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E-Blast February 25, 2010
Sponsored by the National and Michigan Science Teachers Associations - NSTA/MSTA
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- The Science Matters Network in Michigan
- MDE, MEAP, and MMC Science
- Science Humor
- Science Matters to Parents
- Student Activities and Opportunities
- Grants
- K-12 Science
- High School Science
- Middle School and High School Science
- Middle School Science
- Elementary and Middle School Science
- Elementary School Science
- February Contest Winners
Here are your science education resources and announcements for February 25 - March 10, 2010 provided by the Science Matters Network. 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-Science Matters Network
or
Sue Campbell
MSTA Representative
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
Divorced from ethics, leadership is reduced to management and politics to mere technique.
James MacGregor Burns
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. Come to the Science Matters Meeting at MSTA
If you are attending the MSTA Conference in Lansing, I hope you will stop by to the Michigan Science Matters Network meeting. It will be held from 11:00 - 11:45 in the Lansing Center, Room 203. The meeting is for Super Key Leaders, Key Leaders, Points of Contact, and anyone interested in the Michigan Science Matters Network. Hope to see you there!!
2b. Follow Science Matters on Twitter and Listen to the Podcast
To twitter go to:
To view the eBlast and listen to the podcast, go to:
To listen to the podcast and subscribe to it, go to:
http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Podcast.html
or
http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/k12.mi.us.1834937839.01834937844
Remember, if you have a special comment about the podcast or twitter, you can qualify for a special prize. And this week the prize goes to:
Jessica Good
Christa McAuliffe MS in Bangor, MI. Her comment about the February 11 podcast is:
"Thank you so much for your eBlasts. I love how they are organized and I can easily find and use information for my Earth Science classes!"
If you have something nice to say about the twitter or podcasts send it to:
2c. Upcoming Deadlines
March 6, 2010: Science Matters Network Meeting at the Michigan Science Teachers Association Meeting in Lansing, MI. The meeting will be held from 11:00 - 11:45 in Room 203 in the Lansing Center. Everyone is invited to attend.
March 20, 2010: Science Matters Leadership Meeting at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel, Grand Salon I from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. It is for State Coordinators, Super Key Leaders and Key Leaders.
MDE, MEAP, and MMC Science
3a. MEAP-Access Assessment
The MEAP-Access assessment was operationally administered for the first time in Fall 2009. Low reliabilities from the first operational administration showed a need for more extensive modification of MEAP items to provide access to the content for the intended participants in MEAP-Access. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has spent considerable energy in planning for the additional modifications to be in place for Fall 2010. It has become clear, after internal discussions and discussions with contractors, that attempting to put the modifications in place could possibly result in insufficiently high reliabilities in 2010 as well. To read more about this, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/MEAP-Access_One-Year_Delay_310708_7.pdf
Science Humor
4a. Let's Have Some Fun
Little Billy brought home his report card. His mother and father took him to task for all of the low grades in science. Little Billy responded, "It's got its good side too. You know darn well I am not cheating."
The teacher asked, "Tell me, Erin, if I had nine apples and there were twelve children, how would I divide them equally?" Erin thought for a moment, then replied happily, "Make applesauce!"
Child: I got a hundred in school today.
Parent: That's wonderful. What did you get a hundred in?
Child: Two things. I got fifty in science and 50 in social studies.
Science Matters to Parents
5a. Awesome Websites and More
That National Science Teachers Association, NSTA, strongly believes that parents can and should play an integral part in their child's science education. Listed below are websites recommended by the National Science Teachers Association. Parents can use to find out more about science education and engage their children in fun, simple science experiments and activities.
