Get Half-Price Admission to 40+ Museums During Museum Month
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San Diego Museum Month from Feb. 1 to 29 showcases San Diego as a vibrant arts and cultural destination, with 50% off admission to more than 40 local museums and cultural institutions. Several of San Diego’s best-known destinations are taking part in Museum Month, as well as many hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
This year, the Museum Month pass is more accessible than ever before, with convenient pickup at more than 120 distribution sites—including local libraries and participating Hilton hotels and Macy’s stores. The program includes a diverse mix of cultural institutions, zoo/aquariums, gardens, historic sites, and more. There is something to fit every age, interest, learning style, and geographic location.
Museum Month is also a great time to learn about the many local museums that are free or donation-based all year long. Visit the
San Diego Museum Council website to learn more and see pass pickup locations.
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Educational Technology Roadshow
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Join the San Diego County Office of Education's (SDCOE) Innovation division for the next Educational Technology Roadshow, where you will learn how to use 360° cameras and software to create virtual tours, network with educators interested in EdTech, and discover career pathways associated with virtual and mixed-reality media.
There are two roadshows:
• Feb. 13 - La Mesa Hidden Stairs
• May 13 - Sweetwater Marsh
Each 4:30 p.m. walk will be followed by a no-host social at a nearby eatery, and an online webinar the following week. Specialized cameras will be provided to participants who need one.
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Census 2020: Free Statistics in Schools Curriculum Brings the Census to Life
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Once every 10 years, you get an opportunity to shape the future of your school and community. By adding your voice to the 2020 Census as an education leader, you can help ensure that funding is allocated where it’s needed most.
While the counting of the entire U.S. population begins this spring, there are ways you can start making a difference today. The U.S. Census Bureau has created a free educational program, Statistics in Schools (SIS), for use in every classroom from pre-K through 12th grade.
SIS uses Census Bureau data to create activities, materials, and resources to enhance learning across a variety of subjects. This program was created by teachers, for teachers. Educators across the country have been using the program for years, integrating its resources into their lesson plans during decennial and nondecennial years. Visit the
education page of the U.S. Census Bureau to learn more.
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Call for High School Student Poll Workers on Election Day
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High school students who serve as poll workers on Election Day bring an element of excitement and a fresh perspective to the polls.
To be eligible for the Poll Worker Program, students must be 16 years of age by Election Day, March 3; have a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; and be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
The County of San Diego also requires students to obtain written permission from their school and a parent or guardian, and to complete training. Student poll workers who complete their training and assignment receive a signed certificate for up to 21 hours of community service and a stipend based on the position they fill on Election Day.
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Scholastic Warehouse Sale This Weekend
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Scholastic Books is holding a flash sale in their warehouse in the Miramar area Feb. 6 to 8 exclusively for teachers, librarians, district and school employees and volunteers, book fair chairpeople, and homeschool teachers.
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Tickets Still Available for Aztec Women's Basketball Girls & Women in Sports Day
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Students can get autographs, take pictures, and receive playing and training tips from Aztec women athletes and coaches at Girls & Women in Sports Day; presented by San Diego State University (SDSU), in partnership with SDCOE.
The Feb. 8 event starts at 11:30 a.m. with opportunities for students to interact with SDSU women student-athletes. Immediately following, the Aztec women's basketball team takes on the Air Force, with tip-off at 1 p.m. The game is followed by an autograph session with the team.
Game tickets are free for K-8 students and their chaperones, and/or parents. High school students are welcome but cannot receive free tickets, per NCAA recruiting rules.
Fill out
this form to request tickets. Tickets requested must be picked up at SDCOE or at the Aztecs box office in SDCCU Stadium prior to the event date. Download an
event flyer.
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¡Tu Cine! Student Screenings at the San Diego Latino Film Festival
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Seats are still available for middle and high school students to attend free screenings at Media Art Center's 27th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival.
The ¡Tu Cine! student outreach screenings are offered from 10 a.m. to noon from March 17 to 20 and are curated especially for students. Each film is entertaining, enlightening, and educational, encouraging dialogue among students and educators. Teacher discussion guides are provided.
Media Arts Center can underwrite some transportation expenses if registered by Feb. 10. Limited spots are available for attending the screenings. Visit the
¡Tu Cine! webpage. View available dates on the
registration page.
If you would like your students to attend other screenings at the festival, contact
larry@mediaartscenter.org or call 619-230-1938. Special group rates can be arranged to ensure students enjoy a culturally rich experience.
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Access KPBS Resources on Climate Change, Environmental Study
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Join KPBS on Feb. 20 for a screening featuring excerpts of NOVA's upcoming episode
Polar Extremes, along with a panel discussion about climate change and environmental study with local scientists.
Teachers and students are invited to attend this free event. KPBS staff will also share the free resources available to teachers through NOVA episodes, supplemental digital videos, and labs geared toward middle and high school classrooms.
The screening will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School. Seating is limited and registration is required. Access the
event registration page. Contact Milne Barger at KPBS at
hmilne@kpbs.org with any questions.
