Science News
Elementary Science
WOW!!! Summer is here!!!!
Helena
SUMMER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Elementary Science Teachers, from Shenandoah National Park!
Interested in cost-free, SOL-supported, hands-on outdoor learning experiences for your science students? The Education Office at Shenandoah National Park announces its "Parks As Classrooms" Teacher Workshop for Grades 2 - 6, scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2014.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will be completed by 3:00 p.m. The workshop, education materials, and entry into the park are provided free of charge. Recertification points may be available depending on your school district's requirements.
This workshop trains teachers how to use the park's Education Program, prepares teachers for ranger-led, SOL-based field trips to Shenandoah National Park, and also trains teachers how to incorporate the outdoors into their classroom education. To view the workshop flyer, please visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/shen/forteachers/development/upload/2-6_shen_ed_flyer_2014.pdf
Teacher Workshop attendance is required before bringing your students to the park for a ranger-led curriculum-based Education program. Teachers who complete the workshop and schedule a field trip between during the 2014-15 school year may receive transportation funding to offset the cost of the field trip. Teachers must be new to the park’s education program or teach at a Title I school to be eligible.
To register or for further information, please call the Education Office at540-999-3500, ext. 3489. The workshop is limited to 25 participants so call NOW to ensure your reservation! This workshop is offered on a first come, first served basis.
Science Matters
Science Matters is a great resource for exploring important science topics and discovering engaging activities for students. An educational initiative of The Community Idea Stations, Central Virginia's PBS and NPR stations, Science Matters features excellent STEM resources for students of all levels. This summer the weekly highlights will include hands-on activities and videos from:
Plum Landing - a new PBS Kids web series on Environmental Science for 6-9 year olds. Animated and live action videos explore environmental issues and engage students in discovery and application to their own community.
Design Squad - PBS Kids Engineering web series for middle school students. Check out the "how to" and career videos and engage your students in engineering projects throughout the year.
Hot Jobs - Science Matters' newest series on hot STEM careers will launch this summer. Targeted to upper middle and high school students and their parents.
Question Your World - weekly one minute radio reports produced by the Science Museum of Virginia that will get you and your high school students discussing the hottest science topics.
Requirements for Displaying Wildlife in the Classroom
Pursuant to Senate Bill 1277 from the 2013 Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) has established standards for the possession and display of wildlife by elementary or secondary teachers for educational purposes. According to this regulation, 4VAC14-290-60, elementary and secondary schools must provide the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) with a list of any native or naturalized wildlife species being displayed in the classroom within 48 hours of the animal being placed on display.
For other details concerning this regulation, please consult DGIF’s descriptive fact sheet, Wildlife in the Classroom: What Is Required to Display Wildlife in the Classroom. The required information, which is outlined in the fact sheet, is to be reported in hard copy to Suzie Gilley, wildlife education coordinator, at DGIF using the Elementary & Secondary Wildlife Display Reporting Form, also found on the wildlife agency’s Web site.
If you have additional questions not addressed in the materials cited above, please contact Suzie Gilley, wildlife education coordinator, DGIF, via e-mail at suzie.gilley@dgif.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 367-0188.
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Professional Development for Elementary Teachers
Free Science Equipment
Each session includes instruction by experience, passionate high school physics teachers.Also: Power points, worksheets, activities and equipment to bring back to your classroom! Time will be provided for collaboration and discussion. Content is SOL-aligned. When: August 7 (9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm) & August 8th (9am-12pm)
Where: The Bryan Innovation Lab at The Steward School, Richmond VA
Register by contacting Tom Gallo (tom@scienceoverdrive.org) by June 30, 2014. Space is limited, so apply today!
Math Science Innovation Center
The Center is offering a field study field trip for science educators, grades 3-5 on June 25 and again on June 26. We ask that you help us to promote and get the word out. Details are located on our webpage at http://mymsic.org/en/professional-development/the-shape-of-urban-streams
Additionally, there are still spaces available in both our teacher conferences – Igniting the Wonder: A Conference for K-2 Teachers and Curriculum Specialists and Inquiry in Action: Conference for Secondary Math & Science Teachers and Curriculum Specialists. We would love to fill every seat! We are prepared to host up to 170 teachers and specialists. Currently, there are about 30 seats available in the K-2 conference and about 75 seats available in the 6-12 conference. Registration will remain open a while longer at http://mymsic.org/en/professional-development/wonder (K-2 conference)