DPS Secondary Science News
February 15-19, 2016
And snow begins another week...
Sorry, couldn't resist the pun.
A big shout out this week to the team at Hillside that hosted the Central Region 3A NC Science and Engineering Fair this weekend! Among the DPS science teachers that helped make the day a big success: Barrington Ross, Diane Johnson, Robert Patchus, Christine Amihere, Carolyn Snipes, and Joe Davis. Good work, team!
And, thanks also to Vance Kite at CMA who shared his experience with the SEPUP program with biology teachers on Friday.
This week: I will be at Northern, Riverside, Carrington, Rogers Herr, Lowe's Grove, and Southern. The Science Chair meeting is on Tuesday from 4-5:30 at Riverside High School.
Region 3A NC Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday
Project: Celestial Motion
School: Jordan High School
Anchor chart in biology
School: Riverside
Sell that Organelle
School: Southern High School
Linda Tugurian
Email: linda.tugurian@dpsnc.net
Website: http://central.dpsnc.net/science-secondary
Phone: 919-560-2647
Twitter: @dps612science
Upcoming Events
- February 16, 4-5:30: Secondary Science Chair Meeting @ Riverside High School, room 124. POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY 16, 4-5:30.
- February 15, Project INSPIRES, It's Your Water workshop (sign up in True North Logic) POSTPONED due to inclement weather
- February 24, Early Release Day Secondary Science Workshops (sign up in True North Logic): Genetic Evidence for Evolution, Fossil Fuel Consumption in the Ecosystem, Plants in the Ecosystem, STEM in the Classroom (Carolina Hurricanes' Hockey Scholar), GIZMOS Pilot Project Kick-off
Quick News
- DPS Out of the Box on the February 24 Early Release Day offers lots of options for Secondary Science Teachers! Look for these options: Genetic Evidence for Evolution @ Riverside, Fossil Fuel Consumption in the Ecosystem @ DSA, Plants in the Ecosystem @ The DPS Hub Farm, STEM in the Classroom (Carolina Hurricanes' Hockey Scholar) @ Githens, GIZMOS Pilot Project Kick-off @ SCS. Sign up in True-North Logic.
The Secondary Science Resource Review is winding down. Make sure you've conveyed your feedback to your school's representative on the Secondary Science Resource Committee. Electronic resources are available for your review at:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzMODhERQCTzMkdRR3cyclJXckE
- Looking for current science news articles your students can read? Check out: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RtCxUaEYbHZiMmLof8NDlx54QHdC1tInQgjOLbp_CBA
- Making purchases? Check out the discounts: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzMODhERQCTzX3pPTzZQTFNma3c
DPS Science Teachers and Partners Share
Step Up to STEM is an innovative interdisciplinary academic program that uses exciting real-world subjects to challenge rising 9th graders from underrepresented populations across North Carolina and build their skills in science, math, and communications. During the program's residential summer institute, students live and learn on the historic campus of North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, where they have the opportunity to take advantage of the many unique enrichment activities available throughout the Triangle area. The program is open by application to African American, Hispanic American, and Native American 8th graders who live in North Carolina. For more info, go to : http://www.ncssm.edu/stepup
Science partner US 2020 shares this special opportunity
“Spring into STEM - The Spirit of Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” March 12, 2016
The WIB-RTP Young Women In Bio presents our first annual “Spring into STEM: The Spirit of Innovation and Entrepreneurship” event. On Saturday, March 12, 2016, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., young women in 6th-12th grade will meet an amazing group of leaders in the biotech and bioscience industry. This event will begin with an informative speaker session where attendees can hear from female executives and entrepreneurs who are leaders in their field. These short talks will be followed by breaking up into smaller groups to complete hands-on STEM related activities. We will finish up with lunch and informal networking. Advanced registration is required for this event; walk-ins will not be accepted. We welcome parents to drop/pickup their children in the lobby, but the event will be open to young women only. Dress is casual.
Learn more and register for this event.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST
Registration Deadline: March 11, 2016
Jonathan Frederick of the NC Science Festival shares this opportunity:
GAINS Conference 2016
Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
April 3-5, 2016
The GAINS Conference is a place where high school girls can:
· Explore STEM careers
· Meet STEM mentors and role models
· Connect with peers who are also interested in STEM
· Tour the amazing STEM facilities at Duke and UNC!