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Field Trip Days at Petco Park
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Bring your students to see the San Diego Padres during STEAM Field Trip Days at Petco Park on April 16 and May 13.
In April, the League of Extraordinary Scientists and Engineers will present about science exploration, and in May they will be joined by a NEWS 8 meteorologist who will conduct experiments and teach about weather patterns across San Diego. Both dates include a Padres game.
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Events for Students Interested in Engineering
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BE WISE Program for Middle School Girls
The Fleet Science Center’s BE WiSE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering) program stimulates and sustains girls’ interest in science. Through the program, girls will meet other like-minded girls, connect with female scientist role models, and participate in many hands-on opportunities at science career sites all around San Diego County.
Girls must apply for BE WiSE in grades 7 and 8. The application consists of an application, a teacher recommendation, and an essay. Once accepted, the students will attend a science overnight event as their first activity and will continue to be invited to various science workshops throughout high school and into college.
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Engineer's Week Awards Banquet Invites Aspiring Engineering Students
The San Diego Engineers, home of the San Diego County Engineering Council, invites aspiring science, technology, and engineering students to its San Diego awards banquet from 5:45 to 9 p.m. Feb. 21 in Mission Valley.
The theme is Pioneers of Progress and the
keynote speaker will address engineering advances in healthcare and genomics testing. Regional andnational engineering competition winners will also be recognized. To submit local students - individuals or teams - who have received regional or national awards to be included in the recognitions, please complete
this form.
High school students are encouraged to attend. There will be a special networking and training session for students one hour before the banquet. Tickets are $15 for students and K-12 educators. Visit the
registration page for more information. The deadline to purchase tickets is Feb. 7. Late deadline is Feb. 14.
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Engineering Day at the Mall
Engineering Day at the Chula Vista Mall is for everyone! Students and families with children of all ages are invited to explore fun engineering activities during this event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 22. Activities will take place in front of the Macy's store. Visit the
event website for more information and to download flyers in English and Spanish.
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Transportation YOU Summit
Transportation YOU is a joint initiative of WTS International, an organization that advocates for women in transportation fields, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. This hands-on mentoring program offered at no cost to participants aims to involve more girls and young women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and the transportation industry.
High school juniors and seniors who are interested in this field can apply to attend the Transportation YOU summit in Washington, D.C. in June. Details about this year's summit will be available soon on the
Transportation YOU website. Keep checking back for updates.
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STEM Events at the University of San Diego
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STEM Fair
Middle and high school students can join University of San Diego (USD) faculty and students for an afternoon of hands-on science fun facilitated by representatives from STEM majors.
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Expanding Your Horizons Conference
The Expanding Your Horizons conference is an annual opportunity for girls in grades 6 to 10 to connect with STEM professionals in the San Diego community and increase students' interest in STEM careers.
The all-day conference on March 14 at USD divides attendees into small groups that are mentored by female STEM undergraduate students, providing the girls with additional STEM-based interactions and hands-on learning experiences. Registration is $30 per student and a fee waiver is available, if needed. Lunch is included.
Registration is now open for attendees, undergraduate mentors, presenters, and volunteers. Visit the
event website to learn more. Download an
event brochure.
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2020 San Diego County Fair Program, Exhibit, Contest, and Field Trip Applications Available Now
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It's not too early to start thinking about how you can showcase your students' work or take advantage of opportunities for schools at this year's San Diego County Fair. Visit the
fair's education page to learn more about the programs listed below.
Field Trip Programs
Sign up for a Fair Field Trip Experience with one of three educational programs:
- Field Trip Program (Pre K-12): This program lets classes explore certain educational exhibits before the fair opens. The registration deadline is April 3.
- Plant Grow Eat (K-6): This program starts in the spring with fair staff delivering materials for students to grow their own plants. In June, students bring their plants to the fair, learn about agriculture, and receive ribbons for their hard work. The registration deadline is March 27.
- School Tours (K-3): Fair staff puts on an educational assembly at your school site using animals, games, puzzles and stories.The registration deadline is Feb. 28.
Showcase your Students at the Fair
Teachers, enter your students' work and/or classroom projects into the fair to be awarded and displayed.
For grades PreK-6:
Best of PreK-6th Grade showcases
thousands of youth and classroom projects including art, science, writing, and more. The entry deadline is May 15.
For grades 7-12: The
Student Showcase
features entries including art, photography, drafting, fashion design, graphic design, videography, and more. The entry deadline is May 15.
Volunteer at the Fair
The fair is looking for high school students for exhibit set up, entry delivery, and judging. Each volunteer will receive two tickets to the fair and accredited volunteer hours. Email
learn@sdfair.com for more information.
Grad Night at the Fair
New this year, the fair is offering a Grad Night Experience on June 11. If interested for this year and/or future years email
learn@sdfair.com.
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American Red Cross Offering Free Trainings for Elementary and High School Students
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Hands-Only CPR Graduation Requirement for High School Students
California law now requires all students to learn Hands-Only CPR by the time they graduate high school. The American Red Cross is offering this training free of charge on-site at schools. The 30-minute presentations can accommodate groups of 20 to 80 students.
