RI Science Professional Development and Student Opportunity Bulletin

November 2, 2012
This bulletin will be sent on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. If you would like to share an event, quality resource, or other opportunity, please follow the directions for doing so at the bottom of the newsletter. To SUBSCRIBE send an email to Peter.Mclaren@ride.ri.gov with SUBSCRIBE RISCI-MSHS in the Subject Line

New In This Bulletin

Prof. Development

Student Opportunities

Job Opportunities

Web Sites

News

New In This Bulletin:

Win a Shell Science Lab Makeover ($20,000 Value) for Your School Applications Due November 12 (Grades 6-12)
Sign Up For The US Physics Team Register by December 10, 2012 (HS Students)

Job Opportunities:
None Posted: If your school or district is looking to fill a position please send a copy of your job posting to Peter McLaren at peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov and we will post to the RISCI-MSHS list

News:
Lineup of Free Web Seminars in Preparation for NGSS: Exploring the Practices in the Framework for K12 Science Education
NSTA continues its series of free web seminars on the scientific and engineering practices described in A Framework for K12 Science Education. Sign up now for the upcoming Tuesday night sessions from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time: o November 6Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking o November 20Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions o December 4Engaging in Argument from Evidence o December 18Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information The Framework, published by the National Research Council (NRC), describes the major practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas that all students should be familiar with by the end of high school and is being used to guide the development of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Attend all eight seminars or just one. Graduate credit is offered through Shippensburg University. Catch all of the previous web seminars in the series in our archive For more information and to register for any of the FREE web seminars, click here If you would like receive e-mail announcements about NGSS, please send an e-mail to:

NGSS-L-request@LISTSERV.RI.NET

Web Sites Worth Exploring:

Scale of the Universe 2 - http://htwins.net/scale2/
Here's version 2 of the brilliant fun, educational site that can help you and your children to appreciate the sheer scale of our universe. The site is simple to operate, and takes the form of familiar images such as the Eiffel Tower, the Hoover Dam and the Washington Monument. Now imagine zooming out of the image so far that it shows entire planets. Or zooming in so far that it shows insects, molecules and atoms. And, in a set of beautifully created graphics and animations, everything in between. Not only can you zoom with the slider, you can also click on any object to find out more about it. The site, called The Scale Of The Universe, is web-based so you can access it from your browser with no need to install anything.

Physics Education Research Audio Podcasts - http://perusersguide.org/podcasts

Developed by the Physics Education Research Group at the University of Colorado and other groups, these audio podcasts get physics education research out of the journals and into the K-college classrooms. Each episode investigates a piece of research literature and shows how it can relate to the classroom. Titles include Visual, Verbal, or Auditory? The Truth Behind the Myth Behind the Truth of learning Styles; The Art (and Science) of In Class Questioning via Clickers; and Seeing Isnt Believing: Do Classroom Demonstrations Help Students Learn?

MITs K-12 Video Website - http://k12videos.mit.edu

Its just beginning, but the science students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have begun creating science videos for K-12 classes. Teachers can search by grade level and subject and if the appropriate video isnt available for the concept you want explained, you can submit a request for it. Sample videos include The Colorful Chemistry of Acids and Bases (grades 1-5); Bread Mold Kills Bacteria (grades 6-8); and genetic Engineering (grades 9-12).

ChemTeam Tutorials www.chemteam.info/ChemTeamIndex.html

At ChemTeam Tutorials High School chemistry teachers and students will find a comprehensive set of tutorials, notes, and practice problems addressing standard topics in high school to Advanced Placement chemistry. Videos showing how to do many types of basic problems are available for most topics. In addition to academic chemistry topics, the website offers resources in categories such as classic chemistry papers, chemistry test question websites, and even chemistry humor.

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Celebrate First Light at the W. Alton Jones Campus! Register by November 2, 2012 (ALL)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 7 p.m. 9 p.m Rain or Clear Skies: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Nettie Marie Jones Nature Preserve W. Alton Jones Campus, West Greenwich, RI Weather permitting, additional activities include: night sky viewing, astronomy chat and constellation folklore by the campfire, nighttime adventure hike, and more! Register here by November 2, 2012. This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Please dress comfortably for the outdoors and bring a flashlight. Sponsored by W. Alton Jones Campus, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Physics, and Division of Administration and Finance. Visit W. Alton Jones Campus for more information. If you have a disability and need an accommodation, please call 401.874.9455 at least three business days in advance. For TTY assistance, please call the R.I. Relay Service at 1.800.745.5555.

NEW!!! Win a Shell Science Lab Makeover ($20,000 Value) for Your School Applications Due November 12 (Grades 6-12)
The Shell Science Lab Challenge invites middle and high school science teachers (grades 612) in the United States and Canada (with special attention to urban and underrepresented groups) to illustrate replicable approaches to science lab instruction utilizing limited school and laboratory resources. To complete a Challenge application, describe (in three pages or less) your philosophy of science teaching; the school's current limited laboratory facilities and resources and why they might be classified as "limited"; and an innovative use of limited laboratory equipment and resources you have implemented in your classroom. Teachers and schools submitting top entries will receive additional laboratory tools, resources, and rich professional development opportunities. November 12 is the deadline for receipt of applications. For details and to download an application, please visit www.nsta.org/shellsciencelab.

