Secondary Science Newsletter
September, 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Welcome to our Office of Science Secondary Science Newsletter! We'll be publishing a monthly newsletter to keep you up-to-date on all things "Secondary Science" including curriculum progress, NGSS resources, professional learning opportunities, and spotlighting the awesome science teaching and learning happening throughout BCPS. We hope that our newsletter will be a resource for you. Be sure to give us feedback on other features or information you would like us to include! Feel free to forward this newsletter to your colleagues we might have missed as well as members of your Administrative Team.
We hope that you're having a fabulous start to 2016-2017!
The Secondary Science Team
NGSS NEWS
Next Fall, BCPS will fully implement two of its NGSS Science Courses: NGSS Grade 6 and Earth Systems. The NGSS OneNote contains resources about the NGSS as well as lesson planning ideas to support our transition to NGSS science teaching and learning. For lesson development suggestions, click on the "Lesson Planning Resources" tab and then the "Transitioning to NGSS Resources" page within the NGSS OneNote.
All NGSS Curriculum documents (at least what we have so far!) are accessible via the LMS in BCPSOne.
Middle School Teachers: The NGSS Grade 6 curriculum is available for field testing. We appreciate your feedback, which can be provided via the Grade 6 OneNote
High School Teachers: We need Earth Space and Environmental Science teachers to field test Earth Systems Units, including Culminating Events and Learning Cycles. You can give us your feedback via the Earth Systems Field Test OneNote.
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) Culminating Events and Learning Cycles are also available for field-testing as are Culminating Events for Living Systems. Thanks for providing your feedback on IPC curriculum components through the IPC OneNote.
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.
Middle School Science Course Roll Out
High School Science Course Roll Out
BCPS NGSS Course Sequence
TEACHER FEATURE
Tom Blumenauer is in his 10th year of teaching and 4th as the Science Department Chair at Owings Mills High School. This school year he is teaching AP Biology, Freshmen Seminar, and Biology for English Language Learners. OMHS's population has grown to 1026 students, 300 of which are enrolled in the ESOL Program. OMHS was one of three schools selected to be a Lighthouse High School in 2016-2017.
OoS: Please describe what we'll see in the video.
TB: During this particular class we were working through small groups reviewing weaknesses from the quiz they took the prior day. Based upon the results of the quiz, a small group that I worked with up front was still struggling with Hardy-Weinberg problems. The majority of the students struggled on the verbiage of the questions or the historical references. One student excelled on the quiz so she went onto BCPSOne and read an article on the evolution of spider monkeys and answered some questions about the reading.
All assignments were sent out via lesson tiles in BCPSOne with the exception of the remediation assignment for the group that struggled with historical references.
Group 1: Watched a video by Bozeman that walked them through Hardy-Weinberg and answered questions throughout. I walked through problem 1 on the assignment form with them and any additional problems as needed. Students then moved to the historical references Prezi or onto the reading based upon their quiz results.
Group 2: These students were successful on Hardy-Weinberg but struggled with the historical references and basic evolution terminology. They went through an interactive Prezi that included questions, videos, and notes to review the weaknesses. Once complete, they worked on an assignment that gave scenarios that they would then have to match terminology to and explain why.
Group 3: Article and questions on spider monkey evolution
In order for a student to retest they would need to complete the remediation assignment then meet with me to review after school. Once both are done they can retest.
OoS: What is most exciting about using the devices?
TB: Opportunity! There is such a large quantity of quality resources that we haven’t been able to tap into until now. The devices aren’t designed to take over teaching but allow students to explore different approaches to learning. Devices also allow us to continue educating while remediating other students.
OoS: What has been the biggest challenge incorporating the devices into (your) classroom instruction?
TB: Distractions. Our students are very smart. While they are excited about all the access to technology they now have, they still don’t have a complete grasp of the basics of how to best access resources in the LMS. When they get frustrated they find ways to distract themselves to procrastinate.
OoS: How does the use of the devices support the vision of NGSS?
TB: NGSS is all about student choice in how they learn and letting them figure it out. The devices provide an additional resource to guide their learning. Teachers become facilitators and gain the opportunity to have higher level conversations with more students.
Model 4
Model 5
Need a hint?
SAFETY SPACE
WHAT'S TWEETING?
RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
Please contact us if you have questions about our Vernier resources or would like additional training. jdamico@bcps.org
www.vernier.com also has a variety of resources and fabulous customer support.
SCIENCE FOR STUDENTS
The National Aquarium is currently recruiting for its Aquarium on Wheels program, an afterschool, high school work-study program at the National Aquarium. Interested Baltimore City or County high school students can find more information and the online application at this link: http://www.aqua.org/learn/student-programs/aquarium-on-wheels . Applications are due by September 28th! Once a student applies, an email with a special link for their teacher gets sent to the teacher email they provide for a teacher recommendation and this all needs to be completed by September 28th so the earlier they complete the application the better!
General Student Requirements
- Must attend a Baltimore City or Baltimore County school.
- Must be in grades 9-12, at the time of participation.
- Must be available to work during afterschool sessions without other afterschool obligations greater than the equivalent of one school sport season.
- Must meet legal employment eligibility regulations, and be at least 14 years of age by the first day of work (tentatively set for November 2, 2016).
- Must have an email account and access to check emails regularly.
- Must have an email address for their parent/guardian and their current or last year’s science teacher.
