Arkansas Student Filmmaking Competition

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The 1st Annual
ARKANSAS STUDENT FILMMAKING COMPETITION 2008
to be held on February 29-March 1, 2008

The Department of Arkansas and the Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative invites Arkansas elementary, middle, and high school students to submit a film or video for the 1st Annual Arkansas Student Filmmaking Competition.

This contest is open to all students enrolled in Arkansas educational institutions grades K – 12. Arkansas resident homeschooled students are also eligible. Entries may be in any style or genre – documentary, drama, comedy, animation, or experimental.

Finalists’ films will be presented at a special screening at the 1st Annual Arkansas Student Film Festival. A panel of guest filmmakers will cast their votes to determine the winning films.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Arkansas student filmmakers and homeschooled students, Grades K-12
LENGTH: 5 minutes maximum, including titles & credits. No exceptions!
ENTRY DEADLINE: Monday, February 4, 2008
HOW TO ENTER: Mail a completed entry form with
3 DVD or 3 DVC pro videotape copies of your film to the following address:
Brenda Turner, Art Specialist
Arkansas Department of Education
Arkansas Student Filmmaking Competition
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 107A
Little Rock, AR 72201

QUESTIONS: Call Brenda Turner at 501-682-4397

Public Schools Board Meeting rescheduled

I notice on the website that the Conway Public Schools board meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday night, has been postponed to Thursday December 13th at 6:00 PM.



One of my friends who has middle school children mentioned that she got a letter indicating that they are already starting to plan for the number of kids who will be in the GT and AP classes next year. If you are concerned about the changes that they are planning for the 2008-09 school year and the impact of the ongoing budget cuts NOW is the time to make your concerns known to the district and the school board.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League 2007 Challenge

Taking Legos a league beyond U-32 students program robots for national competition

"What do energy efficiency, computer programming and Legos have in common?The answer: An annual, worldwide competition of students 9-14, who must program robots and compete in timed missions related to global energy issues.Recently, U-32 students competed as a team for the first time against students from across the country in The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League 2007 Challenge, a competition involving team-built and programmed, autonomous robots. The U-32 team didn't make it to the next level, but came away from the one-day event with recognition as an evolving rookie team.'

"The combination of the public speaking presentation, computer programming and engineering adds up to a brilliant piece," Brown said. "It just screams it should be district-wide. If you're going to have a soccer team, you should have a FIRST team."

Monday morning humor

The Onion is one of my favorite satirical websites. Here is an excellent example titled Underfunded Schools Forced To Cut Past Tense From Language Programs

"Despite concerns that cutting the past-tense will prevent graduates from communicating effectively in the workplace, the home, the grocery store, church, and various other public spaces, a number of lawmakers, such as Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, have welcomed the cuts as proof that the American school system is taking a more forward-thinking approach to education."