At the Dictionary of Units of Measure find out everything you need to know about units of measures, especially where balancing and weighing are concerned. Just visit:
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/
Sandia National Laboratories has put together a collection of one-page science activities appropriate for elementary-age children to try at home. You can download them at:
http://www.sandia.gov/ciim/ASK/documents/fsn-homeactivities.pdf
The National Geographic Society has a fun and informative GeoBee Challenge that post 10 online questions every day from the National Geographic Bee. Visitors to the site can play as often as they like, and there is a brand-new quiz every day. Just visit: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/
Student Activities and Opportunities
6a. DNA Day Essay Contest Deadline is Drawing Near
DNA Day is just around the corner and the deadline for the essay contest is in three weeks: March 15, 2010 (Mon) at 5:00 PM EST. To submit your students' essays, please visit: http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml
and click on ‘5th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest' for the submission link, rules, and more information.
6b. Engineering Contest for Girls and Boys Grades 3-12
Every year, EngineerGirl! sponsors a contest dealing with engineering and its impact on our world. The 2010 contest is a survival design challenge in which students are asked to imagine a scenario in which they are separated from their group during a field trip to a national wildlife refuge. How will they survive given a list of supplies and the conditions of the environment? The contest is open to individual girls and boys in each of three categories: grades 3-5 (ages 8-11), grades 6-8 (ages12-14) and grades 9-12 (ages 15-18). All winning entries will be published on the EngineerGirl! Web site. In addition, first-place winners will be awarded $500; second-place entries will be awarded $250; and third-place entries will be awarded $100.
Deadline: March 1, 2010 For more information, please visit: http://www.engineergirl.org/?id=12093
6c. Upcoming Deadlines
February 28, 2010: Deadline for students in grades 3-6 to enter the Kids' Science Challenge. For more information, please visit: http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com/
February 28, 2010: Deadline for students to be recognized for the Young Eco-Hero Awards. please visit: http://www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/
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 4, 2010: Deadline for grade 5-12 students to register for the West Michigan Science Challenge to take place on March 18. For more information, please visit: http://www.muskegonisd.org/departments/mathscience/studentpgms/science-challenge/
March 8, 2010: Deadline for high school teachers to apply to participate in the MI Envirothon. For more information, please visit: http://www.michiganenvirothon.org
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
March 15, 2010: Deadline for 7th grade girls to apply for the STEPS Summer Camp Experience at Grand Valley State University. For more information, please visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/steps/
March 15, 2010: Deadline for elementary students to enter the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. For more information, please visit: http://www.wecanchange.com
March 22, 2010: Deadline for 6th - 8th grade students to enter the US EPA Climate Change Art Challenge. For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/airinfo.html
April 16, 2010: Deadline for HS students to apply for the Michigan High School Mathematics and Science Symposium at Grand Valley State University. For more information contact Paul Bigford at: paulbigford@hotmail.com or call (231) 898-2633
Grants
7a. PBS Teachers Innovation Awards For K12 Educators
To honor and celebrate educators that engage students at new levels, spark their curiosity, and tap into students' natural instinct to explore, PBS and its local stations have launched the PBS Teachers Innovation Awards. PreK-12 educators can enter now for a chance to win a behind-the-scenes trip to the premier annual PBS event and other prizes. For more information on how to enter, visit www.pbs.org/teachers/innovators
The deadline to enter is March 12, 2010.
7b. High School Chemistry Grants from the American Chemical Society
The ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant is a great opportunity for chemistry educators to request up to $1,500 for any purpose that enhances the teaching and learning of chemistry within their classrooms (i.e., professional development courses, laboratory supplies, instructional materials, and technology tools).
They are currently accepting applications through April 1, 2010 for the 2010-2011 academic year. Details about the grant and the application process can be found at: http://www.acs.org/hach
7c. Research Experience for K12 Teachers with a $6000 Stipend
Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Program at the University of Michigan Biological Station
"Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions in a Changing Global Environment?"
Funded by the National Science Foundation, this summer residential program gives K-12 teachers the chance to participate in field ecology and environmental science research at the University of Michigan Biological Station on Douglas Lake in Pellston, Michigan. The selected participant will work closely with a science mentor to design and complete a research project as well as attend seminars, discussion groups, science workshops. The program runs from June 22 to August 22, 2010. The participant will receive a stipend ($6,000), research supplies, and room and board at the Biological Station.
