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E-Blast March 13, 2008
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- High School Science
- Middle and High School Science
- Middle School Science
- March Contest - Magnifiers
- Tools and Resources
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Here are your science education resources and announcements for March 13, 2008 provided by Building a Presence for Science. These science education highlights are emailed to Key Leaders, Points of Contact and State Partners. Please forward them on to other science educators in your school. If you have questions or comments, please forward them to:
David Bydlowski
Michigan Coordinator - Building a Presence
bydlowd@resa.net
http://nsta.org/bap
http://www.msta-mich.org/bap
or
Sue Campbell
MSTA Representative
sue@ucia2.com
http://www.msta-mich.org
1. Leadership
If I came into your school today and asked, "What does your school community stand for? What are the values your school community wants students to hold dear?" Would your students be able to answer? Would you like what they'd have to say?
Here's why this matters. You are not the only one influencing what your kids value. Oprah, Dr. Phil, Rush, Springsteen, Al Gore, Colin Powell, Kid Rock, Eminem, Bono, JK Rowling, Barry Bonds, Rain (he's a South Korean pop singer who tops TIME's online poll of influential people) are walking and talking values. With these people competing for the minds and hearts of your school community, do you see how vital it is to be clear about the values you hope your people share?
Adapted from "Reading For Leading" Dan Mulhern, November 26, 2007
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science Consultant and Adjunct Professor of Biology at University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
Building a Presence
Are you going to the NSTA in Boston?
You are cordially invited to the BaP Reception in Boston, sponsored by Texas Instrument. It will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2008 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM EST.
RSVP - http://bap.nsta.org/Content/Information/UpcomingEvents/Default.aspx
Next e-Blast will be April 10
Due to spring break and the NSTA Conference in Boston, there will not be an e-blast on March 27. The next e-blast will be available on April 10. This will also give NSTA a little more time to work on their new e-mailing system. As you might have noticed, there have been problems in the mailing of the e-blast in February. This is because of the changes in the NSTA e-mailing system, that we use. Please keep in mind that all e-blasts are archived at:
http://msta-mich.org/bap
MDE Science
MEAP 2008 Information
Here is some information regarding the Fall 2008 MEAP science test, as provided by Rodger Epp the Science MEAP Consultant, from his March 6 presentation at the MSELA at MSTA.
The fall 5th and 8th grade MEAP in 2008 will have just two constructed response questions that will be assessed. There will actually be three constructed response questions on the tests, but one is a pilot. (Strand 1 or 2) The test will add 6 multiple-choice items to replace the two dropped constructed response items. As such, the point totals for the 5th and 8th grade MEAP science test will remain the same, 51 points and 58 points, respectively.
Secondary Credit Assessments
This information is provided by Rodger Epp Science MEAP Consultant, from his March 6 presentation at the MSELA at MSTA.
Items for the Secondary Credit Assessment of Biology have been piloted and the results are now being reviewed. OEAA plans to post a Biology test on its secure website in May 2008. The proposed OEAA blueprint will offer a 93-item Biology test. Because the MME deals with the essentials, the test will include a 50% sample of items aligned to the essential Biology science content expectations (SCEs), or about 28 items. The Biology test will also have about one item for as many of the 63 core Biology SCEs as possible. The test will also offer two constructed-response items aligned to Standard One. OEAA's biology test will be posted by OEAA for schools to use. However, schools are not required to use this Biology test to measure student proficiency in Biology. Districts are able to use a Biology test they prepare or to use a published test. Whatever test is used must adequately assess the SCEs of MDE's Biology curriculum.
It is expected that the Chemistry Secondary Credit Assessment will be ready in May, 2009.
Final MDE Regional Rollout, Including Science
The Michigan Department of Education will be holding their final regional rollout on the following topics:
K-7 Science; MMC Science Companion Documents; Online Experience; Social Studies (K-12); Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts; and World Languages.
