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E-Blast June 10, 2010
June 10 - July 14 - Science Matters Network Michigan eBlast
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In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- The Science Matters Network in Michigan
- Science Humor
- Science Matters to Parents
- Science Matters to Students
- Grants
- K-12 Science Teachers - Something for All Grades
- High School Science Teachers
- Middle School and High School Science Teachers
- Middle School Science Teachers
- Elementary and Middle School Teachers
- June Contest with Two Contests in One!!
Here are your science education resources and announcements for June 10 - July 14, 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.
"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."
John Wooden
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. Your Certificate of Appreciation for 2009-2010 is Ready for You to Download
Are you a Science Matters for Science Super Key Leader, Key Leader, or Point of Contact? You can now print your certificate of appreciation for the 2009 -- 2010 school year, signed by Michigan's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mike Flanagan. Just visit: http://msta-mich.org/index.php/bapawards
Add your name, select your award, and print! Thanks for all the work you have done to promote Science Matters in Michigan.
2b. Summer Schedule for Science Matters eBlasts
During June, July, and August there will only be one Michigan Science Matters Network eBlast per month. The schedule is as follows:
June 10
July 15
August 19
We will return to our regular twice a month schedule in September. Have a great summer!
3a. Scientists Replying to an Invitation to a Scientist's Party
Pierre and Marie Curie were radiating enthusiasm.
Einstein thought it would be relatively easy to attend.
Ampere was worried he wasn't up to current research.
Boyle said he was under too much pressure.
Edison thought it would be an illuminating experience.
Watt reckoned it would be a good way to let off steam.
Wilbur Wright said he'd take a flier on it.
Descartes said he'd think about it.
Newton was moved to attend.
Pavlov was drooling at the thought.
Gauss was asked to attend because of his magnetic personality.
4a. Summer Science Projects for the Home
Whether you are hiking, camping, visiting a lake or ocean, playing in your neighborhood park, touring a national park, or exploring your own backyard, there are tons of science activities you can do with things that are all around you! Take these opportunities to go bird watching, find unique plants, collect weird rocks, or discover new insects. Try some of these projects to get outside, have fun, and enjoy science. Summer science ideas:
Beach, River, and Lake Activities
Experimenting with Saltwater Density
Just visit: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/summer-science-projects/a/1406/
5a. New NSTA Award for Middle School Girls
The "Angela Award" honors one young woman who is involved in or has a strong connection to science. The award has been established in honor of Gerry Wheeler and his outstanding dedication to NSTA and lifelong commitment to science education. In addition to receiving a $1,000 U.S. EE Savings Bond or Canada Savings Bond, the awardee will be honored at the Teachers Awards Banquet at the NSTA National Conference. The award is open to female students in grades 5-8 who are residents of the United States, U.S. Territories, or Canada, and are enrolled full time in public, private, or home school. For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx?lid=exp
5b. International Youth Art Competition Accepting Submissions
In April 2011, experts from around the world will gather in Houston for the International Academy of Astronautics Humans in Space Symposium. As part of this event, students ages 10-17 are invited to express their ideas about the future of human space exploration through visual, literary, musical or digital art. Artwork submissions will be judged on creativity, skill, and demonstration of meaning relevant to expressing "What is the future of human space exploration, and why is it important?" Bonus points will be awarded for artwork that does not break obvious scientific principles. Winning art will be displayed in an online gallery, and winners will be invited to attend the symposium in person. Submissions must be received by Sept. 30, 2010. For additional information and a complete list of guidelines, visit: http://www.humansinspaceart.org
5c. NASA's DEVELOP Program for High School Students
The DEVELOP Program is a NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Sciences-sponsored internship that fosters the training and development of students in the atmospheric and Earth sciences. The DEVELOP Program extends the application of NASA Earth science research and technology to meet societal needs. Students conduct projects that focus on the practical application of NASA's Earth science research and demonstrate how results can benefit partner organizations and local communities. Advisors and mentors from NASA and partner organizations provide the guidance and support for the program. Students gain experience by using NASA science and technology in a professional setting.