As an RET participant you will take part in 3 integrated activities designed to maximize research learning experiences:
A. Designing and completing an individual Research Project, including writing a scientific report suitable for publication and providing an oral presentation of the results.
B. Participating in a series of focused Workshops designed to provide necessary background for conducting scientific research and understanding the complexities of biospheric and atmospheric processes, and interactions between these processes.
C. Participating in Enrichment Activities, including attending weekly UMBS invited speaker seminars (open to all members of the UMBS community) and participating in a weekly discussion groups focused on biosphere-atmosphere interactions.
Interested teachers should contact Karie Slavik, Associate Director of the University of Michigan Biological Station (slavik@umich.edu or 734-763-4462) for more information. To apply please send the following items to Karie Slavik at slavik@umich.edu.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement your interests in conducting research at the UM Biological Station
- Statement of how you would like to incorporate your RET experience into your classroom
- Names of the science mentors you may be interested in working with during the program (See list below.)
- Two letters of reference
7d. Upcoming Deadlines
February 28, 2010: Deadline to apply for the TechSmith Michigan K-12 Grant Program. For more information, please visit: http://www.techsmith.com/michigangrant/
March 12, 2010: Deadline to apply for the PBS K-12 Teachers Innovation Awards. For more information, please visit: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/innovators
March 15, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Pepsi Refresh Project. please visit: http://www.refresheverything.com/
March 31, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Captain Planet Foundation Funds Projects Grants. For more information, please visit: http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html
April 1, 2010: Deadline for Chemistry teachers to apply for the ACS-Hach Awards. For more information, please visit: http://www.acs.org/hach
April 1, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Nature Hills Nursery Green America Awards. For more information, please visit: http://www.naturehills.com/green_america_awards.aspx
April 15, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Salmon in the Classroom Project. For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/sic
May 3, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Michigan Section American Water Works Association $1000 Teacher Grants. For more information please contact Holly at 616-355-1263 or visit: http://mi-water.org/wateryoudoing/Index.html
K-12 Science
8a. Understand Science's Role in Health and Medicine
In an ongoing commitment to advance science education-and ultimately broaden reach to a national audience of teachers-NSTA New Science Teacher Academy partner Astellas Pharma US, Inc., announces the launch of its new science education program, Science WoRx. The program provides teachers with resources to engage their students and help them to understand science's role in human health and medicine. The program features Science Pro, a fun and innovative in-classroom education and mentoring component that connects Astellas scientists with classrooms in the greater Chicago area. Here, a "Science Pro" will offer an inside look at working in human health and medicine through presentations, live experiments, and demonstrations. Teachers can also take advantage of ScienceWoRx.org, an online and interactive community established to connect science teachers nationwide, like yourself, with industry peers, as well as provide you with access to valuable resources. For more information, please visit: http://www.scienceworx.org
8b. Siemens STEM Academy Portal
Inspire your students! Share best practices, access free resources and collaborate with educators.
The Siemens Foundation, in partnership with Discovery Education, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the College Board, is thrilled to announce a new nationwide initiative, The Siemens STEM Academy. The Academy offers free hands-on and multi-media professional development resources and opportunities that boost science, technology, engineering and math learning in the classroom including:
STEM Academy Online Portal
STEM Connect Webinar Series
Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARS)
Siemens STEM Academy Institute
To learn more and start collaborating, visit: http://www.siemensstemacademy.com
8c. US Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellowships
Teachers with successful strategies for increasing student achievement are encouraged to apply for Teaching Ambassador Fellowship positions with the U.S. Department of Education for the 2010-2011 school year. Teachers will be chosen based upon their record of leadership, impact on student achievement and potential for contribution to the Department and the field. The program offers two tracks: Classroom and Washington Fellows.
