Home
About
E-Blast for August 20, 2009
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- The Science Matters Network in Michigan
- MDE Science
- MEAP, MMC, and MDE Science
- Science Matters to Parents
- K-12 Science
- Year of Science - The Month of August Features Weather and Climate
- Leader of the Year in Technology and Learning Application Now Available
- Project Learning Tree Workshops, Space Available
- Top Stars Contest for Educators
- Calling All K-12 Science Teachers-Toyota Tapestry Program Entries Open
- Blast Back to School with NASA Educational Resources
- New Teacher Tips
- Grants for School and Youth Gardens
- Registrations Now Being Accepted for the MSTA Conference
- A Movie About DIRT
- Create an Outdoor Science Classroom
- Increase Understanding of Environmental Issues
- Liftoff to the Moon
- Present at MSTA
- High School Science
- Middle School and High School Science
- Middle School Science
- Elementary and Middle School Science
- Elementary School Science
- July Contest Winners and August Contest
- Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Deadlines
Here are your science education resources and announcements for August 20, 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
"Before other teachers will accept a teacher's leadership, that teacher must be successful with his or her students."
From: Awakening the Sleeping Giant: Leadership Development for Teachers, by Marilyn Katzenmeyer and Gayle Moller. You can learn more about this book by visiting: http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/tln_teacher_voices/2009/07/index.html
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
eBlast Goes Back to Regular Schedule
Now that the school year is getting ready to begin, the Science Matters eBlast is ready to go back to its regular schedule of the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. You can expect your next eBlast to find its way to your email on September 10 with another one coming on September 24. You can also download the eBlast as a podcast by subscribing in iTunes. All you have to do is go to the iTunes Store, type in k12science in the search area and then click on K-12 Science in MI and you will find the subscribe button. You can also listen to the latest podcast and read all archived eBlasts by visiting:
http://msta-mich.org/bap
If you know teachers that would like to get the eBlast, they can sign up by visiting:
http://nsta.org/sciencematters
Click on Teachers
Click on Become a Point of Contact
Point of Contact-Nate Childers-Is Honored
Three Michigan mathematics and science educators have been chosen as state-level finalists for the 2009 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Included in the three is Nate Childers of Hart Middle School. Nate is also a Point of Contact in the Michigan Science Matters Network.
"Excelling in college and today's economy requires strong math and science skills," said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. "These teachers, and their outstanding colleagues, are helping ensure that every Michigan student graduates prepared for success in college and the workplace."
A national selection panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, educators, administrators, and past awardees reviews the applications of the state-level finalists and makes recommendations to the National Science Foundation, which in turn forwards them to the White House. The President of the United States will announce the 2009 awardees in spring 2010.
"These educators use innovative and interactive teaching methods that reach their students and engage them in learning," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. "All teachers can get students learning at high levels and meeting Michigan's rigorous standards by finding ways to reach every student."
The PAEMST program, established in 1983 by the White House, is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Nominees are eligible if they are highly qualified teachers; work full-time in public or private schools; and have at least five years of mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the application.
Recognition for Presidential Awardees includes a special citation signed by the President; a $10,000 honorarium from the National Science Foundation and gifts from a broad range of donors; and a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to attend special recognition events and meet with leaders in government and education, and attend professional development programs.
Science Humor
Crazy Things Kids Write on Tests
A virgin forest is a bunch of trees where the hand of man hasn't set foot.
The spinal column is a long bunch of bones. The head sits on the top and you sit on the bottom.
In spring, the salmon swim upstream to spoon.
MEAP, MMC, and MDE Science
Possible New Legislation
There has been a lot of talk going around about possible changes regarding curriculum in science and other content areas. At this point, there have been no changes. But there is talk about the Michigan Senate substitute for HB 4477. You can learn more about this by visiting:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(jf02bd5503jkl5qr25abq5aa))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2009-HB-4447
Please feel free to contact your State Senator for more information.
MDE Assessment and Accountability Conference
The deadline is fast approaching to register for the early bird fee of $110 for the Assessment & Accountability Conference in Marquette. The registration fee will increase to $125 after August 10 for Marquette (two weeks prior to each conference). Walk-ins the day of all conferences is $140 if space permits. Registration is available for all OEAA conferences at www.gomiem.org. They will focus on assessment and accountability topics including sessions on MEAP, MI-Access, MEAP-Access, MME, AYP, MI-SAS, Secondary Credit Assessments, ELPA, NAEP, and using assessment data. Space is limited at all sites listed below.