Environment Council Of Rhode Island Announces Opening Of Applications For Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Awards Applications Due November 20 (MS-HS)
Dear RI Middle School and High School Science Teachers, Science Club Supervisors, and environmental organizations working in schools. The Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund (ECRI Ed Fund) is pleased to announce that we are opening the application process for the Sixth Annual Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Fund awards. The Loraine Tisdale awards honors a woman whose energy for a just and healthy environment are legendary. Mrs. Tisdale held an undergraduate degree in chemistry and a degree in nursing. For many years she led an organization that addressed safety and health issues concerning pesticides. We are pleased to offer 3 grants of up to $250 to teachers or environmental organizations for support of school based projects that: 1. Have student participation 2. Lead to measurable improvement in an environmental condition 3. Involve the community beyond a school in some way The application deadline is November 20, 2012 and awards will be made in January 2013 for projects to be undertaken in the Spring of 2013. Application is available on line at Applicants should complete the application and attach a one page description of the project including the cooperative components of the project, what the participants will gain, and how the success of the project will be measured. Applicants should note that a final report with at least one photograph of the project in progress must be produced at the end of the project and presented to the Environment Council by July 15, 2013.. Applications should be emailed to us at environmentcouncil@earthlink.net in the body of an email, as a PDF, or as a word document. ECRI Ed Fund PO Box 40568 Providence RI 02940 The Environment Council is more than willing to answer any questions you have about the program and to discuss potential projects with you. We can be contacted either by email at the address listed above or by phone at 621-8048. Application for the Loraine Tisdale Fund Environmental Education Awards 1. Name of Applicant:___________________________________________________________________________ 2. Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Phone/ email:_________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Name of Project Leader/ Director/ Responsible Person:_____________________________________________ 5. Name of group/ school sponsoring the project:____________________________________________________ 6. Town in which project will occur:________________________________________________________________

7. 8. 9. 10.

Number of persons carrying out project:_________________________________________________________ Purpose of project:_____________________________________________________________________________ Budget for the project, including sources of funds and whether those funds are in hand:________________ Completion date for project:____________________________________________________________________

In addition to the above material please include a one page description of the project including the cooperative components of the project, what the participants will gain, and how the success of the project will be measured.

MIT BLOSSOMS Back-to-School Lesson Contest Apply by December 3 (HS)

http://blossoms.mit.edu/home High School level science, mathematics, and engineering teachers are invited to submit their lesson designs for a new MIT BLOSSOMS lesson in Mathematics, Science or Engineering. We are looking for a lesson that you have taught successfully and that you think would work well with the MIT BLOSSOMS Teaching Duet pedagogy. We are also looking for lessons that cover essential high school curriculum topics, but approach those topics in a fresh, dynamic way. Also, a winning math lesson will be supportive of the new Common Core standards. Here are some important things to remember about a BLOSSOMS lesson: A BLOSSOMS lesson is not a lecture. A BLOSSOMS lesson presents a topic from an unusual, interesting angle. The video segments should be 3 minutes or less, and never more than 4. The first segment needs to be no longer than 2 minutes and must excite the interest of both teachers and students. With video technology, segments can be filmed in interesting locations. Stay away from the classroom as much as possible! A lesson must provide challenging, thought-provoking classroom activities for the video breaks. Important Contest Deadlines: Monday, December 3, 2012 Teachers must submit the completed MIT BLOSSOMS Concept Template for their lessons, available here. Monday, January 7, 2013 - Finalists will be announced and asked to complete the MIT BLOSSOMS Architecture Template for their lessons, available here. Monday, January 28, 2013 Finalists must submit the completed Architecture Template for their lessons. Monday, February 4, 2013 Winners will be announced The winning teachers will be invited to travel to MITall expenses paidto film their lessons during either their Winter or Spring vacation weeks. For further information, contact blossoms@mit.edu.

Apply Now for the 201314 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Applications Due December 5, 2012 (K-12)
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 20132014 Fellowship Year. The Einstein Fellowship Program is available to current K12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educators with a demonstrated excellence in teaching and leadership. Selected teachers spend 11 months in Washington, D.C., sharing their expertise with STEM program directors or policy makers. Einstein Fellows may serve in a Congressional office or in one of several government agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Fellows receive a monthly stipend and an allowance for professional travel and relocation. The fellowship year begins in late August 2013. The goal of the Einstein Fellowship Program is to provide an opportunity for teachers to inform national policy and improve communication between the K12 STEM education community and national leaders. The Einstein

Fellowship Program was created in 1990 with support from the MacArthur Foundation; the 1994 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gave the DOE federal responsibility for the Program. The Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education administers the Program for the DOE Office of Science in partnership with the other participating federal agencies. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be currently employed full time in a public or private elementary or secondary school or school district, and must have been teaching in one or more STEM fields full time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years. For more information about the program and to learn how to apply, visit www.einsteinfellows.org. Applications for the 201314 Fellowship program are due by 11:00 p.m. (EST) December 5, 2012.

