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E-Blast March 26, 2009
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- Secretary of Education Addresses the NSTA National Conference
- 2010 MSTA Conference
- Shipboard and Shoreline Science Workshops Aboard the Lake Guardian
- 16th Annual Aviation/Aerospace Teacher Workshop
- Upcoming NASA Professional Development Videoconferences
- Michigan JOINT Education Conference
- Environmental Education Week April 12-18
- High School Science
- Middle School and High School Science
- March Contest
- Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Deadlines
Here are your science education resources and announcements for March 26, 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
Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science consultant and lecturer, University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
Building a Presence
What is a Super Key Leader?
You may have heard that there are Super Key Leaders in Michigan. The Super Key Leader (SKL) is a person who has the role of working with multiple Key Leaders. Our Super Key Leaders are affiliated with the Michigan Math and Science Network. The goal is to have a Super Key Leader within each Center. The SKL helps to identify Key Leaders and Points of Contact. The SKL can generate messages within their region for dissemination to that region or across the state.
Prize Winner from Listening to the e-Blast Podcast
The winner of the Podcast contest is:
Gary Cieniuch
Livonia Public Schools
He answered the question "What is the theme for March in the Year of Science, 2009 correctly. Of course, the answer was Physics and Technology. He received an iTunes gift card for his efforts.
You can only win if you listen to the e-blast podcast. During the podcast, a contest question will be asked and a deadline given. If you answer the question correctly, you will be entered into a drawing and one lucky person will win an iTunes gift card. To listen to the Michigan e-blast podcasts, you can visit: http://k12science.net and click on the podcast button or you can visit the iTunes store and just do a search for "K12Science". You can subscribe to the podcasts from either place. If you listen to this e-blast as a podcast, you might be the next winner! Good luck!
MDE Science
Test Item Writers Needed
The OEAA is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Michigan educators to help us write items for future statewide assessments (MEAP, MME, SCAS). Training and item writing will occur in Lansing in Summer 2009. New participants will be trained in the principles of writing items and aligning them to the Michigan Content Standards. Sessions are scheduled for:
- June 16, 17 and 18 - Mathematics
- June 17, 18 and 19 - Social Studies
- June 23, 24 and 25 - Science
- June 23, 24, 25 and 26 - ELA (Session 1)... and August 5 and 6 - ELA (Session 2)
You may apply to participate in ONE content area only, and must attend ALL scheduled days for that content area (three days for Mathematics, Social Studies or Science; six days for ELA). Item writers will receive reimbursement for travel expenses, a base stipend of $600, and a per-item payment for each item that passes review by our Contractor (Pearson). Training and item writing will be held at Lansing Community College's West Campus, five miles west of the downtown Lansing campus.
Interested educators who have not previously served on a Michigan Item Writing Team have until April 3, 2009, to apply. Go to:
http://www.michigan.gov/meap
then click on "Item Writing Workshops 2009" for complete details.
If you have questions regarding these workshops, please contact Dr. Bill Brown at 517-335-0568, or via email at: BrownB6@mi.gov.
K-7 Companion Documents Rollouts
The Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network are doing rollout sessions on the K-7 Companion Documents. Here is a partial list of upcoming rollout sessions:
- April 15: 9:00 - 2:00 at the Jackson County Intermediate School District. For more information, please contact Megan Schrauben at 517-768-5281
- April 21: 3:35 - 4:45 at the Sanilac County Math and Science Center at the Sanilac Career Center in Peck. For more information, please call Nick Miu at 810-648-4700.
- April 29: Kent ISD, please contact the Kent ISD for more information.
The K-7 Companion Documents can be downloaded at:
http://mi.gov/science
If you would like more explanation regarding the Companion Documents, you can visit:
http://science.resa.net
Then click on Curriculum.
Then click on K-7 Expectations (in the left hand column).
There you will find the companion documents for download, as well as podcasts describing each document. These podcasts include a general description of the expectations for each grade level and an explanation of the companion document for each grade level.