During the morning breakout session, 9:45 - 11:45, there will be a session on the K-7 Science Expectations. During the afternoon breakout session, 1:00 - 3:00, there will be a session on the High School Companion Documents for Science, Math and ELA. Sessions may vary, depending on the host site. To register, please register online with the host ISD. For additional information, please contact Joni Lindeman at:
517.373.4213
LindemanJ@michigan.gov
March 28, 2008 -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Ingham ISD - http://www.inghamisd.org
K-12 Science
Sun-Earth Day is March 20
Sun-Earth Day comprises a series of programs and events that occur throughout the year, culminating with a celebration on, or near, the Spring Equinox. This year's celebration is on March 20, 2008. Over the past seven years, the NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum has sponsored and coordinated education and public outreach events to highlight NASA's Heliophysics research and discoveries. This effort involves using celestial events, such as total solar eclipses and the Transit of Venus, as well as Sun-Earth Day during the March Equinox, to engage K-12 schools and the public in space science activities, demonstrations and interactions with space scientists.
For more information and educational resources, including posters, flyers, postcards and an educator kit, visit the Sun-Earth Day Web site at:
http://sunearthday.nasa.gov
Toshiba Exploravision Winner from Michigan
For the first time in a few years, Michigan has a winner for the Toshiba Exploravision Award. Amy Burke of West Hills MS in West Bloomfield, MI was selected as one of the top 24 winners in the country, over 3200 applicants. You can learn more about her Award at:
http://www.exploravision.org/winners/regional-winners-2008.php
Earth Hour is March 29
On March 29, 2008, cities around the world will join together to literally turn off the lights for one hour to offer leadership and symbolize their commitment to finding climate change solutions. Individuals, local businesses and corporations will also be asked to turn off their lights. For more information, please visit:
http://earthhour.org
Lake Michigan Exploration Workshop
An outstanding learning opportunity awaits you! Become immersed in the science of the Great Lakes through the Lake Michigan Exploration Workshop, to be held August 2-8 in Chicago, Illinois. Here are the benefits of joining in:
- Build lasting relationships with scientists through a 2-way dialogue
- Engage in field tours held in Chicago, Milwaukee, and at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
- Bring back to the classroom new curriculum resources and other education materials related to Great Lakes and ocean sciences
- Connect your work to state standards for student performance
- Earn graduate credit if you wish
- Earn a stipend
They encourage applications from educators who are Native American or members of groups underrepresented in science and/or who teach significant numbers of students who are members of such groups. Selection criteria include: geographic distribution, ethnic diversity, level of professional involvement; potential to use the workshop materials and concepts in the classroom; and potential to share the workshop material with other educational professionals.
This workshop is sponsored by the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Great Lakes and the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network through an NSF grant and NOAA funding. To learn more about this exciting opportunity and acquire the application, please visit:
http://coseegreatlakes.net/events/lakemichigan
If you have additional questions, contact Terri Hallesy, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, at thallesy@uiuc.edu.
Astronomy with MESTA
Do you want to learn astronomy in the field instead of at a desk? Join the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) for Southwest Astronomy IV, a field conference in Phoenix and Tucson, June 22- July 2, 2008. Optional graduate credit (2-3 semester hours) is available through Michigan State University. Visits to observatories and laboratories will be mixed in with amateur astronomy observing and such far ranging topics as meteorites, astronomical art and archaeoastronomy. No experience is necessary! Visit the Southwest Astronomy website for detailed agendas, a trip cost calculator and much more information:
http://staff.gpschools.org/mcnamas/SWA.htm
High School Science
Grants and Scholarships for Chemistry Teachers
The Hach Chemical Foundation is offering high school chemistry teachers grants of up to $1,500 to improve their classrooms. Applications are due by May 31 and awards for the next school year will be announced by July 1, 2008. The application and proposal can be one page each and must demonstrate a measure of the project's success.
The same foundation is offering $6,000 annual academic scholarships for experienced chemists to secure teaching credentials and become "second career" chemistry teachers. For details and application forms, go to:
http://www.hachscientificfoundation.org/outreach.shtml
Middle and High School Science
Penn State Science Workshops for Educators
The Penn State Science Workshops for Educators offer innovative ways to teach science in the classroom, information on the latest science research, content-rich subject material and standards-based activities. Educators of grades 6-12 from across the country are encouraged to apply. Attendees will work side by side with Penn State faculty; many of whom are involved with NASA sponsored research.
Grants provide all participants with a private room in the newly built Brill Hall, reimbursements for travel costs up to $100, breakfast in the dining commons, and an allotment for lunches and dinners. Tuition subsidies are available for all of the workshops on a competitive basis. Tuition subsidies will be awarded on March 21, 2008; however, depending upon funding availability, additional tuition subsidies may be provided after March 21, 2008.
