RI Science Professional Development and Student Opportunity Bulletin

November 1, 2013
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

Go To RIScienceTeachers - https://riscienceteachers.wikispaces.com/ for PDF copy of past issues

New In This Bulletin NGSS News News Web Sites Job Opportunities Prof. Development Student Opportunities

New In This Bulletin: Rodger W. Bybee to Present of Translating NGSS into Classroom Instruction November 5th (admission is Free)
Information Sessions: Next Generation Science Standards Moving Rhode Island Forward (4:00 6:00 PM) Multiple Dates

FREE Teacher Workshop: What Comets Can Teach Us Museum of Nat. History at Roger Williams Park, November 21st RSVP by November 18th Presidential Award For Excellence In Mathematics And Science Teaching (PAEMST) Nominations Now Open Nominations Due April 1, 2014 (Grades 7-12 Teachers)
Job Opportunities: None at this Time. Schools should send along any information for position openings to peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov This Brilliant Kid Invented A Sand-Less Sandbag For The Next Hurricane Sandy (Fast Co.Exist)
As a Florida native, 11-year-old Peyton Robertson knows the havoc that hurricanes can wreak. After seeing the extensive flooding that happened during Hurricane Sandy, he came up with a partial solution: a lightweight sand-less sandbag that's purportedly more effective than traditional sandbags. His idea recently won the $25,000 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, which crowned Robertson as Americas Top Young Scientist."

NAEP-TIMSS Study: U.S. Eighth-Graders Perform Above International Average on Mathematics and Science Assessment
According to a new report released last week by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), American eighth-graders performed higher than the international mathematics and science averages

on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), a study that compares scores from 38 countries and 9 subnational education systems. The special 2011 NAEP-TIMSS Linking Study uses eighth-graders' scores on the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to draw comparisons and predict student performance on the 2011 TIMSS. Full article

NGSS News:
NGSS Resources Available from ETS
The K12 Center at ETS recently collaborated with a dozen other organizations for an Invitational Research Symposium on Science Assessment, which brought together many of the individuals at the forefront of K 12 science education and reform. Resources, including commissioned papers by experts in science assessment; three dozen slide presentations; and videos of the closing sessions are now available at The K12 Center website.

How to help ELL students succeed under common core and NGSS
Under the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, all students, including those with limited English proficiency, will be expected to master academic language practices and analyze complex texts. Rebecca Greene, an educator and consultant, in this blog post shares five strategies -- videos, among them -- to teach English-language learners, including increasing autonomy, providing heterogeneous classrooms and using relevant background knowledge. Teaching Channel/Tchers' Voice blog

How technology can help usher in new K-12 science standards

Education futurist David D. Thornburg in this commentary writes about five technology tools that can help teachers integrate the Next Generation Science Standards. Among them are Celestia, software that allows users to explore the solar system and more, as well as PhET, which allows students to simulate experiments and test their hypotheses. Thornburg also suggests hardware that can help improve the transition. T.H.E. Journal magazine (exclusive preview for SmartBrief subscribers)

NGSS One Pagers

NSTA offers a tremendous collection of resources designed to help provide more information for the NGSS. Three Dimensions of NGSS (Color | B&W) This three page pdf document provides general information of each of the three dimensions of the NGSS specifically the science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and the crosscutting concepts. A Look at the Next Generation Science Standards (Color | B&W) This two page pdf document provides a detailed look at the architecture of the NGSS standards. Venn Diagram of the Practices in Science, Math, and ELA (Color | B&W) This pdf shows how the practices of the NGSS, CCSS-Math, and CCSS ELA intersect and support each other. Matrix of Disciplinary Core Ideas in the NGSS Here you will find a complete matrix of the disciplinary core ideas of the NGSS by domain

RIDEs NGSS Page

Find easy access to the NGSS standards, information on RIs participation as a Lead State, the Framework, and other resources Recorded Link for RIDEs Webinar Next Generation Science Standards Rhode Islands Implementation th Plan originally webcast on September 17 can be found under the Resources section of the RIDE NGSS page along with a PDF of the PPT.