- Must follow the complete online application process at http://www.aqua.org/learn/student-programs/aquarium-on-wheels
If you have any questions, please contact Maria at AOW@aqua.org .
PROPOSALS FOR INNOVATIVE LEARNING FUNDS
The Office of Innovative Learning Projects is accepting proposals from all middle and high schools to provide students with experiential STEAM learning opportunities including, but not limited to, computer science (coding, programming) and Makerspaces. Funds can be allocated for instructional materials, staffing, remediation programs, professional learning, field trips, and relevant contractual services to provide enhanced opportunities for authentic curricular experiences. Programming can be held before, during, or after school. Schools can apply for funds up to $15,000.
To apply for these funds, principals must complete a proposal form and return to David Robb, drobb@bcps.org, by October 7, 2016. See Item 251 from the September 9, 2016 Weekly Bulletin. https://intranet.bcps.org/superintendent/bulletin/2016/0909/Bulletin090916.pdf
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
David Robb, Supervisor 443-809-6692
Physics vs. Chemistry Magic Show
For more information, please contact Renee Watkins (rwatkins@towson.edu)
Saturday, Oct 1, 2016, 10:00 AM
Towson University, Smith Hall York Road, Towson, MD, United States
Middle School Girls Only STEM Day
Download the Consent form and get more information at www.usna.edu/STEM. For more information, email usnastem@usna.edu or call 410-293-6534.
Saturday, Oct 15, 2016, 07:30 AM
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD, United States
LEAD THE WAY!!
Interested participants must register for the five sessions by logging into BCPS One at https://bcpsone.bcps.org, selecting the Professional Learning tile, and then selecting the Registration System tile. The offering is titled Leadership Development for Prospective Department Chairs Orientation and Training – Fall 2016 and can be found in the Workshops –Registration catalog.
The four secondary content area sessions will be held at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
Thursday, September 22, 2016 – all content areas except math, which is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Thursday, October 13, 2016 – all content areas
Thursday, November 17, 2016 – all content areas except music/dance, which is scheduled on Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016 – all content areas
The final fifth session will be offered in January and will also require online registration. This final session will be conducted by human resource officers from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Kimberly McMenamin, Coordinator 443-809-6493.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NGSS Grade 6 Workshop
This workshop is specifically designed for 6th grade teachers. The focus of the workshop is becoming more familiar with the new curriculum, specifically Unit 2: Forces and Motion, which should be the next unit in the sequence. We will be meeting in the Library. This is a paid workshop ($30.26/hour).
Registration Link: https://registration.bcps.org/Event.aspx?Event_DetailID=20408
If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Amy Hughes at ahughes@bcps.org.
Wednesday, Sep 28, 2016, 04:00 PM
Ridgely Middle School, East Ridgely Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, United States
Generation Beyond FREE Virtual Field Trip (Sponsored by Discovery Education)
Asteroids can provide new information about the history of the sun and the planets in our solar system. The OSIRIS-REx mission, launched earlier this month, will return the first sample of asteroid Bennu to Earth in 2023. Join us on October 4th to meet key team members, like mechanical design engineer Katie Cardon, and learn how their STEM passions inspired them to seek answers to the big questions!
Additional Event Details and Registration Form
Submit your questions here to be answered during the LIVE event.
Tuesday, Oct 4, 2016, 01:00 PM
Your Classroom!
Virtual Field Trip: Explore Sustainability at Hertzfield Poultry Farm
Your students will explore their own ecological footprint and consider practical ways to reduce it. The first 25 classes to submit their findings will receive a resource pack to be used during our live, hands-on activity! Submit your class feedback here.
Thursday, Oct 13, 2016, 01:00 PM
Your Classroom!
Teachers' Night on the Farm
The AG Center in Hunt Valley is hosting Teachers' Night on the Farm October 20, from 4 to 6:30 pm. Guaranteed fun, giveaways, treats (including local farm fresh food and Maryland wines), and our own BCPS teachers sharing their edible gardening projects. Come early and pick your won popcorn and ornamental corn!
Registration is appreciated so that vendors can estimate the number of giveaways.
Thursday, Oct 20, 2016, 04:00 PM
Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park, 1114 Shawan Rd, Cockeysville, MD
Maryland Association of Science Teachers (MAST) Conference
Go to www.emast.org for a Conference Schedule and Registration Form.
Save $25 if you register by October 7!
Friday, Oct 21, 2016, 08:00 AM
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, United States
Save the Date! National Association of Science Teachers Regional Conference
Submit a Presentation Proposal! NSTA Baltimore 2017 Session Submission
We're doing fantastic stuff in BCPS and should share it with our non-BCPS science colleagues! Proposals are due January 17, 2017.
If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please email Julie Damico at jdamico@bcps.org
Thursday, Oct 5, 2017, 08:00 AM
The Baltimore Convention Center, West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD, United States
Save the Date! Middle School STEM Fair
Saturday, Nov 12, 2016, 08:00 AM
Cockeysville Middle School, Greenside Drive, Cockeysville, MD, United States
Save the Date! New Teacher Induction Workshop
Wednesday, Nov 9, 2016, 04:00 PM
Loch Raven High School, Cowpens Avenue, Towson, MD, United States
Save the Date! New Teacher Induction Workshop
Thursday, Feb 9, 2017, 04:00 PM
Loch Raven High School, Cowpens Avenue, Towson, MD, United States
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