The 2008 Workshops include:
- Exploring Renewable Energy Technologies and the Materials That Make It Happen (NEW).
- Earth's History: Interaction Between Life and the Environment (NEW).
- Extreme Particle Astrophysics.
- Evolution -- How important is it to a good science education?
- Telescopes: The Tools of Astronomical Inquiry (NEW).
- Black Holes: Gravity's Fatal Attraction (NEW).
The tuition subsidies are need-based and assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. Notification of tuition subsidies will be sent on March 21, 2008; however, applications may be submitted until May 31, 2008. Depending upon funding availability, additional tuition subsidies may be awarded after March 21, 2008.
For more information and the online application, visit:
http://teachscience.psu.edu
If you have questions about this opportunity, please e-mail Leah Bug at teachscience@psu.edu
Toyota International Teacher Programs - Galapagos 2008
The Institute of International Education pleased to announce that the application is now available for the 2008 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands, a unique fully funded professional development program for secondary school teachers and librarians. This year all teachers in grades 6 - 12 and Library Media Specialists are eligible to apply! Again, full time teachers of all subjects in the 50 states and the District of Columbia are encouraged to apply. This is a special chance for educators to visit these remote islands; the inspiration for Darwin and home to unique ecosystems found no where else on Earth! The application is now online at:
http://www.iie.org/toyota
Middle School Science
Discovery Education Live Green Teacher Grants
Discovery Education and General Motors are pleased to announce the LIVE GREEN Teacher Grant program. Developed by Discovery Education and presented by GM, LIVE GREEN challenges middle school teachers to develop innovative ideas for furthering environmental and energy sustainability, and rewards them for being advocates in their schools and communities for a greener future. Forty -- $1000 grants and a unique professional development opportunity will be awarded to teachers for the most forward-thinking ideas. The deadline is May 15, 2008. For more information, visit:
http://discoveryeducation.com/livegreen
Teachers Wanted to Pilot Curriculum Guide
The NOAA Ocean Data Education (NODE) Project's "Investigating El Niño Using Real Data" curriculum guide contains five activities designed for grades 6-8 that incorporate real data from NOAA. If you would like to help test and evaluate this curriculum guide, please visit the new Data in the Classroom Web site at http://dataintheclassroom.org to register online.
Data in the Classroom is an online resource for teachers interested in using real scientific data in their teaching. The NODE Project is developing curriculum for grades 5-8 designed to help teachers and students use real scientific data to explore dynamic Earth processes and understand the impact of environmental events on a regional or global scale.
March Contest - Magnifiers
This month we have seven wonderful gifts to give away. Prizes are different kinds of magnifiers.
To win one of these prizes, send an email to:
David Bydlowski
bydlowd@resa.net
State Coordinator for Building a Presence
You MUST INCLUDE your name AND mailing address AND your school name/district.
You may only enter once and only one entry per email address. Respondents 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, and 65 will receive a prize. We will post all of the winners in our next E-Blast. Good luck to you and thank you for being part of the Building a Presence Network.
Tools and Resources
Free ACT Prep:
http://www.mivhs.org/content.cfm?id=667
Archived Michigan BaP e-Blasts:
http://msta-mich.org/bap
Grants:
http://sciguides.nsta.org/internet/grants.aspx
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html
http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/grants/index.html
High School Companion Documents:
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_38684_28760-171474--,00.html
High School Science Expectations:
http://mi.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-42814---,00.html
K-6 Inquiry PD Resources:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI
K-7 Science Content Expectations:
http://mi.gov/documents/mde/Complete_Science_GLCE_12-12-07_218314_7.pdf
K-7 Science Content Expectations Podcasts:
iTunes Music Store then search for K-7.
