[NAEP] MPES newsletter, V1.6

[Dawn Wiseman]

								March 31, 2008
 
		Volume 1, Issue 6

Between now and the next issue of the MPES 
newsletter, Dawn will be away at NCTM in Salt 
Lake City, if you're going please come say "hi" 
and consider attendingŠ

NCTM dinner
Š a dinner meeting of the Educators of Native 
American Students, a subgroup of 
TODOS-Mathematics for ALL.  It will be held at 
the Shilo Inn, near the convention center, on 
Friday, April 11, from 6-9 in the Salt Lake room. 
There is no charge for the dinner.  Everyone is 
welcome. RSVP to Richard Sgarlotti, 
richs at hvl.bia.edu.

Auroras in broad daylight
From NASA Science News
Imagine living on a planet where Northern Lights 
fill the heavens at all hours of the day. Around 
the clock, even in broad daylight, luminous 
curtains shimmer and ripple across the sky. News 
flash: Astronomers have discovered such a planet. 
Its name is Earth.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/06mar_polar.htm?list845015

From NSTA
The US-based National Mathematics Advisory Panel 
recently issued its report on how mathematics 
should be taught in the early grades. "The 
delivery system in mathematics education-the 
system that translates mathematical knowledge 
into value and ability for the next generation-is 
broken and must be fixed," the report says. "This 
is not a conclusion about any single element of 
the system. It is about how the many parts do not 
now work together to achieve a result worthy of 
this country's values and ambitions."

The report states that children need both 
automatic recall of math facts and understanding 
of big concepts. It also recommends that schools 
must streamline their math courses, focusing on 
"a well-defined set of the most critical topics" 
from early elementary school through middle 
school. It suggests what kids should know and 
when, and calls for greater emphasis on 
fractions, algebra, and key "benchmark" skills in 
early grades.

"This report represents the first comprehensive 
analysis of math education to be based on sound 
science," said US Secretary of Education 
Spellings.

The report can be downloaded from 
http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/index.html

More from NASA
Three months ago, a new solar cycle began. This 
week, however, the sun surprised onlookers with 
three big sunspots from the previous solar cycle. 
Strangely enough, this is perfectly normal. Find 
out what's happening on the sun in today's story 
from 
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/28mar_oldcycle.htm?list845015

Mushrooms are big business for Cree
The Cree of Nunavik have come up with a novel way 
to create sustainable development and protect 
their land at the same time after discovering 
that some mushrooms growing there are worth 
millions of dollars on the open market.
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/yourbusiness/story.html?id=93a57626-13a3-4ca9-9b1b-5ba083c08b7d


Alaska Traditional Knowledge and Native Foods Database
This database/web site was developed as a tool 
for Native communities in Alaska. It's a great 
example of how researchers and community-based 
experts can work together. Requires a sign in for 
non-students.

http://www.nativeknowledge.org/login.asp


Upcoming events
World Indigenous People's Conference on Education (WIPCE)
December 7-11, 2008
Melbourne, Australia
http://www.wipce2008.com/


Next issue
The next issue of the MPES newsletter is due out 
in two weeks, but may be a day or so late due to 
our travel plans. If you have any information 
you'd like to share with colleagues please email 
it to dawn at nativeaccess.com.