What Do Astronauts Eat Aboard the Space Station?
Students at Farnsworth Aerospace PK-8 School have been working for six weeks on a once in a life time project -- talking LIVE via HAM Radio with Astronaut Donald Petit aboard the International Space Station! Members of the Polk County (Wisconsin) HAM radio club were instrumental in supporting, coordinating and providing technical assistance to the student team of 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Read more on the Polk County Amateur radio Association website.
Bullying Prevention
“Students can't learn if they don't feel supported and safe. Bullying creates an unsafe learning environment that can have a lasting negative impact on a child. Our schools need to be places that cultivate a positive environment where students can thrive." -- Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. Access the department's bullying prevention resources for schools and families. The Governor's Bullying Task Force has been hosting Listening Sessions around the state.
2012 SkillsUSA Competition!
SkillsUSA is a partnership of high school and college students,teachers/advisors, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. During this year's State Leadership and Skills Conference, Minnesota students captured 437 gold, silver and bronze medals! Twenty-seven colleges and 700 college students competed in 60 events earning a total of 213 medals. Thirty-four high schools and 300 high school students competed in 57 events, earning a total of 224 medals. Read more.
Turning a Poetic Phrase
During their 4 week poetry study, fifth-grade students at Orono Intermediate School are studying the work of mentor poets. By noting each poet's techniques and process, the students learn about the tools and strategies poets employ, including: freewriting to gather ideas, collecting poetic words and phrases and emulating a structure of a mentor text. Students also learn how to effectively use white space and are exposed to the many different forms of poetry. As students read, write, and talk poetry, they fill their notebooks to the brim -- with words meant to inspire!
State's New System of Accountability Puts Students First
Minnesota's newly granted waiver will allow us to begin implementing a more meaningful accountability system for schools and give school boards the flexibility to implement needed education reforms that improve education. Commissioner Cassellius and department staff have been conducting statewide public meetings designed to share information and respond to questions about the waiver. Submit Questions About the Waiver. Visit Waiver Working Group page.