Classroom Fellows will serve their regular teaching contracts with their districts and will be paid to perform additional fellowship duties for the Department of Education. As practicing classroom teachers, these Fellows will share an important perspective for -- and will gain more knowledge about -- education policy and program development. They will share their experiences with other Fellows and with the Department of Education at designated times throughout the year.
Washington Fellows will serve as full-time federal employees in Washington, D.C., from the summer of 2010 through June 2011. They will be placed in appropriate positions within the Department of Education to work on education program development and implementation. They will focus on using their previous classroom experience to contribute knowledge and insight to various Department of Education projects. They will spend the majority of their time working in program offices, increasing their knowledge of and contributing to federal education policies and programs, and collaborating with other Fellows.
Applications for both tracks are due March 2, 2010. For more information about this fellowship opportunity and activities of the current group of Teaching Ambassador Fellows, visit: http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/index.html
If you have questions about the fellowship, please e-mail your inquiries to TeacherFellowship@ed.gov or call 1-800-USA-Learn.
8d. 2010 is the Year of Biodiversity
2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity. For more information, please visit: http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/
Don't forget to visit the Species of the Day at: http://www.iucnredlist.org/species-of-the-day
8e. Upcoming Project FISH Workshop
Here is an upcoming workshop "Fishing for the Future of the Great Lakes". It will be March 9th and 10th 2010 on MSU's campus as part of Agriculture and Natural Resources Week. For more information, please visit: http://anrweek.canr.msu.edu/
8f. Upcoming Deadlines
March 2, 2010: Deadline for teachers to apply for the US Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellowships. For more information, please visit: http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/index.html
March 4, 2010: Enhance the Inquiry in Your Classroom Workshop at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing, MI. For more information, please contact Janet Kahan at: janet.kahan@pccsmail.net
March 4-6, 2010: MSTA Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.msta-mich.org/conference/
March 6, 2010: 2010 GreenServe Conference-Building Michigan's Future Through Conservation Volunteerism, in the Natural Resources Building at Michigan State University. For more information, please contact Mark Stephens at 517-432-2700 or steph143@msu.edu
March 10 - 12, 2010: MACUL Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, please visit: http://macul.org
March 11, 2010: Eastern Michigan Energy Workshop at the Saginaw Valley State University Regional Education Center in Saginaw, MI. For registration information, please visit: https://www.regonline.com/needeasternmichigansaginaw
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 and 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
March 19, 2010: Project WILD K12 and Growing Up WILD Workshop at the Kettunen Center, close to Cadillac, MI. For more information, please contact Andrea Grix at: 231-829-3421 or agrix@kettunencenter.org
March 27, 2010: Creating a Schoolyard Habitat Workshop at O.W. Holmes Elementary in Detroit, MI. To register contact Joan Chadde at 906-487-1620 or jchadde@mtu.edu or print a flyer at: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org
April 11 -17, 2010: National Environmental Education Week. For more information, please visit: http://www.eeweek.org/
April 17, 2010: Taking Students Outdoors Workshop at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo in Detroit, MI. To register contact Joan Chadde at 906-487-1620 or jchadde@mtu.edu or print a flyer at: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.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 contact Dwain at 313.471.2241 or by email at dwain.lewis@detroittigers.com.
