Geological Sciences Workshops Offered

Thanks to Samantha Murray of MEEC and Cynthia Pridmore from the California Geological Survey for this information:

There will be a special session consisting of two earth science workshops associated with the regional meeting of the Geological Society of America. The conference runs from April 3-6, 2016. Teachers who register early for the workshop, can attend either of the workshops (described below) for $20. The workshops are sponsored by the California Geological Survey (CGS), the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), the California Mineral Education Foundation (CMEF), Women in Mining (WIM), and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Far Western Section (NAGT). Please feel free to contact me for more information. Details are below:

 Geological Society of America,  Cordilleran Section, 112th Annual Meeting, Ontario California http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/cord/2016mtg/

Two educator workshops will be held (in conjunction with the GSA conference) on Sunday, 3 April, at the Ontario DoubleTree Hotel. Generous sponsorships allow the organizers to offer these workshops at no charge, except for the normal meeting registration fee (Register by February 29 for discounted price: $20 for workshop only registration). http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/cord/2016mtg/registration.htm . Space is limited for the workshops. For general questions, please contact Jade Star Lackey<http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/cord/2016mtg/contact.htm>. Contact the workshop organizer with questions related to individual workshops.

1.       California Earthquake Hazards & Mineral Resources-NGSS

 Explore "Earth and Human Activity-NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea ESS3" with mini lectures and  mostly hands-on-activities covering California earthquakes, tsunamis, and mineral resources. Become part of QuakeCatcher Network, ShakeOut, and an expert on California minerals used in everyday life! Aligned with MS/HS NGSS but scalable for K-5. Maps, worksheets, CDs, minerals, and more! For more info on this workshop contact cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov<mailto:cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov>

Cosponsored by California Geological Survey (CGS), California Mineral Education Foundation (CMEF); Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC); and Women In Mining (WIM).

Sun., 3 April, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Limit: 30; refreshments included, but participants need to provide their own lunch.

Cynthia L. Pridmore, California Geological Survey, cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov<mailto:cpridmore@consrv.ca.gov> ; Robert De Groot, Southern California Earthquake Center; Joyce Pulliam-Fitzgerald, Elementis Specialties Inc.

2.       Creating Dual-Enrollment Honors Geology Classes at High Schools

  Dual-enrollment honors geology classes are a proven strategy to introduce college-bound high school students to the geosciences. This workshop will give an overview of the program developed by the Kern High School District and CSU Bakersfield. It is intended for university faculty and teachers interested in developing similar programs. For more info on this workshop contact dbaron@csub.edu<mailto:dbaron@csub.edu>

Sponsored by National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Far Western Section.

Sun., 3 April, 8 a.m.-noon. Limit: 30; refreshment included.

Dirk Baron, California State Univ. Bakersfield, dbaron@csub.edu<mailto:dbaron@csub.edu>

 

NASA Is With You When You Fly - Teacher Workshop 3/11/15

Did you know that NASA is with you when you fly? Join NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Office of Education for an educator professional development workshop on Bernoulli’s Principle and how it relates to flight. In this inquiry-based workshop, teachers will learn about energy transfer as well as motions and forces as they engage in hands-on, standards-aligned mathematics, science and engineering activities, each of which will demonstrate the Bernoulli Principle. We will explore Bernoulli’s Principle and how it relates to flight and make real world connections with NASA research and the airplanes that are flying today. Hear from a subject matter expert about cutting-edge research happening right now at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center through the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) Project.

When:  Wednesday, March 11, 2015, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm PST

Target Audience: K-12 Formal and Informal Educators

Location: NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute, 38256 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550

Register Online:  http://aeroi.org/ercRegister/index.html

Questions? Call Sondra Geddes at 661-276-2359 or email at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov

There is no charge for the workshop. Free NASA educational materials will be provided.  Seats are limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

IISME Summer Teacher Fellowships Available in LA County - Register Now!

The IISME Summer Fellowship Program places eligible K-16 teachers from all disciplines into high-performance corporate and research environments for the summer. Teachers work full-time for eight weeks, complete a project for their host organization, and are paid for their work. Teachers devote 10% of their paid time to focus on how they will transfer their Summer Fellowship experience back to their students and colleagues. 

For more information about the IISME Summer Fellowship Program and to apply, visit their website at IISME Teacher Fellowship. Applications are open and educators are encouraged to apply by mid-February to increase their chances of being selected in this competitive process. 

