Science Newsletter
May 30, 2017
SUMMER NEWS
Check out what has been going on around EPS!
Anissa Angier Named Vernier Emerging Science Education Leader
District elementary FOSS coach and John Ross 3rd grade teacher Anissa Angier has been named 1 of the 6 national Vernier Emerging Science Education Leader awards, and was the only recipient from Oklahoma.
Way to go, Anissa!
Facebook (EPS)
- #EPSstem- use this hashtag to show off all of the cool things that are going on in your class
- @EPSscience- official EPS science page
- #NGSSchat- this professional learning network focuses on great science teaching and the chat takes place on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 8 p.m.
- #NSTAchat- ongoing slow chat
National Academies Press
- Seeing Students Learn Science- #oksci and the science ed communities of two other states will be slow chatting about this book (free to download) this summer using the hashtag #SumSci on Twitter
NSTA Press
Dive In! Immersion in Science Practices for High School Students
How feasible are student-directed science investigations within the curricular expectations at your school? How can you create opportunities for student-directed investigations in the classroom? Have you ever considered partnering with a scientist to add depth to your lessons? These are some of the central questions of the new book Dive In! Immersion in Science Practices for High School Students.
NSTA Learning Center
How do I Develop a Storyline for a Unit? webinar- Successful units feature a coherent storyline where each lesson builds on those that come before it and foster questions that lead into the next lesson. In this web seminar, we will show you examples of coherent storylines and provide guidance on how you can develop your own. Please join us on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.
STEM Teaching Tools
Webinars
- Designing Science Class for a Growth Mindset
- New Science Standards Challenge Grit and Rigor
How Next Gen Science Really Works: Setting up for Claim, Evidence and Reasoning
Effectively Aligning Curriculum and Instructional Resources for Next Generation Science
How to Differentiate and Use Next Generation Science Practices
From STEM to STEAM: Where art connects to science, technology, engineering and math
How to hold a next generation Socratic dialogue in a K-12 science classroom
Classroom Assessment for the NGSS: Seeing Students Learn Science
Articles
Will Elementary Science Remain the Forgotten Stepchild of School Reform?- (An analysis of 2015 NAEP data from ChangetheEquation.org)
Lessons and Classroom Resources
- Grade 8: Can You Copperplate?
- Biology: Why Don't Antibiotics Work Like They Used To?
- Environmental Science: Catching the Wrong Species
Teaching Channel Videos
Identifying High-Quality Lessons and Resources-- Use the EQuIP Rubric!
In fall 2016, Achieve launched the EQuIP Peer Review Panel (PRP) for Science as a group of expert educators who evaluate the quality and alignment of lessons and units to the new science standards. The peer review panel seeks to identify lessons and units that best illustrate the cognitive demands of the NGSS as introduced in A Framework for K-12 Science Education.
A new category entitled "Quality Works in Progress" was created.
Early reviews by the PRP surfaced lessons and units that address some criteria of the EQuIP Rubric for Science, Version 3.0 very well, but did not rate high enough to be shared as Examples of High Quality NGSS Design or Examples of High Quality NGSS Design if Improved. Therefore, a new category has been added to the online library. The new category does not represent a rating on the EQuIP for Science scoring rubric, rather it will include any lessons and units identified to have strongly addressed at least one of the EQuIP criteria.
A new digital badge for "Examples of High Quality NGSS Design" was developed.
In the future, any lessons and units identified by the peer review panel asExamples of High Quality NGSS Design will not only be shared online, but will also be awarded a unique digital badge which can be displayed on website(s) of the individual, school, district, or organization that developed and submitted the lesson or unit.
STEM in the Gym™ by Pitsco
Ready to teach physical science concepts/STEM in combination with physical education? The STEM in the Gym™ – Simple Machines Package will help you do just that! This 2016 GESS Education Award Winner for Best Product to Promote Health and Fitness in the Classroom is an innovative program geared toward elementary grades, students will actually experience the mechanical advantage of each simple machine while learning about force, load, work, and more.
