Summer Vacation Is Nice, but Is It Worth the Loss?

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AppId is over the quota

May 30 2012

By Karen Hopper, Policy Fellow, Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation, NCLR

Memorial Day has come and gone and the unofficial start of summer is upon us.  With the last day of school not far behind, students everywhere are dreaming of warm weather, fun summer activities, and—let’s not forget—no school. 

When Americans first began formal schooling for their children, school calendars were designed to fit the needs of each community.  Agricultural communities gave students time off in the spring and fall to help with planting and harvesting, while urban schools operated on an 11- or 12-month calendar.  The nine-month calendar we know today emerged when there was a need to standardize schooling nationwide; 85% of Americans were working in agriculture, and climate control in school buildings was limited—factors which made it unbearable and impractical to have children in school during the hottest and busiest months of the year. 

But what about today?  Only 3% of Americans work in agriculture, and air conditioning comes standard—so shouldn’t we keep kids in school longer to maximize their learning potential as they grow?

The more I think about it, the more summer breaks don’t make sense.  Long vacations lead to students forgetting what they have learned in school.  In fact, research shows that children forget up to two months of grade-level material over the summer.  Unstructured time for children can also be bad for their health; crime, obesity, drug use, and risky sexual behavior skyrocket over the summer months when supervision is at a minimum. 

Long summer breaks have a greater negative effect on students who are from low-income families or who are English language learners (ELLs).  Researchers find that middle-income students are able to access educational opportunities such as summer camps and travel, and their parents stay engaged in keeping their skills up over the summer.  We all know about the achievement gap between affluent White students and minority and low-income students, but did you know that by ninth grade, two-thirds of that gap can be attributed to unequal learning opportunities during summer months in the elementary school years? 

When kids go back to school in the fall, teachers must spend a significant amount of time reviewing material from the previous year before moving on to new material, and students struggle to get back into the rhythm of classroom learning and proper school behavior.

Schools and communities should be maximizing time, especially out-of-school time, to give students opportunities to keep learning.  We can’t expect to close the achievement gap between Latino students and their White peers unless struggling children are given ample resources to learn, and we certainly can’t expect it to close while allowing learning to lapse during the summer. 

This summer, make it a priority to keep your children engaged in learning—even if you don’t have access to traditional summer camp, summer school, or community-based programs. There are hundreds of free resources out there, and many are available in English and Spanish! Here are a few to get you started: 

Reading

Earn a free book from Barnes and Noble by reading:  www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570

Log your reading minutes to earn prizes! www.scholastic.com/summer

Recommended reading by grade level, from Just Read, Florida!: www.justreadfamilies.org/SummerReadingList.pdf

Find a library near you:  summer reading programs are fun and often come with great rewards!

Resources for families in both English and Spanish

Math

Math challenges, also in Spanish:  www.figurethis.org/index.html

Keep skills sharp at any level:  www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/numeracy.shtml

Many more math resources here:  http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/newsletter/0704/math.cfm

Issues: Education, K-12 Education
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

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Summer Vacation Is Nice, but Is It Worth the Loss?

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

May 30 2012

By Karen Hopper, Policy Fellow, Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation, NCLR

Memorial Day has come and gone and the unofficial start of summer is upon us.  With the last day of school not far behind, students everywhere are dreaming of warm weather, fun summer activities, and—let’s not forget—no school. 

When Americans first began formal schooling for their children, school calendars were designed to fit the needs of each community.  Agricultural communities gave students time off in the spring and fall to help with planting and harvesting, while urban schools operated on an 11- or 12-month calendar.  The nine-month calendar we know today emerged when there was a need to standardize schooling nationwide; 85% of Americans were working in agriculture, and climate control in school buildings was limited—factors which made it unbearable and impractical to have children in school during the hottest and busiest months of the year. 

But what about today?  Only 3% of Americans work in agriculture, and air conditioning comes standard—so shouldn’t we keep kids in school longer to maximize their learning potential as they grow?

