Swift's innovative M3 series microscopes are now in stock!  The M3 microscope has the unique capability of viewing both microscopic and macroscopic specimens.  The M3's top and bottom LED illuminators are powered by a rechargeable battery allowing up to 40 hours of cordless operation.  Monocular and binocular head versions are available.  Please call Swift customer service or your local Swift dealer for more information.

For more information: Please contact our Asia Pacific Global Distribution Center located in Hong Kong at:

Europe@swiftoptical.com

or

Asia-Pacific@swiftoptical.com

Swift Optical is pleased to be a small part of providing better health care in Rwanda.  Recently the Ntarama health centre, constructed by the Survivors Fund (SURF) organization acquired a Swift M7000CB to provide basic health services to the nearby rural population of 26,000 individuals.  According to  Dr.  Aflodis Kagaba, Executive Director, “This microscope is not only helping to support the health and wellbeing of the Rwandan people through increased lab services, but  has decreased diagnostic time, allowing for  quicker treatment and better health outcomes.”

Thanks for stopping by our booth during the recent NSTA Philadelphia Conference! It was three days filled with many opportunities to share our products and “how to” with science educators.

A student learning about microscopy

 Microscope raffle winner Elizabeth Taylor from Branford, CT with her new M3500 microscope

Microscopy lesson plans are now available to download from the "Education Resources" area of the website.  More material to be included soon!

We are pleased to announce that the SwiftCam II imaging software is now SMART  Technology Inc. approved for use with SMART board interactive whiteboards and other SMART products!!  SwiftCam II imaging software is part of the Swift Digital Microscope and Swift Digital Camera package.

Department of Education To Accelerate $11.37 Billion in Stimulus Funds

Second Half of Title I, IDEA and VR Funds To Be Released 30 Days Early

Washington, DC — U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that the Department will accelerate stimulus spending by making $11.37 billion in Title I, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funding, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), available to states one month early to help save jobs and drive reform.

"The President and I directed the Cabinet to find ways to pick up the pace of Recovery Act implementation, and I applaud this critical step forward by the Department of Education," said Vice President Biden. "With over 30,000 Recovery Act projects already approved nationwide and billions in relief flowing to hard-hit families and businesses, we've made a lot of progress in a short time—but we continue to focus every day on finding ways to ramp up our efforts to put Americans back to work and rebuild our economy."

"After accelerating the release of $2.7 billion in Government Services funds earlier this month, we are now announcing another $11.37 billion in Title I, IDEA and VR funds that will be released early to help states and districts expedite stimulus spending," said Secretary Duncan.

On April 1, 2009 the Department awarded 50 percent of each state's Title I ARRA funds, 50 percent of each state's IDEA ARRA funds, and 50 percent of each state's VR ARRA funds. The remaining 50 percent, or $11.37 billion, was to be made available on September 30. Today's announcement will move up that timeline and ensure that these funds are made available to all states on or around September 1.

The early release of these funds comes on the heels of Department's publication earlier last week of the proposed requirements for approximately $12.6 billion in Phase 2 State Fiscal Stabilization Funds and $4 billion in Race to the Top competitive grants. In addition, the Department earlier last week also invited applications for $250 million in statewide longitudinal data systems competitive grants and released $650 million in Educational Technology funds.

"At the Department, we are doing everything possible to prevent spending decisions from being made in silos and we encourage states and districts to do the same," said Secretary Duncan.

The $5 billion in Title I funding being made available early will go to local educational agencies (LEAs) for schools that have high concentrations of students from families that live in poverty in order to help improve teaching and learning for students most at risk of failing to meet state academic achievement standards. These funds create an unprecedented opportunity for educators to implement innovative strategies in Title I schools that improve education for at-risk students and close the achievement gaps while also stimulating the economy.

The $6.1 billion in IDEA funding being made available early will provide an unprecedented opportunity for states, LEAs and early intervention service providers to implement innovative strategies to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, children and youths with disabilities, while stimulating the economy. The $270 million in VR funding being made available early will provide state VR agencies an opportunity to further improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, especially those with the most significant disabilities.

Announcing the new Swift Education Team (SET)!  Swift is pleased to have partnered with science and technology teachers  nationwide  to work with us to  present and develop workshops, lesson plans, student activities, and additional trainings.  If you would like more information about this exciting venture, please contact  Cynthia Syverson-Mercer at  cynthia@swiftoptical.com.   

Everyone has questions about  the American Reinvestment and Revitalization Act (AARA).  Here are some suggested websites that can provide you with the basics and some opportunities related to AARA:

www.ED.gov   A website offered through the U.S. Department of Education to help you identify grant opportunities and other related AARA programs

www.grants.gov  A website offered through the Department of Health and Human Services allows you to find and apply for grant opportunities.

www.fedbizopps.gov   A one-stop resource for information and buying .

www.recovery.gov   A comprehensive resource with basic information about the AARA.  Click on the opportunities tab to find additional basic information.

For more updates  geared specifically to students and science educators:  http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2009/od-24.htm

Over a year in the making, Swift Optical Instruments introduces a new lab manual, “Biology with a Microscope”, designed for use with the new line of Swift digital microscopes and digital imaging products.

Developed in conjunction with TERC, The Educational Research Consortium, Cambridge, MA this manual is geared towards high school (grades 9-12) biology courses. It is adaptable to other grade levels as well.

The lab manual includes 20 Hands-on Learning Activities, divided into four, theme –based units.  Each activity may be done in order or individually with appropriate preparation.  The learning activities are linked to National Science Standards and Key Textbooks for easy teacher reference and curriculum planning.

The activities, although designed with digital microscopy in mind, may be used with conventional Swift microscopes as well.    

This manual provides a teacher friendly platform that gives students the opportunity to discover the wonders of science.  It is “ A must have for every biology teacher”.

To introduce the Lab Manual, Swift Optical is offering a promotion that includes a free manual with the purchase of 5 or more digital microscopes.  Please contact your sales manager for further details.

CD’s are available with sample lesson plans.

The new M6000 series is now available.  The M6000 series is the newest edition to Swift's educational line of compound microscopes.  This series incorporates a coaxial focusing system, LED illumination and tamper-proof features.  Quality construction assures a durable microscope that requires minimal maintanance.  Contact your Swift Optical dealer or your Swift representative for more information.

We thought we would take a moment to share our thoughts on the recent NSTA Conference which was held in New Orleans March 18-22.

We continued with our goal to provide teachers with the Swift quality that they have come to expect and introduced new products that will give them solutions and new teaching opportunities.  To this end, we featured the new CL models:  M3500, M2250 and introduced the new M6000 series.  We also showcased the M10L digital model, which continues to be the star!  In addition, we demonstrated a prototype of the M2 (to be designated M3 Series) micro-macro field scope.  Teachers shared our excitement with the user-friendly feel of the new M3 and eagerly anticipate its arrival later this year.

Our new  look  also gave us the opportunity to integrate  Swift digital microscopes and cameras with a master  software teaching station, using Smart board Technology, Swift cam II imaging software and MoticNet and Motic Trace programs.  MoticNet is a program that allows teachers to network student computers in a classroom situation.  Motic Trace allows for many applications, including digital imaging comparison and for use with forensic science.  We will be releasing more information on these exciting sales opportunities soon.

We also introduced our “Biology with a Microscope” Lab Manual.  This is a valuable teaching tool that is designed for use with Swift Digital Microscopes.   The manual integrates Swift digital products into easy to use lesson plans.