Science Matters
A periodic curriculum update: January 2020
Welcome our new K-8 STEM Coach
Chris Campbell will be joining our science support team providing direct science content coaching services and STEM curriculum support for K-8 teachers. His primary work within schools will focus on support of K-8 teachers. With this addition, we will be making the following adjustments to our K-12 Science Support, effective January 6, 2020:
Willow Alston-Socha will serve as a K-12 Science Specialist, serving as the point of contact for elementary science and all elementary schools.
Linda Tugurian will serve as a K-12 Science Specialist, serving as a point of contact for secondary science and all middle and high schools.
Toward New Science Standards
January Teacher Workday Science Offerings
Study Island Refresher
What: Two virtual opportunities for a refresher on the use of Study Island to support EOG/EOC Science.
10:30-noon https://edmentum.zoom.us/j/2075164693
4th Grade Invisible Forces Kit Opportunity
Where: Merrick Moore Elementary
The Invisible Forces mini-kit will be provided at no cost to participating teachers and will consist of all materials and lesson plans for to cover magnetism and static electricity, and includes literacy resources to reinforce students’ understanding of 4th grade ELA informational text standards. The training for this amazing kit will take place on 1/22 from 1:00 - 3:00 at Merrick-Moore Elementary School. Register now as the kit is only available to the first 30 registrants https://bit.ly/4THSCIKIT HERE is a flyer to share with teachers.
Evergreen
Join Out Teach on Jan 22nd from 8:30-12:30, for their “Evergreen” PLC at the NC Museum of Life & Science! Up to two representatives from each DPS Elementary school are invited to spend a morning with Out Teach engaging, learning and collaborating. The agenda includes:
- Learning how to ignite student engagement in science, math, and literacy, using the power of the outdoors
- Engaging with representatives from the Museum of Life & Science, the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality, and the Carolina Raptor center
- Being inspired with cross-curricular outdoor learning techniques you can implement right away on your own campuses (no gardening experience necessary!)
All educators will receive 4 hours of CEU Credit for attendance. Deadline to RSVP is Fri, Jan 17th to agraybeal@out-teach.org
DPS Foundation Supports Science Learning
Hillandale Full STEAM Ahead, Hillandale Elementary
$1,000
This grant will support kindergarten teachers in better integrating science curriculum into elementary schools. Through this practice, students will be allowed to have more hands-on experiences to develop necessary critical thinking skills through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities.
Sparking 4th Grade Science: Electricity, All 30 DPS elementary schools
$1,500
DPS elementary schools intend to increase teacher content knowledge and confidence in leading hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences in elementary science. This grant will provide a half-day professional development workshop for 4th grade teachers focused on electricity. Teachers will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of science concepts by engaging in the process of inquiry-based instruction, leading to reflection on how to implement the same activities in the elementary classroom to foster student science learning.
Industry Greenhouse for Outdoor Learning Space, Carrington Middle School
$2,500
Carrington Middle School will be using this grant to launch the design and construction of a greenhouse and outdoor learning space. The greenhouse will support students in their development of skills such as plant propagation, greenhouse management, seed germination, soil classification, water testing, and plant identification. The goal of the greenhouse is to serve as a learning facility for students to garner real-world green industry experience, technical education skills, and career readiness.
To The Zoo We Go!, Burton Elementary School
$2,500
This grant will fund a trip to the North Carolina Zoo for all students at Burton Elementary School. The visit will serve as an engaging learning activity about animals and animal needs, environmental issues, and relationship-building amongst students and teachers.
Science Alliance for Durham Public Schools
Make sure your school is represented in the new Science Alliance for Durham Public Schools! This leadership group will serve as the primary point of communication and advocacy for science in our schools. We will be focused on improving science instruction, data analysis, and community partnerships. Our next meeting will take place on February 18 from 4:30-5:30 at the NCCU Fab Lab. We’d love to have a representative from every school! If you'd like to represent your school, please sign up here. The last meeting of the year will be held on April 28.
