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Secondary Science Newsletter

August 2023

SecondaryScience Newsletter August 2023
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NGSS - Science & Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas

Crosscutting Concepts - These concepts help provide students with an organizational framework for connecting knowledge from the various disciplines into a coherent and scientifically based view of the world.


  • Patterns
  • Cause and Effect: Mechanism and Explanation
  • Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
  • Systems and System Models
  • Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation
  • Structure and Function
  • Stability and Change

For Biology Teachers -- VERY IMPORTANT

LS-MISA EoC information for families

  • Share the above PowerPoint presentation on your Schoology Classes
  • Share the above PowerPoint information in your opening letters to families
  • Share the above PowerPoint in a direct e-mail to families


Gradebook Set-up Directions for EoC/LS-MISA as 20% of final grade

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Gizmos

All middle and high school students have access to Gizmos for School Year 2024!


Gizmos offers excellent simulations to support student learning. Check out how you can use the simulations in your lessons.


If you need assistance with logging in or planning using Gizmos, please send Wendy an e-mail at wlzimmerman@smcps.org.

Science Assessment Windows
Based on feedback from SY23, windows have been updated.

Quarter 2 assessments are required for Grade 8 Science, Earth/Space Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science in the Environment. All other assessments are optional.
Creating a New Item in Performance Matters
Directions for creating a new item in Performance Matters.
Directions for adding a PM Assessment to Schoology
This link will take you to directions for adding an assessment in Performance Matters to your Schoology Course(s).
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Feedback to Dr. Zimmerman on or about assessments

Please e-mail wlzimmerman@smcps.org with feedback at any time.
Sharing Resources Across PLCs in Schoology
This is a place to share resources across the county. A Science Collaboration file box has been established and all teachers have access to add materials and copy materials to their own courses.
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for AP Biology Teachers -- Campbell Biology in Focus online Textbook

The digital Campbell Biology in Focus, 3rd Edition, has been purchased for School Year 2024. AP Biology teachers and your students will have access to the online textbook and resources through Clever.

Office Hours

Wendy will be hosting "Office Hours" at each building in the media center. Please drop in to ask questions, request resources, plan, or say hello!


School -- Date -- Hours

CHS -- September 13 -- 2:00-4:00

GMHS -- September 6 -- 2:00-4:00

LHS -- September 7 -- 2:00-4:00

MBMS -- August 29 -- 2:00-4:00

EMS -- August 30 -- 1:30-3:30

SRMS -- August 31 -- 1:30-3:30

LMS -- September 5 -- 1:30-3:30

CPCS/VA/FA -- September 14 - Virtual Office Hours -- 2:00-4:00

. .Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/fot-fovq-yds

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Looking for Events, Grants, and Professional Development Opportunities See Below

Check out the Maryland Loaner Lab from Towson University

Towson Univerity Center for STEM Excellence offers the following resources for 3-12 grade students and teachers:


The MDLL and the SciTech Field Trips are now booking kits and accepting reservations through June 2024. Virtual Field Trips are accepting reservations through December 2023.

The Maryland Loaner Lab (MDLL) program provides free kits to all Maryland secondary teachers. Learn more about the different elementary, middle, and high school kits offered on the MDLL website.


The SciTech Student Learning Lab engages students in grades 3–12 in hands-on, inquiry-based science activities. With over 15 activities to choose from, students participate in a 3-hour, self-contained lab led by our instructors. Learn more about the elementary, middle, and high school labs offered on the SciTech Student Learning Lab website.


We can bring a Virtual Field Trip to your classroom remotely! Our instructors meet with your students in grades 3–12 online for an interactive scientific investigation. With over eight activities to choose from, our Virtual Field Trips challenge students to solve real-world problems and issues. Discover more about the primary and secondary field trips offered on the Virtual Field Trip website.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching

Recognizing exceptional educators since 1983, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest honor bestowed by the White House for K-12 STEM teaching. You can celebrate another deserving teacher in your community by nominating them for a Presidential Award.


Learn more about PAEMST


The PAEMST program is now accepting nominations for K-6 STEM teachers. Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President; a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities; a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation; and join a community of over 5,200 award-winning teachers.

Do you know another teacher deserving of this incredible honor? Nominate them today! Don’t forget, the last day to nominate is January 8, 2024, and the application deadline is February 6, 2024.

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