- August 25 - Marquette, Northern Michigan University
- September 21 - Grand Rapids , DeVos Place
- September 28 - Novi, Rock Financial Showplace
For more information, please contact Tami Feldpausch at 517-241-4136 or via email feldpauscht@mi.gov.
Science Matters to Parents
Good Science Matters
"Today, more than ever, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation." President Barack Obama
Good science literally starts in your child's elementary classroom. The pipeline for our next generation of scientists, engineers, and technicians begins in the K-6 classroom. Quality elementary science lessons capture children's attention when they are most open, most curious, and most naturally disposed to asking questions about the world around them. Young children who receive a strong foundation in science during their elementary school years do better in science in later grades. Many students also make fundamental career decisions by the time they get to middle school, so engaging students in science at an early age provides them with more career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.
K-12 Science
Year of Science - The Month of August Features Weather and Climate
Celebrating weather and climate may sound strange at first - sure we can celebrate a sunny day, but a tornado?
What we are celebrating is how much we continue to learn about the dynamic forces within our atmosphere. The scientists who investigate how to predict weather and who provide models of climate change and their impacts are providing us with valuable tools and critical information that enable us to proactively respond to situations that otherwise are out of our hands. From grabbing an umbrella on the way out the door, to riding your bike to work to reduce carbon emissions, we would have no way to plan or respond to matters of weather and climate without the contributions of science. So this month, as we brace ourselves for potential hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and changing seasons, let's celebrate our meteorologists and climatologists and all those who contribute to our knowledge of weather and climate!
To celebrate weather and climate, on the Year of Science 2009 website, please visit:
http://www.yearofscience2009.org/themes_weather_climate/celebrate/
Leader of the Year in Technology and Learning Application Now Available
You inspire, encourage, empower, and give wings to others' dreams. Now it's your turn. Tech & Learning's Leader of the Year Program is once again honoring K-12 administrators, technology coordinators, and teachers who use technology in innovative ways to help teachers teach and help students learn. They invite you to share your teaching, training, and managing success stories with their judges. Four finalists will win prizes, gain national recognition, and be profiled in T&L's December Awards Issue. The deadline to apply is September 30. You can find the application online at:
http://www.techlearning.com/section/LeaderoftheYear
Project Learning Tree Workshops-Space Available
There are many openings left at the following Project Learning Tree workshops:
- August 22, 2009 (9-4 pm) at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Cost $30.00 Institute Members; $35.00 Non-Members and includes lunch and materials
For more information, contact:
Doug Wright, Interpretive Naturalist
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Office: 269-721-4434
Website: www.cedarcreekinstitute.org - Saturday, September 26, 2009 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hawk Woods Nature Center
3500 Wixom Road, Commerce Twp, MI 48382
Cost: $25 includes breakfast, lunch and materials.
Contact: Mike Mansour at 248-672-0682 - Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - Wednesday, October 7, 2009
FACILITATOR TRAINING
Proud Lake Recreation Area--River Hawk Conference Center
Cost: $50
Contact: Ada Takacs at 989-275-5151 x 2049 or takacsa@michigan.gov
Top Stars Contest for Educators
Do you think you're a Top Star? Would you like to be recognized for all the time and effort you put into your lesson plans? U.S. formal (K-12, college) and informal educators are invited to submit their best examples of how they incorporate information from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Those selected as "Top Stars" and "Gold Stars" will receive national recognition and awards. Top Stars will be selected periodically during the 2009-2010 school year. Entries will be accepted through Jan. 2, 2010. The deadline for the current submission period is Aug. 30, 2009. For more information, visit http://topstars.strategies.org
Calling all K-12 Science Teachers-Toyota Tapestry Program Now Accepting Entries
The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program, sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and administered by NSTA, is now accepting entries for the 2009-2010 competition. Now in its 20th year, the program offers grants up to $10,000 to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in their school and/or school district over a one-year period.