Web Sites Worth Exploring:

NOAA Global Climate Change Indicators - http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/indicators/

Many lines of scientific evidence show the Earth's climate is changing. This page presents the latest information from several independent measures of observed climate change that illustrate an overwhelmingly compelling story of a planet that is undergoing global warming. It is worth noting that increasing global temperature is only one element of observed global climate change. Precipitation patterns are also changing; storms and other extremes are changing as well.

Hands on Astronomy Activities - http://astrosociety.org/education/hands-on-astronomyactivities/

For more than 100 years, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific a 501c3 nonprofit astronomy organization headquartered in San Francisco has inspired professionals, researchers, educators, amateurs and arm chair astronomers to look up and wonder about our place in the universe, and about what the universe can teach and tell us. We design and deliver innovative astronomy toolkits, programs, publications and education guides in our mission to inspire youth and adults across the economic spectrum in support of their success as science, technology and academic leaders.

A Unique Interactive to Show you how far it is to Mars - http://www.distancetomars.com/

A unique set up to show how far Mars is from the Earth.

Demonstrating the Water Cycle - http://raisingsparks.com/kids-science/a-pint-pot-planet/

This is a super experiment that kids can do at home or in the classroom to demonstrate the water cycle.

Estuary Education - http://estuaries.noaa.gov/

Welcome to estuaries.noaa.gov where we aim to advance estuarine and coastal literacy. Explore these living classrooms and laboratories - our estuaries -, discover their importance and beauty, and learn what you can do to protect them.

Perpetual Ocean: Visualization Shows Ocean Surface Currents in Unique Fashion http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a003800/a003827/
This visualization shows ocean surface currents around the world during the period from June 2005 through December 2007. The visualization does not include a narration or annotations; the goal was to use ocean flow data to create a simple, visceral experience.

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

An Invitation To Educators and Schools from the RI Nuclear Science Center
The Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) is located on the University of Rhode Island (URI) Bay Campus. RINSC is a research and test reactor facility and their mission is focused on providing a resource for research, training and development to the state of Rhode Island. There are only 31 research and test reactors operating in the United States and they contribute to almost every field of science including physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, geology, archeology, and environmental sciences. The professional RINSC staff can work individually with interested educators to develop labs and lectures that will fit the topic and age of the students. The staff has several pre-designed experiments that can be modified or can create entirely new experiments based on the needs of the teachers and students. We also have a classroom equipped with white boards, a Smartboard and a projector. An adjacent lab also allows for students to perform their own analysis on samples that they can see irradiated during their visit. Previous classes have ranged in age from elementary level students to adults, with groups from 5 to 50 students. We also welcome any students interested in using the facility for science fair projects to contact us. We can work with the students to develop a topic and plan to complete their experiments. All of our services that we provide to the school are free of charge.

Upon examination of the Next Generation Science Standards, we find that we align well with several of them, such as (not all inclusive): MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-3, MS-PS1-4, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-3, HS-PS3-2, HS-PS3-3, HS-PS4-3, HS-PS45, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4, HS-ETS1-1 and HS-ETS1-3. Please contact us at any time: Dr. Cameron Goodwin, Director Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center 16 Reactor Rd Narragansett, RI 02882 P - (401) 789-9391 F - (401) 782-4201 cgoodwin@rinsc.ri.gov

