Webinar on NGSS and Environmental Education Set for 3/17/14

The National Wildlife Federation, State Environment and Education Roundtable, Campaign for Environmental Literacy, and North American Association for Environmental Education are co-hosting a webinar on the development and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards as they relate to environmental education.  The webinar will be held on Monday, 17 March 2014, from 11:00am to 1:00pm PST.  To RSVP on-line and receive registration information, visit NGSS and Environmental Education RSVP Link .

LA County 2014 Math Field Day Registration Deadline 4/7/14

The 2014 Mathematics Field Day for 4th-8th graders, sponsored by LACOE, will be held on:

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2014

Place: Glendale High School
1440 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA 91206
Time: 7:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
Fee: $125.00 for each team of 4 students and one adult; registration deadline is 7 April 2014. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact: Anthony Quan at (562) 922-6896 or e-mail: 

Quan_Anthony@lacoe.edu 

or Sandy Dowden (Dowden_Saundra@lacoe.edu) or call (562) 401-5486.

Please refer to Math Field Day Packets on the LACOE website for more information regarding a detailed DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS for Math Field Day participation.  http://www.lacoe.edu/AcademicEvents/MathFieldDay.aspx

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.

MEEC Accepting Applications for Teacher and Student of the Year by 4/11/14

MEEC is pleased to announce its 9th annual search for nominations for “Teacher of the Year” and “Students of the Year”.

Teacher of the Year: Three winners will be selected to receive this prestigious honor; one first place winner, who will receive $500 in cash and a plaque, and two MEEC “Teachers of Excellence” recipients, who will each receive $300 in cash and plaques. This year’s awards banquet will be held on May 8, 2014 at 6 PM at the beautiful Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, California. To this end, MEEC is soliciting your nomination of the educator from your school that you feel would be most worthy of this prestigious recognition. MEEC is looking for an educator who makes continuous and enduring contributions to environmental education, demonstrates capacity for creating and implementing successful environmental activities, shows creative approaches, promotes individual and societal environmental responsibility, and encourages youth to make informed decisions about environmental issues. Please take the time to formulate a brief letter describing your nominee and his/her contributions to environmental education. Please mail your submission to MEEC, 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392. Letters may also be faxed to (760) 241-6271 or emailed to smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov. Deadline for entries is April 14, 2014.

Student of the Year: Each Student of the Year recipient will receive $60.00 in cash, as well as a $60.00 Staples gift card. The awards banquet will be held on May 8, 2014 at 6 PM at Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville. To this end, MEEC is soliciting one Student of the Year nomination from each school site. The nomination can come from either a principal or teacher. When selecting the student nominee, the nominator must take into consideration the work that the student has done in leadership toward environmental issues and stewardship. The following stipulations will serve as a guide for assisting you in the nomination process:
1. The student will be nominated by a teacher or principal from his/her school.
2. The student nominee must have spent a minimum of 12 hours in conservation and environmental education activities.
3. The student has educated peer students, school employees or community in environmental issues or conservation.
4. The student must have above average academic standing (>2.0 GPA for secondary, and the equivalent for primary grades).
5. The student must display leadership qualities, possess good character and a good reputation among peers, and not be a disciplinary problem.

Please take the time to complete the nomination form found at MEEC Student of the Year Nomination Form, and mail your submission to MEEC, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392. Forms may also be faxed to (760) 241-6271 or emailed to smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov. Deadline for entries April 14, 2014.

"Concrete is Not Cement" Workshop in Mojave 4/3/14

CalPortland Company Presents… “Cement is Not Concrete!” A K-12 Teacher Workshop presented by Women In Mining.

Learn the difference between cement and concrete at this teacher workshop presented by Women In Mining, and receive a FREE curricula guide with tables listing specific minerals and rocks, their characteristics, plus lesson plans, glossaries, and a historical timeline of cement notes! Plus, participants will tour the CalPortland Plant to see how cement is made from raw materials, and blasted from the mountain side into important building materials. As an added bonus, participants will also tour the large renewable energy wind turbine site that provides more than 25% of the plant’s energy, and receive FREE energy curriculum!!

WHEN: Thursday, April 3, 2014
TIME: 4:00 PM—7:00 PM
Registration 3:30-3:45, tour leaves promptly at 4PM
WHERE: CALPORTLAND COMPANY
9350 Oak Creek Rd, Mojave, CA 93501

COST: FREE! FREE DINNER, FREE CURRICULUM!
This workshop is exclusively for teachers and not available to the general public.
Participants must wear closed-toe, sturdy walking shoes and long plants.