K-12 Online Science Assessment Tool:
http://www.macombschools.org/scienceassessment
Internet Resources Correlated to the MCF and the MMC:
http://www.svsu.edu/mathsci-center/uploads/science
Michigan Merit High School Graduation Requirements FAQ for Science:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/faq15_178607_7.pdf
Science Music 24/7 on the Internet:
http://live365.com/stations/trappedinlab
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- March 14, 2008: National Pi Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.piacrossamerica.org/
- March 14, 2008: Deadline to become an EARTH HERO (ages 12-17). For more information, please visit: http://www.earth-heroes.org
- March 14, 2008: Deadline to apply for Research Experiences for Teachers (RET). For more information, please visit: http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/ret/
- March 17, 2008: Deadline to enter the National DNA Day Contest for Middle and High School Students. For more information, please visit: http://www.genednet.org/pages/k12_dnaday08.shtml
- March 20, 2008: Sun-Earth Day. For more information, please visit: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov
- March 21, 2008: Deadline for middle and high school teachers to apply for the Science Ambassador Program. For more information, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/excite/ScienceAmbassador/
- March 27-30, 2008: NSTA National Convention in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit: http://nsta.org/conferences
- March 28, 2008: MDE Regional Rollout to be held at the Ingham ISD. To register, please visit: http://www.inghamisd.org
- March 29, 2008: Earth Hour. For more information, please visit: http://www.earthhour.org/
- March 31, 2008: Deadline for MS and HS Students to enter the NASA Space Settlement Design Contest. For more information, please visit: http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/SpaceSettlement/Contest/
- April 4, 2008: Deadline to apply for the 2008 Thacher Scholars Award for secondary school students. For more information, please visit: http://www.strategies.org/ThacherScholars
- April 7, 2008: Deadline to apply for the U.S. Department's Teaching Ambassador Fellowships. For more information, please visit: http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/index.html
- April 11, 2008: Deadline to enter the National Transportation Week 5th Grade Poster Contest. For more information, please visit: http://www.ntweek.org
- April 11, 2008: Deadline to apply for the American Water Works Grants. For more information, please visit: http://www.mi-water.org/miawwa/index.html
- April 13-19, 2008: National Environmental Education Week. For more information, please visit: http://dev.eeweek.org/
- April 18, 2008: Deadline to apply for the 2008 Lake Michigan Exploration Workshop sponsored by COSEE. For more information, please visit: http://coseegreatlakes.net/events/lakemichigan
- April 22, 2008: Earth Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.earthday.net/earthday2008.aspx
- April 25, 2008: National DNA Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.genome.gov/dnaday
- April 25, 2008: Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium to be held at the GVSU Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/rmsc/index.cfm?id=8A9198AF-A3E3-6DED-E79756D505F95C17
- May 1, 2008: Deadline for Elementary Teachers to apply for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Award. For more information, please visit: http://www.paemst.org/controllers/home.cfc?method=view
- May 9, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands for 6-12 Grade Teachers. For more information, please visit: http://www.iie.org/programs/toyota/galapagos/galapagos_main_w_links.html
- May 15, 2008: Deadline for Middle School Teachers to apply for the Discovery Education LIVE Green Teacher Grants. For more information, please visit: http://livegreen.discoveryeducation.com/
- May 31, 2008: Deadline to apply for Chemistry teachers to apply for Grants and Scholarships from the Hach Chemical Foundation. For more information, please visit: http://www.hachscientificfoundation.org/outreach.shtml
- June 25, 2008: Curriculum Integration Conference to be held at Holt High School. Registration information will be available soon.
- July 1, 2008: Deadline to apply to become an astronaut. For more information, please visit: http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/recruit.html
- July 14-18, 2008: CSI Lawrence Tech Forensics Workshop. For more information, please visit: http://www.ltu.edu/arts_sciences/master_science_ed/forensic.asp
- July 14-18, 2008: Free Materials Science Workshop for Middle School and High School teachers, to be held in Ann Arbor, MI. To register, please visit: http://www.asmfoundation.org/portal/site/asm/Foundation/MaterialsCamp/
- July 27 - August 1, 2008: Project Inspire Training for 2nd - 4th Teachers to be held at Purdue University. To apply, please visit: https://engineering.purdue.edu/INSPIRE
- October 18, 2008: MDSTA Fall Conference at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. For more information, please visit: http://mdsta.org
- October 23, 2008: Science MEAP Test for 5th and 8th Grade Students in Michigan.
- October 28, 2008: Science MEAP Test Make-Up for 5th and 8th Grade Students in Michigan.
- February 12, 2009: Charles Darwin Bicentennial Day. For more information, please visit: http://darwinday.org/englishL/assistevent/index.html
To subscribe to the Building a Presence Science e-blast, please visit: http://nsta.org/bap
To unsubscribe from the Building a Presence Science e-blast, please contact your Key Leader or email David Bydlowski, Michigan Coordinator for the Building a Presence Science Network, at bydlowd@resa.net.