Fifty large grants and a minimum of 20 mini-grants totaling $550,000 will be awarded this year. Individual science teachers or a team of up to five teachers can submit proposals in one of three categories: physical science application; environmental science education; and integrating literacy and science. A judging panel convened by the NSTA will select the award-winning projects based on several criteria, including their innovative approach in teaching science and ability to create a stimulating and hands-on learning environment.
Since the program's inception in 1990, Toyota TAPESTRY grants totaling more than $8.6 million have been awarded to science teachers across the country. More than 2,000 teachers have used those funds to develop and execute extraordinary programs that helped hundreds of thousands of students nationwide make a passionate connection with science.
For more information about the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program or to learn how to apply, visit:
http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry
Applications must be submitted no later than January 18, 2010 to be considered. Don't delay, apply now!
Blast Back to School with NASA Educational Resources
As you get ready for the new school year, consider adding a little space to your class. NASA offers educational resources for use with kindergarten through college, as well as resources for the informal education community. Many of NASA's educational products are quick and easy to find on the NASA Web site. Visit the NASA Blast Back to School page to find educational resources and NASA events taking place in your area. From the site, you can find information relating to the following topics:
- Bring NASA Missions Into Your Classroom
- Bring NASA to Your School and Neighborhood
- Attend a NASA Educator Workshop
- Current Opportunities for Educators and Students
- NASA Resources for Your Classroom
- Especially for Students
For more information, visit the Blast Back to School page at:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/blast-back-to-school.html
New Teacher Tips
It is time for the new school year and new teachers sure can use some tips for getting started and veteran teachers can benefit by reviewing the "basics." Here are some resources that can get you off on the right foot.
Survival Central for New Teachers: http://discoveryeducation.com/survival/
Survival Guide for New Teachers: http://www.ed.gov/teachers/become/about/survivalguide/index.html
21st Century Learning Environment: http://teachers.net/gazette/MAR09/portner/
Grants for School and Youth Gardens
The National Gardening Association works with sponsoring companies and organizations to provide in-kind grants to projects that actively engage kids in the garden and improve the quality of life for their communities. To be eligible for these awards your school or organization must plan to garden with at least 15 kids between the ages of 3 and 18. (Mantis Awards are also open to non-youth organizations.) Please note that all grant winners are required to complete a year-end impact report (see individual grants for details). For full details, please visit: http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants.aspRegistrations Now Being Accepted for the MSTA Conference
The 57th Michigan Science Teachers Associations Annual Conference, "Science on a Shoestring" will be March 4-6, 2010, at the Radisson Hotel and Lansing Center, in Lansing Michigan. Registrations are now being accepted. You may go to:
http://www.msta-mich.org/conference/registration.php
for information on how to mail, fax, or register on-line using a Visa or MasterCard.
A Movie about DIRT
A new film is out and it is a topic that we all share concern about. DIRT! the Movie brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impacts of soil. It provides a greater understanding of soil and the responsibility rests on all of us to take care of it. Check out the trailer and sign up to find out how to see DIRT! the Movie in your community. Please visit:
http://dirtthemovie.org/
Create an Outdoor Science Classroom
Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and National Geographic Explorer! classroom magazine have partnered to create an outdoor classroom grant program. The program provides K-12 public schools with additional resources to improve their science curriculum by engaging students in hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom. The program is managed through the Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program. For full information, please visit:
For more information, please visit:
http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/
The deadline is October 16, 2009, but if 1500 applications are received prior to the deadline, the deadline will be closed early. So apply as soon as you can.
Increase Understanding of Environmental Issues
The Captain Planet Foundation is accepting applications for projects promoting understanding of environmental issues. The foundation funds as many projects as its annual resources allow. Generally, the range of grants awarded by the foundation is $250 to $2,500.