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The Pillowcase Project for Grades 3-5
The Pillowcase Project is an emergency preparedness and education program that teaches personal and family preparedness and safety skills, local hazards, and basic coping skills. Upon completion, students receive a sturdy pillowcase in which to build their personal emergency supplies kit.
Prepare with Pedro for Grades K-2
Prepare with Pedro is a preparedness education program that teaches students how to stay safe from home fires and other emergencies. The format is 30 to 45 minutes long and follows the reading of a story which features a penguin named Pedro. Students learn a coping skill and receive a storybook to share what they have learned at home.
Visit the
Red Cross website for more information. If you are interested in scheduling any of these trainings or presentations, contact Amna Khawaja, regional preparedness coordinator, at
amna.khawaja@redcross.org.
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Better Business Bureau Offers Consumer Education for Schools
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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers student- and family-focused content on topics including credit, budgeting, and avoiding fraud through best practices.
The consumer education presentations and information are available in English and Spanish at no cost, and content can be customized for specific audiences. For more information and to schedule a BBB presentation for your school, contact Skylar Crowley, community relations specialist, at
skylar.crowley@bbbcommunity.org or 858-427-1151.
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Scholarship and Award Opportunities, Essay Contests for Students
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Directing Change Program and Film Contest
The annual Directing Change Program and Film Contest is a statewide program that invites middle and high school students to create a 60-second film about suicide prevention, mental health, and related cultural perspectives. The California Department of Education supports this program as part of their comittment to preserve the health, safety, and well-being of all students. Read more in this
letter.
Visit the
Directing Change website for information about contest categories, rules, eligibility, and prizes. The deadline for film submissions is March 1.
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San Diego County Citizens' Scholarship Foundation
Do you know a senior who is planning to attend college in 2020-21 in San Diego and can demonstrate a financial need? San Diego County Citizens' Scholarship Foundation (SDCCSF) grants scholarships to high school seniors planning to attend college full-time in San Diego County next school year. Last year, SDCCSF awarded 170 high school seniors a combined $170,000 in scholarships to use for their first year of college. No minimum GPA is required for this scholarship.
Visit the
SDCCSF website to learn more and access the application. The deadline to submit is March 2.
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North Island Credit Union Scholarship
The NICU scholarship awards $1,000 to college-bound high school seniors based on academic performance and school or community involvement. Learn more and access the application at the
North Island Credit Union website. Application deadline is March 16.
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Ninth Circuit Civics Contest
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit civics contest for high school students has a theme that focuses on the 15th and 19th amendments with a prompt centered around barriers to voting. The Southern District Court of California will announce the local winners who will then go on to compete at the circuit level. Contest winners could receive up to $2,000.
Students interested in entering this contest are invited to attend a lecture commemorating the 100th anniversary of the law guaranteeing women's right to vote. The Southern District Court is a partner for this event held at USD on the evening of March 18.
Visit the USD website for more details and to RSVP.
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Wheelhouse Credit Union Sustainability Scholarship
Wheelhouse Credit Union invites high school seniors who are passionate about environmental practices to apply for its Sustainability College Scholarship Program. A total of five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to eligible seniors who plan to attend an accredited college. To learn more visit the
Wheelhouse website. The application deadline is March 31.
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School Stars:
Celebrate Teachers and Students
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Teacher and Student Recognition and Incentive Programs
The programs below accept nominations throughout the school year. Check out the details on SDCOE's
Celebrate School Stars webpage, and nominate a school star or two!
Innovate 8
Do you have a great, visual STEM/STEAM program at your school? Nominate it to be featured on Innovate 8, a partnership between SDCOE, NEWS 8, and UC San Diego. NEWS 8 will visit school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs to film segments that inspire and engage San Diego K-12 students to become innovators. The segments will air on the local news and be posted on the program website.
NBC San Diego Inspirational Student and Teacher of the Month
SDCOE and NBC 7 San Diego are looking for inspirational students and teachers who are outstanding individuals on campus and within their community. Surprise a stellar junior or senior high school student or a dedicated K-12 educator with a visit from NBC 7 for a segment on a weekday newscast recognizing what makes them special.
Teachers are Heroes
Nominate a K-5 teacher who goes above and beyond for their students with a surprise recognition and award for the teacher and fun prizes for their whole class. Radio stations KSON, Sunny 98.1, and Alt 949, and Azusa Pacific University honor 12 teacher heroes during the school year.
USD Torero Achievement Club
Teachers of grades 3 through 8 can take their class or some star students on a campus tour of the University of San Diego followed by a Torero home game, including a voucher for concessions.
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Pass Along
What's Happening
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What's Happening is a monthly publication from the San Diego County Office of Education that highlights free and low-cost enrichment opportunities for San Diego County students, teachers, and schools.
If you know someone who would like to receive
What's Happening in their inbox each month, share
this link with them. They can also email
communications@sdcoe.net and ask to be added to the mailing list.
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Have feedback on
What's Happening? Email the San Diego County Office of Education Communications department:
communications@sdcoe.net
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Our Mission
The mission of the San Diego County Office of Education is inspiring and leading innovation in education.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county.
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