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About
E-Blast for December 10, 2009
- Leadership
- The Science Matters Network in Michigan
- Science Humor
- Science Matters to Parents
- Student Activities and Opportunities
- Grants
- K-12 Science
- December Celebrates Science and Health in the Year of Science 2009
- Plan for National Environmental Education Week
- My Favorite Quote of the Week
- Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter
- Detroit Tigers Weather Day at Comerica Park April 29
- Walking with Dinosaurs Savings
- Presidential Press Release to Announce Excellence in STEM Education
- Upcoming Deadlines
- High School Science
- Middle School and High School Science
- Middle School Science
- Elementary and Middle School Science
- Elementary School Science
- December Contest
David Bydlowski
Michigan Coordinator - Science Matters Network
bydlowd@resa.net
http://bap.nsta.org
http://www.msta-mich.org/smn
or
Sue Campbell
MSTA Representative
sue@ucia2.com
http://www.msta-mich.org
Please Note: If you do not receive the full e-blast you can view it at: http://msta-mich.org/smn or request a Word version by emailing: bydlowd@resa.net You can also listen to the e-blast, as a podcast, by visiting: http://k12science.net and clicking on Podcasts or you can subscribe at iTunes by searching for k12science in the iTunes Store.
1. Leadership
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science consultant and lecturer, University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
The Science Matters Network In Michigan
2a. The Value of Being Part of the Michigan Science Matters Network
As a member of the Michigan Science Matters Network, you will be part of a system of communication that can quickly disseminate information on events, resources, opportunities, and funding of interest to teachers of science. You receive a Michigan eBlast on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Also, each member of NSTA Science Matters receives a monthly e-newsletter. The national e-newsletter contains information that relates to science teaching, professional development and grant opportunities currently available to teachers, and helpful resources available for parents.
Science Humor
3a. Let's Have Some Fun
Teacher: Which is farther away, Florida or the Moon?
Student: Florida
Teacher: Florida? What makes you think that?
Student: Because we can see the moon, but we can't see Florida.
Science Teacher: I'd like to go an entire day without scolding you.
Student: Well, teacher, you certainly have my permission.
Student: I can't take this schoolwork anymore. It's driving me nuts.
Teacher: Well, I'm sorry, but hard work never killed anyone.
Student: Still, there's no use in taking chances.
Science Matters to Parents
4a. What Should I Look for in the Science Program in My Child's School
Parents often ask, what can I do to support good science education? One of the most helpful things parents can do is support not only their student, but also the schools and teachers in their district. Be involved in your child's course choices and know what goes on inside the classroom.
Look around. There are several things that are evident in standards-based teaching and learning environment:
- Instruction is "hands-on, minds-on" with students using materials to experience active science.
- There are adequate and safe facilities, equipment and materials for science activities.
- There are clearly stated goals for the science program, science units and science lessons.
- Textbooks are used as references rather than the main source of science lessons.
- Students are encouraged to ask questions about the world around them and practice science skills.
- Students' science experiences teach them to connect science concepts to their experience, see how human nature influences science, and explore how science and technology affects their lives.
- The science classes include activities that engage students in applying their science skills and understandings to examine social issues, solve real problems and make decisions.
- Students have the opportunity to use a variety of equipment and technology in their scientific investigations.
For more ideas and information for parents, visit:
http://www.nsta.org/sciencematters
Student Activities and Opportunities
5a. Engineer Girl!