· Hear about cutting-edge research being conducted by women in STEM.
Greenwich Academy and its strategic partners are committed to making the GAINS Conference accessible to as many students as possible. Financial Assistance is available for students in need, and information about FA will be available upon registration. More information and the registration link for The GAINS Network Conference can be found here. Space is limited so register early! Lastly, registration for the GAINS Conference is SCHOOL BASED, and students must be registered by teachers / administrators.
Summer Science for Teachers
Educators of Excellence Institutes
Educators of Excellence Application Form 2016
Applications are due Monday, March 7, 2016
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK INSTITUTE
Dates: June 15-23, 2016 with an orientation at the Museum on Saturday, April 16, and an evaluation meeting on Saturday, November 5.
Location: Yellowstone National Park, WY and MT
Participating educators will study and experience the wonders of the world’s first national park. Join us from sunrise to sunset as we observe the incredible wildlife including bears, bison, wolves and elk. Learn about the area’s unique geothermal features and enjoy the magnificent scenery as we hike trails throughout the park. The daily program will include field experiences, opportunities to meet with park staff and local experts to discuss resource management issues, and activities to help bring these experiences into the classroom. Discover strategies for exploring the connections between Yellowstone and North Carolina (wolf and elk reintroduction, fire ecology, resource management issues in the parks, and much more).
TROPICAL ECOLOGY INSTITUTE
Dates: July 19-27, 2016, an orientation at the Museum on Saturday, April 30 and an evaluation meeting on Saturday, November 5.
Location: Belize, Central America and Raleigh, NC
Participants will experience several tropical habitats, including coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and rain forests. The daily program will include practical field experiences, basic biological information, and easily duplicated techniques for teaching natural sciences. This program is designed to give educators a direct experience with environments and concepts that are part of the classroom curriculum. Participants will spend time at a Belizean school interacting with teachers and students.
EPA’s Air Quality Workshop is FREE!
Date: July 12 - 13, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: EPA/RTP Campus located in Durham
Website: www.airnow.gov/teachers
To Register: Contact Donna Rogers at rogers.donna@epa.gov
TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES:
• Learn how EPA manages air quality in the U.S. and a report on North Carolina’s air quality
• Identify environmental health effects and risks
• Learn about EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program for Schools
• Tour EPA’s Green Building
BENEFITS:
• Learn EPA’s role in environmental research and management
• Experience interactive hands-on activities designed for classroom use
• Receive curricula, pamphlets, brochures, and fact sheets
Interested in Modeling? NC State offers workshops for secondary science teachers that several DPS teachers have taken and thought were great. Check them out at: https://sciencehouse.ncsu.edu/programs/modeling/
Interested in the Sustainable Forestry Teachers’ Experience? Find details at: https://www.ncforestry.org/sfi-sustainable-forestry-cee-experience-for-teachers/ The cost is only $50. The NCFA and its partners pay for all food, lodging, and transportation once at the workshop. We also pay for a fun activities at each workshop for the teachers. Educators receive 18 CEU credits for attending and take back a wealth of knowledge to share with their students. Our application period closes on April 15th, 2016. Questions? Contact: Eddie Reese, 919-834-3943, 1-800-231-7723, ereese@ncforestry.org
Summer Science for Students
Horticultural Science Summer Institute, July 10-15, 2016
The Horticultural Science Summer Institute will be July 10-15, 2016 and is sponsored by North Carolina State University and North Carolina Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Program with the Department of Horticultural Science. High school-aged youth (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors) are invited to apply to a weeklong, residential horticultural experience on the campus of NC State University. The cost of the institute will be $550 with a $150 deposit due upon application acceptance. All lodging, workshop materials and field trips and most meals are provided. Scholarships may be available. Applications are due Friday, April 15th and notification of acceptance will follow shortly thereafter. Please contact Liz Driscoll at liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu or 919.513.7346/ 919.886.3424 with any questions or comments.
Youth should apply here by Friday, April 15th. For more information visit the HSSI webpage.
