Secondary Science Newsletter
November, 2018
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU!
Happy November!! First Quarter is in the (grade) books, fall- or winter is in the air, school has settled into a routine, and hopefully you have hit your stride.
In his 2009 Reader’s Digest article, “How to Be Thankful and Improve Your Life,” David Hochman discovers that “life gets better when you adopt an attitude of gratitude.” In other words, look at life from the “half full” point of view instead of the “half empty” one. Take time to appreciate yourself and the positive aspects of your profession.
We are grateful for your commitment, your tenacity, your bravery, your humility, and your generosity to your students. We appreciate your struggle to provide the best for your students, encouraging them to create their own meaning even though it may be the harder path.
I hope you take the time over the holidays to appreciate the people and effects in your life, and that you also take time to reflect on how important you are and the power you have to make a difference each and every day to empower others.
Tiffany Wendland
Coordinator, Secondary Science
http://graylyn.com/dining/Thanksgiving-2018.php
http://www.teachhub.com/12-reasons-be-thankful-you-are-teacher
https://mindstepsinc.com/2018/05/six-reasons-were-grateful-to-teachers/
NOVEMBER 15TH IS AMERICA RECYCLES DAY
BCPS NGSS NEWS
Our transition to NGSS-aligned courses is rolling full steam ahead! In middle school, NGSS Grades 6 and 7 are in full implementation and we have a systemwide pilot of NGSS Grade 8.
In high school, Earth and Living Systems are in full implementation and the Integrated Physics and Chemistry course is in its second pilot year. The “bookends” of our new NGSS Chemistry course are available for field testing.
For teachers of our NGSS-aligned courses, please make sure that you are using the most current versions of curriculum documents, especially Culminating Events and Learning Cycle Summative Assessments. We will use the Update feature of Schoology to notify you of changes to major summative assessments.
THANK YOU to those teachers who have asked questions and the curricula and provided feedback through the Resource Share Groups in Schoology. The Curriculum Writing team relies on this real-time information to ensure that links are working, suggested resources are accessible, expectations for summative assessments are clear – just to name a few. Thank you also to those teachers who have shared resources and implementation ideas through the Resource Share Groups.
We created the Resource Share Groups to provide a venue for sharing best practices and to foster cross-county collaboration. In this season of giving and sharing, if you have something that’s working with your students, please don’t keep it to yourself! Additional information about joining and using the Resource Share Groups is provided in the Resource of the Month section below.
Keep the feedback coming and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’d like some planning or lesson implementation support. We are here for you!
For the most up-to-date NGSS news and resources, visit www.nextgenscience.org. Also, be sure to join the National Science Teachers Association for great lesson ideas and NGSS updates.
NGSS Grade 8 Professional Learning
Reflecting on NGSS in Middle School
Sharing Best Practices for Middle School NGSS
MS Professional Learning Fall 2018- Creating the Paths to New Learning
Middle School Science teachers have had two separate opportunities this Fall for professional learning in regards to curriculum. First, there were fifteen Grade 8 teachers who attended an afterschool workshop on October 9th at Cockeysville Middle School. During the session, teachers were asked to share what’s working/not working in the first unit of study as well as discuss pacing and share lesson ideas. Those who attended were thankful for the opportunity to chat with their colleagues and plan for the upcoming unit. Some even asked if we could meet every week! Later in the month, all middle school science grade levels were invited to the MS Curriculum Review. The purpose of this session was to provide a forum for teachers of grades 6-8 to provide curricular feedback as well as gain some takeaways for instructional initiatives such as a NGSS Approach, Literacy, or Responsive teaching. Our new friend from Advanced Academics, Jim Pettitt, facilitated the process for using formative assessment to streamline and differentiate instruction for various levels of learners. While the process can be challenging, teachers working in grade level groups were able to put together some practical pathways of learning for their students. We hope to explore these initiatives further in future sessions.
Middle School Science Course Roll Out
High School Science Course Roll Out
BCPS HS NGSS Course Sequence
Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) Updates
Middle School MISA
8th Graders will take the Middle School MISA online during the March 11 - 29 testing window. Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, 8th grade MISA results will be reported for federal accountability.