Deadlines: Grant proposals are reviewed over a period of three months from the date of the application submission deadline: September 30, 2009, December 31, 2009, March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010. For more information, please visit:
http://captainplanetfdn.org/default.aspx?pid=3&tab=apply
Liftoff to the Moon
Forty years ago, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins lifted off on their historic mission to the moon. It was the first manned spaceflight to reach the lunar surface, and on July 20, 1969, first Armstrong and then Aldrin became the first people to step onto the moon. (Collins stayed in orbit around the moon for the 21 or so hours that the other two were on the surface.) The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's We Choose the Moon is an interactive site that tells you everything you want to know about the Apollo 11mission. To the left of the screen, you'll find the status of the mission. Presently, it's displaying a countdown until the mission launch, as if today were 40 years ago. We Choose the Moon lets you click on different parts of the rocket and view pictures from the period. If you want to follow the mission, the site displays a Mission Tracker providing in-depth details about each stage of the trip to the moon. The site even has a simulated "live" stream of the Apollo 11 events that unfolded. To enjoy and learn, please visit:
http://wechoosethemoon.org/
Present at MSTA
Do you have a lesson or project you would like to share with the members of the Michigan Science Teachers Association? Applications are now being accepted for speaking sessions for the 2010 Michigan Science Teachers Associations, Science on a Shoestring Conference, March 4-6, at the Radisson Hotel and Lansing Center in Lansing Michigan. Forms can be found via a link on the home page of the MSTA web site:
http://www.msta-mich.org
High School Science
Michigan's First Green Chemistry Conference
Registration is now available for Michigan's First Annual Green Chemistry Conference, being held on September 25, 2009, at the Fort Shelby Downtown Detroit Doubletree. Keynote speakers include "founding fathers" of green chemistry - John Warner and Paul Anastas (invited). The Michigan Green Chemistry Conference will launch a multi-level approach to green chemistry. Leading experts in the fields of business technology, chemistry, engineering, and process improvement will discuss ways to advance and sustain green products and processes in Michigan. Participants will receive fact-based strategies, along with tools and resources to develop first level action plans for their respective business models.
Register early to guarantee your seat at this very important event! Registration and updated conference information is available on the Web at:
http://www.michigan.gov/greenup
For more information, contact the Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278, or e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov.
Knowles Science and Mathematics Teaching Fellowships
The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) is seeking applicants for its cohort of Teaching Fellows: individuals who have at least a bachelors degree in a physical science, biological science, engineering, or mathematics and now want to teach science or mathematics in U.S. high schools. KSTF Teaching Fellowships support individuals professionally and financially for up to five years through a teacher preparation program to eligibility for tenure. For more information, visit:
http://www.kstf.org/teaching_fellowships_home.aspx
Middle School and High School Science
Learn Space Science Through Social Media
The Adler Planetarium's Teencasts are a cool way for teens to become educated about the universe. On this site, students will find interesting facts about science, and if they want to learn more, they can download Adler Teencast videos and interact with other Adler Teens on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or YouTube. For more information, please visit:
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/cyberspace/podcasts/Teencasts/
Coleopterists Society's Youth Incentive Award
This international organization of professionals and hobbyists interested in the study of beetles has a program to recognize young people (grades 7-12) studying beetles. The society provides up to $300 each year. In addition to monetary grants of $150, awardees will receive up to $200 (Junior Award) and $400 (Senior Award) of equipment credit from the BioQuip Products catalog, along with a one-year subscription to the society's journal, The Coleopterists Bulletin.
The society invites proposals for topics such as field collecting trips to conduct beetle species inventories or diversity studies, attendance at workshops or visits to entomology or natural history museums for special training and projects on beetles, study of aspects of beetle biology, and so on. The proposed activities or projects will be evaluated on their degree of creativity, educational benefit to the applicant, scientific merit, feasibility, and budgetary planning. To learn more, visit the Coleopterists Society's website at:
http://www.coleopsoc.org/
The application deadline is November 15, 2009.
Digital Ocean: Sampling the Sea
Here is an opportunity for middle and high school teachers and classrooms to participate in the pilot program Digital Ocean: Sampling the Sea, which aims to interactively educate the next generation of seafood consumers about declining global fish populations and implications for humans and oceans. Students will learn about sustainable seafood and as they communicate with classrooms from other countries, they'll find out about differences in seafood consumption based on culture. The backbone of the program is the issue of sustainable food consumption. The program will encourage proactive solutions to the problems facing the world's ocean fish populations.
Participating teachers will receive curriculum guides, exercises, online training and support to help them implement the program. Curriculum modules will be flexible, and teachers can individually determine how much time they spend on in-class activities, from as little as three days to intermittently over three months. The pilot program seeks the participation of 200 middle and high school teachers and classrooms. Participation is limited to English-speaking classrooms in the pilot stage so as to avoid translation issues the first round.