The package includes the curriculum and all the specialized equipment to set up a complete program for 24 students (per period):
- 8 Soft Wedges
- 8 Seesaw Levers
- 6 Wheel & Axle Demonstrators
- 6 Screw Hatches
- 6 Wall Pulley Packages
- 6 Big Gears Demonstrators
- STEM in the Gym – Simple Machines book and DVD to guide teachers through the setup and implementation of seven physical activities that provide students with a kinesthetic lesson in simple machines
Equat.io
The Great American Total Solar Eclipse
An eclipse is a rare phenomenon, offering educators a teachable moment like few others.
On August 21, 2017, the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. since 1979 will take place. Unfortunately, Oklahoma will not see the total solar eclipse, but will experience about 84% totality.
It will no doubt be an event that children, parents, teachers, and staff will not want to miss!
In Oklahoma, the eclipse will begin around 11:30, reach its peak around 1:00, and end around 2:30.
This website provides resources including lesson plans for all grade levels and subject areas to help educators prepare for the event.
BSCS Field Test Opportunity for 8th Grade
We are recruiting twelve middle school science teachers to attend a teacher professional development workshop in Boulder, CO, from August 13-18, 2017, and to field test the instructional unit with students in the fall semester of 2017. Teacher and student feedback will play a significant role in informing the revision of the materials. Please note that it isn’t a requirement for field test teachers to be familiar with the GLOBE Program in order to participate.
We will provide funds for travel, lodging, and meals for the professional development workshop in August. In addition, we will provide field test teachers with a $1440 stipend: $300 after completing the workshop in August and $1140 after completing the field test in the fall.
For more information and to apply for this opportunity, please visit: https://scied.ucar.edu/field-test-recruitment
Get Paid to Complete an American Museum of Natural History Course
Summer Session 2
July 10–August 20
Registration deadline: June 26
Register by June 12 to save $50
AMNH is looking for 30 science teachers to participate in a 6-week online Climate Change course. Receive a $500 stipend for successfully completing the course. To apply, e-mail learn@amnh.org. Selected participants will be notified on a rolling basis.
ENTER TO WIN AN ASTRONAUT APPEARANCE FOR YOUR SCHOOL
AVS Science and Technology Society Science Educators' Workshop and Equipment Grant
AVS has conducted a two-day in-service workshop on low-pressure experiments and modeling for high school science teachers from the United States and Canada since 1990. Attendees are sponsored by regional Chapters of the Society with all expenses paid by the sponsoring Chapter. The workshop is accredited for CEU's and is aligned with thenational science and mathematics standards.
The workshop is divided into two parts: (1) lectures on the underlying science and the mathematical calculations and (2) hands-on experience in which a group of teachers perform experiments and develop models under the guidance of an instructor team.
Upon completion of the workshop, teachers receive at no cost
- A certificate of completion
- 1.5 Nationally certified CEU‘s or 150 sixty-minute clock hours from the University of Dayton
- A vacuum system for their school identical to ones used in the workshop
http://www.avs.org/Education-Outreach/Science-Educators-Workshop
STEM Ed Camp and STEM Crawl
A STEM Ed Camp is an UnPD Professional Development for PreK-12 teachers with an interest in STEM. There is no agenda, there are no rules. It is a space to unpack ideas and open discussions to the issues that matter most to YOU! From 8:30 - 12:30 we will separate into groups to share and present on topics decided that morning. After lunch, embark on your own personal expeditions to incredible partners around Tulsa such as the Oklahoma Aquarium, Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Tulsa Glassblowing School. Lunch will be provided. Morning Ed Camp is required to attend the STEM Crawl. You may choose up to two STEM Crawl partner tickets and tickets must be surrendered at partner sites for free admission.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stem3-ed-camp-and-stem-crawl-tickets-33467321660
OSTA Summer Conference
NSTA will be there presenting a workshop on the new series PICTURE PERFECT STEM!
June 8 at Rose State College
Register at https://osta.wildapricot.org/events
Picture Perfect Science/Picture Perfect STEM Workshops
Join NSTA for at the OSTA conference where they will be presenting 2 half-day workshops on their PICTURE PERFECT series-- which is perfect for science and literacy lovers!
June 8 at Rose State College
Register at https://osta.wildapricot.org/events
Free Wetland Tour
Selman Bat Watch
Each summer, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats pour from the Selman Bat Cave to feed on insects, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Wildlife Diversity Program offers the public the chance to watch.
