This Week's Featured Online Lesson Sponsored By Key Bank

Scouting Mars

Friday, April 30th, 2010

By Learners Online
Grade: 6-12
Subject: Science/Technology

The Phoenix Mars Landers touches the planet's soil for the first time on June 1.NASA scientists celebrated the successful landing on of the Phoenix Mars Lander on Sunday, May 25, 2008. Phoenix flexed its solar panels and started its work. Over the next few months, the specific mission to accomplish is sampling the planet’s arctic plains.

Launched in August 2007, the Phoenix is the first in NASA’s Scout Program, deemed to take the next step in studying the planet’s history of water and determining if humans could one day inhabit it. Since as early as 1960, experts have been developing orbiters, landers and rovers to study the planet in detail and as continuously as possible. Read the rest of this entry »

Special Event

The 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year award recipients were selected following an essay contest in which students, peers, and parents were asked to write an essay explaining why their favorite teacher should be selected to receive a NIE Teacher of the Year award. We received more than 120 essays nominating approximately 89 local teachers, educators, and support staff from 11 area school districts.  Select student essays honoring our local teachers will be available to read by clicking on the above link.
2010 Teacher of the Year Winners

Sheryl Outcelt, …………………Sunrise Elementary…………………………District 60, Shelley
Brandon Crain ……………….Hobbs Middle School ………………………District, 60, Shelley
Cindy Benson…………………Clair E. Gale Jr. High………………….District 91, Idaho Falls
Margie Kennedy……………..Clair E. Gale Jr. High………………….District 91, Idaho Falls
Julie Nawrocki…………………Skyline High School…………………..District 91, Idaho Falls
Donna Christiansen …………Westside Elementary…………………..District 91, Idaho Falls
Lisa Puckett ……………………Ammon Elementary ………………….District 93, Idaho Falls
Dave Powell ………………….Bonneville High School ………………..District 93, Idaho Falls
Shauna Crabtree ……………..Hillcrest High School ………………District 93, Idaho Falls
Jesse Lettington ……………….Butte Middle School ……………………….District 111, Butte
Jason Hansen ……………………Butte High School ………………………….District 111, Butte
Vickie Northrop………………..Butte High School ………………………….District 111, Butte
Stephanie Nelson ……………..Butte High School ………………………….District 111, Butte
Lorraine Clark …………………..Butte Elementary …………………………..District 111, Butte
Cindy Kimball …………………Mackay Elementary ……………………..District 182, Mackay
Gary Maples………………….Midway Middle School ………………….District 251, Jefferson
Sue Smith ………………..Upper Carmen Charter School ………………District 291, Salmon
Kimberly Witek ………………Teton Middle School ………………………..District 401, Teton
Richard Fillerup ……………….Teton High School………………………….District 401, Teton
Rick Hansen…………………..Madison High School ………………….District 321, Madison
Kim Alm……………Taylors Crossing Public Charter School ……………..District 461, 452
Collin Stewart ……………..Juniper Hills High School …………………………..District 709
NIE Shining Star Award
Presented each year to a school staff member who exhibits outstanding support of their school and students.
Principal Dan Page, from Rimrock Elementary

Thank You to these local businesses for generously donating merchandise and services for the 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year Awards!

Big O Tires, Bubba’s, Texas Roadhouse, Firehouse Grill, Paramount, Staples, Applebee’s, Mrs. Powell’s


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Important Links
NIE Institute Teacher Resources
NAA Foundation -Youth Content: Getting Started
NAA Foundation – First Things First: Using the Newspaper to Teach the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment
NAA Foundation – Speaking of a Free Press
NAA Foundation – Creating A Classroom Newspaper
NAA Foundation – Newspapers Maintain the Brain
NAA Foundation – MEASURING SUCCESS!
NAA Foundation – MEASURING UP!
NAA Foundation – Reading First NIE!
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