LaunchPacks from Britannica Digital Learning (Webinar)

Through their partnership with AEA Purchasing, Britannica Digital Learning is offering special pricing on Britannica products for Iowa schools!

LaunchPacks for Social Studies & Science is a time saving companion to your Britannica classroom solution. Curated by Britannica experts, these content sets and integrated teaching tools make it easy for teachers to differentiate instruction, implement culturally responsive teaching pedagogy and trigger students’ natural curiosity to learn core K-12 topics.

LaunchPacks supports:

● Inquiry Based learning

● Summer School Programs (short term subscriptions pricing available)

● Culturally Responsive Instruction

● Differentiated Instruction at all grade levels.

Find out more by attending a 30 minute webinar! Register for:
Thursday, Jun 3, 2021 11:00 AM in Central Time  (Click here)

Tuesday, Jun 8, 2021, 03:00 PM in Central Time  (Click here)

Can’t attend, no problem. Register anyway and we will send you the recording.

For pricing and additional LaunchPack information, email laurie@aeapurchasing.org.

Happy saving!

This Dissectable Batman is "OMG" Cool!

Bio Corporation offers a wide variety of preserved specimens for your dissection needs…BUT they also have a dissectible DC Comics Batman figure! 

This product is "OMG cool" and will surpass all expectations! Batman features include:

• 4 dimensional configuration
• X-ray view and highly detailed
• Stands 9.5 inches tall
• Easy to assemble
• Dissects into 31 parts
  

Batman would make for a pre-lab activity and will surely put your science teachers at the top of the list of student favorites! Put together Batman’s skeleton, brain, wind pipe, lungs, heart, liver, stomach and intestines. Check him out in all his glory right here. Other characters are available as well.

For complete details on the AEA Purchasing contract with Bio Corporation, be sure to check out their profile page on www.aeapurchasing.org. Contract benefits include 5% off catalog pricing and free UPS ground shipping on orders over $50. (Pail packaging and live material excluded.)

For specific product questions, contact Becky with Bio Corporation. Be sure to reference contract #IA-020-C.

Happy saving!

Glowforge Now on Contract from Camcor!

Unlock Creativity with Glowforge for your Classroom!

Bring a Glowforge 3D laser printer to your classroom, library, or makerspace, and unlock next-level creativity with your students. 

Thousands of teachers and students are using Glowforge to transform handwriting, art, and computer-generated designs into 3D story books, forensic science dioramas, school dance decor, model-scale architectural plans, and even custom musical instruments!

Compatible with your school’s existing hardware and software, Glowforge turns student’s ideas into reality at the push of a button. 

Glowforge is now available to Iowa schools under AEA Purchasing's contract with Camcor, Inc.

Contact laurie@aeapurchasing.org to connect with the vendor and save with AEA Purchasing!

2021 Food School Spirit Shows

Mark your calendar for AEA Purchasing's 2021 School Spirit Shows. Both shows will include: 4 hours of professional development (which includes Civil Rights training, how to understand and maximize non-program food revenue, increasing student engagement), a high-energy, motivational speaker, and 3 hours to explore our food exhibits. 

Please RSVP to Barb Adams by June 25th to allow the vendors to plan samples accordingly. Forward your school district name, number attending, and the location you will be joining us at.

Dates and locations are:

• Wednesday, August 11th in Cedar Rapids
  Double Tree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex 
  *A parking ramp is available

• Thursday, August 12th in Des Moines
  Holiday Inn Airport Convention Center 

Again, to register or for more information on this event, please contact Barb Adams. A PDF with detailed information can be found here.

Food Program Announces Iowa Based 2021-22 Food and Ware Wash Vendors

AEA Purchasing is pleased to announce that we have extended an award to the following prime vendors for food-related supplies and services, as well as ware wash-related supplies and services for school year 2021 - 2022:

• Food Prime Vendor
  Foodservice formal competitive bid - Request for Proposal 021721
  East & West Zones: Martin Bros. Distributing Company, Inc., based in Cedar Falls, IA

• Ware Wash Prime Vendors 
  Ware wash formal competitive bid - Request for Proposal 021721
  East Zone: EMS Detergent Services, based in North Liberty, IA
  West Zone: Martin Bros. Distributing Company, Inc., based in Cedar Falls, IA

For complete details on these vendor contracts or for more information on AEA Purchasing's Food program, contact Meg Brink.