Students from high school through doctoral levels are chosen in a competitive application process. The selected students work on teams at eight locations nationwide. Activities are conducted during three 10-week terms per year: summer, fall and spring. Applications for the fall 2010 session are due Aug. 9, 2010. For more information about this unique internship opportunity, please visit the DEVELOP website at: http://develop.larc.nasa.gov
Questions about the DEVELOP program should be directed by e-mail to NASA-DL-DEVELOP@mail.nasa.gov or by telephone to 757-864-3761.
5d. NASA Wants to Fly Your Face in Space
NASA wants to put a picture of you on one of the two remaining space shuttle missions and launch it into orbit. After registering at the Face in Space Web site, you'll be able to upload an image that will be put on a disc and flown aboard a shuttle on a future mission. You'll receive a confirmation number and information about which flight your "face" will be on. Then, after the launch, participants will be able to print a commemorative certificate signed by the mission commander. You can also check on mission status, view mission photographs, link to various NASA educational resources, and follow the commander and crew on Twitter or Facebook. To learn more and upload your image for flight, visit: http://faceinspace.nasa.gov
June 30, 2010: Deadline for 9th - 12th grade students to apply for the INSPIRE program. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education/INSPIRE
June 30, 2010: Deadline for 12 - 15 year olds to apply for the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp Scholarships. For more information, please visit: http://www.scinovi.com
July 15, 2010: Deadline for K-12 students to enter the "Tell Us Why Science is Cool" Science Video Contest. For more information, please visit: http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2010festival/contests/kavli-science-video-contest
August 9, 2010: Deadline for high school students to apply for NASA's DEVELOP Program. For more information, please visit: http://develop.larc.nasa.gov/
September 5, 2010: Deadline for K12 students to enter the Trash to Treasure competition. For details, visit: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/contest/index.html
September 30, 2010: Deadline for students aged 10 - 17 to enter the International Youth Art Competition. For more information, please visit: http://www.humansinspaceart.org
November 30, 2010: Deadline for 5th - 8th Grade female students to apply for the "Angela" Award. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx?lid=exp
6a. Grants for Student Response Systems
There is a company out of South Carolina who is offering up to $1000 grants for the Student Response System. It is technology for the classroom that would provide immediate feedback for teachers. The Response systems create interactivity between a presenter and his or her audience. In educational settings, such systems are often called "Student Response Systems." The hand-held remote control that students use to convey their responses to questions is often called a "remote" or a "clicker." Each remote communicates with a computer via one or more receivers located around the room or connected to the presenter's computer with a USB cable. Typically, the results are made instantly available to the participants via a graph projected on a screen.
The whole system has a value of $1400 and teachers can write for grants up to $1000 off per system. The site is: http://www.bqlearning.com/Beyond-Question/k-12-grants2
and teachers who are interested can find out more information as well as see how EASY it is to write for the grant.
Grant funds are given to teachers who engage students in challenging learning experiences in science and mathematics. Grants are available to teachers in two categories: Grades K-5 and Grades 6-12. The Toshiba America Foundation has two grant programs:
Grades K-5: $1000
Deadline: October 1st each year
Grades 6-12: $5,000
Deadline: August 2, 2010
Past successful grantees used the natural curiosity of students and enabled them to frame their own scientific questions. For more information, please visit: http://www.toshiba.com/taf/
August 2, 2010: Deadline for Grade 6-12 Teachers to apply for the Toshiba Science Grants. For more information, please visit: http://www.toshiba.com/taf/612.jsp
October 1, 2010: Deadline for Grade 6-12 Teachers to apply for the Toshiba Science Grants. For more information, please visit: http://www.toshiba.com/taf/k5.jsp
K-12 Science Teachers-Something for All Grades
7a. Take a Journey to the Stars and Get a Free DVD
Are you ready to take a Journey to the Stars? The American Museum of Natural History and NASA have joined forces to produce a planetarium show about the amazing variety of stars that dot our cosmos--exploding stars, giant stars, dwarf stars, neutron stars, even our own star! But you don't have to go to a planetarium to experience this mind-blowing journey. NASA will send you a DVD, for free!