October 8-10, 2010: MAEOE Conference in Pellston, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/
High School Science
9a. Physics Olympiad
Join in at the University of Michigan 2010 Physics Olympiad in Ann Arbor and experience how fun science can be! Competition date is Saturday, May 8, 2010. You are invited along with your science team(s) to join in for a fun-filled day of testing your skills against other Michigan High Schools in Laser Maze, Catapult Rings, Pasta Bridge, ROG Ramble, Solar Car Racing, Egg Drop and the Physics Bowl. The University of Michigan Physics Olympiad is open to any High School. They have made the Olympiad School Team size quite flexible: it ranges from 4 - 14 students. Therefore, both small and large, public and private high schools can participate. Registration is free and each participant receives an event T-shirt! Registration information as well as detailed descriptions of the event can be found on at: http://olympiad.physics.lsa.umich.edu
The program runs from 9AM to 5PM; lunch will be provided. Olympiad teams and accompanying teachers and parents make their own travel arrangements. While schools less than two hours away from Ann Arbor usually bring in their teams just for the competition day, teams and accompanying persons from farther-away schools could consider spending a night in a nearby motel or hotel. If you have questions, please contact:
Science questions - Prof. Georg Raithel, graithel@umich.edu
Administrative questions - Tina Wells, tmwells@umich.edu
9b. Biology Field Test
Are you interested in participating in a current NSF-funded study? The project is known as the RAPID Biology project; it is an extension project to the Science of Atoms and Molecules (SAM).
The goal of the SAM project was to introduce molecular level reasoning into physics, chemistry, and biology through computer-based molecular models of concepts currently taught in those classes (you can browse the database of activities at: http://sam.concord.org
The goal of the RAPID Biology extension is to determine the impact of the physics and chemistry molecular models on students' molecular comprehension of biology concepts. The Concord Consortium is seeking participants for two aspects of this study.
- They need a population of students who have completed biology to take a Biology Molecular Concept Inventory (Biology MCI). They have recently revised this 40 question multiple-choice test and need to validate it with students who have completed a biology course. They are offering $10 gift cards to Barnes and Noble or $10 of coupons for Ben & Jerry's ice cream for students who take this test. They are offering $50 for teachers to proctor the administration of this test, which should take about 40 minutes for students to complete. This test is delivered via computer, so participating teachers will need access to one computer for each student. This test can be offered during a normal class period, if your students took biology last year, or it can be offered before or after school or during a study period.
- They need a population of current biology students to take up to three open-ended assessments: (a) Diffusion & Osmosis, (b) DNA to Proteins, and (c) Structure and Function of Macromolecules). They recently developed these open-ended questions and would like a population of students who have not used the SAM activities as a comparison group. They are offering $100 for teachers to give at least two of these assessments to their biology classes. Each assessment is about 5 questions long and is designed to take about 20 minutes of class time so that each can be used as a quiz-type assessment. They have also developed answer keys and rubrics to make it easy for you to use these assessments as quizzes in your existing grading schema.
All of the expenses related to your participation in this study would be fully paid (postage, photocopying, etc.)--just keep the receipts.
If you would like more information or are interested in participating in one or both of these portions, please contact:
Sarah J. Pryputniewicz
Research Assistant
The Concord Consortium
978-405-3218
spryputniewicz@concord.org
9c. Teachers Forensic Science Workshop at LTU
CSI Lawrence Tech, designed for educators, can provide the ideas to help you develop your course work, engage your students, and teach forensic science using an integrated science approach. You will work alongside police officers and experts trained in forensic science. This hands-on workshop will focus on:
a. Accident reconstruction
b. Blood spatter analysis
c. Glass analysis
d. Ballistics
e. Fingerprints and impressions
f. DNA fingerprinting
g. Forensic entomology
h. Crime scene processing
i. Legal issues
CSI Lawrence Tech is organized by Lawrence Technological University in collaboration with Kathy Mirakovits, a Michigan educator who has launched and successfully offered this program since 2003. The workshop will be held weekdays on the Lawrence Tech campus, July 12 - 16, 2010, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and includes daily lunch. The cost is $275. Participants who successfully complete CSI Lawrence Tech can earn up to three graduate credit hours. If you decide to take this workshop for graduate credit, tuition fees will apply. For further information about CSI Lawrence Tech or to register for the workshop, call 248.204.3617 or email msedir@ltu.edu.
