2014 Historic Preservation Essay Competition Rules

FACDIS International Studies Summer Institute for Teachers

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  May 5, 2014

Earth, Water, and Air: Energy and the Environment in Today’s World

June 22-June 27, 2014

Blackwater Falls State Park

Program Description

Earth, Water, and Air: Energy and the Environment in Today’s World will focus on problems common to all of us, internationally, nationally, and locally. Although citizens of our state and region have become acutely aware of environmental issues raised by such techniques as hydro-fracking and surface mining, questions of how best to generate the power are shared by people living everywhere in the world, whether in developing or developed economies.

This week-long institute for pre-collegiate teachers is being offered to expand knowledge in the teaching of energy generation and its effects on the environment and on societies worldwide.  The institute is designed primarily for middle and high school teachers who wish to incorporate this knowledge into their curricula. As always, however, it is open to teachers at all levels of instruction, K-12.

The topic should be of special interest to a wide variety of teachers, for it will touch not only on science but especially on social science and the humanities. In short, it will not only include questions of energy-generation but environmental impact on how societies are both affected and also seek to accommodate new (and old) ways of generating energy while hopefully controlling the destruction of the environment or the pollution of air and water.

Heading the summer staff is Dr. Brenden McNeil, a member of the West Virginia University Department of Geography and Geology. Brenden earned his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Denver and his Ph.D. (with distinction) from Syracuse University. After a post-doctorate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and field work in Costa Rica, he began his WVU career in 2008. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses with specialization in energy, ecology and environment.

Besides sessions at Blackwater Falls, the institute will feature a number of short field trips to such locations as the Canaan Valley Institute, PIMBY energy, the Mount Storm Power Plant, and the wind farms located near Davis, WV.  There will also be special guest presentations, currently being negotiated, with speakers specializing in environment-energy topics in various part of the world.

The Sponsor: FACDIS

The West Virginia Consortium for Faculty and Course Development in International Studies (FACDIS) is sponsoring, for the 26^th summer, a Summer Institute for Teachers on an international topic. FACDIS is devoted to improving international education in West Virginia, and furthers its mission by providing professional development opportunities for our state’s teachers. Funding is from the State Legislature to FACDIS for the summer international study program.

Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eight-mile-long gorge.  Numerous observation points afford panoramic views of the half-mile wide canyon.  Stairways and boardwalks lead to the base of the falls for an awe-inspiring, close-up view.  Blackwater Lodge sits on the canyon’s south rim, providing a sweeping view of the densely forested gorge.  Blackwater Falls is located in the scenic, mountainous Potomac Highlands in Davis, West Virginia on Rt. 32.  For further information: www.blackwaterfalls.com.

Application Information

To apply, visit us online at:

http://facdis.wvu.edu/professional-development/summer-institute

Employment Certification Letter from Principal:

Your application will not be complete without a letter from your principal stating that you are employed in a regular and on-going position. This letter can be sent by regular mail, fax, or direct email (from the principal) to Gretchen Peterec.

Mailing address:

Gretchen Peterec, FACDIS Assistant Director

Department of Political Science

WVU, PO Box 6317

Morgantown, WV 26506-6317

Fax: 304-293-8644

E-mail: gretchen.peterec@mail.wvu.edu

Personal Statement:

Applicant must submit a personal statement of about 250 words explaining why you wish to attend, and how you plan to incorporate institute information into the courses you teach.  This can either be done with the online application or sent directly togretchen.peterec@mail.wvu.edu.

Credit:

Three hours of free graduate credit (History 930: Earth, Water, and Air: Energy and the Environment in Today’s World) will be offered for participation in the institute.  Credit will be arranged through the WVU Office of Extended Learning. Professional development graduate credit is offered, which can be used for re-certification and salary increments, but cannot be used as credit toward a graduate degree program.

Eligibility:

Social studies teachers, as well as teachers of other subjects, who indicate how they will utilize the institute material in class, are eligible to apply.

Selection of Participants:

The personal statements will be taken into consideration during the applicant selection process.  Relevance of the program to the applicant’s teaching responsibilities will also be a consideration.

Space is available for up to 40 teachers.

What Will Teachers Receive?

• Three hours professional development graduate credit through WVU.
• Tuition-fee waivers for credit.
• Free double-occupancy lodging and meals at Blackwater Falls State Park.
• Teaching resource materials and texts.

What are Costs to the Teachers?

• $20 professional development fee to WVU Office of Extended Learning for summer 2014 admission to receive professional development graduate credit.
• Cost of transportation to/from home to Blackwater Falls State Park.
• Recreational amenities at Blackwater Falls.

Final Course Requirement:

Teaching units with detailed lesson plans for five to seven class periods will be due to the FACDIS office by Friday, August 1, 2014.

