Science Tidbits
April 2018
Science Tidbit April Spotlight
Annie McCulloch, Green Oaks School Performing Arts Academy
Ms. McCulloch embraced the new Louisiana Student Standards for Science with open arms. She says the new standards have really impacted her teaching because they require students to be independent thinkers and problem solvers.
Ms. McCulloch is always actively involved in her student's learning. In the picture below you can see Ms. McCulloch racing across the floor with her students to demonstrate animal movements.
Ms. McCulloch does an amazing job with her students each and every day!
Ms. McCulloch is a Dinosaur
Students racing
Ms. McCulloch and class
CONGRATULATIONS SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS AND PARTICIPANTS
The Region I Science and Engineering Fair Awards Ceremony was held Saturday, March 3. Students from Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, and Webster Parishes competed in the regional fair. We are excited to announce (attached) that Caddo Parish students represented our district well! Caddo had over 80 students who placed first, second, or third in their categories. Caddo closed out the high school and elementary division Sweepstakes Award! Furthermore, Caddo Middle Magnet place first and Youree Drive Middle School placed second in the middle school division. Eight out of nine Sweepstakes Award division winners went to Caddo schools! What an amazing accomplishment for our young scientists and engineers!
The Louisiana State Science and Engineering Fair (LSEF) was held March 19th-21st in Baton Rouge. This event is highly competitive. Young scientists and engineers from 6th-12th grades competed in this prestigious competition. Furthermore, these students participated in school and regional fairs to have the opportunity to compete on a state level. Not only did Caddo perform well at the LSEF, two Caddo students, Ashini Modi (CMM) and Matthew B. Willis (CMHS), were awarded the top honor of overall winners of their division for the entire state!
We are pleased to share (attached) all of the students who placed at LSEF as well as first place category winners, overall division winners, and school sweepstakes award winners at the Region I Fair.
Congratulations to all Caddo students who participated in science fair on the school, regional, and state level. A big thank you to all teachers and administrators for working hard and encouraging our students to explore STEM!
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We are Caddo!
Are you interested in participating on an educator review committee for science?
Interest Surveys for 2018 Committees
Rangefinding Committees:
Meeting Date: May 21 - 25
Survey Closes: April 13
Meeting Date: June 18 - 22
Survey Closes: April 20
Meeting Date: June 25 - 29
Survey Closes: April 20
Data Review Committee:
Meeting Date: Sept. 13-14
Survey Closes: June 29
Meeting Date: Sept. 17-18
Survey Closes: June 29
Meeting Date: Sept. 19-20
Survey Closes: June 29
Meeting Date: July 31 - Aug. 2
Survey Closes: May 4
Item Content and Bias Review Committee
Meeting Date: June 12
Survey Closes: April 13
Meeting Date: June 13
Survey Closes: April 13
Meeting Date: June 14
Survey Closes: April 13
Meeting Date: June 15
Survey Closes: April 13
Important Assessment Dates
K-8 ASSESSMENT DATES
LEAP 2025 Grades 3-8 (some exceptions by school may apply)
Week 1 (April 9th – April 13th): 8th Grade Computer-Based
Monday: ELA - Session 1
Tuesday: ELA - Sessions 2 and 3; Day 1 Make-Ups
Wednesday: Math - Sessions 1, 2 and 3; Days 1 & 2 Make-Ups
Thursday: Social Studies - Sessions 1, 2 and 3; Days 1, 2, & 3 Make-Ups
Friday: Remaining make-ups and Science Field Testing*
Week 2 (April 16th – April 20th): 7th Grade and 5th Grade Computer-Based
Monday: ELA Session 1
Tuesday: ELA Sessions 2 and 3; Day 1 Make-Ups
Wednesday: Math Sessions 1, 2 and 3; Days 1 & 2 Make-Ups
Thursday: Social Studies Sessions 1, 2 and 3; Days 1, 2, & 3 Make-Ups
Friday: Remaining make-ups and Science Field Testing*
Week 3 (April 23rd – April 27th): 6th Grade and 5th Grade (overflow only) Computer-Based
Monday: ELA - Session 1
Tuesday: ELA - Sessions 2 and 3; Day 1 Make-Ups
Wednesday: Math - Sessions 1, 2 and 3; Days 1 & 2 Make-Ups
Thursday: Social Studies - Sessions 1, 2 and 3; Days 1, 2, & 3 Make-Ups
Friday: Remaining make-ups and Science Field Testing*
LEAP 2025 - Algebra I will also be administered during this week to middle school students enrolled in Algebra I
Week 4 (April 30th – May 4th): 3rd and 4th Paper-Based (the schedule for PBT is set by the LDOE and cannot be adjusted)
Monday: ELA - Session 1; Math - Session 1
Tuesday: ELA - Session 2; Math - Session 2; Day 1 Make-Ups
Wednesday: ELA - Session 3; Math - Session 3; Days 1 & 2 Make-Ups
Thursday: Social Studies - Sessions 1, 2 and 3; Days 1, 2 & 3 Make-Ups
Friday: Remaining make-ups and Science Field Testing*
LEAP 2025 - Geometry will also be administered during this week to middle school students enrolled in Geometry.
HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENT DATES
· ACT (all 11th grade students and selected 12th graders)
Initial Test Date: March 20
Accommodated Testing Window: March 20 – April 3
Makeup Test Date: April 24
· WorkKeys
March 21-April 4: Paper-Based
Now-April 13: Computer-Based
· EOC and LEAP 2025
April 23-27: Graduating Seniors, re-testers not currently enrolled, 3rd year cohort without scores in ELA and/or Math
April 23-27: English III, Biology, Algebra I
April 30-May 4: Geometry and English I
May 7-11: English II and U.S. History; All makeups must be completed by May 11.
· CLEP: All must be completed by May 11
· Advanced Placement (AP): May 7-11
Online Tools Training (OTT)
Joint LATM LSTA Conference
Don't Forget Your Complimentary LSTA Membership
Good News!
In an effort to support teachers of science this year during the implementation of the revised LSSS, LSTA is extending a complimentary membership to ALL Louisiana teachers of science, administrators, and informal educators until October 24, 2018.
All you need to do is complete and send in a membership form!! Contact your regional representative or download a form from our LSTA web site!
And more good news for current members. While the LSTA Board is celebrating with the 1000 + Louisiana science teachers who attended the NSTA Area Conference in New Orleans, the board acknowledges the high cost of a national event. As a result, the Board has approved extending membership expiration dates from November of 2017 to November 2018.
LOUISIANA CONNECTORS FOR SCIENCE FOR STUDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES
LA Connectors for Science:
- To review the DRAFT Science Connectors: https://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/students-with-disabilities/draft-louisiana-connectors-for-science-3-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=4
- To provide feedback on the DRAFT Science Connectors: https://goo.gl/forms/FzmbLSNs9iSy02dB2 (Due: March 30)
NSTA Freebies for Science Teachers
Added: Apr 3, 2018
Researchers from the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have designed a 3-D–printable microscope for mobile devices—a smartphone microscope—using just pennies worth of plastic and glass materials. The technology, which combines an iPhone or tablet with a 3-D–printed clip and glass sphere to create the microscope, has a wide range of potential applications, from classrooms to scientists in the field. Best of all, the microscope’s design specs are available for free, so anyone with access to a 3-D printer—including K–12 teachers and students—can make one in a matter of minutes for less than a dollar each. Read an article about the technology, complete with files and instructions necessary to print your own microscope at this website.Then fuel students’ excitement about microscopes by watching a fun, fast-paced video—produced by PNNL and suitable for middle level audiences—that describes the importance of microscopy. View this video at the website https://goo.gl/x43rLS.
Women's History Month Illustrations
Added: Apr 2, 2018
Though Women’s History Month (March 2018) is over, the DOE continues to promote the work of women in STEM all year long. For Women’s History Month, the DOE featured online blogs and illustrated portraits highlighting the contributions of astronaut Mae Jemison, rocket scientist Annie Easley, physicist Chien-Shiung Wu, and astronaut Ellen Ochoa. The blogs briefly summarized each scientist’s most notable achievements and offered five (mostly unknown) “fast facts” about each woman. Educators can read the blogs and download poster-size (8.5” by 11”) versions of the illustrated portraits. Share the resources with middle and high school students to motivate and inspire the next generation of women in STEM pioneers.
Added: Mar 9, 2018
This combination video and classroom activity helps students in grades 4–8 understand the effects of microgravity on bones and muscles and why healthy bones and exercise are important on Earth and in space. After watching a video showing how astronauts exercise in space, students complete a set of hands-on activities, Bone Density and Muscle Stress in Microgravity, to observe firsthand the simulated effects of decreased bone mass and decreased muscle use on the body. The lesson materials include teacher guides, student instructions, and student handouts.
Workshops
Watershed on the Red Environmental Education Program
Science of Space
Sci-Port is also offering a summer enrichment program called, “Science of Space”. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Contact Dr. Heather Kleiner at hkleiner@sciport.org for more information.