The more I think about it, the more summer breaks don’t make sense.  Long vacations lead to students forgetting what they have learned in school.  In fact, research shows that children forget up to two months of grade-level material over the summer.  Unstructured time for children can also be bad for their health; crime, obesity, drug use, and risky sexual behavior skyrocket over the summer months when supervision is at a minimum. 

Long summer breaks have a greater negative effect on students who are from low-income families or who are English language learners (ELLs).  Researchers find that middle-income students are able to access educational opportunities such as summer camps and travel, and their parents stay engaged in keeping their skills up over the summer.  We all know about the achievement gap between affluent White students and minority and low-income students, but did you know that by ninth grade, two-thirds of that gap can be attributed to unequal learning opportunities during summer months in the elementary school years? 

When kids go back to school in the fall, teachers must spend a significant amount of time reviewing material from the previous year before moving on to new material, and students struggle to get back into the rhythm of classroom learning and proper school behavior.

Schools and communities should be maximizing time, especially out-of-school time, to give students opportunities to keep learning.  We can’t expect to close the achievement gap between Latino students and their White peers unless struggling children are given ample resources to learn, and we certainly can’t expect it to close while allowing learning to lapse during the summer. 

This summer, make it a priority to keep your children engaged in learning—even if you don’t have access to traditional summer camp, summer school, or community-based programs. There are hundreds of free resources out there, and many are available in English and Spanish! Here are a few to get you started: 

Reading

Earn a free book from Barnes and Noble by reading:  www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570

Log your reading minutes to earn prizes! www.scholastic.com/summer

Recommended reading by grade level, from Just Read, Florida!: www.justreadfamilies.org/SummerReadingList.pdf

Find a library near you:  summer reading programs are fun and often come with great rewards!

Resources for families in both English and Spanish

Math

Math challenges, also in Spanish:  www.figurethis.org/index.html

Keep skills sharp at any level:  www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/numeracy.shtml

Many more math resources here:  http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/newsletter/0704/math.cfm

Issues: Education, K-12 Education
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

What to Do This Summer in Paris, NYC, Rome, Las Vegas, London, and DC

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AppId is over the quota

By Adam Erace

It is that time of year, when the sun (and birds and trees and relaxed smiles from otherwise serious city dwellers) comes out in full force, inviting us out of our cloistered apartments and into the world. There are some places that draw us in over and over again for both their storied sights and endlessly cool vibes. So we took stock of six of the most popular summertime destinations—Paris, NYC, Rome, Las Vegas, London, and Washington DC—to see what's new for this year. And, as expected, we found ample new restaurants and buzz-worthy cafes, exciting exhibits and enticing festivals, and a string of new hotels offering everything a summer traveler could want.

Why Go Now: Even the most severely stylish Parisian lets her hair down in the summer. Find locals grooving at la Fete de la Musique (June 21), when thousands of musicians turn the city into a giant concert hall; sunbathing at the Seine-side pop-up pools and beaches of the Paris Plages project (July 20-Aug. 20); and attending free screenings of at the Parc de la Villette's Cinema en Plein Air (July 25-Aug. 26). The film schedule isn't set yet, but if 2011's lineup is any indication, expect anything from Taxi Driver to La Haine.

Where to Stay: Like a dainty pastel macaron, Paris hotels are never big enough. Avoid cramped quarters by taking shelter at My Boutique Home (rates from $899/week) on the fringe of the aristocratic Marais. Fully renovated last year, the two apartments—book them together to really stretch those weary legs—have floating fireplaces, wrought-iron spiral stairs, and gourmet kitchens to make the most of the nearby Marché des Enfants Rouges.

Where to Eat: Anglofied steakhouse fare (dry-aged chops, bespoke burgers) is Paris's hot ticket at the moody, subway-tiled Beef Club. Courtesy of the crew behind Experimental Cocktail Club, Curio Parlor, and Prescription, this two-month-old former butcher shop also houses an underground speakeasy, Le Ballroom du Beef Club, where locals sip summery, bitters-kissed coolers late into the evening.