K-12 Science
Secretary of Education Addresses the NSTA National Conference
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said on Friday, March 20 that he wants to launch a "new era" of science education in the United States, one that encourages students to ask tough, challenging questions and bring more specially trained science and math teachers into the classroom. Duncan told the National Science Teachers Association during a visit to New Orleans that President Barack Obama sees a need for inventors and engineers along with poets and scholars and "will not allow scientific research to be held hostage to a political agenda." To view his 30-minute speech, please visit:
http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2009new/video.aspx?lid=hp
2010 MSTA Conference
The Michigan Science Teachers Association has announced the location and dates for the 2010 MSTA Conference. It will be held in Lansing, MI from March 4 - 6, 2010. Mark your calendars now!
Shipboard and Shoreline Science Workshops Aboard the Lake Guardian
Shipboard and Shoreline Science Workshops Aboard the R/V Lake Guardian COSEE Great Lakes invites 4th-10th grade teachers and non-formal educators to participate in one of two week-long Shipboard and Shoreline Science workshops aboard the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's 180-foot research vessel (R/V) Lake Guardian. Educators will work beside scientists, participating in Great Lakes research and stopping in ports for additional science experiences. In addition to shipboard and shoreline science, participants will examine curricula and resources and explore classroom activities relating to the Great Lakes and oceans. The cruises are designed to promote Great Lakes and marine sciences in formal and informal education, as well as forge lasting relationships between science researchers and educators. Fifteen teachers will be selected from around the Great Lakes basin for each of the two cruises.
The workshops will offer first-hand explorations of Lakes Superior and Huron ecology, geology, geography, weather, and biogeochemical processes, with particular emphasis on human impacts and parallels between Great Lakes and ocean systems. Participants will be involved in the collection of planktonic and benthic organisms as well as water quality data collection and analysis. Participants will visit several coastal ports where they will explore special habitats and informal learning sites with local researchers and scientists. Many "teachable moments" will occur as participants encounter other vessels, observe waterfowl and weather, and stop at shore facilities. This is Great Lakes learning at its best!
Workshop participants will receive:
- Stipend of $250
- Travel reimbursement up to $150
- Housing and meals onboard the R/V Lake Guardian for six nights/seven days at no cost
- Exemplary Great Lakes and marine curricula and resources
- Long-term support and communication with COSEE Great Lakes educators.
See full workshop details at: http://coseegreatlakes.net/events/shipboard09
The deadline to apply is May 1, 2009.
16th Annual Aviation/Aerospace Teacher Workshop
The 16th Annual Aviation/Aerospace Teacher Workshop and the 2nd Annual Convergence Education Foundation Great Lakes Competition, hosted by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Convergence Education Foundation will take place on Saturday, May 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI, 49002. Don't miss this opportunity to attend two quality events in one! The Aviation/Aerospace Teacher Workshop will feature Astronaut David Leestma as the Keynote Speaker and breakout sessions all day long designed to show teachers how flight and aerospace concepts can be used in classrooms to motivate students and improve test scores. In addition, the always popular resource center will be available offering a huge number of FREE materials for classroom use.
The Convergence Education Foundation Great Lakes TiViTz Competition features the fun, competitive strategy game TiViTz (www.tivitz.com). Competing in a TiViTz Tournament makes it "cool" for students to understand math and builds their self-confidence. The $40 registration fee includes all of the above in addition to breakfast, lunch, and admission to the Air Zoo (www.airzoo.org)!
To register online, or for more information, visit:
http://www.michigan.gov/aero/0,1607,7-145--208570--,00.html
Upcoming NASA Professional Development Videoconferences
NASA's Digital Learning Network presents a series of videoconferences to assist educators in staying current on NASA education resources and related products. During each event, product producers, authors and experts will demonstrate their materials designed to optimize awareness and understanding of science concepts. Instructional objectives, accessing the materials and primary contacts for the materials will also be discussed. During the videoconferences, participants will be able to submit questions to the presenter that will be addressed during the presentation. The following topics will be covered:
- Meteorology: An Educators Resource Guide for Inquiry-Based Learning: April 29, 2009, 4-5 p.m. EDT
Meteorology is one of the oldest observational sciences in human history and perhaps the most relevant to a broad segment of society. Learn how the first early meteorologists used this knowledge for their success and survival. This educator guide covers weather patterns, climate and measurement tools. - NASA Explores Virtual Worlds: May 27, 2009, 4-5 p.m. EDT
Virtual immersive environments are increasing in popularity in modern America. Explore the virtual world that NASA education is building in Second Life and learn how to become an active citizen of this world.
