E-Blast 2 January 2013
The second (and final) public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was released on Tuesday, January 8, at 3 p.m. Eastern.
LSTA and LASL encourage science educators to review the draft and provide feedback online to Achieve during the comment period, which ends January 29. To review the draft, go to:
Information on the items shown below can be found below the list.
1. Middle School Chemistry Web Seminar: January 17
2. Free Bird Webinar and Receive a Free Bird Feeder: January 17, February 4 or February 13
3. ISS EarthKAM Winter 2013 Mission:Jan. 29 - Feb. 1
4. Applications for 2013-2014 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship: Deadline January 29
5. GLOBE at Night: Winter campaigns: Jan. 31-Feb. 9andMar. 3-12
6. Siemens Summer of Learning Programs for MS and HS Teachers: Deadline February 5th
7. LOUISIANA YOUNG HEROES COMPETITION: Deadline February 8
8. Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants Deadline: February 15
9. Grds 9-12 NASA's REEL Science Communication Contest:Deadline Feb. 15, 2013.
10. Jason National Argo Team Application deadline February 15
11. World of 7 Billion Video Contest for High School Students: Deadline is February 21
12. WWII Museum Quiz Bowl Registration Open
13. Let’s Make Ships Greener International Art Contest: Deadline March 22
14. Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes: Deadline March 21
15. WWII Museum Student Essay Contest!
16. WWII Museum Robotics Challenge
17. Top Astronomy events for 2013
18. NOAA’s collection of free deep-sea related lesson plans and media:
19. National Environmental Education Week Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors.
20. The NSTA Learning Center and Bloom’s Taxonomy
21. Ocean Today website posts six new videos
22. The National Earth Science Teachers Association free website and E-Newsletter
23. State-wide K-12 ESRI site license in place making the resources available to everyone
24. Louisiana Science Matters T-shirts and Polos from NSTA
25. E-Blast Contest
1. Middle School Chemistry Web Seminar
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the American Chemical Society (ACS) invite middle school teachers from around the country for a free web seminar on middle school chemistry. It is the fourth in a series of six web seminars covering each of the six chapters in the free middle school science teaching resource The seminar, which takes place on January 17, is hosted by the NSTA Learning Center and covers basic concepts related to the periodic table and chemical bonding. The seminar will focus on student activities and molecular animations related to the periodic table and bonding that are immediately usable in the classroom and easily integrated into the existing curriculum.
Find out more and register for this free web seminar at:
2. Attend a Free Bird Webinar and Receive a Free Bird Feeder
Feeding birds can spark kids' curiosity, interest in the outdoors, and engagement with science!
Take one of Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology’s scheduled webinars, and you'll find out how you and the youth you work with can make your own feeders and create a bird garden, decide where and when to hang your feeders in order to attract a variety of birds , and learn to identify those birds and participate in Cornell Lab citizen science projects. For the times of the webinars on January 17, February 4 or February 13, please visit:
The "Feeding our Feathered Friends" webinar complements the release of their new "Feathered Friends" resource, available for free download at:
Teachers who attend will receive a free window feeder, activity, student handouts, and coupons that will help you fill your feeder with Pennington birdseed.
3. ISS EarthKAM Winter 2013 Mission
Middle school educators are invited to join NASA for the International Space Station EarthKAM Winter 2013 Mission from Jan. 29 - Feb. 1, 2013. Guide your students in hands-on research as they program cameras aboard the space station to take pictures of specific locations on Earth.
For more information about EarthKAM and to register for the upcoming mission, visit the EarthKAM home page
Optional EarthKAM Online Information Sessions
If you’re new to EarthKAM or if you registered for a past mission but weren’t sure how to navigate the website and request images, join us for a 30-minute online EarthKAM information session. You’ll learn:
-- What EarthKAM is all about and how you and your students can participate.
-- What to expect during the mission, including the classroom time commitment.
-- Ways to use EarthKAM to enhance what you already teach.
The online information sessions are free. Send an email to to request log-in information. Please indicate which session you plan to attend.
Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m. CST
Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. CST
Please note that you do not have to attend an information session to participate in the upcoming EarthKAM mission. The information sessions are provided as an option for teachers who are new to EarthKAM or for returning teachers who have general questions.