Start Planning: For up-to-the-minute hotel, restaurant, and shopping reviews, as well as the best planning advice, check out our Paris Travel Guide.

Why Go Now: Manhattan's elite have absconded to their summer manses, leaving young New Yorkers to retake the city. While it might not boast an ocean, there's a bevy of outdoor pursuits in swing, the coolest of which take place on Governor's Island, according to The London Hotel's concierge Nick Cejas. Think jazz-age lawn party (June 16-17), burger cook-off and kimchi-eating contest (July 6-7) and the third annual Pig Island (Sept. 10), a food extravaganza celebrating local pork and craft beer.

Where to Stay: The London Hotel (rates from $299/night) is where you'll not only find Cejas, but also many a passing-through celeb. Sophisticated suites (Italian linens, Waterworks bathrooms) start at 500-square feet, nothing to wag a finger at in New York.

Where to Eat: Back outside on the Williamsburg waterfront, Smorgasburg (an edible offshoot of Brooklyn Flea) is the delectable Mecca of what New York magazine recently dubbed "Ye Olde Artisanal Brooklyn." Over 60 food entrepreneurs gather here every Saturday to sell everything from kimchi-topped franks at Asia Dog and cardamom marshmallows at Whimsy & Spice to gingered horseradish at ISH and fried anchovies at Bon Chovie. It's particularly pleasant in early summer, when the weather isn't yet warm enough to melt the mayo in your Red Hook Lobster Pound lobster roll. (Bonus tip: the year-old East River Ferry stops just feet from the entrance to Smorgasburg at the North Williamsburg stop.)

Start Planning: For up-to-the-minute hotel, restaurant, and shopping reviews, as well as the best planning advice, check out our New York City Travel Guide.

Why Go Now: This is the summer of anniversaries: Charles Dickens's 200th, Titanic's 100th, Queen Elizabeth's 60th on the throne, marked by a Diamond Jubilee celebration (June 6) with floating pageant on the Thames. The royal event aligns with new unparalleled access to Kensington Palace (fresh exhibits on Diana and Victoria) and the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. There's also this little thing you may have heard of called the Summer Olympics (July 27-Aug. 12).

Where to Stay: ME, Melia's sexy younger sister, opens its 173-room Covent Garden property on July 15th (rates from $399). Cool gray-on-white suites on the coveted Level feature balconies with Thames views, integrated media centers, and dedicated Aura Experience Managers, otherwise known as butlers.

Where to Eat: Wide-plank floors, lazy ceiling fans and turquoise accents give Soho's new Ceviche the aura of well-groomed Peruvian fishing shack. Six styles of marinated fish make use of salmon, octopus, sea bass, South American chilies, and assorted citrus juices, ideal for cooling down when London heats up.

Start Planning: For up-to-the-minute hotel, restaurant, and shopping reviews, as well as the best planning advice, check out our London Travel Guide.

Why Go Now: You've heard it before, but it's never been truer than this summer: There's so much more to do in Vegas than gamble. The World Series of Poker comes to the Rio (July 1), while Idina Menzel (June 10), Diana Krall (Aug. 13), Steve Martin (Aug. 22), and more come to the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Museums (blessedly air conditioned) abound, specializing in everything from the mafia (Mob Museum) to vintage pinball machines (Pinball Hall of Fame). With its "boneyard" of salvaged signs from the Strip, the Neon Museum proves one man's trash is Vegas's treasure.

Where to Stay: With more than a dozen restaurants (including Jaleo by Jose Andres and Comme Ca by David Myers) three pools, and a nightclub from the Tao crew, the glittering Cosmopolitan (rates from $140/night) isn't short on amenities. But here's why we're booking there this summer: balconies. All the subtly luxurious condo-style Terrace rooms have them, a true rarity in Vegas. Reserve a Fountain View (rates from $230/night) for a drop-dead panorama of the Strip and Bellagio's dancing waters.