American Meteorological Society (AMS) DataStreme Project PD

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) DataStreme Project is a free professional development program for inservice K-12 teachers, in which they gain considerable subject matter content and confidence in Earth and Space Science instruction. The graduate-level DataStreme Atmosphere, Ocean, and Earths Climate System courses are offered each fall and spring semester by Local Implementation Teams (LITs) across the country in coordination with DataStreme Central, a team of AMS Education Program scientists and educators who develop instructional materials, provide logistical support to the LITs, and administer the project. The 3-member LITs mentor about 8 teachers per semester through a given DataStreme course, which is taken mostly online with 3 face-to-face meetings. Teachers may receive 3 tuition-free graduate credits for each DataStreme course through State University of New Yorks The College at Brockport upon completion of the course assignments and construction of a Plan of Action for educational peer-training. DataStreme has traditionally followed the National Science Education Standards guidelines for teacher professional development, with an emphasis on understanding the Earths environment. DataStreme is also in close alignment with the recently published Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. DataStreme courses, which emphasize the use of real-world and current scientific data and the hands-on construction of models to represent key concepts, strongly support teacher professional development in many disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering skills and practices. DataStreme has received financial and in-kind support from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since 1996, 18,500 teachers have completed DataStreme courses, impacting more than 1 million students. For more information on the program, go to www.ametsoc.org/amsedu and follow the links to course pages for the list of LIT leaders locally offering DataStreme.

Meet Me in the Middle at NSTA - Boston The NSTA's Middle Level Science Teaching Committee is pleased to announce a joint NSTA-NMLSTA venture called Meet Me in the Middle planned for Friday, April 4, 2014 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Boston Westin Waterfront hotel. Taking place during the NSTA's national convention this whole day is designed to offer information, ideas, and presentations geared specifically for science teachers of grades 5-8. There will be food, fun, and door prizes too! The committee is searching for middle school presenters for a Share-A-Thon event from 12:30 - 2:00. Information can be found at: http://nmlsta.wordpress.com/conferences/ for presenters or attendees. If additional information is needed please contact: Patty McGinnis, pattymcginnis1@gmail.com NSTA Division Director NSTA Committee on Middle Level Science Teaching

Register for Web Seminars on NGSS Core Ideas: Earths Place in the Universe November 5th
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) continues its fall series of free web seminars on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) on Tuesday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Presenter Julia Plummer will discuss NGSS Core Ideas: Earths Place in the Universe. The 90-minute program is designed to help K-12 science teachers address questions such as What goes on in stars? and What patterns are caused by Earths movements in the solar system? Learn more and register for this online event here. Plan ahead for the entire web seminar series on disciplinary core ideas. Nov. 5: Earth's Place in the Universe Nov. 19: Earth's Systems Dec. 3: Earth and Human Activity

Register here

Information Sessions: Next Generation Science Standards Moving Rhode Island Forward Multiple Dates
Presenters: Peter McLaren and Jennifer Solek RIDE Science and Technology Specialists

When/Where: November 4th East Providence High School Auditorium, 2000 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, 4:00 6:00 PM November 7th Claiborne Pell Elementary School, 35 Dexter Street, Newport, 4:00 6:00 PM November 21st Jamestown Lawn Avenue School, 55 Lawn Avenue, Newport, 3:30 5:30 PM December 3rd Ponaganset High School Auditorium, 137 Anan Wade Rd, North Scituate, RI, 3:30 5:30 PM December 12th Lincoln High School, 135 Old River Road, Lincoln, RI, 4:00 6:00 PM
On May 23 Rhode Island became the first state in the country to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards. All educators are invited to learn more about Rhode Islands plan for implementation of the NGSS. Questions to be addressed: How were the standards developed? Whats different about these standards? What would NGSS look like in the classroom? What is a standard? What is Rhode Islands plan for implementation? Where can I find NGSS resources? Each session will devote the last 30 minutes to provide an open forum where attendees can ask questions pertaining to the new science standards and their implementation. For more information contact Peter McLaren by email at peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov or by phone at 222-8454
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Register for the New England Environment Education Alliance Conference - November 1st 3rd
Join us for the New England Environmental Alliance Conference, Achieving Environmental Literacy: Health, Environment, Curriculum,. November 1-3 Salve Regina University, Newport Rhode Island. The goals of the joint NEEEA conference and Sustainable Schools Summit are simple, but bold to create connections

across environmental and educational fields that will increase the ability of students, citizens, and our environment to sustain and thrive in the 21st century. Let us leverage the environmental education communitys expertise and expand the conversation to build meaningful relationships across curriculum subjects, professional disciplines, and outside of the classroom into our rich and diverse communities. Together we can find ways to promote greater participation and stewardship in all the interconnected disciplines that impact school health and student success. Click here to REGISTER ONLINE Download the conference brochure More information about the conference can be found here.