This fascinating workshop meets California Education Standards and
incorporates a variety of lessons using history, language arts, science and more. Workshop is limited to the first 20 teachers that signup so hurry and register today!
Registration Deadline: March 21, 2014

To reserve your spot, call (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or email
Samantha Murray, MEEC Program Specialist at: smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov

International Studies STEM Degrees Offered

A growing trend in engineering education is "internationalizing" study abroad for STEM students who have traditionally been under-represented in these programs.  One such program is offered at Northern Arizona University, where students get a B.S. in a STEM subject, and a B.A. in a foreign language (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish), spend their fourth year abroad to study and participate in an internship, and return for their fifth year at NAU, all at a cost not much in excess of the 4-year program.  The Valparaiso International Engineering Program has a similar approach.  For more information, visit Globalizing STEM Degree Programs .

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. 

AVUHSD to Host Community Forums on LCFF in February and March 2014

The Antelope Valley Union High School District will be hosting community forums in February and March 2014 regarding the Local Control Funding Formula and the district's Local Control Accountability Plan.  Please plan to attend one of the sessions at a local campus, all of which begin at 6:00pm.  To view the flyer, visit:  AVUHSD LCFF/LCAP Forums Flyer


18 February - Palmdale HS and Quartz Hill HS
19 February - R. Rex Parris HS
20 February - SOAR HS and SOAR Prep/Academies of the Antelope Valley
26 February - Eastside HS and Littlerock HS
3 March - Knight HS
11 March - Antelope Valley HS
12 March - Highland HS and Lancaster HS

AIAA To Host Engineering Career Night at AVC 2/18/14

As part of an Engineering Week commemoration, the Antelope Valley Chapter of the AIAA, joined by the SWE and SFTE, are hosting a Career Night related to engineering for 8th graders through college aged students at Antelope Valley College, in the SSV-151 Board Room, on Tuesday, 18 February 2014, from 6-7:30pm.  Highlights include a panel of engineers, free pizza, and a paper airplane competition where the winner will receive a $25 gift card from Best Buy.  Come out and ask questions about engineers and what they do.  For more information, visit www.facebook.com/AntelopeValleyAIAA or e-mail aiaa.av@gmail.com .

STEM Conference for Girls 3/15/14 - Registration Now Open

AVUHSD and AVC, along with Upper Hand to College, are co-sponsoring the second annual STEM Conference for Girls for middle and high school young ladies on Saturday, 15 March 2014, from 9:00am to 3:00pm PST, at the Palmdale Conference Center (1156 East Avenue “S,” Palmdale, CA).  Spaces will be limited to approximately 50 middle school and 50 high school participants; there will also be parent workshops with approximately 50 slots available (waitlist will be kept for all once those spots fill).  For a “save the date,” visit AVC Palmdale Center STEM Programs.  Registration is currently available at:  STEM Conference for Girls 2014 Registration Form or by contacting Sharon Dalmage at (661) 722-6400, ext. 6991.

 

"Rethink Recycling" Video Contest Entries Due by 3/7/14

MEEC and the High Desert Power Project are sponsoring the "Rethink Recycling" video contest.  Students at all K-12 grade levels are eligible to participate by submitting their 30-60 second videos about recycling.  Gift card prizes will be offered for each grade span winner (K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12).

CONTEST CRITERIA
• Create an innovative 30 second to one minute video encouraging recycling. Your video should include examples of at least 3 recyclable items. Your video will be judged for uniqueness, creativity and the best portrayal of how you spread the word on recycling. Providing a “title” for the video is optional.
• Videos may be submitted as a DVD/CD, SchoolTube/YouTube link, or Media File
• Once videos are uploaded to Schooltube.com or YouTube.com, links may be emailed to: smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov. Media Files may also be emailed. DVD/CD entries may be mailed to: MEEC, 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392
• Students may submit multiple videos, but only one video can win per person. Each entry must contain the students name, grade, school and home phone number to be considered.
• Deadline for submission is March 7, 2014 at 5:00 PM.
• Winners will be notified by phone and invited to attend the Award Ceremony presentation on March 18, 2014 at the High Desert Power Project, which will include a tour of the facility for the  winners and their families.