Where to Eat: Two words: Japanese food. Vegas has the highest caliber concentration of Japanese cuisine this side of Tokyo, both on the Strip (Masa Takayama's airy BARMASA at Aria, the Cosmopolitan's outpost of New York's Blue Ribbon) and off (Aburiya Raku, Kabuto).

Start Planning: For up-to-the-minute hotel, restaurant, and shopping reviews, as well as the best planning advice, check out our Las Vegas Travel Guide.

Why Go Now: There's no getting around it: Roman summers are muggy and crowded (except in August, when the Eternal City becomes a latter-day Roanoke Island), but on the bright side: Trastevere's secret Orto Botanico, a shady oasis with its own Japanese garden, is in bloom, and there's hardly a better time to paddelboat to Tempietto di Asclepio island in the Villa Borghese's stunning gardens. Rome Festival, which brings together international performance artists from all over the world, is really kicking this time of year, too; in June and July, catching a performance of Carmen or Falstaff is as common as licking a cone of gelato.

Where to Stay: After a long day sightseeing, repair to the chic Villa Magnolia Relais (rates from $240/night), a high-altitude retreat on the slope of Janiculum, Rome's second tallest hill. The airy suites boast soothing cream, caramel, gray, and olive tones, complimentary WiFi, and views of and direct access to the villa's exuberant garden. You'll feel a world away from the city's hot summer snarl, but the Vatican and the Coliseum are still only 20 minutes on foot, and at the bottom of the hill are the famed trattorias of Trastevere, of which Magnolia's proprietors, Sante and Rafaella Quaglieri, unwaveringly recommend Da Augusto (15 Piazza de Renzi).

Where to Eat: After carbonara coma kicks in, take a refresher at Monti's newish Aromaticus. Tucked inside an urban gardening oasis of the same name, the café serves cool and light carpaccio, organic salads, and beef tartare. Meanwhile at modern Metamorfosi in Parioli, chef Roy Caceres gives classics like maccheroni and sausage a playful, 21st-century spin. Try the 90 euro Assaporando option, a spontaneous, eight-course menu that Caceres and his crew invent on the spot.

Start Planning: For up-to-the-minute hotel, restaurant, and shopping reviews, as well as the best planning advice, check out our Rome Travel Guide.

Why Go Now: Tourism is climbing in the nation's capital, and there are few better times to see why than summer, when hotel rates drop and maddeningly popular restaurants exhale. Gastronomes, book passes to the Fancy Food Show (June 17-19), North America's largest. Gamers, "The Art of Video Games," a Smithsonian exhibit (through Sept.) examining the evolution of gaming from Atari to Playstation should be on your radar. Epic destruction is on the menu for 2012's NoMa Summer Screen, a free outdoor film series in Loree Grand Field; they'll be showing Independence Day, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, and more through Aug. 8.

Where to Stay: Staying a mere mile outside DC can translate to big savings for both wallet and carbon footprint. Just across the Potomac, the Renaissance Arlington Capital View (rates from $149/night) opened this spring with a LEED Gold certification, only the third hotel to do so in Virginia.

Where to Eat: Summer is your best chance for snagging a four-top—larger parties strictly prohibited—at the subterranean Little Serrow off Dupont Circle. Served on a $45 pre-fixe menu that changes weekly, chef Johnny Monis's razor-sharp interpretations of Thai recipes like naam phrik num will get you hot and bothered in the good way.

Start Planning: For up-to-the-minute hotel, restaurant, and shopping reviews, as well as the best planning advice, check out our Washington DC Travel Guide.

Photo Credits: Paris: via Shutterstock.com; Rome: Getty Images/iStockphoto; London: via Shutterstock.com; Vegas: Brandon Collup/iStockphoto.com; Washington D.C.: Medioimages/Photodisc; New York City: Pawel Gaul/iStockphoto.com

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Summer Approaches: Great Deals for Dads & Grads, Vacation Travel

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AppId is over the quota
REDMOND, Wash. — May 22, 2012 — It's not your imagination; the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching fast. Whether you're a student nearing the end of a marathon of schooling, a worker bee long overdue for vacation, or a dad about to get his day in the sun, your wait is about to end. And it's high time to treat yourself.

