4empowerment^® e-Newsletter
December 17, 2003

Welcome to the 4empowerment^® e-newsletter. Click, collaborate, teach, and learn.

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Expert Guest: Dr. C.E. Weinstein on Learning Strategies
MC Program Dates: Tuesday & Thursday, January 13 & 15, 2004
E-SET Program Dates: Tuesday & Wednesday, January 20 & 21, 2004
Do you want to learn more about how best to interpret your students' LASSI results? Discover new learning strategies to share with your student. Login to the 4empowerment website. Then grab a cup of hot chocolate and visit with Dr. Claire Ellen Weinstein on the 4empowerment discussion boards. She will be responding during the evening hours (CST) of the above dates. [If you're not already a registered user, set up an account with us.]

Accessibility 101 Workshop (Free Professional Development Opportunity!)
Tuesday & Wednesday, January 27-28, 2004 • Learn how to use technology to engage students with special needs. Designed for educators and presented by an educator with over 25 years' teaching experience, Dr. John Slatin of UT Austin. Includes pre-workshop and follow-up activities designed and led by Sharron Rush, Executive Director of Knowbility. Delivered via video-conference to your distance learning lab. To register, click here.

Family History Night at CC Winn Campus, Eagle Pass ISD
Teachers Debra McBeath and Sandra Riojas, students, and parents participated in a special event at their campus on Tuesday, November 11. As part of the Making the Connections program, they explored how technology can facilitate genealogical research. Read about the event here!

Featured Expert: John Mackey
4empowerment congratulates John Mackey, winner of the 2003 Overall National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. John is recognized for his perseverance and dedication in building Whole Foods Market into the largest retailer of natural and organic foods. Read more on our web page!

Explore the Mysteries of the Deep
Join 4empowerment as it features the exotic underwater photography of Burt Jones and Maurine Shimlock! You don't have to be Nemo to explore the ocean!

Showcase Your Student Work on 4e-zine!
Our unique 4e-zine, an online digital magazine, allows students to showcase all types of media from short stories to "spoken word" poetry to short films. Click on the purple tab above or here to enter the 4e-zine.

Stellar Students Sought!
Nominate your favorite student to be featured for Student of the Month by 4empowerment®. Your student's achievements be highlighted and published on the 4empowerment® website, along with a photo and interview. Send us your nominations!

SXSW Web Awards: Student Category• FINAL CALL!
Final Submission Deadline: December 19, 2003 • Students, enter now for a chance to win the SXSW Web Award in the Student Category! Learn more!

Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) Competition for Students & Teachers
Submission Due Date: February 6, 2004 • Fascinated by health trends and studies? This competition may be for you! Who should apply: Teachers who have developed innovative curricula incorporating epidemiological methods, and students conducting original research applying epidemiological principles. Submission Guidelines.

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Annual Event • To enter the international fair, students must first participate in regional fairs affiliated with ISEF. For information on how get on the road to winning Intel's international science fair, visit here first. Then check out Intel's Educational pages for more info on the big event.

Take a Ride on the Floating Classroom
Sign up your class for an adventure on the R.V. Karma. • Jointly sponsored by the Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Sea Grant College, the R.V. Karma is a 57-foot boat designed to educate landlubbers about the fascinating underwater universe of the Texas coast. To learn more, click here! Be sure to check out this link too.

Increase Your Technology Expertise!
Monday-Friday, February 2-6, 2004 • The Texas Computer Education Association's 24th annual technology exposition for educators and students will be held at the Austin Convention Center located in downtown Austin, TX. Get your FAQ's answered here.

Celebrate Reading in Corpus Christi!
Wednesday- Saturday, March 3-6, 2004 • The Texas State Reading Association's 32nd annual Literacy Conference will be held at the Omni Bayfront Hotel in Corpus Christi, TX. Find it spelled out here!

TCEQ's Environmental Science Resources
Check out environmental science lesson plans at the website of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Summer Institutes offered by Texas Mining and Reclamation Association
Become a mine expert! • Visit the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association website for more information!

Learn to Write a Memoir Online with Susie Kelly!
Mondays, February 2-23, 2004 • Learn to tell your personal history with flair from the comfort of your own home! Susie Kelly will provide weekly notes and writing exercises as well as critiques of personal stories during this four-week course. Learn more at the Writer's League of Texas website!

Writer's Retreat with Author Robert Flynn in Fredericksburg, Texas
Friday-Sunday, February 20-22, 2004 • Join Trinity University professor emeritus, Robert Flynn, as he explores story telling using lectures and writing exercises. Visit the Writer's League of Texas website for more information!