Below are a few highlights from CFF activities this week.

• Rick Beach and I met with Heather Lade, GA Energy, Nancy Taylor, SDCOE Science Coordinator and Sara Hanscom, USS Midway Education Director to discuss the possibility of collaborating on a STEM type proposal to NASA for funding.  The NASA grant would assist in building the understanding and capacity of teachers and students in STEM programs.  This project would support CFF's data intensive science education program priority.

• Several CFF Board members (Tom, Colleen, Jeff, Rosanne, Rick, Debra and myself) visited Prospect Elementary School in Santee prior to the Board meeting on Feb. 5th to observe classroom demonstrations on project-based learning. This visitation was extremely helpful in understanding the value of project-based learning and its positive impact on students.  We were all impressed with the high level engagement of students in the learning process.

• The February 5th CFF Board of Directors meeting went well and the in-depth presentation on the Santee School District's vision for technology programs and project-based learning by Dr. Lis Johnson was very informative. The Board agreed to continue its support of these programs and especially the professional development plans.  On the topic of the CFF annual event it was agreed that a scaled down version of the program would be explored given the economic realities of sponsorships this year,

• Tom and I met with Frank Gomez, Superintendent, San Pasqual and Mark Burroughs, 5th grade teacher and Professional Development Coach at San Pasqual School.  The visitation included visiting several classrooms and observe the utilization of innovative teaching and learning. The school (K-8) has a 2:1 student/computer ratio and is utilizing the LemonLink online resources in all classrooms and the staff seems to have embraced this learning environment.  Jeff Felix was responsible for getting this ball rolling and it appears to really have taken hold.

• At the board meeting, Rick introduced the CFF Communities that we intend to use for board committees.  Please read the instructions posted on the Innovation Wizard blog at http://cs.classroomofthefuture.org/blogs/wizard/default.aspx  These instructions will guide you on how you can join CFF Communities and authenticate yourself to view the protected CFF Board Discussions.  Once authenticated, all of the board committee and working group discussions will be visible as a quick way for you to review the work of CFF.
  

Regards,
Bruce