For further information, please call Samantha Murray, at: (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717

Climate Change in Focus Video Contest Entries Due 3/10/14

Students who are U.S. residents from 11-14 years of age before January 2014 are invited to submit videos of 30-120 seconds in length that answers two questions:

Why do you care about climate change?

How are you reducing carbon pollution or preparing for the impacts of climate change?

Prizes are being offered to the first entries, as well as to winners to the first three places. Videos submitted as part of class projects will receive special recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency and National Environmental Education Foundation.

Entries are due by no later than 3:00pm on 10 March 2014.

For more information and to register, go to NEEF Climate Change in Focus Contest .

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

Key Issues Institute Teacher Applications Due by 3/21/14

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC) is once again accepting applications from teachers of 5th to 8th grade students to attend the summer Key Issues Institute in Colorado in June or July.  Scholarships are being funded for 3 teachers from the Antelope Valley, CA area, and 1 from the San Bernardino/Riverside High Desert areas, provided through the generosity of AVAQMD, Lockheed Martin Palmdale, LA County Sanitation District, and MEEC.

During the week-long training, selected High Desert teachers will gain the skills and confidence to explore local and global environmental issues with their students using a non-biased, standards-based framework. Scholarship covers full cost of instruction, curriculum, airfare, lodging and meals. Awardees may select to attend one of three sessions held between June 24 and July 15, 2014.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION PACKAGES IS MARCH 21, 2014.

For more information about this program, visit Key Issues Scholarships or contact Violette Roberts, MEEC Executive Chair at 760.245.1661 ext. 6104.

Free "Toothpaste With A Twist" Workshop and Tour on 2/19/14

Thanks to Samantha Murray from MEEC for this info:

Women in Mining invites High Desert Educators to a special workshop that will provide teachers with all the tools necessary to teach your students about products that use locally-mined natural minerals directly or products that are made from minerals, such as toothpaste! Teachers will learn how to make a “marketable” toothpaste and investigate minerals such as calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, common ingredients in commercial toothpastes. Participants will receive a kit to take back to the classroom to share this fun and investigative activity with their students.

This workshop includes a 30 minute walking tour of the CEMEX River Plant Facility. Closed toed shoes are required.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 19, 2014
TIME: 4:30 PM—7:00 PM
Registration 4:15 Workshop starts at 4:30PM
WHERE: CEMEX River Plant
16888 North E Street, Victorville
COST: FREE! FREE DINNER! FREE CURRICULUM!

Workshop is limited to the first 25 teachers that signup so hurry and register today!

To reserve your spot, call (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or email
Samantha Murray, MEEC Program Specialist at: smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov. Registration deadline in February 12, 2014.

Males in Non-Traditional Careers Webinar 2/25/14

NAPE will be sponsoring the next in its series of free webinars related to non-traditional careers with "Males in Nontraditional Careers--Outreach, Recruitment & Retention in CTE" on 25 February 2014 at 10:00amPST.  The webinar will be hosted by Joan Runnheim Olson, and also feature Soren Gall. 

This webinar focuses on strategies to encourage and support males in careers they typically do not consider, including early childhood education.

Webinar Objectives    

• Identify benefits and barriers to males considering nontraditional careers
• Share outreach, recruitment, and retention strategies for educators
• Provide resources for current and potential male early childhood education (ECE) professionals
• Provide logical and simple strategies to support males who work in ECE
• Share successful experiences relate to men in ECE   

For more information and to register, visit NAPE Non-Traditional Webinar Series. 

Public Comment Period Open Until 2/28/14 on Next Gen Science Standards

Thanks to CSLNet for this alert:

The California Department of Education (CDE) is requesting California middle grades science teachers, administrators, and others in the public share their thoughts on which of the three potential NGSS discipline specific models they believe would work best for California students as an alternative to the preferred NGSS Integrated Model for grades 6-8.

After gathering this input, the Superintendent of Public Instruction will subsequently make a decision about which model will be endorsed by the CDE and notify the State Board at or before its May 2014 meeting.

 To view the proposed discipline specific models, please visit the

CDE NGSS Web Page.

To submit input regarding the potential discipline specific models, please click here. 

 
The survey will remain open through Friday, February 28, 2014.

Fresno State Physics Outreach Course

Fresno State University professor Don Williams is spearheading the effort to get more students, and the community, interested in STEM subjects through a physics outreach program.  The program will also begin as a physics service learning class at Fresno State in the spring semester.  Fresno State Physics Outreach