The 2016 Environmental Science Summer Program at Duke is now accepting applications. Please share this opportunity with rising Sophomores and Juniors in the Triangle Area. Please share this link with students: sites.nicholas.duke.edu/essp
The Duke BOOST program is accepting applications from middle school students (as participants) and high school students (as leaders). MANY, many DPS students have benefitted from participation in this amazing program. Check it out at: https://sites.duke.edu/boost/apply/
Science Resources
As part of our science resource review, we have a FREE Trial of Discovery Education Science Techbook! Check it out and let me know what you think!
User name: ncstbteacher
Password: discovery
Eco-Comedy Video Competition Call for Entries
The Nature Conservancy and the American University Center for Environmental Filmmaking are partnering for the 2016 Eco-Comedy Video Competition. The theme for this year is "Clean Water."
Contestants must produce a short, humorous video tackling this year's theme. “Connect the drops” between clean water and life. The contest is open to anyone worldwide who has a flair for producing videos and something to say about conservation.
Submissions must be submitted by 11:59pm Eastern Time Zone on Tuesday, March 1st, 2016.
Visit the competition website for more information.
The NC Science Festival is now recruiting school, after school and club teams to represent the Triangle at the Games! If you would like more information, including details on our race sponsorship program, which includes a travel stipend and engineering professional mentorship, please contact Marissa Hartzler, Statewide Programs Coordinator at hartzler@unc.edu or 919-962-3274.
School Year PD for Science Teachers
NC Museum of Natural Sciences EDUCATOR TREKS
Teacher Make & Take: Gel Eletrophoresis
March 3, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Using your school grounds: Spring - and paddling!
March 12, 9:00am - 5:00pm
NCCAT: Exploring Literacy Through Sciences and History
April 5-8, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Water Quality Workshop, Eno River State Park, April 16, 2016, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join veteran educators Holly Denham, Laura Webb Smith, and Liz Stabenow for a hands-on, feet-wet, workshop. Who should come? Educators, volunteers, and anyone who wants to take others into the creek for education and/or citizen science. You’ll learn about chemical, physical, and biological water quality parameters, including benthic macroinvertebrates. Workshop is free; however, deposit is required. To register, send a $10 check made out to Eno River Association to Holly Denham, Division of Water Resources, NC Department of Environmental Quality, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611. For more information, contact Holly at 919-707-9009 orholly.denham@ncdenr.gov
Science in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Spring in the Smoky Mountains
April 29 -May 1, 2016 at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is world-renowned for its diversity of wildflowers and salamanders. Explore cove forests and stream-side habitats for salamanders as well as the blooms of spring. http://naturalsciences.org/calendar/event/spring-in-the-mountains/
Science in the News
Gravitational Waves Detected, Confirming Einstein’s Theory
BY DENNIS OVERBYE
Scientists say they heard the faint chirp of two black holes colliding a billion light-years away, fulfilling Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
Experts Study Zika’s Path From First Outbreak in Pacific
BY AUSTIN RAMZY
The virus, which has been around in Asia for decades, first hit hard on Yap Island, and spread across the Pacific, with a huge outbreak now in Brazil.
Hoping to Lead Great Lakes Lampreys to Demise by the Nose
BY RACHEL NUWER
Scientists are looking to pheromones to trick the parasites into voluntarily corralling themselves in designated areas, to be trapped or poisoned.
Two-Thirds of the World Faces Severe Water Shortages
BY NICHOLAS ST. FLEUR
The scarcity can lead to crop failure and low crop yields, which could cause food price increases, famine and widespread starvation.
New Ways Into the Brain’s ‘Music Room’
BY NATALIE ANGIER
M.I.T. researchers have devised a radical approach to brain imaging that reveals what past studies missed about neural responses to music.
Science Teachers’ Grasp of Climate Change Is Found Lacking
BY JOHN SCHWARTZ
A survey of 1,500 teachers in the United States found that on average they spend just one to two hours on average over the course of an academic year.
A Parasite, Leopards, and a Primate’s Fear and Survival
BY CARL ZIMMER
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii may affect the behavior of chimpanzees — and possibly other primates — toward a natural predator, a study finds.