University Admission Procedures:

After teachers have been accepted to the Summer Institute, they will be informed of the University admission procedures by the WVU Office of Extended Learning. Teachers needing to be admitted will be responsible for the professional development fee for graduate admission.

Application:

To apply, please visit us online at: http://facdis.wvu.edu/professional-development/summer-institute. The application and the personal statement are due by May 5^th.   A letter of employment certification from your principal must also be received by the FACDIS office.

Feel free to forward this information to colleagues who you think might also be interested

in attending our Earth, Water, and Air: Energy and the Environment in Today’s World

Summer Institute for Teachers.

On behalf of David King, Ohio West Virginia Youth Leadership Association

Entrepreneurship Summit results, information and registration attached.  Schools who want one of the Youth Leadership Association  staff to meet with faculty, students, and/or parents – give a call to 304-675-5899.

 ccawvbrochure2013

2014 County Government Essay Contest Announcement

2014 County Government Essay Contest

April is “National County Government Month” and the County Commissioners’ Association of WV (CCAWV) is hosting our 3^rd annual essay contest for 8th grade students across West Virginia.

There will be a monetary prizes for 1^st,  2^nd, and 3^rd place student winners. There will also be a monetary prize for the 1^stplace winner’s Teacher to be used for classroom activities.  1^st Place Student will receive $300 and teacher will receive $300.   2^ndplace Student – $250 and 3^rd place Student – $150.

One of CCAWV’s goals is to increase information and public awareness about county government and the office of County Commissioner.  As an initiative of this goal we are excited to partner with West Virginia educators to encourage students to learn and write about their local county governing body, the County Commission.  (Teachers, for your convenience, we are attaching our brochure about county commission responsibilities.)

Student participants are asked to type a 500-word essay on the topic…..

“How does my county commission make life better for me?”

Take a class fieldtrip to a county commission meeting!  Ask your county commissioners to come speak to the class!  Find out what your county commission is working on in your county and encourage your students to write about it from the perspective of an 8^thgrader and why it matters to them.

A committee of commissioners and CCAWV Staff will serve as judges of the contest.  All entries must beemailed by 5:00 pm April 21, 2014 to qualify.  (Please see complete rules attached)

Entries should be emailed to:  vivian@ccawv.org

For more information, please contact Vivian Parsons at CCAWV vivian@ccawv.org or at 304-345-4639.

A winner will be announced by April 30, 2014

CCAWV County Government Essay Contest Rules 2013

1. The contest is open to all 8^th grade students who are enrolled in a West Virginia public or private school.
2. The contest deadline is 5 p.m. on April 21, 2014 (see No. 8).
3. Each essay is limited to a maximum of 500 words and a minimum of 400 words and must address the following question: “How does my county commission make life better for me?” The essay must address specifically the county commission of the county in which the student resides.
4. Each student is limited to one entry.
5. Each teacher must completely fill out an official application form (attached). Please submit each entry individually as a Word or PDF document with a copy of the application form attached.
6. All entries must contain the student’s name, email address, and the county name in which the essay is about.
7. All entries must be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format and must be submitted by the student’s teacher.
8. All entries must be emailed to Vivian@ccawv.org prior to 5 p.m. on April 21, 2014.
9. The winning essay will be announced by April 30, 2014.
10. The 1^st place student will receive $300, and the teacher who submitted the 1^st place essay will receive $300 to be used for classroom activities
11. The 2^nd place student will receive $250 and the 3^rd place student will receive $150.
12. The winning students and his/her teachers will be invited to a County Commissioners meeting in their home county to receive their awards.
13. The 1^st place winning essay will be published in Commissioners’ Corner, CCAWV’s official publication, and posted on the CCAWV website, (www.ccawv.org).
14. Essays will be judged on the following criteria: understanding of the role of county commission; grammar and spelling; clarity and organization of thought.
15. By entering the contest, each student and teacher agrees to allow his/her name to be used in a news release announcing the contest winner in the event that their essay is selected as a winning essay. In addition, they agree to allow their photograph to be published in the Commissioners’ Corner and on the CCAWV Web site.
16. Entries will not be returned.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Official Application Form

CCAWV 2014 County Government Essay Contest

County____________________________________________________

Teacher’s Name:____________________________________________

Teacher’s Email address:_____________________________________

Name of School:____________________________________________

School Telephone #:_________________________________________

School Mailing Address:______________________________________

__________________________________________________________

**********************************************************

Submitting Student’s Name___________________________________

Submitting Student’s mailing address (if available):________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

(Teacher, you must submit a copy of this completed form with each student entry.)

 Courtesy:

Robert “Joey” Wiseman Jr.

Assistant Director

Office of Secondary Learning

Instructional Materials

Social Studies