Science Enrichment/Challenge Opportunities for Students

Come Register, Great American Can Roundup School Challenge Challenge Begins November 15th (K-12)
Al the Can extends an invitation to your school to earn money, recycle and party. Registration is now open at www.cancentral.com. During the second annual event, schools recycled over 4.5 million cans, raising more than $100,500 in Great American Can Roundup School Challenge. Expedition Academy in Green River, Wyoming not only was number one recycling school in the state, but continues to celebrate as the national winner for a second year. We encourage you to challenge your school to see how many beverage cans they can recycle per student between America Recycles Day (November 15) and Earth Day (April 22), 2011. It's an extraordinary opportunity for schools to show their true green spirit and environmental leadership by stepping up to the Great American Can Roundup School Recycling Challenge. The Can Manufacturers Institute, the national trade association of can manufacturers and their suppliers, is giving away a $1,000 per state to the top per capita school and an additional $5,000 to the top recycling school for a total of $56,000. Your school could win up to $6,000, plus the value of the cans and the chance to win $50 pizza cards. Put your school in contention by going to www.cancentral.com/RoundUp and register by December 15 to be eligible for the School Recycling Challenge. There you will find everything needed to build recycling enthusiasm and rally the community for the win. At www.cancentral.com/RoundUp you will be able to compare your schools' recycling progress. Environmental educators will also appreciate grade appropriate, free interdisciplinary curricula and worksheets for the classroom to continue the discussion of the positive impact on the environment through aluminum can recycling. We look forward to seeing your schools on the Great American Can Roundup School Challenge leader board. Please contact Jenny Day at 202/232-4677, or by email jday@cancentral.com with any questions or ways we can help.

eCYBERMISSION: Web-Based Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Competition Register Teams by December 14th (Grades 6 9)
Teachers and Team Advisors, The fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are imperative to the future success of our students and our country! Your support of the eCYBERMISSION competition helps students to be better prepared, allowing them to use real-world STEM application skills to research, hypothesize, experiment and draw conclusions while meeting common core standards!

If you havent already, be sure to register your teams today at www.ecybermission.com. The final registration deadline is Dec. 14th! Dont forget that a complete team will have 3-4 registered students and they are linked to you as the registered Team Advisor! If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at 1-866-Go-CYBER (462-9237) or missioncontrol@ecybermission.com. eCYBERMISSION also has a brand new incentive to register your entire school! The Team Advisor with the most individual students registered by December 14th will receive a gift certificate for $600s worth of Probeware equipment for their classroom! Probeware consists of easy-to-use data loggers, sensors, experiments and graphing/analysis software that help educators develop the next generation of scientists and engineers! Check out http://www.vernier.com to see some examples and then start registering your students today! eCYBERMISSION Team National Science Teachers Association 1840 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201-3092 1-866-462-9237 missioncontrol@ecybermission.com

NEW!!! Sign Up For The US Physics Team Register by December 10, 2012 (HS Students)
The American Association of Physics Teachers and the Center for Excellence in Education are proud to announce a partnership to sponsor the 2013 U.S. Physics Team. The 2013 U.S. Physics Team is a competition for high school students to represent the United States at the 44th Annual International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 7-15, 2013. The mission of the physics competition is to promote and demonstrate academic excellence through preparation for and participation in the International Physics Olympiad. All high school physics students are encouraged to participate in the Fnet=ma Contest. The contest initiates the selection process for the 2013 U.S. Physics Team and is administered in schools nationally. The physics competition provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to enhance their physics knowledge, as well as their creativity, leadership, and commitment to a goal. Sign-up now! The deadline for your school to register is December 10 th. To learn more about the IPhO and to register your school, please visit http://www.aapt.org/physicsteam/2013/ Also, as we are receiving many inquiries, the RSI application will soon be available on the CEE website. USABO registration is now open and extends until January 18th.

*Please note: attachments will be sent rarely.

Most information will be posted online or included here to reduce the size of this message. Thank you.

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If you know of something that you feel is a quality resource, event, or opportunity (e.g., grant), please send a newsletter-ready blurb to peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov containing the following information by 3:00pm on Thursdays to be included in the Friday newsletter (subject to RIDE review and approval): 1. Type (e.g., grant, event, resource) 2. Name / Title of Event / Opportunity 3. Source or Event Sponsor 4. Web site, and/or contact name(s) and email address(es) 5. Description 6. Grade level(s) and/or intended audience 7. Deadline (if applicable) for time-sensitive submissions or event RSVPs THIS NOTICE IS DISTRIBUTED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. R.I Department of Education does

not have any affiliation or responsibility to promote this information. Peter J. McLaren
Science-Technology Specialist Office of Instruction Rhode Island Department of Education 255 Westminster Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903 401-222-8454

peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov