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E-Blast September 13, 2007
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- NSTA Regional Conference in Detroit
- Science Leaders Fall Dinner
- MSTA Winter Conference
- Michigan Mineralogical Society
- Earth Science Week
- Looking for Exemplary Science Programs that Illustrate Inquiry
- Energy Conference and Exhibition
- NASA Engineering Design Challenge
- Environmental and Outdoor Education Fall Conference
- 6th-12th Grade Science
- Elementary Science
- September Contest
- Tools and Resources
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Here are your science education resources and announcements for September 13, 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
If you don't understand that you work for your mislabeled 'subordinates,' then you know nothing of leadership. You know only tyranny.
Dee Hock, Founder and CEO Emeritus, VISA International
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
Did you know that Building a Presence is in almost all of the states in the United States? You can visit http://science.nsta.org/bap/state_networks/ and view all of the states. If you click on the state, you can view details regarding that state~Rs network.
MDE Science
Science Subject Tests
Many districts and public school academies are beginning to ask questions about the new science subject tests that are part of the Michigan Merit Curriculum legislation. Rodger Epp, of the Michigan Department of Education, shared the latest information on these tests:
The Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability (OEAA) plans to have the Biology test ready for May, 2008. Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics will follow in pace by 2011.
The Biology test items were developed this summer. The test design is yet to be finalized. The design will effectively cover the essential and core content of the science subject.
The Michigan Department of Education does not have to approve the alternative assessment chosen by a district to assess science subject performance.
A subject test must be used as part of the consideration as to whether the student successfully earns credit in the science subject, after the student completes the course. A student can also take and pass the test, prior to taking the course, in order to "test out" of the course and receive credit for the science subject.
The Michigan Department of Education will recommend cut scores. The extent to which the school uses (weights) student test performance on the OEAA-developed science-subject test in order for the student to earn course credit, is determined by the district.
If you would like more information on this topic, please feel free to send an email to David Bydlowski, bydlowd@resa.net, and your questions can be answered in future BaP e-blasts.
K-12 Science
NSTA Regional Conference in Detroit
Volunteers are needed for Wednesday morning from 11:00 - 1:00 to stuff the programs for the conference. Work will be done at the Macomb Hall area in COBO Hall. If you, or someone you know can help on this, please contact Mike Mansour at: Mmansour001@comcast.net
Don't miss the earlybird deadline of September 14, 2007! If you are looking for an in-depth professional development experience to improve your content knowledge or pedagogical understanding, then NSTA has just what you need in Detroit at the Area Conference on Science Education! Join in for discussions and courses on timely and engaging topics to advance your science learning and teaching.
Sample just a few of the offerings. Elementary school teachers can discover new hands-on activities integrating math, science, and literacy. Middle school teachers become expert on assessment. High school teachers can attend workshops in their disciplines, and college professors can learn about spectroscopy and supernovae remnants, perfect for Earth science and chemistry. Think of listening to keynote speaker Sally Ride talk about her space exploits. How about a workshop on force and motion fundamentals? Take part in a workshop to help you teach science to English language learners more successfully. And they have an exhibit hall chock-full of new products, lesson plans, and giveaways. NSTA's conferences have something for everyone, and they want you to take it all back to the classroom. Register by September 14 to save. See you in Detroit! Visit: http://www.nsta.org/detroit
Science Leaders Fall Dinner
Take a "sneak peek" at the newly remodeled Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum as they celebrate 25 years of interactive learning experiences for children of all ages. Enjoy dinner, networking with fellow science education leaders and engage in an activity designed to model scientific inquiry. The cost for members is $30 and the cost for non-members is $45. Tours of the museum begin at 4:00, dinner at 5:30, MDE update at 6:30, and the inquiry program at 6:50. This dinner meeting is presented by the Michigan Science Education Leadership Association (MSELA). To register, please contact Carol Jones at: cjones@misd.net
MSTA Winter Conference
You can now register for the 2008 MSTA Conference, "Making a Difference!" The 2008 conference will be March 6-8, in Lansing at the Radisson Hotel and the Lansing Center. They will again offer team registrations, as well as first time teacher and first time attendees specials. Also, new for this year -- send in your registration by January 18, 2008 and be entered for special prizes. For full details and to register by mail or online, please visit: http://www.msta-mich.org
Speaker proposals for the conference are due October 3, 2007. The speaker form can be found at: http://www.msta-mich.org/conference/vendor_speaker.pdf
Michigan Mineralogical Society
The Michigan Mineralogical Society will be hosting their annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show at the Sports and Expo Center at Macomb Community College in Macomb, MI from October 12-14, 2007. A special student day will be held on Friday, October 12. For more information, please visit: http://michmin.org
Earth Science Week
This year marks the tenth annual Earth Science Week, October 14-20, 2007. With this theme, Earth Science Week activities will promote public and professional awareness of the status of earth science in education and society. The theme will also focus attention on geoscience research, such as that associated with the International Polar Year (IPY) and the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE), of which the American Geological Institute (AGI) is a Founding Partner. Through these major initiatives Earth Science Week will help spread understanding of the impact the earth sciences have on society. For more information, please visit: http://www.earthsciweek.org/
Looking for Exemplary Science Programs that Illustrate Inquiry
As 2008 approaches, the NSTA National Advisory Board (NAB) invites your help in identifying 15 programs for the 2008 Exemplary Science Program Monograph. The sixth monograph in the series now requests nominations for recognizing teachers and schools. Inquiry has become a word that all respect and admire -- almost religiously. Most teachers, textbook authors, curriculum developers, and the general public see it important and purport to use it. However, in actual practice it often has a word like guided, completed, or even "directed" used with it as an adjective. But could scientists be so restrained??
