Science Newsletter
February 1, 2017
But as adults, we know that ideas are a bit more complicated. They cannot be sorted as easily into neat little boxes. We know that science and social studies collide when civilizations rise in areas rich with natural resources, or when two world powers feud over those resources. We know that science heavily influences the choices that artists make; a photographer will choose certain lenses based on how they bend light, a painter will choose a type of paint based on its properties, and a potter will create substrates with desirable properties to meet certain purposes.
One of my favorite podcasts is Radiolab. Each week, the hosts present a topic, usually science-themed, and then relate it to something from a seemingly completely unrelated discipline. One that really resonated with me is Staph Retreat. This episode tells the story of a microbiologist who is also a self-proclaimed Medieval history nerd. She wanted to improve her command of Old English, so she started reading a lot of old texts. In one, she stumbled across a recipe for a medication for infections. She decided to try it out, and-- in a time when the world is facing an antibiotic crisis-- she discovered a new antibiotic. She hypothesizes that there may be more potential antibiotics hidden in Medieval medical guides that worked for humans at one time but stopped working due to antibiotic resistance, but may now work again because enough time has passed in which humans have not used the medication.
This episode symbolizes for me what I would love to see happen within Edmond Public Schools. I would love for students to see science EVERYWHERE. Sure, a student's hobby might be soccer, but does she see physics when she kicks the ball? Does that dancer see the science in her shoes? Does that gamer see the science behind his controller? How can we break down the walls separating disciplines and show students the interconnected nature of the world? That is the purpose of the EPS STEM initiative and that is what we are moving toward when we talk about authentic learning.
Check out what has been going on around EPS!
Students in Valerie Danel's class recently did some investigations involving worms that were sent by FOSS. They wanted to know what happens to the worms after the investigations. Mrs. Danels was honest with them and explained the reasons. While the students understood, they were also concerned. They wanted to write to FOSS with their concerns and propose some alternate solutions. You can read some of their persuasive letters below. They did a great job!
Curriculum documents
Check out the PD on Your Plan repository for ideas for studying with your PLC!
The following have been recently updated:
Formative assessment probes have been added to the kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, biology, and physical science Google folders.
Tech Tools folder on Pearltrees
Biology Molecular Genetics folder on Pearltrees
Chemistry and Bonding folder on Pearltrees
Physics folder on Pearltrees
PD on Your Plan folder on Pearltrees
Interactive Notebooking folder on Pearltrees
8th Grade Earthquakes folder on Pearltrees
8th Grade Earth and Human Activities in the 8th Grade SOAR Guides Google folder
8th Grade Earth and Human Activities resource folder on Pearltrees
8th Grade Earth and Human Activities question bank in the Google folder
7th Grade Earth's Place in the Universe in the 7th Grade SOAR Guides Google folder
7th Grade Earth's Place in the Universe resource folder on Pearltrees
7th Grade Earth's Place in the Universe question bank in the Google folder
6th Grade Factors that Affect Populations in the 6th Grade SOAR Guides Google folder
6th Grade Factors that Affect Populations folder on Pearltrees
6th Grade Factors that Affect Populations question bank in the Google folder
7th Grade Weather and Climate SOAR Guides Google folder
7th Grade Weather and Climate folder on Pearltrees
7th Grade Weather and Climate question bank in the Google folder
Astronomy Formative Assessment Probes in the Google folder
Environmental Science Formative Assessment Probes in the Google folder
Earth Science Formative Assessment Probes in Google folder
6th Grade Health of Ecosystems SOAR Guide Google folder
6th Grade Health of Ecosystems folder on Pearltrees
6th Grade Health of Ecosystems question bank in the Google folder
A new collection has been added to Pearltrees: ACT Prep
A model unit for the 6th grade bundle Kinetic Energy as Temperature has been added to the 6th grade shared Google folder.
SeeSaw now allows text labeling
New on the blog
Get connected!
Other Facebook groups you may consider joining include #OKSci, OKSci Elementary, #okSTEAM, Science through Phenomena, OkSci Biology, #OKSci5th, OKSci Middle School, and PDGeek.
You can also connect with other EPS science teachers on Twitter using the hash tag #EPSstem. I would encourage you to use this hashtag to show off all of the cool things that are going on in your class, as well! And don't forget to follow the official EPS science page @EPSscience while you're there.
Laying the Foundation: Our NGSS Journey of Getting Elementary School Students Ready for Middle School
Exploravision- projects due 2/6
Bright Schools competition- submissions due 2/6
Effective Classroom Management workshop- 2/11 9:00-11:30 @ 323 East Madison (OEA Building, 2nd Floor)
Vernier Engineering Challenge- applications due 2/15
Science Ambassador Fellowship- applications due 2/15
World of 7 Billion- video due 2/23
NASA's Cassini Scientist for a Day- deadline 2/24
Oklahoma Envirothon- Registration deadline 2/24
Geosciences Program Internship for Students- applications due 3/27
Project Atmosphere workshop- registration deadline 3/27
Explorology workshops- applications due 3/30
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching- nominations due 4/1
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant- application due 4/10
Young Scientists Challenge- deadline 4/19
NABT/BSCS AP Biology Teacher Academy- 6/25-30
Doing Science Biology Education Conference- 10/19-21
Fermilab Teacher Research Associate
The goals of Fermilab's TRAC program are to provide outstanding science, mathematics, computer science, and technology teachers with professional scientific, engineering, or technical experiences through summer research opportunities. The increased awareness and understanding of cutting-edge science and technology obtained by the teacher can be transferred back to the classroom. Teachers are assigned mentors and jobs that best match the teacher's skills and interest with the available opportunities for that summer.