Get Ready for June...It's National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Month!

Get ready to celebrate! June is National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Month.

As gardens all over Iowa begin to produce delicious, fresh produce, your summer food service programs (SFSPs) will be in full swing. What better place to use fresh foods? Can you partner with your school garden or greenhouse?  Or perhaps you know a local grower you can secure produce from?  If labor is short, try the pre-cut produce options that Martin Bros. has to offer. Any way you slice it, there is no reason not to find a place for fresh foods in your summer menus.

Try these fun ideas on how to incorporate fresh produce into your SFSP plans!  

• There is nothing quite like fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew in summer- and your kids will think so too!  A sweet treat, indeed! 
• Sugar snap peas -- one of the most kid-friendly, yet underutilized veggies!  Snap peas pair perfectly with other fresh veggies, but can hold their own just as easily!  Try serving with a side of ranch or hummus. 
• Zucchini -- if you have 1 zucchini, you have 20! Perhaps that is why there are thousands of zucchini recipes out there! Baked zucchini coins are a family favorite. Simply slice zucchini, toss lightly in olive oil (or use an oil spray), and shake with whole wheat bread crumbs and parmesan cheese, then bake until golden brown.  
• Fresh tomatoes -- jut the thought of one is enough to make your mouth water! Serve freshly sliced tomatoes and lettuce when sandwiches are on the menu.  Maybe some onion too; finely diced is a nice option for littles!
• Chard/Kale -- not something that you would normally think of serving kids, unless you hide it in a quesadilla! Cheddar and chard quesadillas are a delicious addition to any menu. Choose your favorite tortilla and fill with cheese and shredded chard (or kale). Cook and serve with salsa & sour cream (or plain greek yogurt). 

The sky's the limit! Find out what produce you have access to and try something new!  

 

Check out these links for great information on Iowa harvest times and storing fresh produce.

 

Not an AEA Purchasing cooperative food member?  We would love the opportunity to talk… email megan@aeapurchasing.org. 

School Disinfection Webinar from FSG

FSG, an AEA Purchasing vendor partner, will be hosting a FREE webinar on pathogen disinfection in schools. A whitepaper on the topic can be accessed here. Webinar details are below.

Webinar: Pathogen Disinfection is Schools
Brought to you by Facility Solutions Group
May 18, 2021 at 2 PM CST / 3 PM EST
Register online here!

What is the best disinfection technology for your school?

There has been a tremendous amount of press and noise out there about what technology is the best and most effective. As different systems are installed, parents, teachers and the press seem to be asking questions about if money is being wisely and effectively spent. This webinar will take an unbiased approach and review different technologies including UVC, FARUV, Ionization, HEPA Filtration, foggers, chemical cleaning, and more. We will also discuss some of the press and questions that are being asked, and some recent reports and guidance that were released in April.

For more information on the webinar, or the AEA Purchasing contract with FSG, contact:

FSG Lighting
Alyssa Mika, Account Manager
855-642-1109
aepa@fsgi.com
www.AEPA.lighting
*Bid reference: AEPA IFB 018-B LED Lighting

See What Mackin Has to Offer in 2021!

Mackin has new maker products!

What’s NEW at Mackin, you ask? Take a look for yourself!

• Gamified Kits!
  MackinMaker Gamified Kits are engaging, flexible, and easy to use in a variety of situations. Each kit includes a selection of Maker products, corresponding challenge cards, and even two gamified ways to track your students’ progress. The kits can be integrated into your existing curriculum by subject or standards needs by using the included alignment matrices. Your students will be digging in and engaging in their learning in no time!
  
  
• Take & Make Kits!
  MackinMaker Take & Make Kits perfectly pair literacy and making. Themed kits allow PK-12 students and patrons to explore STEAM, stretch their minds and capabilities, and provide inspiration. Each kit contains a low barrier of entry Makerspace product, a narrative print title, and a set of printed challenge cards. Kits are housed in either colorful bins or backpacks so they arrive ready to circulate in your library or classroom.
  
  
• Class Set E-Books!
  Mackin Class Sets are short-term eBook licenses, offered by a select group of publishers, which are designated for classroom use. Teachers and/or librarians will be able to purchase multiple copies of an eBook to use in classroom instruction for a shorter license term at an affordable price. This will allow teachers to more effectively utilize digital resources needed for projects, novel sets, and reading groups all within budget.

All Iowa schools and libraries receive additional discounts off Mackin’s already competitive prices through AEA Purchasing managed national AEPA Contract #020-0C:

• Print Books receive an additional 8% discount
• eBooks and Digital Audiobooks receive an additional 7% discount
• Makerspace materials receive an additional 3% discount
• Multimedia (DVDs, Blu-Rays, MP3s,) receive an additional 3% discount

To view your discounted pricing online, select the Iowa Contract Pricing option in your Profile.                     (www.mackin.com > Shop Mackin > My Account > My Profile > Iowa Contract Pricing)

You can also reference AEA Purchasing or AEPA on your order to receive your discounts. Questions on viewing pricing online? Reach out to Mindy!

Mackin
Mindy Romero | Educational Sales Consultant
319.899.9717
mindy.romero@mackin.com

Mindy Romero brings you over 20 years of experience in education and publishing. Mindy is a former classroom teacher, certified in Iowa, and has been Mackin’s Iowa Educational Consultant for five years. As your Iowa Educational Consultant, Mindy will support your work with her expertise in the school library and classroom with print books, digital resources and maker space materials from Mackin Educational Resources. Mindy Romero looks forward to collaborating with you!

Other wonderful resources from Mackin!

• Mackin’s AEPA Contract through AEA Purchasing
• MackinVia
• MackinMaker
• Library
• Classroom
• Lifting Voices Webinar Series

Is Your Building Envelope Protecting Indoor Air Quality?

In this era, keeping school interiors comfortable, safe and healthy is more important than ever. 

If your school buildings have gaps, cracks and leaks in the building envelope, indoor air quality issues can result. 

With ESSER II funds allowing for facility improvements to improve air quality in school buildings, now is the time to address these issues. 

Through AEA Purchasing's AEPA contract, Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance and affiliated construction services company WTI bring you industry-leading roofing and building envelope solutions, air barrier expertise and even COVID decontamination resources. 

It’s everything you need to keep your buildings high performing so your students can be, too. 

To learn more or request a consultation, contact:

WTI/Tremco
Jeremy Yoder
jyoder@tremcoinc.com
515.208.4241
Bid Reference: IFB 021-D
www.tremcoroofing.com

Free Webinar: Preparing Your District for Post-Pandemic School Safety Threats

Capitol Electronics, an AEA Purchasing vendor partner, invites you to attend their webinar, "Preparing Your District for Post-Pandemic School Safety Threats" on Thursday, May 13 at 1 PM CST/2 PM EDT.

Click here for registration.

Click here to view webinar PDF.

Unable to attend? Complete the registration form (link above) and request a link for the recording.

This webinar will cover:

• Diffuse crisis situations quickly
• Trends with emergency alerting
• Overcoming reoccurring fees
• Integration with current IT infrastructure
• Learn what experts have to say about the best way to broadcast emergency situations

For questions about Capitol Electronics and their emergency notification solutions, contact:

Capitol Electronics

Mary McGhiey

317.413.2338

mmcghiey@capitolelectronics.com

https://www.capitolelectronics.com/021-security-solutions/
Bid Reference: #021

Get your hands on summer learning!

Get your hands on summer learning with experiential summer programs & camps from Pitsco Education!

Summer learning is around the corner, and it’s time to get your hands on hands-on learning and kick-start the best summer ever. Pitsco's digital guide shows you how you can stem learning loss and ignite student passion.

Explore aerospace through rocketry and drones, build future-relevant skills with robotics and coding, or discover green energy sources by creating solar cars and windmills. With Pitsco solutions, you can take students on a remarkable summer learning journey. 

Be sure to enter AEPA22 at checkout for the exclusive discount of 2% off your purchase along with free shipping!

For product inquiries, contact:

PITSCO Education
Preston Frazier, Iowa Sales
800-835-0686 Ext. 4559
pfrazier@pitsco.com
*Bid Reference: 019-E, 716331