Next Gen Science Standards State Rollout Symposium in San Diego and Camarillo

The State Rollout Symposium for the Next Generation Science Standards will be held on 17-18 April 2015 in San Diego, and on 1-2 June 2015 in Camarillo.  For more information, with links to the agenda and registration, visit:  Next Gen Science Standards Rollout Symposium .

Upcoming Next Gen Science Standards Webinars

Thanks to Carol Fry Bohlin and the COMET for this info:

(a) “Literacy for the Science Classroom: Think, Read Talk, and Write Like a Scientist”

Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Registration: http://schoolsmovingup.wested.org/literacy-for-the-science-classroom-think-read-talk-and-write-like-a-scientist/

 

Description:  The presenters will explore how reading, writing, listening, and speaking are used to develop knowledge of scientific ideas, as well as the ways in which scientists develop that knowledge. Particular emphasis will be given to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) practices of "Constructing Explanations" and "Engaging in Argument Form Evidence" and the relationship of these practices with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts/Literacy in Science.

 

Examples will be drawn from middle and high school students' writings of scientific explanations and how argumentation strengthened those explanations. Furthermore, scientific literature will be shown that provides opportunities to compare writing requirements and address classroom strategies. For more information (speakers, registration), please visit the website above.

 

(b) “The Keys to Success in K-6 NGSS Implementation: Webinar II, Cross-cutting Concepts and CCSS Alignment in NGSS”

Date: Friday, 20 February 2015

 Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Description/Registration: http://bit.ly/NGSS2-20-15

 

This webinar and the one immediately below focus on effective strategies for preparing elementary teachers for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The webinars are co-hosted by California State University (CSU) and WestEd. Early registration is encouraged. For more information, please visit the websites listed or CSU’s NGSS website: http://teachingcommons.cdl.edu/ngss

 

(c) “The Keys to Success in K-6 NGSS Implementation: Webinar III, Exemplars of Learning through Scientific and Engineering Practices”

Date: Friday, 13 March 2015

Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Description/Registration: http://bit.ly/NGSS3-13-15  

 

NASA Principles of Flight Workshop for Teachers 1/21/15

Did you know that NASA is with you when you fly? Join NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Office of Education for an educator workshop on the principles of flight. Come explore aeronautics, the parts of an airplane, and the four forces of flight that allow an aircraft to fly. There will be hands-on, standards-aligned mathematics, science and engineering activities and interactive multimedia that you can take back to your classroom. Make real world connections with NASA research and the airplanes that are flying today. Hear from a subject matter expert about cutting edge research happening right now at NASA Armstrong through the Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the National Airspace System, or UAS in the NAS, project. 

When: Wednesday, January 21, 2015, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm PST

Target Audience: K-12 Formal and Informal Educators
Location: NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute, 38256 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale, CA 93550

Register Online: http://aeroi.org/ercForm/index.html

Questions? Call Sondra Geddes at 661-276-2359 or email at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov

Students Pose Suggestions for Better STEM Education

"Mashable" reports [ Mashable: 5 Suggestions for Better STEM Education ] that, during a Twitter chat at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in DC, youth advisors made several suggestions about how to improve STEM education and keep students more interested:

1. Allow students to solve real-world problems rather than perform rote memorization tasks in the classroom;
2. Provide students with the opportunity to do science research early and often;
3. Encourage peer-to-peer education and collaboration during STEM projects to "satisfy human curiosity;"
4. Fear "not trying" rather than failure, as valuable lessons are often learned from the latter;
5. Engage adult mentors to work with students on STEM projects.

UCI to Offer Online STEM Preparation Modules for High School and Incoming Freshmen

UC Irvine has announced the availability of "STEM UP" on-line modules for incoming freshmen and high school seniors to prepare them for the rigors of college level STEM coursework.  The modules, each of which is three weeks long and costs $125, will be available beginning 23 June.  Free assessments will assist students to determine their current levels, and modules will provide work in Quantitative Skills, Pre-Calculus, Pre-Chemistry, Pre-Physics, and Pre-Biology.  For further information, see UCI STEM-Up Modules .

