E-Blast 1 July 2014
Please share this information with colleagues and friends. If you have questions or comments,
please contact Jean May-Brett, ([email protected]) Louisiana State Coordinator,
LSTA/NSTA Science Matters Network.
LSTA and LATM will host a joint math and science conference in Shreveport, LA on October 2022, 2014. Interested presenters may submit a proposal for a 1-hour session that will be held on
Tuesday, October 21 and/or Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Presenters must provide all
equipment (computers, LCD projectors and/or panels, Internet access, or other items) needed
for their presentation. Submit a Concurrent session proposal here!
Deadline to submit a Concurrent session proposal: August 15, 2014
Information on the following items can be found below the list.
1. LIGO Livingston Observatory– Free Open House Saturday, July 19, from 1 PM – 5 PM.
2. Free Earth Science for the 21st Century One-day Teacher Conference July 31 Baton Rouge
3. Global Youth Service Day Lead Agency Grants: Deadline July 31
4. Summer of Service Awards: Deadline for application is July 31
5. Toshiba America Foundation Grants: Deadline: August 1
6. The Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants: Deadline August 15
7. Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award from Afterschool Alliance: Deadline August 15
8. Quality Science and Math Grants Deadline September 12, 2014
9. Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation Grants: Deadline pre-proposals September 14
10. GreenWorks! Grants: Deadline September 30, 2014.
11. Captain Planet Foundation Grants: Deadline September 30, 2014.
12. Your Name Here-Submit to the included in the OSIRIS-Rex Mission: Deadline Sept 30
13. More! Rocks in Your Head October 4, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
14. American Physical Society - Division of Plasma Physics Science Teachers Day, October 28
15. Every Day Capacity Building Grants: Deadline October 30.
16. Intel STS 2015 Application Now Open
17. Esri free access to ArcGIS Online to all elementary and secondary schools in the US
18. E. O. Wilson’s Life on Earth available free on the iBooks Store
19. Annenberg Resources Middle School Math Workshops
20. Binoculars for Young Citizen Scientists from Celestron through November 2014
21. Engineering explained
22. Clever Classroom Tips For Elementary School Teachers
23. EDC and the Mathematical Practices
24. Ten Thousand Microscopes Signup
25. Plum Landing exploration of Planet Earth www.lpb.org/education (Grades 1-4)
26. AGI’s Earth Science Organizations (ESO) database
27. The Association of American Geographers (AAG), Geography Resources for Teachers
28. Eight project-based robot-oriented lessons from: www.RobotBASIC.org
29. SEED’s School Network Program and Online Science Center
30. Smithsonian Shout Online Conference Series
31. Online Videos Show ‘Faces of Climate Change’
32. Colossal blog explores art and other aspects of visual culture
33. Invitation for Submissions to Green Teacher
34. FlipQuiz
35. NSF Resources for K-12 STEM Education
36. E-Blast Contest
1. LIGO Livingston Observatory– Free Open House Saturday, July 19, from 1 PM – 5 PM.
Get Inspired at LIGO Science Education Center in Livingston, LA, on
Join us at LIGO in July for “Sounds Like Science”. Go beyond your perceptions and learn the
physics of sound.
Every Science Saturday visitors will have the opportunity to take a tour of the facility and
talk to a LIGO Scientist or science specialist. In addition, visitors can explore and interact with
over 40 LIGO Science Concept exhibits. This event is Free!
For directions, or more information checkout http://www.ligo-la.caltech.edu/SEC.html or call Tien
at (225) 686-3173. For many families this is a great one-tank Staycation in Louisiana
2. Free Earth Science for the 21st Century One-day Teacher Conference July 31 Baton Rouge
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Speakers, earth science resources, lunch, presentations and more
Sponsor: Offshore Energy Conference
Contact: [email protected] Inquiries 281.544.3826
3. Global Youth Service Day Lead Agency Grants: Deadline July 31
Lead Agencies are local, regional, or statewide organizations that increase the scale, visibility,
and impact of Global Youth Service Day in their city, region, or state. Lead Agencies convene a
planning coalition of partner organizations that collectively engage a minimum number of youth
volunteers in service, engage local media and elected officials, and plan a high profile signature
project or celebration of service. http://www.ysa.org/gysdleads2015
4. Summer of Service Awards: Deadline for application is July 31
The Summer of Service Awards recognizes young people, ages 5-18, who are creating positive
change through volunteering and service.
