Afternoon Announcements: 31 Race to the Top-District Competition Finalists Named

The U.S. Department of Education recently named the 31 finalists for the second Race to the Top district-level competition. The winners include a mix of large urban districts and rural ones. The winners will share a prize of $120 million. Politics K-12

A new ad promotes toys designed to encourage children to think and learn, particularly girls. The viral ad is a 2-minute video showing three girls using stereotypical gender-related toys to show off their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills. Upworthy

A new website – launched this week – provides extensive resources for teachers to help them prepare for teaching to the Common Core State Standards. The resources include lesson plans, activities, and videos. NJ Spotlight

A satellite developed by high school students is believed to be orbiting the Earth after being sent into space by aboard a US Military rocket earlier this week. NPR