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E-Blast October 11, 2007
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- Have Your Students Participate in the Great World Wide Star Count
- Last Call for NSTA Regional in Detroit
- Southwest Michigan Science Educators Symposium
- Walking with Dinosaurs Coming to Detroit with a Special School Performance
- Awards for Teachers
- Celebrate National Chemistry Week
- Building Communication and Teamwork in the Classroom
- Share Your Best Instructional Practices
- High School Science
- 6th-12th Grade Science
- October Contest - Flashdrive Give-a-Way!
- Tools and Resources
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Here are your science education resources and announcements for October 11, 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
FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP
as paraphrased, by Dan Mulhern, First Gentleman from "The Leadership Challenge" by Kouzes and Posner
Is there an inspiring vision being shared here? Are we heading towards the same picture of success? Are we heading somewhere that we consider worthwhile?
Am I modeling the way? This asks whether I am walking the walk. When people see me do they see someone doing what I am asking others to do? And at the most basic level: do we do what we say we will do around here?
Are we challenging ourselves to see, learn, and do more and better all the time? Are we creating an atmosphere of excellence, where we're constantly innovating, experimenting, and learning how to do things better?
Am I always enabling people to do more as individuals and as a team? In great organizations they are constantly upgrading people's skills and abilities, inviting people to step up and do more. And great organizations elevate collaboration - enabling teams to achieve results.
Am I encouraging individuals and teams with celebration, energy, and exuberance? Great organizations generate energy, and when people achieve, these organizations find creative ways to celebrate it - recognizing individual and team accomplishment. Are you uplifting hearts? You might do a little inventory of the places you lead and ask which of the 5 practices - if practiced better and more frequently - would lead to greater results and satisfaction. It's a way to practice the third practice above - challenging yourself to lead with your best self.
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 attending the NSTA Conference in Detroit? If so, set aside time to attend one of three meetings for BaP members. There is a meeting time and place for Key Leaders and Points of Contact. The events for Detroit are listed at:
http://science.nsta.org/bap/events.asp
Please go to:
http://ecommerce.nsta.org/bap/rsvp.asp
to register. This applies to the "invitation only" meetings. All Super Key Leaders, Key Leaders and Points of Contacts are invited to attend all of these meetings.
MDE Science
Updates from Kevin Richard and Rodger Epp
Rodger Epp and Kevin Richard recently spoke at the Michigan Science Education Leadership Association's Fall Dinner at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Here is a summary of their talks:
Kevin Richard, Science Consultant, MDE-The plan for the K7 science expectations is still in place. It is expected that the expectations will go to the State Board of Education on November 13 with a vote on acceptance taking place on December 11. There will be a supporting document for the K7 expectations which will help explain the integration of the Inquiry, Reflection, and Social Implication expectations with the content expectations. The final MMC Companion Documents are now available at:
http://mi.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_38684_28760-171474--,00.html
They are available in all four subject areas and in both 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17 formats.
Rodger Epp, Science Assessment Consultant, MDE-It is expected that the first Michigan Merit Exam that assesses the MMC Science Expectations will take place in the Spring of 2009. There will probably be 60 questions on the content test. Each question will assess a specific expectation. 40 expectations will be randomly selected and all students will be assessed on these 40. Then the remaining 20 questions will assess 20 expectations randomly selected from a pool of about 120 remaining expectations. This means that there will be 10 different versions of the tests assessing all of the expectations. But each student will only be assessed on 60 expectations. The only expectations assessed will be the essential expectations. The companion documents will impact the assessment in the following ways:
- Real-World Contexts-will not guide assessment but will be used as a context for assessment.
- Instruments, Measurements, and Representations-Contains assessable information.
- Technical Vocabulary-Contains assessable vocabulary.
- Clarification-Guide Assessment
- Instructional Examples-Not Assessable
An another note, the earliest a 5th and 8th grade MEAP test could be written, based on the new K7 content expectations would be Fall, 2010.
Michigan Promise Scholarship
The Michigan Promise scholarship currently is a scholarship of up to $4,000 awarded to qualifying high school graduates who take the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) assessment. The scholarship is administered exclusively by the Michigan Department of Treasury which uses MME scores to identify recipients. Confusion sometimes exists among schools, students and parents about who can best answer questions about the award.
Questions about MME tests? Call OEAA at 877-560-8378.
Questions about the Michigan Promise scholarship? Call the Dept. of Treasury at 888-447-2687.
New Michigan Merit High School Graduation Requirements FAQ Available
The latest version of the Michigan Merit High School Graduation Requirements Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is now posted to the Michigan Department of Education's website. The science specific FAQ can be downloaded at:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/faq15_178607_7.pdf
Here is an example of one of the FAQ:
Q: What was the thinking behind the choice of science courses listed in the Michigan Merit Curriculum?
