2 in the C2S2: Climate Change Student Summit series (Oct. 22nd, 2011, 12:30-4:30 pm) where educators will earn a stipend and CEU credits. In March, educators who attend workshop 2 will bring students to a Summit where they will work with scientists and interact with other students from around the world through video conferencing (educators will also earn a stipend for this activity).

The materials and activities presented in the workshops meet National Science Education Standards for grades 5-8, but have also been successfully used in grades K-12. The materials can be used in cross-curricular activities and can relate to SOL's in geography, math, science, and English.

All teachers, 4-H agents and informal educators are welcome to attend. To sign up to attend the workshop please visit- HERE or Contact- Dr. Kristy Collins at kdivitto@vbi.vt.edu

Virtual Kids' Tech University

The Virtual Kids' Tech University has been updated with a lot of new components and features!
You can now begin exploring online materials that have been collected and created since the start of KTU in 2009.

-Visit the "Virtual World of Patterns" section to learn more from Dr. Laubenbacher's (Dr. L's) January 2011 lecture on patterns

-Send Dr. L more questions that you may have, read the answers to questions that students have posed to Dr. L, experiment with the Fractal Maker, and the Game of Life, and watch a video from the KTU Dance hands-on activity

-Challenge yourself with Math Games at "Calculation Nation" on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) website

-Learn more about your home planet, Earth, at the KTU Ecosystems Lab

-Then visit the red planet, Mars, with the KTU Mars Lab

-In April 2009, Dr. Phil Christensen led a lecture about why humans can't survive on Mars. Be sure to ask Dr. C even more questions with the NASA designed "Ask Dr. C." A computerized scientist that will answer questions about Mars

-Learn more about what is happening in your own backyard at the 4-H Virtual Forest & 4-H Virtual Farm!

-As a follow-up to Dr. Caitlin Kelleher's February 2009 lecture, you can now (with your parents' or guardians' assistance) download the Storytelling Alice program and begin making movies on your home computer

-Explore the 2009 Math Lab to learn more about the mathematics behind animal patterns, which was taught to the January 2009 KTU participants by Dr. Keith Devlin

-"Meet the Scientists" section allows you to read about each KTU lecture from 2009 - 2011, learn more about the scientists and their research, visit their personal webpages, and watch the KTU lecture videos

-Read KTU feedback, and submit more feedback to be posted on the website

-Parents: be sure to read the "Info For Adults" section to learn more about the purpose of the Virtual Kids' Tech University and our goals with the website

Enjoy experimenting, exploring, and learning even more, right in your own home with the Virtual Kids' Tech University!