Due to limited spacing, all Selman Bat Watch visitors must pre-register. (The area is closed to the public except during official events.) Each night’s viewing activities are limited to 75 visitors drawn from the pool of mailed-in registration forms. Admission to the Selman Bat Watch is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 8-12. Children must be 8 years of age or older to attend.
Eight viewing opportunities are offered each year. Watches in 2017 will be held each Friday and Saturday night in the month of July. (July 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29.)
https://wildlifedepartment.com/wildlife/wildlife-diversity/selman-bat-watch
Flight Night Drone Camp
Hosted by Tulsa Community College
at the TCC Riverside Community Campus & Aviation Center
112 W Beechcraft Drive
Tulsa OK 74132
July 10-14, 2017
Space is limited.
Quarknet for Physics Teachers
The workshop will be held July 10-14 at the University of Oklahoma this year. As in the past, we will pay for travel for you and provide a $500 stipend.
Here is my current PLAN FOR THE WEEK: Including your participation.
During the last two days someone from the Quarknet national office will come to OU and will run an ATLAS Data Workshop. I think we may have done this 5 years ago or so, but many of you were not here then. This will be a good way to understand how data analysis is done.
During the first three days of the week I will want your help. I’m planning on doing two things which will be like a shortened version of the Introduction to Particle Physics Week that we have done in the past. We will
1) Have some lectures and discussion about particle physics
2) Do a select set of the particle physics activities for the classroom that we have done in the past week where we introduced particle physics.
REQUEST FOR YOUR HELP
If you have participated in a past introductory particle physics week where we did the Quarknet worksheets and class activities like “polar bears,” Rutherford Scattering, Tracking Unseen Particles, etc. I’d like you to choose one activity that you either really like, you think is really helpful or insightful, or you actually use in your classroom, and do that activity with everyone during one of the first few days. So rather than do all the activities and worksheets like we have in the past, we’ll have each of you do one of them that you think new people who haven’t been through the workshop should know about and should see demonstrated.
Full S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Women to the Calling
HANDS-ON * SCIENCE * TECHNOLOGY * ENGINEERING * ARTS * MATHEMATICS
FAST-TRACK STEM/STEAM connections and resources for your K-12 TEACHERS/LEADERS
Workshop Objectives:
- To raise awareness of barriers that keep girls from pursuing opportunities and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math integrated with the arts.
- To help women teachers close gender gaps for girls who are underperforming in STEM/STEAM than similarly performing and engaged boys.
To empower women educators to teach women to teach women educators STEM/STEAM curriculum in K-12 classroom
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
McCasland Foundation Ballroom Cameron University
2800 W. Gore Blvd. Lawton, OK 73505
If you would like to register and pay with a PO, please contact Ora Fitzgerald at ofitzgerald@lawtonps.org
Registration $50
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/full-stemsteam-ahead-women-to-the-calling-tickets-31236684765
6th Annual STEM Forum & Expo, hosted by NSTA
Kissimmee/Orlando: July 12–14, 2017
The 6th Annual STEM Forum & Expo, hosted by NSTA, is a unique, focused event that brings together (informal and formal) educators and representatives from exhibiting companies who are interested in, and who have tools and resources to share that will ensure successful implementation of STEM education into our schools and communities. It is intended to provide resources for educators and organizations seeking to learn more about STEM education, associated outreach programs, partnerships, schools, and curricula.
Twitter hashtags: #STEMforum, #NSTA (all-purpose)
Grant Writing - How To Fund That Classroom Project
DATE AND TIME
Thu, Jul 27, 2017, 9:00 AM – Fri, Jul 28, 2017, 4:00 PM CDT
LOCATION
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Hodge Building, Suite 215
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
iPadPaloozaOU
Registration has now opened for the second annual iPadpaloozaOU! Similar to last year, our conference will have two days of events, focusing on two authentic audiences. Our first day, Friday, August 25, will be focusing on preservice teachers and teacher prep programs and educators. Our second day, Saturday, August 26, is geared towards technology integration for K12 educators. Attend one day or two! All attendees receive a free t-shirt and goody bag!
