Home
About
E-Blast April 15, 2010
April 15 - April 28 - Science Matters Network Michigan eBlast
Sponsored by the National and Michigan Science Teachers Associations - NSTA/MSTA
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- The Science Matters Network in Michigan
- Science Humor
- Science Matters to Parents
- Student Activities and Opportunities
- Grants
- K-12 Science
- Great American Backyard Campout
- Free Summer Physical Science Course for K12 Teachers
- ScienceStorms Interactive Website
- Celebrate Earth Day with Events Nationwide
- COSEE Great Lakes Summer Professional Development Opportunity
- Get Ready for Earth Day, April 22!
- Weather Day at Comerica Park with the Detroit Tigers
- Upcoming Deadlines
- High School Science
- Middle School and High School Science</strong>
- Elementary and Middle School Science
- Elementary School Science
- April Contest
Here are your science education resources and announcements for April 15 - April 28, 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.
Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than when they teach.
Rosabeth Moss Kantor
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science consultant and lecturer, University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
Here is one more quote, sent in from David Larwa:
"It's difficult to work in a group when you are omnipotent."
Q, upon joining the crew of the Enterprisr, in "Deja Q"
The Science Matters Network In Michigan
2a. What is the Advantage for a Teacher to be Part of the Science Matters Network?
As a teacher, you are electronically connected to all teachers within Michigan's Science Matters network. As a member, you are in the forefront of working to provide quality science education for the students within your school system.
2b. Follow the Science Matters Network on Facebook
If you use Facebook, you can now interact with the Michigan Science Matters Network. Please stop by and become a fan by searching for:
K12science
3a. Crazy Things Kids Write on Tests
To prevent head colds, use an agonizer to spray into the nose until it drips into the throat.
Heredity means that ….. if your grandpa didn't have any children, then your father probably wouldn't have had any, and neither would you…..probably.
The climate is hottest next to the Creator.
4a. Your Child's Academic Success
The U.S. Department of Education has developed a number of publications featuring the latest research and most effective practices in subjects such as reading, homework, and staying drug free. This catalog provides brief descriptions of each volume, as well as information on how to obtain these publications in hard copy or online. Each is provided at no cost. This catalog will be updated as new publications become available.
The research-based, yet easy-to-understand information in these publications can help families and educators make good decisions about children's learning. Well-informed parents and teachers are essential to an America where every child will be educated and no child left behind. Just visit: http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/tools-for-success/index.html
Student Activities and Opportunities
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Design Squad, a PBS KIDS GO! television series, is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition. You can visit the website at: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/contest/index.html
The contest challenges kids ages 5-19 from across the United States to recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions. Students' inventions should
- Move things or people;
- Protect the environment; or
- Be used for indoor or outdoor play.
Twenty-five finalists will be featured on the Design Squad website. Three grand-prize winners will go to Boston to see their designs built and appear on the program and its website. Contestants must register online by September 5.
5b. America's Next Young Scientist Competition for Middle School Students
To enter the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, students in grades 5-8 must submit a 1-2 minute video on one of this year's entry topics. The top 10 students in the country will each win $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to the competition finals in New York City this fall. The grand prize winner will receive $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds and a trip to 3M's world headquarters where he or she will work alongside some of the world's top scientists. Don't delay--the deadline to enter is May 27. For more information, please visit: http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/
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
April 23, 2010: Deadline for high school students to enter the InvenTeams Initiative. For more information, visit: http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/
May 27, 2010: Deadline for middle school students to enter America's Next Young Scientist Competition. For more information, please visit: http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/
June 1, 2010: Deadline for students under the age of 19 to enter the Show Green Student Film contest. For more information, just visit: http://www.showgreentv.org
September 5, 2010: Deadline for K12 students to enter the Trash to Treasure competition. For details, visit: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/contest/index.html
Pepsi is giving away more than $20 million through its Pepsi Refresh Project, an effort to support those who generate innovative, optimistic ideas to move communities forward. Only the first 1,000 ideas submitted each month will be eligible for a grant of up to $250,000. Submit your idea and then encourage others to support your cause. The public votes to determine who wins. Each month, Pepsi will give away up to $1.3 million to the public's favorites. Visit the project's Web site: http://www.refresheverything.com/
to download the toolkit, begin your registration and track the process. The next deadline is May 15.
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
May 15, 2010: Next deadline for the Pepsi Refresh Grant. Please visit: http://www.refresheverything.com/
May 21, 2010: Deadline to apply for the High School Science Teaching Prize from AAAS. For more information, please visit: http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/hs_scied_leadership/
May 26, 2010: Deadline to apply for the Toyota International Teacher Program for 6th - 12th grade teachers. For more information on this fully funded opportunity, please visit: http://www.toyota4education.com
7a. Great American Backyard Campout
Remember summer evenings catching fireflies, star-gazing and sharing campfire stories? Create lasting memories and happier, healthier children by connecting with family and friends in the great outdoors. Join the National Wildlife Federation's Great American Backyard Campout®! You can encourage your students and their families to participate too. Here are three ways you can get involved in this year's Great American Backyard Campout:
Campout with your own family and friends.
Encourage your students and their families to participate. Download this special event flyer for them to take home. Or you can post it on your bulleting board at school.
Consider organizaing a school-wide campout over the summer. Reigster online to recieve a campout planning guide to help create a fun event for students & their families.
Kids today spend half as much time outside as their parents did, missing out on the simple pleasures of daily outdoor time. The National Wildlife Federation knows that kids are healthier and happier when they spend time outside every day. Last year, 90,000 people across the country gathered to spend the night under the stars. Don't miss out. Join in on Saturday, June 26, for a night of fun, friendship, family, fresh air and fundraising. Register online today at
http://www.backyardcampout.org
As soon as you register, you'll get a link to your online Participant Center so you can start planning your campout while providing you the option to fundraise for the mission of making outdoor time a priority for our children.. You'll also gain access to tons of creative ideas for recipes, crafts and activities to make your campout memorable. Don't forget the s'mores!
7b. Free Summer Physical Science Course for K12 Teachers
This summer Hillsdale College will offer an exciting course designed to refresh and enrich your teaching of science. As you may be aware, there has been a continual drive to reform science teaching at all grade levels. This change has been reflected in both state and national curricula, and they are pleased to be able to offer an intensive three-week summer program that provides help and guidance in implementing these changes:
- A High-Quality Research-Based Professional Development Program in Physical Science
- No Tuition or Fees
- A Large Number of SB-CEUs
- Free Classroom Equipment for Your School
- No Previous Background in Physics is Required
- Aid in adopting Science Academic Content Standards
Physical Science by Inquiry is a research-based professional development program for in-service teachers, grades K-12. It is a derivative of the Physics by Inquiry Curriculum developed by Dr. Lillian McDermott and the Physics Education Group at the University of Washington. The goal of this course is to provide current teachers with the skills necessary to implement standards in both science content and scientific process. This will result in an increase in student science proficiency upon the instructors' return to the classroom. Besides content, assessment methods (both traditional and alternative) will be explored emphasizing reasoning rather than rote memorization.
The main goal of this program is to help teachers rediscover science and guide them in their quest to learn new teaching techniques. As a benefit to teachers, this course and all required materials are provided free of charge, and teachers will receive 9 credits of State of Michigan's Board-Approved Continuing Education Credits (SB-CEUs).
After completion of the course, there will be an opportunity for follow-up meetings and classroom observations/coaching throughout the school year. This curriculum has proven successful in various research projects, and it will make a difference in your students' education. Please their webpage for further information on the program, the curriculum, and for the application form: http://www.hillsdale.edu/PbI
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Cyrill Slezak
Assistant Professor of Physics
Hillsdale College
Email: cslezak@hillsdale.edu
7c. ScienceStorms Interactive Website
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago presents ScienceStorms, an interactive exhibit/website that reveals the science behind seven natural phenomena-lightning, fire, tornadoes, avalanches, tsunamis, sunlight and atoms in motion. It's a perfect storm of physics, chemistry and curiosity. Please visit: http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/science-storms/the-exhibit/
7d. Celebrate Space Day With Events Nationwide
This year's official Space Day celebration takes place on May 7. And the fun continues on May 8, 2010, with the Space Day Family Day event, taking place in Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 1997, the Space Day educational initiative, which takes place on the first Friday of each May, has evolved into a massive grassroots effort dedicated to the extraordinary achievements, benefits and opportunities in the exploration and use of space. The ultimate goal is to promote math, science, technology and engineering education by nurturing young peoples' enthusiasm for the wonders of the universe and inspiring them to continue the stellar work of today's space explorers.
To find Space Day events taking place in your neighborhood, visit: http://www.spaceday.org/index.php/View-Events.html
To learn more about Space Day and explore resources and lesson plans, visit: http://www.spaceday.org
7e. COSEE Great Lakes Summer Professional Development Opportunity
COSEE Great Lakes wants to remind you that application deadline for this summer's workshop is approaching quickly! Now that we have survived the winter, we can start thinking warm thoughts of summer professional development on the Lakes! Here is a big opportunity for teachers in grades 4 - 10, linked to: http://coseegreatlakes.net
It is for the Marine Immersion Scholarships for participation in partner programs: $500 for 20 teachers. You must apply by April 16. Full details can be found at: http://coseegreatlakes.net/events/marine_immersion
COSEE Great Lakes professional development opportunities offer stipend or scholarship support!