A: Students are required to take a minimum of 3 credits of science: Biology, Physics or Chemistry, and one additional science credit aligned with the HSCE, such as Earth Science. These courses are specified because they are most often the prerequisite courses for additional study in science, mathematics, or engineering. However, these recommendations do not specify a sequence, nor do they represent the only courses that could meet the requirement. The law strongly encourages students to take a 4th science credit such as Forensics, Astronomy, Earth Science, Agricultural or Environmental Science, Geology, Physiology, Microbiology, etc.
K-12 Science
Have Your Students Participate in the Great World Wide Star Count
The last chance for students to participate in the Great World Wide Star Count is October 15, 2007. Children and adults are being asked to go outside an hour or two after sunset and look with their naked eyes staright overhead for Cygnus, a constellation shaped like a swan. Backyard astronomers around the world are then asked to report how starry the sky around Cygnus is, on a scale of 1 to 7. To participate, please visit:
http://www.starcount.org
Last Call for NSTA Regional in Detroit
Online registration for the NSTA Fall Conference ends October 12, at noon. Keep in mind you can earn state board CEUs if you are a Michigan teacher and that adds to your career-building goals.
Highlights:
Give your students an edge in life with engineering. From building a toothpick bridge to discovering how a toy airplane was made to robotics kids of all ages are fascinated by engineering feats. Some of the topics in the Engineering Strand include:
Toy Design: A Great Introduction to Engineering
Magnetism Activities, Earth's Magnetism, and Space Weather from Windows to the Universe
Polymers: New Twists on Old Favorites
Exhibitor Workshops offer an exciting way to test new products for use in your classroom. There are over 100 Exhibitor Workshops at the Detroit conference, here's a small sample:
An Inquiry Activity from the New BioComm: Human Response Rates by It's About Time, A World In Motion: The Design Experience-Skimmer Challenge by SAE International, Biotechnology Basics by EDVOTEK, Inc., and Dramatic Molecular-Level Experiments for Your Classroom by Wavefunction, Inc.
For more information visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2007det/
Southwest Michigan Science Educators Symposium
You don't want to miss the Southwest Michigan Science Educators Symposium (SWMSES). It will take place on Friday, November 2nd from 8:30-3:00 at Portage Northern HS, 1000 Idaho Ave, Portage, MI 49024. Registration is required. Cost is $40 for the day (includes breakfast, lunch and door prizes, too) which is a day of SHARING GOOD SCIENCE LABS, DEMOS, AND ACTIVITIES. If you share ONE idea, the cost is $25. Vendors will be on site. This year the Kick Off Presenter is Mr. Steve Wolf from Austin, Texas. He is a special effects and stunt coordinator for major motion pictures. He will be doing a program called "Science in the Movies" at 9:00 am. You can see excerpts of his show at:
http://www.scienceinthemovies.com
For more information on SWMSES contact Kathy Mirakovits at 269-323-5403 or kmirakovits@portageps.org
Registration forms are available at: http://www.swmses.org
Walking with Dinosaurs Coming to Detroit with a Special School Performance
Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Experience is a theatrical event that will make for a fun and innovative FIELD TRIP for students. Inspired by the hit BBC television series, "Walking With Dinosaurs", and after playing for ten sold-out weeks in Australia, where it was seen by over 300,000 people; Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Experience now comes to North America for a two?year arena tour and will stop at Detroit's legendary Cobo Arena, November 14 through November 18, 2007.
This dazzling arena spectacle, of unprecedented size and quality, has brought history to life. Internationally renowned designers have worked with scientists to create 15 life-size dinosaurs, including the terror of the ancient terrain, Tyrannosaurus Rex! Audiences will be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth return before their very eyes. This dramatic theatrical production will entertain, educate and captivate audiences of all ages!
As an educator, you have the opportunity to take advantage of a special school performance on Thursday, November 15th at 11am., including an exclusive educational discount. In addition, when you order your tickets, you will receive a bonus educational packet complete with dino facts, suggested activities, and other educational material! For more information about the production, visit: http://www.dinosaurlive.com
Thursday, November 15th @ 11 AM (Special School Show) SCHOOL GROUP PRICING: $26.00 & $21.00
To book your tickets call the Olympia Entertainment Group Sales Department at: 313.471.3099
Awards for Teachers
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) provides many awards for science teachers. You do not have to be a NSTA member to qualify for many of the awards. For a full listing of the descriptions and qualifications for awards, please visit:
http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx
Here is an example of one of the awards:
Shell Science Teaching Award
This award recognizes one outstanding classroom science teacher (K-12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school, and community through exemplary classroom science teaching.
Eligibility: K-12 classroom science teachers
Award: $10,000 and an all-expense paid trip to attend NSTA's National Conference; two finalists will also receive all-expense-paid trips to the conference
Take a look and give one a try! Good luck!
Celebrate National Chemistry Week
National Chemistry Week, October 21-27, is a community-based program of the American Chemical Society (ACS). This annual event unites ACS local sections, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. The mission of National Chemistry Week is to reach the public, particularly elementary and secondary school children, with positive messages about chemistry is to:
- Make a positive change in the public's impression of chemistry;
- Promote a mechanism for effectively mobilizing ACS local sections; and
- Motivate the ACS membership through local section activities.
