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E-Blast April 24, 2008
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- Middle and High School Science
- Elementary and Middle School Science
- Elementary School Science
- April Contest Winners
- Tools and Resources
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Download this e-Blast as a podcast!
Here are your science education resources and announcements for April 24, 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
Leadership
Leadership has a harder job to do than just choose sides. It must bring sides together.
Jesse Jackson
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
e-Blast Available Via Email, Online and in Audio Format
The Michigan e-blasts are now available in three formats. They will continue to be sent via email to all State Partners, Key Leaders and Points of Contact on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. They are archived online, with hyperlinks, at:
http://msta-mich.org/bap
You can also listen to an audio-enhanced podcast, which summarizes each e-blast at:
http://k12science.net
MDE Science
K-7 Companion Documents
Work continues on the K-7 Companion Documents. There is not a lot of information available at this time, but vocabulary and inquiry will play an important role in the document. It is expected that this document will be available in September or October.
Science, AYP and the Michigan Report Card
With the talk of changes taking place in NCLB, some rumors have surfaced. These rumors surround AYP. Science is not part of AYP. Michigan is in compliance with NCLB by providing tests in grades 5, 8, and 11. Science is used in computing the Michigan Repor t Card Grade, but only in grades 8 and 11.
K-12 Science
25th Anniversary of Sally Ride's First Space Shuttle Mission
You are invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sally Ride's first space shuttle mission at a summer Educator Conference. The conference, presented by Sally Ride Science, NSTA, and NOAA, will provide educators an opportunity to learn more about Earth's changing climate and hear from Sally about how Earth has changed in the 25 years since her first flight.
Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate
July 23 - 24
NOAA Science Center
Silver Spring, MD
http://www.sallyridescience.com/conferences
The cost of the conference is $60.
New NASA Website
NASA's Science Mission Directorate has launched a new Web site that provides enhanced and engaging information about NASA's vast scope of scientific endeavors and achievements. The site will provide in-depth coverage of NASA's past, present and future science missions with features that include:
- Expanded "For Educators" and "For Kids" pages to provide access to a broader range of resources for learning the science behind NASA missions.
- Interactive tables and searches for Earth, heliophysics, planetary and astrophysics missions.
- Insight into dark matter and dark energy, planets around other stars, climate change, Mars and space weather.
- Resources for researchers including links to upcoming science solicitations and opportunities.
- A mapping of science questions for NASA science missions and the data they produce.
- A citizen-scientist page with access to resources that equip the public to engage in scientific investigation.
- Easy-to-navigate design and an improved search engine to help find information.
Visit the new NASA science Web site at http://nasascience.nasa.gov.
Middle and High School Science
Virtual Mars Student Imaging Program
As part of the evaluation of the Mars Exploration Public Engagement Program, Science and Mathematics Program Improvement (SAMPI) at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, is looking for teachers (and their students) who are interested in participating in the virtual Mars Student Imaging Program (MSIP) in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2008. Thro ugh the Internet, students work with Mars scientists at Arizona State University. Each group develops a scientific question related to the surface geology of Mars, studies the topic through actual images of the planet, and presents their findings to scientists through the Internet.
Teachers receive a $500 stipend for providing regular feedback about the experience through telephone interviews, email surveys, one or more evaluator site visits to your classroom, student pre/post assessments, sharing of student work, etc. during the period of the project. Upon completing agreements with SAMPI, the teacher is expected to initiate the program with MSIP through the Internet. This project can be done with one or more classes, an after-school club, or summer program participants. It is targeted at middle and high school. Duration of the project is determined by the teacher and MSIP coordinators, but usually lasts from one to 3 months, depending on amount of time per week devoted to the project.
If you would like to learn more about MSIP and the Internet-based program go to:
http://msip.asu.edu/
click on Activity Formats, then on Distance Learning Format
If you have questions or would would like to participate in the the SAMPI evaluation and receive $500, please send an email to:
mark.jenness@wmich.edu.
They will follow-up to make specific arrangements with those classes that are accepted into the project. Up to 10 teachers will be accepted in the program. Reply by mid-May for summer and fall activities; earlier to participate in spring.
Learn About the Moon Through Engaging Gameplay
As part of a NASA initiative to study videogame learning, the NASA-sponsored Classroom of the Future locat ed on the campus of Wheeling Jesuit University developed Selene: A Lunar Creation GaME. Players form the early Moon and then pepper the surface with impact craters and flood it with lava. Along the way, Chuck Wood guides players through the history of the Moon. Wood, an internationally known lunar geologist, writes a monthly column on the moon for Sky and Telescope and authored the inspiring book: The Modern Moon: A Personal View. The National Science Foundation and the journal Science awarded Selene semi-finalist honors in their 2007 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge. Selene research is funded by NASA eEducation. The game is free and accessed over the internet 24/7.