There are currently two practice Units available for the Grade 8 MISA (see links below). Each Unit consists of 1 CR and 5 other types of items. However, there will be 4 Units per assessment form on the operational assessment.
Units 1-3
- 3 tasks in each, which are based on scientific phenomena
- 1 constructed response question for each task
- 5 other types of questions for each task
Units 4
- 1 task similar to those in units 1-3
- 1 extended task that may include a simulation
Links for the 8th Grade MISA Computer-Based Practice Test
(the operational test also has text-to-speech, screen reader, non-screen reader, American Sign Language, and closed captioning accommodations).
https://md.testnav.com/client/index.html#login?username=LGN777824508&password=BTETLPB6
https://md.testnav.com/client/index.html#login?username=LGN327842076&password=LLHVFZ6Y
High School MISA
Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, the HS MISA is fully operational, consisting of five 40-minutes sessions. Students in Grades 10 through 12 who have not yet met their high school science assessment requirement should take the test in January or May. HS MISA Practice items are available on the Measured Progress website.
During the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years, the MISA Test is "no fault" for our students. We are aware that they will be unfamiliar with some of the content. We thank you in advance for encouraging your students to do their best. Beginning with the 2019-20 school year, MISA results will be reported for federal accountability and graduation requirements will be determined by the MSDE.
General Information about the MISA including a description of the test and the types of assessment items. BCPS 2018-19 Assessment Calendar
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
We had another great season making observations and collecting data on the health and stability of Dundee Creek and Days Cove during our Fall canoe-based ecology investigations. Students measured the lowest Fall salinity ever recorded over the past eleven seasons. Students attributed low salinity to the record rainfall in our region over the past six months. The salinity levels at Dundee Creek held steady at a mere 0.3 ppt from September through early November compared to 10 ppt over the same period last year. In addition to reduced salinity, heavy rains brought inputs of nutrient runoff resulting in extensive algae blooms. Epiphytes covered once thriving grass beds at Days Cove resulting in an early seasonal die-back. Another noticeable change to both sites is the presence of Northern snakehead fish. The impact on the ecosystem by this invasive species will continue to be monitored by students and will be the focus of long term biodiversity investigations. It will be interesting to see if our resident bald eagles develop a taste for these intruders.
Lastly, students noted hundreds of catfish, mainly 12 inches or less in size, dead or suffering from a likely bacterial infection at Dundee Creek. We contacted Maryland Department of the Environment and learned that catfish populations can suffer from disease outbreaks, however, it is rare for outbreaks to occur in October. Students suggested that this die off could be associated with significant rainfall and warmer temperatures during the late summer. Students will continue to collect and analyze data on canoe trips this Spring to determine if heavy rainfall, stormwater inputs, and additional winter inputs result in long term impacts to the health of bay grasses and the ecosystem.
The application process for the Spring 2019 Outdoor Science Education programming will begin on Friday November 16, 2018 and continue until Friday December 7, 2018. Online applications will be the only acceptable method of application. Program offerings include the Freshwater Ecosystem Study, AP Environmental Science Stream Study, Grade 9 Earth Systems School-Based Stream Study, and Canoe-Based Ecology Study for Grade 8, Grade 9 Earth Systems, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, or Grade 10 Living Systems, along with customized school-based programming. Information and the application link may be found at https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/science/outdoor.html. Also located on the website are program descriptions, site locations, and information for parents and teachers.
A special request... if you have a stream on your property, please try to get baseline water quality data, especially conductivity and especially if you have a stream assessment program scheduled this Spring.
If you have any questions, please contact Joe Davis at jdavis3@bcps.org or Matt Budinger at mbudinger@bcps.org.
TEACHER FEATURE
Office of Science (OoS): What about the transition to NGSS excites you?
Jenna Roberts (JR): I enjoy the student-centered, hands-on, discovery approach. I like that it is project-based because it teaches students valuable research skills including giving citing sources of information, collaboration, and reflection.
OoS: How has your approach to teaching changed with the roll out of the new NGSS-aligned courses?
JR: I have always been a student-centered / hands-on learning kind of teacher. The main difference is now I really focus on a question-based approach as compared to, “Hey, we need to know this for your test, or HSA,” etc. So, I try to really dial into the driving question, essential questions, and topic questions. I try to make sure that, in some form, my lessons incorporates these questions and that we are working to understand or discover the answers to these questions.