9d. AP Summer Institute
There will be a Summer Institute for AP teachers at Lapeer East HS from June 22 - 25, 2010 and another at Grandville High School from June 28 - July 1, 2010. There will be training in the following AP science courses: Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Science; Pre-AP Science; and Physics B/C. The deadline to apply is June 18. For more information, please visit: http://www.lapeerschools.org/LEHS/SummerInstitute
Questions should be directed to Dr. Mike Holbolth at 810.667.2418 x3116 or eastapsi@lapeerschools.org
9e. Summer 2010 Renewable Energy Train the Trainer Academies - NSF Supported
The Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET) announces that applications are now open for the following Summer 2010 Renewable Energy Train the Trainer Academies:
BIOFUELS - June 14-17, 2010, Madison, WI
PHOTOVOLTAICS, July 25-30, 2010, Paonia, CO
The CERET Train the Trainer Academies have been funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DUE #0903293) to provide professional development for the next generation of renewable energy two-year college and high school educators. Instructors who are selected to participate will receive a stipend to cover travel expenses, meals, and tuition costs associated with the Academy. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive one graduate credit issued by the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Additional details, informational flyers, and application forms are available on the CERET Web Site at: http://www.ceret.us/trainer
Send your application and a letter of recommendation by March 1, 2010 as directed on the CERET website and application forms. (Please note that late or incomplete applications may not receive full consideration.).
Questions not answered on the CERET website may be directed to Ken Walz at kwalz@matcmadison.edu
9f. Upcoming Deadlines
March 1, 2010: Deadline for high school teachers to apply for the CERET Summer 2010 Renewable Energy Train the Trainer Academies. For more information, please visit: http://www.ceret.us/trainer
March 8, 2010: Deadline for high school teachers to apply to participate in the MI Envirothon. For more information, please visit: http://www.michiganenvirothon.org
March 15, 2010: Deadline to enter the DNA Day Essay Contest. For more information, please visit: http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml
April 30, 2010: Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium to be held at the Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids. For more information, please visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/rmsc
May 8, 2010: Physics Olympiad at the University of Michigan. For more information, please visit: http://olympiad.physics.lsa.umich.edu
June 18, 2010: Deadline for teachers to apply to attend the AP Summer Institute through the Lapeer Public Schools. For more information, please visit: http://www.lapeerschools.org/LEHS/SummerInstitute/
July 12 - 16, 2010: Teachers Forensic Science Workshop at Lawrence Technological University. For more information, please contact: 248-204-3617 or msedir@ltu.edu
Middle School and High School Science
10a. Michigan Student Energy Survey
The National Foundation for Energy Education is inviting your students to participate in the "Michigan/National Student Energy Survey." Energy is and will continue to be an issue that confronts America's leaders for decades to come. What do your school's science students think about these issues?
The 15 question on-line survey is easy to take (4-6 minutes) and alerts students to today's and tomorrow's energy supply and demand issues. If needed, short 12-20 second videos accompany each question to provide the respondent with additional information about the question. Teachers can have students take the survey in class or at home and then discuss the issues in class.
You must register to receive a school code. You will then be sent an email in 24 hours with your school's 6 digit school code. The same code enables you to print reports of the survey results. These results along with a sample press release, will be eagerly received by the school and local newspapers. March 19th is the last day the survey can be taken. National organizers will send you the results for Michigan and the National Student Energy Surveys in early April.
Register by visiting: http://www.thegreatamericanenergydebate.org/register.asp
Also please note: This survey by the National Foundation for Energy Education (NFEE) is open to everyone but is not the same program or foundation being utilized by Consumers Energy in their energy optimization pilot program around the state. That program, called "THINK! Energy", is being developed by the National Energy Foundation (NEF).