Just fill out the form at: http://journeytothestars.org/
Tell them how many DVDs you would like. They have plenty of them. In fact, you can request a DVD for each and every one of your students to take home for family viewing. Also, please request a set of classroom activity sheets. They meet national standards for Science and Technology instruction in grades 3 through 12.
There is a free poster available from the State of Michigan on "Why Do I Need This Science Class?" It then goes into the strong science skills that are required for a job. If you would like a copy, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Science_Poster_317875_7.pdf
7c. Michigan No Child Left Inside Summit
Register now for the Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition Summit. The 2nd annual MAEOE conference will be held at UM Dearborn campus on June 23rd. There is a great keynote speaker lined up as well as many good speakers talking about getting kids outdoors. This is the real hands on stuff. To register, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3308_3333_4169-232246--,00.html
7d. Academy of Natural Resources Offers Scholarships to Summer Workshop
Educators looking for credit, knowledge or new ideas for the classroom should sign up for a week of "Ram Camp," July 18-23 at the Ralph A. MacMullan (RAM) Conference Center on the north shore of Higgins Lake. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment offers three separate tracks:
Natural Resources Curricula Certification (Projects WET, WILD, Learning Tree and Leopold)
Field Camp (Field studies with DNRE biologists)
and
NatureQuest (Nature interpretation 101).
All course materials, 15 meals, 5 nights lodging for $295.00. However, recently the Novi Chapter of Safari Club International has donated funds to offset teacher fees by $100 making the tuition only $195.00. SB-CEU's and Education credits from CMU also available. For more information, go to http://www.michigan.gov/anr
7e. National Pollinator Week, 2010
It's time to talk with your students about the birds and the bees-along with the butterflies, bats, and beetles! Coming up the week of June 21-27, National Pollinator Week 2010 is an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by the more than 100,000 vertebrates and invertebrates that act as pollinators. Teachers will find free materials at the National Pollinator Week website at: http://pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2010.htm
including Pollinator Gardens and Habitat Program Curriculum and Activities, which contains lessons for grades preK-12. In addition, Nature's Partners: Pollinators, Plants, and You, an inquiry learning-based curriculum for grades 3-6, offers activities appropriate for the formal classroom or for a nonformal education setting that can easily be adapted to fit the needs of the students and the teaching situation.
7f. New Education Website and Educational Materials Available at NASA.gov
Day in the Life Aboard the International Space Station Website: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live and work in space? Follow astronauts on the International Space Station in a series of videos as they explain their daily routines. Learn where they sleep, and how they eat, exercise, work and spend free time. Compare life in space with life on Earth. Educators can use this series of videos and resources to enhance K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics curricula. Check it out: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/teachingfromspace/dayinthelife/index.html
New Educational Materials Available at: http://www.NASA.gov
The Educational Materials section of NASA's Web site offers classroom activities, educator guides, posters and other types of resources that are available for use in the classroom. Materials are listed by type, grade level and subject.
June 21 - 27, 2010: National Pollinator Week. For more information, please visit: http://pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2010.htm
June 23, 2010: 2nd Annual Michigan No Child Left Inside Summit at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus. For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3308_3333---,00.html
June 23, 2010: Michigan JOINT Education Conference at Thurston HS in Redford, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.mijec.org/registration
June 26, 2010: Great American Backyard Campout. For more information, please visit: http://www.backyardcampout.org
July 18 - 23, 2010: Academy of Natural Resources at the Ralph A. MacMullen Conference Center in Roscommon, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/anr
August 9 - 13, 2010: Forensice Science PD for K-12 Teachers at Portage Northern HS in Portage, MI. For more information, please contact Kathy Mirakovits at kjmirakovits@chartermi.net
October 8-10, 2010: MAEOE Conference in Pellston, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/
November 13, 2010: MDSTA-DACTM Fall Conference at Lamphere HS in Madison Heights, MI. For more information, please visit: http://mdsta.org
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 Teachers
9a. A Remarkable Opportunity for Grade 5-12 Students on the Final Flight of the Space Shuttle
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, NCESSE: http://ncesse.org has just launched the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), a historic opportunity for students to propose experiments for the final scheduled flight of the Space Shuttle, STS-134.
