Plant growth will be an important part of space exploration in the future as NASA plans for long-duration missions to the moon. NASA scientists anticipate that astronauts may be able to grow plants on the moon, and the plants could be used to supplement meals.

In anticipation of the need for research into lunar plant growth, NASA and the International Technology Education Association, or ITEA, present the NASA Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber for the 2007-2008 school year. Elementary, middle and high school students design, build and evaluate lunar plant growth chambers -- while engaging in research- and standards-based learning experiences. Students participate in the engineering design process and learn how to conduct a scientific experiment.

Choose from three ways to participate in the challenge:

1. Design, Build and Evaluate a Chamber
2. Design and Evaluate a Chamber
3. Evaluate a Chamber

Educators who complete the challenge with their students can request cinnamon basil seeds that have flown in space on the STS-118 space shuttle mission. Students can compare plants grown from both space-flown and Earth-based control seeds, and test the designs of the lunar plant growth chambers. The seeds will be available to the first 100,000 registrants who must be residents of the United States, U.S. Territories and Outlying Areas.  Register early and check this page often!

+ Join the challenge

The registration was temporiarily closed but will open again after October 8th.  This would be a great project for your 4H club or co-op.

I just received this in my email and am passing on the info as they have requested below!

Shelly

National History Day

ELECTING AMERICA’S LEADERS

In this crucial election year, Electing America’s Leaders will be invaluable as you instruct your good citizens! 

The opening exercise offers examples—both good and bad—of leadership qualities and consequences in Proverbs. The students learn to assess past leaders and discern how to select leaders in the future. Electing America's Leaders by Jessica Hulcy is a nine to ten week unit on the electoral process and how to positively influence the process through hands-on, grassroots campaigning.  This will be a helpful tool in leading your students by unit study in their fulfillment of the “good citizenship” requirement. 

The price is $15; remember, members take 10% off the purchase of any items THSC Association makes available!  Click here for a complete list of benefits available for THSC members.

To purchase this book, go to http://www.thsc.org/store.asp?category_id=3 and add this item to your cart.

Leader Appreciation Week – March 12-18, 2006

To show appreciation and to honor support group leaders in the home school community who sacrificially give of their time and energy to serve home schoolers and to promote home education, the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) has instituted Home School Leader Appreciation Week.

Request certificates of appreciation for your support group leaders to let them know that they are appreciated!  In continuing efforts to encourage those leaders who give so much, THSC will continue to print these attractive documents on behalf of your group and THSC FREE upon request.  In past years, some groups have presented these to their leaders at their support group meetings, and others have held special meetings to recognize these people who sacrifice time and energy for their group.

Date of Event: March 2-4, 2006
Place: Houston
Event: State Speech and Debate Tournament
Phone #: debate@thsc.org
e contact: www.thsc.org
Sponsoring Organization: National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA)

Date of Event: April 6-8, 2006
Place: Dallas
Event: Regional Speech and Debate Qualifier
Phone #: debate@thsc.org
e contact: www.thsc.org
Sponsoring Organization: National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA)

Date of Event: April 27-29, 2006
Place: Houston
Event: Regional IV Speech and Debate Invitational
Phone #: debate@thsc.org
e contact: www.thsc.org
Sponsoring Organization: National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA)

Date of Event: May 12-13, 2006
Place: Arlington
Event: Home School Book Fair
Phone #: (972) 231-9838
e contact: www.homeschoolbookfair.org
Sponsoring Organization: Hearth and Home Ministries

Date of Event: May 19-20, 2006
Place: San Antonio
Event: Home School Convention and Curriculum Fair
Phone #: (210) 342-4674
e contact: www.homeschoolfeast.com
Sponsoring Organization: Family Educators Alliance of South Texas (FEAST)

Date of Event: June 5-9, 2006
Place: Purcellville, VA
Event: National Speech and Debate Championship
Phone #: debate@thsc.org
e contact: www.thsc.org
Sponsoring Organization: National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA)

Date of Event: June 23-24, 2006
Place: Austin
Event: Summer Conference
Phone #: (512) 450-0070
e contact: www.cheact.org
Sponsoring Organization: Christian Home Education Association of Central Texas (CHEACT)

Date of Event: August 17-19, 2006
Place: The Woodlands
Event: State Convention and Family Conference
Phone #: (806) 744-4441
e contact: www.thsc.org
Sponsoring Organization: Texas Home School Coalition (THSC)