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E-Blast for May 28, 2009
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- The Science Matters Network in Michigan
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- Fall Science Update Call For Presenters
- Exploratorium Teacher Institute Science Teaching Tips
- Purple Loosestrife Project K12 Educational Materials
- Summer Teaching Opportunities At Schoolcraft College
- Call For Presenters: MAEOE Conference
- Safe Chemical Management In Your School Video
- 2nd Michigan Joint Education Conference Is June 24
- National Center For Earth And Space Science Education Blog On The Universe
- High School Science
- Middle School and High School Science
- Middle School Science
- May Contest
- Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Deadlines
Here are your science education resources and announcements for May 28, 2009 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
I don't think we expect enough of students. There are a lot of fabulous young people out there. They just need someone to show them the way.
Rafe Esquith, 1992 Disney "Teacher of The Year" and Parent Magazines 1997 "Teacher of the Year" From Hobart Boulevard Elementary School In Los Angeles, California, Author of "Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire"
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science consultant and lecturer, University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
2. The Science Matters Network In Michigan
Our Name Has Changed
As you may have heard some exciting changes are coming to the Building a Presence network. Starting today the Building a Presence program will now be called the Science Matters Network.
Why Science Matters? As the world's largest organization devoted to excellence in science teaching and learning, NSTA is uniquely positioned to make science education reform a national priority for schools and families. With this in mind the new public awareness campaign--entitled Science Matters--will work to build a vital coalition of parents and teachers committed to rekindling a national sense of urgency and action about science education and science literacy.
Across the nation and among all groups, parents express the highest hopes for their children's future. In survey after survey, parents report a high degree of satisfaction with the scientific education their children receive. As a practical matter, however, most parents remain woefully uninformed about what good science instruction looks like or how to ensure that their children have access to it.
Science Matters will build on the success of the Building a Presence for Science program by using the BaP network to provide both teachers and parents with teaching resources and information on quality learning experiences in the sciences--starting at an early age--and why science education is critical to science literacy and our future workforce.
In the next few days you will be receiving a new and improved National Science Matters e-blast that I hope you will find useful and informative. I also invite you to visit the new Science Matters website at:
http://sciencematters.nsta.org
at the bottom of the page marked teachers, you can enter the Science Matters/BaP website portal. We will continue to have our Michigan e-blasts archived, along with the podcasts at:
http://msta-mich.org/bap
Your Certificate of Appreciation for 2008-2009 is Ready for You to Download!
Are you a Building a Presence/Science Matters for Science Super Key Leader, Key Leader, or Point of Contact? You can now print a certificate of appreciation for the 2008 -- 2009 school year. Just go to the following link, select your certificate type, and print! Thanks for all the work you have done to promote Building a Presence for Science.
http://www.msta-mich.org/bapcert/
MDE Science
Stay Up-To-Date with MDE
- If you want to find the most up-to-date official information on science education in Michigan, you should visit:
http://mi.gov/science - If you want to find the most up-to-date official information on the MEAP test in Michigan, you should visit:
http://mi.gov/meap - If you want to find the most up-to-date official information on the Michigan Merit Exam, you should visit:
http://mi.gov/mme- Place-based Education in an Urban Environment
- Issues and Challenges to Taking Children Outdoors
- Teaching and Learning Environmental Sustainability
- Thursday, October 8: 4-hour teacher-training workshops 8-noon and 1-5 pm.
- Friday, October 9: 45-minute presentations and 4-hour field trips from 8 am -- 5 pm.
- Saturday, October 10: 45-minute presentations from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm, or share a 15-minute "mini-lesson" at the Share-a-thon Festival from 11 am to 2 pm. The Share-a-thon will feature Environmental and Outdoor Education Activity Stations that demonstrate innovative activities and teaching practices in environmental and outdoor education. Participants will get a stamp for each session they attend and a raffle of stamped cards will be held at the end of the day. Presenters are asked to provide handouts for participants. Make and take activities are also welcome.
- Collette Collins-Michigamme Elementary, Port Huron Area School District
- Jill Teegardin-Saints Peter and Paul School, Ionia
- Karen Soper-Holden Elementary, Warren Consolidated Schools
- Terry Cran-Holy Spirit School, Grand Rapids
- Bill Dicks-Northville High School, Northville Public Schools
- Gary Cieniuch-Livonia Public Schools
- January 1-December 31, 2009: The Year of Science. For more information, please visit: http://www.yearofscience2009.org
- June 1, 2009: Deadline to apply for the Exploratorium Science Summer Institute for 6th-12th Grade Science Teachers. To register, please click on: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ti/programs/TI_Brochure_Workshop.pdf
- June 1, 2009: Deadline for Middle School Teachers to apply for the free Advancing Teacher Leaders in Space Science Workshop at Central Michigan University. For more information, please visit: http://gems.cmich.edu
- June 5, 2009: Call for Presenter Deadline for the Fall Science Update at Grand Valley State University on November 18, 2009 For more information, please contact Margo Dill at: dillm@gvsu.edu
- June 5-7, 2009: Molecules, the Science Musical at the Power Center in Ann Arbor. For more information, please call: 734-763-8587
- June 15, 2009: Deadline for High School Students to submit a message for the World Climate Conference to be held in Geneva, Switzerland. To submit entries, please visit: http://www.globe.gov/fsl/pdf/GLOBE-WMO_announcementMay2009-5.pdf
- June 15, 2009: Deadline to apply to present at the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference to be held in October at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. For more information, please visit: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/
- June 16, 2009: Early Registration Deadline for the 2nd Annual Michigan Joint Education Conference to be held at Holt HS in Holt, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.mijec.org
- 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/
- June 25, 2009: Michigan No Child Left Inside Summit at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops and click on upcoming workshops.
- June 27, 2009: Great American Backyard Campout. For more information, please visit: http://www.nwf.org/BackyardCampout/about.cfm
- June 30, 2009: Deadline for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year science teachers to apply for the 2009 NSTA New Teacher Academy. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/academy
- June 30, 2009: Deadline for High School Students to apply for the NASA Inspire Project. For more information, please visit: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/INSPIRE_Project.html
- 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/
- September 25, 2009: Michigan Green Chemistry Conference "Green Up." For more at the Downtown DoubleTree Hotel in Detroit, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops
- September 29, 2009: 2nd Annual Aquatic Academy for Teachers hosted by the Muskegon Watershed Assembly. For more information, please download: http://www.mrwa.org/repository/pdf/brochure.pdf
- 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
- October 24, 2009: MDSTA Fall Conference at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. For more information please contact Kelvin Wise at: wisepill@aol.com
- November 5, 2009: YES! Expo 2009 for middle school and high school students at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.yes.mtu.edu/
- November 18, 2009: Fall Science Update at Grand Valley State University from 8:00 - 3:00. For more information, please contact Margo Dill at: dillm@gvsu.edu
- March 4-6, 2010: MSTA Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://msta-mich.org
K-12 Science
Fall Science Update Call for Presenters
The GVSU Regional Math and Science Center is currently recruiting teachers, professors, and science consultants to present K-12 science sessions during the annual Fall Science Update. This full-day conference will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Eberhard Center, located on Grand Valley State University's downtown Grand Rapids campus.
You are invited to present hour-long science sessions on current content information and teaching strategies in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, environmental science, physical science, and technology. They also encourage sessions that will feature successful teaching strategies and tools for the classroom. Opportunities for student learning adventures, both as field trips and/or classroom experiences, may also be presented.
The deadline for presenter applications is Friday, June 5, 2009. Please download a presentation form for the Fall Science Update at:
http://www.gvsu.edu/rmsc
or contact Margo Dill at (616) 331-2272 or dillm@gvsu.edu for additional information
Exploratorium Teacher Institute Science Teaching Tips
Teacher Institute Teaching Tips is a podcast for science teachers, by science teachers. In each five-minute episode, we give you hands-on activities, science facts, science history, pedagogy tips for new teachers, or other ideas for your science classroom. For more information, please visit:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ti/podcasts/index.php
Purple Loosestrife Project K12 Educational Materials
Teachers can use the Purple Loosestrife Project materials in a variety ways. Some will spend a only few hours per year on purple loosestrife, some will spend a few hours per season, and some will spend a few days per season; depending on their interests. Most of the activities stand on their own. The activities for young adults can be used sequentially, but they don't have to be. They can complement broader studies of biology, geography, wetland ecology, biodiversity and exotic species, or they can be used as a primary unit. All Purple Loosestrife Project educational activities are hands-on, because we know our students learn stewardship best this way. We have another motivation, too. There is a lot of loosestrife out there to deal with and we want to enlist student help in controlling its spread. To download the educational materials, please visit:
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/pp/activities.html
Summer Teaching Opportunities at Schoolcraft College
Instructors are needed for the summer program at Schoolcraft College in Livonia. It is for the Kids on Campus program through the Continuing Education and Professional Development Department at Schoolcraft College offers courses for children entering Grades 1-9. Courses and camps will occur July 13-17; July 20-24; July 27-30.
Course titles include: Web Magic, Rev Up a Robot, Web Design, Make it Work Structure and Design, Robotics for Teens, X-Treme Rocketry
Minimum Requirements: Subject Matter Expert in the areas above; teaching certificate or provisional teaching certificate preferred. To apply please send your resume to Michele Bialo at:
mbialo@schoolcraft.edu
Call for Presenters: Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference
You are invited to submit a presentation proposal to the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Conference this fall, October 8-10, 2009, at the U-M Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center. They are very excited about the opportunities this venue has to offer-access to a major metropolitan area (as well as proximity to a state and an international border) and plenty of room for presentations both indoors and out. The conference theme is "Urban Environmental Education." They have developed several strands within the theme to guide you in selecting your presentation topic. MAEOE is seeking presenters, field trip leaders, and Share-a-thon participants to help make this a grand celebration of environmental learning. Presentation proposals are due June 15. Conference presentations and field trips should relate to one of these strands:
There are several opportunities to present:
Conference registration is complimentary for the primary presenter. Presenter applications can be found at:
michelle.serreyn@metroparks.com
Safe Chemical Management In Your School Video
From elementary school maintenance closets to high school chemistry labs, schools use a variety of chemicals. When they are mismanaged, these chemicals can put students and school personnel at risk from spills, fires, and other accidental exposures. Chemical accidents disrupt school schedules and can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/sc3/video/SC3/index.htm
to view a 15 minute Safe Chemical Management in Your School Video.
2nd Michigan Joint Education Conference is June 24
Don't miss out!! The 2nd Michigan Joint Education Conference is coming soon!! MSTA (Michigan Science Teachers Association), MCTM (Michigan Council for Teacher of Mathematics), MCSS (Michigan Council for the Social Studies), MAMSE (Michigan Association of Middle School Educators), and MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) have all joined together to bring needed information to teachers!
We are very excited about the over 60 presentations we have this year, and the 11 groups who have joined us as partners! Everyone has joined together to bring lessons that will cover more than one strand.....also, they will have over 50 vendors with information and materials to help you.
AND - the price is ONLY $49 for members so, if you are a member of any of the groups listed above, you can come for $49 and that includes breakfast and lunch! (Non-member registration is $79). Don't wait - early registration ends June 16, 2009 - after that, there is a late fee!!
For full details and the registration form, go to:
http://www.mijec.org
National Center for Earth and Space Science Education Launches New Blog on the Universe
The newly launched Blog on the Universe is dedicated to helping teachers and parents make science an adventure. Every week you can use Dr. Jeff's new conceptual nuggets and challenges to foster deep and inspiring discussions in the classroom and at home. The idea is to help make the nature of the world understandable to students, and teachable by teachers, so we can take a ride to the frontiers of human exploration---together.
Besides the compelling posts, the blog includes Resource Pages on the nature of our existence in a greater universe, the art of teaching, the power of models in learning environments, powerful quotes on human exploration, a look at climate change, and resource lists for teachers, parents, and community leaders.
Get emotional about science. Visit:
http://blogontheuniverse.org
High School Science
Give Students a Voice at the World Climate Conference in Geneva
Here is a unique opportunity for students to have a voice at the upcoming World Climate Conference (WCC-3) in Geneva, Switzerland, from August 31 to September 4, 2009. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the GLOBE Program invite young people to create compelling short messages on the topic: Youth Working to Solve Local Problems through Weather and Climate Research. A selection of messages will be displayed at World Climate Conference. The intent of the WMO-GLOBE youth message initiative is to provide scientists, policy-makers, global business leaders and media representatives attending the WCC-3 with captivating and inspirational examples of the many ways that youth from around the world are using their research on weather and climate to respond to issues that their local region is facing.
WCC-3 is not just another climate conference. WCC-3 will focus on how to create a global framework for climate services. It will address how humankind can benefit from the advances in climate prediction and information services to manage climate-related risks as a way of developing resilience through adaptation. It will urge all countries worldwide to pool their resources and energies. Please spread the word about the WMO-GLOBE initiative to give young people a voice at this important event.
For more details and information on how to submit entries, go to
http://www.globe.gov/fsl/pdf/GLOBE-WMO_announcementMay2009-5.pdf
Time is of the essence! All submissions must be received by June 15, 2009.
Web Design Contest for High School Girls
The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation announces the opening of its annual Web Design Contest for high school girls. The Foundation's goal is to encourage high school girls to consider and ultimately pursue a career in Information Technology through a rewarding hands-on learning experience - with prizes! Girls can enter the contest singly or as a team with one other girl. A teacher at her high school must sign her entry form as her faculty sponsor. This sponsor then serves as the main point of contact for the K-12 team. Cash prizes will be awarded and all contestants will receive a certificate for their portfolios.
The contest entails creating a web site around a theme, which is announced in late August. There is no charge to enter the contest. This contest gives the high school girls an opportunity to learn about web design and development through classes and hands-on activity. The MCWTF website:
http://www.mcwtf.org
will post the 2009 Web Design Contest application in late May.
The Foundation will be providing classes in design, including a brief HTML tutorial, as well as instruction in web site usability. Students will upload their entries to:
http://www.mcwtfwebdesign4girls.net
The contest officially opens on September 1, 2009 with the announcement of the 2009 theme, although girls can sign up as early as May. Instruction Day for the contestants is Saturday, October 10. All contestants must upload their websites by 8:59 PM on Friday, November 6. First round judging begins the next day. Judges view the contestants' sites online. Judging rubrics focus on technical quality in the first round. Finalists will be selected and announced on November 20. Final judging, which includes oral presentations by the finalists, takes place on Saturday, December 5, with winners announced immediately following the judging. The Instruction Day and final judging will be held at Lawrence Tech University in Southfield, Michigan.
Last year's winner was prominently featured in the print, electronic and radio regional media. She even took on an "after school" consulting contract, as a result of the publicity, to design a commercial Website! The top prize in the contest is $500 - a sufficient motivator for most high school students!
Middle School and High School Science
Exploratorium Science Summer Institute for 6th-12th Grade Science Teachers
The Exploratorium Teacher Institute presents a Summer Institute for 6th-12th grade science teachers. Seeing: The Science & Mathematics of Perception is a week long inquiry-based exploration into the physics, biology, and mathematics of light, color, vision, and perception. This institute takes place at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Choose from two institute dates, July 27-31 or August 3-7.
For more information, or to register for the institute, please click on: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ti/programs/TI_Brochure_Workshop.pdf
or contact Karen Drachler, Teacher Institute Project Manager, at kdrachler@exploratorium.edu for more information. Registration deadline is June 1.
Michigan Green Chemistry Conference
Leading experts in the field of technology, chemistry, engineering, and business process improvement will inspire and inform as Michigan business leaders develop an infrastructure for advancing and sustaining green products and processes. This powerful event, initiated by Governor Jennifer Granholm, will not only impact Michigan's critical environmental policies, but also our state's economy, and its overall health.
Join those committed to moving Green Chemistry forward for Michigan!
When: Friday, September 25, 2009, 8am- 5 pm
Where: Downtown DoubleTree, Fort Shelby/Detroit
For more information, please visit:
http://www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops
Middle School Science
Advancing Teacher Leaders in Space Science Free PD
The GEMS Center will be holding an ATLSS Workshop for Middle School Teachers on GEMS Space Science Sequence for Grades 6-8 on June 16 and 17, 2009. The cost is free to participants. However, travel and lodging will be at the participant's expense. Each teacher receives professional development in the entire GEMS Space Science Sequence for Grades 6-8, one set of teacher's guides and CD-ROMS, and breakfast and lunch each day. The GEMS 6-8 Space Science Sequence is a $199 value that you will receive for FREE. (1.0 SB-CEUs will also be available).
More information can be found on the Central Michigan GEMS Education Center website:
http://gems.cmich.edu
Or you can send an email to:
gems@cmich.edu
or by calling 989-774-1710. Up to 30 teachers will be accepted for this professional development. Please apply by June 1, 2009.
May Contest
In May, we gave away six $10 iTunes gift cards. Here is a list of the winners:
Congratulations to all of the winners. If you did not win, keep trying. Next month may be your lucky month.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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.