2014 Siemens Competitions in Math, Science & Technology Now Open for Registration

The Siemens Foundation, in partnership with Discovery Education, has opened registration for the 2014 Math, Science and Technology Competition for high school students. All submissions of original research projects are due by no later than 30 September 2014, and students may enter either individually or as a member of a team.  Regional winners selected will have their projects reviewed at universities around the nation, including Cal Tech in Pasadena, in November.  National finalists will present their projects in Washington, D.C.  in December.  Winners will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.  For further information and to register, go to 2014 Siemens Competitions .

Google Science Fair Submissions Due By 5/12/14 - FAQ Hangouts 4/4, 4/7, 4/11

Calling all Google science aficianados:  Google is once again hosting its annual Science Fair for students ages 13-18 from around the world.  Students register for free at GoogleScienceFair.com, then carry out an experiment or test a subject of their interest, and submit their project by 12 May 2014; 90 regional finalists will be chosen and their work reviewed by judges, with that field narrowed to 15 finalists who will go to the Google HQ in Mountain View, CA to compete for a range of prizes.  There will be Google Hangouts in early April, as well as website resources for competitors.  For further information on critical dates, to register, and view resources, go to Google Science Fair Competition Overview .

NGSS Rollout Symposium Meetings Slated for May

The OC Office of Education, in partnership with CDE, CSP, WestEd, and CSTA,  is presenting a Next Generation Science Standards Rollout Symposium for teachers and administrators of grades K-12 from 8:00am-4:30pm on 22 and 23 May 2014 at the Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center.  Districts and schools are encouraged to bring teams to the event to learn more about the standards, performance expectations, connections with CCSS, lesson explorations, action plans, and more.  Registration fees include symposium materials, continental breakfast, and lunch.  To register, go to NGSS Rollout Symposium .


Update:  NGSS Rollout  Symposium also offered May 27-28, 2014, Crafton Hills College, Yucaipa 11711 San Canyon Rd., Yucaipa, CA 92399, Registration/Continental Breakfast - 7:30 a.m. Meeting - 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (day two 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.).  NGSS Rollout Symposium Locations

NSTA Virtual Conference on Implementing NGSS on 3/8/14

The National Science Teachers Association will be hosting a virtual conference on how to apply the Next Generation Science Standards in K-12 classrooms on Saturday, 8 March 2014, from 7-3:30pm PST.  Cost for members is $79, with non-members paying $99 to participate.  For more information and to register, visit NSTA Virtual Conference - NGSS .

Environmental/Science Scholarship Applications Due by 4/14/14

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC) is seeking applicants for its Environmental/Science Scholarship. Scholarship(s) will be awarded to five qualifying graduating high school senior(s) in the amount of $2,000.00 each. Recipient must attend a high school located within MEEC’s boundaries of the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County, the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside County and the High Desert region of North Los Angeles County, including the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale. Eligible students must declare a major in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or other closely related Science or Engineering field.

Applicants are required to provide the following:
1. A completed application form (see link below)
2. Transcripts and SAT/ACT scores (unofficial copies accepted)
3. 500 word personal essay on – “My Career Goals and Why I would like a Career in the Environment, Science, or Engineering field ”
4. Application packages must be received no later than 5 PM, on April 14, 2014.

Applicant packet may be mailed or dropped off at:
MEEC – ATTN: Scholarship Committee
14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392

Additional Scholarship Applications are available through Samantha Murray, MEEC Program Specialist, at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717, or visit MEEC Environmental Science/Engineering Scholarship to download an application.

Science and Engineering of the Olympics

With the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia just concluded and still fresh in the minds of students (and teachers), here is a resource from NSF and NBC Learn that provides 10 video segments on science and engineering principles involved in many of the competitions. This is a follow-up from a similar 2010 endeavor. Science and Engineering of the Winter Olympics.

California State Summer School for Math and Science Applications Due 2/21/14

COSMOS is a four-week residential program for talented and motivated students who are completing grades 8-12. Students who love math and science have a chance to spend four weeks at UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz or UC San Diego this summer. They will learn about astronomy, biomedical sciences, computer games, engineering, robotics and more.

 

Students will work side-by-side with outstanding UC researchers and faculty, exploring advanced topics that extend beyond the typical high school curriculum. COSMOS courses are hands-on and lab-intensive, emphasizing current research underway at the University of California campuses.

 

Applications are due by no later than 21 February 2014, and successful applicants will be notified in April.  For more information, visit the COSMOS website at COSMOS

Forest Ecology Teacher Workshops 4/26-4/27/14 - Scholarships Available

Thanks to Samantha Murray at MEEC!