http://www.ysa.org/beinspired
5. Toshiba America Foundation Grants: Deadline: August 1
Toshiba America Foundation accepts applications from teachers who are passionate about
making science and mathematics more engaging for their students. 6-12 Grant requests for
$5,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis, throughout the calendar year. 6-12 Grant
requests for $5,000 or more are accepted and reviewed twice a year - August 1 and February 1
each year. ($1,000 Grant Applications for grades K - 5 are due October 1.)
http://bit.ly/1m24v98
6. The Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants: Deadline August 15
Grants, up to $5,000, are available to nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt public service
agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of
their community. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of
tools, materials, or services. Priority will be given to volunteer projects that serve veterans and
their families, whether that's repairing homes or improving facilities and/or that involve veterans
volunteering to help other veterans. http://bit.ly/Me5GzA
7. Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award from Afterschool Alliance: Deadline August 15
The Afterschool Alliance and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation are seeking nominations
for afterschool programs that have excelled in providing literacy support to middle school
students to win the first ever Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award worth up to $10,000.
Strong literacy skills can lead to success in school and career, as well as positively impact one's
overall wellbeing. Afterschool programs with demonstrated success improving the literacy skills
- including reading, writing and comprehension - of middle school program participants are
eligible. http://svy.mk/1v6tCuc
CNN Heroes Deadline for nomination is August 31
Nominate a CNN Hero – an everyday person changing the world. Categories include Defending
the Planet, Community Crusader, and more.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/05/living/cnnheroes-how-to-nominate/index.html
8. Apply now for Quality Science and Math Grants Deadline September 12, 2014
**NOTE: Only full-time classroom teachers assigned to teach mathematics or science in the K12 regular education program in public schools are eligible to submit proposals. Go to
http://www.seasystem.net/cgi-bin/qsm/ for the full guidelines and regulations.
Looking for a way to purchase math and science classroom materials? Are you in need
of funding to support equipment for your great ideas? Wish you could implement some ideas
seen during last year’s conferences or professional development training? The answer might be
waiting for you through the Quality Math and Science Grant Program.
The QSM program has approximately $162,000 in funds to award grants to eligible
classroom teachers for the 2014-15 school year. Grants of up to $750 each for approved
materials and equipment are awarded on a competitive basis to individual classroom teachers
to use in providing standards-based instruction to help meet state accountability goals.
Applicants must show that their proposals will enhance the quality of instruction for regular
education students who are enrolled in mathematics or science classes. Proposal must be
submitted no later than Friday, September 12, 2014.
9. Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation Grants: Deadline pre-proposals September 14
K-12 teachers are invited to apply for grants to develop or implement environmental curricula
that integrate hands-on ecology exercises into the classroom. To facilitate learning and student
empowerment, environmental curricula should be holistic and strive to synthesize multiple levels
of learning (facts, concepts, and principles), often including experiential integrated learning and
problem solving.
http://www.mgaef.org/application.htm
10. GreenWorks! Grants: Deadline September 30, 2014.
The GreenWorks! Grant is open to any Project Learning Tree-trained educator in the U.S who
has participated in at least one ClimateChangeLIVE event. These grants support student-driven
projects, enabling students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the real
world.
http://climatechangelive.org/index.php?pid=177
11. Captain Planet Foundation Grants: Deadline September 30, 2014.
The Captain Planet Foundation provides grants to school and community groups to support
hands-on environmental projects for youth in grades K-12. The objective of the foundation is to
encourage innovative programs that empower youth to work individually and collectively to solve
environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities.
http://captainplanetfoundation.org/apply-for-grants/
12. Your Name Here-Submit to the included in the OSIRIS-Rex Mission: Deadline Sept 30
NASA invites the general public to submit their names to be etched on a microchip aboard the
Origins-Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx)
spacecraft, headed to the asteroid Bennu in 2016. The “Message to Bennu!” microchip will
travel aboard the mission, which will spend more than two years at the asteroid, collecting a
sample of Bennu’s surface and returning it to Earth in a sample return capsule. Those
submitting their names for inclusion in the mission will be able to download and print a certificate
documenting their participation. For more information and to submit your name, visit
http://bit.ly/1hOCTRd.