You're stranded! And if you have to be stranded somewhere with someone, you might want to hope you are stranded with an engineer. Young people grades 3 to 12 are encouraged to enter this essay contest, where they must think like an engineer to survive while lost in the woods. The deadline to enter is March 1, 2010. For more details, go to:
http://www.engineergirl.org/?id=3821
5b. Upcoming Deadlines
December 15, 2009: Deadline for high school students to register for the Spirit of Innovation Awards. For more information, please visit:
http://www.conradawards.com
December 18, 2009: Deadline for High School Students to enter the Michigan Society for Medical Research Essay Contest. For more information, please visit:
http://www.mismr.org/services/essay/2010EssayContestPacket.pdf
December 18, 2009: Deadline for 4th-6th grade students to apply to enter the Disney Planet Challenge. For more information, please visit:
http://disney.go.com/planetchallenge/?THEBIGDEALBOOK=633922594183524065
January 15, 2010: Deadline for 9th - 12th grade students to enter the Real World Design Challenge. For more information, please visit:
http://www.realworlddesignchallenge.org/
January 15, 2010: Last day for high school students to submit their research for the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at Wayne State University. For more information, please visit:
http://www.coe.wayne.edu/ted/JSHS/
January 31, 2010: Last day for 7th - 12th grade students to enter the DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition. For more information, please visit:
http://thechallenge.dupont.com/
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
January 31, 2010: Deadline for elementary students to enter the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. For more information, please visit:
http://www.wecanchange.com
February 1, 2010: Projects due for the Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge, for middle school students. For more information, please visit:
http://wlmr.nasa.gov/
February 2, 2010: Deadline for K-12 students to apply for the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Program. For more information, please visit:
http://www.exploravision.org
February 3, 2010: Deadline for high schools to apply for the USA Biology Olympiad. For more information, please visit:
http://www.cee.org/programs/usabo/teacher-info
February 12, 2010: Deadline for high school teachers to apply to participate in the MI Envirothon. For more information, please visit:
http://www.michiganenvirothon.org
March 1, 2010: Deadline for high school students to enter the DASH+ Challenge. For more information, please visit:
http://www.fuelourfuturenow.com/contest/
March 1, 2010: Deadline for students in grades 3-12 to enter the Engineer Girl! Essay Contest. For more information, please visit:
http://www.engineergirl.org/?id=3821
March 1, 2010: Deadline for the 2010 Citizen Science Paper Competition for High School Students. For more information, please visit:
http://www.sustainus.org/citizenscience
March 1, 2010: Deadline for 7th - 12th grade students to apply for the Young Naturalist Award. For more information, please visit:
http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/
March 15, 2010: Deadline for high school students to enter the DNA Day Essay Contest. For more information, please visit:
http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml
March 15, 2010: Deadline for middle school students to enter the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. For more information, please visit:
http://www.wecanchange.com
Grants
6a. Lowe's Outdoor Classroom Grants
A series of grants up to $5,000 for schools to develop permanent, outdoor/indoor enhancements. This grant would be appropriate for school forests or schoolyard habitats needing assistance with landscaping and site development (trails, interpretive signs, etc.). Note, only the first 1500 applications will be accepted. www.toolboxforeducation.com/
Deadline is February 12, 2010.
6b. Wild Ones: Seed for Education Grant
Grant to support the purchase of native plants and seeds for projects to enhance appreciation and understanding of native plants with awards of $100-500. Perfect for School Forest schoolyards or forests. www.for-wild.org/sfecvr.html
Deadline is February 15, 2010.
6c. Clean Water Education Grant
Middle school and high school teachers are encouraged to consider applying for the Dan Wolz Clean Water Education Grant. This grant enables teachers to be aware and promote careers in water environment, water quality, and wastewater management money is provided to attend the MWEA state conference, MSTA state conference, and supplies for your classroom to teach these concepts.
Complete information and applications are available by clicking on the following link:
http://www.msta-mich.org/index.php/publications/newsletterArticle/372.pdf
Applications are due December 19, 2009.
6d. Upcoming Deadlines
Rolling Deadline for the Michigan Renewable Schools Program. For more information, please visit:
http://www.energyworksmichigan.org
December 15, 2009: Deadline to apply for the Bette and Roger Gay Scholarship at the Detroit Zoological Society to travel across the equator. For more information, please visit:
http://www.detroitzoo.org/Saving_Wildlife/Saving_Wildlife/Adopt-A-School/
December 16, 2009: Deadline to apply for MI-Champions Free Technology Training for Your School. For more information, please visit:
http://www.macul.org
December 19, 2009: Deadline to apply for the Clean Water Education Grant. For more information, please visit:
http://www.msta-mich.org/index.php/publications/newsletterArticle/372
December 23, 2009: Deadline to apply for the National Pest Management Associations Grade 4 -8 national competition. For more information, please visit:
http://www.pestworldforkids.org/psa-contest.html
January 13, 2010: Deadline for K-12 science teachers to apply to be an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. For more information, please visit:
http://www.einsteinfellows.org/application.html
January 13, 2010: Deadline for potential high school science teachers to apply for the teaching fellowships from Knowles Science Foundation. For more information, please visit:
http://www.kstf.org/fellowships/teaching.html
January 15, 2010: Community Action Grants for Females. For more information, please visit:
http://www.aauw.org/education/fga/fellowships_grants/community_action.cfm
January 15, 2010: Deadline for HS Environmental Education Teachers to apply for the Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. For more information, please visit:
http://www.neefusa.org/bartlettaward/
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 29, 2010: Deadline for teachers to apply for the Global Learning Adventure of grants of $5000 to $10,000. For more information, please visit:
http://www.fundforteachers.org
February 12, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grant Program. For more information, please visit:
http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/
February 15, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Seed for Education Grant. For more information, please visit:
http://www.for-wild.org/sfecvr.html
K-12 Science
7a. December Celebrates Science and Health in the Year of Science 2009
No fun being sick for the holiday season, so December is a good time to take a look at the connections between science and health. Health science builds upon an integration of biology, chemistry, and physics and has resulted in major advancements in medicine, new surgical treatments, and increased longevity of humans - well worth toasting as we prepare to ring in the New Year. So, enjoy the holidays and celebrate with SCIENCE AND HEALTH! For more information, visit:
http://www.yearofscience2009.org/themes_health/celebrate/
7b. Plan for National Environmental Education Week
National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) is the largest organized environmental education event in the United States. EE Week increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of educational preparation, learning, and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. By participating in EE Week, you encourage your students to make a difference in their schools, homes, and communities! Make sure you are ready for April 11 -17, 2010. For more information, please visit:
http://www.eeweek.org/
7c. My Favorite Quote of the Week
I hate the phrase inquiry-based science
It's like saying immersion-based swimming.