Scholarship Applications are now available for the Boeing sponsored "Forest Ecology" teacher workshop scheduled for April 26 and 27, 2014. The application is attached and the deadline for submission is April 9, 2014 @ 5:00 PM.

The Forest Ecology workshop is a study in forest ecology designed to provide educators with the necessary tools and resources to foster student understanding of and appreciation for the forested lands throughout North America. Educators will be working directly with CalFire and National Resources Conservation Service foresters located in the San Bernardino Mountain area of Lake Arrowhead which were ravaged by wildfires.

This two-day teacher workshop will provide twenty (20) educators with valuable tools, including Project Learning Tree's "Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests" curriculum, which provides an opportunity for hands-on study of forest resources while addressing concepts in biology, civics, ecology, economics, forest management, and other subject areas. Project Learning Tree (PLT) is one of the most widely used environmental education programs in the United States and abroad. PLT continues to set the standard for environmental education excellence. Educators will receive the PLT PreK-8 activity guide and/or the secondary thematic modules (Forest Ecology, Focus on Forests, Solid Waste, Risk, Places We Live) for use with older youth. Through the activities found within this module, educators will have their students examine ecological systems of a forest; analyze interdependencies within a forest ecosystem; and explore factors, such as fire, that shape the development of forests. In addition, students will develop critical thinking skills and discover the importance of scientific analysis when making decisions about forest issues.

Twenty (20) Teacher Scholarships will be awarded to attend a two-day, overnight training session located in the Lake Arrowhead area of the San Bernardino National Forest. Scholarships include all meals, lodging (Best Western, Big Bear Lake), curriculum materials, and a $50 transportation stipend. Scholarships are limited and are on a first come, first served basis. Sorry, no spouses or partners may accompany the workshop attendee due to limited arrangements.

A $50 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT will be required for all scholarship recipients upon acceptance of application to confirm your attendance at this workshop. Your check will be returned to you upon check in on April 26.

For more details, visit:  Forest Ecology Teacher Workshop - MEEC

National Youth Science Camp Applications Due by 3/1/14

Applications from graduating seniors for the National Youth Science Camp are due by 1 March 2014.  This prestigious opportunity allows two seniors from each state to attend the residential science program at no cost (including registration, room, board, and transportation expenses being paid for successful applicants), which will be held this year near Bartow, WV, in the Monongahela National Forest from 27 June to 20 July 2014.  Noted scientists will present lectures and hands-on activities as well as interact with student delegates.

Applicants must demonstrate superior academic proficiency in math and science, leadership skills and social maturity as evidenced by participation in community events, involvement in extra-curricular as well as academic events, be eligible for graduation between 7/1/13 and 6/30/14, and intend to pursue a STEM major in post-secondary education.  Some citizenship requirements apply.

For more information, and to apply before 1 March 2014, visit NYSC Application.

CDE Hosting Webinar on CCSS Content Literacy in Science 2/21/14

The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to present a webinar on 21 February 2014 from 3:30-5:00pmPST for the CCSS Content Literacy in Science: K-12 professional learning module.  The webinar will focus on providing educator leaders and professional learning providers, as well as teachers, with an overview of how to facilitate group sessions using module content. The module is part of the CCSS for California Educators series and was developed in collaboration with the K-12 Alliance/WestEd and the UC Riverside Science Project.  To participate (no pre-registration required), go to CCSS Content Literacy in Science Webinar and enter Event #: 668 444 987 and Passcode: 84916; teleconference call-in number: 1-650-479-3207 and access code: 662312974. 

2014 Kavli Science Video Contest Entries Due by 3/21/14

Thirty- to ninety-second student-created videos are being sought for the 2014 USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo to be held in Washington, DC on 26-28 April 2014.  The Kavli Science Video Contest is open to students in grades 6-12 in the US and internationally.  The video should be based on student research on a wide variety of topics, and then state a case for how science can or should be used to accomplish something now or in the future.  Prizes will be awarded to winners of 1st through 3rd places, plus People's Choice.  For more information and to register, visit Kavli Science Video Contest 2014

Pinterest "Science Stuff"

 Here are a number of Pinterest boards for "science stuff" for all grade levels:  Science Stuff Pinterest Boards