International STEM Education Association Conference
The ISEA is thrilled to return to the Branson Convention Center for the 6th annual ISEA STEM-Exposition and Conference on October 8-10, 2017 in Branson, MO. This will be the 6th annual ISEA Conference.
https://www.isea-stem.org/2017-conference-information
American Chemical Society Regional Meetings
October 18-20, 2017 - University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
October 29-November 1, 2017- Overton Convention Center, Lubbock, TX
Failure to Promise Mini-Grant
Toshiba Grants For Grades 6 - 12
Wanted: Classroom Innovators! Toshiba America Foundation accepts applications from teachers who are passionate about making science and mathematics more engaging for their students.
6-12 Grant requests for $5,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis, throughout the calendar year.
6-12 Grant requests for $5,000 or more are accepted and reviewed twice a year - August 1 st and February 1 st each year.
Click here for more information and to apply on-line
Please note the following:
We only accept on-line applications through the designated links above.
Applications must be for project based learning. We do not consider requests solely for computers.
Open Meadows Foundation Grant
Open Meadows Foundation is a grant-making organization seeking projects that promote gender/racial/economic justice. The projects must be led by and benefit women and girls.
Open Meadows Foundation funds projects that do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual identity and expression, age or ability. We offer grants under $2000 to projects that: * Are designed and implemented by women and girls; All of the above guidelines are applied in considering funding. *Organizational budget should not exceed $75,000.* Small and start-up organizations are
* Reflect the diversity of the community served by the project in both
its leadership and organization;
* Promote building community power; and
* Have limited financial access.
given priority.
Organizations will receive funding one time only.
We review proposals in two cycles. For the Spring Cycle, we will only review proposals received between 12:00 midnight EST January 1st to 12:00 midnight EST February 15th. For the Fall Cycle, we will only review proposals received between 12:00 midnight July 1 to 12:00 midnight August 15th. Please note that it takes us up to three months to review proposals after the deadline. Only send projects that begin after May or November of that year.
We now only accept on-line submissions. Create a single pdf with all required accompanying materials and email your proposal to openmeadowsfdn@gmail.com.
MAXIMUS Foundation Grants
The MAXIMUS Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations and charities that share our commitment in helping disadvantaged populations and underserved communities.
The Foundation Board of Directors makes funding decisions through a competitive, biannual grantmaking process, with an emphasis on programs that promote personal growth and community development. Submission deadlines for grant proposals are January 31 and August 31 for the spring and fall grant making cycles, respectively.
Organizations are only eligible to receive a grant once a year. Grants are awarded only to organizations that attest that they do not discriminate by race, ethnicity, creed, religious affiliation, gender or national origin. Learn more by visiting our frequently asked questions.
Grants are not generally awarded to:
• Individuals
• Advertising, ticket events or dinner programs
• Political causes or candidates
• Endowments or capital campaigns
Online Grant Application
2017-2018 eCYBERMISSION Mini-Grants!
The eCYBERMISSION Mini-Grant is intended to support teachers/program leaders as they implement eCYBERMISSION with their teams. Educators (formal and informal) of students in grades 6-9 are encouraged to apply. Special consideration is given to Title 1 schools and to those with underserved/ under-represented populations.
Mini-Grant applications must be received by Wednesday, October 11, 2017 online at http://www.cvent.com/d/g5qmwj
Mini-Grant awardees will be notified by October 18, 2017 if they have received the Mini-Grant for the 2017-2018 school year. In order to secure funding, all Team Advisors and students must be registered for the competition/on complete teams by November 8, 2017. After eCYBERMISSION registration closes, the initial grant payment will be sent to the school/district/ organization. The targeted first payment is December 15, 2017.
eCYBERMISSION Mini-Grant Overview (.pdf)
Toshiba Grants For Grades K - 5
- Do you teach in an elementary school classroom?
- Do you have an innovative idea for improving math or science instruction in your classroom?
- Is your idea project based learning with measurable outcomes?
- What do you need to make learning math and science fun for your students?
K-5 grade teachers are invited to apply on-line for a $1,000 Toshiba America Foundation grant to help bring an innovative hands-on project into their own classroom.
With a Toshiba America Foundation grant, elementary teachers can bring their best new teaching ideas to life.
Grant applications are due on OCTOBER 1st each year.