For more information about these videoconferences and to sign up online, visit: http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/webcast
Questions about these events should be directed to Caryn Long at caryn.long@nasa.gov.
Michigan JOINT Education Conference
The 2nd Michigan Joint Education Conference will be held Wednesday, June 24th at Holt High School in Holt Michigan. Come join:
- MSTA (MI Science Teachers Association)
- MCTM (MI Council of Teachers Of Mathematics)
- MCSS (MI Council for the Social Studies)
- MAMSE (MI Association of Middle School Educators)
- MACUL (MI Association for Computer Users in Learning),
and several partners, in a learning experience you won't forget!! Each lesson will be of at least two strands......science/math, math/technology, social studies/science, etc., etc..... They will also have several vendors with materials OR if you like.....you could be a presenter!! Speaker forms are due April 1, 2009.
Just go to http://www.mijec.org/
You will be able to sign up to present (all done on-line) or, there is a PDF for you to print to mail in your registration form. Registration is ONLY $49 for members of any of the 5 organizations listed above. This price also INCLUDES a boxed lunch! (Non-member registration is $79). Early registration deadline is June 5, 2009.
Environmental Education Week April 12-18
National Environmental Education Week is the single largest organized environmental education event in the United States. EE Week increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of environmentally themed lessons and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. Over the span of EE Week 2008 the combined efforts of nearly 1,850 schools, nature centers, museums, zoos, and other educational institutions taught millions of students about the importance of caring for our natural environment. Environmental Education Week is coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) in cooperation with thousands of outstanding schools, environmental education organizations, education associations, and state and federal agencies.
There hasn't been a time in the past 35 years when we needed the added "push" of National Environmental Education Week so much. Recently, broad education policies have emphasized high-stakes, standardized testing. This means that environmental education, an elective subject, is being squeezed from many of America's classrooms. Moreover, field trips and visits to nature centers or local parks or museums are being scaled-back. The goals for EE Week 2009 are focused on participation. They are
- 2,200 partner organizations
- 4.5 million students
- 45 million hours of environmental learning
Environmental Education Week will be April 12-18, 2009. For more information about National Environmental Education please visit: http://www.eeweek.org/
High School Science
Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium
The Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium is just a month away! This will be the 10th Annual Symposium! The MHSMSS was a 2006 Education Excellence Award Winner from the MASB. Michigan High School students are invited to participate on April 24. For info, please click on: http://www.gvsu.edu/rmsc/index.cfm?id=8A9198AF-A3E3-6DED-E79756D505F95C17
The MHSMSS is an opportunity for student researchers to share their findings, receive feedback, gain public speaking experience, meet fellow researchers and have their work published. Past presenters have used this experience to seek university and scholarship success. Please take a moment to explore the MHSMSS website and share this announcement to teachers and students you feel would benefit.
MSTA Workshop Highlighted
In our last e-blast, participants of the MSTA Conference were encouraged to share their experiences through the e-blast. Bud Ellis from Addison High School, shared the following experience:
A great session I went to was called "High School Chemistry Teachers Manual". It was presented by Jim Munson of the Oakland Science Center and Lynn Hensley from South Lyon HS. The math and science center had brought in many chemistry teachers last summer and they put together an 800-page document relating to each of the chemistry objectives. It was great. This CD should be put out there where more chemistry teachers can get it.
