February Science News and Information
NASA’s Climate Kids
What can you do with the energy saved by recycling one aluminum can? In the newest Green Career profile added to NASA’s Climate Kids website, Kate Melby explains recycling as a powerful way that individuals, businesses, and schools can help the environment. Read her profile and see what one can do at While you are there, view the cartoon videos, Climate Tales, and find some great teacher resources.
Operation: Terminal Velocity(Preview Site Now Available!)
According to The JASON Project, you can get “a ‘sneak preview’ of JASON's new forces and motion unit, Operation: Terminal Velocity, in the JASON Mission Center. With the full curriculum scheduled for release in summer 2011, you and your students can start exploring the impact that measurement, force, and simple machines have on society, technological advances, and the exploration of our universe!”
The JASON Project indicates the following will be included in the Preview Site in the JASON Mission Center:
“A content summary grid outlining the full Operation: Terminal Velocity curriculum
The NOAA Ask a Scientist video, where the Argos ask scientists working to clean up the Gulf Oil spill questions submitted JASON students
Argonaut videos, stories and slideshows of their fieldwork
A new mini-game, ’Who Am I? Simple Machines,’ to help your students identify simple machines in our everyday lives
The Preview Site will be continuously updated in coming months to bring you new curriculum components, videos, and games. The complete curriculum will contain four Missions in a Student Edition, Teacher Guide, videos, online games, and much more.” Log in and visit the Preview Site at and register for free.
Louisiana Environmental Education Symposium, February 11-12
Don’t forget to register for the Environmental Education Symposium in Baton Rouge for excellent professional development sessions on environmental, educational, and coastal topics. Lodging assistance is available. To inquire, contact the symposium coordinator at . To register or obtain additional information, go to
Relieving Test Anxiety
According to an article published on EdWeek.org, a new study has found that “a simple writing exercise can relieve students of test anxiety and may help them get better scores than their less anxious classmates” on assessments. The report, published in the journal Science on January 14, 2011, “says students who spend 10 minutes before taking examinations writing about their thoughts and feelings can free up brainpower previously occupied by testing worries and do their best work.” To read the full article with additional ideas from on this research, go to
February Science News and Information
Science Safety
Please visit the safety link on the CS3 webpage. It has been updated to include the Flinn Science Safety courses and the NSTA Safety in the Science Classroom portal. The direct link is:
February Science News and Information
Podcasts for Science
These are free to anyone with an iTunes account. Some examples are:
Ask a Biologist
Biomedical Engineering (Yale)
February Science News and Information
Environmental Awareness STUDENT ART & LANGUAGE ARTS CONTEST
The Louisiana Environmental Education Commission and contest sponsor, Alcoa Foundation, announce the STUDENT ART & LANGUAGE ARTS CONTEST.
The 2011 theme is Louisiana Outdoors: A Beautiful Experience!
Categories for both art and language arts contests are:
February Science News and Information
Group 1 – Ages 5-7
Group 2 – Ages 8-10
Group 3 – Ages 11-13
Group 4 – Ages 14-18
February Science News and Information
Louisiana students may enter their original work in the art and/or the language arts area of the contest. Prizes awarded to contest winners will be:
1st place in each category – $200
2nd place in each category – $100
3rd place in each category – $75
Winning art and language arts entries will be published in a 2012 calendar! All winners will be honored at a reception to be held at the Governor’s Mansion. All entries must be received by
April 21, 2011.
An official entry form and release must accompany each entry. Entries that do not comply with contest rules will be disqualified. The reproducible registration form can be downloaded from the Environmental Education Commission website and must accompany the entry and be signed by the contestant and parent or guardian. For information, full contest guidelines, and a contest entry form, visit contact Juliet Raffray at .
February Science News and Information
The ASHG 6th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest
Writing about concepts increases comprehension. For biology teachers this is a great opportunity for a classroom activity, followed by submission of selected student products. The submission site is now live.
