Middle School Science Newsletter
May-June 2019
I want to take a moment to thank all of you for helping make our first year as your District science leads a successful and enjoyable experience. We appreciate the support and the openness to try new things and collaborate. We also appreciate the patience you have demonstrated as we learn all of the ins and outs of this position. We are excited for the future of science in Pasco and look forward to collaborating with many more of you this summer and into next year. We wanted to share some updates and previews of what's to come in the world of science in Pasco.
Curriculum Updates
Changes you can expect to see on the Science Secondary Learning Network.
As many of you know, we have had teams of teachers working on suggested revisions to our maps. In addition, I have been working on updating the Secondary Science Learning Network so that all courses are equally represented and easily accessible. So, the major changes coming your way that will start to appear in June are...
- New SLN Landing page layout, with all secondary courses represented.
- A dedicated Tiered support section on each concept map
- A transition of the Gr 6 & 7 Middle School maps to a 5e design.
- Purposeful integration of the Nature of Science Standards into the grade 6 & 7 courses
- Revised Physical Science scope and sequence
We know its a lot, but it's all work that has needed to happen for some time and has been done with ease of use and effectiveness in mind. Have no fear, we will be offering sessions at Together We Learn in July that will walk participants through the changes as well as set them up for success coming out of summer. Ae below for more information and be watching for the TWL sessions info to sign up to be released in early June.
Pearson elevate SCIENCE : Experience IT! Free Resource!
I didn't know if you were aware of these activities that Pearson provides for teachers with the Elevate MS Science program. In looking at these activities, they look pretty good and a great way to not only engage students, but to have them #PacoDoingScience. Best of all, they are free!
FEATURED THIS MONTH: How do muscles help some organisms move?
Can we control how muscles move? What affects muscle health? Visit the Elevate Science Activity ZONE for our latest science activity, which uses phenomena to amaze kids and inspire them to want to figure it out.
Your students can build muscles! Challenge them to use their knowledge of how muscles work in moving joints. Design and build a "muscle-joint" model that can help educate the residents of the Assisted Living Home.
It's the Science of Doing!
Haven't signed up yet?
Register to receive more Great Ideas for Teaching Science (G.I.F.T.S.), delivered straight to your inbox!
Professional Development Opportunities
Middle School Unit Launches (Science Academy Style)
The Unit Launch sessions will introduce participants to the new layout and features of the curricular resources and secondary learning network. In addition, you’ll gain a better understanding of the purposeful integration of Nature of Science standards into a lesson, and experience a model lesson, Science Academy style, that you can use during the 1st unit of the year. You’ll also leave with a collection of strategies meant to engage all learners. Attending this session should ignite your science planning for Quarter 1 before the official start of the year.
Sessions Available:
- Grade 6 Science Unit Launch (120-min) - Mon, 7/29 9:00 – 11:00
- Grade 7 Science Unit Launch (120-min) - Mon, 7/29 12:20 – 2:20
- Grade 8 Science Unit Launch (120-min) - Mon, 7/29 2:30 – 4:30
- Pearson Elevate 101 for New Middle School Science Teachers (120-min) - Wed, 7/31 9:00 – 11:00 (Textbook - Vendor Presentation)
- Pearson Elevate (Gr 6-8) Next Steps (120-min) - Wed, 7/31 12:20 pm – 2:20 pm (Textbook - Vendor Presentation)
Monday, Jul 29, 2019, 09:00 AM
J. W. Mitchell High School
PLAN-IT Learning Summer PD
Join us for Plan-It Learning in June 2019. Plan-It Learning will provide instructional staff high levels of planning and learning centered around our key priorities: high impact instruction, collaborative culture, and data-driven decisions. The best part… participants will get paid to attend! Explore the possibilities below! Seating is limited, so register today!
More spots available for Summer Science Symposium Offered by DOE
Great news for our district!
The FDOE STEM Team has identified additional seats for our district at the STEMposium. We have open seats in all tracks (elementary, middle and biology) for this summer. The registration deadline has been extended to ensure you have time to register. The new deadline is noon on Tuesday, May28th. Registration is now open to anyone who wishes to apply.
Please visit www.FLSTEM.zone for more information and feel free to contact me with questions.
Last year the Florida Department of Education provided a Summer Science Symposium focusing on standards-based lessons and aligned activities. Teachers across the state were invited to participate in one of three regions. Last year’s attendees returned to their districts with a wealth of inspiring lessons focused on key standards for the courses and the subsequent annual assessment. Having participated last summer, I actually used parts of this training to help develop some of the science academies offered this year.
Preparations are underway for another Summer Science experience for elementary, middle, and high science teachers in the form of a STEMposium. This year, in addition to engaging, standards-aligned lessons and activities, there will be breakout sessions focused on STEM education and careers.
This summer, the training will take place at Middleton High School
4801 N. 22nd Street, Tampa, FL From July 15th-19th.
Great news for our district!
The FDOE STEM Team has identified additional seats for our district at the STEMposium. We have open seats in all tracks (elementary, middle and biology) for this summer. The registration deadline has been extended to ensure you have time to register. The new deadline is noon on Tuesday, May28th. Registration is now open to anyone who wishes to apply.
Please visit www.FLSTEM.zone for more information and feel free to contact me with questions.
Additional Information
Energy Curricula and Learning kits are available for K-12 public schools!
Energy Curricula and Learning Kits
The Energy Curricula and Learning Kits complement the Solar Matters (Grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8) and Understanding Solar Energy (9-12) activity units developed by the Florida Solar Energy Center. Each kit contains wires, motors, milliamp meters, multi-testers, propellers, UV detecting beads, thermometers, prisms, videos, watt meters, reference books, career guides, and various types and sizes of photovoltaic panels.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a Florida public school active with the Master School Identification (MSID) list and the application must be signed by the school’s principal. See the MSID list. Kits are limited to one per school. K-12 schools can apply for a kit from each level (elementary, middle and high school) for a total of three kits.
Application Process
Fill out the Energy Education Kits application form. All fields in the application must be complete and the application must be signed by the school’s principal. The signature must be original. Submit the complete and signed application to Energy@FreshFromFlorida.com or mail to:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Office of Energy
Attn: Energy Education Kits
600 S. Calhoun St., Ste. B04
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Availability
Energy education kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis based upon the date and time that a properly completed application is received.
Type of Kit Available Kits
Elementary Curricula and Learning - 320
Middle School Curricula and Learning - 153
High School Curricula and Learning - 61
Updated as of May 10, 2019
Visit the Office of Energy's website for current availability.
Curriculum Map Feedback Form
The Science Curriculum Teams continue to meet to work on corrections and tweaks to the curriculum maps and resources. Please use this Curriculum Map Feedback Form to provide the Science Curriculum Team with input on our Science Curriculum maps to allow us to continue to refine them. Please be as specific as possible so that the team may constructively review the information and make an informed decision on how to proceed. Your input is critical to continuing to move Pasco Science forward!
International Science Fair
Huge Shout Out!
#PascoDoingScience
Want to Contact Us?
Mark Butler
813-794-2452
Lesley Kirkley
813-794-2257
Jessica Maxwell
Stephanie Sheridan