On March 8, 2010, the Department announced the availability of the grant application for the highly anticipated Investing in Innovation (i3) program. These grants will support local districts and nonprofit organizations—working in partnership with several districts and/or several schools—as they seek to implement educational innovations with promising or demonstrated effective outcomes for students. As many of you have expressed interest in the announcement of these grants, we wanted to make you immediately aware of their availability. Applicants will have 60 days to develop applications. We are including the press release below for your convenience. Please share this information far and wide with your constituents.

Through this program, competitive grants will be awarded to applicants with a record of improving student achievement and attainment in order to expand the implementation of, and investment in, innovative practices that are demonstrated to have an impact on:

• improving student achievement or student growth,
• closing achievement gaps,
• decreasing dropout rates,
• increasing high school graduation rates, or
• increasing college enrollment and completion rates.

The notice of final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria (NFP) for the i3 program can be found here on ED.gov:http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html In the coming days it will be published in the Federal Register. As you’ll note, there are three types of grants for which funding is available under the i3 program:  Scale-up Grants, Validation Grants, and Development Grants.  We advise interested local parties to carefully review the specifics regarding each of these grant types, as they look to determine which grant category is most suited to the specific progress level of their local activities.

Interested applicants who wish to attend the Investing in Innovation (i3) Pre-Application Workshops or Pre- Application Webinars, must register online.

MOSI is now accepting registrations for 2010 Summer Science Camps. For 30 years, MOSI has been presenting a wide variety of camps that capture the interest of budding scientists, artists, engineers and computer game designers. MOSI has created multiple camps designed to engage children from age 2 through 17. Camp topics include everything from dinosaurs and monsters to electronics and Hollywood magic. Multiple week and multiple child discounts are available. Before and after care is offered for an additional fee.

Camps begin June 14, 2010.

To register, campers can mail a registration form to MOSI, drop it off in person, reserve online at www.campfun.org or fax in the registration form to (813) 987-6060.

LocalShops1 is having an artsy trolley hop with Grand Central District Association March 19. Artists are invited to set up shop for FREE. Looking for jugglers, musicians, metal workers, glass blowers, painters, etc. For details, e-mail event coordinator Aviva Bowman at gcda@grandcentraldistrict.org

The 10th Annual New-Play Competition is open to Gulf Coast residents over the age of 18 from now until April 1, 2010. A committee of judges will select a minimum of six plays to be presented during the week of July 26-31, 2010, at The Players. One of the winning plays will be selected as “Best of Series” and presented as a full stage production at The Players in 2011. For submission guidelines, click here.

The Operation Life program for youth allows for on-the-job training opportunities for 16-21 year olds transitioning out of the foster care system. The training opportunities are a great way for youth to explore careers and local businesses, making a difference in the future of their workforce opportunities. Operation Life Skills focuses on career development through mentoring, education, training, and job placement. Partners in the program include Eckerd Community Alternatives, Camelot Community Care, St. Petersburg College, and Ready for Life. If you are an employer with one or more employment opportunities available, please contact Jeanette Gemmer, WorkNet Pinellas Youth Special Projects Coordinator at 727-608-2532

Applications for third annual showcase of emerging technologies due by March 22

The Tampa Bay Technology Forum, Central Florida’s largest and most influential technology association, announces a call for exhibitors for its third annual coolTECH, the premier showcase of emerging technologies and trends impacting the way we live and work. coolTECH 2010 will take place June 4 at MOSI in Tampa.

Potential exhibitors should contact Kimberly Wander at kwander@tbtf.org or 813-341-8283 for more information and an exhibitor application. Completed applications should be returned to Kimberly via email or fax to 813-354-4789, Attention: coolTECH by March 22. In order to participate, all potential exhibitors must meet certain, predetermined criteria. The steering committee will review each application for approval to exhibit.

The cost to exhibit at this forum to a targeted audience of technology, business and investment leaders is $249, and includes the keynote luncheon. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to demonstrate their technology on the Spotlight Demo Stage, receive media coverage and garner recognition by attendees and a panel of judges during the awards portion of the event.

Each year coolTECH attracts approximately 50 exhibitors representing various industries such as marine technology, biotech and healthcare, consumer technology, emerging technology, green technology, information technology, etc. Exhibits are displayed in an interactive format allowing the anticipated 650+ in attendance to experience the technology first hand.

In addition to the exhibits, coolTECH 2010 will feature a VIP reception for sponsors and invited guests to catch a sneak peak at the technology on display, a keynote luncheon with a top technology leader, Judges’ Awards presented to the most innovative exhibits, live text voting for attendees’ favorite and live demonstrations from the technology developers themselves.

Current coolTECH 2010 sponsors include Bright House Business Solutions, Ciber, MOSI and SunGard. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, if interested; please contact Amy Norman at anorman@tbtf.org.

About Tampa Bay Technology Forum

Founded in 2000, the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) is a professional association whose members work together to make the Bay area a place where technology and innovation thrive. TBTF’s member organizations represent thousands of technology entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, investors, government representatives, researchers and educators. For more information, visit www.tbtf.org.

MSN.com

The Corporate College of Polk State College and three other entities in a joint venture launched a hybrid incubator program for startup and existing small businesses.

The incubator is free to businesspeople through a grant awarded to PSC Corporate College by Polk Works, a release said.

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