For more information please visit:
http://www.cftnm.ucsb.edu/Programs/EMI/Research/SS_teacher_recruitment.html
A New Year of Science Safety Training Begins Now From Flinn Scientific
Another year of safety training from Flinn Scientific is being provided for free. Flinn Scientific will send you a 6-to 8-minute safety training program every month called Science Department Safety Training Notes. That's 10 safety training programs--a different topic each month, August through May. This safety training can be included as part of your monthly science department meetings. Your entire department will benefit. New teachers receive the training they probably did not get in college. Veteran teachers benefit from being reminded about safety issues. And department chairpersons will appreciate the convenience of receiving the program and support materials to conduct meaningful safety training. Flinn's Science Department Safety Training Notes are made possible thanks to the generous support of their customers.
August's topic is entitled "Science Safety and the Law." You will learn about the laws that govern science education safety. Complying with these regulations will dramatically improve the overall safety profile of your school's science department. To obtain this great resource, please visit:
http://www.flinnsci.com/contact_safety.asp
Middle School Science
Michigan Student Named Semi-Finalist in Young Scientist Challenge
Michigan middle school student, Alicia Dent, was named a semifinalist in the 11th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Each semifinalist received $250 and a prize package that includes a plaque honoring their science teacher or mentor. For more information on the challenge, including the full list of semifinalists and finalists, their hometowns and ages, go to: www.youngscientistchallenge.com
Elementary and Middle School Science
We Can Change the World Challenge
Year two of the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge kicked off on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, in connection with the United Nations International Youth Day in New York City. The grand prize-winning team from the inaugural year of the challenge, Team Dead Weight from West Branch, Iowa, presented their project-about the environmental hazards of lead wheel weights in tires-to an audience of peers, UN representatives, and media as part of the day's theme, "Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future."
NSTA, the Siemens Foundation, and Discovery Education are partnering again this year to educate, empower and engage students and teachers nationwide to become "Agents of Change" in improving their communities through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. The second year of this national sustainability challenge-now expanded to include elementary school students-encourages students in kindergarten through eighth grade to team up with their classmates to create replicable solutions to environmental issues in their classroom (grades K-2), school (grades 3-5) and community (grades 6-8).
For more information, and to register for the challenge, which officially opens for entries on August 19, 2009, go to:
http://www.wecanchange.com
Free MEAP Me Field Trip at the Detroit Science Center
The Detroit Science Center's popular MEAP ME! program is back this fall to help educators prepare their students for the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP). The program is FREE to all Michigan schools for grades 5 & 8 taking the science portion of the MEAP test. In 2008 more than 18,000 students participated in the four-week program. MEAP ME! field trips to the Detroit Science Center will be offered for free from Sept. 14 - Oct. 2, 2009. Special MEAP programming will be offered for middle schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and elementary school students on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Educators who are interested in reserving a MEAP ME! field trip should call the Science Center at: 313.577.8400, Option 5 Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
MEAP ME! field trips include:
- A game-show style MEAP Rally on the Chrysler Science Stage where students can compete to win a coveted MEAP ME! championship banner
- A MEAP scavenger hunt for the Science Center's hands-on exhibits
- MEAP station demonstrations focusing on space, earth, life and physical science, chemistry and math with grade-appropriate activities at each station
- A Toyota Engineering Theater show
- An optional MEAP Planetarium show or IMAX® film ($4 per student fee)
The top 10 classes with the largest increase in MEAP science scores will be rewarded with an overnight adventure at the Detroit Science Center in May, 2010.
Elementary School Science
Encourage Environmental Stewardship
The Arbor Day National Poster Contest, sponsored by Toyota, is a way to educate fifth-grade students about trees and environmental stewardship. More than 70,000 fifth-grade classrooms nationwide participate in the program every year. The 2009 theme, "Trees are Terrific ... in Cities and Towns!" was designed to increase students' understanding of the importance of trees in their own community. The 2010 theme is "Trees are Terrific ... and Energy Wise." Learn more about how to get involved in the 2010 contest. You can find complete details at:
http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/?gclid=CLCm54Prr5wCFQebnAod5B5Ckg
The deadline for the contest is January 31, 2010.
