NYSUT celebrates Black History Month in February with a poster highlighting the life and career of Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014), an author, poet, dancer, actress and singer.
Angelou received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. She recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" in 1993 at President Bill Clinton's inauguration, the first poet in more than 30 years to have the honor.
Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Angelou published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry and was credited with plays, movies and television shows spanning more than 50 years. Angelou is best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the first of her seven autobiographies.
The poster is free. You can download printable posters at www.nysut.org or order via email at orders@nysutmail.org. Reference Project No. 514C_15; include your name and mailing address.
Human rights 101
United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International each offer a multimedia human rights information kit geared toward educators, human rights advocates and civil rights activists. (See info on NYSUT's human rights contest.)
The UHR kit for young adults ages 18 and older (www.humanrights.com/freeinfo.html), includes a DVD featuring an introduction to the nonprofit group's human rights program; an educational film, "The Story of Human Rights;" and 30 public service announcements depicting each of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The kit also includes a guide with actions you can take to bring about awareness and understanding of human rights.
Youth for Human Rights International (www.youthforhumanrights.org/freeinfo.html) offers a similar kit for students ages 10 to 17 featuring several resources, including an illustrated version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; a DVD featuring the Making Human Rights a Reality curriculum; and the UNITED anti-bullying music video.
Zap to it
Genesis Energy, a New Zealand-based energy company, has created Electro City, a free online game students can play to learn about electricity production and consumption. In the game, students take on the role of mayor of a fictitious town and have to manage the town's consumption and production of electricity. The site features resource information for teachers, including ways to integrate the game into class lessons. Visit www.electrocity.co.nz/Game/ to get started.
Jump into the gene pool
National DNA Day (April 25) commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953.
The HGP offers several free online resources, including an interactive timeline, an education kit, talking glossary and a database of genetic and genomic images and illustrations. Visit www.genome.gov/10001772 for more information.
For high school students, the American Society of Human Genetics' 10th annual DNA Day Essay Contest is accepting applications through March 6. Winning students and their teachers are eligible for $5,000 in prizes and grants.
For info, visit www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml.