Arkansas Ideas - January 2008

FACULTY APPLICATIONS FOR ARKANSAS GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL DUE JAN. 23, 2008
http://arkedu.state.ar.us/commemos/custview.cgi?filename=3628

The Arkansas Governor’s School will be conducted June 15 – July 26, 2008, at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. An orientation and preparation period, beginning June 9, 2008, will precede the school opening.

The Arkansas Department of Education is currently accepting faculty applications from educators and other professionals for teaching positions at the 2008 school in three broad areas: those in specific academic disciplines; those dealing with the conceptual development of the students; and those aiding the personal growth and development of the students.

The academic specialty areas area;

Choral music
Drama
Instrumental music
Language arts
Mathematics
Natural science (including a new discipline in the area of health science)
Social science
Visual arts.

DIGITAL FACTS

On February 17, 2009 old fashion (analog) television broadcasts will be replaced with new digital broadcasting at all television stations in the United States. This change affects all over-the-air television stations in Arkansas, such as KETS, KARK, KTHV, KAIT, KAFT, etc.This change does not affect cable or satellite networks such as CNN, ESPN, TNT, A&E, NICK, etc.

All programs will be digital. Not all digital programs will be High Definition (HD). Television stations may choose to broadcast several Standard Definition (SD) programs simultaneously, instead of a single HD program. The viewer will have the ability to select which of up to four SD programs to view when the local station is multicasting.

Digital television stations will broadcast over-the-air on channels from 2 to 51. Channels 2 to 13 are VHF channels, channels 14 to 51 are UHF channels. There will be a mix of both VHF and UHF digital broadcast channels on the air in Arkansas after February 17, 2009.

There is no such thing as a digital antenna. Any VHF / UHF television antenna will receive digital broadcasts. Some viewers may need to upgrade to a larger “fringe area” antenna to receive digital, over-the-air, television signals. There is no such thing as a “fuzzy” digital TV picture. Reception will always be crystal clear and in color.

Analog television sets will not receive over-the-air television stations after February 17, 2009 without a digital converter box. In January 2008 the US Government will begin a program to provide every household $40. coupons to defray the cost of basic digital converter boxes, thus allowing older television sets to receive the equivalent of a single, standard definition, picture.

Coupons will expire 90 days after they are requested. Since digital television technology is changing rapidly, it may be better to advise viewers to wait until late 2008 before purchasing a digital converter box. Digital television sets have been available for several years. Since May 2007, all television sets sold in the US had to be digital, or be clearly marked as “Analog Only” televisions.

Television sets marked as: “Digital Tuner”, “Digital Receiver”, “ATSC”, “HDTV”, “Dual ATSC & NTSC”, have built-in digital tuners and will not require a digital converter box after February 17, 2009. Television sets marked as: “HD Monitor”, “HD Ready”, “Digital Ready”, “Digital Monitor” do not have built-in digital tuners and will require a digital converter box after February 17, 2009.

Current analog VCRs and DVD players will play videos on both old and new television sets. Current analog VCRs will not be able to record digital programs unless they are connected through a digital converter box.

“Digital” cable and satellite services will not be affected in any way on February 17, 2009. Set-top boxes provided by cable and satellite companies will make the required conversion to allow the viewer to use their existing television set, old or new. Viewers subscribing to cable or satellite systems should contact their provider to discuss available channel packages.

ARKANSAS STUDIES

The Forgotten Expedition airs in the AETN Early Morning BlockFeed Jan. 5, beginning at midnight. Most Americans do not realize that the Lewis and Clark expedition was not the only expedition to explore and map the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. In addition to commissioning Lewis and Clark, President Jefferson also commissioned William Dunbar and George Hunter to explore the southern areas of the new frontier. Their journey lasted from 1804 to 1806.

TWO AETN PRODUCTIONS GO NATIONAL

Enola Gay’s Navigator: Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk shares the story of “Dutch” Van Kirk who flew 58 WWII missions in England and North Africa before returning to the United States. In November 1944, he became group navigator of the 509th composit group training for atom bomb delivery. On Aug. 6, 1945, Van Kirk was the navigator for the first atomic bombing mission. At 2:30 a.m., the Enola Gay oifted off North Field en route to Hiroshima, Japan.

Hubert Bertrand, a 44-year-old-man who has battled cerebral palsy since the age of 3 months, allows an inside look into his life in the AETN production Hubert’s World. The documentary examines his hopes and dreams and his efforts to find a job, establish emotional relationships and live somewhat independently despite his disability.

25TH ANNUAL EAGLES ET CETERA AT DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK, JAN. 25-27, 2008
http://www.degray.com/events-programs/calendar.asp
Contact: 1-800-737-8355 beginning Jan. 21, 2008, to reserve seats for eagle tours.

This is the park’s signature event featuring the American bald eagle and other birds of prey. The Little Rock Zoo will present programs to area schools during the week and give live raptor demonstrations and performances.

ARKANSAS SKY OBSERVATORIES
http://www.arksky.org/index.php?pid=49

What will be happening in the night skies in Arkansas this month? Check out this site to find out. You’ll see that January is not a good month, since Saturn is the only planet suitable for extensive viewing. Find out about comet activity and discover how the moon plays tag with our solar system.

ART AND MUSIC

PORTFOLIO DAY AT AETN ATTRACTS MORE THAN 400 STUDENTS

On Saturday, November 17, AETN hosted Portfolio Day 2007, an educational outreach project (partnering with ADE). Portolio Day gives Arkansas's high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing an art-related post secondary education the opportunity to meet with college, university and foundation representatives. More than 400 students, teachers, parents and university faculty attended this annual event.

VIDEOS PRESENT MUSICAL CONCEPTS AND THE MUSICIANS WHO MAKE THEM LIVE
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/arts/inventory/music-35.html

Videos from this PBS Web site can add a new dimension to classroom observation and discussion. Catherine Crozier is a pioneer in the organ world as a female concert organist (grades 3-8). Listen and watch as Don Hunter continues his 70-year career of collecting sounds (grades K-5). Learn how good deejays get people to move on the dance floor, and watch kids use a scientific method to figure out how the number of beats per minute affects the way a dancer dances. Gather ‘round and listen as musicians share their personal stories about how music has shaped their lives.

BILLY WILDER FILM NOIR INVENTOR AND GENIUS LESSON PLAN
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/education/lesson9_overview.html
Grades: 6-12

The American Masters series examines the influences of Billy Wilser as a means to deconstruct film as an art form. Students will understand the underling social and moral messages of film and the restructuring of WWII America’s social climate reflected in the movies.

COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE

IT’S MY LIFE VIDEOS DEAL WITH EMOTIONS FOR GRADES 6-8
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/video/index.html

This Web site includes the following video connections:

“Dealing with Death”
“Dealing with Divorce”
“Sibling Rivalry”
“Gossip & Rumors”
“Dealing with Anger”
“Depression”
“Cheating”
“Crushes”
“When Friends Fight”
“Bullies”
“Embarrassing Moments”

Other topics include being home alone, money and time management, adjusting to middle school, making videos and being a smart consumer.

CONNECTING SCHOOL AND HOME
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/earlychildhood/connecting/index.html

The PBS “Printables for Parents” archive offers educators a source of letters to send home to parents. Each letter offers suggestions to help parents reinforce the skills taught in the classroom. Available in English and Spanish.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

PROGRAM	TIME MON.-FRI.	AGE	FOCUS
Arthur	6:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.	6-9 years	Reading, writing, social skills
Barney & Friends	11 a.m.	6 months-3 years	Cognitive, social, emotional and physical development
Between The Lions	1:30 p.m.	4-7 years	Reading
Big Comfy Couch	12:30 p.m.	PreK	Cognitive, social, emotional and physical development
Clifford Puppy Days	2 p.m.	4-7 years	Social skills
Clifford Big Red Dog	8:30 a.m.	4-7 years	Social skills
Curious George	8 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.	3-5 years	Science, engineering, math
Cyberchase	3 p.m.	8-12 years	Math
Dragon Tales	9:30 a.m.	2-7 years	Social skills
FETCH!	4:30 p.m.	6-10 years	Social skills, problem solving
It’s A Big, Big World	10 a.m.	3-6 years	Life science, geography
Maya & Miguel	4 p.m. (Mon-Thu)	6-11 years	Spanish language, social skills
Mr. Rogers	noon	3-5 years	Social skills, self-esteem
Reading Rainbow	1 p.m.	4-8 years	Reading
Sesame Street	7 a.m.	2-4 years	Reading, math, social skills
Super WHY!	9 a.m.	6-8 years	Reading
Word Girl	4 p.m. (Fri.)	6-8 years	Reading
Word World	6 & 10:30 a.m.	6-8 years	Reading

FREE PBS KIDS INTERACTIVE SITES BY AGE LEVEL
http://pbskids.org/

This site connects children to interactive online activities.

PROGRAMS	AGES
Barney	6 months-3 years
Teletubbies	1-4 years
Sesame Street	2-4 years
Berenstain Bears	2-7 years
Dragon Tales	2-7 years
Curious George	3-5 years
Mister Rogers	3-5 years
Boobah	3-6 years
Caillou	3-6 years
It’s a Big Big World	3-6 years
JAKERS!	4-6 years
Between the Lions	4-7 years
Clifford	4-7 years
Reading Rainbow	4-8 years
ZOOM	5-11 years
Arthur	6-9 years
Postcards from Buster	6-9 years
FETCH!	6-10 years
Maya & Miguel	6-11 years
Cyberchase	8-12 years

GRANTS, AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

THE ARKANSAS ARTS COUNCIL OFFERS GRANTS TO PROMOTE ART IN THE SCHOOLS – PREPARE FOR JAN. 18 AND AUG. 31 DEADLINES
http://www.arkansasarts.org/grants/

“Arts in Education: Grants
http://www.arkansasarts.org/grants/#1
Deadline: Jan. 18, 2008

This program initiates new arts programs in schools and local arts agencies and enhances existing ones by providing direct interaction with working artists in residencies. Emphasis is on exposure to the creative process through direct contact with professional artists. Three grants are available for this category: After School / Summer Residency Program, Arts Curriculum Project Grants, and In-school Residency Program.

“Arts in Education” Mini Grants
http://www.arkansasarts.org/grants/#10
Deadline: Aug. 31, 2008 or until funds are expended

These grants are awarded to K-12 schools for programs during school hours and/or organizations that provide after school or summer programs. They provide funding to:

bring quality, professional artists into the classroom or other location to present one- to five-day hands on, curriculum-based arts activities
present a teachers' professional development workshop in curriculum based arts activities either in conjunction with, or instead of a residency

Artists must be selected from the Arkansas AIE Artist Roster. Applicants may receive a maximum of $1,500 using established AIE program rates for the artist's fees, travel, lodging and supplies. A 1:1 in-kind or cash match is required.
The Arkansas Arts Council administers both federal and state funds, financial aid and state grants for programs and services benefiting arts organizations, Arkansas schools and Arkansas artists. Federal funds are appropriated by Congress to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) which in turn grants funds to the Arkansas Arts Council. State funds are appropriated by the Arkansas General Assembly. Grant monies from the Arkansas Arts Council are awarded annually.

SMALLER LEARNING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2007-4/112607a.htm
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: January 10, 2008.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 25, 2008
Federal Register: November 26, 2007

The Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) program awards discretionary grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to support the implementation of SLCs and activities to improve student academic achievement in large public high schools with enrollments of 1,000 or more students.

SLCs include structures such as freshman academies, multi-grade academies organized around career interests or other themes, "houses" in which small groups of students remain together throughout high school, and autonomous
schools-within-a-school, as well as personalization strategies, such as student advisories, family advocate systems, and mentoring programs.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING
http://www.paemst.org/controllers/about.cfc?method=view
Deadline, elementary teachers (grades K-6): May 1, 2008
Deadline, secondary teachers (grades 7-12): May 1, 2009

This award is the highest recognition that a K-12 grade teacher of mathematics and/or science can receive for outstanding teaching. The goal of the award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching.

NEW VOICES COMMUNITY NEWS GRANTS
http://www.j-newvoices.org/index.php/site/story/2008rfp/
Maximum Award: $17,000
Eligibility: 501(c) 3 organizations and educational institutions
Deadline: Feb. 20, 2008

This Institute for Interactive Journalism and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant helps fund the start-up of 40 micro-local news projects and helps support them with two educational Web sites.

FREE BOOKS FOR READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY
http://www.lefbooks.org/reading_resource_project/
Eligibility: schools and literacy projects
Deadline: Feb. 10, 2008

Schools or other literacy projects are invited to apply for free books for the March 3, 2008, Read Across America Day. Resources are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ECO-HERO AWARDS
http://www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/ecoheroawards.html
Maximum Award: $500
Eligibility: youth aged 8-16
Deadline: Feb. 28, 2008

These awards recognize the individual accomplishments of young people whose personal actions significantly improve the environment.

THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION BEVERIDGE FAMILY TEACHING PRIZE
http://www.historians.org/teaching/Beveridge.htm
Maximum Award: $1,500
Eligibility: K-12 teachers in groups
Deadline: March 17, 2008

This prize recognizes excellence and innovation in elementary, middle and secondary history teaching, including career contributions and specific initiatives.

ING UNSUNG HEROES AWARDS PROGRAM
http://www.ing-usa.com/us/stellent2/groups/dc/documents/companylobinformation/001143.pdf
Maximum Award: $25,000 to Grand Prize Winner
Eligibility: full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff members with effective projects that improve student learning at an accredited K-12 public or private school

The ING Unsung Heroes Awards Program recognizes innovative and progressive thinking in education.

MOTOROLA INNOVATION GENERATION GRANTS
http://www.motorola.com/content.jsp?globalObjectId=8153
Maximum Award: $250,000
Eligibility: 501(c) 3 organizations
Deadline: June 15, 2008

These grants provide funds for initiatives that creatively foster a love of science early in life and and show a new generation of inventors that careers in science and math are important.

SCHOLASTIC LEXUS ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE
http://www.scholastic.com/lexus/
Maximum Award: $75,000
Eligibility: students in grades 6-12 and their teachers
Deadline: varies

This program is designed to educate and empower students to take action to improve the environment. The program encourages middle and high school students to develop and implement environmental programs to positively impact the environment.

Grant Sources

Forecast of Finding for the U.S. Department of Education http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html
PEN WEEKLY NEWSBLAST http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp This site includes grant opportunity, Web links, deadlines, eligibility and maximum grant amounts
EducationMoney.com
Federal Grants http://grants.gov allows you to search by category, you do not need to register to search for grant opportunities
http://grantsalert.com/

These sources will help locate foundation, government and other grant opportunities. It’s best to start when you have some time to invest, because one thing frequently leads to another link.

Grant Writing Tips and Tools

If you want factual information about grant writing and samples, be sure to visit the Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal by S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D., Michigan State University, at http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal.
“SHOW ME THE MONEY: TIPS & RESOURCES FOR SUCCESSFUL GRANT WRITING” http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev039.shtml

HEALTH, SAFETY AND FITNESS

DESKERCISE SERIES HELPS STUDENTS STAY FIT
Grades: K-4

This 35-part series of five 10-minute sessions is designed for use in the classroom. Can be used real time by tuning into the Scholar Digital Channel or recording for later use. Slim Goodbody will lead the exercises. His skeletal and muscular system costume helps students see what is happening when they exercise.