Since Bud's comment, the Oakland Schools Math, Science, and Technology Center have put the resources on a website. Please visit:
http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/science/resources.aspx
and scroll down to the middle of the webpage. Thanks to Bud Ellis for sharing a conference highlight. If you have a MSTA experience that you would like to share, please email David Bydlowski at:
bydlowd@resa.net
Free Physics Teachers Camp
The deadline to apply for the "EinsteinPlus Teachers' Workshop" is Tuesday, March 31, 2009. The program dates are August 2 to August 8. Online applications available at
http://www.einsteinplus.ca
The EinsteinPlus workshop is a one-week, intensive residential workshop for Canadian and international high school teachers that focuses on key areas of modern physics - including quantum physics, special and general relativity, and cosmology. The workshop incorporates sessions on:
- Innovative teaching strategies suitable for all areas of physics
- In-class learning resources on modern physics
- Techniques for sharing the information and materials obtained at Einstein Plus with your colleagues at home for the benefit of additional educators and their students
EinsteinPlus also provides unique opportunities to learn some of the latest developments in theoretical physics from researchers at the forefront of their fields, enjoy lab tours and take part in social events with like-minded teachers from around the globe.
Nano-Link in Michigan
Lansing Community College (LCC) is proud to announce the creation of Nano-Link, a National Science Foundation-sponsored Regional Center for Nanotechnology Education. Nano-Link has as its goal the dissemination of curriculum related to nanotechnology for secondary and higher education in the Upper Midwest region. The founding partners of Nano-Link include: LCC as the Michigan representative in partnership with community colleges in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University.
As Nano-link develops, it will serve as a hub linking educators who want to bring nanotechnology learning to their schools, whether for workforce development, curriculum enrichment, or to establish new courses, certificates or degree programs. Nano-link will also help support professional education of educators in nanotechnology. Each year, 2 secondary school educators from Michigan will be selected to attend a full week nanotechnology education workshop provided by Northwestern University, all expenses paid by Nano-link. In addition, Nano-link will be a resource for curriculum and will sponsor local professional development activities for educators throughout the region.
LCC is excited to be a part of this effort to bring this new and amazing science to Michigan educators. They invite you to join them on this journey. For further information, please contact:
Thomas L Deits at deitst@email.lcc.edu
Or
Christel Marschall at marshc@email.lcc.edu
Middle School and High School Science
Invitation for Teachers to Participate in the Project 2061 Assessment Field Test
AAAS Project 2061 is developing assessment items to measure middle and high school students' understanding of important science ideas from the National Science Education Standards and the AAAS Benchmarks for Science Literacy. They are recruiting approximately 200 middle and high school science teachers willing to field test their multiple-choice test items with students in April, May, or June of 2009. Students must be in 6th through 12th grade.
As a thank-you, each participating teacher will receive a copy of Volume 2 of the Atlas of Science Literacy or a $50 gift card from Borders or Barnes & Noble. The assessment should take students approximately 45 minutes to complete. The test items will cover a variety of science topics. Participants will be randomly assigned topics for their classrooms. It is not necessary that the students have had formal instruction on the topics being tested.
- You must be a middle or high school science teacher.
- Your students must be in 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
- You must obtain permission to participate from the appropriate school or district personnel.
- You must complete a short class information sheet after administering the test.
- You must return all testing materials, whether completed or not, to AAAS Project 2061 within four weeks of receiving the materials. (Pre-paid shipping envelopes will be provided to return the testing materials.)
This study is not intended to evaluate teachers or students. Individual student and teacher data will remain strictly confidential. Individual students will not be identifiable. Their only interest is to learn how students respond to these test items so that they can design test items that are valid measures of what middle and high school students know about important science ideas. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Cari Herrmann Abell, Research Associate, at cabell@aaas.org or at 202-326-6648. If you are willing to participate, please visit:
http://register.p2061.org/?regContactGuid=&testType=F
and then click "Continue" below and complete the registration form that follows. They are striving for participation from urban, rural, and suburban schools in different parts of the country; registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Teachers who are selected to participate will be notified by email.
