Home
About
E-Blast September 27, 2007
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- 6th-12th Grade Science
- September Contest Winners
- Tools and Resources
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Here are your science education resources and announcements for September 27, 2007 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
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
Max DePree-American Writer and CEO of Herman Miller, Inc. from 1961-1990
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
If you are going to the NSTA Regional Conference in Detroit, don't forget to attend the Key Leaders and Points of Contact sessions:
- BaP Key Leaders Meeting (by invitation only): Friday, October 19, 2007 - 3:00-5:00 PM - DaVinci Room, Marriott Renaissance Center Hotel
- BaP: Points of Contact Meeting (by invitation only): Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 10:00 AM-12 Noon - DaVinci Room, Marriott Renaissance Center Hotel
Invitations were sent out in the last national e-blast. The invitation will also be available in the next national e-blast. But if you want to make sure you are registered for these events, please send an email to:
Joe Sciulli-National BaP Coordinator
jsciulli@nsta.org
MDE Science
K-7 Science Expectations
The K7 Science Grade Level Content Expectations continue to move toward completion. About the only work left is continued proofing. It is still expected that the expectations will be presented to the State Board of Education in November, with hopeful acceptance taking place in December. This would lead to a rollout in January and February. Please continue to be patient and do not use prior drafts of the K7 expectations for curriculum planning.
High School Science Content Expectations
Final versions of the high school Science Content Expectation Companion Documents are nearly completed. Draft versions continue to be online at:
http://mi.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_38684_28760-171474--,00.html
It is expected that the final, revised versions will be available online either the last week of September or during the first few weeks of October.
Recently, the following question was asked: Who is presently impacted by the Michigan Merit Curriculum? The answer is--our present 8th and 9th graders. It does not matter, what class a student is taking. If a student is in the 8th or 9th grade, it is expected that the class will comply with the MMC to help prepare them for the future MME.
K-12 Science
MSTA Speaker Application Deadline Near
Time is running out!!! Only 6 days!! The Deadline to submit a speaker proposal for the 2008 MSTA Annual Conference, March 6-8, 2008, in Lansing Michigan is Wednesday, October 3rd.
Session forms can be found on the MSTA website:
http://www.msta-mich.org
Vernier/NSTA Grants for Science Teachers
$21,000 is available for innovative science teachers through the Vernier/NSTA Technology Awards, sponsored by Vernier Software and Technology and National Science Teachers Association. All science teachers in K-12 are eligible. There will be seven awards of $3,000. The deadline is October 15, 2007.
The Vernier/NSTA Technology Awards promote the innovative use of data?collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or other handheld in the science classroom. Each award will consist of $1,000 in cash for the teacher, $1,000 in Vernier Products, and up to $1,000 toward expenses to attend the 2007 NSTA National Convention. To apply, please visit:
http://www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html
NSTA in Detroit October 18-20
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, will be in Detroit, October 18-20, for its 2007 Midwestern Area Conference on Science Education. Participants from across Michigan and neighboring states will meet to discuss the latest issues in science education, learn about new teaching tools and techniques, network with fellow science education professionals, and hear thought-provoking presentations from world-renowned scientists and educators. The conference will be held at the COBO Center and other local venues.
Designed to enhance professional development and provide networking forums for science educators, the three-day conference, held in conjunction with the Metropolitan Detroit Science Teacher Association (MDSTA), will feature hundreds of presentations about the latest breakthroughs in science and hands-on workshops covering every discipline, grade level and teaching focus. Educators will discuss popular issues, including the No Child Left Behind Act, science literacy and the nation's competitiveness, and the teaching of evolution and global climate change. In addition, attendees will hear about the hottest topics in science education from nationally-renowned speakers, including Dr. Sally Ride, former NASA astronaut and president and CEO of Sally Ride Science.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore NSTA's Exhibition of Science Teaching Materials. From the latest high-tech calculators to scientifically engineered container gardens, attendees will be able to examine and learn about the latest science education materials, laboratory equipment and computer hardware and software available.
The NSTA Midwestern Area Conference on Science Education will begin with concurrent sessions on Thursday, October 18 at 8 a.m. and will conclude at noon on Saturday, October 20, with the closing of the exhibits. Teachers interested in attending the conference can register online at http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2007det/registration.aspx.
Workshop from the Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Donna Young, Astronomy National Supervisor at the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and Patti Smith, educational consultant for Chandra will be the facilitators for the workshop, Linking the Real World to MI GLCE's for MS and HS Science Teachers, taking place on October 12, 2007 in Clinton Township. High school and middle school GLCEs related to the motion of objects, gravitational interactions, forces of acceleration, energy transfer, energy transformations, wave characteristics, electromagnetic waves, wave behavior, the nature of light, nuclear reactions in space, heat/temperature efficiency, mass/energy, earth in space & time, stellar evolution, characteristics of our sun as well as earth history and geologic time all are part of the topics covered in this workshop. Teachers will be provided with a complete classroom set of all activities and materials, and a stellar evolution presentation on CD-ROM for classroom use as part of this highly interesting and interactive workshop.