To participate, please visit:
http://chemistryweek.org
Building Communication and Teamwork in the Classroom
Reach a new level of positive communication with strategies necessary to foster an emotionally engaging classroom where students are connected to school, learning, and one another. Specific strategies are provided in the following areas: teacher leadership, communication and listening, positive thinking and support, and team building. Master effective communication skills. Establish a positive learning community. Avert teacher-student confrontations.
Target Audience: All K-16 educators
Dates: November 9-11, 2007
For more information, please contact Diana Olds at: dolds@plsweb.com
Share Your Best Instructional Practices
The Michigan Department of Education, Office of School Improvement, Curriculum and Literacy Unit, invites applicants (developers of instructional best practices) to submit a presentation proposal for the 2nd Panorama of Promising Practices to be held at the School Improvement (SIF) Conference
http://www.gomiem.org
on November 26, 2007. Educators are looking for resources that will help them be innovative and effective implementers of the new and rigorous expectations for all K-12 students. This is your opportunity to share your promising practices and/or resources! Presentations can be poster sessions or 30-minute demonstrations; educators have options for submitting proposals for both types.
The deadline for submitting a proposal is October 22, 2007. To download a proposal form, please visit:
http://science.resa.net
and click on curriculum.
Questions and proposals should be sent to Catherine McClain at 517-241-4285 or mclainc@michigan.gov
High School Science
Women in Science Day
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 16TH, 2007!!! You and your students are invited to attend the Women in Science Day Conference being held at Albion College in Albion, MI on October 27th, 2007, the last day of National Chemsitry Week! Sponsored by FURSCA, the Learn and Serve Americorps Program, and the Youth to Youth Initiative Grant through Michigan Campus Compact, HIGH SCHOOL females are invited to participate in research seminars with female faculty, lab experiments in the newly built science laboratories, and discuss college life and majoring in the sciences with current college student panels. The event is FREE to all who attend. Online registration is available at:
http://www.albion.edu/chemistry/womeninscience.htm
and ends October 16th, 2007. Questions can be e-mailed to Rachel Lippert, RNL10@albion.edu, the event coordinator. Your students will leave with valuable information not only in regards to higher education but with information on pursuing a degree in the sciences as a female. Pass on this great opportunity to all your students before the deadline passes!
Summer Forensics Workshop
CSI Lawrence Tech Workshop
July 14 through 18, 2008 CSI Workshop on the Lawrence Tech campus, in Southfield, MI, will provide the ideas to help you develop course work, engage students, and teach FORENSIC SCIENCE using an integrated science approach. You will work alongside police officers and experts trained in forensic science. For more details please see:
http://www.ltu.edu/arts_sciences/master_science_ed/forensic.asp
6th - 12th Grade Science
Mentee Opportunity Extended Until October 15
Are you, or someone you know, a new science teacher, grades 6-12? If so, there is an opportunity to become a mentee in the electronic Mentoring for Student Success Program. Mentees will be paired up with a mentor in the same subject area and grade level during the 2007-2008 school year. This is a great opportunity to receive mentoring in your subject area and grade level.
To qualify, mentees must have:
0-2 years teaching experience prior to the 2007-2008 school year
or
0 years of experience teaching science, prior to the 2007-2008 school year.
To apply for this opportunity and for more information, please visit:
http://emss.nsta.org
October Contest - Flashdrive Give-a-Way!
This month we have five wonderful gifts to give away. All winners will receive a 128 mb USB Flashdrive, embedded in a rubberized bracelet. They are donated by Michigan Virtual University. They are the same flashdrives that all students received who were part of their Virtual Math/Science Summer Camp.
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.
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/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
- 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 15, 2007: Final date for children and adults to participate in the Great World Wide Star Count. To participate, please visit: http://www.starcount.org
- 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 21-27, 2007: National Chemistry Week. For more information, please visit: http://chemistryweek.org
- 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 22, 2007: Deadline to apply to present at the School Improvement Framework Conference-MDE Promising Practices Session. For questions, please contact Catherine McClain at mclainc@michigan.gov To download a proposal form, please visit: http://science.resa.net and click on curriculum
- 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 2, 2007: Southwest Michigan Science Educators Symposium-Portage Northern HS in Portage, MI. For symposium information and registration, please visit: http://www.swmses.org/
- November 8, 2007: YES! Expo 2007 at Ford Field, Detroit. For more information, please visit: http://www.yes.mtu.edu/
- November 14-18, 2007: Walking with Dinosaurs Theatrical Presentation at Cobo Arena in Detroit. For more information, please visit: http://www.dinosaurlive.com
- November 26, 2007: 2nd Panorama of Promising Practices at the School Improvement Conference to be held in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.gomiem.org/
- 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.