Free Course: ChatGPT Foundations for K–12 Educators

Get an introduction to the basics of artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, ChatGPT, and how to use ChatGPT safely and effectively. This course from Common Sense Media and OpenAI will also help you understand what ChatGPT is and how it works; demonstrate ways to use ChatGPT to support your teaching practices; and implement best practices for applying responsible AI principles in a school setting. You’ll need to create a free account to access the course, which is available to all educators and school districts.

The Bird Habitat Game

Try Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s tag-like game with elementary and middle levels to keep students “actively” engaged in learning about the essential components an animal needs to survive in a habitat: food, water, shelter, and space. In a large open space, indoors or outside, assign students roles: food, water, shelter, space, or birds. Birds chase the habitat components, trying to catch them. Once a bird catches a component, the bird and component link arms and together try to catch the other habitat components. When a bird has caught all four components, the game ends. The activity is a great way to jumpstart conversation about what constitutes a healthy bird habitat, as well as a natural segue to discussing ways to improve or support bird habitats in the school neighborhood. Some ideas might include making bird feeders, growing certain plants, having water available for birds, removing garbage from the neighborhood, or placing nest boxes.

Climate Change Resources

The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC has created resources to engage middle and high school levels in exploring climate change in the classroom. The resources include articles, audio stories, interactive activities, and more, all of which present climate science information in digestible chunks for both teachers and students. For example, teachers build background knowledge through articles such as “Climate Change Basics: Five Facts, Ten Words” and “Climate Explained: Introductory Essays About Climate Change Topics,” while students grow understandings though classroom activities such as Climate Change Jigsaw, Decoding the Data, and Meet Global Warming’s Six Americas others. Of particular interest is the activity Navigating the Yale Climate Opinion Maps, which lets students compare climate change opinions across the country while learning how to use an interactive tool and providing practice in analyzing data.

All YPCCC activities include downloadable Educator and Student pages as well as relevant links. (Free e-mail registration is required.)

Lab Bench 

Lab Bench is a comprehensive collection of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) resources compiled by The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), a nonprofit organization supporting high school and university scholars in pursuit of STEM careers. The resources, which are intended for high school and university educators and students, include virtual STEM labs and experiments, content-based videos and other materials, and information on various STEM careers. The website organizes resources by broad subject-area (e.g., Life Sciences, Engineering and Math, Physical Sciences) and by audience (e.g., Student Corner and Teacher Corner). Select a subject area of interest and drill down within the category to access annotated descriptions with hyperlinks of the resources of interest. The Student Corner section presents STEM challenges for students, internship opportunities, and links and information about a wide range of careers in STEM fields, from anatomy and physiology to chemical engineering, environmental science, marine biology, mechanical engineering, space science, and more. The Teacher Corner provides links to professional development opportunities, STEM grants, and award programs.

Funding Opportunity: Empowering K–8 Youth Through Place-Based Education
 
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) aims to increase the scientific and environmental literacy and problem-solving skills of children and youth in the Gulf of Mexico region. The GRP seeks proposals that engage children and youth in place-based educational activities that will foster the development of the scientific and environmental skills, competencies, and capabilities that are critical to solving complex issues in the Gulf now and into the future.

A total of $5 million is available for this funding opportunity to support projects between $100,000 and $750,000 that are up to three years in duration. The GRP will accept proposals from nonprofit, state, and local entities, excluding federal agencies, that support educational, service, and/or coordination activities for children and youth in the K–8 grade range. Apply by March 19, 2025.

Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)

PAN, a free residential summer program for high school students in the United States, is now accepting applications for 2025. PAN participants will explore scientific research in nuclear astrophysics, conduct their own experiments, and discover applications for society. The program will run during July 20-25, 2025, at Michigan State University.

Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation: Exploring the Nuclear Matter (PING)

PING is a two-week experience in nuclear physics at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) with the potential to turn into a year-long real research experience including presentations at conferences. PING is open to both pre-college students and undergraduate students (who serve as mentors). The application will open in early 2025 at https://www.nsbping.org/.