Microbes Down Below! Exploring Life Beneath The Ocean Floor. - Free On-Line Workshop Begins November 1st
The Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) and the College of Exploration invite you to explore life on the dark side in a free online workshop: Microbes down below! Exploring life beneath the ocean floor. Participation is FREE and open to all! Materials and content will be especially designed for use in community college classes, with additional materials for high school classes. C-DEBI scientists have drilled deep into the ocean floor to study how microbial life survives and thrives in sediments and rock below the bottom of the ocean, a dark world far below the sunlit photic zone. In the workshop, we will investigate life in extreme environments, chemosynthesis, microbial evolution, marine technology and engineering, and many other topics. During the workshop you will meet and interact personally with C-DEBI scientists and collect resources and lessons to help you share this exciting research with your students. Week One: Keynote: Studying Life Below the Sea Floor by Dr. John Kirkpatrick, University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Dr. Kirkpatrick will present on how life in the deep biosphere is studied; how microbes survive in the extreme conditions found there; microbial evolution; and the value of these studies for broader applications. Interactive discussions with Dr. Kirkpatrick will take place during week one. Lecture available Fri Nov 1, 8pm Eastern Interaction with Dr. Kirkpatrick and his grad students Nov 4 - 8 Week Two: Keynote: Biogeography of the Deep Biosphere by Dr. Brandi Reese, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Dr. Reese will present on extreme environments in the ocean; physical and chemical factors in extreme environments; the sub-seafloor microbial community and how it interacts with the geochemical environment; chemosynthesis vs. photosynthesis. Interactive discussions with Dr. Reese will occur during week two. Lecture available Fri Nov 8, 8pm Eastern Interaction with Dr. Reese and her grad students Nov 11 - 15 For more information go to C-DEBI Website

Rodger W. Bybee to Present of Translating NGSS into Instruction November 5th (admission is Free)
The Rhode Island Strategic Leadership Committee for the NGSS and the Science Teachers Association are pleased to host Rodger W. Bybee who will present on Translating Science Standards into Classroom Instruction Tuesday, November 5, 2013 3:30 5:30 PM University of Rhode Island

Classroom
Rhode Island Next Generation

Corless Auditorium Graduate School of Oceanography Narragansett Bay Campus South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI Admission is FREE With the April, 2013 release of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), educators have been asking many pressing questions about how the standards fit within curriculum, instruction, and assessments. Please join award winning educator and researcher Rodger W. Bybee as he shares from his latest book Translating the NGSS for Classroom Instruction (NSTA Press). Rodger Bybee was the Team Leader for the NGSS Life Science Writing Team and was also the Team Leader of the Life Sciences Design Team for the Framework for K-12 Science Education. Dr. Bybee has written widely, publishing in both education and psychology. He is co-author of a textbook titled Teaching Secondary School Science: Strategies for Developing Scientific Literacy. His books include Achieving Scientific Literacy: From Purposes to Practices, Learning Science and the Science of Learning, EVO Teachers Guide: Ten Questions Everyone st Should Ask About Evolution, The Teaching of Science: 21 Century Perspectives, and The Case for STEM Education: Challenges and Opportunities. More information on Dr. Bybee can be found here Directions: www.gso.uri.edu/about-gso/directions Admission is free but seating is limited. Please RSVP at www.RISTA.us

NSTA Shell Science Teaching Award Apply by November 8th

The National Science Teachers Association administers the Shell Science Teaching Award for K-12 classroom science teachers. The winner receives $10,000 and recognition at the national NSTA conference (Boston in 2014). We are always seeking and encouraging quality science teachers to apply. Please consider applying for this award if you are a K-12 classroom science teacher with at least 8 years of experience. Or, please encourage your qualified colleagues to apply if you are not a science teacher. The deadline for submitting the completed application is November 8, 2013. There will be a webinar on October 22 to assist candidates with their application and answer questions. I have attached the application and scoring guide for your convenience. If you have question, please check the NSTA Awards website at: http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx There may be other awards listed that may interest you or your science colleagues! For other questions, you may contact the NSTA Awards Manager, Amanda Upton, at: aupton@nsta.org