To register, please go to: http://www.solutionwhere.com/misdtraining/cw/showsession.asp?314490885/2/20077:55:22+AM
Polar Science-Global Impact
The Regional Math and Science Center will be hosting a lecture series this school year to highlight the four urgencies of the International Polar Year (IPY), beginning October 11, 2007. The first lecture "Changing Snow and Ice: What the Past Can Tell Us About The Future" will feature Dr. Anders Carlton from the University of Wisconsin. All lectures are free and appropriate for students in middle school to adults. For more information about this IPY event and others, please visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/ipy
Air Quality Resources
The National Education Association Health Information Network through a cooperative agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a series of K-12 lesson plans that supplement the U.S. EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program and kit. To download the lesson plans, please visit:
http://www.neahin.org/Lesson_Plan/LessonPlanStartPage.htm
Sally Ride Science: Celebrating Teachers
Sign up now and join the journey! Sally Ride Science and the National Science Teachers Association, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, invite you to Join the Journey: Celebrating Teachers. This two-day conference will highlight STS-118, the first space flight of an educator astronaut, Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan. You will learn more of the shuttle mission's educational objectives, accomplishments and opportunities for all teachers.
Join them at the Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan on October 16 and 17, 2007. The celebration of teachers that began with STS-118 continues with:
- A presentation by, and a conversation with Barbara Morgan
- An educator street fair
- Engaging hands-on workshops
- A session featuring the leaders of national professional education organizations
- A session on equity strategies for the classroom
- A talk by author Clay Morgan, Barbara Morgan's husband
The registration fee for the conference is $50. Please register at:
http://www.sallyridescience.com/for_educators/conferences/join_the_journey
by October 10, 2007. Attire will be business casual. They look forward to seeing you in Detroit, as together, we celebrate teachers.
6th - 12th Grade Science
Early Career Educators-3 Days Left-Don't Miss the Deadline
Do you know any early-career science or math educators? If so, they might be interested in e-Mentoring for Student Success (eMSS). Please pass the following information on to any 1st - 3rd year middle and high school science or math teachers.
eMSS is recruiting 1st - 3rd year middle and high school science and math teachers to participate in an innovative online mentoring project. eMSS was developed to empower the next generation of science and math teachers by providing content-focused mentoring through a national, online technology network. Through eMSS, new and veteran teachers - as well as content specialists - collaborate in an interactive community to facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences to advance high-quality science and math instruction for all students.
There are numerous benefits to becoming an eMSS Mentee:
- Be matched with an experienced science or math teacher from Michigan as your personal mentor.
- Participate in a content-focused professional learning community.
- Gain access to a vast array of science or math resources.
- Receive verification of professional development participation.
- Have the option to receive academic credit.
Go to the Web site below and fill out the application to become a part of this program.
Science: http://emss.nsta.org
Math: http://emssmath.nsta.org
YES! Expo 2007 to Feature NASA's Mars Rover Project Chief Scientist
Michigan Technological University will host the fourth YES! Expo on Thursday, November 8 at Ford Field in Detroit. Universities and corporations are coming together again this year to show middle and high school students the fascinating world of engineering, science, and technology. In a hands-on setting, corporate exhibitors will inspire students to consider exciting science and engineering careers. Universities and community colleges will showcase the educational pathways to these careers and demonstrate the interesting things students can do in college within these fields.
The YES! Expo show will feature keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Squyres, chief scientist on NASA's Mars Rover Mission. In addition, students will be treated to a special video appearance by Rob Coleman and John Knoll who are responsible for the visual effects and animation on Star Wars I, II, and III and Pirates of the Caribbean I, II, and III. YES! Expo shows will be presented at 9:30 am and 12:00 noon and are made possible through a grant from The Dow Chemical Company.
A large, expanded food court will be available on the upper concourse where four different $5.00 combo meals and regular menu items will be available throughout the day.
Thanks to their sponsors, tickets are FREE. Order tickets online at:
http://www.yes.mtu.edu
For more information contact Pete Cattelino, Director, YES! Expo at:
906-487-3486 or at pjcattel@mtu.edu
Earth Heroes
The World Trust Foundation wishes to share some exciting news about their program called, EARTH HEROES. This FALL they are doing a soft launch, with a more formal launch in January of 2008, where students (Ages 12-17) can get involved in a contest that helps them to become an EARTH HERO. EARTH HEROES is a program that focuses on the environment, and how young citizens in our communities can lend their talents in the "EXPRESS YOURSELF FOR EARTH" contest. The contest engages students to come up with creative ideas on how to help with the environment and get involved in their communities with this years theme of GO GREEN!