Deskercise will air at noon throughout January on the Scholar Digital Channel. It will be repeated in the non-digital early morning blockfeed for school recording and use in the classroom. The series airs Sundays beginning Jan. 29, 2-4 a.m., Tuesdays through Sundays.

ADDRESSING HEALTH MYSTERIES: FIGHTING A DIFFERENT KIND OF WAR UTILIZING COOPERATIVE NETWORKS ACROSS BORDERS LESSON PLAN
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/health/sars_4-8.html
Grades: 9-12

This lesson plan is for suggested use in the following courses: World History; Current Events; Contemporary World; Political Science; Science – Spread of Disease; Health – Disease/Epidemic Units.

BODY SYSTEMS AND SENSES VIDEOS
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/healthfitness/inventory/bodysystemssenses-68.html

Select from these videos to enhance classroom presentations:

“Blood Simple” – Grades 6-12
“Body Electricity” – Grades 3-8
“Double Dutch” – Grades 3-8
“Ice Skating” – Grades 3-8
“More Than an Image” – Grades 3-8
“Mirror Neurons” from NOVA – Grades 6-12
“Obesity” from NOVA – Grades 6-12
“Sleep” from NOVA – Grades 6-12

Other videos are available from this site.

AFFAIRS OF THE HEART: EXPLORING VESSEL PHYSICS LESSON PLAN
http://www.pbs.org/saf/1104/teaching/teaching.htm
Grades” 3-8

Explore the relationship between pressure and vessel diameter and create a model that represents how elevated blood pressure may affect weakened vessels. Design and critique a repair device.

HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE LOOKS AT THE ASSISSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY, THE FAME AND FAILURE OF “THE LOBOTOMIST” AND AMERICAN ICON BUFFALO BILL

“Oswald’s Ghost”
http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/american_experience/oswalds_ghost

The assassination of President John Kennedy in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, shook the trust of the American people in the government’s security and credibility.

“The Lobotomist” http://pressroom.pbs.org/documents/american_experience_lobotomist

The gripping and tragic story of an ambitious doctor, the desperate families who sought his help and the medical establishment that initially embraced him.

“Buffalo Bill”
http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/american_experience/buffalo_bill

The man who helped create the myth of the American West transformed himself into a master showman in 1883, just as the American West was disappearing.

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL OFFERS GLOBAL MARKETPLACE CURRICULUM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
http://www.heifered.org/getit/curriculum/default1.asp

The GET IT! Curriculum for middle school levels provides teachers with a standards-based curriculum to teach students about their roles as consumers and the effects their choices have in the global marketplace. This unit emphasizes reading comprehension, writing for a particular audience, high-level thinking and research strategies. The flexible structure of these materials provides several options for using the unit.

OPTIONS FOR CLASSES, SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS TO HELP END HUNGER THROUGH HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
https://secure.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.3651667/apps/ka/sd/donorcustom.asp
?msource=NL122007A&tr=y&auid=3227658

People who have more to live for have less to fight for – that's the philosophy that guides Heifer's work in parts of the world where communities are trying to get back on their feet after conflict. Does your class, school or district have a place in changing hunger to peace? Check out this site to find out.
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LIBRARY, LITERATURE AND READING

THE COMPLETE JANE AUSTEN AIRS ON AETN BEGINNING SUNDAY, JAN. 13, 2008
http://pressroom.pbs.org/documents/masterpiece_theatre_complete_jane_austen_rls

How many ways can a young woman find true love in turn-of-the-19th –century England? Beloved author Jane Austen provided her readers with six scenarios of the times. For the first time on television, Austen fans can sit down to a weekly feast of all her immortal plots, presented by Masterpiece Theatre over the course of four months. Viewers will be treated to a new drama based on Austen’s own bittersweet love life. Productions include:

