Chattanooga, TN � Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, announced today the designation of Hamilton County, which includes Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a prospective career academy innovation community. The Ford Career Academy Innovation Community (CAIC) recognition program chose Hamilton County because area educators and community leaders are committed to implementing an action plan designed to increase the number of students who have access to successful career academies. This designation was awarded to the Hamilton County School System based on its partnership with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce by representatives of Ford Motor Company Fund.
"Through this designation, we at Ford Motor Company Fund are proud to support innovative approaches that link rigor and relevance in new exciting ways." said Sandra Ulsh, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. "We look forward to working closely with the Chattanooga Chamber and Hamilton County Schools to build successful career academies that will give students the kinds of 21st century skills they will need to be successful in a global knowledge economy."
Read more: http://www.chattanoogachamber.com/newsandvideo/Ford_career_academy.asp
As part of the Target commitment supporting education, the innovative new Target Field Trip Grants program will award up to 800 educators grants of $1,000 each to fund a field trip for their students. From art museums and environmental projects to cultural events and civic experiences, Target Field Trip Grants could take you and your students on the ultimate field trip.
Eligibility: Education professionals who are employed by an accredited K-12 public, private or charter school in the United States that maintain a 501(c)(3) or a 509(a)(1) tax exempt status. Educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff of these institutions must be willing and able to plan and execute a field trip that will provide a demonstrable learning experience for students.
To Apply: Complete the online application at http://sa-eapp.org/fieldtripgrants/rules.php.
Award: $1000
Deadline: November 1, 2006
Link: http://sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-002537
NEW YORK, New York – (August 2, 2006) AFS-USA and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, announce the first class of the AFS-USA Ford PAS Global Exchange Program. Through a grant of $25,000, three high school students from the Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) program have been awarded scholarships to travel abroad this summer on an AFS exchange program.
This summer was a busy but exciting one for Ford PAS. In addition to the annual networking conference held in Scottsdale, Ford PAS offered two Professional Development Institutes, in Michigan and Ohio. In July, the first National Ford PAS Professional Development Institute was held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Educators from 28 schools in 12 states participated in the weeklong institute, including a mix of new and experienced teachers from such varied disciplines as business, English, and engineering.
Last spring, Ohio became the first Ford PAS state affiliate. In August, the first phase of professional development for Ohio teachers began, with a two-week professional development institute on Ford PAS Course 1 and Course 2. Participating teachers from seven schools will use the Ford PAS curriculum as the core of their manufacturing career and technical programs. Sinclair Community College in Dayton, where the institute was held, will provide ongoing technical assistance, professional development, and networking opportunities through the Ford PAS resource center located at the college’s National Center for Manufacturing Education.
The Ford PAS professional development program fosters reflective practice and teacher inquiry. Participants at both institutes explored the teaching and learning pillars of Ford PAS within the context of the Ford PAS curriculum. In hands-on sessions, teachers experienced, discussed, and reflected on teaching strategies and tools to build students’ skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. They also learned ways to link classroom learning with real-world applications. During the institutes, teachers participated in module activities as students. They also considered the activities from the perspective of facilitators of students’ learning and had the opportunity to reflect on their practice with peers.
Many participants in the institutes reported that they gained useful ideas and strategies through exploring the curriculum and its teaching and learning pillars, and from the interactions with one another:
“I will use more projects and engage students in more activities to use [their] critical-thinking skills. Inquiry-based has not been a part of my teaching practice in the past. As a result of this week’s activities, I will also implement this teaching style.”
“I will lecture less and use more project activities. Some of the Ford PAS activities have really given me insights on how I could make certain topics more interactive and fun for the students.”
“Working with other individuals who are involved with Ford PAS and sharing ideas with them was a tremendous experience.”
“The institute exceeded my expectations. I was not prepared for the ‘indepthness.’ I feel confident that I can teach the course.”
“It met and exceeded my goals by allowing me to experience the curriculum firsthand. I am now able to advocate genuinely.”