If it isn't inquiry-based, it isn't science.
David Hammer, Professor of Education and Physics - from the paper Inquiry in the Digital Classroom
7d. Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter
If you have never downloaded the Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter, you are really missing something. This is the most complete newsletter to help students learn more about the brain and the nervous system. For more information, please visit:
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
7e. Detroit Tigers Weather Day April 29
Weather Day will be held at Comerica Park on Thursday, April 29. The gates will open at 9:30 AM with the program beginning at approximately 10 AM. It will last around 45 minutes to an hour. The Detroit Tigers are currently working with the meteorologists from Fox 2 news. A guest meteorologist will be conducting an on-field presentation about weather and its effects on the game of baseball. The presentation will also include trivia, experiments, weather history, and much, much more!
Following the presentation, the Tigers will take on the Minnesota Twins with the game scheduled to start at 1:05 PM.
The Tigers are offering tickets in three different locations. Mezzanine seats (section 210-219) are discounted down to $13 and pavilion seats (section 144-151) are only $14! Both locations offer a savings of $2! In addition, upper box infield seats (321-337) are only $17, a savings of $5!
7f. Walking with Dinosaurs Savings
If you are planning on attending the Walking with Dinosaurs, The Arena Spectacular at Cobo Arena in Detroit from December 29 - January 3, 2010, you can save money on your tickets. If you order your tickets online, just use the password "science." You will then save $10 per ticket. Tickets savings are available for the following performances: January 1 at 3:00 and 7:00 and January 3 for the 1:00 performance.
7g. Presidential Press Release to Announce Excellence in STEM Education
In last week's eBlast, it was announced that there is going to be a National Lab Day in May, 2010. It is all part of the Educate to Innovate Campaign for Excellence in STEM Education. If you would like the complete press release to display in your classroom, please visit:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-launches-educate-innovate-campaign-excellence-science-technology-en
7h. Upcoming Deadlines
January 1 - December 31, 2009: The Year of Science. For more information, please visit:
http://www.yearofscience2009.org
December 31, 2009: Deadline to apply for the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program. For more information, please visit:
http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/
January 16, 2009: Deadline for K-12 Teachers to apply for the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. For more information, please visit:
http://www.amfcse.org/Alan%20Shepard%20Award/alan_shepard_award.htm
March 4-6, 2010: MSTA Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit:
http://www.msta-mich.org/conference/
March 15, 2010: Deadline for K-12 Teachers to apply for the Research Experiences for Teachers, along with a $3600 stipend. For more information please visit:
http://www.ret.magnet.fsu.edu
http://bio.fsu.edu/osta/ret
March 18-21, 2010: NSTA Conference in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, please visit:
http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2010phi/?lid=tnavhp
April 11 -17, 2010: National Environmental Education Week. For more information, please visit:
http://www.eeweek.org/
April 29, 2010: Detroit Tigers Weather Day at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. The weather presentation begins at 10:00 and then the Tigers play the Twins at 1:05 PM. For more information, please visit:
http://detroittigers.com
October 8-10, 2010: MAEOE Conference in Pellston, MI. For more information, please visit:
http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/
High School Science
8a. A Guide to Engineering for High School Girls
The Engineer Your Life website helps to close the "gender divide." A recent study shows that the site, a joint effort of the NAE and WGBH, is breaking down stereotypes in engineering, increasing high school girls' interest in engineering, and inspiring young women to explore engineering courses in college. Take a visit at:
http://www.engineeryourlife.org/
8b. Upcoming Deadlines
January 8, 2010: Deadline to apply for the NSF funded Professional Development integrating nanoscience and technology. For more information, please visit:
http://www.mcrel.org/NanoTeach/Recruiting
Middle School and High School Science
9a. The Kepler Mission and the International Year of Astronomy Workshop
Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets Space Science Workshop for Teachers. Celebrate The Kepler Mission and the International Year of Astronomy.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
8:15 am - 5:00 pm
GEMS CENTER - CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Join in on an exciting day of science and hands-on activities for middle and high school science teachers. Dr. Edna DeVore, Co-Investigator, will discuss the science behind NASA's Kepler Mission, which launched in March 2009. Standards based, classroom ready activities include: Human Orrery, Detecting Extrasolar Planets, Transit Tracks, and building a computer-interfaced transit model. Participants will also gain access to the MicroObservatory online telescopes. A letter verifying 8 hours of professional development can be provided. To register for the workshop, send an email to:
gems@cmich.edu
prior to January 9, 2010.