“Persuasion” – Sunday, Jan. 13, 9-10:30 p.m.
“Northanger Abbey” – Sunday, Jan. 20, 9-10:30 p.m.
“Mansfield Park” ” – Sunday, Jan. 27, 9-10:30 p.m.
“Miss Austen Regrets” – Sunday, Feb. 3, 9-10:30 p.m.
“Pride and Prejudice” – Sunday, Feb. 10-24, 9-11 p.m.
“Emma” – Sunday, March 23, 9-11 p.m.
“Sense and Sensibility” – Sunday, March 30 and April 6, 9-10:30 p.m.

PBS LAUNCHES COLLABORATION WITH AASL

PBS and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), are collaborating to support school library media and technology integration specialists in their work. PBS Teachers site visitors now have direct access to select articles from AASL's flagship publication, Knowledge Quest, while Knowledge Quest readers will be able to find information on PBS links and resources that further enrich the content in the current Knowledge Quest publication.

Published bi-monthly September through June by the American Association of School Librarians, Knowledge Quest (www.ala.org/aasl/kqweb) is devoted to offering substantive information to assist building-level library media specialists, supervisors, library educators and other decision-makers.

TEACHING ESL STUDENTS IN A 21ST CENTURY WORLD
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/mediainfusion/

This site will help educators provide ESL students a rich, well-rounded classroom experience that goes beyond the basics of English.

MICHAEL PALIN’S HEMINGWAY ADVENTURE: NEWSPAPER WRITING AND REPORTING LESSON PLAN
http://www.pbs.org/hemingwayadventure/class2.html
Grades: 6-8

Explore the characteristics of newspaper writing, and learn more about Hemingway, his life and his writing.

MATH AND SCIENCE

IT’S MY LIFE “IT’S ABOUT TIME” LESSON PLAN
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/parents/lesson_plans/its_about_time.html
Grades: 3-8

Help students develop an appreciation of time by comparing and contrasting time to money, and understand how to budget time wisely. Create file folder games that improve problem-solving skills concerning time and money.

JAZZ “IMPROVISATION PERMUTATIONS” LESSON PLANS
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/classroom/mathimprov.htm
Grades: 6-12

Calculate how many rhythmic combinations can be improvised in a jazz/blues piece by using trial and error techniques, deriving a mathematical formula and applying the formula.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

NEWLY APPROVED ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE EXPANDS OPTIONS

The City of Visitors online professional development course is now live on Arkansas IDEAS under the Arkansas Studies section in the Social Studies Library. This online course counts towards the required professional development hours in Arkansas studies.

FREE AETN IDEAS PORTAL AND AETN VIDEOSTREAMING WORKSHOPS

Times:
8:30-11:30 a.m. workshops for Arkansas IDEAS education portal
1-4 p.m. workshops for AETN Videostreaming

Dates:
Jan. 17, 31, 2008
Feb. 14, 28, 2008
March 13, 27, 2008
April 10, 24, 2008
May 8, 22, 2008

To register for one or more of the workshops, or for more information, call 1-800-488-6689 or send e-mail to education@aetn.org. If you would like to schedule one or both of these workshops to be conducted at your school or district, and have a minimum of 10 participants, contact Daoming Chen at dchen@aetn.org.

TEACHING & LEARNING CELEBRATION, MARCH 7-8, 2008, NEW YORK, NY
http://www.thirteencelebration.org

Legendary primatologist/conservationist Dr. Jane Godall and underwater explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau headline this K-12 professional development conference. More information and online registration are available at the site above.

ADE PATHWISE MENTOR TRAINING JANUARY 2008
http://arkansased.org/teachers/calendar.html#jan

Jan. 23-25, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., University of Central Arkansas
Jan. 30 and Feb. 2, 4 – 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Harding University