Curriculum resources can be found at: https://central.dpsnc.net/.
Science Olympiad Coach Q&A
https://dpsnc.zoom.us/j/478902471
Meeting ID: 478 902 471
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,478902471# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 478 902 471
Find your local number: https://dpsnc.zoom.us/u/axucTlwPN
NC Science Olympiad is COMING!
February 29: Divisions B & C @ Riverside High School
March 21: Division A @ Southern School of Energy & Sustainability
Click the links to volunteer!
Leadership Opportunities
DPS Hub Farm Curriculum Team
Meeting dates:
February 11, 4:30-5:30
March 10, 4:30-5:30
May 12, 4:30-5:30
Sign up here!
Science Alliance
Meeting dates:
Feb 18, 4:30-5:30
April 28, 4:30-5:00
Sign up here!
NC Science Olympiad
NCSO Regional Tournament Registration is now officially open for all divisions!
K-12 Curriculum & Instruction will pay registration for one varsity team at each DPS school. Do not pay when registering. NCSO will bill us!
National Science Olympiad is in Raleigh in May 2020!
The January Wonder Challenge is OPEN! https://www.scienceolympiad2020.com/current-challenge/ It’s a new year and a perfect time to think renewables! Cree|Wolfspeed is challenging you to make a device that runs on renewable energy. Between Jan. 2-25, here’s how to enter:
Post a photo with your favorite renewable energy source - solar, wind, hydro, human!
OR Try drawing or making your own device that runs on renewable energy and share a photo on social media.
Post using #WonderChallenge & #PoweringOurCommunity
The top 5 entries will receive a Cree | Wolfspeed eco-friendly prizepack.
The top five entries received between Jan. 2 – 25 will be selected to win a Eco-friendly Prizepack.
Opportunity knocks
Metorologist Available for Class Presentations
NC Science Festival
Gear up for the 10th annual NC Science Festival, which returns in April 2020. If you're interested in hosting an event as part of the Festival, please visit our website for more information and to submit your event details. Submissions are due January 10, 2020.
DPS Foundation Grants
We are planning to award approximately $100,000 throughout the 2019-20 school year in support of your innovative ideas and projects. All applications received by January 10, 2020 will be considered for the second round of awards which will be distributed in early March. Please visit our website at https://www.bullcityschools.org/grants to learn more about the application process.
Kenan Fellows Now Accepting Applications
Kenan Fellows is an INCREDIBLE professional learning program. Consider applying today!
Approximately 25-50 outstanding K–12 teachers from across the state are selected annually for this year-long program. Key components are a three-week summer internship with a mentor in a research or applied STEM setting, and 80 hours of professional development that builds leadership capacity and promotes curricular design bridging STEM at work with STEM at school. There is also a $5,000 stipend for Fellows. The 2020-21 application period will be through Jan. 27, 2020.
Free Kit to Examine the Effects of e-Cigarette Vapor on Living Cells
Cornell University recently released a hands-on lab module that allows students to look directly at the effects of e-cigarette vapor on living cells, specifically the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena. While the current module is geared towards high school, they will soon release modules appropriate for elementary and middle school students! The module comes as a kit that can be reserved online; there is no cost to the teacher, teachers are asked to complete an equipment checklist so any necessary equipment can be borrowed and returned after use.
Edmentum's Courseware Flex Assignments
Do you need to reach DPS Strategic Plan Goal 1D?
Edmentum’s Courseware Flex Assignments allow secondary teachers to quickly and flexibly assign targeted instruction to students, as well as monitor progress and report on the assigned content. Flex Assignments are modular, empowering educators to respond quickly to learner needs the moment a gap is identified. Flex Assignments can support blended learning, first-time instruction, individualized learning or various intervention models. Contact Cynthia Dean at Cynthia.Dean@dpsnc.net for more information or training.
