Secondary Science Newsletter
January, 2019
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Thanks for all you do, just keep doing your best for that forward progress and let us know how we can help to support your work!
Tiffany Wendland
Coordinator, Secondary Science
BCPS NGSS NEWS
THANK YOU to those teachers who have asked questions about our NGSS 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.
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!
Living Systems –
Decoding Your Future: The original Decoding Your Future, Learning Cycle 3 Summative Assessment used an interactive virtual lab website which has been disabled (not by BCPS!). Therefore, a new Living Systems, Decoding Your Future, Learning Cycle 3 Summative Assessment was developed. This assessment replaces the previous assessment in the curriculum and can be found in Schoology.
It’s All Relative: Minor changes were made to the I Can statements and the Unit Assessment Map. The preassessment for It’s All Relative has also been streamlined. This preassessment replaces the previous preassessment in the curriculum and can be found in Schoology.
Earth Systems –
CoEvolution: The Learning Cycle 2 Summative Assessment has been updated with corrections to the first two questions. These changes can be found in both the SR and TR documents in Schoology.
Climate Change: Changes are currently being made to the Climate Change LC3 Summative Assessment and will be posted in Schoology once they are complete.
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. Updated files will have the most recent "revised" date in the document footer.
For the most up-to-date NGSS news and resources, visit the NGSS website. Also, be sure to join the National Science Teachers Association for great lesson ideas and NGSS updates.
Minions on the Move to/on Mars at the 2019 Middle School STEM Fair
A huge thanks to everyone on the Office of Science team, our challenge facilitators, chaperones, and the Cockeysville staff for their efforts and enthusiasm. We can't wait to see what next year brings. Minions on Mars will be pretty hard to top!
BCPS Represents at NSTA National Harbor
Amy and Becky shared how the curriculum writing team from Baltimore County developed a phenomena-based, spiraled curriculum. They showcased phenomena, described the organization of the new curricula, and shared stories of implementation success and challenges from the field.
Tom and Kim's session provided examples of how to encourage female students to pursue their interests in STEM. In the past two years, Eastern Technical High School has developed a relationship with a local STEAM magnet elementary school. Through this relationship, the students have collaborated on several STEM related activities in the ETHS makerspace. The ETHS students have been wonderful role models for the younger girls. This year, the students will read Hidden Figures, participate in book talks, and discuss the book through a series of pen pal letters. After reading the book, the students will collaborate on a Space inspired Lego robotics activity at the elementary school.
STEM Design Challenges in a Diverse Inclusion Classroom: Kristine Saja, Sparrows Point High School
Kristine shared how she and a colleague at SPHS, Stephanie Whitehead, created two STEM units to meet performance expectations of NGSS and environmental literacy while engaging students in an engineering design challenge. Kristine discussed why problem-based learning (PBL) is good for students, why teachers are generally hesitant to use PBL, and how she and Stephanie worked through some of the challenges of leading an inclusion class through a very student-centered "mini-unit"
Overview of the thermal desalination unit:
Background: establish the need for potable water
Research: Learn the science behind desalination
Engineering design loop and case study of desalination plant
Designing, building, testing and refining the stills
Communicating results
3 BCPS Science Teachers Selected as Northrup Grumman Teacher-Fellows
The Northrop Grumman Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association announced the selection of 28 middle school science, technology, and engineering teachers as 2018-19 Teacher Fellows in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy. Selected from school districts in Northrop Grumman communities across the country, the Teacher Fellows will participate in a variety of science, technology, and engineering-related activities and professional learning opportunities.
