Graphing Calculator Care

TI Graphing Calculator Care

As we approach Summer break I thought the following information would be helpful. The proper maintenance and care for TI graphing calculators will help ensure the highest quality of performance. Each of the titles below are also links for additional details. As always, your best resource for support is to contact our support folks by calling 1-800-TI-CARES.
Cleaning a TI graphing calculator:
•	Use a cloth, lightly dampened with water, to clean the graphing calculator's screen.  Never use solvents or other cleaning liquids.
•	Avoid applying pressure to the screen/display.
•	Keep foreign objects from penetrating the connectivity ports on the unit.
•	Keep liquids from getting inside the unit.
Storing a TI graphing calculator:
•	Place the slide case over the front of each unit.
•	If the unit is being stored for more than 6 months, remove all four (4) of the AAA batteries.
•	Store the unit in temperatures from 50 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and with the relative humidity not exceeding 85 percent.
•	If one battery in a set has a leak, discard the entire set of batteries.
Troubleshooting a TI graphing calculator:
Calculator won’t turn on? It may be something as simple as adjusting the contrast of the screen. Find other troubleshooting tips.
•	Make sure you have updated your calculator with the most recent operating system (OS) for the best performance.
•	If you are receiving error messages or unexpected results, visit the TI Knowledge Base for answers to basic questions and common issues.
Battery Information Conservation
•	Store handhelds in a dry, temperature-controlled area because extreme temperature ranges can reduce battery performance.
•	Use non-rechargeable Alkaline batteries for improved performance and safety.
•	Avoid mixing new batteries with old batteries, and different types and makes of batteries.
•	Do not remove both the graphing calculator’s “AAA” and lithium batteries at the same time. The round lithium (or button) battery provides auxiliary power while “AAA” batteries are being replaced. This will protect data stored in the unit’s memory.
•	Update your handhelds with the most recent Operating System (OS) to provide the best battery life possible.
For help and information on how to prepare your calculator for testing, please visit: education.ti.com/go/testprep

Have a safe and enjoyable Summer!

Ned

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Workshop opportunities

Here is an exciting opportunity in Columbus, Georgia!

When: June 14 – 25, 2010

9:00 am – 3:30 pm weekdays

Where: Columbus High School, Columbus GA

Who: middle and high school science teachers, especially those who want to brush up on or learn about circuits. No pre-requisite needed!

5 PLU credit available for successful completion

Lunches, curriculum materials, and a stipend available for Georgia teachers. Some travel support also available, by application, for Georgia teachers

For more information, please contact:

Kimberly Shaw

Email: shaw_kimberly@colstate.edu

Phone: 706-507-8460

Or

Janice Hudson

Email: jhudson@mcsdga.net

Phone: 706-748-2534

_________________________________

Ned Colley

Texas Instruments

Educational Technology Consultant

Phone: (770) 406-8822

Cell: (404) 435-9516

$$$GRANTS$$$$

Check out these wonderful opportunities!

1. Wal Mart State Giving Program

Through the State Giving Program, the Wal Mart Foundation supports organizations with programs that align with our mission to create opportunities so people can live better. The State Giving Program awards grants starting at $25,000 to nonprofit organizations that serve a particular state or region. (Maybe RESA’s, AMSTI?) For complete details please visit http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/8168.aspx

2. AIAA Grant for Math & Science Education

K-12 teachers who develop or apply science, mathematics, and technology in their curriculum may qualify for a grant of up to $200 per individual request to supplement their learning program.  Each school is limited to up to $1,000 per calendar year. Classroom grants may be used for demonstration kits and science supplies, math and science software, supplies for making flying objects (what kid can resist the chance to build and launch a rocket?), supplies for robotic programs, and other materials to help make science, mathematics, and technology come alive in the classroom. For complete details please visit http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=216

3. Toshiba Grant for Math & Science

Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) is currently accepting applications for grants to support innovative projects designed by math and science teachers to make their own classrooms more exciting and successful for students. Check out the deadlines for your grade level and download the application form and guidelines.  Discuss your project ideas with your principal and call or e-mail TAF if you have questions about the process. NEXT DEADLINE: Applications for 7-12 Grants of more than $5000 are due August 2, 2010. For complete details please visit http://www.toshiba.com/tafpub/jsp/home/default.jsp.

Congratulations to recent winners in GA and AL including Mountain Brook HS (AL) and Grovetown MS (GA), among others!

As always, free assistance with your proposals is available from Texas Instruments at http://education.ti.com/grants.

Good Luck!

Ned Colley

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March 26, 2010 Summer PD Opportunities

Open to ALL AMSTI teachers:  Enroll through the JSU InService Website http://inservice.jsu.edu/

All workshops will be at the JSU InService Center - McClellan

Questions? :  Call or email Tanya Barnes  - tbarnes@jsu.edu or 256-847-0784

Date	Day	Title	Time	Who is involved? Target Audience
14-Jun-10	Monday	Differentiate Instruction - Strategies that work in EVERY classroom	8:30-11:30	K-12
15-Jun-10	Tuesday	GLOBE and Math go together like Milk and Oreos	8:30-11:30	K-8 math and science
15-Jun-10	Tuesday	Got GLOBE, now what?	12:30-3:30	Grades K, 3 and 6 science
16-Jun-10	Wednesday	Got GLOBE, now what?	8:30 - 11:30	Grades 1, 4, and 7 science
16-Jun-10	Wednesday	Got GLOBE, now what?	12:30 - 3:30	Grades 2, 5, and 8 science
16-Jun-10	Wednesday	Math Strategies	8:00 - 11:00	K-2 math
16-Jun-10	Wednesday	Math Strategies	12:00 - 3:00	3rd - 5th  math
17-Jun-10	Thursday	What's My Line K -5 Geometry Activities	8:00 - 11:00	K-5 math
17-Jun-10	Thursday	Making Sense of Numbers	12:00 - 3:00	K-5 math
28-Jun-10	Monday	"E's" on Down the Road, Inquiry in Math and Science	8:3-0 - 11:30	K-8 math and science

Science Teachers

http://www.nationallabday.org/
National Lab Day is more than just a day. It's a nationwide initiative to build local communities of support that will foster ongoing collaborations among volunteers, students and educators. 
Volunteers, university students, scientists, engineers, other STEM professionals and, more broadly, members of the community are working together with educators and students to bring discovery-based science experiences to students in grades K-12. When an educator posts a project, our system will help them get the resources needed to bring that project to fruition.  
NLD is already underway! We currently have projects throughout the country - Interactive Map.
In the first week of May, 2010 we will celebrate this collaboration with National Lab Day activities across the country.

TI 84 update

The TI-84 Plus has an update for the Operating System.  It can be

downloaded at:   education.ti.com/84

This update includes a Math Print Mode that will allow you to enter fractions as fractions and calculate answers as fractions or mixed numbers rather than only as a decimal. 

Congratulations

Congratulations Michele Dieta, and Jennifer Johnson.  A great article about Sardis HS.

http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=b69ede6809e0d57c

Congratulations Dr. Eric Mackey, Mr. Mike Newell and Ms. Lauren Haslam.  Jacksonville High School received one of two  solar panels in the state.  The solar panels are valued at $12, 000 and are installed in the field house.   For more information on energy efficiency please see http://www.wratt.org/.