[ISTATALK-L] For Your Information

[Edee Norman Wiziecki <edeew@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Please note these opportunities taken from the newsletter of the
Triangle Coalition.


STUDENT IDEAS NEEDED TO NAME NOAA'S NEW
SHIP

Triangle Coalition partner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), in partnership with Coastal America and the
National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, invites
students nationwide in grades 6-12 to participate in a contest to choose
a name for a new NOAA ship.  Ship names and supporting projects that
capture the spirit of ocean exploration are encouraged. Generally, NOAA
ships are named for mission-type, environmental phenomena, myths or
traditions, geographical features, or former decommissioned ships crewed
by NOAA personnel or predecessors.  NOAA's new ocean exploration
ship will be unique because it will be the only NOAA ship dedicated
exclusively to exploration and research of our oceans. The new vessel
will join NOAA's fleet, under the direction of NOAA's Marine and Aviation
Operations. Information about NOAA's fleet can be found at
www.nmao.noaa.gov.
NOAA ships are staffed by commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps and
civilians. The Corps is comprised of officers -- all scientists and
engineers -- who provide NOAA with an important blend of operational,
management, and technical skills supporting NOAA's environmental
programs.  


All students in grades 6 through 12 from all U.S. state-recognized
public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate. Student
teams must be composed of at least four, but not more than eight
students, can include students from more than one grade, and can also
include members of clubs, scouting groups, or similar organizations. The
winning team and school will receive a visit from the undersecretary of
commerce for oceans and atmosphere and from a renowned ocean explorer.
Students from the winning team will also be invited for a day tour of one
of NOAA's atmospheric or oceanographic facilities. During their visit,
students will have the opportunity to learn about NOAA, environmental
stewardship and the role they can play in protecting the ecosystem. The
winning school will receive a plaque and a videotape of the commissioning
ceremony of the ship, which is anticipated to occur in 2005-2006. The
commissioning ceremony marks the time the ship officially becomes part of
the NOAA fleet. The ship will carry a plaque with information about the
winning team and its school. For more information, visit
www.education.noaa.gov/shipname.

-- THE WORLD YEAR OF PHYSICS 2005 PHYSICS TALENT
SEARCH 


The World Year of Physics 2005 Physics Talent Search is an international
educational project aimed at increasing participation in physics among
students ages 10-19. 2005 young people from around the world will be
honored as "Physics Young Ambassadors." The Talent Search will
begin with a process similar to earning a merit badge in scouting-type
organizations. Students will participate in activities drawn from several
lists and will earn points for these activities. The points system is
designed so that all students who participate in the project feel
encouraged and have a positive experience with physics. Any student
earning 10 or more points will be recognized as a "United States
WYP2005 Physics Talent," and receive a certificate of achievement
and a letter from a physicist. Students who earn points equal to their
age, in years, will also receive an "International Honorable
Mention," including further rewards. To choose the 2005 students
worldwide, each country will select equal numbers of male and female
students from among its honorable mention winners. Each participating
country will contribute ambassadors in proportion to the country's
population. Of the 2005 Young Ambassadors, 116 will represent the United
States. 


The goal of the United States Physics Talent Search is to create
enthusiasm, interest, and participation in physics among young people and
their families. The project is a part of the International Physics Talent
Search for the World Year of Physics 2005, and is sponsored by several
groups including Triangle Coalition members, the American Institute of
Physics, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of
Energy's Office of Science. For more information, visit
www.physics2005.org/events/talentsearch.



***********************************************************
For problems with ISTATALK-L, please contact
listadmn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for assistance.

To unsubscribe, send a message to listadmn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx that states, "Please unsubscribe me from the ISTATALK-L listserv." ************************************************************