I do feel we have A LOT of content to cover, in great depth and breath, and sometimes there is not always time. In the past 1.25 years of teaching the Earth Systems course, I have started to flip my lessons, which works well because it allows us to cover the necessary content, but also take the time in class to then explore it.
OoS: What have your students enjoyed about the new courses or the new instructional approach?
JR: They enjoy the collaboration on the culminating event projects. They enjoy the “doing” rather than the explaining, although sometimes they need both. I think it feels more purposeful when we are trying to answer real-life questions, rather than just focusing on needing to know stuff because someone said they needed to know it and will have a test on it. It feels authentic to them.
OoS: What is or has been your students’ biggest challenge?
JR: Challenges include their teacher not providing them with the answer right away, making them think about it, or figure it out and completing some flipped pieces prior to the lesson to participate. In Unit 1 (Space), I noticed my 9th graders were really struggling with researching and finding evidence for their missions, which takes time and practice.
OoS: How has your curriculum writing experience influenced your teaching?
JR: Curriculum writing has influenced my teaching because I feel that I really understand the three dimensions of NGSS and make sure that they are incorporated in my lessons. The first lesson we did this year students completed 6 stations. Each station foreshadowed big ideas and concepts they will see throughout the year. Students had to use prior knowledge to identify 4 spheres, but also, I gave all students a 3 dimensions of NGSS graphic organizer, and they had to align the DCI they were looking at, the cross-cutting concept that applied, and the SEPs they were playing out. This really gave my students a strong grasp to understand what we are doing in this NGSS classroom as well as understand their grading rubrics. I mention these verbally in class as we are teaching, and sometimes I have them reflect on what we used in a lesson.
Show Us Your Stuff!!
Want to be the next featured teacher? Send us an email, tag us on Twitter, or call the Office of Science.
SAFETY SPACE
Happy Halloween from the Catonsville High Science Department
WHAT'S TWEETING?
RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
The Science Resource Share Groups were created to promote cross-county collaboration and to gather feedback on the implementation of BCPS curricula. Access Codes for the 13 different grade level and discipline specific groups are available in the Resource Sharing Groups document within the Secondary Science Group in Schoology. This document also contains directions and guidelines for using the Resource Share Group as well as how to customize notifications when new resources or discussion posts are added.
Examples of how the groups have been utilized this school year include:
- Sharing engagement activities and strategies
- Sharing differentiation ideas for Advanced Academic and Special Education students
- Reporting faulty hyperlinks
- Asking questions to clarify summative assessment expectations
- Sharing examples of student work
- Reflecting on the implementation of a suggested Learning Cycle Resource
We encourage you to join the groups for the respective courses you teach. When you find yourself saying, "I wish people would share their ideas...," consider sharing something that has worked for you and your students!
SCIENCE FOR STUDENTS
Virtual Field Trips from Discovery Education
Tune in to our new Virtual Field Trip for a unique STEM and literacy-packed sneak peek of themovie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Blast into the multiverse and transport your students to a world where anyone can be a superhero! We’ll go on a wild ride with people that helped make Miles Morales a new kind of hero, and discover the important lessons that it can teach us. From the producers to directors, artists, animators, and even the cast, it’s a learning adventure like never before! Registration information
Tuesday, December 4, 1:00 PM ET
Take your students on a virtual journey to Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®and learn how Science, Technology, Engineering and Math help us reach for the sky. You'll get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the Skunk Works®facility, where the Lockheed Martin team is hard at work on top-secret projects to build the next generation of aircraft. Students will hear first-hand from engineers and scientists as they share how they're innovating for the future. Registration information
Host a Speaker Courtesy of the USA Science and Engineering Festival
We are excited to announce the return of the Nifty Fifty program! This signature program of the USA Science & Engineering Festival brings STEM professionals into classrooms throughout the Washington, DC Metro area and surrounding counties of Maryland and Virginia.
Apply today to host a speaker at your school! Applications will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis and the deadline to submit an application is December 14, 2018! Click here to apply.
