ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** SMILE SEED GRANTS & ASTC 2009 CONFERENCE The Science and Math Informal Learning Educators (SMILE) Pathway is collecting the best science and math hands-on activities on the web and creating tools and services – all designed especially for those who teach school-aged kids in non-classroom settings. We’re the informal educators’ portal of the National Science Digital Library (NSDL). But all you need to remember is HowToSmile.org. To grow the SMILE collection, we’re giving out seed grants of between $2,000 and $10,000, so that informal science organizations can catalog their hands-on activities in SMILE (download RFP at: <http://howtosmile.org/content/apply-seed-grant-rfp> http://howtosmile.org/files/rfp/SMILE_rfp.doc<http://howtosmile.org/content/apply-seed-grant-rfp>). This is a great way to showcase high-quality STEM resources on a national scale. To be eligible for a seed grant, applicants must participate in a SMILE workshop; the first will be held at ASTC: SMILE ASTC Session Sunday, November 1, 2009 Sheraton Fort Worth/Piney Woods Ballroom 4 – 6 pm At the workshop, people will learn firsthand how to use the pathway. Participants will: • sign up for a user account • learn how to locate great activities • do one of the many make-and-take activities, and • learn more about the SMILE RFP. For organizations interested in applying for a grant but unable to attend ASTC, we’ll also be holding virtual workshops starting in December. SMILE will also be at the ASTC Resource Center (in the Exhibitor’s Hall) on Saturday, Oct 30th, and Sunday, Oct. 31st, where we’ll be available to answer any questions and to demonstrate the SMILE website. -- Darrell Porcello, Ph.D. Center Director Center for Technology Innovation Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley 510-643-7764 *********************************************************************** For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org. Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org. The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]