March Contest Winners
In March, we gave away five copies of the book, Last Child in the Woods. Here is a list of the winners:
- Amanda Springer, Kendon Elementary, Lansing Public Schools
- Lisa Dvorak, Valleywood MS, Kentwood Public Schools
- Nicole Currey, Forest Elementary, Riverview Public Schools
- Ann Vinson, Colon Jr/High School, Colon Public Schools
- Nancy Pearsall, Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy, Lansing, MI
Congratulations to all of the winners. If you did not win, keep trying. Next month may be your lucky month.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- January 1-December 31, 2009: The Year of Science. For more information, please visit: http://www.yearofscience2009.org
- March 27-28, 2009: Michigan Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers Spring 2009 Meeting in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.miaapt.org/index.shtml
- March 31, 2009: Deadline for High School Physics Teacher to apply for the EinsteinPlus Teachers Workshop in Toronto, CA. For more information, please visit: http://www.einsteinplus.ca
- April 1, 2009: Proposal Deadline for the Michigan JOINT Education Conference at Holt HS in Holt, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.mijec.org/
- April 2-5, 2009: 100 Hours of Astronomy. For more information, please visit: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/
- April 3, 2009: Deadline to apply to be an Item Writer for future MEAP, MME, and SCAS tests. To apply, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-22709_31168-209952--,00.html
- April 6, 2009: Deadline to apply for the 2009 Thacher Scholars Awards for students in grades 9-12. For more information, please visit: http://www.strategies.org/ThacherScholars
- April 12-18, 2009: National Environmental Education Week 2009: Be Water Wise! For more information, please visit: http://www.eeweek.org
- April 22, 2009: Earth Day. For resources, please visit: http://www.earthday.net/
- April 22, 2009: Deadline for High School Students to enter the Air and Waste Management Association's Essay Contest on Driving Environmental Progress. For more information, please visit: http://www.awma.org/go/essaycontest09
- April 24, 2009: Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium at Grand Valley State University. For more information, please visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/rmsc
- May 1, 2009: Deadline to apply for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Grades 7-12. For more information, please visit: http://www.paemst.org/
- May 1, 2009: Deadline for 4th - 10th grade teachers to apply for the Great Lakes workshops on the R/V Lake Guardian. For more information, please visit: http://coseegreatlakes.net/events/shipboard09
- May 9, 2009: Deadline for students in grades 5-8 to enter the Earth Day Photo Contest. For more details, please visit: http://www.strategies.org/education/index.aspx?sub=education&sub2=earthday&sub3=contest2009
- May 15, 2009: Deadline for K-5 teachers to be nominated for the 2nd Annual Leadership Academy in Earth Science. Please send names and contact information for nominees to Dr. Ann Benbow, Director of Education and Outreach, American Geological Institute, at aeb@agiweb.org.
- May 15, 2009: Deadline for Middle School Science teachers to be nominated for the 3rd Annual Leadership Academy for Middle School teachers of Earth Science. Please send names and contact information for nominees to Dr. Ann Benbow, Director of Education and Outreach, American Geological Institute, at aeb@agiweb.org.
- May 15, 2009: Deadline for teachers of grades 5-9 to apply to attend the GEMS Space Science Sequence Workshop. For more information, please visit: http://gems.cmich.edu/cohort-application.html
- May 16, 2009: 16th Annual Aviation/Aerospace Teacher Workshop at the Air Zoo in Portage, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/aero/0,1607,7-145--208570--,00.html
- May 20, 2009: Last day for 5th - 8th grade students to enter the Young Scientist Challenge. For more information, please visit: http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/
- June 16-17, 2009: Workshop for Middle School Teachers on GEMS Space Science Sequence for Grades 6-8 to be held at Central Michigan University. For more information, please send an email to gems@cmich.edu or visit: http://gems.cmich.edu
- June 24, 2009: Michigan JOINT Education Conference at Holt HS in Holt, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.mijec.org/
- July 11-16, 2009: The 2009 Michigan Youth Policy Summit on Greenhouse Gas Reduction, to be held at Western Michigan University for 11th and 12th Grade Students. For more information, please contact: Annemarie Fussell at Keystone (afussell@keystone.org; 970-455-4231) or Susan Grammer at WMU (susan.grammer@wmich.edu; 269-387-8642).
- August 2-6, 2009: ChemEd Conference in Radford, Virginia. For more information, please visit: http://www.radford.edu/chemed2009/
- August 16-22, 2009: World Water Week. For more information, please visit: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/
- October 8-10, 2009: The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education will be held at the University of Michigan, Dearborn Campus. For more information, please visit: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/index.html
- March 4-6, 2010: MSTA Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://msta-mich.org
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.