Power Up and Learn Science
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), education game maker Tabula Digita and the Monsanto Education Fund have partnered to develop a free interactive science game for grades 3-5 called the League of Scientists. This interactive resource allows students to compete against one another in a series of multiplayer games, constructed around a standards-based science curriculum. The League of Scientists currently includes four interactive games: Lab Rat Race, Beaker Blast, Butterfly Boss and Circuit Center, with additional games planned. The science content was provided by ISTE and can be selected based on a teacher's desire to introduce or practice life science, earth and space science or physical science concepts. In addition to creating their own avatars, students collect points with each correct answer. Later they can redeem the points for science-related equipment and gizmos to trick out their virtual science labs. They will also have the opportunity to earn "power up points" to demonstrate their mastery and gain an advantage in the game. To enjoy, please visit:
http://www.theleagueofscientists.com/
July Contest Winners and August Contest
In July, we gave away Meijer's gift cards. Here is a list of the winners:
- Mindy Horn-Onaway Area Community Schools
- Monica Single-Washtenaw Christian Academy
- Walter Rathkamp-Saginaw Valley State University Mathematics and Science Center
- Connie Atkisson-Detroit Public Schools
Congratulations to all of the winners. If you did not win, keep trying. This month may be your lucky month.
This month we have five wonderful prizes to give away this month. Each prize a book written by educator Ron Clark. They include 3-copies of the New York Times Bestseller-The Essential 55; 1-copy of The Excellent 11; and 1-copy of The Essential 55 Workbook. All of these books will help parents, teachers, and administrators alike in their quest to boost student achievement.
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 1, 15, 30, 45, and 60 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 Michigan Science Matters Network.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- January 1-December 31, 2009: The Year of Science. For more information, please visit: http://www.yearofscience2009.org
- August 22, 2009: Project Learning Tree Workshop at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings, MI. For more information, please contact Doug Wright at 269-721-4434
- September 1, 2009: Deadline for K-12 Students to develop a brief, 2-5 minute film that shares their views on the earth's future and the importance of combating climate change. For more information please visit: For more information, please visit: http://www.earthdaychallenge.org/awards.html
- September 1, 2009: Deadline to apply to help set the national standards for the NAEP science assessment. To apply, please visit: http://www.act.org/naepscience
- 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 26, 2009: Project Learning Tree Workshop at Hawk Woods Nature Center in Commerce Township. For more information, please contact Mike Mansour at 248-672-0682
- 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
- September 30, 2009: Deadline for K-12 teachers to apply for the NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate. For more information, please visit: http://www.us-satellite.net/endeavor/index.cfm
- October 5, 2009: Deadline to apply to present at the MSTA Conference in Lansing. To obtain a speaker form, please visit:
http://www.msta-mich.org/conference/vendor_speaker.php - October 6-7, 2009: Project Learning Tree Facilitators Training at the River Hawk Conference Center at the Proud Lake Recreation Area. For more information, please contact Ada Takacs at: takacsa@michigan.gov
- 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 22, 2009: Initial Test Date for the 5th and 8th grade science MEAP assessments.
- October 24, 2009: MDSTA Fall Conference at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. For more information please contact Kelvin Wise at: wisepill@aol.com
- October 31, 2009: Deadline for Project Learning Tree Greenworks Grants. For more information, please contact Ada Takacs at: takacsa@michigan.gov
- 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 15, 2009: Deadline to apply for the Seeds of Education Grants. For more information, please visit: http://www.for-wild.org/seedmony.html
- 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
- November 30, 2009: Deadline for K-2 Science Teachers to apply for the Zula International Early Science Educator Award. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx?lid=tnavhp#zula
- November 30, 2009: Deadline for Grade 6-9 Teachers to apply for the DCAT Making a Difference Award. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx?lid=tnav#dcat
- January 18, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Toyota Tapestry Grants for K-12 Teachers. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry
- January 31, 2010: Deadline for 5th grade students to enter the 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest. For more information, please visit: http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/?gclid=CLCm54Prr5wCFQebnAod5B5Ckg
- March 4-6, 2010: MSTA Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://msta-mich.org
- March 18-21, 2010: NSTA Conference in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2010phi/?lid=tnavhp
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.