The Teacher Fellows were selected on the basis of several criteria, including displaying a strong desire to advance STEM education and apply real-world applications in the classroom. During their fellowship, recipients will:
- Attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in St. Louis, Missouri and pre-conference special events, April 8–14, 2019;
- Participate in a summer five-day workshop at a Northrop Grumman facility in Linthicum, Md., June 23–28, 2019, where they will continue to explore teaching strategies and programs for integrating effective and authentic engineering design practices and workforce skills in their classroom;
- Participate in an immersive, 70-hour externship at a local Northrop Grumman facility, where they will be partnered with an engineer/technologist to observe and experience critical workforce skills in action (July 8–19, 2019);
- Engage in online professional learning through a comprehensive NSTA membership package which offers a variety of web-based professional learning activities, including a specially designated online learning community;
- Develop classroom applications that integrate an authentic and "real-world" application linked to the externship experiences; and
- Access tools/resources to develop strategies to share their learning with colleagues to build capacity within their schools and districts.
A big congratulations to
- Evan Leigh Beatty, Deer Park Middle Magnet School
- James Hemming, Stemmers Run Middle School
- Edralin A. Pagarigan, Golden Ring Middle School
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.
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
Unit 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).
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. A set of released items and sample student responses are available on the MSDE MISA webpage.
For the 2018-19 school year, 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. Students who take the test during the 2019-2020 or beyond will have to pass the test.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Congratulations to Joe Davis and Matt Budinger, Outdoor Education Resource Teachers and Teacher Naturalists, for receiving the Above and Beyond Award at the 2018 Maryland Water Monitoring Council’s (MWMC) Annual Conference on December, 7th. The Above and Beyond Award allows the MWMC to recognize individuals who represent the next generation of Maryland’s water monitors and the future of the MWMC. In recognition of the contributions of an up-and-coming member of the Maryland’s environmental community, the Above and Beyond Award is presented to a member(s) who has volunteered time and energy towards the monitoring of Maryland’s waters and has made a significant contribution to increasing watershed awareness, advocacy, education and stewardship. The council recognizes Joe and Matt’s work with thousands of Maryland children to develop an understanding and stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through outdoor experiences, database contributions, and the expectation for learning to be applied to their local communities.
SAFETY SPACE
From the National Science Teachers Association Safety blog...
After each use, protective eyewear—including indirectly vented, chemical-splash goggles and safety glasses that are shared—must be cleaned after exposure to chemical (e.g., corrosive residue) and physical (e.g., dirt or grime) materials. If exposed to biological material (disease-causing viruses and microbes), they must be sanitized or disinfected.
Eyewear can be sanitized or disinfected with soap, chemicals (i.e., chlorine or alcohol), or UV light. Goggles and straps can be washed in warm water and dishwashing detergent, rinsed thoroughly, and allowed to dry before the next use. Sanitizing uses a mild solution such as 2 teaspoons of bleach per 1 gallon of water. A stronger solution for disinfecting (using ½ tablespoon of bleach per pint of water) is typically recommended to destroy all of the organisms within 10 minutes. Manufacturer recommendations should be consulted before cleaning goggles.
A UV sanitizer uses a minimum of five minutes to kill 99% of the bacteria to sanitize, not disinfect eyewear. To prevent eye damage, a safety mechanism must automatically shut off the UV light source should one of the doors be accidentally opened. Please note that the UV sanitizer does not remove chemicals, dirt, or debris.
Sources:
Appendix A: Regulatory Framework for Disinfectants and Sterilants
On a wall outside Room 130-A at Eastern Technical High School, the Periodic Table of the Elements takes the form of a series of student-created canvases. Each 8"x 8" block represents an element on the periodic table and displays the letters of the symbol and the atomic number. The imagery on each block is explained in an accompanying paper.
The project began more than 5 years ago and is especially significant this year -- The International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements and the 150th anniversary of the discovery of the Periodic System by Dmitri Mendeleev. Visit the blog of Tom Michocki, the school's science department chair, to learn more and see more images..
WHAT'S TWEETING?
RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
Happy New Year and Happy 75th Birthday to NSTA! Membership in NSTA is one of the best professional development investments you can make. Join 50,000 dedicated teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, and business and industry representatives committed to science education. Consider joining this professional organization as one of your New Year's resolutions. Help NSTA promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all!