Grants and Scholarship Opportunities
Louisiana Grant Watch
What's New with Symbaloo?
Click below to visit some of Caddo Science Symbaloo's awesome links.
Teacher Tools
Watch YouTube videos without comments or other distractions.
Share Ideas Instantly with Jing. Whether for work, home, or play, Jing gives you the ability to create basic visual elements and share them with others.
Design presentations, social media graphics,and more with thousands of beautiful layouts.
Pixabay · Stunning Free Images
Over 1.3 million royalty free stock photos and videos shared by our generous community.
Is This Mongoose Playing Dead or Just Playing? Video Cracks Up Experts
By Jason Bittel
PUBLISHED APRIL 3, 2018
Between banshee-like lynx brawls and cannibalistic red squirrels, life in the animal kingdom can sometimes feel like a nonstop conveyor belt of scary. But every so often, a bit of goof breaks through the doom.
Today, that cheerfulness comes in the form of a dwarf mongoose in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve that just wants to have some fun.
In a video posted by WildEarth.tv as a part of the program Safari Live, a juvenile dwarf mongoose can be seen repeatedly walking up to a southern yellow-billed hornbill and then keeling over like a fainting goat. (Watch daily live broadcasts on the Safari Live Facebook page.)
Quick Link to Useful Science Documents
- In 2017-2018, the higher of the 2016 or 2017 science scores will be counted in SPS.
- In 2018-2019, the higher of the 2017 or 2019 science scores will be counted in SPS*.
*Please see the John White's 10/24/17 newsletter for more info.
6th Grade
LEAP 2025 Field Test Guide for 6th Grade
6th Grade Task Phase Changes PDF
6th Grade Task Gravitational Waves
6th Grade Task Gravitational Waves PDF
6th Grade Task Chemical Reactions
6th Grade Task Chemical Reactions PDF
7th Grade
LEAP 2025 Field Test Guide for 7th Grade
7th Grade Task Cell Transport PDF
7th Grade Task The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
7th Grade Task The Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone PDF
7th Grade Task Genetic Probability
7th Grade Task Genetic Probability PDF
7th Grade Task Genetic Variation and Survival
7th Grade Task Genetic Variation and Survival PDF
8th Grade
LEAP 2025 Field Test Guide for 8th Grade
8th Grade Task Climate and Weather
8th Grade Task Climate and Weather PDF
8th Grade Task Coastal Erosion, Preservation, and Restoration
8th Grade Task Coastal Erosion, Preservation, and Restoration PDF
8th Grade Task Water is Life PDF
8th Grade Task The Development of Scientific Theories
8th Grade Task The Development of Scientific Theories PDF
High School Biology
LEAP 2025 Field Test Guide for Biology
Biology EOC Released Test Questions 2013
Biology EOC Released Test Questions 2012
Biology EOC Released Test Questions 2011
Biology Task Comparing Organs PDF
Biology Task DNA-RNA-Protein PDF
Biology Task Animal Behavior PDF
Science and Biology Field Test Item Types
The field tests include the following stimulus-based item types:
• selected-response (multiple choice and multiple select)
• technology-enhanced (dropdown menus, drag and drop, hotspots, etc.)
• fill-in-the-blank
• two-part items made of a combination of item types
o--- two-part dependent, where the score in part B is dependent on the response in part A
o--- two-part independent, where the responses in each part are related in content but not in scoring
• constructed-response
• extended-response
More information on the upcoming Science Field Test found HERE.
When Ordering Chemicals for High Schools
Caddo Parish Schools recently completed a monumental chemical cleanup. 100's of bottles of out-dated, corroded, and not used chemicals were removed from high schools to ensure the safety of our students and teachers.
In order to safely remove chemicals from classrooms we must work through the Department of Environmental Equality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring in qualified technicians to log chemicals, properly package chemicals, and safely dispose of chemicals stored in lab closets. This process is exceptionally expensive and time consuming. To limit the amount of unnecessary chemicals Caddo Parish has on hand, I asked your principals to include me in the ordering process for purchasing chemicals for your classroom using classroom fees. Please sent the purchase request to Lisa Nance at lmnance@caddoschools.org or fax to 318-603-6368 to request my signature for chemical purchases. I will send your school a copy of the SDS for each chemical ordered along with a signed copy of the purchase request.
Microscope Repairs?
Science Funnies!
#caddoscience
Caddo Science
Email: lmnance@caddoschools.org
Website: www.caddoschools.org
Location: 1961 Midway Ave, Shreveport, LA, United States
Phone: 318-603-6372
Twitter: @caddoscience