Geologic Walking Tour of Turner's Falls, MA - November 9, 2013

Join Steve Winters and Tarin Weiss of NAGT (National Association of Geology Teachers) for a Geologic Walking Tour of Turner's Falls, MA in conjunction with the 17th Annual Jewelry, Gem, and Mineral and Fossil Show & Sale at Greenfield Community College. (see information below). The walking tour (about 2 miles) will explore the geological evidence for the rifting of Pangaea beginning about 245 million years ago and the resulting sedimentary and igneous rocks. We'll see fossil remains of ancient life and other key sedimentary features that help us to interpret this rich geologic region! Participants receive a booklet that accompanies the tour. Everyone Welcome!

Walking Tour: Leaves at 2:30pm from information table outside mineral exhibits at GCC. Drivers needed. Returns by 5:00pm to GCC (or leave from tour). For more information email Steve Winters at science_matters@yahoo.com or Tarin Weiss at tweiss@westfield.ma.edu

NOAAs Teacher at Sea Program Accepting Applications for the 2014 Field Season Applications Accepted until November 18th.
Application Window: October 21 - November 18, 2013 Application Deadline Including Letters of Recommendation: Monday, November 18, 2013, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time To Apply: http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/about/how_to_apply.html For further information and to preview a sample application: http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/ ARE YOU AN EDUCATOR INTERESTED IN DOING RESEARCH ON A SHIP? If so, we encourage you to explore the opportunities offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Teacher at Sea Program, accepting applications October 21 - November 18, 2013. For further information and to preview a sample application visit: http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/ ABOUT NOAA's TEACHER AT SEA PROGRAM The mission of NOAAs Teacher at Sea program is to provide teachers a hands-on, research experience at sea, giving them unique insight into oceanographic, hydrographic, and fisheries research by facilitating partnerships between educators and world-renowned NOAA Scientists. Since 1990, NOAAs Teacher at Sea Program has enabled over 600 teachers to gain first-hand experience of science and life at sea by working on research ships. Teachers have enriched their classroom curricula with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working side-by-side, day and night, with those who contribute to the world's body of scientific knowledge. No matter which type of cruise our teachers embark on, they are bound to learn an array of new things. APPLICATION DEADLINE Monday, November 18, 2013, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time ELIGIBILITY NOAA's Teacher at Sea program accepts applications from currently employed, full-time educators in these categories: K-12 teachers and administrators; community college, college, and university teachers; museum and aquarium educators; and adult education teachers. We regret that we cannot accept applications from part-time, substitute, or pre-service teachers. Teachers will be selected to fill approximately 25-30 openings available per appropriation. TYPES OF CRUISES Participants are assigned a cruise aboard one of NOAA's 17 ships (or a chartered partner ship). NOAA conducts three main types of cruises. Fisheries research ships perform biological and physical science studies in support of fisheries research. Oceanographic and atmospheric research ships perform physical science studies in support of scientific studies to increase our understanding of the world's oceans and climate. Hydrographic survey ships scan the coastal sea floor with side-scan sonar and sophisticated bottom sounding systems to locate submerged obstructions and navigational hazards for the creation or update of the nation's nautical charts. TIME COMMITMENT Participants can expect to be at sea anywhere from one week to one month, with the average cruise lasting 12-14 days. Most of our participants try to sail on cruises offered during the summer vacation, but cruises take place throughout most of the year on a space-available basis. COSTS All necessary travel costs associated with teacher participation in the program are covered by the program, including

transportation to and from the ship, lodging, and per diem allowance. While airfare is paid for up front by the government, all other costs are reimbursed, including non-airfare transportation costs, lodging, and per diem allowance. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION More information about NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program including eligibility requirements, expectations, and frequently asked questions, is available at http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov

Environment Council of Rhode Island announces opening of applications for Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Awards Apply by November 20 (MS and HS)
Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Award Announcement of Application for Environmental Education Awards Open to RI Middle School and High School Science Teachers, Science Club Supervisors, After School Programs 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 Seventh 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. 2. 3. Have student participation Lead to measurable improvement in an environmental condition Involve the community beyond a school in some way

The application deadline is November 20, 2013 and awards will be made in January 2014 for projects to be undertaken in the Spring of 2014. Application and further information is available on line at http://environmentcouncilri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20Tisdale%20Application.pdf 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, 2014.. Applications should be emailed to us at environmentcouncil@earthlink.net in the body of an email, as a pdf or as a word document. 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. Number of persons carrying out project

8. Purpose of project 9. Budget for the project, including sources of funds and whether those funds are in hand 10. Completion date for project In addition to the above information 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. Applications should be emailed to environmentcouncil@earthlink.net

NEW!!! FREE Teacher Workshop: What Comets Can Teach Us Museum of Nat. History at Roger Williams Park, November 21st RSVP by November 18th
When: Thursday, November 21 , 4pm-6pm Where: Museum of Natural History, Roger Williams Park Facilitated by: Professor Ian Dell'Antonio, Department of Physics, Brown University Please RSVP by Monday, November 18, 401.785.9457 x221 or info@musnathist.com Comets are spectacular visitors from the outer solar system, but in addition to being awe-inspiring to observe, comets can tell us much about the structure and history of our solar system. We will introduce the structure and evolution of a comet in its orbit, and how the information about the orbit and composition help us reconstruct the ancient history of the solar system, and the link between the structure of the comets and the formation of planets including Earth. We will emphasize the link between the structure of the solar system and what it teaches us about the development of Earth, linking to Next Generation Science Standards ESS1 and ESS2 at both the middle and high school level. Teacher workshop facilitated by Professor Ian Dell'Antonio, Department of Physics, Brown University. Workshop ties to the Museum's Comet Tales: Wondrous Wanderers exhibit. Workshop sponsored by the NASA RI Space Grant Consortium. Each teacher participating in the workshop will receive a free field trip program, up to 50 students. Field Trip Program: Two Small Pieces of Glass Full Dome Planetarium show or Cosmic Collisions Planetarium Show and Captivating Comets Workshop. Field Trip must occur by March 31, 2014. It cannot be transferred to another teacher. Please RSVP by Monday, November 18, 401.785.9457 x221 or info@musnathist.com
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Interested in Bringing a Darwin Day Roadshow to Rhode Island? Application due November 27th
To celebrate Charles Darwins birthday each year, the scientists and educators ofNESCent (The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center) hit the road to bring evolutionary science to schools, museums and town halls in communities around the country. We are particularly interested in reaching out to small, often rural communities which would not otherwise have a Darwin Day celebration. Our teams talk to students, teachers and the general public about their research in evolutionary science, describe what it takes to become an evolutionary biologist (and what some of the rewards and challenges are), and convey why evolutionary science is relevant to everyone. The Darwin Day Roadshow is a way for scientists and educators from NESCent(The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center) to share their enthusiasm for evolutionary science with students, teachers and the general public across the United States each year, on the occasion of Charles Darwins birthday (February 12th). NESCent has stated that they will visit Rhode Island if more than one teacher applies. If you are interested in bringing a Darwin Day Roadshow to your school contact David Upegui, Science Teacher at Central Falls High School, at upeguid@cfschools.net

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program now accepting applications for the 2014-15 fellowship year Apply by December 4th
Applications due December 4, 2013 The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2014-15 fellowship year. The Einstein Fellowship seeks experienced and distinguished K 12 educators in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve an 11-month fellowship appointment in a Federal agency or U.S. Congressional office. Applications are due December 4, 2013 and must be submitted through the online application system. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be a current a full-time elementary or secondary school teacher, and must have taught full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years in a STEM discipline. The Einstein Fellowship is managed by the Department of Energy / Office of Science, in partnership with other sponsoring agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and in collaboration with the Triangle Coalition for STEM Education and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Information about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, including eligibility requirements, program benefits, application requirements, and access to the online application system can be found at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/.

