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E-Blast August 14, 2008
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- Michigan Science Loses a Friend
- Your First Day of School
- Project WILD
- Science Music 24/7
- Free Booklet on Climate Change
- MSTA Vendor and Speaker Session Forms Now Available
- Space Science is for Everyone
- DEQ Announces Its Environmental One Minute Survey
- Zoolastic Achievement Explosion 2008 at the Detroit Zoo
- MEECS Content Alignment Now Online
- High School Science
- Middle and High School Science
- Middle School Science
- Elementary and Middle School Science
- Elementary School Science
- August Contest
- Tools and Resources
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Download this eBlast as a podcast!
Here are your science education resources and announcements for August 14, 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
When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.
Lao Tse
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science consultant and lecturer, University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
Building a Presence
NSTA Regional Conferences
As a Point of Contact, Key Leader, or Super Key Leader, you may want to take advantage of the NSTA Regional Conferences during 2008. There are special BaP events at each conference. Here is a listing of the regional conferences:
- October 30 - November 1: Charlotte, NC
- November 20 - 22: Portland, OR
- December 4 - 6: Cincinnati, OH
MDE Science
Draft K-7 Science GLCE Companion Documents Are Ready For Review
The draft K-7 science GLCE companion documents have been completed and are ready for your review. This review will be open from August 15 through September 20, 2008. You will find the draft homepage at:
http://mi-k7science.wikispaces.com/
You can view without signing up, but you will need to establish an account at wikispaces and request membership for each wikispace site to add comments to the discussion tabs. You may wish to have your account set up prior to the actual review. PLEASE NOTE: ANY MATERIAL ON THE WIKISPACES PRIOR TO AUGUST 15 IS ONLY TO TEST THE SITE...IT IS NOT THE ACTUAL MATERIAL FOR REVIEW. Please share this information with others.
Clarification on the Michigan Standards and Testing
There are always questions about how we test students in science in Michigan and how we are going to test them. Recently, Rodger Epp, Science Assessment Consultant from the Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability for the Michigan Department of Education shared some information about testing science in Michigan.
The Elementary School Science Test, based on the new K-7 GLCE will be given in the fall of Grade 5 and will cover the 2 - 4 curriculum. The K - 1 content expectations are implied covered by testing 2 - 4. The Middle School Science Test, based on the new K-7 GLCE will be given in the fall of Grade 8 and will cover the 5 - 7 curriculum. Michigan has yet to prepare the design(s) for the Elementary and Middle School Science tests using the K - 7 curriculum approved by the State Board of Education last December. The test aligned to this curriculum will not be offered until fall, 2010. The design of the K - 7 science tests is to start this fall.
The fall, 2008 Elementary School Science MEAP test specifications are as follows:
- 9-11 points for constructing new scientific information
- 6-8 points for reflecting on scientific information
- 10-12 points for using life science
- 10-12 points for usin g physical science
- 10-12 points for using earth science
There will be two constructed response questions, one in constructing and one in reflecting scientific information. There will be 7 field test multiple-choice questions and one field test constructed response question, which will not count for any points.
The fall, 2008 Middle School Science MEAP test specifications are as follows:
- 10-12 points for constructing new scientific information
- 8-10 points for reflecting on scientific information
- 11-13 points for using life science
- 11-13 points for using physical science
- 11-13 points for using earth science
There will be two constructed response questions, one in constructing and one in reflecting scientific information. There will be 7 field test multiple-choice questions and one field test constructed response question, which will not count for any points.
K-12 Science
Michigan Science Loses a Friend
Art Weinle, former President of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) passed away during the month of July. Art had an amazing ability to teach and loved to share his passion for Earth Science. Often times, Art was the one people would see at the MESTA Rock Shop explaining how "every rock has a story." He embodied what MESTA stands for: teachers helping teachers. Even up to early summer, Art was working with Earth Science teachers on some of the new content expectations. If you would like to send a card to the family, it can be sent to:
733 Loraine, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230.
MESTA is in the process of establishing an award in memory Art. If you would like to contribute, donations can be sent to:
Amanda Pata,
MESTA Treasurer
20679 Country Club Dr., Harper Woods, MI 48225
Please make checks payable to MESTA with the memo/note line as "Art Weinle Memorial."
Your First Day of School
In an article by Harry Wong, entitled Your First Day, he recommends the following:
If you do not plan, the students will plan for you.
The effective teacher organizes and structures the classroom for his/her success, but most importantly, for the success of the students.
Here is little poem that might help:
Each day begins with learning
When students come to class.
And without a lot of chatting,
They start the day on task.
With assignments clearly posted,
Students need not be told,
To quiet down and get to work
While the teacher takes the roll.
If daily routines are followed
Less wasted time is spent.
Classes will run smoothly
With great class management.
