School Name:	Capitol Region Education Council: East Hartford-Glastonbury Element...	School Calendar
State:	Connecticut (CT)
School URL:	http://www.crec.org/ehgems
NES Year Joined:	2007
Description:	The East Hartford-Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School is an interdistrict magnet school serving students living in the towns of East Hartford, Glastonbury, and Hartford, Connecticut. The school is operated by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) which runs 12 magnet schools in the Hartford region. The school offers a program focusing on science, technology and global studies. Mission The mission of the East Hartford-Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School is to prepare students for life in the culturally diverse, technology-oriented, interdependent world of the twenty-first century. To accomplish this mission, students will work together as multi-ethnic explorers of all areas of knowledge with special concentration on: science and technology global people cultures and issues, and problem solving through cooperation Programs Science Preserving the earth, exploring space, and improving health are important to children and vital for the future of our planet. The Magnet School curriculum contains hundreds of exciting hands-on projects such as examining life and pollution in ponds, streams and at the shore. In our science lab, students observe their specimens and make further discoveries. Hands-on projects lead to skill development in many areas. For example, math and reading skills are enhanced as students construct graphs and write about their discoveries. Our Science Lab is equipped with a new multi-media station which allows the students to collect, record, and analyze data and communicate with scientists around the globe. At present, students are involved in reporting school weather and environmental conditions to children and scientists around the world via the GLOBE Program, Forest Watch, the CT Weather Network, the JASON Project and NASA. They learn about the world in a way no textbook can teach! Technology Technology is integrated throughout our curriculum. Students begin using powerful computer applications at an early age to learn and show their learning. Second graders are introduced to Power Point, and third graders produce reports using Power Point. Forth and fifth graders develop web pages, use Microsoft Publisher, and make podcasts to share their knowledge. The school has an up-to-date computer lab and each classroom has a number of student computers. Through technology, our students can share their discoveries, research, stories, and information about themselves with children across the US and other countries. In 2007 the school was awarded the Technology for Education Grant from Hewlett Packard for it's outstanding use of technology in the classroom. Global Studies The Magnet School is the first elementary school in the state to take advantage of young children's exceptional language learning ability and offer Japanese instruction to all students beginning in kindergarten. By studying Japanese in an active, communication-based curriculum, students in Kindergarten through 5th grade gain useful learning strategies and communication skills to help them become sensitive, effective communicators for the 21st century. Partnerships Parents as Partners Parents are actively involved at EHGEMS and are critical to our success. To encourage parent involvement, we offer an open door, a welcoming staff, and many opportunities to help. Parents of current students are willing to speak with you about their children's experiences. Please let us know if you are interested in talking with another parent. Other Vital Partners Our community and corporate partners include United Technologies Corporation, Hamilton Sundstrand, Pratt Whitney, the Connecticut Audubon Society, the Connecticut Science Center, the Connecticut Center for dvanced Technology, and Rotary International. Our partners offer extra resources to enhance the school curriculum and the students' learning experiences
Executive Summary:	The NASA Explorer School (NES) program will help develop an excitement and interest in STEM areas and careers beginning with kindergarten children and continuing in programs for students at the high school level. Students in the younger grades will actively participate in inquiry-based, “hands-on” experience which will lead to a solid background in STEM subjects and eventually to independent research projects in high school with guidance from teachers and support from local industry partners such as Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Hamilton Sun Strand. To improve the content knowledge of CREC teachers, the NASA program will provide professional development in STEM subjects appropriate for all ages which can be accomplished by workshops conducted by a NASA scientist or by long-distance learning. Elementary and middle school teachers will need focus on inquiry-based NASA projects while high school teachers will benefit from the cutting-edge content knowledge of professionals in the field. Teachers will also benefit from workshops offered by NES partners and specific NASA workshops in various space centers located around the country. Science curriculum in the elementary, middle and high school will be aligned with the Connecticut State Science Standards with the incorporation of NASA resources. NASA resources, earth and space imagery which tracks changes and uses real-time data will be infused into the curriculum. In addition, NASA scientists and community partners will be available to help with content for a new school planetarium and guidance in the use of sophisticated scientific instrumentation for on going classes and research. Video conferencing will be infused into the curriculum for students to help expand their knowledge in specific STEM subjects and career opportunities. Students exposed to real scientists may see connections with science subjects and possibilities in the job market. In addition, an Annual Careers Exploration Symposium will draw speakers from major Connecticut technical firms and universities. Students will participate in site visits at science research and development facilities. A Guest Speaker Series with professors from local universities and businesses will be put into place. Community outreach will be achieved by special events involving NASA and partners such as Family Science Night, Science Saturday, BioBlitz, Star Parties, Invention Nights, and family participation in field trips. By establishing these connections the program goals will be sustained long after the three year partnership with NASA. CREC has a unique opportunity to reach beyond the three schools. Every professional opportunity will be offered not only to our 3 schools but to educators within surrounding the 35 school districts in the CREC region.