13. More! Rocks in Your Head October 4, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
One day workshop for teaching Earth Science Grades 3-8 + HS Earth Science
Sponsored by: Hydrate Energy International Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies
Cajundome Convention Center
Cost: $20/Teacher LUNCH INCLUDED
·
More! Rocks in Your Head” Classroom-Ready Manual
·
Great Rock and Mineral Teaching Samples
·
“ENERGIZE Your Future” Career Guide Book
·
“Oil and Natural Gas” Hard-Cover Book
·
“Hunt for Fossil Fuels” oil exploration game
Contact: Craig Glassinger
205 Flagstone Court
Lafayette, LA 70503
E-mail: [email protected]
14. American Physical Society - Division of Plasma Physics Science Teachers Day, October 28
Information about plasma science and fusion energy to teachers and students. Teachers Day
provides an opportunity to attend specialized talks and workshops, to interact with well-known
plasma physicists, and to gather complimentary resource materials for your school.
Learn from members of national laboratories, universities and industry how you can use the
topic of plasmas in your current curriculum to satisfy state and national science standards.
During Science Teachers Day and the Plasma Sciences Expo, national and international
plasma research scientists share their knowledge and enthusiasm for science with teachers and
students. Students will learn about new areas of technology and research.
Both teacher and student events are FREE. Click here to register.
15. Every Day Capacity Building Grants: Deadline October 30.
Every Day Grants from the National Environmental Education Foundation, with support from
Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., help strengthen nonprofit public lands support groups, enabling
them to do more to connect their communities to the land. Capacity Building Grants will be
awarded to groups who make the best case for how the funds will build their capacity to better
serve the lands they love.
http://publiclandseveryday.org/grants/capacity-building-grants
16. Intel STS 2015 Application Now Open
The application for the Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS) 2015 is now open!
https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-sts
Intel STS, a program of Society for Science & the Public, is for US students who will be in their
last year of secondary school in November 2014. Applicants submit their research in the form of
a research report, and also submit essay questions, teacher recommendations, test scores, and
transcripts.
Three hundred semifinalists are chosen and awarded $1,000. Their schools also receive $1,000
for each semifinalist. Forty finalists are then selected to compete in Washington, DC for a total
of $630,000 in awards, with a top award of $100,000. Read More
17. Esri, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems technology, has announced a
commitment in support of President Obama’s ConnectED Initiative. Esri will provide free access
to ArcGIS Online to all elementary and secondary schools in the United States. Under this
pledge, schools will receive the same advanced mapping software used by government and
business, at no charge. Louisiana has a statewide license for the Esri software library.
http://connected.esri.com/#
18. E. O. Wilson’s Life on Earth is an innovative new iBooks Textbook for high school biology
students created by the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Available for free on the iBooks
Store, Life on Earth is accompanied by an iTunes U course called Biology: Life on Earth. The
iTunes U course brings together content from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural
History, National Geographic, the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) and other institutions with content
emphasizing important themes like citizen science, evolution, climate change, and the
protection of biodiversity.
EOL content and resource are available in the first section of the course: Unity and
Diversity of Life on Earth. Activities include an audio interview with E.O. Wilson, creating virtual
collections of species and accessing the biodiversity resources available through EOL’s iTunes
U collections.
Download the iBook and iTunes U Course: iTunes.com/lifeonearth
Read more about EOL and iTunes U: http://eol.org/info/itunesu
19. Annenberg Resources Middle School Math Workshops
Gain confidence in data analysis and problem solving with Learning Math: Data Analysis,
Statistics, and Probability, and apply what you learn in your classroom.
