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October 24 – November 13, 2013
Science Matters Network in Michigan eBlast
http://msta-mich.org/smn
In this E-Blast
1. Leadership
2. The Science Matters Network in Michigan
a. Another FREE Gift for You in the NSTA Learning Center – Nature of Light
b. Get an Introduction to the NSTA Learning Center on October 29
3. Michigan Department of Education
a. NGSS: Five Ways Science Classes Will Change
b. Eight States Have Now Adopted NGSS
4. Information for Students (and Parents too!)
a. Student Spaceflight Experiments Program – Mission 6 to the International Space Station
b. Verizon Innovative App Challenge
c. Engineering for YOU Video Contest for MS and HS Students
d. 50th Annual Junior Science and Humanity Symposium with Potential College Scholarships
e. Upcoming Deadlines
5. Grants and Opportunities for K-12 Teachers
a. Now Open – 2014 Siemens Summer Learning Application
b. Robotics Grants of $500
c. Inspire the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
d. Demonstrate Exemplary Science Teaching in Grades K-5
e. $1000 Teacher Grants from the Michigan Section of the American Water Works Association
f. STEMGrants.com
g. Upcoming Deadlines
6. Information for K-12 Teachers
a. Launch into Engineering Design
b. Free Membership in the Michigan Association of Biology Teachers
c. Making a Microscope Out of Your Smartphone
d. Seven Free iPad Apps for Science Lessons
e. Searchable Online AGI Classroom Activities
f. MDSTA/DACTM Fall Conference November 16, 2013
g. Identify Rare Tree Species
h. 2013 UN Water Conference at Michigan State University
i. Free Webcasts from the Tundra! Polar Bears, Climate Change, and More
j. Plan to Attend the Fall Science Update
k. Upcoming Deadlines
7. Ideas from the Twitterverse
8. Information for High School Teachers
a. Saturday Morning Physics at University of Michigan
b. Upcoming Deadline
9. Information for Middle School and High School Teachers
a. Project Lead the Way Conference on November 4
b. Tools for Ambitious Science Teaching
c. The Geologists Are Coming Rap
d. Free Cell Day Web Chat on February 28, 2014
e. 2nd Annual MSU Science Festival Needs Your Assistance
f. Upcoming Deadlines
10. Science Humor – Worst Science Jokes Ever
11. October Contest Winners
Here are your science education resources and announcements for October 24 – November 13, 2013 provided by the Michigan Science Matters Network. Please forward this eBlast on to other science educators in your school/district. If you have questions or comments, please forward them to:
David Bydlowski
Michigan Coordinator—Science Matters Network
http://bap.nsta.org
http://www.msta-mich.org/smn
or
Sue Campbell
MSTA Representative
http://www.msta-mich.org
Please Note: If you do not receive the full e-blast you can view it at:
http://msta-mich.org/smn
or request a Word/pdf version by emailing:
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1. Leadership
“Over Do, more than you, Over Think.”
brotips.com
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science consultant and lecturer, University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
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The Science Matters Network In Michigan
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2a. Another Free Gift for You in the NSTA Learning Center – Nature of Light
I hope you will enjoy this free gift that you can access in the NSTA Learning Center. The gift is a set of resources on the topic of “Nature of Light.” To access just visit:
· Elementary Collection -- http://learningcenter.nsta.org/share.aspx?id=1gZTkQ6LSV
· Middle School Collection – http://learningcenter.nsta.org/share.aspx?id=b8kSh9FrGu
· High School Collection -- http://learningcenter.nsta.org/share.aspx?id=lusIRpb17J
If you have not joined the NSTA Learning Center yet, you can have an invitation to join sent directly to you, just send an email to:
and an invitation will be sent directly to you.
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2b. Get an Introduction to the NSTA Learning Center on October 29
Did you know there are over 3,800 free resources at your fingertips in the NSTA Learning Center? From journal articles and lesson plans to interactive content modules called Science Objects, these resources are available to help you refresh your content knowledge and develop new strategies for your pedagogical toolkit.
Find out more about the Learning Center—NSTA's online portal for teacher professional learning—during a free web seminar on October 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET. You'll get a guided tour of the Learning Center and the different types of resources available then have a chance to begin adding resources to your Learning Center library. After the web seminar, all participants will receive an $18 SciPack for free! Read more about this web seminar and register at:
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NLC/webseminar30.aspx
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Michigan Department of Education
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3a. NGSS: Five Ways Science Classes Will Change
LiveScience writer Michael Dhar's article on the Next Generation Science Standards provides a comprehensive overview of the NGSS and five things educators love or hate about the new standards. NSTA Executive Director David L. Evans weighs in, explaining how new national standards are set to transform science education in the United States. Read the article at:
http://www.mmsend53.com/link.cfm?r=101760906&sid=27359523&m=3020182&u=NSTA&j=15398539&s=http://www.livescience.com/40283-ngss-science-standards-change-education.html
to learn more.
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3b. Eight States Have Now Adopted NGSS
Eight states have now adopted the Next Generation Science Standards. They include:
California
Delaware
Kansas
Kentucky
Maryland
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington (State)
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Information for Students (and Parents too!)
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4a. Student Spaceflight Experiments Program – Mission 6 to the International Space Station
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education, and NanoRacks announce Mission 6 to the International Space Station:
http://ssep.ncesse.org
This STEM education opportunity immerses grade 5–14 students across a community in fully authentic, high-visibility research, with the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the International Space Station (ISS).
Each participating community will be provided a real microgravity research mini-laboratory capable of supporting a single experiment, and all launch services to fly it to the ISS in Fall 2014. A nine-week experiment design competition in each community, held winter/spring 2014 and engaging typically 300 students, allows student teams to design and formally propose real experiments vying for their community's reserved mini-lab on Space Station. Content resources for teachers and students support foundational instruction on science in microgravity and experimental design. Additional programming leverages the experiment design competition to engage the community, embracing a Learning Community Model for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
TIME CRITICAL: all interested communities are asked to inquire by NOVEMBER 20, 2013; schools and districts need to assess interest with their staff and, if appropriate, move forward with an Implementation Plan. Communities must be aboard by February 17, 2014, for a nine-week experiment design phase February 24 to April 28, 2014, and flight experiment selection by May 29, 2014. For more information, please call (301) 395-0770 or e-mail:
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4b. Verizon Innovative App Challenge
The Verizon Innovative App Challenge provides the opportunity for middle and high school students, working with a faculty advisor, to apply their STEM knowledge to develop an original mobile app concept that incorporates STEM and addresses a need or problem in their school or community. The goal of the challenge is to increase student interest and knowledge in STEM subjects and mobile technology through an engaging and empowering learning experience. Winning middle level and high schools will compete for $20,000 grants and Samsung Galaxy Tabs for students on the winning teams. The deadline to apply is December 3, 2013. Please visit:
http://www.njea.org/news/2013-09-20/verizon-innovative-app-challenge?p=2
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4c. Engineering for YOU Video Contest for MS and HS Students
To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, NAE is launching Engineering for You (E4U), a video contest to highlight how engineering innovations serve human welfare and the needs of society. In the last 50 years alone, such achievements include helping to land astronauts on the moon, creating the Internet, and decoding the human genome. The future of engineering is boundless! So, rev up your creativity, pull out your camera, phone or anything else that records video, and produce a one to two minute video focused anywhere in the time period from 1964-2064 showing the world how you see engineering enhancing quality of life and addressing societal needs. The main prize is $25,000 and the contest will run from Nov. 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. Please visit:
http://www.nae.edu/e4u/?utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=National%20Academy%20of%20Engineering&utm_campaign=Spotlight+10-18-13&utm_content=&utm_term=
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4d. 50th Annual Junior Science and Humanity Symposium with Potential College Scholarships
High school student researchers throughout southeastern Michigan are invited to attend a FREE, two-day symposium, coordinated by the College of Education at Wayne State University, where they will present their research and participate in a number of other activities. Scholarships are awarded to the finalists of the regional JSHS: $2,000 to 1st place; $1,500 to 2nd place; and $1,000 to 3rd place; payable upon matriculation at the university of the student's choice. The teacher of the first place finalist from each region also receives a $500 honorarium. Five finalists from each regional JSHS are invited to attend the National JSHS free of charge; and are additionally awarded $12,000.00 to 1st place; $8,000, 00 to 2nd place; and $4,000.00 to 3rd place. The first place finalists in each category at the National JSHS (over 400 from 60 nations) are invited to attend the London International Youth Science Forum (July, 2014) all expenses paid. Visit http://coe.wayne.edu/ted/science/jshs/index.php
to attend or to find out more about the 50th Southeast Michigan JSHS: Nurturing the Next Generation of Scientists. The deadline for Application forms for students to Present Research is January 15, 2014.
The 50th Annual Southeast Michigan Junior Science and Humanities Symposium will take place on Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7, 2014, at the McGregor Conference Center on the main campus of Wayne State University. Sponsored by the Academy of Applied Sciences and the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, the primary aims of JSHS are to promote research and experimentation at the secondary school level and to recognize students for original research achievements. Participation in the JSHS aligns with the need for students to apply practices of science and engineering as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the supporting Framework for K-12 Science Education. Visit the national website:
http://www.jshs.org
for more information about JSHS- a prestigious scholarship program to engage Grades 9- 12 in scientific inquiry.
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4e. Upcoming Deadlines
October 25, 2013: Deadline for students in grades 5 – 12 to enter the Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest. Please visit:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientistforaday12thedition/ready2submit/
October 31, 2013: Deadline to register for Project Polar Bear. Please visit:
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/our-work/community-outreach/project-polar-bear
October 31, 2013: Deadline for MS and HS Students to apply for the Cogito Research Award. Please visit:
https://cogito.cty.jhu.edu/39168/cty-cogito-research-awards/
November 1, 2013: Deadline for HS Students to enter the “Why I’m Optimistic About Our Nation’s Future Essay Contest. Please visit:
www.vfw.org/community/voice-of-democracy/
November 1, 2013: Deadline to enter the “Get to Know” Contest. Please visit:
http://www.get-to-know.org
November 15, 2013: Deadline for students in grades 3 – 8 to enter America’s Home Energy Education Challenge. Please visit:
http://homeenergychallenge.org
November 20, 2013: Deadline for interested communities to inquiry about the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program. For more information, please call (301) 395-0770 or e-mail:
December 3, 2013: Deadline for MS and HS Students to participate in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge. Please visit:
http://www.njea.org/news/2013-09-20/verizon-innovative-app-challenge?p=2
January 3, 2014: Deadline to register for the Youth Rover Challenge. Please visit:
http://youthrover.com
January 15, 2014: Deadline for teams to register for the eCYBERMISSION Competition for 6th-9th graders. Please visit:
http://www.ecybermission.com
January 15, 2014: Deadline for High School Students to apply to present research at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at Wayne State University. Please visit:
http://coe.wayne.edu/ted/science/jshs/index.php
March 14, 2014: Deadline for K-12 Students to enter the NASA Exploration Design Challenge. Please visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/spacelife/explorationdesign/overview/index.html#.UdLvoBZU3dI
March 31, 2014: Deadline for MS and HS Students to enter the Engineering for YOU Video Contest. Please visit:
http://www.nae.edu/e4u/?utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=National%20Academy%20of%20Engineering&utm_campaign=Spotlight+10-18-13&utm_content=&utm_term=
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Grants and Opportunities For K-12 Teachers
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5a. Now Open- 2014 Siemens Summer Learning Application
Are you looking for FREE STEM professional development opportunities this summer? Apply today for the 2014 Siemens Summer of Learning programs, including the Siemens STEM Institute and Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs). These 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. For more information, please visit:
http://siemensstemacademy.com/index.cfm?event=showSTEMApplication&landing=1&utm_source=1MEmail&utm_medium=102213&utm_campaign=STEM+Fall+2013
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5b. Robotics Grants of $500
The Michigan Council of Women In Technology Foundation announces its10th annual grant opportunity
for all-girl Robofest teams in Michigan. Up to six (6) awards of $500 each! Go to the following link for full information and grant application:
www.mcwt.org
Click on the Foundation tab.
Deadline to apply is Dec. 21, 2013
Need details?
Contact: Barbara Kalbfleisch
MCWT Foundation
313-318-5790
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5c. Inspire the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is sponsoring an award for the top environmental educator in the country. Nominees for Environmental Educator of the Year may be formal or informal educators, but all must have demonstrated successes in motivating others to help preserve and protect our environment. To support an educator—whether a classroom teacher or a community program leader—submit a short video explaining why your nominee deserves the award. The recipient of the award will receive $10,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2014 National Science Teachers Association Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, from April 3 to 5.
Deadline: November 1, 2013