9b. Teacher Survey Regarding Climate Education
Take an online survey about your needs around teaching about the climate and earn a $5 gift certificate for your time! This survey will help the CIRES Education and Outreach Group at the University of Colorado at Boulder design a set of NASA-funded professional development experiences for teachers about climate and climate change. Called "Inspiring Climate Education Excellence" (ICEE), this project is a partnership that includes GLOBE and the National Science Digital Library. 200 middle and high school STEM teachers are needed to participate by December 15, 2009. The survey consists of 20 multiple choice and short-answer questions and should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please log on at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=AkNiQEgem2bn2h8zclozoQ_3d_3d
For more information about the project, see:
http://cires.colorado.edu/education/k12/ICEE/index.html
9c. Upcoming Deadlines
December 31, 2009: Deadline for middle school and high school teachers to apply for the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy. For more information, please visit:
http://www51.honeywell.com/hhs/ourprograms-sub/scimathedu-sub/honeywelledu.html?c=31
January 6, 2009: Deadline to for teachers to apply for the fully funded Toyota International Teacher Program to Costa Rica. For more information, please visit:
http://www.toyota4education.com
January 8, 2010: Deadline for Middle School and High School teachers to apply to attend the Nanotechnology Workshop at Michigan Technological University. For details, please visit:
http://nano.mtu.edu/ni/index.htm
January 9, 2010: Deadline to register for the Kepler Search for Habitable Planets Space Science Workshop for Teachers at Central Michigan University on January 2, 2010.. To register, please send an email to:
gems@cmich.edu
January 30, 2010: Free Leopold Education Project Workshop at the Ebersole Center in Wayland, MI. For more information, please contact: Wendy Cheek, Leopold Education Project State Coordinator
616-688-5172 or wcheek@allcom.net
First week of May, 2010: National Lab Day for 6th - 12th grade students. For more information, please visit:
http://www.nationallabday.org
Middle School Science
10a. Participate in a Space Academy
The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program funds five-day scholarships for middle school math and science teachers at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Recipients have 40 hours of intensive classroom, laboratory and training time, focusing on space science and space exploration, including participation in astronaut-style training and simulations and activities designed to promote lifelong learning in a classroom setting. The deadline is: December 31, 2009. For more information, please visit:
http://www51.honeywell.com/hhs/ourprograms-sub/scimathedu-sub/honeywelledu.html?c=31
Elementary and Middle School Science
11a. United Nations Children's Painting Competition
This competition, which has been held since 1990, invites young people between the ages of 6 and 14 years to submit their paintings on a particular theme. 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 Biodiversity: Connecting with Nature. Regional winners will be announced on World Environment Day, June 5, 2010. The regional first-prize winners will each receive a cash prize and a trip for themselves and an accompanying adult to the Tunza International Children's Conference in Aichi, Japan in August 2010 (exact dates to be confirmed later).
Deadline for all entries is April 15, 2010. Please note that only hard copies of paintings will be accepted. For more information, contact Andrea DiPaola at the United Nations Environment Programme:
andrea.dipaola@unep.org
11b. Upcoming Deadlines
April 15, 2010: Deadline for 6 - 14 year olds to enter the United Nations Painting Competition. For more information, please contact Andrea DiPaola at andrea.dipaola@unep.org
Elementary School Science
12a. Upcoming Deadlines
December 18, 2009: Deadline for 4th - 6th grade students and teachers to enter the Disney Planet Challenge. For more information, please visit:
http://disney.go.com/planetchallenge
February 12, 2010: Deadline for K-5 students to enter the DEQ Earth Day Poster Contest. For more information, please visit:
http://www.michigan.gov/deqenved/
May 1, 2010: Deadline for K-6 teachers to apply for the Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science Teaching. For more information, please visit:
http://www.paemst.org
13. December Contest
This month we have seven wonderful prizes to give away. The prizes are pencil pouches, iTunes cards and NASA 360 DVD's.
To win one of these prizes, send an email to:
David Bydlowski
bydlowd@resa.net
State Coordinator for the Michigan Science Matters Network
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, 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, and 66 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.