Research has been proven
Achievement gains will rise,
When effective teachers start the day
With time that's maximized.
For more ideas, visit:
http://teachers.net
Project WILD
The coordination of Project WILD has been transferred from Michigan State University Extension to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education. In order to get things going you are invited to become a Project WILD facilitator and current WILD facilitators ar e invited to attend a special introduction and training event.
Do you want to receive training as a Project WILD facilitator?
Are you interested in learning more about the new "Starting WILD" the early childhood education program?
Are you interested in the "No Child Left Inside" movement and how WILD can promote kids and the outdoors?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you should consider attending this program.
They want to bring current facilitators up to date with WILD National happenings and to introduce themselves and the operation of Project WILD under the Department of Natural Resources.
New facilitators training will begin with lunch (12:00P) on August 22 and run to 12:00P August 24. The cost for new facilitator's will be $75 and includes seven meals and two nights lodging (shared room). Current facilitator's can join in at supper for $65 (six meals, two nights lodging, shared room) or come early and participate for the same cost as the new facilitators ($75). For information about registration, contact Ray Rustem at:
rustemr@michigan.gov or 517-373-2457.
Science Music 24/7
Did you know there is an internet radio station that broadcasts science music 24 hours a day/7 days a week? If not, you need to visit:
http://live365.com/stations/trappedinlab
and take a listen. The station was awarded congratulations recently for surpassing 10,000 lifetime listening hours.
Free Booklet on Climate Change
The National Academies have released the 2008 edition of "Understanding and Responding to Climate Change," a free booklet designed to give the public a comprehensive and easy-to-read analysis of findings and recommendations from our reports on climate change. To download a copy or to order free copies, please visit:
http://dels.nas.edu/basc/climate-change/
MSTA Vendor and Speaker Session Forms Now Available
It is the time again for speaker proposals for the 56th annual Michigan Science Teachers Association conference. The theme of the conference is Science Supporting Sustainability: Inspired Teachers Inspire Kids! Proposals are due October 3, 2008. Please visit:
http://msta-mich.org for more information.
Space Science is for Everyone
Over the past seven years, the Southeast Regional Clearinghouse, or SERCH, convened seven highly successful "Exceptional Space Science Materials for Exceptional Students" workshops. The workshops offered professional development training and resources for the teachers of students with disabilities, science educators (both formal and informal), and product developers who are working to make Earth and space science concepts more accessible for persons with disabilities.
This collection of helpful hints and resources is based on the seven workshops, the expertise of the participants and product testing in classrooms around the United States following these workshops. The brochure is offered as a tool for science, technology, engineering and mathematics educators who are working with students and/or audiences with disabilities. Some activity descriptions are supplemented with case study examples addressing a particular disability. In addition, contributing educator-authors have provided a variety of lessons learned from formal education (Pre-K-12), home sch ool education and informal or "free-choice" education learning venues, such as science centers, museums and planetariums.
To download this resource, please visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Science_Is_for_Everyone.html
DEQ Announces its Environmental One Minute Survey
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality announces an online live Environmental Education ONE MINUTE SURVEY! Give them ONE MINUTE of your time, and they will work to give you what you want! The survey asks for quick responses to what works and what doesn't work on their Environmental Education website. Most important, it asks you what you want. They intend to give you just that. To participate, please visit:
http://www.michigan.gov/deqenved
Zoolastic Achievement Explosion 2008 at the Detroit Zoo
ATTENTION TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATORS -- Please join in as the Detroit Zoological Society presents:
ZOOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT - EXPLOSION 2008!!
DATE: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 (Deadline to Register is August 21, 2008)
TIME: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Ford Education Center, Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak
(See map on reverse)
Come enjoy food, fun, fellowship and live entertainment as you learn about the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo! You will discover:
- Dynamic, age level-appropriate programs for all grades that teach important concepts about animals, habitats and ecosystems in alignment with the Michigan Curriculum Framework and Grade Level Content Expectations.
- How to plan and optimize your school group tour with learning activities: guided tours, self-led tours, scavenger hunts, interactive education presentations and backpack programs.
- The Ford Education Center Interpretive Studios that simulate natural habitats and make learning fun!!
- The Wild Adventure Ride - see the world through the eyes of animals in this motion-based experience.
- The Zoo's Madeleine Berman Academy of Humane Education philosophy, which is reflected in all of their educational programming.
- The Humane Science Lab, equipped with everything you need to participate in a virtual frog dissection with your entire class.
- New animal habitats (now featuring meerkats!) Take a tram or walking tour of the Zoo.
- School Outreach and After-School Programs.
- Teacher Workshops and In-Service Training opportunities.
- Early Learner, Pre-K and Intergenerational Programs.
- Bring the Wilds of Michigan to the Heart of the City through eng aging Belle Isle Nature Zoo Education Programs.