Math lesson plans and interactives
http://www.learner.org/resources/lessonplanbrowse.html?d[]=MATH
http://www.learner.org/interactives/?d[]=MATH
Science lesson plans and interactives
http://www.learner.org/resources/lessonplanbrowse.html?d[]=SCI
http://www.learner.org/interactives/?d[]=SCI
20. Binoculars for Young Citizen Scientists
Through November 2014, Celestron, through Cornell's BirdSleuth K-12 initiative, will be
awarding binoculars to schools where educators have made outstanding efforts to engage their
students in citizen science. http://www.birdsleuth.org/binoculars-for-the-citizen-scientists/
21. Engineering explained - from mobile phones to the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building),
computer games and toothpaste to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and aeroplanes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bipTWWHya8A
This video is intended to attract high school students to the engineering profession as it
highlights the importance of math and science.
22. Clever Classroom Tips For Elementary School Teachers
You’ll be the talk of the teacher’s lounge with these smart classroom ideas.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/clever-classroom-tips-for-elementary-schoolteachers?sub=2384828_1321145
23. EDC and the Mathematical Practices: Explore this site to learn more about the Standards for
Mathematical Practice and how they can be connected to individual standards from the
CCSSM. Illustrations are centered on student dialogue, group discussion, and classroom
application.
Illustrative Mathematics added 30 new tasks in the month of April. Illustrative Mathematics is
made up of a community of educators that carefully vet math resources for teachers and
teacher leaders to provide expert guidance to states and districts working to improve
mathematics education.
24. Ten Thousand Microscopes Signup
With support from the Moore Foundation, the folks at Foldscope are starting a large scale
experiment in hands-on science education. They want to enlist 10,000 individuals who would
be willing to beta-test Foldscope, an origami-like inexpensive microscope, over the summer and
develop single page science experiments, protocols, queries, questions, and applications based
on using the Foldscope in different communities.
http://www.foldscope.com/#/10ksignup/
25. A lively purple plum leads an exploration of planet earth on Plum Landing. Children 6-9
years of age explore the earth through webisodes, online games, free apps and hands-on
science activities and learn to be caretakers of the planet. Each Plum Landing curriculum
pathway provides a set of activities and media resources arranged in a thematic sequence and
aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. Go to lpb.org/education to explore Plum
Landing.
26. Want to organize a field trip or a classroom presentation led by a professional geoscientist
for Earth Science Week? Start preparing by networking with local scientists, professors,
employers, nonprofit representatives, environmental educators, and government leaders in the
geosciences!
To facilitate partnerships between educators and others in the Earth science community,
AGI has launched the Earth Science Organizations (ESO) database. ESO’s national map
pinpoints local contacts for AGI member societies, state geological surveys, agencies such as
USGS and NASA, universities offering geology programs, parks, museums, and other Earth
science groups.
Don’t wait until autumn. Now is the time to reach out to potential partners and invite them
to collaborate during Earth Science Week 2014 (October 12-18). Use this online tool
(http://www.earthsciweek.org/gpn) to identify potential geoscience partners near you, access
relevant information, and network with colleagues. To recommend an organization (or have one
removed), contact AGI’s Katelyn Murtha ([email protected]).
27. Geography Resources for Teachers
The Association of American Geographers (AAG), an AGI member society, offers an array of
web resources for K-12 and college-level instruction. These materials support geographic
approaches to Earth science education:
* The Geographic Advantage (http://geographicadvantage.aag.org/), an educational companion
for the National Research Council’s “Understanding the Changing Planet,” outlines teaching
strategies and geographic investigations that show students how geographers explore
environmental change and sustainability.
* AAG’s Center for Global Geography Education (http://www.aag.org/cgge), offers online
modules for undergraduate courses in geography and related social and environmental
sciences. All modules feature a conceptual framework, regional case studies, and collaborative
projects.