7f. Get Ready for Earth Day, April 22!
is launching an Earth Day 40th Anniversary curriculum, highlighting the history of the modern environmental movement and featuring standards-based lessons and multimedia resources. During the 2009-2011 school years, Earth Day Network will carry out 40 global signature school greenings. The Educators' Network website: http://www.earthday.org/users/121 will have a menu of ideas for up to 100,000 educational events.
Students in grades 5-8 can enter the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Earth Day Photo and Essay Contest:
http://www.strategies.org/education/index.aspx?sub=education&sub2=earthday&sub3=contest2010
To participate, they must take a photograph anytime from April 19 to April 30, 2010. The contest will award prizes, such as digital cameras, to winning students. Photos could depict a change taking place in a backyard or neighborhood, near school or in a local park, or off in the distance toward the horizon. The contest deadline is May 12.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) observes Earth Day with its Chemists Celebrate Earth Day:
program. The ACS offers events, contests, and educational resources (including free materials) that chemical educators and chemistry enthusiasts can use to illustrate the role of chemistry in the world. The Earth Day 2010 theme is "Plants-The Green Machines."
7g. Weather Day at Comerica Park with the Detroit Tigers
Join the tigers as we host their first ever Weather Day! This event features a pre-game on-field presentation by a guest meteorologist who will focus on how weather affects and influences the game of baseball. This event will include experiments, trivia, weather history, games and much more. When the presentation is over, you can watch all the action as the Tigers take on the Twins!
Mezzanine Tickets are discounted to $10.00. Pavilion tickets are discounted to $11.00. Upper Box tickets are discounted to $17.00. That's a $5.00 per ticket savings! For the Weather Day participants and their respective group leaders only, gates will open at 10:00 a.m. and will close at 10:30 a.m. sharp. Please proceed to enter the ballpark at GATE D which is on the north side of the ballpark on Montcalm St. Participants arriving after 10 a.m. will not be allowed into the ballpark until after the gates open for the general public. Once inside, all participants will be directed by event staff, on where to sit for the Weather Day presentation. The Weather Day workshop will start promptly at 10:30 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m. For more information, please visit: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/ticketing/specialevents_weatherday.jsp
or call 313-471-2255
April 16, 2010: Deadline to apply for the 2010 Marine Immersion Opportunity. Please visit: http://coseegreatlakes.net/events/marine_immersion
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 21, 2010: Project Flying Workshop at the Westfield Center in Trenton, MI from 4:30 - 8:0 pm. For more information, please contact Mike Mansour at: mmansour001@comcast.net
April 22, 2010: Earth Day. Please visit: http://earthday.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://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/ticketing/specialevents_weatherday.jsp
or call 313-471-2255
May 3 - 7, 2010: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7, 2010: National Space Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.spaceday.org
June 26, 2010: Great American Backyard Campout. For more information, please visit: http://www.backyardcampout.org
October 8-10, 2010: MAEOE Conference in Pellston, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/
8a. Biomedicine Works - Free in Maine, Plus $1000 Stipend
The Foundation for Blood Research (FBR) is recruiting 15 high school biology teachers to spend five days this summer (11-16 July 2010) on the Maine seacoast to field test a piloted BSCS-designed curriculum in their fall classrooms. This five-day conference includes CEUs, all materials, lodging, and meals at Southern Maine Community College, plus $200/day. Transportation costs are not included. Interested? Contact Jeri Erickson, project director, at ericks@fbr.org. Teachers will be considered on first come, first served basis.
8b. Free Resources to Spark Girls Interest in Engineering
Engineer Your Life (EYL) has FREE resources you can use to spark girls' interest in engineering. What is EYL?
A national campaign EYL breaks down stereotypes about engineering and encourages college-bound girls to consider it as a career option.
A multimedia website EngineerYourLife.org features ten great reasons to become an engineer, streaming video of inspiring women engineers, descriptions of dream engineering jobs, and advice for parents, educators, and engineers on how to talk to girls about engineering.
Effective: An independent evaluation shows that 78.5% of girls, after exploring the EYL website, listed engineering as their number one career choice.
Use EYL in your classroom:
Share www.EngineerYourLife.org with students, parents, teachers and counselors.
Order FREE brochures/postcards by sending an email to feedback@engineeryourlife.org.
Present EYL videos of inspiring women engineers to students and parents.
Incorporate EYL into your career exploration programs and curricula. - Mary Schmitz, a geometry teacher in Missouri, gives her students the assignment of researching engineering careers on EYL's site and posting their favorite on their class wiki. Mary comments: “I just want to let the girls know what is available to them and maybe open up more opportunities for them. I think your site is wonderful and I get really good responses from my students after they have read about the different fields of engineering."
Questions about EYL? Contact feedback@engineeryourlife.org with any questions or requests related to EYL.
8c. Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium
Registrations are open on-line for the Michigan High School Math & Science Symposium (MHSMSS), to be held on April 30, 2010 at the GVSU Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids.