- Detroit Zoo exhibitions with interactive learning options.
- David Gakure, Kenyan conservationist and Detroit Zoo Education Specialist, engages students at the Zoo and in your classroom with stories and visuals of the people and wildlife in the African Grasslands.
Register by August 21, 2008 at:
http://www.detroitzoo.org/zoolastic
MEECS Content Alignments Now Online
The Content Alignments for the Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support Are Online! The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and Central Michigan University (CMU), is pleased to present the Michigan Grade Level and High School Content Expectations alignments for all five of the Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS) units. They hope that these alignments will be a valuable resource for educators using MEECS. For more information on MEECS or to download a copy of the Michigan Content Expectations alignments, please visit their Web site at:
http://www.michigan.gov/deq-meecs
They are excited to be able to provide the Content Expectations alignments for the MEECS units and would like the opportunity to share them with educators across the state. They would appreciate your help in distributing this announcement and their Web site information to anyone who may be interested.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Mr. Thomas Occhipinti at (517) 373-2379 or occhipintit@michigan.gov; or you can contact Ms. Olivia Cohn at (517) 241-2975 or cohno@michigan.gov.
High School Science
MichBio Expo Career Day
MichBio, the association for Michigan's life sciences industry, and Oakland University (OU) are sponsoring a free Career Day at OU on Thursday, November 20. Its purpose is to introduce a few of your best students to educational and career opportunities in the life sciences. The agenda includes break-out sessions on several topical areas of interest, lunch on campus and tours of OU research facilities.
Capacity for this event is 300 students, teachers/chaperones (3 students + 1 teacher/chaperone per school), and registration is on a first come, first serve basis. They hope you'll put this event on your academic calendar and plan on attending. The full agenda and registration information will be issued in September. Career Day follows the MichBio Expo November 18-19 at the Lansing Center. The Expo is Michigan's premier life sciences event of the year. Save the Date! - REGISTRATION TO BEGIN IN September!
For questions about the November 18-19 conference only, contact Jennifer Dickie at 737-677-0503 or jennifer@michbio.org
Middle and High School Science
Invitation for New Science Teachers
Applications are now being accepted to participate in the online science-mentoring program, e-Mentoring for Student Success (eMSS). The deadline to apply is September 30, but space is limited. eMSS is becoming one of the nation's largest mentoring networks of secondary science teachers. Since its inception in 2002, the eMSS professional learning community has grown to over 300 mentees and mentors from 10 states. In 2008, eMSS will be available nationwide.
One-on-one, support in your discipline and grade level:
- Immediate feedback from an experienced professional
- Content-focused online support and resources for your classroom
- Immediate access to a professional learning community of other mentor teachers, professional science educators, and beginning science teachers
- Access to other new teachers with common challenges
- 6 quarter units of professional credit (optional)
- Up to 110 hours of professional development credit
Applications are currently being accepted from new science teachers in their first through third year of teaching in grades 6-12. In order to apply you must visit:
http://www.emss.nsta.org
Click on Beginning Science Teachers
and use the enrollment code: MI1S
Then you fill out the online application.
Space Station Research Opportunity for Middle and High School Students
Orion's Quest (OQ) is accepting applications from middle and high school teachers for classroom participation in Missions VI (Biology) and VII (Chemistry). OQ is seeking ten "additional" Michigan schools to fill the quota of seventy-five schools nationally/internationally.
Orion's Quest,
http://www.orionsquest.org
is an Internet assisted outreach that seeks to reach the "Next Generation of Explorers" and hones student skills in the STEM disciplines through their active participation in authentic research aboard the International Space Station. Final student data is provided to NASA, and other international, scientists in support of ongoing research. For more information contact Tom Drummond at:
drummond@oriosquest.org
or go to
http://www.orionsquest.org
Laboratory Safety Seminar August 26-29
Combine hazardous chemicals, open flames, students, and teachers with little or no safety training, and the science laboratory could be considered the most dangerous place in a school. When teachers and students are not adequately prepared or trained in safe laboratory techniques, the potential for disaster is inevitable.
The Mott Community College Science and Math Division is hosting a seminar designed to prevent laboratory mishaps by offering instructors an opportunity to learn all about science lab safety. The Laboratory Safety Institute's 24-hour Lab Safety Short Course is scheduled to take place August 26 to August 29, 2008 at MCC. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of lab safety , how to avoid hazards, accidents and injuries, and how to develop and improve their own lab safety programs in compliance with the OSHA Lab Standard.
LSI was founded in 1978 by Dr. James A. Kaufman to provide safety training for secondary school science teachers. Today, LSI has grown to become a National Center for Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs, actively promoting safety in science education by offering a variety of programs and services to assist educators, scientists and safety staff in industry and academia at all levels. Dr. Kaufman, regarded as the nation's foremost authority on safety instruction in academia, is the author of Laboratory Safety Guidelines, which has become the world's most widely distributed lab safety publication.