As an NSTA member, you'll receive:
- The award-winning NSTA journal of your choice;
- NSTA Reports, our quick-read newspaper delivered 9 times a year;
- Access to our vibrant email lists, encompassing 20 topic areas;
- Admission to the NSTA Learning Center and other online professional learning resources;
- Access to more than 200 other products and services.
NSTA offers eight membership categories, gift memberships, and special multijournal and multiyear discount plans. Learn more Join Now
Attention preservice and new teachers: Learn how you can save $10 off your NSTA membership.
For teachers and students
$39 - $79 Per Year
View Detailed Benefits
Institutional Membership For Libraries and Schools
$99.00 Annually
View Detailed Benefits
MAST Professional Learning Survey
Tell all your science teacher friends and colleagues!
SCIENCE FOR STUDENTS
Summer Camp at the CERDEC, Aberdeen Proving Ground
The CERDEC Math and Science Summer Camp is a one-week introductory STEM program providing students with hands-on learning in science and engineering, featuring topics such as circuits, sensors, robotics, and flight & rocketry. (Grades 5-10). The program, which is designed by CERDEC outreach and taught by licensed Harford County Public Schools teachers, is intended as a gateway program for those students without a strong pre-existing interest in STEM. The goal of the program is to provide students with a interactive experience that will introduce them to STEM concepts in a low-stress, open environment.
The CERDEC Math and Science Camp is designated as a camp in “good standing” by the license board of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).
Camp applications will be available on February 4, 2019 promptly at 10:00 AM. Students are accepted on a strict first come, first served basis, with priority placement given to children of current Military members. Spaces fill quickly, often within minutes of applications becoming available. Please check back in January for further instructions on the 2019 application process.
2019 Johns Hopkins Summer Programs for Talented Youth
Information about the 2019 Science Courses is available via the links below.
National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia - Apply by February 28 (Current Seniors)
Apply to attend the National Youth Science Camp –
- The deadline to apply to attend the 2019 NYSCamp is February 28, 2019.
- 2019 NYSCamp Start Date: June 27, 2019
- 2019 NYSCamp End Date: July 20, 2019
State Selection Coordinators
World of 7 Billion Video Contest - Entries due February 28
All videos must include:
a) how population growth impacts the issue
b) at least one idea for a sustainable solution.
Students should consider narrowing their focus by concentrating on a subtheme within their topic. Possible subthemes include:
- Preserving Biodiversity – Habitat destruction/fragmentation, ecosystem diversity, coral reefs, deforestation, pollinators, extinction, invasive species
- Sustainable Resource Use – Energy, fossil fuel use, single-use products, diet, overfishing, global inequities in consumption
- Protecting Human Rights – Poverty, barriers to education, women and girls, forced migration, environmental/social justice, economic security
2018 First Place Chemathon: Towson HS
Our favorite MC, Mr. Shaw
2018 First Place Physics Olympics: Towson HS
2019 Physics Olympics and Chemathon
Teacher-Chaperones and Challenge Facilitators need to register for the event. IF the hperlinks below do not work, please register through the Professional Learning tile in BCPSOne. The offerings are in the Meetings - Registration Catalog.
Teacher-Chaperones registration
Challenge Facilitators registration
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 is now open. The deadline to submit an essay 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), 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.
Friday, Mar 2, 2018, 03:00 PM
Towson University, West Village Commons, Emerson Drive, Towson, MD, USA
JHU APL STEM Girl Power - March 10, 2019 (Middle School)
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physic Lab hosts Girl Power, a STEM expo for elementary and middle school students, with support from the Maryland Space Business Roundtable. The annual event features hands-on activities, cool demonstrations, and take-home material for the students to encourage an interest in STEM careers. Visitors have the opportunity to talk to professional women in STEM careers such as aerospace, computer science, electrical engineering, geology, information technology, and space mission engineering.