The Symposium is open to all Michigan high school students. The symposium gives students the opportunity to present their research findings to a group of peers in a setting that resembles a meeting of professional scientists. It also spotlights a student's achievement in science that has resulted in recognition and scholarships for many former participants.
The program begins with several student presentations to the entire assembly and then breaks into smaller classroom size meeting rooms for the remaining presentations. Students can participate by presenting a project or as an observer. Teachers are invited to bring students who may be interested in research or contemplating a project.
Please visit the Regional Math and Science Center website at: www.gvsu.edu/rmsc for additional information such as Registration Information, Guidelines, FAQ, and Call for Proposals. All applications are due by April 20. 2010. For additional information, contact the state coordinator, Paul Bigford at paulbigford@hotmail.com or call 231-898-2633
April 16, 2010: Deadline for teachers to apply to present at the Michigan Green Chemistry Conference. For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/greenup
April 24, 2010: Michigan Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers Spring Meeting at Hope College in Holland, MI. For more information, please visit: http://web.miaapt.org/home
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/
June 23, 2010: Third Annual Joint Education Conference at Thurston High School in Redford, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.mijec.org/
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
9a. Bring Local Earth Science Into Your Classroom
The Museum of the Earth and the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center welcome your application to participate in a professional development program that is focused on Virtual Fieldwork Experiences and the Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Midwestern Region. Spend time in the field with scientists and fellow educators to learn ways of incorporating local Earth system science into your classroom! The workshop will be held at the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center in Monroe, MI on July 28-30, 2010.
Comments from educators that attended past Teacher-Friendly Guide and Virtual Field Experience workshops include:
"I came in wondering and left inspired!"
"This is definitely a project my students can do and I hope to incorporate into my curriculum."
"When I leave excited & energized, the experience is an excellent one!"
For more information and to apply visit: http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html
9b. National Lab Day Set for May 12, 2010
May 12 will be the first official National Lab Day! A number of key events in Washington and in selected states are being planned.
Not signed up yet? Not to worry: even if May 12 doesn't work for you, National Lab Day is more than just a day. Whether you are looking for help with your science fair, or maybe someone to host a field trip, advise an after-school program, help with a hands-on activity, or supply some cool lab equipment, National Lab Day can help.
At the NLD website you simply sign up then submit your idea for a project (or what you need in your classroom) and the website matches your request with a STEM professional who has also joined the NLD hub. (And you can also get funding for your classroom or project by registering on Donors Choose on the NLD site!)
Learn more and to sign up your project for National Lab Day at: http://www.nationallabday.org
today.
April 16, 2010: Deadline for 6th - 12th Grade teachers to apply for the Siemens STEM Institute. For more information, please visit: http://www.siemensstemacademy.com
April 17, 2010: Free Leopold Education Project Workshop at the Pierce Creek Institute in Hastings, MI. For more information, please contact Wendy Cheek at: wcheek@allcom.net
May 3, 2010: Deadline to apply for the ReaL Earth Inquiry PD to be held at the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center in Monroe, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html
May 12, 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
Elementary and Middle School Science
10a. New Educational Games Online from NASA
Astro-Matic 3000 -- Grades K-8: Use the Astro-Matic 3000 to learn how much you would weigh or how old you would be if you lived on another planet. Students also learn facts about each planet.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Astro-Matic_3000.html
Let's Fly Away Airplane Dodecahedron -- Grades K-8: In the interactive version, students click and drag the dodecahedron to see NASA aircraft. They also can read about the aircraft and print full color pictures or a coloring page. In the Build Your Own activity, students print, color and construct their own dodecahedron featuring 12 different NASA aircraft.
Interactive Dodecahedron
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/clubhouse/Lets_Fly_Away.html
Build Your Own Dodecahedron http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Lets_Fly_Away.html
11a. New Educational Games Online from NASA
Build Your Own Space Mission -- Grades K-2: In this interactive game, students choose a scientist, laboratory, spacecraft and destination as they design their own space mission. After packing the spacecraft into a rocket, they watch it blast off to their destination of choice.
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/edu_game/
Put It Together Puzzle -- Grades K-4: In this interactive online game, students build online puzzles of NASA pictures.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Put_It_Together.html
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
This month we have six wonderful prizes to give away. The prizes are $10 Subway gift cards.
To win one of these prizes, send an email to: David Bydlowski
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, 21, 31, 41, and 51 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.
To subscribe to the Science Matters Network in Michigan e-blast, please visit: http://nsta.org/sciencematters
Click on Teachers, then click on Become a Point of Contact.
To unsubscribe from the Science Matters Network in Michigan e-blast, please contact your Key Leader or email David Bydlowski, Michigan Coordinator for the Science Matters Network, at bydlowd@resa.net.