Activities for year: 2007 2008 2009 2010 All Years

Sort by: sort by month sort by title sort by performance objective

Read About Planned and Completed Activities
Name	Short Description	Reflection	Evidence

February 2009
Reduced Gravity and the Effects on the Human Body	We sent a team of teachers to the microgravity opportunity. Our students were involved with research for months. It was great.

July 2009
NES Exploring Physical Science Through NASA Missions Content	Summer content workshop. Science concepts covered are force and motion, light, heat, electricity, magnetism and simple machi...
NES Math Content Workshop	Ms. Wilson will attend this week-long workshop at Johnson Space Center to learn how to incorporate NASA-related lessons and a...

August 2009
Faculty Visits CT Science Center	The CT Science Center opened in June 09. We brought the entire faculty to visit, tour, and plan for student field trips.

September 2009
Bonnie McClain Visit	Bonnie McClain, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, visited Connecticut, and our schools, to promote the Hubble Telescope.
Engineering & Robotics Enrichment	As part of our weekly enrichment block, science teacher and NES team member Donna Rand is leading an engineering enrichment c...
Entire School Visits CT Science Center	We brought the entire school population, 261 students, the entire staff & many parents to the new CT Science Center. All Free.

October 2009
Coastal Observations Workshop Sattelites to Microscopes	This Coastal Observation Workshop combines NASA resources of satellite imagery with real-life experiences to collect and anal...
Engineering & Robotics Enrichment	As part of our weekly enrichment block, science teacher and NES team member Donna Rand is leading an engineering enrichment c...
Fifth Graders Study MESSENGER Mission	NES Coordinator Carolyn Hoover visited EHGEMS and taught our fifth graders about the MESSENGER mission to Mercury.
NES Coordinator Carolyn Hoover Visits	NES Coordinator, Carolyn Hoover, from the Glenn Research Center, will visit our schools, meet students and attend an NES meeting
Robots and Machines	Students in grades four and five participate in a weekly enrichment program, "Robots and Machines!" They are engineering the ...
Water Bottle Rocket Launches - All School!	All classes at our magnet school celebrated the new school year with a welcome as a NASA Explorer School. Students asked ques...

November 2009
Build Mars Lander to Carry Humans	Students will design and build Mars Landers that will carry humans safely (glass bulb or egg) that will drop from the roof of...
Butterflies in Space	Our 5th graders are participating in NASA's Butterflies in Space opportunity. They are making habitats like those on the ISS.
Engineering & Robotics Enrichment	As part of our weekly enrichment block, science teacher and NES team member Donna Rand is leading an engineering enrichment c...
Inquiry and Effective Teaching Strategies in Science	How do you improve a science curriculum? By focusing of effective teaching strategies proven by research and providing PD.
International Space Station Downlink	Our school along with the New England Air Museum and the Suffield, CT public schools were approved for a downlink with the ISS.
S'COOL Cloud Observations	Our students will participate in the NASA S'COOL program and report weather observations that will contribute to data NASA re...
Trout in the Classroom	Our fourth graders raise brown trout during the winter to release in streams in the spring in a partnerhsip with Trout Unlimi...
Winter Story Video Conference	Our NES team participated in the Winter Story Video Conference with NASA Glenn. Three of our members are applying.

December 2009
Butterflies in Space	Our 5th graders are participating in NASA's Butterflies in Space opportunity. They are making habitats like those on the ISS.
International Space Station Downlink	Our school along with the New England Air Museum and the Suffield, CT public schools were approved for a downlink with the ISS.
Second Graders Take on NASA Design Challenge	Our 2nd graders study plants. They are inventing plant growth chambers, using NASA's challenge for the CT Invention Convention.
Trout in the Classroom	Our fourth graders raise brown trout during the winter to release in streams in the spring in a partnerhsip with Trout Unlimi...