10b. Upcoming Deadlines
March 19, 2010: Deadline for middle and high school students to take the Michigan Student Energy Survey. Register your class at: http://thegreatamericanenergydebate.org/register.asp
First week of May, 2010: National Lab Day for 6th - 12th grade students. For more information, please visit: http://www.nationallabday.org
October 16, 2010: Vernier Workshop in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.vernier.com/workshop/directions/directions.html?id=2428
October 18, 2010: Vernier Workshop in Detroit, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.vernier.com/workshop/directions/directions.html?id=2429
Middle School Science
11a. US Dept of Energy Grant Program for Middle School Teachers
Fermilab is offering a limited number of positions in its DOE ACTS cohort starting in the summer of 2010. Priority for this cohort will be given to mid-level teachers (grades 5-9). Participants will meet at Fermilab for four weeks each summer for three years. During the academic year following each summer, as participants implement their summer work in their schools and work on small projects, they will be supported by program staff and by each other, primarily through online meetings, with one or two face-to-face meetings as well.
The program combines three strands of professional development: scientific research, teaching & learning, and educational leadership. Each year teachers will participate in a research project which will be woven together with the other two strands to strengthen and reinforce one another. Participants will receive an $800/week stipend for their summer work. Non-local participants will also receive housing and travel. All participants will be eligible for grants to support classroom equipment purchases and travel to professional development conferences.
Go to: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov
and click on DOE ACTS under "Programs for Teachers." The deadline to apply is March 7, 2010. Please visit: http://ed.fnal.gov/acts/
11b. Young Scientist Challenge
The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science and innovation among America's youth and to promote the importance of science communication. In 1999, Discovery Communications launched the competition to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline. In 2008 3M joined forces with Discovery Education in a quest to nurture the next generation of American scientists with an innovative and interactive science program open to every middle school student in America. Over the last ten years, more than 600,000 middle school students have been nominated to participate in the competition, and winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the nation's top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences. For more information, please visit: http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/
11c. Upcoming Deadlines
March 7, 2010: Deadline for middle school teachers to apply for the Fermilab DOE Academies Creating Teacher Scientists. For more information, please visit: http://ed.fnal.gov/acts/
Elementary and Middle School Science
12a. Upcoming GEMS Workshops at CMU
The following workshops will be taking place at the Central Michigan University's GEMS Center. They include:
Math on the Menu - Grades: 3 - 6; Friday, February 26, 2010 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Mother Opossum and Her Babies - Grades: Pre-1; Friday, March 26, 2010 - 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Project Learning Tree - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dry Ice Investigations - Grades: 5 - 9; Friday, April 23, 2010 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact:
Dawn Musser
GEMS Center - EHS 134
(989) 774-1710
12b. Upcoming Deadlines
March 4, 2010: MEECS Training at the MSTA Pre-Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/eforms/meecsregistration.html
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
13a. Science Fair Day at Michaels the Arts and Crafts Store
Science Fair Make It and Take It Day is Saturday, February 27 from 10:00 - 1:00, at the Michaels Arts and Crafts stores in Michigan. It is a family event and they will exhibit their science resources and invite children to make molecule projects. Students will use the Periodic Table to construct 3-D molecule models. For more information, please visit: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home
13b. Young Scientist Series
The Young Scientist series is a science curriculum for children three to five years old. The series, developed by the EDC Center for Science Education, consists of three teacher guides and three comprehensive professional development packages, including a video. Discovering Nature with Young Children guides teachers through an inquiry-based curriculum that builds on children's natural curiosity about the living world around them. Building Structures with Young Children helps teachers guide children's explorations to deepen their understanding of the physical science of building structures. Exploring Water with Young Children helps teachers guide children's explorations to deepen their understanding of liquids and the properties of water. Please visit: http://cse.edc.org/curriculum/youngscientistseries/
13c. Upcoming Deadlines
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
14. February Contest Winners
In February, we gave away five iTunes cards. Here is a list of the winners:
Kim Sorvala, Anchor Bay Middle School South - Anchor Bay Schools
Paul Erspamer, Pattengill Middle School - Lansing School District
Julie Parks, Stevenson Middle School - Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Agnes Carter, Glen Lake Elementary School - Maple City
Chuck Delpier, Marquette
Congratulations to all of the winners. If you did not win, keep trying. Next month may be your lucky month.
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