SCIENCE/STEM NEWSLETTER
March, 2020
Chemistry Workshop and Earth and Space Science Standards
The standards we focused on were HS-ESS1-1, HS-ESS1-2, HS-ESS1-3, HS-ESS1-6, HS-PS1-8, HS-PS4-1, HS-PS4-3 and HS-PS4-4. There is overlap with physics but when we meet, one of the items we will need to discuss is spiraling this content. As we looked through the evidence statements, it becomes more apparent what goes towards chemistry and what is more physics. To be honest, a lot of the content can be interpreted in a different manner for chemistry and physics.
In the workshop, we were able to go through the Big Bang Theory and come up with some activities/phenomena for items that branched out of it. As you can imagine, we could only do so much in the time we had, so this work will continue during our next meeting on May 27th.
If you would like to join us, we welcome your input. I feel like we are making some headway with this being that we now have a plan in place. The more people collaborating on this, the better.
Here is the link to sign up:
https://catalog.geneseeisd.org/catalog/eventdetails/697
A big thanks to Dr. Zach Constan who joined us virtually to help with some of that content and answer questions.
(If you are not familiar with the picture in the upper right, take a look at https://www.spacetelescope.org/science/deep_fields/ )
NGSX Training
It has been some time since this training has been offered locally. If you have not attended a NGSX Conference yet, it is highly recommended that you do so.
Modeling Training
https://www.mimodelinginstruction.org/workshops.html
If the date is listed as TBD, click on the link. Some of the dates will show up on the corresponding page.
If you are on the fence about being a part of this, please read the following:
Our past works (46!) have all received rave reviews from participants. Our Pre-Post- surveys of teacher practice suggest that workshops on Modeling Instruction are deeply inspirational, impacting their commitment to the teaching profession, confidence supporting the kind of student centered science investigation and sense making called for by the NGSS vision, and success facilitating substantive model based reasoning and academically productive classroom discourse. A student survey we administered produced findings that in comparison to other students, those in science classrooms using Modeling Instruction liked and valued their science education and believed they could succeed in STEM related careers, should they choose to pursue such careers. They also indicated they were gaining much more experience with the Science and Engineering Practices and Cross Cutting Concepts of our NGSS-based standards.
Information about graduate credits, stipends, SCECH's etc are in the flyer below. (right click, open in new tab to make the flyer bigger if it is difficult to read)
IceCube Masterclass at Michigan State University
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is located at the South Pole. This one day master class at MSU allows students to work with a physicist on data gathered at the IceCube.
I have had three students attend this masterclass in the past and they raved about it.
It is an amazing opportunity for your students.
If you do have a student or students interested in nuclear physics/chemistry and the beginning of the universe or what happens in exploding stars, this may be the experience that starts them down a career path. Keep in mind that one of the best nuclear physics/nuclear chemistry graduate schools is located at Michigan State.
A big thanks to Jeffrey Donenfeld who has kindly allowed the use of his pictures below.
As you can see from Jeffrey's pictures, the researchers work in extreme conditions. Your students have the opportunity to be a part of this project.
Dr. Kopper letter regarding the IceCube MasterClass....
Dear all,
I am pleased to announce that we have just opened registration for the 2020 IceCube MasterClass, held here at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 from 9:00am-5:00pm.
The MasterClass is a one-day activity where high school students join a research lab. Students participate in a guided analysis of real data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, located in Antarctica at the South Pole. They meet and talk with young researchers and learn about science careers. The main goal is to show to the students that they can be a researcher, if they want to.
Registration is free but mandatory, and we usually fill up pretty fast. Students can register as individuals or in small groups, but registration is always done through a teacher. Teachers are invited to join us during the MasterClass but are not required to.
Registration is available at this link: https://forms.gle/gLNgqcp9aTGHukaa8
Find more information, please visit our MasterClass site:
https://masterclass.icecube.wisc.edu/
A poster can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jhf87MKYMyOHqvXKDzQEp_dhbaAX0Z6V/view?usp=sharing
Thank you,
Claudio Kopper
Associate Professor
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE)
Michigan State University
567 Wilson Rd, Room 3231
East Lansing MI 48824
United States
phone: +1 (517) 884-5567
Dates for all Science Professional Development/Workshops for the rest of the 2019-2020 School Year
https://www.smore.com/gnu37-2020-science-workshops-conferences
STEM Scholars Program at Mott Community College
This is in the flyer but to emphasize, students may receive a scholarship to cover the total cost to attend Mott for two years.
The following is from Jessica Bixel, the STEM Scholars Program Coordinator:
Our upcoming application deadline is March 24th and we will work with students who submit an application online to gather all their other application materials so they are considered for Fall 2020. Again, we have more scholarships than ever to give away this year.
Jessica's contact information is on the flyer below:
Summer Workshop-Coding in your classroom (ICSAM)
It was productive and informative.
If you are interested in attending the full workshop, the flyer is attached below.
Units in both Chemistry and Physics will be covered.
There is a stipend available. Feel free to contact the ICSAM staff at msu.icsam@gmail.com
(used with permission)
Middle School Science Leaders
The plan is to go through an activity or activities that can be used in your classrooms.
If there is anything specific you would like to work on, feel free to email me.
Elementary Leaders
I am hopeful that we will still have time to work through an activity. K-5 teachers are all welcome.
We have another meeting scheduled for May 20th.
Connecting to our local universities-Events at the University of Michigan-Flint
Math Field Day at the University of Michigan-Flint
This is a high school math competition. I believe UM-Flint has been hosting it for some time. Math and science go hand in hand so perhaps you will have some students interested.
From the Georgia Science Teachers Association:
All Grade Levels-Lesson plans with phenomena.
The standards listed are Georgia State Standards but with a bit of exploration, this should be a valuable resource for you.
If you are looking for phenomena to use in class, take a look:
Flint Regional Science Fair
If you hold a science fair at your school or maybe you have a student or students interested in their own research project, then take a look at the Flint Regional Science Fair.
Their website is quite comprehensive. It includes previous winners and contact information.
https://www.flintsciencefair.org/
If you are looking ahead to next year and would like to get a feel for the competition, you can meet the organizers on March 14th from 9:45 am to 10:30 am at Kettering University. All the details are below:
This year's competition will be held from March 13th through the 15th. Public viewing is from 1 pm to 5 pm on March 14th at Kettering University. Information below:
https://www.flintsciencefair.org/important-stuff/maps-directions/
Earth Echo Challenge
This Middle School focused project looks to engage students in creating a plan to protect local biodiversity.
The top ten teams get to present their plan in Washington, DC. There is a grant awarded to the top three teams in order to put their plan into action.
Teach Engineering
This resource was shared by a fellow teacher.
He felt the following statement summed it up:
"The activities emphasize open ended problem solving and encourage learning through iterative process. Brain storming of new ideas to apply science and math concepts, testing prototypes and analyzing data to foster stem literacy"
Summer Professional Development in Computer Science
MICHAEL PILLAY
Science/STEM Coordinator
Genesee Intermediate School District
Education and Learning
Email: mpillay@geneseeisd.org
Location: 2413 West Maple Avenue, Flint, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-4470