The registration fee is $695 for one person. A $625 early bird registration fee is available now. Discounted fees for more than one participant are also available: two to four: $620; five to nine: $550 and ten or more: $475. Registration fee for MCC employees is $475. For more information or to register, call Ana Adams at LSI at (800) 647-1977, email LSIAdams@aol.com or visit the website at:
http://www.labsafety.org
Middle School Science
Zero-G Workshop for Teachers
Are you a middle school teacher interested in participating and teaching in a zero-g environment? Northrop Grumman is offering the opportunity. While the deadline ended June 20th, they did not fill their Chicago, Ill training. This is the closest one to Michigan. The workshop will be September 27th with the actual flight on October 21, 2008. You get to design an experiment, then conduct it and have it videotaped to use in your classroom.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.northropgrumman.com/community/weightless.html
Elementary and Middle School Science
International Children's Painting Competition on the Environment
Here is information about the 18th Annual United Nations Environment Program's International Children's Painting Competition. The United Nations Environment Program's International Children's Painting Competition, which has been held since 1990, invites children between the ages of 5 and 13 years to submit their paintings on the theme for that particular year to their Regional UNEP Office. The competition encourages children from all parts of the world to focus on particular environmental issues and how these issues affect their communities.
This year's theme is "Climate Change: Our Challenge". The regional first prize winners will each receive a cash prize and a trip for them and an accompanying adult to the 2009 Tunza International Children's Conference (venue and date to be confirmed later). Regional winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. The award ceremony for the North American winner will be held on the beautiful grounds of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C., one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America.
See further details concerning entry rules and conditions in the URL below. The deadline for all entries is 15, January, 2009. Please note that only hard copies of paintings will be accepted. For information, please go to the following URL:
http://www.unep.org/tunza/children/inner.asp?ct=competitions&comp=int_comp&int_comp=18th
Elementary School Science
New and Improved Early Years Blog
Big news from The Early Years Blog! They have designed a new and improved site,
http://blogs.nsta.org/EarlyYearsBlog
for conversation about primary level science. Check out the new site's first post where they preview the coming attractions, and be the first to share your ideas as they build an exciting online community for early childhood science. See you online!
August Contest
This month we have six wonderful gifts to give away. All of the prizes were donated by Michigan Virtual University. The prizes are wristband USB flashdrives. They were given to each student who participated in the MIVU middle school math and science virtual summer camps. For more information about these summer camps, please visit:
http://www.mivhs.org/content.cfm?ID=731
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 AND your school name/district.
You may only enter once and only one entry per email address. Respondents 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 will receive a prize. We will post all of the winners in our next E-Blast. Due to vacation schedules, the prizes will not be mailed out until the beginning of September. Good luck to you and thank you for being part of the Building a Presence Network.
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.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html
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
NASA Educator Resources online:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html
Science Music 24/7 on the Internet:
http://live365.com/stations/trappedinlab
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- August 17 - 21, 2008: American Chemical Society National Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, please visit: http://www.acs.org/meetings
- August 21, 2008: Michigan Envirothon Golf Outing to raise funds for the Michigan Envirothon at the Timber Ridge Golf Course in East Lansing, MI. For more information, please contact Michelle Mitchell at mimitchell@cmsenergy.com or Svenja Drebes at mienvirothon@macd.org
- August 22 - 24, 2008: Project WILD Facilitator Train ing at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center at Higgins Lake. For more information, please contact Ray Rustem at: rustemr@michigan.gov or 517-373-2457.
- August 26, 2008: Zoolastic Achievement at the Detroit Zoo from 5:00 - 8:00. For more information, please visit: http://www.detroitzoo.org/zoolastic
- August 26-29, 2008: Laboratory Safety Seminar at Mott Community College. For more information, please visit: http://www.labsafety.org
- October 12-18, 2008: Earth Science Week. For more information, please visit: http://www.earthsciweek.org
- 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
- November 20, 2008: MichBio Expo Career Day at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI. For more information, please contact Jennifer Dickie at: 737-677-0503 or Jennifer@michbio.org
- January 15, 2009: Deadline to enter the International Children's Painting Competition on the Environment. For more information, please visit: http://www.unep.org/tunza/children/inner.asp?ct=competitions&comp=int_comp&int_comp=18th
- February 12, 2009: Charles Darwin Bicentennial Day. For more information, please visit: http://darwinday.org/englishL/assistevent/index.html
- March 5-7, 2009: Michigan Science Teachers Association Annual Conference in Detroit. For more information, please visit: http://msta-mich.org/conference
- March 19-22, 2009: National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference in New Orleans. For more information please visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2009new/
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.