Elementary Science Newsletter
September 2
STEM Discussion with Astronaut Dr. Kathy Thornton
Exploravision Contest
WHAT IS EXPLORAVISION?
ExploraVision is a science competition that goes beyond the typical student science competition and into what it takes to bring ideas to reality. A teacher will sponsor and lead his/her students as they work in groups of 2 – 4 to simulate real research and development. A teacher will guide his or her students as they pick a current technology, research it, envision what it might look like in 20 years, and describe the development steps, pros & cons, and obstacles. Past winners have envisioned technologies ranging from a hand-held food allergen detector to a new device to help people who have lost limbs regain movement in real time.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
ExploraVision is designed for K – 12 students of all interest, skill and ability levels. The competition is open to students enrolled in public, private or home school in the United States and Canada. See our full eligibility requirements here.
- First Prize (4 teams): U.S. EE Savings Bond worth $10,000* at maturity for each student
- Second Prize (4 teams): U.S. EE Savings Bond worth $5,000* at maturity for each student
- National Finalists (8 teams): An expense-paid trip to Washington, DC in June for ExploraVision Awards Weekend for each national winning student and his/her parents/guardians
- Regional Winners (24 teams): A Toshiba Camileo™ Camcorder for each student and an awards ceremony for each regional winning team at its school where the team will receive a winner's banner, plaque and other gifts
- Honorable Mention (500 teams): A unique prize and certificate for each student
- All Participants: A certificate of participation, gift and a special discount on Toshiba computer products for every student whose team submits a complete project
Cool tech tool of the week
Plickers provides all of the conveniences of clicker response systems, without the cost!
Instructional Strategy of the Week
Need resources?
Safety Reminder
Please review the following documents before beginning any activity that may pose a risk to students (directions for locating these resources are in parentheses).
- Science Class Safety Information Sheet (R:\Safety Information\Internal Policies)
- Elementary Science Safety Notebook (R:\01 Elementary Resources\5th Grade\Science\Elementary Science Safety)
- Review all documents in R:\01 Elementary Resources\5th Grade\Science\Elementary Science Safety
If you have any questions at all regarding safety in the science classroom, please contact me.
Important Dates
- Pets in the Classroom Grants (PK-8th)- now open
- RSVP with Brandi Williams for STEM discussion with Dr. Kathy Thornton (see flyer above)- September 2
- Climate Change Workshop sponsored by OU Biostation (registration= $25; scholarships still available)- September 15
- Vernier Data-Collection workshop (FREE)- September 24, 5-8 pm
- Fund for Teachers Travel Grants- opens October 1
- Engineering is Elementary workshop travel grant (grades 1-5)- due October 10
- PASCO STEM Educator Award nominations (provides funding to travel to NSTA conferences)- November 30