Coweta Science Update
October 2019
Reading, Writing, and Science: The Perfect Combination
Georgia's Mobile Dairy Classroom
(K-5) The Mobile Dairy Classroom is a dynamic and fun educational program operated by the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk. The 30 ft. Mobile Dairy Classroom features a fully operational milking parlor containing a live cow used for milking and feeding demonstrations. The goal of the program is to provide children and adults with a better understanding of where milk comes from, how it is processed, the healthy benefits of consuming dairy products and dairy farmers' management of natural resources. Find out how to bring the cows to your classroom by clicking here.
Name NASA's Mars Rover Contest!
(K-12) NASA invites U.S. students to submit essays to name NASA's next Mars rover. Kindergarten through 12th grade students have until Nov. 1, 2019 to submit their name. Register, learn more, and submit entries (or sign up to be a judge) using this link.
Project Wet, Wild, & Learning Tree
(K-12) Projects WET, WILD, and LEARNING TREE are research-based and field-tested environmental education curricula designed for use by formal and informal educators. All three programs are interdisciplinary in nature and support Georgia school standards in science, agriculture/natural resources, math, social studies, language arts, and more. After successful completion of this workshop, individuals will be certified educators and will receive guide books which are full of lessons, resources, and activities. Participants will also enjoy the opportunity to network with other educators and professionals while engaging in hands-on learning. Register Here
8th Grade Science OpenSciEd Modules
Designing a Digestive System
(9-12)This interactive simulation of the human digestive system provides student the opportunity to understand the coordination of the parts of the digestive system to perform the overall function of this body system. In the simulation students manipulate different organs and answer questions provided by nine pages of student exploration sheets. The exploration sheets guide students through a short prior knowledge piece, information on how to use the simulation and a design your own digestive system. In the interactive simulation students chose the order of the major organs of the digestive system, the minor organs and the location for capillaries and lymph glands. Students also choose from one of six kinds of food and then run the simulation. The results give students the percent of their food that is digested and the consistency of the feces. Students can rerun the simulation making different choices and even leaving two organs out to determine the effects on digestion. Exploration sheets guide students in understanding the complexity and variety of organs and chemicals that work to break down food, absorb food and eliminate food wastes from the body. The student exploration sheets also include the vocabulary addressed, students’ predictions, describing the changes in results and giving an explanation for those changes. Breakdown of the main food nutrients and enzyme function is included. The student sheets provide guides for three different runs with students setting their own parameters for the runs and drawing conclusions from the resulting changes. The exploration sheets include diagrams of the digestive system and the villi. Teachers can view student assessment responses by assigning the simulation to a class created within the eLearning site. This site offers free access for 30 days. Access it here
Where's the Beach?
(6th) This lesson engages students in exploring the phenomenon of soil erosion at the beach, and in designing solutions to mitigate it. In part one of this lesson, students research how wave energy affects shorelines, predict the relationship between waves and erosion, and use historic data to study the effects of tides and major storms on the Gulf Coast. They use videos, photos, and an online interactive tool to study the impact of erosion on the Gulf Coast. Students investigate the exponential relationship between wave height and energy. Students begin to describe types of barriers to protect shorelines from waves. Then, in part two of the lesson, students research a natural oyster reef as a barrier and more extensive, man-made barriers. They create a model shoreline and test the impact of waves on their shoreline with different types of barriers. As the final extension, students create a cost-benefit analysis of different types of barriers and predict which would be the best to use in certain environments. Access it here
Virtual Labs Food Science App Series
(9-12) Developed by the Learning Games Lab at New Mexico State University in collaboration with South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University, and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this series of educational apps introduces standard scientific methodology and biological and chemical procedures practiced by researchers and technicians in labs. Best for high school and college audiences, the series contains eight interactive lab scenarios. Testing for Corn Mold, Bacteria Sampling, Gram Staining, Using the Microscope, The pH Scale and Meter Calibration, Testing/Adjusting pH, Understanding Water Activity, and Controlling Water Activity. As students work through each scenario, they learn basic laboratory techniques and model actual methods and processes used by technicians and researchers in the food science industry and other science fields. The free labs, which are available as both web-based learning modules and apps for iOS devices, will be accessible to teachers through November 1, 2019. Click here to access them.
Cell Biology and Neuroscience Resources
(9-12, AP) The Allen Institute, a nonprofit bioscience research institute, has lesson plans for high school and college instructors to engage students in learning core concepts in neuroscience and cell biology. The lessons—The Building Blocks of Your Brain and Mitosis and Microscopy—incorporate virtual experiments in which students work with real data sets and tools from the Allen Institute and the National Institutes of Health. Accompanying the lessons are materials such as an educator’s guide, student readings, and handouts describing current research in the field. In addition, teachers can request two posters highlighting key facts about neuroanatomy and cell division.
Invasive Species Resources
CCSS Science Teacher Directory
Science Google Classroom Codes
Elementary: uz7l4 (that's a lowercase L...not a 1)
Middle: wumkvdb
High: s0ei0d (those are zeros...not Os)
Professional Learning Opportunities
Georgia STEM/STEAM Forum
STEM/STEAM Resources
https://www.teachengineering.org
http://www.novelengineering.org
http://www.stemcobb.com/lesson-links.html Elementary STEM Lessons
http://www.stemcobb.com/ms-stem-lessons.html Middle School STEM Lessons
Upcoming Professional Learning
Supporting Struggling Science Students
Need help providing supports for students? Equity in science education is difficult to achieve for all students without supports. However, all students can be successful in science courses with inclusive strategies that involve students in 3-D science. These inclusive strategies may seem daunting to many teachers that are trying to teach a course to a diverse group of students. This professional learning is designed to give teachers a crash course in some basic accommodations that can assist all students in being successful.Additionally, we need to hear from you. The GaDOE Science Department is currently developing new resources for struggling students and we need your input to make sure we design resources to meet your needs and the needs of your students. Join us for ideas and conversation. Registration is limited to 25 teachers. Register Here
Friday, Oct 11, 2019, 09:00 AM
East Coweta High School, Mccollum-Sharpsburg Rd, Sharpsburg, GA, USA
Kindergarten Science Professional Learning
This teacher led session will feature lessons and resources to help you integrate science and literacy in the Kindergarten classroom.
Thursday, Oct 24, 2019, 03:00 PM
167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA
Middle School Science Professional Learning
This teacher led session will be an opportunity for teachers to share resources for the middle school science classroom. This is for all grades 6-8.
Thursday, Oct 24, 2019, 04:00 PM
167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA, USA
Georgia STEM/STEAM Forum
Sunday, Oct 20, 2019, 08:00 AM
The Classic Center, North Thomas Street, Athens, GA, USA
Georgia Science Teachers Association Conference
Thursday, Feb 13, 2020, 08:00 AM
Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center, Front Avenue, Columbus, GA, USA
Comments, Concerns, Questions?
Email: donald.white@cowetaschools.net
Website: bit.ly/CCSSScience
Location: 167 Werz Industrial Boulevard, Newnan, GA 30263
Phone: 770-254-2800
Twitter: @dwhitesciguy