College Physics Professor Inspires with Viral Classroom Lessons
Professor David Wright has been sharing his love of physics with students at Tidewater Community College since 1974. Now he's a social media sensation after a student shared a video of his passionate teaching methods on Twitter. See him in action!
Teacher Professional Development
DPS Teacher Collaborative
Remaining meeting dates: Jan 30, Feb 20, Mar 19, April 23
FREE Synthetic Biology Teacher Summer Workshop
When: June 22-26, 2020, 9am - 4pm
Location: The Science House, NCSU, Raleigh, NC
Why: This five-day-long workshop is for current high school biology teachers. This professional development opportunity will provide hands-on training in basic recombinant DNA technology and synthetic biology.
Space is limited to 10 high school biology teachers. Interested teachers are encouraged to apply at the link below. All applications received by February 29, 2020 will be considered and selected participants will be notified by March 16, 2020.
Contact(s): Scott Ragan - email at nsragan@ncsu.edu or phone at 919-515-5610
Climate Systems: Effectively Communicating about Climate, Air Quality and Biogeochemical Cycles - Teacher Workshop
Townsend, TN, Feb. 21–23, 2020
Experiential education can help students and teachers achieve a deeper more meaningful understanding of complex scientific concepts. If you are struggling to teach these topics, let us help! Join us for a deep dive to expand your teacher toolkit. Gain confidence in:
- Understanding and teaching complex topics
- Prompting scientific investigation and scientific thinking
- Using models and activities to help your students construct meaningful understandings
- Inspiring curiosity
Cost: $75 – includes instruction, materials, food, and lodging
Space is limited to 16 educators, so register early!
Towards a More Humane Genetics: Biological Science Curriculum Study Summer Institute
Dates: June 11-15, June 22-26, August 3-7, or August 13-17, 2020 in Colorado Springs, CO at BSCS Science Learning
2020 NIEHS Science, Teachers and Research Summer (STaRS) Experience
High school science teachers are encouraged to apply for the in Research Triangle Park. STaRS is a two-week professional development (PD) program in July that is designed and conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
The program will run from Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 17 (excluding Saturday and Sunday), from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. each day. Participants will conduct biomedical research investigations in laboratories and will learn from NIEHS scientists and guest speakers from local universities about various issues in biomedical and environmental sciences, such as environmental triggers of diseases, translation of basic research to clinical application, gene editing, genetically modified organisms and bioethics. To offset costs associated with lodging, meals, transportation and time spent during the two-week program, participants will receive a $2,000 stipend, coordinated and disbursed by NCABR. The stipend will be provided in two equal payments, which will be disbursed each week of the program.
Women and individuals of underrepresented groups are encourage to apply.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Your Environment, Your Health: The NIEHS Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study
Thursday, March 19, 2020
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Research Triangle Park, N.C.
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Rx for Science Literacy is partnering with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) to present Your Environment, Your Health, a one-day workshop on Thursday, March 19, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
The workshop will explore findings from the NIEHS Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study (GuLF STUDY), which examined the health of workers and volunteers who responded to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The findings from this study may influence long-term public health responses in Gulf communities or responses to other oil spills in the future.
Register Now →
Duke's STAR Program
The Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) Program provides a high-quality research experience for undergraduate students, high school students, and middle and high school teachers during the summer academic break.
The eight-week program, held June 22 to August 13, 2020, will give participants who are interested in science and medicine real hands-on experience in research methodology and writing.
Due January 10, 2020
Program website and application http://bit.ly/2QPBVhx
Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience
The Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience is a professional development workshop that demonstrates all elements of forestry in North Carolina. Available for STEM educators (formal and non-formal) with emphasis on 3rd- 12th grade. For over 20 years, this workshop has connected forest resources and forestry education to teachers from Murphy to Manteo. Discover the forests in our state, and learn about the wood products industry!
Experience Details:
- Educators will need to apply online to the program. Accepted participants will have two weeks to pay a one-time registration fee of $50. Other expenses such as hotel room, meals, transportation via charter and materials are provided for by NCFA and sponsors.
- Participants will be staying in double occupancy hotel rooms and traveling by charter to local field trip sites.
- Workshop is geared towards formal and non-formal STEM professionals with emphasis on 3rd-12th grade science educators.
- High School Teachers that lead topics aligned to Earth, Environmental, Biology and Agriculture will find our program most beneficial.
- Registration for the program is first-come-first serve basis
- Max capacity for each workshop is 40 participants
SIGN UP FOR AN EXPERIENCE!
- Piedmont: Southern Pines, North Carolina June 22-25, 2020
- Coastal Plains: New Bern, North Carolina June 29- July 2, 2020
- Mountain: Asheville, North Carolina July 27-30, 2020
For more information, and to apply online, visit https://www.ncforestry.org/teachers/sfi-sustainable-forestry-cee-experience-for-teachers/
Check out our reflection video made by one of our participants that attended our 2019 piedmont experience! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4QVaO_HdZc&feature=youtu.be
Project Learning Tree Workshops
January 10, 2020
Places We Live (high school)
Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library
Greensboro, NC
To Register: melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov or 336-373-2923
Workshop Fee: This workshop is being provided free of charge through a generous sponsorship in memoriam of Ruth Buckingham
January 29, 2020
High School PLT Workshop
Durant Nature Preserve
Raleigh, NC
To Register: https://go.ncsu.edu/ncplt_durant
Workshop Fee: $20
This workshop will focus on the PLT High School modules Forests of the World and Places We Live
Questions? Renee Strnad renee_strnad@ncsu.edu
NC Museum of Natural Sciences Teacher Treks
Jan 3
EDUCATOR TREK: WHERE SWANS FLY AND BEARS WALK
3:30pm Jan 3 - 10:00pm Jan 4
Apr 18
EDUCATOR TREK: SECRETS OF THE SWAMP
8:00am Apr 18 - 6:00pm Apr 19
Apr 18
EDUCATOR TREK: BUTTERFLY PINNING AND BACKYARD BUG COLLECTING
9:00am - 12:00pm
May 1
EDUCATOR TREK: SPRING IN THE MOUNTAINS
3:30pm May 1 - 6:00pm May 3
Rx for Science Literacy: What, Where, How and Why of Health Science Research
Thursday, April 23, 2020
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Research Triangle Park, N.C.
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Rx for Science Literacy is partnering with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to present Rx for Science Literacy: The What, Where, How and Why of Health Science Research, a one-day workshop on Thursday, April 23, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
This workshop will feature an overview of NCABR's comprehensive Rx for Science Literacy curriculum manual plus updates from biomedical scientists and physicians about the real-world applications of biomedical research.
Updates from NCDPI
Our Webinar Series for 2018-2019 focused on the National Research Council’s (NRC) publication A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. This year’s series will examine how the three dimensions are integrated in local curriculum units/lessons. Recorded webinars from 2018-2019 are located on the K-12 Science Google Site Professional Development page.
Download a free copy of the Framework from
Please join us from 3:30-4:30pm for the following topics:
- Webinar 2: Focus on DCI January 28,2020 Registration Link
- Webinar 3: Focus on the SEPs March 10, 2020 Registration Link
- Webinar 4: Focus on the CCs April 30, 2020 Registration Link
Opportunities for Students
Willow Alston-Socha
Email: willow.alston-socha@dpsnc.net
Website: central.dpsnc.net
Location: Durham Public Schools, NC, USA
Phone: 919-560-9184
Twitter: @Willow_STEM
Linda P. Tugurian, PhD
Email: linda.tugurian@dpsnc.net
Website: central.dpsnc.net
Location: Durham Public Schools, NC, USA
Phone: 919-560-2647
Twitter: @DPS_science