Apply for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program Applications Close December 15, 2013
Announcing the launch of the 2014-2015 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching (DA) Program Online Application for K-12 teachers!

Are you a U.S.: Primary and/or secondary classroom teacher? Guidance counselor? Curriculum specialist? Curriculum head? Talented and Gifted coordinator? Special Education coordinator? Media specialist/librarian? You may be eligible to participate in a unique international professional development opportunity for 3-4 months through the Fulbright Program! By conducting educational research abroad, U.S. teachers gain new skills, learn new instructional methods and assessment methodologies and share best practices with international colleagues and students. Teachers also have the opportunity to expand their understanding of other cultures and international education systems that will enrich their U.S. schools and local communities with global perspectives. Teachers may travel to: Chile, Finland, India, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY: https://dafulbrightteachers.org/ Application deadline: December 15, 2013. Eligibility Requirements:www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org. Application Info:http://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org/application-tp2 . This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and

is administered by the Institute of International Education.

SAVE THE DATE STEM to STEAM thru Synergy: Bridging Morphology, Biomimicry, Sustainability and Synergetics, Fourth Biennial Design Science Symposium - 31 January 2014 2 February 2014
31 January 2014 2 February 2014 Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI Presenters: John Maeda, President, Rhode Island School of Design Dennis Bartels, Executive Director, San Francisco Exploratorium Donald E. Ingber, Founding Director, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University Chris Zelov, Filmmaker & Project Director, Knossus Project Thomas T. K. Zung, Architect, Buckminster Fuller, Sadao, and Zung Richard Bresnahan, Artist in Residence, St. Johns University Eric Goetz, CTO, Goetz Composites STEAM: integrative, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary studies working together with the result being greater than individual parts (synergy) - The study of a structure's interconnected parts (morphology) leading to inspiration through nature (biomimicry) producing harmony, fulfilling the social, economic and environmental requirements of present and future generations (sustainability) results in cooperation for an enhanced effect (synergetics) and supports interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary study of multiple disciplines Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics. Co-sponsors: Synergetics Collaborative Inc. (SNEC) Edna Lawrence Nature Lab at RISD Information contact: John Belt - designprobe@gmail.com, Peter Dean - pdean@risd.edu, or CJ Fearnley - cjf@synergeticscollaborative.org

NEW!!! Presidential Award For Excellence In Mathematics And Science Teaching (PAEMST) Nominations Now Open Nominations Due April 1, 2014 (Grades 7-12 Teachers)
Are you or do you know an outstanding secondary (grades K-6 ) mathematics and science teachers (including computer science) that you should be recognized for their talents? The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest honor that a kindergarten through 12 grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. What better way to acknowledge excellence of our colleagues than to nominate the teachers who exemplify their profession. The process to nominate teachers is a simple one. Simply go to the PAEMST website at www.paemst.org and fill in the on-line form. Once the nomination is submitted the nominated teacher will then be notified and provided information about the application process. The following are eligibility criteria for nominees. Candidates must: Teach mathematics or science at the K -6 grade level in a public or private school. Hold at least a Bachelors degree from an accredited institution. Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and
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teach K-12 students at least 50% of the time. Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2013-14 academic school year. Teach in one of the 50 states or the four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Education Activity schools; and the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category. Rhode Island has many wonderful teachers, and those you nominate could be state or national Presidential Awardees for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science for 2014. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 222-8454 or by email at peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov. Thank you for your continued support for mathematics and science education.