4. Applications for 2013-2014 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship Now Open
We are happy to announce that applications for the U.S. Department of Education’s sixth cohort of Teaching Ambassador Fellowsare now open. Teaching Ambassador Fellows are outstanding teachers, with a record of leadership, strong communication skills, and insight into educational policy based in classroom expertise. All Teaching Ambassador Fellows spend a year learning about key federal programs and policies; sharing their expertise with federal staff; and providing outreach and communication about federal initiatives to other educators on behalf of the Department. The application period will run from December 19, 2012, and is scheduled to close onJanuary 29, 2013 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. For more information about the application process, visit our program page at or go directly to the applications for the Washingtonand ClassroomFellowships on
5. GLOBE at Night: The GLOBE at Night program is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution. The worldwide campaign invites citizen-scientists to record the brightness of the night sky in their area. Measurements are submitted to a central website by computer or smart phone. There are five campaigns in 2013 (visit for more information):
Jan. 31-Feb. 9
Mar. 3-12
GLOBE at Night is a worldwide, hands-on science and education program to encourage citizen-scientists worldwide to record the brightness of their night sky. Over the past 7 years of 10-day campaigns, people in 115 countries have contributed over 83,000 measurements, making GLOBE at Night the most successful, light pollution citizen-science campaign to date ( Guides, activities, one-pageflyers and postcards advertising the campaign areavailable at
6. Siemens Summer of Learning Programs for MS and HS Teachers Deadline February 5th
You could be selected to participate in an all-expenses-paid, in-person professional development program this summer. Siemens Summer of Learning programs give middle and high school teachers the opportunity to engage with top scientists, collaborate with like-minded peers, and work across STEM disciplines to gain exposure to current topics that are shaping the STEM field. Apply today at:
Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs)
STARs gives 40 educators the opportunity to spend two weeks engaging with top scientists and researchers on mentored research projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN or Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA. These labs provide leadership and resources to help incorporate research into science and math classrooms.
Siemens STEM Institute
The Institute selects a diverse group of 50 STEM educators to attend a week of STEM immersion at Discovery’s world headquarters outside of WA, Discovery Communications Fellows will hear from guest speakers at the forefront of STEM, take field trips to leading institutions, and network with educators from across the nation.
7. LOUISIANA YOUNG HEROES COMPETITION Deadline February 8
A lot of attention is given to the young people who get into trouble or underachieve in school, but often the students who do exceptionally well in the classroom or make a huge difference in their community do not receive the recognition they deserve. That’s why LPB and the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge created the Louisiana Young Heroes Awards. Now in its 18th year, the awards honor students in grades 7-12 who have excelled in the classroom, have served their community or have shown great courage in overcoming adversity in their own lives.
Nominations are now being taken for the 2013 Louisiana Young Heroes Awards. Students must be enrolled in a Louisiana school or homeschooled and cannot be older than 19 years of age.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the LPB website ( or submitted through the online form. Letters of recognition and other supporting materials should be sent to support the nomination. Students who have been nominated in past years may be re-nominated for this year’s awards. Previous winners are not eligible. The deadline for entries is February 8, 2013.
Louisiana Young Heroes Day will be April 17, 2013. The Young Heroes will be treated to a day full of activities including lunch on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion. The day will culminate in a banquet that night Baton Rouge.
For more information, call Margaret Schlaudecker at (800) 272-8161, ext. 4276 or email .
8. Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants Deadline February 15
The Lowe’s Toolbox for Education offers grants to schools and parent/teacher groups. School projects should encourage parent involvement and build stronger community ties. The next deadline for application is February 15, 2013.
9. NASA's REEL Science Communication Contest Grds 9-12 Educators and Students. Deadline for submitting videos is Feb. 15, 2013.
Looking for something to do this winter? How about producing a NASA video? NASA earth science missions are seeking talented high school students to create videos that engage students in earth science. This contest challenges high school students to produce a two-minute video for middle school students on one of three topics: Ozone, Ship Tracks, or the Water Cycle by 2/15/13.
Winning videos will be posted on NASA's website and winners will work with NASA scientists and communications experts on a real Earth science assignment in July 2013.
aura.gsfc.nasa.gov/reelscience.html
10.Jason National Argo TeamApplication deadline February 15
As a JASON National Argonaut, you will embark on a life-changing journey, where you will:
- Work side by side with scientists in the field, completing a JASON field experience around the topic of oceanography
- Serve as a mentor and role model for the JASON Community.
- Regularly interact with the JASON community through speaking engagements, online posts, and more!
Student and Educator Argonauts will spend up to 10 days in the field during the summer or fall of 2013. Additional participation in JASON activities such as speaking at events and contributing online content will continue after the field experience.
Student Argonaut applicantsmust be 14 or 15 years old by June 1, 2013, and must have participated in JASON and/or its Immersion Learning program.