Appointments are for a period of eight weeks in the summer. Selection is based on the applicant's educational and professional qualifications, commitment to teaching, references, compatibility of scientific interests with resources available at Fermilab, and the expected benefits of the research opportunity to the applicant, the applicant's home institution and Fermilab. Preference shall be given to applicants from schools and districts that emphasize and support the development of this research experience into programs that may be transferred back into the classroom.
Support includes:
- $700 per week
- Housing and travel not provided
- Seventh through twelfth grade teachers employed full time in public, private or parochial schools with primary teaching assignments in science, math, computer science or technology education. Teachers must be assigned a full-time teaching load during the academic year prior to the appointment and expect to do the same during the following year.
- U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is required.
- Participants must provide evidence of identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Participants must have medical insurance while at Fermilab.
Applications due February 17. Apply at http://ed.fnal.gov/interns/programs/trac/
National Youth Science Camp
Applications Due March 1
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is a residential science education program for young STEM enthusiasts the summer after they graduate from high school. Students from around the country will be challenged academically in exciting lectures, hands-on studies and an outdoor adventure program.
NYSC 2017
Please inform your graduating seniors of this amazing opportunity. Students may submit applications here: https://nysc.fluidreview.com/
Applications are due March 1, 2017.
Two students will be selected to represent each state and Washington D.C. More details about the program can be found on the NYSC website [ http://www.nysc.org/ ].
G-Camp
http://geoweb.tamu.edu/academics/camps-and-outreach/g-camp/index.html
G-Camp is a 18-day field camp for 5th - 12th grade science teachers that provides first-hand experience with the principles of geology in the field, helps you develop new curriculum and virtual fieldtrips for your classroom, and makes learning fun and exciting out-of-doors. This field experience puts you on the outcrop, on the slope of a volcano, on the footwall of a fault, in a spectacular glacial valley, at the toe of a landslide, and in a pristine flowing stream - to mention just a few of the experiences of G-Camp. Our itinerary takes us through Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Participants will arrive in College Station by 3:00 PM on Monday, June 26, 2017, for orientation and to check out equipment, etc. We will depart on June 27 at 7:00AM. We will return to College Station in the afternoon of Thursday, July 13. Participants are responsible for their travel to and from College Station.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from College Station; however, all travel expenses (bus, hotels) during G-Camp will be covered, and teachers who complete the requirements will receive a stipend to cover all meals.
G-Camp will provide teachers ...
an introduction to the principles of geology, as well as the opportunity to develop and share curriculum materials to teach the standards required for grades 5 - 12. During the trip we will explore geologic landscapes, volcanic features, ancient marine deposits, sand dunes, faults, glacial landscapes, streams, landslides, energy resources and mineral resources. G-Camp will travel from College Station through north Texas to New Mexico, Colorado and back through New Mexico and west Texas. We will go from slightly above sea level to locations higher than 13,000 feet. The views and knowledge will take your breath away!
We travel by commercial bus to each field location and stay in motels along the way. Although we will not be walking long distances each day to reach outcrops and landforms, being able to walk a couple of miles during the day at high elevations is a requirement for participation in G-Camp.
Applying for G-Camp
The first step is completing the online application (link below) and submitting it along with two (2) lettersof recommendation. Please give your references as much time as possible to respond to your request for references - apply early!
Applications are now open for summer 2017. Application deadline is March 1, 2017. Thirty-two teacherswill be selected for G-Camp. A selection committee will evaluate the applications and determine the teachers selected.
So, what are you waiting for? Complete your application for G-Camp today! The exciting world of geology awaits you.
PlantingScience will be starting their spring session soon and they can set your class up with scientist mentors that work with your students online to design and implement a plant experiment. It's a great program and is free. They will send you seeds for the Wonders of Seeds unit.
is a free online resource to teachers and schools. The program provides volunteer scientists, resources, and activities to support innovation in teaching, learning, and mentoring. Open education resources are shared for student-centered plant investigations that integrate scientific practices and big ideas in biology that meet the guidelines in the Next Generation Science Standards and other 21st century education standards.
We are a learning community where scientists provide online mentorship to student teams as they design and think through their own inquiry projects. The program is collaborative engagement in science education that crosses traditional learning settings: K-12 and higher education; learning in and out of class; hands-on and technology-enhanced.
What We Do For Middle and High Schools
We offer a unique opportunity for teachers and administrators to provide inquiry experiences for their students, by connecting volunteer scientists to small student teams for student-centered research projects.
We offer students a personal experience to work like real scientists with their scientist mentors, enhancing their team skills and their understanding of authentic science.
Engaging in the process of science enhances science learning. The ability to collaborate, discuss, and reflect with scientists and peers opens new doors to motivate students, and builds necessary pathways for 21st century skills.
For more information visit https://www.plantingscience.org/community/joinplantingscience/howtojointeacher