Girl Power is free, and no registration is required. Girl Power is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at the Kossiakoff Center on the JHU APL campus.There is no snow date for this event.
USA Science & Engineering Festival's X-STEM Symposium
Advanced registration is required. Click here for additional information and to register.
HS EcoBlitz Challenge - Register today!
The 2019 BCPS EcoBlitz will take place on Tuesday April 2, 2019 from approximately 10am to 1pm at Camp Puh’tok. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is scheduled for Thursday April 4, 2019. At this year’s event, teams of students will analyze three different sites including upland forest, ecotone, meadow, pond, and stream ecosystems with the focus on enhancing and protecting wildlife habitats to promote biodiversity on school grounds and backyards. At each station, students will identify the current state of the area, make observations and analyze data, identify possible restoration goals, and implement a restoration goal. The driving question of the event is how is protecting biodiversity important to maintaining ecosystem stability and resiliency to disturbances in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?
If the hyperlink doesn't work or you receive an error, please access the registration system through the Professional Learning tile of BCPSOne. The offering is titled Secondary STEM Fair EcoBlitz 2019 and is available in the Workshops - Registration catalog.
Please direct questions to Matt Budinger at mbudinger@bcps.org.
Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council Scholarships
Each year the ORNC Council awards scholarships to college-bound high school seniors from Baltimore County and City. Recipients should show a high level of commitment to the health of the environment and plan to continue their studies in environmental science and nature education. Our goal is to support two or three scholarships up to $5,000 each!
If you know a high school senior who may be eligible for the scholarship, please have the student call the Oregon Ridge Nature Center for an application form at 410-887-1815 or download an application here. Applications should be postmarked no later than April 5th.
We hope you will help by giving generously to the Scholarship Fund. To make a tax-deductible donation, checks should be made payable to the ORNC Council, specifying on the note line “Scholarship Fund” and sent to:
Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council
13555 Beaver Dam Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
To donate on-line click here.
The names of all donors will be published, so if you would like to make a gift in another’s name, please specify the donor’s name as it should appear on the list.
Thank You for Helping Us Educate Future Environmentalists!
10th Annual Easy as Pi STEM Event (7th and 8th Graders): Input needed on date
The Society of American Military Engineers – Baltimore Post is holding the 10th Annual Easy As Pi STEM event for Maryland 7th and 8th graders. The event , which typically runs from 9 am – 3 pm, will take place during the Spring at the Engineers Club in downtown Baltimore. During the event, the students are broken into small groups at attend different STEM. Last year, almost 100 students from across Maryland attended the event. The number of students per school is based on the number of schools that are interested; in the past, it has been roughly 12-13 students per school.
If your school is interested in attending, please provide Ms. O'Donnell (contact info below) with dates that work for you in April/May 2019. If you could send at least 5 available dates, she will use this information to select a date that matches up for the most schools. Spring break and testing dates are also helpful so she can identify dates that do not work.
Laura O’Donnell
Technical Leader I
AECOM Environment
(410) 637-1745
Genes in Space Contest
Calling all students in grades 7 through 12! Have you ever wondered about how astronauts might survive a deep-space mission or how we might use biology to transform new worlds? If so, Genes in Space is for you!
Genes in Space is a science contest that challenges students to design original DNA experiments that address real-life challenges and opportunities of space exploration. The winning experiment is conducted by astronauts on the International Space Station! The contest is free, and does not require equipment. Proposals will be judged solely on their creative and scientific merit.
Who can participate?
- You must live in the USA and be in grades 7-12
- You can work alone or in a team of up to 4 students
- You must be available to present at the 2019 ISS R&D Conference in Atlanta, July 29 - August 1 (funding for travel provided)
Students are encouraged to seek mentorship from a teacher, parent, or another science enthusiast.
Vist the Genes in Space website for experiment ideas, scoring and application information as well as resources for teachers and students.
