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Start using cutting-edge educational technology in the classroom! Bringing all of your digital stuff in one place, Spongelab PRO provides entire schools with a teaching platform to deliver online science classes for every student. Spongelab PRO helps to save time by blending your materials with Spongelab’s interactive content. See results with instant classroom feedback & live reports. Plus, get live help with training on Blended Learning & real-time support. Best of all, teachers unlock the ability to upload personal teaching files to Spongelab – images, documents, powerpoints, you name it.

Don’t forget to enter the inaugural Spongelab Student Awards 2012-13: a set of cash prizes for students involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education initiatives. There are four ways to win:

1) Write a case study on STEM in everyday life

• Describe a scenario in your regular life that has been affected by aspects of STEM, and present problems and discoveries about this example in a case study. Detail what you’ve learned and be sure to include an outline of discussion questions about it.
• Example: The common cold leads to the loss of 22 million school days a year in the US. But did you know that over 200 viruses are implicated in causing it? This case study explores the science behind causes of the common cold, and examines why no cure has yet been discovered.
• Maximum 1000 words.
• Option to include images or video for explanation.

2) Craft a STEM game design document

• Write a detailed design document about a STEM-related interactive game. Describe the gameplay, characters, narrative, level design, learning outcomes, as well as what platform the game would be played on.
• Example: A game about DNA transcription in the style of Guitar Hero (we did this!)
• Maximum 1000 words.
• Option to include images, mock-ups or video for explanation.

3) Participate in a STEM Community Project

• Are you involved in STEM in your community? Submit a blog entry or five-minute video about your involvement in something educational, fun and social in your community. Tell us a good story about it, describing how getting involved in a STEM project has benefited you and your community.
• Examples: Tutoring young science learners, participating in “citizen science” project, volunteering with a community garden, or joining a geo-caching team.
• Blog entry with maximum word count of 1000 OR five minute video.

4) Become our top Spongelab Power User

• This category is for truly dedicated Spongelab science learners. You can submit your username to us anytime after the award submissions opens – we’ll check your profile once the competition ends.
• Minimum requirements:
  • Become a Level 5 Spongelab user. Check your profile to see your level.
  • Upload 5 videos and 5 images using the Contribute Content page.
  • Make 1 post on Twitter and 1 post on Facebook about @Spongelab mentioning @Spongelab and 1 post on Spongelab’s Facebook page.
  • Use the submission form to tell us what content you’ve contributed, and let us know what you’ve posted about Spongelab on Twitter and Facebook.

Who can enter?

• Spongelab is looking for school-age youth who are passionate about science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics and want to showcase their interests to the world. This competition is open to high-school students worldwide, and entries can be by individual or team.

What can I win?

• There are four awards worth $500 each. This money goes directly into your pocket. Whether you need the money for tuition, textbooks or just a helping hand, we just want to help youth to pursue further education and reward learners for exploring their passions.

What do I have to do?

• Four categories are available for entry, involving written assignments or activity-based work. You can enter with a case study, game design document, community project, or by attaining Spongelab “power user” status.

One entry is allowed per category, allowing up to four entries per person (or team). Please see the Terms & Conditions for more information.