Educator Argonaut applicants musthave at least five years of experience working with students, including plans to continue as an educator in the 2013-2014 school year and must have used JASON and/or its Immersion Learning program in an educational setting.
JASON will pay for all travel, lodging, food (meals and snacks), and programming/equipment costs related to JASON Argonaut activities. Applications are being accepted now, with a deadline of Friday, February 15, 2013. Argonaut selection will be finalized by mid-March.
For more information and to apply, visit the Argonaut Information page. Additional questions regarding the JASON National Argonaut program can be sent to .
11. World of 7 Billion Video Contest for High School Students: Deadline is February 21
Population Connection is hosting a video PSA contest for high school students. Students can win up to $1,000, and participating teachers can receive free curriculum resources. The 30 to 45 second video PSA should illustrate the connection between world population at seven billion and one of the following: food security, the global status of women/girls, or wildlife habitat. Full contest details are available at:
12. WWII Museum Quiz Bowl Registration Open
This year’s Cox WWII Quiz Bowl will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2013, and Thursday, March 21, 2013. Remember, your team of three high school students must all be from the same school and must be able to commit to appearing in the live, televised championship if they are one of the top two teams at the preliminary round.
View full rules and register your team today!
13. Let’s Make Ships Greener International Art Contest Deadline March 22
Kids in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Let’s Make Ships Greener international art contest sponsored by The JASON Project, the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Participants create an original poster with an idea to answer the question, How would you make shipping cleaner and/or more energy efficient? The deadline for submission is March 22, 2013.
14. Spruce Up Your School SweepstakesDeadline March 21
Enter the Discovery Education TurfMutt Discovery Education Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $5,000 grant to help make your school's play area more eco-friendly and green by adding trees, shrubbery and more. Entries must be submitted by K-5 teachers. Enter before March 21st and check out other free resources for educators and families.
15. WWII Museum Student Essay Contest!
In order to fight — and ultimately win — WWII, the United States allied itself with countries it had political, economic and strategic disagreements with — both small and large. On the Home Front disagreements existed between politicians of different parties, between workers and factory owners, and between racial groups. Most times (but not always) we were able to put aside these differences for the greater good. Differences of opinion still exist today in the United States — in both the country as a whole, in cities, schools and within families. This year we ask your students to examine these differences along with our common goals to answer the question, "How can people who disagree still work together for victory?"
High school students have the chance to win as much as $1,000. Middle school students can win $250. Winning essays will be posted on the Museum’s website.
Get more information, rules and contest deadlines.
16. WWII Museum Robotics Challenge
Registration is now open for The National WWII Museum’s first Robotics Challenge. The Robotics Challenge is an exciting opportunity for 4th through 8th grade students to develop 21st century skills and participate in active problem solving all based on real-life scenarios from WWII. Focused on the enduring themes of innovation, teamwork, community and cooperation, the program at The National WWII Museum is a springtime competition opportunity for established middle school robotics teams or newcomers to the field of student robotics.
The Challenge will take place at the Museum’s NEW US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Teams of up to 10 students with one adult coach will compete using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® on a WWII themed playing field. With a registration fee of $25, teams will receive a mat and field set components.
Get more information and register your team!
17. Top Astronomy events for 2013
18. NOAA has a large collection of free deep-sea related lesson plans and media:
The scientist at Deep-Sea News blog about the habitat and animals too:
19. The theme for the National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) 2013 is Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors. Register to take advantage of this year's offerings and to learn more about the theme at . See our suggested Top 10 Apps for Taking Tech Outside,
Also make sure to view and share NEEF's video, Using Technology to Connect Students & the Environment, which illustrates how students at one Maine school are using a variety of technologies to help document ecological conditions near their school.
20. The NSTA Learning Center
In the NSTA Learning Center you can access a set of resources on Bloom’s Taxonomy to access just visit:
Membership in the Learning Center is open to all teachers.
21. Ocean Today website posts six new videos
Animals of the Ice
Did you know that Antarctic krill travel in swarms so dense that they can be seen from space? Learn more cool facts about Arctic and Antarctic animals in this short 5-part series.
Know Your Ocean
One ocean or five? Common misconceptions about the ocean are set straight.
Ocean Today videos are available for download -- for free -- on the Ocean Today website. There are two different sizes depending on your needs.
22. The National Earth Science Teachers Association's Earth and space science education and outreach website, Windows to the Universe, offers a free monthly newsletter filled with information useful to Earth and space science and environmental science educators. The newsletter comes out on the first of each month - the current issue is available at