Genes in SpaceTM started in 2015 as a collaboration between Boeing and miniPCR with the goal of inspiring young minds to solve real-world problems in the biological and physical sciences. Before we knew it, generous sponsors (CASIS, Math for America, and New England Biolabs) joined us to support, enable, and grow this unique program.
We’ve now received hundreds of inspiring student-led proposals. Genes in Space enabled the first DNA amplification experiment in space, designed by high school student Anna-Sophia Boguraev. Genes in Space contestants have enabled other outstanding space biology milestones since then.
We celebrate creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking among young innovators by renewing the challenge every year. Thank you for joining us in this exciting journey!
RiverXChange High-Tech Pen Pal Opportunity (6th Graders)
Upper elementary classes near Albuquerque, New Mexico, are looking for partners to exchange information about rivers and their watersheds! RiverXchange is a FREE year-long program focused on communication between classes around the world about water resources issues. Their hands-on lessons explore rivers, watersheds, stormwater, municipal water supplies, ecology, and conservation.
Students communicate 4 times throughout the school year on a private website. RiverXChange staff provide training and support to ensure a safe and successful experience. Through writing and creative sharing about rivers, the program integrates science with language arts, social studies, and 21st-Century learning skills, all correlated to Common Core Language Arts Standards!
Check out the public RiverXChange website for more information and to access the registration form. For questions, please contact Jenny Llyod-Strovas at lloydstrovas@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
New Teacher Workshop
Tuesday, Feb 5, 2019, 04:00 PM
Loch Raven Technical Academy, Lasalle Road, Towson, MD, USA
Oh the Places You'll Go With STEM Speaker Series - February 28
Sponsored by the Notre Dame of Maryland University's School of Education, the Spring Speaker Series promises an engaging evening focused on STEM education. This year NDMU welcomes Danielle Feinberg, Director of Photography for Lighting at Pixar Animation Studios, and Emily Calandrelli, producer and an Emmy nominated host of FOX's “Xploration Outer Space”.
February 28, 7:00 to 9:30 pm, LeClerc Auditorium
The event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
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.
Please note: The March 6th 12:30 to 2:30 Living Systems section has already been canceled. We are considering offering a webex in lieu of the 3:30 to 5:30pm face-to-face PL. We'll email Department Chairs and Living Systems teachers with an update soon.
2019 Summer Curriculum Writing
The Office of Science will have another very busy summer writing and revising our NGSS curricula. Workshop titles and dates are provided above. Participants in the Middle School and High School Assessment and Differentiation workshops will identify resources and develop assessments to support our various student groups including Special Education, ELL, and Advanced Academic.A primary goal for the NGSS Physics workshop is selecting/developing problem or phenomenon-based scenarios that will drive instruction during the course, similar to the Culminating Events in our Earth Systems and Living Systems Courses.
BCPS summer program employment applications opened Friday, January 18, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. and will close 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2019. Application information was posted in the January 18th Weekly Bulletin, item #944. All curriculum writing will take place at Parkville High School.
For information about the Science Curriculum Writing Workshops, please email Julie jdamico@bcps.org
Spring Migration Birding Course
This continuing education course is being offered by CCBC. One classroom session and six instructional bird hikes will sharpen your birding skills. Get outside and observe “bird traffic” during Spring migration as you team up with other birders of various skill levels. Use binoculars and scopes to observe birds up close. Field guides and cell phone apps will enable you to identify birds. Each hike will focus on a birding skill. You will keep a life list of the birds observed. 2019 schedule and additional information Price savings! Website lists tuition at $159. Catalog books lists $109. You will be charged lower price.
Register for the course by phone: 443-840-4700
Course Title: Watching Birds During Migration
Course #: FIT 054
CRN: 3941
Save the Date(s)! 2019 Summer Institutes
For information about the institutes, please email Julie jdamico@bcps.org
OSPREY BANDING
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