* GeoSTART helps middle- and high-school students develop geography, Earth science, and
spatial thinking skills using NASA Earth Observing Missions remote sensing imagery and
related data. Go online
http://www.aag.org/cs/education/k12_and_teacher_education/geostart_teaching_earth_science
for free activities and materials.
28. Eight project-based robot-oriented lessons on the EDUCATION TAB at
www.RobotBASIC.org. They can be used with EITHER RobotBASIC's integrated robot
simulator or with our real robot. For many schools, the simulator will provide everything you
need so there is NO cost for the school or teachers or students. Remember, RobotBASIC is
FREE - no acquisition costs, no site-licenses, no upgrade fees - ever!
29. SEED (Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development) is a volunteer-based,
nonprofit education program that empowers Schlumberger employee volunteers and educators
to share their passion for learning and science with students aged 10 to 18. The SEED “learning
while doing” methodology draws on the technology and science expertise of volunteers to
engage students in global issues such as water, energy, and climate change.
SEED’s School Network Program invites qualified underserved schools to apply for
grants that provide various resources, typically including funding for computer hardware and
software, and Internet connectivity. Educational programs offer students and educators in SEED
network schools hands-on workshops and online activities and projects using a project-based
approach.
The Online Science Center provides educational resources and opportunities to learners
and educators in seven languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and
Spanish. Learning materials include ready-to-go SEED experiments, activities, and articles from
the Online Science Center. Find out more at http://www.planetseed.com/home.
30. Smithsonian Shout Online Conference Series. “Shout” invites educators and students to
connect online with experts in the field and collaborate with people around the world.
Online events hosted by the Smithsonian Institution feature some of the world’s leading
scientists and environmental experts. Access to Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Network, a
global community of educators, allows school partners to share environmental education
resources, experiences, and best practices. TakingITGlobal’s online community provides
students with resources, including content-rich virtual classrooms and collaboration spaces
designed to deepen environmental understanding.
Learn how Shout connects students and teachers to live events, teacher networking,
and student collaborations - and presents students with challenges designed to deepen their
learning and engagement (http://www.smithsonianconference.org/shout/).
31. Online Videos Show ‘Faces of Climate Change’
Three short online videos depict the dramatic changes in Alaska’s marine ecosystems
through interviews with scientists and Alaska natives. The videos were produced by the Center
for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Alaska, the Alaska Sea Grant program, the
Alaska Marine Conservation Council, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System.
To view “Faces of Climate Change - Introduction,” visit http://vimeo.com/19581877. To
view more Alaska COSEE Resources, go to http://www.coseealaska.net/resources/.
32. Colossal perfect for a stormy summer day when you can't get outside: Colossal is a blog
that explores art and other aspects of visual culture. Many features explore the intersection of
art and science as well as the beauty of the natural world. Every week the blog provides 15-25
new posts, videos, photographs, and art installations. You can look through the archives at
random, or by topics including animals, nature, stop motion, and more. Check this out when
you have lots of free time to spend here. http://www.thisiscolossal.com/
33. Invitation for Submissions to Green Teacher
Classroom teachers are invited to submit to a new book on teaching children (ages 5-12) about
climate change with descriptions of teaching practices around climate change, sustainability
practices, and/or climate activism. The writing style of articles in Green Teacher is preferable.
Contact [email protected]
34. FlipQuiz is designed to help educators create gameshow-style boards to complement
traditional flash cards. The features several templates, along with the ability to save the boards
to the cloud. Free registration is required.
http://flipquiz.me/
35. Resources for STEM Education
The NSF hosts this K-12 Resources for STEM Education website with links to resources and
findings generated through educational research and development projects funded in part by
the National Science Foundation. Materials include professional development, instructional
materials, assessment, and research syntheses.
http://www.nsfresources.org/home.cfm
36. Contest: This E-blast issue has two Science Matters mugs to award to the 4th and 7th
responses. To win one of these, reply to this e-Blast. You MUST INCLUDE your name AND
mailing address AND your school name/district.
Remember network members may only win once during a school year.