Nifty Fifty talks will take place during the months of February through April 2019. Over 100 speakers covering a wide variety of subject areas – including green technology, engineering, human health and medicine, astronomy and space exploration, nanotechnology, paleontology, computer science, entomology and more – will share their own stories in an effort to inspire kids about STEM. You can view the amazing group of speakers who are ready to get students excited about careers in science and technology here.
Nifty Fifty speakers are in high demand so don’t hesitate in submitting your application today! We hope to hear from you soon.
Contact malini@usasciencefestival.org with questions.
Sincerely,
The USA Science & Engineering Festival Team
2019 Johns Hopkins Summer Programs for Talented Youth
Information about the 2019 Science Courses is available via the links below.
Grades 2-6: https://cty.jhu.edu/summer/grades2-6/catalog/science.html
Grades 7-12: https://cty.jhu.edu/summer/grades7-12/intensive/catalog/science.html
Save the Date! Middle School STEM Fair
Saturday, Jan 12, 2019, 08:00 AM
Cockeysville Middle School, Greenside Drive, Cockeysville, MD, United States
2018 First Place Chemathon: Towson HS
Our favorite MC, Mr. Shaw
2018 First Place Physics Olympics: Towson HS
Save the Date! 2019 Physics Olympics and Chemathon
Our next planning meeting will be in mid- to late-January. Be on the lookout for a Doodle poll to post your availability. In the meantime, if you're interested in co-facilitating a challenge, please let us know! Questions? Contact Julie Damico at jdamico@bcps.org
Saturday, Feb 23, 2019, 08:00 AM
Dulaney High School, East Padonia Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, United States
ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest
National DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953. Next year's DNA Day will be on Thursday, April 25, 2019. Teachers and students around the world are encouraged to celebrate by participating in the American Society of Human Genetics' (ASHG) 14th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest!
This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics. Essays are expected to be well-reasoned arguments indicative of a depth of understanding of the concepts related to the essay question. They are evaluated by ASHG members through three rounds of scoring.
The submission website for this year's contest will open in early January, 2019 and the deadline to submit is March 8, 2019.
The 2019 essay asks students to construct an argument about whether results from genetic testing should be shared with family members. Great alignment to our Living Systems "Decoding Your Future" Unit!! See the 2018 winners and read their essays on the DNA Day Essay Contest Winners' page.
Save the Date! 64th Baltimore Science Fair (BSF)
The BSF provides a wonderful opportunity to Middle and High School Students who are interested in science, math, computers and engineering. In addition to sending several students and their teachers on to the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) www.student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef., BSF presents over 150 other awards to student exhibitors. BSF provides many cash awards ranging from $500- $25, college scholarships, internship opportunities, certificates of recognition from federal agencies and awards from many professional organizations.
Visit the BSF web site where you can find all the information you need to know about the Fair and the full list of 2018 awards. Registration for the event is available January 1 to March 10, 2019. www.baltimoresciencefair.org
Friday, Mar 2, 2018, 03:00 PM
Towson University, West Village Commons, Emerson Drive, Towson, MD, USA
SAVE THE DATE - HS EcoBlitz Challenge
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
BCPS NGSS Professional Learning
Staff in the Office of Science are offering several workshops to provide professional learning for teachers of our science courses aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and to gather feedback on the implementation of the new curricula. Workshops are open to middle and high school science teachers with registration priority for teachers currently teaching the respective course(s). The following workshops are being offered during the 2018-19 academic year:
Interested participants must register by logging into BCPS One on the BCPS Web site, selecting the Professional Learning tile, and then selecting the Registration System tile. The institutes can be found in the Workshops – Registration catalog. Workshop titles begin with “NGSS Professional Learning.” Two sections are available for each date: 12:30 to 2:30pm or 4:00 to 6:00pm for middle school workshops and 12:30 to 2:30pm or 3:30 to 5:30pm for high school workshops. Teachers attending workshops outside of the regular school day will receive a stipend for their participation. Teachers must register for the workshops at least one week in advance. Sections with low attendance may be canceled. Workshops scheduled in December and January are currently open for registration. Registration for Spring semester workshops will open after Winter break.
Contact us
Email: officeofscience@bcps.org
Website: http://www.bcps.org/offices/science/
Location: 105 W Chesapeake Ave, Towson, MD, United States
Phone: 443-809-4251
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCPSOfficeofScience
Twitter: @BCPSSci