Friday, February 1, 2013

Create Amazing Videos from your Photos with Picovico


Digital Photo Stories are a popular method for students to use when creating a project and there is certainly no shortage of options out there on the web.  Picovico is another option for creating a Digital Photo Story.  Users can login with Facebook or create an account using the usual credentials.  For other options, see previous posts for Digital Story Telling.  

After creating an account users will choose from a particular style they want their show to be in and users can see a preview of each before selecting.  Users can then add photos of their choice through Facebook, Flickr, or from their computer.  After adding the image users can then add text to describe that section of the video or set a storyline in place.  The next step is to add music, if so desired.  Users can add the music of their choice or choose music from the available list.  To finish off the project, users can add a title and text about the video, choose the quality, the privacy settings, and then where to share it (Facebook or YouTube).  If looking for another Digital Storytelling option, give Picovico a try.  


Google Science Fair


Google has launched is Science Fair for 2013 and throughout history inventions and new ideas have been developed by people who are the same age as our students (13-18) and through the Google Science Fair, students can showcase their ideas to the world.  This is the 3rd annual Google Science Fair, and it is in partnership with CERN, the Lego Group, National Geographic, and Scientific American.  Pertinent information is available below:



Here’s some key information for this year’s Science Fair:
  • Students can enter the Science Fair in 13 languages.
  • The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2013 at 11:59 pm PDT.
  • In June, we’ll recognize 90 regional finalists (30 from the Americas, 30 from Asia Pacific and 30 from Europe/Middle East/Africa).
  • Judges will then select the top 15 finalists, who will be flown to Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. for our live, final event on September 23, 2013.
  • At the finals, a panel of distinguished international judges consisting of renowned scientists and tech innovators will select top winners in each age category (13-14, 15-16, 17-18). One will be selected as the Grand Prize winner.
Prizes for the 2013 Science Fair include a $50,000 scholarship from Google, a trip to the Galapagos with National Geographic Expeditions, experiences at CERN, Google or the LEGO Group and digital access to the Scientific American archives for the winner’s school for a year. Scientific American will also award a $50,000 Science in Action prize to one project that makes a practical difference by addressing a social, environmental or health issue. We’re also introducing two new prizes for 2013:
  • In August, the public will have the opportunity to get to know our 15 finalists through a series of Google+ Hangouts on Air and will then vote for the Inspired Idea Award—an award selected by the public for the project with the greatest potential to change the world.
  • We also recognize that behind every great student there’s often a great teacher and a supportive school, so this year we’ll award a $10,000 cash grant from Google and an exclusive Google+ Hangout with CERN to the Grand Prize winner’s school.

If you feel like you have some students that could benefit from their experience and love for science, or you have a class project that you think could compete in the Google Science Fair, take advantage of this opportunity to allow your students to spread the idea to others.