The 2008 ESP monograph will focus on teachers and programs, which illustrate full (or open) inquiry. This means that it starts with student curiosities and questions followed by student attempts to deal with their own curriculum and attempt to provide answers. Of course the main ingredient for scientific inquiry is collecting evidence from others to evaluate and to establish validity to the ideas and solutions proposed. And, these must be shared and used to resolve the issues. All of this requires contexts (situations) to promote inquiry ~V which is the stated major goal for science education as indicated in the National Science Education Standards. Specifically the goal called for producing students who "experience the richness and excitement of knowing about and understanding the natural world".
The NAB looks forward to reviewing nominations and working with at least 15 teacher teams who are involved with real inquiry on the part of students in their classrooms. Nominations should be forwarded to Robert E. Yager, Chair of NSTA's ESP efforts and editor of the ESP Monograph Series (Science Education Center, Room 450 VAN, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, robert-yager@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1189).
Energy Conference and Exhibition
On Saturday, September 29th, Energy Choices for a Sustainable Future will take place from 9:30am to 5:30pm at Oakland Community College ‑ Auburn Hills. There will be informative presentations by top energy educators plus exhibits. A continental breakfast is included. An optional organic, buffet lunch (vegetarian optional) is available for $10, payable with registration.
For full details and registration, visit: http://www.uheac.org or call 248‑693‑1021br> Cost: $20 ($25 after 9/21)
NASA Engineering Design Challenge
As NASA plans to return to the moon, plant growth will be an important part of space exploration. NASA scientists anticipate that astronauts may be able to grow plants on the moon in specialized plant growth chambers. Come participate and build your own lunar growth chamber in the NASA Engineering Design Challenge!
Through the NASA Engineering Design Challenge, elementary, middle and high school students will:
- Design, build, and evaluate lunar plant growth chambers
- Receive cinnamon basils seeds flown on STS-118
- Test lunar growth chambers by growing and comparing both space-flown and earth-based control seeds
Visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education/plantchallenge to register and to receive more information about the NASA Engineering Design Challenge. You can also sign up for the NASA Express listserv to receive e-mail updates about the challenge and other NASA education activities. Join the NASA Engineering Design Challenge and be part of space exploration by growing seeds flown in space!
Environmental and Outdoor Education Fall Conference
The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) invites you to join them for their 2007 MAEOE Fall Conference (October 12-14th in Roscommon, MI). Details and registration information are now available online at: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/
They are looking forward to a wonderful conference weekend with many, many great speakers and sessions highlighting this year's theme, "Partnering for our Future". The keynote speaker is Jon Yoder, a school educator from the State of Oregon -- Jon provides local, state, and national leadership in fostering community-based education, and will speak of programs and his experience in linking school education, community partners, and environmental stewardship! This conference promises this and many, many more great sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities for educators interested in environmental and outoor education.
Teacher Scholarships or stipends may be available on a competitive basis for formal, in-school teachers. Preferences will be given to educators who are new to MAEOE or newly attending the MAEOE Fall Conference. For more information and application contact Brandon Schroeder at schroe45@msu.edu or 989-984-1056.
6th - 12th Grade Science
Early Career Educators
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
Elementary Science
Art Contest for Children in Grades 2-4
An art contest for grades 2‑4 challenges students to explore the ocean from top to bottom and then draw a picture showing what they learned. This is the 12th annual art contest held by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Arlington, Va. The contest supports national science education standards for grades K‑4. The winning artist will receive a $250 savings bond, and his or her artwork will be printed as the 2007 IGES greeting card. Second‑ and third‑place winners receive a $100 and $50 savings bond, respectively. Everyone who sends in an entry will receive a certificate of participation. Artwork will be judged by a panel including artists, scientists and IGES staff members. Entries are due Oct. 26, 2007.
New for 2007 Contest! ‑‑ Lockheed Martin Corporation is generously funding the development and printing of a 2008 calendar featuring the top 12 entries in this art contest. The students whose artwork is featured in this calendar will each receive copies of the calendar; their teachers will also receive calendars. For more information, including contest rules and entry form, interesting ocean facts, lesson plans and activities, and a listing of recommended books and Web sites, please visit: http://www.strategies.org/ArtContest
September Contest
This month we have five wonderful gifts to give away. They include:
- Poster--Elements from periodictable.com
- Book--Field Guide to Insects
- Book--Field Guide to Mammals
- Workbook--TOPS Worksheet Series on The Earth, Moon and Sun for grades 3-10
- Workbook--Letters to Parents in Science for grades 3-6
To win one of these prizes, send an email to:
David Bydlowski<,br> bydlowd@resa.net
State Coordinator for Building a Presence
You MUST INCLUDE your name AND mailing address.
You may only enter once and only one entry per email address. Respondents 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 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
Archived Michigan BaP e-Blasts: http://msta-mich.org/bapEarly 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 14, 2007: Early Bird Deadline to register for the NSTA Regional Conference in Detroit, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2007det
- September 15, 2007: Wetland Education Workshop for Middle School and High School Teachers at Cleary University in Howell, MI. To register, please contact: Michelle Wienert, mwienert@mtu.edu or 734-913-6870
- September 21-22, 2007: Youth Environmental Leadership Workshop in Detroit, MI. For more information, please contact Domiana Alexander at domiana.emeac@gmail.com
- 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 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 16, 2007: MichBio Expo Career Day in Lansing, MI. For more information, please contact Jennifer Dickie at: 734-677-0503
- 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 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 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.