Below you'll find a collection of great tech products and offers for yourself or loved ones on your gift list. Looking for a powerful yet light laptop, a phone that puts the focus on you, or other devices and apps? You'll find plenty to choose from.

Shop Now for Dads, Grads, Summer PC and Xbox 360 Offer for StudentsMicrosoft’s buy a PC, get an Xbox student offer is back. Students who purchase a thin, powerful Dell XPS 13, a beautifully designed HP ENVY 15 with thumping Beats Audio, or the ultra-sleek Samsung Series 5 PC will also get an Xbox 360. Together a Windows PC and Xbox 360 provide students the functionality they need for school and fun social connections they want online.The Acer Timeline X 5830T combines 9 hours of battery life with a slim and lightweight profile to deliver fantastic portability in a 15.6-inch notebook. Powered by the second-generation Intel Core i5 processor, the Timeline helps complete daily tasks faster, and its dual-tone aluminum design in cobalt blue makes it a stylish companion wherever it goes. Price: Starting at US$699.The ASUS ZENBOOK UX21E uses a precision-crafted design measuring only 3mm at the front and 9mm at the rear. The form features razor-thin edges and a curved center section, which is both practical and attractive – while accommodating the powerful computing components within. The one-of-a-kind design embodies beauty and strength in complete balance and harmony. Price: Starting at US$899.The Lenovo IdeaPad U300s series is available in Clementine Orange and Graphite Gray, complete with a long battery life and powerful capabilities in an ultraportable package. This Windows PC offers immaculate design, high-quality construction and breathtaking speed. Price: Starting at US$1199.The Windows Sony VAIO S features a hard disk drive and a state-of-the-art processor. This customizable laptop perfectly combines mobility and performance — all wrapped up in a slim, go-anywhere form factor. Price: Starting at US$799.Prepare to bring your entertainment to a whole new dimension with the Toshiba Qosmio X770. Great for games, movies and anything else you can throw at it. Available in array of colors, the one-piece magnesium-aluminum cover is both strong and beautiful. The smooth glass touch pad and textured palm rests give it a sophisticated feel, making it perfect for the tech savvy and style conscious alike. Price: Starting at US$1149.99.Windows ultralight new Toshiba Portégé Z835 Ultrabook is clad in brushed magnesium-alloy and weighs less than 2.5 pounds. It features long battery life of up to eight hours, a spill-resistant LED backlit keyboard and Toshiba Hi-Speed Start Technology, which saves time by offering a quick boot-up in a slim 0.63-inch form factor that will appeal to fashionable business professionals and consumers alike. Price: Starting at US$899.With instant mobility, ultra-responsiveness and super-slim design, the Windows Acer Aspire S3 is Acer's most mobile and responsive notebook ever. This Ultrabook is not only ultra-aerodynamic, razor thin and feather light, but delivers everything you expect from a standard-size notebook. Perfect for any traveler to enjoy life on the go in style. Price: Starting at US$799.The Windows Samsung Series 7 Slate gives PC power packed into an ultraportable device, taking mobility to a new level with a touch-focused design. This slate weighs just shy of two pounds and is only a half-inch thick, making it perfect for users who need a slim, lightweight computer but don't want to sacrifice true PC functionality. Its 170-degree viewing angle makes it easy to share and view content from anywhere. Price: Starting at US$1,299.The HTC TITAN II has the largest screen of any Windows Phone – perfect for surfing the Web and watching movies. It also comes with a 16MP camera to always get a great shot. Price: US$199.The Nokia Lumia 900 comes in a variety of colors and has a vibrant screen to surf the Web, share favorite photos and watch videos in style. Price: US$99.99.The Nokia Lumia 710 Windows Phone is fast and durable; it's the phone that keeps up with any lifestyle. Price: US$39.99.The Samsung Focus II brings your social circles into clear view. With AT&T's 4G LTE network, you get the best display and picture quality, plus fast Web access and movie, app and game downloading. Price: US$49.99Xbox 360 Special Edition Kinect Family BundleThe Xbox 360 Special Edition Kinect Family bundle features everything a family needs to get started playing together including a special edition white Xbox 360 4GB console, white Kinect sensor, white Xbox 360 wireless controller, Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures, and a three-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. Price: US$299.99.Xbox 360 Limited Edition 'Kinect Star