Click here for more information and to apply on-line
Please note the following:
We only accept on-line applications through the designated links above.
Applications must be for project based learning. We do not consider requests solely for computers.
Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Award
Established in 2004 with a grant from the John Wm. Butler Foundation, Inc., the Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Awards Program honors teachers who have demonstrated their capacity to change the outcome of students’ lives and communities where they teach. Two teachers each receive a $5,000 cash prize and up to $1,000 USD in travel, hotel arrangements, and meals while on-site for The TMA Annual.
Apply today! Applications are due June 12, 2017.
Contact Maura Sage at msage@turnaround.org or 312-578-2043 with any questions.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) is a Presidential award established by the White House in 1995. The PAESMEM program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
Nominations, including self-nominations, are invited for "Individual" and "Organizational" PAESMEM awards. Individuals and organizations in all public and private sectors are eligible including industry, academia, K-12, military and government, non-profit organizations, and foundations. Exceptional STEM or STEM-related mentoring in both formal and/or informal settings is eligible for the PAESMEM award.
Each "Individual" or "Organizational" PAESMEM awardee will receive a $10,000 award and a commemorative Presidential certificate. Awardees are also invited to participate in an award recognition ceremony in Washington, DC that includes meetings with STEM educators, researchers and policy leaders. Up to 16 awards may be made from the nominations received on or before June 17, 2016.
PAESMEM awardees serve as leaders in the national effort to develop fully the nation's human resources in STEM. To locate PAESMEM awardees in your state, please visit PAESMEM.net.
Passion in Science Awards
What does it mean to have passion in science? Scientists are using their skills beyond the lab bench to positively change the community around them. The Passion in Science Awards from New England Biolabs (NEB) recognize the "unsung heroes" in the scientific community working to solve many of today's challenges. Scientists are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague for one of four award categories:
•Scientific Mentorship and Advocacy* (This award recognizes scientists whose passion for their field motivates them to educate others and spread that passion with the scientific community. You don't have to be a PhD or work in a lab to apply for any of these awards).
•Humanitarian Duty/Environmental Stewardship/Arts and Creativity.
Awardees will receive a $1,000 travel grant to a scientific conference or a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. They will be invited to travel to NEB's campus (at the company's expense) to participate in an awards dinner, roundtable discussions, and seminars with fellow scientists and keynote speakers who share similar passions.
Winners will be announced during August 22-24 and notified via e-mail.
Women in School Leadership Awards
Eligibility The AASA Women in School Leadership Award program is designed to recognize the exceptional leadership of active, front-line female leaders who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Three awards are available:
The Superintendent Award – awarded to any female superintendent.
The Central Office/Principal Award – awarded to any female central office or building level leader. Equivalent job titles may include: assistant superintendent, central office administrator, school based principal/assistant principal.
The School Based Award – awarded to any female classroom teacher or school based specialist. Equivalent job titles may include: teacher or school based counselor. Nominate Your Colleague or Apply Online at: http://womensleadership.aasa.org/
Siemens Foundation Competition
The Competition is the nation’s premier science research competition for high school students and seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive research that improves students' understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines. Scholarships for winning projects range from $1,000 to $100,000.
NEW enhanced prizing structure! For the first time this year, National Finalists will be awarded prizes as follows: first place - $100,000, second place - $50,000, all other Finalists - $25,000.
You can compete as an individual or as a member of a two or three-person team. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Important Dates and Deadlines
SPIE Education Outreach Grants- due May 31
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission- due May 31
Twitter #ngss chat- June 1 8pm
Jenks FERST workshop- June 6
Twitter #elngss chat- June 8 7pm
Twitter #ngss chat- June 15 8pm
The Da Vinci Project- application due June 16
Twitter #elngss chat- June 22 7pm
NABT/BSCS AP Biology Teacher Academy- 6/25-30
Penn State Renewable Energy Workshop- July 10-14
EngageOK State Department of Education Summer Conferences
Doing Science Biology Education Conference- 10/19-21
Kinder Morgan Foundation Grants- rolling deadline
Bridgestone Grants- rolling deadline
VWR Foundation Grants- rolling deadline
The Awesome Foundation Grants- rolling deadline
Westinghouse Grants- rolling deadline
Honda Grants- rolling deadline