Visit and click on 6th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest for the submission link, rules, and more information. Please be reminded that the deadline is March 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM EST.
February Science News and Information
2011 DNA Day Essay questions:
Option 1: In 2010, a major discovery in genetics research found that the DNA of some modern humans contains small amounts of Neanderthal DNA. Briefly explain this finding and discuss its relevance to human ancestry and evolution.
Option 2: A number of companies offer genetic testing directly to consumers, bypassing the involvement of physicians and genetic counselors. Discuss whether you think this is a good idea or not. You might focus on medical, ethical, legal, or social dimensions of this issue.
February Science News and Information
FYI – Research Study Finds that College Students Lack Scientific Literacy
ScienceDaily published the following information about student knowledge of the carbon cycle. “Most college students in the United States do not grasp the scientific basis of the carbon cycle -- an essential skill in understanding the causes and consequences of climate change, according to research published in the January issue of BioScience. The study, whose authors include several current and former researchers from Michigan State University, calls for a new way of teaching (and, ultimately, comprehending) fundamental scientific principles such as the conservation of matter.’Improving students' understanding of these biological principles could make them better prepared to deal with important environmental issues such as global climate change,’ said Charles ‘Andy’ Anderson, MSU professor of teacher education and co-investigator on the project. The researchers assessed the fundamental science knowledge of more than 500 students at 13 U.S. colleges in courses ranging from introductory biology to advanced ecology.
“Most students did not truly understand the processes that transform carbon. They failed to apply principles such as the conservation of matter, which holds that when something changes chemically or physically, the amount of matter at the end of the process needs to equal the amount at the beginning. (Matter doesn't magically appear or disappear.)” This concept is the basis for balancing equations.
Examples: “Students trying to explain weight loss, for example, could not trace matter once it leaves the body; instead they used informal reasoning based on their personal experiences (such as the fat ’melted away’ or was ’burned off’). In reality, the atoms in fat molecules leave the body (mostly through breathing) and enter the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and water. “Most students also incorrectly believe plants obtain their mass from the soil rather than primarily from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. “The researchers say high-school and college science instructors and materials need to do a better job of teaching the fundamentals -- particularly how matter transforms from gaseous to solid states and vice-versa.
“The implications are great for a generation of citizens who will grapple with complicated environmental issues such as clean energy and carbon sequestration more than any generation in history, Anderson said.”
Bartlett Environmental Education Award
Applications are now being accepted for the Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. The National Environmental Education Foundation seeks to honor an outstanding middle school teacher who successfully integrates environmental education into their curriculum and engages students in interdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges. The award recognizes an educator who can serve as an inspiration and model for others.
Teachers serving grades 5-8 in the United States are eligible to apply. The winning teacher will receive an award of $5,000 to support their work in environmental education. The award will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week, the first week in May, 2011. Two teachers will win $750 merit awards.Applications are due March 14, 2011. Visit to nominate yourself or a teacher you know today!
February Science News and Information
OPPORTUNITIES
Apply to Join the JASON National Argo Team to Explore Oceanography!
The following information is on the Jason website. The JASON Project is seeking a diverse, creative, and adventurous group of students and teachers to venture into the field with scientists to perform cutting edge science explorations. The Argonauts will embark on a journey starting in the summer of 2011, during which they 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 entire JASON community through speaking engagements, message board postings, web casts, pod casts, chats and more!
Student and Teacher Argonauts will spend up to 10 days in the field during the summer of 2011. Additional participation in JASON activities such as message board discussions, speaking at events, and contributing to online content will continue after the field experience. JASON will pay for all essential travel, lodging, food (meals and snacks), and programming/equipment costs.
Applications are being accepted now, with a deadline of Monday, February 28, 2011. Student and teacher selection will be finalized by mid-May, 2011. Students should be 14 or 15 years old by June 1, 2011 to apply. Teachers need five years of classroom experience and continuation as an educator in 2011-2012. All Argonaut candidates should be willing and able to travel to an international location.For more information or to apply, log in and visit the Argonaut Application page at On the JASON Mission Center to download complete application guidelines, etc.You can register now for free.
February Science News and Information
NOAA’s Sea Turtles and the Quest to Nest Game
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Ocean Service are beginning a formal evaluation of the online game, Sea Turtles and the Quest to Nest. Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The game's mission is to help students understand how they can help protect turtles and their habitat. The game takes place in the southeastern United States. You can see the game at
They are looking for five middle school teachers who teach the concepts related to the loggerhead sea turtle game as part of their curriculum and are willing to use the game in teaching these concepts. The educators who participate will need to teach more than one section of the subject that includes the concepts so at least one group/class can learn with the game, and one without (control group). They will need to complete the unit of instruction during this academic year, have students take online pre/post concept test and post survey, and complete an online questionnaire or give an interview about how they used the games in their instruction. Each educator will receive a stipend of $300. Please contact the evaluator, Hilarie Davis, at .
High School Chemistry Grant
The following information is posted on the website for the American Chemical Society (ACS): “The ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant is awarded to high school chemistry teachers seeking funds to support ideas that transform classroom learning, foster student development, and reveal the wonders of chemistry. Teachers can request up to $1,500 for their ideas.
“Applications are accepted annually February 1 – April 1. Applicants for the 2011-2012 award cycle will be notified of their status by June 30, 2011.
“Since 2006, more than 300 ACS-Hach High School Chemistry grants have been awarded to teachers with innovative and exciting ideas. They offer grants for: Laboratory Equipment & Supplies, Instructional Materials, Professional Development, Field Study and Science Outreach Events.” For information, go to
February Science News and Information
2011 Thacher Environmental Research Contest
$3,500 in cash awards is available. Entries are due April 11, 2011.
This contest is for Environmental and Earth Science students.
rom the massive Gulf oil spill to the continued decline of Arctic sea ice, satellites and other observing instruments have proved crucial this year in monitoring the many environmental changes, both natural and human-induced, occurring on global, regional and local scales.
“The 2011 Thacher Environmental Research Contest, sponsored by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, challenges high school students (grades 9-12) to conduct innovative research on our changing planet using the latest geospatial tools and data, which in recent years have become increasingly accessible to the public.
“Eligible geospatial tools and data include satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). The main focus of the project must be on the application of the geospatial tool(s) or data to study a problem related to Earth's environment.
“Geospatial tools and data have numerous uses in science research, ranging from climate prediction to archaeology. They can be used to improve our understanding of Earth systems, including interactions within and among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. They also can be used to improve the quality of our lives by supporting weather prediction, natural hazards monitoring, agriculture, land-use planning, coastal management, transportation, public health, emergency response and other fields.”For additional information, go to
February Science News and Information
Outstanding Biology Teacher for 2011
The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) invites nominations for the Louisiana Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for 2011. All biology/life science instructors (grades 7-12) with at least three years teaching experience in public, private, or parochial schools are eligible. NABT membership is not a requirement for consideration; however, a major portion of each nominee’s career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology and/or life science. Colleagues, administrators, students, the teacher candidates themselves, or anyone competent to judge can nominate a teacher to receive the award. Candidates complete a form summarizing their professional experience, academic background, and educational philosophy and provide four recommendations from colleagues, students, etc. The criteria for the award include teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in school and the community, inventiveness, initiative, and student-teacher relationships.
Please send the nominee’s name and email address to the Louisiana OBTA Director: Marty Loupe, 45 Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, or in an attached document to .
Nominations submitted electronically will be acknowledged by a reply to confirm receipt. Deadline for nominations is March 15, 2011, but nominations are being accepted immediately. Nominees will receive an application packet by email to be filled out and returned by April 8, 2011, so nominating early will give more time for this process.