Wars' BundleThe Xbox 360 Limited Edition "Kinect Star Wars" bundle features a custom Star Wars design, modeled after R2-D2 and C3PO, including an R2-D2 blue-and-white themed console and white Kinect sensor, a custom Xbox 360 wireless controller inspired by C3PO, unique sounds from the Star Wars universe and an Xbox 360 wired headset. The bundle also includes copies of Kinect Adventures and Kinect Star Wars, the only Star Wars game that puts you directly in the game, no controller required. Price: US$399.'Kinect Rush: A Disney•Pixar Adventure'"Kinect Rush: A Disney•Pixar Adventure" places anyone in the worlds of five beloved Disney•Pixar films from the comfort of the living room. Team up with Pixar characters to overcome puzzling obstacles and find hidden secrets. Price: US$49.99.Xbox LIVE Gold Membership gives real-time updates from ESPN and MLB.TV and unlimited access to premium entertainment from partners like UFC, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and more, plus social features like Avatar Kinect*. With the best multiplayer gaming network, access to the biggest names in sports and entertainment, and all-new ways to watch, listen to and play with friends from around the world, a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership is the best value in home entertainment. Price US$59.99. (*Other subscriptions and requirements apply for some Xbox LIVE features. Kinect voice, gesture and search controls available with select Xbox LIVE content, and may vary by feature. Features and content vary by region. See xbox.com/live. Broadband internet, games and media content sold separately.)Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2011Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 offer the essential tools to do great work in the classroom and at home. Access, edit and share Office documents from virtually anywhere with free Office Web Apps. Price: US$119.99.The customizable OneNote travel notebook has everything you need to plan your getaway. It’s available on your PC or phone and useful for the research and planning that happens before the trip, and is absolutely invaluable once you've left home. With OneNote, you can recall any particular detail at any given moment.Want to head out of town? Get the best travel deals with Bing Travel Price Predictor. When searching for a flight, a simple green arrow tells users to "Buy Now," a red arrow means "Wait." It includes a confidence level and expected price increase or decrease over the next seven days.The Sony Bloggie Live HD Camera makes it easier than ever to stay in touch and share memories of your summer travels. This pocket HD camcorder is WiFi enabled and comes with Qik™ Video from Skype to seamlessly create, share and store videos and memories with family and friends online through blogs, Facebook and Twitter. Price: US$249.Stay connected while you’re traveling with Skype. Use Skype to make free video and voice calls to other Skype users, as well as make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. You can also pay for WiFi by the minute with Skype credit. Skype WiFi is available on PC, Mac and iPhone.Surprise Dad this year with the Arc Touch Mouse — the first mouse designed to flatten for portability and pop up for comfort. Its durable frame won't get worn out by repeated use, and he can toss it in his briefcase or stick it in his pocket when he's on the move. Price: US$59.95.Explorer Touch Mouse Limited EditionThe sleek and chic Explorer Touch Mouse Limited Edition is the perfect gift for your multitasking grad. It's wireless, so he or she has room to move without worrying about tangled wires, and speeds up everyday tasks with a Touch Strip optimized for quick vertical and horizontal scrolling all with the flick of a finger. Price: US$49.95.Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 Limited Edition Artist SeriesHelp the new grad show off his or her personal style this year. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 Limited Edition Artist Series combines precision, portability and style with four new and original designs by this season's hottest artists. With so many designs to choose from, treat grads to a different mouse for every day of the week — and with up to eight months of battery life, users will never have to worry about powering up their favorite accessory. Price: US$29.99.Skype Certified LifeCam StudioAway from home this summer? Plug in your Skype Certified LifeCam Studio and connect with your loved ones back home. The LifeCam Studio sets a new standard in the LifeCam family featuring all the latest and greatest features to give you the best interactive experience. When you can’t be there to share your adventures in person, LifeCam studio delivers the next best thing. Price: US$99.95