The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) provides middle and high school classes across the U.S. the ability to propose experiments to fly in low Earth orbit, and to celebrate that accomplishment with their local community and with national and global audiences. Entire school districts can participate, with student teams proposing experiments like professional scientists and engineers.
Phase 1 of the program is a unique and historic opportunity to propose an experiment to fly aboard STS-134, the final scheduled flight of the Space Shuttle. Selected student experiments would fly for 10 days aboard Space
Shuttle Endeavour. Launch is tentatively scheduled for November 2010, but a launch slip to mid-January is expected, enabling this student spaceflight experiments opportunity.
To our children, who are America's future in the 21st century - be part of history, by making history. To schools and school districts committed to STEM education - together we can help your students step into the shoes of scientists and engineers - right now.
Visit the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Website for full details about this time-critical program opportunity, and a call to action in your community. visit: http://ncesse.org/2010/06/ssep/
9b. Climate Change Summit at Wayne RESA for 8th - 12th Grade Teachers
August 24, 2010
Wayne RESA Arthurs Auditorium
33500 Van Born, Wayne MI 48184
Spend the day learning about global climate change, its application to the Michigan Merit Curriculum, and how YOU can participate in Wayne RESA's new NASA Climate Change Grant (Wayne County Teachers given preference). Topics will include the most current information about climate change and its global/regional/local impact along with tools you can use to study climate change in the classroom.
Supporting Organizations:
Eastern Michigan University/IGRE
GLOBE
NASA Aerospace Education Service Project
NASA Glenn Research Center
Wayne RESA
To register, visit: http://www.resa.net/curriculum/curriculum/science/professionaldevelopment/climatechange/
9c. New Science Teacher Academy
The NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Foundation is a professional development initiative created to promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Program expenses will be paid for qualified middle or high school science teachers entering their second or third year of teaching and working a schedule with more than 50 percent of their classes in science. The deadline to apply is June 21, 2010. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/academy/
June 21, 2010: Deadline for 2nd and 3rd year science teachers to apply for the New Science Teacher Academy. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/academy
June 22, 2010: MEECS Water Quality Unit Workshop at Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills. For more information, please visit: http://science.cranbrook.edu/educational/teacher/
August 24, 2010: Climate Change Summit at Wayne RESA. To register, please visit: http://www.resa.net/curriculum/curriculum/science/professionaldevelopment/climatechange/
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 Teachers
Earn 4 Graduate Credit Hours FREE. DataStream Ocean is offering a 12 week on-line / textbook class where you earn 4 Grad credit hours FREE. Sign up through Ron Ferenczi, Dearborn Heights at rjferenczi@aol.com and to find out more please visit: http://www.ametsoc.org/amsedu/ds-ocean/Join.html
Class starts the last week of August.
Elementary and Middle School Science Teachers
11a. Scholarships to Attend the Urban Science Education Leaders Conference
The National Science Teachers Association is able to offer scholarships for teams to participate in a Summer Academy for the USEL community. In order to qualify for consideration of scholarship support, please note the following criteria: Each team must have at least five members to participate, including: 1) a principal, 2) a District Science Coordinator (or someone similar in position), and 3) three teachers. Additional team members can also attend at the District's expense. The conference is August 2 - 5, 2010 in New Orleans. In order to apply for this unique opportunity, please complete the attached application at: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2010/uselacademy.aspx?lid=tnavhp no later than June 21 and follow the instructions included for submitting. Please email any questions or inquiries to urbanscience@nsta.org.
June 21, 2010: Deadline for Elementary and Middle School Teams to apply for the Scholarships to attend the National Urban Science Education Leaders Conference. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2010/uselacademy.aspx?lid=tnavhp
12. June Contest with Two Contests in One!
This month we have six wonderful prizes to give away. The prizes are $10 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.
Also, I have two special gifts to give away. If you will be around the Detroit area during June, July, or August, I have 4 free museum admissions to the Detroit Science Center. The first person who says "I want to go to the Detroit Science Center," will be sent the passes.
Also, as a special bonus, I have a copy of the book "Teachers Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes," to give away. This is one of the books that I have used for Science Humor this year. The first person who says "I love science humor," will be sent the book.
Please note-you can only win one prize in June. Have fun!!!
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.