You can visit the public website at
http://selene.cet.edu
You can send an email selene@cet.edu for more information about the project.
e-Mentoring Applications for 2008-2009 Now Available
e-Mentoring for Student Success (eMSS) is recruiting 1st - 3rd year middle and high school science teachers to participate in an innovative online mentoring project. Mentees will work online with experienced science educators, research scientists and other new teachers.
Mentee Benefits:
- Be matched with an experienced science teacher as your personal mentor.
- Participate in a content-focused professional learning community.
- Access to a vast array of science resources.
- Receive verification of professional development participation.
- Option to receive academic credit.
Expectations of eMSS Mentees include:
- Complete eMSS Mentee Online Orientation by September 30, 2008.
- Participate on a weekly basis in the eMSS online site.
- Work with mentor on the curriculum in the eMSS environment.
To apply, please visit:
http://newteachercenter.org/emssapp/
To watch a virtual tour, please visit:
http://emss.nsta.org
Elementary and Middle School Science
Free Energy Workshop for Teachers of Grades 5-9
There is a free National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) energy workshop, taking place at the Kent ISD on May 5, 2008. Along with workshop materials, breakfast and lunch are provided. Substitute reimbursement and SB-CEU credit is available. For more information, please visit: http://www.kentisd.org/hub and select Browse Courses. Then search for course number 08CC0505. Space is limited to 35 participants.
Elementary School Science
Science Author in Michigan
Julie Fick from the Capital Areas Science and Math Center recently announced that Lucinda Mitchell, a 6th grade teacher in North Branch, MI has self-published three children's books. One is on Space Poetry and the others are on Constellations. Cindy is excited to share her books with teachers and students. She is available to be a guest author and talk about her experiences in both science and English classrooms. Below is her contact and book information.
AUTHOR: Lucinda (Cindy) Mitchell
Books can be obtained signed from the author for $11 each. Any mailing will require an additional $2 per book.
e-mail: lomitchell@lycos.com
Books can also be obtained from www.authorhouse.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders book stores. Prices and shipping will vary with each company.
Send My Teacher to the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy recently announced a new way for elementary school teachers to get a chance to attend the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy and improve their math and science teaching skills. Students can nominate teachers from Grades 3, 4, and 5 or urge them to apply for an all-expense paid trip to the Academy's math and science professional development program by logging on to http://www.sendmyteacher.com, an interactive website.
Developed in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions, the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy enables teachers to hone their science and math-teaching skills, enhance their curricula, and discover innovative new ways to inspire students. The teachers will spend five days next July at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ, deepen ing their understanding of mathematics and science content, building expertise in facilitating student learning through problem solving and inquiry, and using links between math and science that support student learning and understanding in the classroom.
Teacher applications are due by October 31, 2008. The National Science Teachers Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics will convene a panel of math and science experts to evaluate the entries and announce the selections in February 2009. The 2008 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy will host more than 600 teachers in Houston, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Jersey City, New Jersey. To date, nearly 1000 teachers have attended the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy.
To nominate a teacher or to learn more about the program, visit www.sendmyteacher.com.
April Contest W inners
We had seven winners this month for our April contest. Each winner received a ring and ball apparatus. This month's winners are:
- Lisa Short, Freeland High School
- Carrie Wilkinson, Grayling Middle School
- Priscilla Cochrill, Carsonville Elementary
- Rose Pilon, Powers Catholic High School in Flint
- Nancy Lefere, Lumen Christi High School in Jackson
- Tami Wittenberg, Central Elementary in Portage
- Kari Dawley, Gladwin Junior High School
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.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-12 Science Content Expectations Podcasts:
http://k12science.net
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
- 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
- April 26, 2008: Leopold Education Project-Striving for a Land Ethic Environmental Workshop at Central Michigan Universitys Neithercutt Nature Study Area. For more information, please contact Liz Roxberry at: Lydia101579@netscape.net
- May 1, 2008: Deadline to apply for the electronic Mentoring for Student Success (eMSS) Project. For more information, please visit: http://emss.nsta.org
- 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 13, 2008: MSELA Spring Dinner Meeting at the Environmental Discovery Center at the Indian Springs Metropark, in White Lake, MI. For more information, please contact Theron Blakeslee at: tblakesl@tds.net
- 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 21-25, 2008: Summer Forensics Science Workshop to be held at Gull Lake High School in Richland, MI. For more information, please contact Kathy Mirakovits at: kmirakovits@portageps.org
- 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.
- October 31, 2008: Deadline to nominate teachers for the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. This is for teachers of grades 3-5. For more information, please visit: http://www.sendmyteacher.com
- 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.