What makes this contest so special is that it is divided into 4 categories: Art, Written Word, Photography, and Video Production. Also, the EARTH HEROES program involves students and teachers in INTEGRATED EDUCATION with Science, Art, English, Photography and Video Production classes. EARTH HEROES supports the curriculum standards beautifully, as well as invites individual students, entire schools and communities to get involved with the environment. A SIMPLE and EASY ASSIGNMENT FOR YOUR CLASS and you're well on your way to having one of your students WIN SPECIAL AWARDS AND PRIZES.
All entries are to be in the Los Angeles office by March 14th, 2008. Judging commences, with winners announced in April and prizes given out at the EARTH HEROES AWARDS LUNCHEON on Earth Day - April 22, 2008. This allows students on any school calendar, the opportunity to submit an entry to be considered for an award. They are excited to announce that the Grand Prize Winners from the video category has the chance to win a trip to an exciting destination to be announced. This is not to be missed, as teachers, community leaders and parents will have ample opportunities to participate.
Check out:
http://www.earth-heroes.org
for downloadable details and get your classes enrolled early on! For more information, please contact: tess@worldtrust.org
September Contest Winners
Congratulations to our BaP September Contest Winners. The following people won either a book or poster. They are:
Fern Cohen-Susick Elementary, Warren Consolidated Schools<,br> Steve Poniewierski-Lamphere Schools
Karen Beaubien-St. Raphael School, Garden City
Carol Caldwell-Taylor Public Schools
Karla Browning-Mosaica Education, Inc.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Hopefully you may be a winner in the next contest.
Tools and Resources
Archived Michigan BaP e-Blasts:
http://msta-mich.org/bap
Early Childhood Science Blog:
http://science.nsta.org/earlyyearsblog
Free NSTA Newsletters (Elem - HS):
http://www.nsta.org/newsletters
Free ACT Prep:
http://www.mivhs.org/content.cfm?id=667
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
http://www.legoeducation.com/about/item.aspx?art=314
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-12 Online Science Assessment Tool:
http://www.macombschools.org/scienceassessment
Science Music 24/7 on the Internet:
http://live365.com/stations/trappedinlab
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- September 29, 2007: Energy Choices for a Sustainable Future Conference and Exhibition at Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.uheac.org
- September 30, 2007: Deadline to apply for the Best Buy Teach Awards. For more information, please visit: http://communications.bestbuy.com/communityrelations/teach.asp
- October 3, 2007: MSELA Fall Dinner at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Topics include Inquiry and MDE Updates. For more information, please contact Liz Niehaus, at: Niehaus_p@msn.com
- October 3, 2007: Deadline to apply to be a presenter at the MSTA Conference in March, 2007. To download a speaker form, please visit: http://www.msta-mich.org/conference/vendor_speaker.pdf
- October 10, 2007: Deadline to register for the Sally Ride Science Celebration of Educators to be held in Detroit, MI. To register, please visit: http://www.sallyridescience.com/for_educators/conferences/join_the_journey
- October 8 - 26: Window for 5th and 8th grade Science MEAP test.
- October 12-14, 2007: MAEOE Fall Conference at the Ralph A. MacMullen Center in Roscommon, MI. For more information, please contact Brandon Schroeder at schroe45@msu.edu
- October 12-14, 2007: Michigan Mineralogical Society~Rs Greater Detroit Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show at the Sports and Expo Center at Macomb Community College in Macomb, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michmin.org
- October 14-20, 2007: Earth Science Week. For more information, please visit: http://www.earthsciweek.org/
- October 15, 2007: Deadline to apply for the Vernier/NSTA Technology Awards. For application information, please visit: http://www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html
- October 16, 2007: MichBio Expo Career Day in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michbio.org/Expo/
- October 18-20, 2007: National Science Teachers Association North/Midwestern Area Convention - Detroit http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2007det/
- October 22, 2007: Math, Science, and Technology through Design Conference at the EMU Student Center in Ypsilanti, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.litesource.org/
- October 26, 2007: Deadline to enter the 12th Annual Art Contest for Children in Grades 2-4. For contest rules and entry information, please visit: http://www.strategies.org/ArtContest
- November 8, 2007: YES! Expo 2007 at Ford Field, Detroit. For more information, please visit: http://www.yes.mtu.edu/
- December 30, 2007: Deadline to apply for the Tool Factory Podcasting Grants. For full details, please visit: http://www.toolfactory.com/olympus_contest/olympus_podcasting.htm
- January 29, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards. For more information, please visit: http://www.exploravision.org/
- January 31, 2008: Deadline to apply to become a NASA Explorer School. For more information, please visit: http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes/menuitem.d601ef1f9fdc2c2d7010ea1051008a0c/
- February 12-16, 2008: Fundamentals of Inquiry Workshop for Professional Developers at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA. For more information, please visit: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ifi/workshops/attend
- March 6-8, 2008: MSTA Annual Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://msta-mich.org
- March 14, 2008: Deadline to become an EARTH HERO (ages 12-17). For more information, please visit: http://www.earth-heroes.org
- March 27-30, 2008: NSTA National Convention in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit: http://nsta.org/conferences
- April 25, 2008: National DNA Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.genome.gov/dnaday
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.