VDOE Science Update November 15, 2017
News
Be sure to look at the Superintendent’s Memos at the end of the newsletter. Last week, four memos pertaining to science were posted.
Grants and Awards
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) – Nominations Open – Grades K-6
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is pleased on announce that the 2018 cycle for grades K-6 has begun and the nomination process has been opened. Nominations close on April 1, 2018. PAEMST are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Since 1983, more than 4,700 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. If you know great teachers, nominate them to join this prestigious network of professionals. For more information on PAEMST or to nominate a teacher, visit the PAEMST website.
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Awards and Recognition Program
This program presents awards to several exceptional and innovative science educators each year at their annual National Conference on Science Education. Nominate a deserving teacher that you know or apply for one of the 20 available awards. Applications and nominations are dueDecember 15annually.
Teacher Resources
Project WET Early Childhood Education Guide
Getting Little Feet Wet has age-appropriate activities for PreK-2 learners and appeals to young children’s curiosity about the world around them while also emphasizing the importance of water. It is available for purchase in print or PDF download from the Project WET Store. The guide is on NSTA’s list of the best available supplements for science teaching.
Virginia Water Radio
Take some time to check out Virginia Water Radio, a show that presents sounds and music that relate to Virginia’s waters, from the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean. Produced weekly, episodes typically are 3-to-5 minutes long and use sounds or music to help introduce and focus a water topic. The show notes include links to other sources of information on the episodes' topics, including a list of the related Virginia SOLs that may be supported from the episode. Listen online or download on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Attached is a chart that lists Virginia Science Standards of Learning that have some connection to water and suggested Virginia Water Radio episodes for each SOL.
ChemReaX
ChemReaX is a free web app formodeling and simulating basic chemical reactions. The software is intended for chemistry students and their teachers at the undergraduate and high school (AP/IB) levels. The ChemReaX simluation platform makes it easy to create sophisticated virtual labs in chemistry courses. ChemReaX can be used to experiment withchemical thermodynamics, reaction equilibria, kinetics,andacid-base titration.
Center for Wind Energy at JMU
The CWE focuses onresearch, education, and outreach to advance wind energy deployment. Theireducationalefforts reach a wide range of audiences including K-12 students and educators, undergraduates, and post-graduates. Activities include:
· Training workshops for educators and installers
· K-12 classroom visits
· Curriculum development
· Dissemination of resources
· Maintaining a library of resources for loan
· Hosting the annual Virginia KidWind Challenges
Teacher Opportunities
Apply to be a National STEM Scholar
The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) partners with the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Science and Mathematics at Western Kentucky University to fund 10 scholarships each year for middle school teachers who will inspire the next generation of STEM pioneers. STEM Scholars receive advanced education in the development of STEM projects for their classrooms and spend a full day with a national thought leader in STEM education.
Each STEM Scholar receives the following:
· Advanced education and leadership training on WKU’s campus the first week of June (6/3-6/9). All expenses – travel, lodging, meals – paid.
· They return to their home schools with a notebook/tablet (a Chromebook or similar) to facilitate collaboration.
· A credit of up to $2,500 for technology and supplies to implement a challenge project in their classroom.
· Sponsored attendance at the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) Conference the following March (in St. Louis). All expenses – travel, lodging, meals – paid.
· Mentoring throughout the school year by WKU faculty.
The application to apply to become a STEM Scholar is now open. Applications are due February 1, 2018. Learn more and apply at the NSCF website.
Knowles Teacher Initiative Teaching Fellowship
If you are a new teacher in your first or second year of teaching who is passionate about teaching science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and are dedicated to challenging and supporting all students, you're eligible for this fellowship. The five-year fellowship supports dedicated teachers to thrive in the profession, lead from the classroom, and become change agents in education. This comprehensive professional development program for STEM teachers provides its fellows access to a close, collaborative community of likeminded colleagues. Fellows are eligible to receive professional development grants and stipends. Application deadline is November 26.
NOAA Planet Stewards
Apply now to join the NOAA Planet Stewards 2018 Stewardship Community. Selected educators who meet project requirements will be eligible for:
· Up to $2500 to support the execution of a environmental stewardship action project.
· Travel reimbursements to attend select workshops and/or national conferences - following the successful completion of a planet stewardship project.
Applications are being accepted until midnight November 27, 2017.To learn more about this opportunity and apply, go to theNOAA Planet Stewards Education Project Web Site.
NOAA Teacher at Sea
The mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Teacher at Sea Program is to provide pre-kindergarten through college-level teachers ahands-on, real-world research experience working at sea with world-renowned NOAA scientists, thereby giving teachers unique insight into oceanic and atmospheric research crucial to our nation. Applications and references are accepted through theonline application system fromNovember 1 - 30,2017.The application closes at5:00 pm ETon November 30. Until then, interested applicants should: 1. Visit theFrequently Asked Questions pageto learn more about program eligibility and expectations. 2. Download thepdf preview of the applicationto review the questions and, if so inclined, begin preparing responses.
Student Opportunities
Hour of Code
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. The Hour of Code takes place each year duringComputer Science Education Week. The 2017 Computer Science Education Week will be December 4-10, but you can host an Hour of Code all year round. Learn more and register at the Hour of Code website.
KidWind Challenge
The KidWind Challenge is a wind turbine design competition for middle and high school students. Teams of two to four students incorporate engineering and science to build powerful small-scale wind turbines and compete with other students from around the state to generate the most electricity. This event is a chance to get students involved and excited about alternative energy and sustainability. On top of gaining teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills, students will learn key scientific concepts during their constructions. For more information about the challenge and the complete rules, go to theKidWind website.
National Youth Science Camp
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is an intense month-long camp for young scientists conducted during the summer after they graduate from high school. In a rustic setting in West Virginia, students from around the country are challenged academically in exciting lectures and hands-on studies on current science topics. The program also offers participants the opportunity to experience a wide variety of outdoor activities that have minimal impact on the environment and are challenging for the experienced but accessible to those who have never participated in outdoor excursions. The NYSC is an all-expenses-paid program. The National Youth Science Foundation will arrange round trip transportation from an airport near the delegate’s home to Charleston, West Virginia. Information about the National Youth Science Camp and an application may be obtained at theNational Youth Science CampWeb site. The application must be submitted through the NYSC Web site by February 28, 2018.
Research Science Institute
The Center for Excellence in Education and Massachusetts Institute of Technology co-sponsor the Research Science Institute that will be held on the MIT campus June 24-August 4, 2018. The application deadline for this free institute for current 11 grade students is January 12, 2018. See application information at: http://www.cee.org/apply-rsi.
Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarship
A full-tuition scholarship for a woman in science, technology, engineering, or math. Learn more and apply by December 11, 2017 at the Science Ambassador Scholarship website.
STEM Corner
Fall provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about photosynthesis. This interdisciplinary lesson is designed for 4th grade students.
First, students can read (or read aloud as a class) Top Secretby John Reynolds Gardiner. Written at about a fourth-grade level, the book tells the story of a boy who decides to solve the mystery of photosynthesis for a school science project. Students learn about photosynthesis from the book. After the reading, students can observe the effects of light on the color of leaves. When leaves on a tree are still green, invite each student to cover part of a leaf with aluminum foil. (Choose a tree that you know will turn bright colors.) Use masking tape or a paper clip to attach the foil to the leaf. Wait until the leaves on the tree change color. Then remove the foil and see the colors that were in the leaf all summer! Finally, let students work in teams to take a census of the trees in your school yard, an area of a nearby park, or another defined area. Students can use the survey data to create bar graphs that show the numbers of trees of different species.
Highlighted Superintendent’s Memos
§ MEMO 319-17
2018 National Youth Science Camp (NYSC)
§ MEMO 318-17
“Programs That Work” Awards for Mathematics, Science, and STEM
§ MEMO 317-17
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program
§ MEMO 315-17
Environmental Science Course
§ MEMO 285-17
2017-2018 Green Ribbon Schools
Contact Us
As always, please contact one of VDOE Science Team if you have questions.
Anne Petersen ()
Laura Casdorph ()
Myra Thayer ()
Find previous editions of Science Update on the VDOE Science Instruction website.