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Photo Friday: summer, sailing

Summer, the creeping up on us you can't wait head to the Hamptons to celebrate us. Nagashima vacation spot is synonymous with everything from a 50 ft yacht luxury high-end swale in the East Coast. One of the favorite places to stay in our relaxed the Montauk Yacht Club resort — boats galore and Crown are we just think the Marina bobbing, attached at the white Lighthouse fun next weekend has. Plus, our fave reality star bethenny Frankel, is often will leave the hotel.

Montauk Yacht Club resort & Marina Marina

Related links:

And tagged: Hamptons

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The Google Summer of Code is Back for 2012!

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Last updated March 20, 2012.

Some of Drupal's Summer of Code success stories include:

Sumit Kataria, started as a GSoC student back in 2009 working on OAuth module, and now not only is one of the foremost experts in the Drupal community on mobile (look for his mobile apps for DrupalCon Denver in an app store near you!), but co-manages Drupal's involvement in GSoC. He works as a Drupal consultant with companies like CivicActions and Lullabot.

So if you're:

a post-secondary student looking for an exciting project with a thriving development community and tons of smart people you can work withan existing Drupal contributor who happens to be attending college/university and would love a chance to get paid over the summer to work on the "Next Big Drupal Thing"a seasoned Drupal developer with some time over the summer, who'd truly enjoy mentoring and helping the next generation of contributors make Drupal the best that it can bea Drupal community member who might not have the time or coding experience to mentor, but knows where to find resources and enjoys helping others find them.someone with a great project idea for an improvement in Drupal that would be perfect for a student to work on over the summera Drupal evangelist who wants to help grow the community by actively engaging students

...then there's something for you in Summer of Code! Read on to find out more.

If you have enthusiasm the drive to work on something great, now is the time for you to get started! Subscribe to the Google Summer of Code group, look over the developer's guide and API reference, stop by Core Office hours and take on some new contributor tasks, find a Drupal event near you to get to know Drupal's amazing community, and take on a few bite-sized tasks in the Novice Issue Queue.

Most importantly, start thinking about your project proposal! Prior to submitting your application, stop by #drupal on irc.freenode.net or post your project ideas to the Summer of Code 2012 group to get community feedback. Your chances of getting into Summer of Code increase if the community has the opportunity to review your ideas and offer feedback to help you in improving your project idea.

We have already started accepting applications. For more tips, students should check out the Student Template Page.

Please sign up to be a mentor if you have either experience with Drupal development or expertise in a particular area of interest (for example, newspapers, education...) and have some free time from now until the end of August.

To become a mentor,  join the Drupal SoC-2012 group and the sign up on Google's SoC mentor web app (now known as Melange). Please describe who you are, what your level of Drupal experience is, and your motivation for being a mentor. Your application will be reviewed by SoC admins (Chx, SumitK).

You can go through Advice for mentors page to find more tips on mentoring students.

The more mentors we have, the more students we can get in, and the more exciting projects of varying types we can accept.

Great project ideas are vital to attracting both great students and great mentors. If you've ever thought "if Drupal could be...", now is the time to turn it into a project idea. The project should be feasible for a Drupal-novice developer student to achieve in a 3-month time frame. Suggest a SoC project idea in the SoC 2012 group or help elaborating already proposed ideas

In addition, you can help review the existing SoC project ideas by providing students and other community members with feedback. Community members are in the best position to help students understand the finer intricacies of existing modules, and help their energies to meet the the priorities of the Drupal project.

To help the new Drupal family members, we need some existing community members to be active in #drupal-contribute on irc.freenode.net to answer student questions, point them to the correct resources, and people with expertise.

If you think this sounds like fun, be sure to get on to IRC!

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