UMASS NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014 SUMMER INSTITUTE

Monday to Friday, July 7 - July 11, 2014 at UMass Amherst Funded by the National Science Foundation Sponsored by the STEM Education Institute and the Center forHierarchical Manufacturing Middle and High School Science, Math, and Technology Teachers $75/day stipends ($375 total), materials, parking, some meals Housing (new air conditioned dorms) for those outside the commuting radius 3 graduate physics credits available at reduced cost; free PDP's (Professional Development Points) Ongoing partnerships with UMass Faculty Nanotechnology deals with materials on the scale of nanometers. A nanometer is one-millionth of a millimeter, or about 10 atomic diameters. Such materials can have surprising and useful behaviors and properties. Applications of this rapidly growing field include regenerative medicine, fabrics and construction materials of unprecedented strength, ultra-high performance computers and data storage, more efficient solar photovoltaic cells, and much more. Activity in this field cuts across the traditional disciplinary boundaries, and involves chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. The UMass Nanotechnology Summer Institute will explore the basic science and engineering concepts of this exciting new field, and will illustrate how they may be integrated into the usual math, science and technology courses in middle schools and high schools. The content and pedagogy will be aligned with the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Framework. During the institute, participants will begin to develop curriculum units for their own classes. They will implement these in the fall and report on their progress and results online. Three graduate credits will be available for the institute and curriculum unit; the cost will be $300 plus a $45 registration fee. PDP's will be available at no cost. Application process: An application form and additional information are available at www.umassk12.net/nano. Teachers should also prepare a narrative statement of how they intend to use the institute materials in their classroom, and include in their application package a recent resume and a letter of support from their school principal or superintendent. The application package can be submitted by email, fax, or US mail. Applications are due April 1, 2013. Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis. STEM Ed Institute: www.umassk12.net/stem, 413-545-0734, fax: 413-545-3697 Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing: www.umass.edu/chm Subscribe to the STEM Ed. RSS feed at:

http://www.umassk12.net/feed.xml

Science Enrichment/Challenge Opportunities for Students

2014 ASPIRE Program Seeks Student Applicants Apply by December 1st
The 2014 ASPIRE program at the Polymer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is seeking high school participants. In order to qualify for admission, the student must be at least a sophomore in high school with an interest in science after having completed at least one half a school year of chemistry, physics, engineering and/or biology. ASPIRE (A Student-led Program In Research and Education) provides students with the opportunity of hands-on laboratory experiences in the synthesis, characterization and engineering of polymers using the world renowned facilities at the Silvio O. Conte National Center for Polymer Research. This program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation through the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center on Polymers. The high school students are mentored by our graduate students, who provide oversight and direction of each of the STEMTECH disciplines involved. High school students need not have previous experience with polymers. At the culmination of the 5-Saturday morning sessions, each student will receive a certificate of completion, which can be utilized in his/her resume. Further information, including dates and the application form can be found at the following website http://www.pse.umass.edu/mrsec/Education-Outreach/ASPIRE.html Please contact Greg Dabkowski at gdabkowski@research.umass.edu with any questions.

Verizon Foundation Challenges Middle and High School Students to Create a Mobile App that Provides Powerful Answers Enter by December 3rd
The Verizon Foundation, in partnership with the Technology Student Association, today announced that it has opened the 2013-2014 Innovative App Challenge, giving middle and high school students across the country a chance to develop a concept for a mobile app and bring it to market. The mobile app design competition aims to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and empower them to create STEM-related app concepts that solve real-world problems in their community or school. Students have a chance to win Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablets courtesy of Samsung Telecommunications America, cash grants of up to $20,000 for their school, and the opportunity to team up with app development experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab to build and bring their apps to life. Verizon will help winning teams bring their app to the Google Play store, available for download. Please share this exciting new competition with your school department. We would love to see Rhode Island students benefit from this exciting program. For more information, go to http://appchallenge.tsaweb.org/ or http://newscenter.verizon.com/corporate/news-articles/2013/09-09-app-challenge-for-students/

Please note: attachments will not be sent. 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 Thursday to be included in the Friday newsletter (subject to RIDE review and approval): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Type (e.g., grant, event, resource) Name / Title of Event / Opportunity Source or Event Sponsor Web site, and/or contact name(s) and email address(es) Description Grade level(s) and/or intended audience 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 @PeterJMcLaren

Make the shading of the two balloons the same. Draw a consistent point using a hash line around the circumference of the balloon and use that as a consistent reference point for the measurement.