MnSTA Fall 2013 Newsletter

MnSTA

Newsletter Volume 50 No. 1 A Quarterly Publication of the Minnesota Science Teachers Association Inc.

Fall 2013

Speakers Named for MnCOSE Ramsey Musallam and Karen Oberhauser will be the keynote speakers at the Minnesota Conference on Science Education scheduled for Feb. 21-22 at the Verison Center in Mankato.

Musallam is a chemistry teacher at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco, whose mission is “to meaningfully integrate multimedia into a hands-on, inquiry-based learning cycle� and to empower other educators to do the same. Musaltabcasting, video podcasting and screencasting in the classroom. He runs the education blog Cycles of Learning, where he gives written and video tutorials on how to turn everyday apps like Google Docs, screencasting from an iOS device, YouTube, KeepVid and word clouds as effective teaching tools.

Musallam received an Ed.D. from the University of San Francisco in 2010.

Oberhauser, from the University of Minnesota Monarch Lab was selected for the White House Citizen Science Champion of Change Award for her extensive work in monarch citizen science.

She is the founder and coordinator of the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, a citizen science effort to monitor monarch egg and larval distribution and abundance throughout the monarch breeding range (www.mlmp.org). Citizen scientist volunteers, monarch researchers, and many others that Karen has reached over the years supported Karen for this award with nomination letters to the White House sharing their thoughts about Karen and the amazing work that she has done in monarch conservation, education, and citizen science. .

Ramsey Musallam and Karen Oberhauser are slated to be speakers at the Minnesota Conference on Science Educaiton.

Traveling Instructional Roads in Science Theme for 2014 MnCOSE Traveling New Instructional Roads in Science has been selected as the theme for MnCOSE scheduled for Feb. 21-22, 2013. It is not too early to begin seeking professional development funds for this annual conference which promises many opportunities for professional development for all science teachers.

MnCOSE is seeking science educators to present their favorite classroom acitvity. Presenters can register for the conference at a reduced rate.

See pages 12-13 for more information.

In This Issue: Presidents Message...........................................................2 Department of Conservation............................................2 In Media Res ...................................................................3 Update from Science Specialist.................................... 4 Teacher Feature...............................................................6 News updates and Opportunities........ ......................7-12 MnCOSE.......................................................................13 Board Directory.........................................................14-15

President’s Address by Steve Walvig It’s the beginning of another great school year and I’m thrilled to get started.

To me there is nothing more exciting than the challenge of learning all of my new students faces and personaliexcite their imaginations in class. It could be anything, which makes it something of a game for me. What will get these kids on their dfeet and excited to learn science this year and how can I make that kind of environment happen all day and as many days as possible.

Of course getting our students excited to learn is only one part of what we do as teachers. We also have to ensure what we’re teaching is truly preparing our students for future success. This year I’ve made a point to review my curricula and lesson plans to ensure they meet our Minnesota Academic Standards in Science and to look forward to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) into what I’m teaching. For our current state science standards, I love the MN STEM Teacher Center’s website (http://scimathmn.org/stemtc/) created by SciMathMN and the Minnesota Department of Education to provide Minnesota teachers with a Framework to help teachers translate Minnesota’s state science and mathematics standards into classroom practice and assist in student achievement of those standards. And, even though we haven’t adopted the Next Generation Science Standard in Minnesota, I still like to know what they have to offer, so Presidents message....continued on page 3

Department of Conservation by Ed Hessler Noticing I never knew that by August/ the birds are markedly silent,/ only a twitter here and there./ Now I notice. –from “Losing My Sight,” Liesl Mueller, Alive Together, Louisiana State University Press, 1996 Albrect Durer’s glorious watercolor, The Great Piece of Turf, is on the cover of one of my books ( < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ File:Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer_-_The_Large_Piece_ of_Turf,_1503_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg >). He has to be one of the earliest nature painters.

This watercolor which so often attracts my attention is of a small piece of ground in which a patch of plants are growing. The view is from mouseeye level. Tom Lubbock provides the “botanizing”: cock’s-foot, creeping bent, smooth meadow grass, daisy, dandelion, germander speedwell, greater plantain, hound’s-tongue and yarrow.

This painting of nature is very closely observed and in that sense realism. It is also a work of an immense and gifted imagination. Durer, as Lubbock notes, made many decisions as he painted. I’ve wondered whether it is based on drawings made in a in studio, kind of a fused recollection, perhaps with an Tom Lubbock’s article in The Independent is a guide to considering this painting, e.g., dualism http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/dreralbrecht-the-large-turf-1503-770976.html Durer’s painting is a joyful reminder that an evidence-based worldview does not in the least di Department of Conservation...continuted on page 3

The MnSTA Newsletter is published four times each year by the Minnesota Science Teachers Association, Inc. Articles, opinions, book reviews and other information pertinent to Minnesota teachers are welcome. Please limit submission to 1 typed page, e-mail preferred Deadlines for submission of articles are: Fall .............. August 1st Winter ............ November 1st Spring .......... February 1st Summer ...................April 1st Send all correspondence regarding the newsletter to: Jerry Wenzel 22002 100th Ave Randall, MN 56475 e-mail: jerrywenzel@brainerd.net The MnSTA Newsletter is an exempt program service provided to the membership. A membership form is found on the back page.

Materials found in the newsletter may be reprinted without charge.

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MnSTA, Inc. is an IRS 501 (c) (3) Charitable Educational Corpora-tion, organization with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Donations and dues are tax deductible charitable contributions for itemized deductions on IRS form 1040 Schedule A. The newsletter is an exempt program service provided to the membership. A membership form is found on the last page.

MnSTA Newsletter

In Medias Res by Edward Hessler The Variegated Shoots of STEM It was not too long ago that STEM became part of the K-12 lexicon. STEM acknowledges the close relationships among science, technology, engineering and maths and also notes their importance as standalone disciplines.

In a new Brookings Institute report on STEM education, titled “The Hidden STEM Economy” the importance of this emphasis is seen in the black and white calculus of jobs. In 2011,” 26 million U. S. jobs or 20 percent of all jobs—require In addition “STEM-trained workers account for…

29 percent” (and growing) of the federal government’s workforce.

The Brookings Institute report shows that a variety of post-graduate degrees, from less than a bachelor’s to those with advanced degrees will allow people to contribute to a high-tech economy.

Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a four-year college degree, and these jobs pay $53,000 on average—a wage 10 percent higher than jobs with similar educational requirements. ing, health care and the construction industries. and repair, jobs that require substantial STEM skills. These jobs close the loop of technological development by keeping systems operating.

Together, these constitute 12 percent of all STEM jobs.

The U. S. Constitution gives Congress the authority to “promote the progress of science and useful arts.” The Brookings Institute report is a call for an examination of current STEM funding.

“Of the $4.3 billion spent annually by the federal government on STEM education…, only onetraining…. The vast majority of National Science Foundation spending ignores community colleges.”

The important contribution of school science to worldview. This is done through what Alan Sokal refers to as “investigations aimed at acquiring accurate knowledge of factual matters relating to any aspect of the world by using rational empirical methods…” (Logos Winter 2013).

In Medias Res..........Continued on page 4

Fall 2013

Presidents message....continued from page 2

I’ve been spending some time at the NGSS website (www.nextgenscience.org) and on a free Next Generation Science Standards app now available for both Apple and Android devices. This school year, my Practices into my current programs and classes.

Another thing I’m researching right now is a program promoted by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the United States Army who have joined together to promote student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through a comprehensive education initiative called eCYBERMISSION (www.ecybermission. com). eCYBERMISSION is a free, web-based, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine.

Students work in teams of three or four and are mentored by an adult supervisor, known as a Team Advisor, to identify and solve challenges in their communities.

The competition encourages self-discovery, giving students the opportunity to learn in a way that will rate much of the information they have learned in the classroom as they build their Mission Folders, or hands-on discoveries during the competition.

Looking a little farther ahead, I’m also very excited for the 2014 Minnesota Conference on Science Education that will be at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, Minnesota on February 21st and 22nd. I know the MnSTA Conference Committee is working hard to make this a very special conference for all of us since it will be part of MnSTA’s 50th year anniversary. Yes, you read that right—MnSTA has been proudly serving Minnesota science teachers for almost 50 years now and we are very excited to continue serving you and the next generations of Minnesota science teachers for a long time to come. I hope to see you on Feb. 21-22 for another great conference on science education and to celebrate MnSTA’s 50th anniversary. Conference registration is open so don’t wait to register and have another great school year!

Department of Conservation...continuted from page 2

minish its inherent wonder and mystery but adds to it immeasurably. See “Ode to a Flower,” a video featuring the Nobel prize physicist Richard Feynmann on appreciating where feeling and knowledge are joined. (< >)

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Department of Education Now Introducing…The Globally Harmonized System for Chemicals culty recognizing how hazardous a chemilabels are inconsistent and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) seems too technical and confusing. CurJohn Olson is the science specialist for the Department rently each chemical of Education. He will keep vendor has its own us updated on science educa- system for labeling tion in the MnSTA newsletter. chemicals and determining what to put on the MSDS. That is about to change.

The US Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) determined that the U.S. will join other nations in a consistent method of labeling chemicals called the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). They have mandated that employers must train employees that handle chemicals by December 1, 2013.

How will this system be simpler?

All chemicals will be categorized by their hazards. A universal set of pictograms will easily identipictogram is correlated with a few characteristics of that category. These are generally easy to understand by a person with a beginning chemical education.

These must be on the chemical bottle along with some required information. There will be a signal word and a statement about the degree of hazard.

The inconsistent MSDS are being replaced by a new format called Safety Data Sheets (SDS). These will have 16 sections with statements that are based on uniform criteria.

Some vendors will start to use this system immediately as they bottle and ship new chemicals.

Vendors have a couple years before all new chemicals must meet the new requirements.

What training is required?

Employers must supply training to all employees who handle chemicals. Science teachers are often in

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the best position to do their own training. Be certain to document the training The training should familiarize employees with the system for labeling and the SDS. The GHS training does not have to be extensive and could be included in the annual safety updates that are required by OSHA. There are several sources for training materials and trainers. Many school districts have chemical safety consultants; often coordinated by the regional educational service cooperatives. Some vendors of chemicals have GHS materials and online videos.

OSHA has resource materials at their Hazard Communication page. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Consultation Division works with employers to administer OSHA regulations. The Minnesota Department of Education is preparing slides that could be used for science teacher training.

What are schools to do about the existing chemicals?

No changes need to be made with the current inventory. All chemicals should be dated and stored using a system that is organized by compatible chemicals. MSDS must be retained for the current chemicals.

This is also a good time to review your safety procedures and complete the annual Science Safety Checklist that the state Fire Marshall requires. Please contact me if you have questions or would like a safety presentation for your district, John.c.olson@ state.mn.us.

In Medias Res..........Continued from page 3

By calling attention to hidden STEM jobs, more students will be provided the opportunity to do work they want to do, have talent for, and where that talent can be expressed and used. The Brookings Institute report adds force to the idea of science for all Americans.

A press release from the Brookings Institute includes a great infographic illustrating this economy. ( < http://www.brookings.edu/research/ reports/2013/06/10-stem-economy-rothwell >) Hessler is Executive Secretary of MnSTA

Gender Gap Persists in STEM Education Participation 8/23/2013 - The Daily Herald Fewer girls than boys take Advanced Placement exams in STEM-related subjects such as calculus or chemistry, and the girls who do take those tests earn lower scores on average than boys, according to the 2010 report “Why So Few: Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.”

MnSTA Newsletter

Department of Education

Publication No. 11176

Introduction to GHS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pictograms

Acutely toxic

Oxidizer

Gas under pressure

Burns skin Damages eyes Corrosive to metals

Explosive Self-reactive Organic peroxide

Acutely toxic (harmful), Irritant to skin, eyes or respiratory tract

Skin sensitizer

Carcinogen, Mutagen, Reproductive toxin, Respiratory sensitizer, Toxic to target organs, Toxic if aspirated

Toxic to aquatic life (optional)

Flammable, Self-reactive, Pyrophoric, Self-heating, Emits flammable gas, Organic peroxide

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Teacher Feature The featured teacher for this newsletter is Tim Edinger. Mr. Ed, as he is know to his students, is beginning his 21st year for the Brainerd Public Schools at Forestview Middle School where he teaches 6th grade science.

Tim most enjoys teaching the chemical interactions unit to his students. He marvels almost daily that the students are grasping the key concepts about elements, mixtures, and compounds. His students are truly amazed when thy come up with the connections between what they are learning in class and their daily lives outside of school. His school district has made a wide scale move to ‘hands on” science instruction, at the urging of teachers, several years ago. They incorporated many F.O.S.S units to form the backbone of the district’s K-6 science curriculum. This approach to teaching science aligns perfectly with his teaching style. He would rather show them, or better yet have them “discover,’ a concept rather than simply have them read about it or tell them about it. He says, “While it can sometimes appear chaotic in a 6th grade science room to have 35 students all working in collaborative groups; it is in those moments that I feel like I’m doing my most meaningful work with kids.”

Tim’s education path was shaped by several people who made an impression on him as a student. His mother, Cathy knew and told his K-12 teachers often, “Tim can do it and WILL do it when he sets his mind to it.” For many years he was that learner with POTENTIAL who never “realized” it. In junior and senior high, his life science and business teachers each sparked an interest in learning for him in the manner in which they interacted with, and motivated their students. His science teachers at Bemidji State University helped him understand that he could perform academically at the college level. When he began his six year teaching career in the East Grand Forks school district he was privileged to work with and continued to learn from the science and math teachers there. All in his ability, the manner in which they interacted with him as a learner (and as a person), and in their ability to pull the best out of him. He states, “My teaching philosophy is simple, get to know your students, have consistent expectations for them, and strive to help each student to the best he/she can do in your class.

You never know which one of those parts of the puzzle will be the “hook for that learner.”

Like many “outdoors minded” young lads, Tim

facts that he was working his way through college at his own expense and accumulating student loan debt began to creep into his thinking about life after college. Those realizations along with the fact that there were hundreds of applicants for a handful of game warden positions in 1983 got him wondering even more. Dr. Harold Borchers, his college professor thought that the fact that he liked working with people and had a strong science background, a guidance along with advise from his other professors and his fate was sealed. He has been teaching middle level science since graduating.

Tim, his wife Sarah and two children live in He has turned his passionate love for hunting and Center, Fishing Has No Boundaries and Children’s Chapel at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church. He is also deeply involved at the state level with Education Minnesota and the local level with Education Minnesota Brainerd.

Tim graduated from Wadena Senior High in 1981 and received his Bachelor os Science Degree with majors in biology and middle level science from Bemidji State University. He received his masters degree in education with an emphasis in scinece from the University of North Dakota.

Mr. Ed facilitating an inquiry based activity with his students.

thought about having a job. Hi kept this dream

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MnSTA Newsletter

Opportunities-Department of Education MCA Science Results and Analysis Reports

STEM Education Compass

Science MCA and MTAS results are available in your district These results include both the summary information at the district and school as well as individual student results at the strand (all grades) or sub-strand (high school only) level.

Files for the Science MCA and Science MTAS are available publicly under Assessment and Growth

Wilder Research is launching on October 1st, a new section to their Compass website focusing on STEM. This STEM Compass. was developed to better understand the state of Minnesota’s STEM continuum and to help target resources most effectively. Working with an advisory group, cohesive framework was developed for monitoring and supporting Minnesota’s STEM cradle-to- career continuum to answer:

MDE website: http://w20.education.state.mn.us/ MDEAnalytics/Data.jsp In addition to these results at the strand and sub-strand level, the MDE Division of Statewide Testing has recently made available information on the 2012 and 2013 MCA Science Assessments down to the benchmark level. These graphs compare how your school performed on individual questions and the associated benchmark assessed compared to the statewide average. The graphs are a great tool to be used in conjunction with the test

Explore data, research, and resources to support students, schools, and families in STEM educa-

are constructed and how your school did on individual benchmarks assessed. For more information and to receive your school’s benchmark reports, please contact Jim Wood jim.wood@state. mn.us or Dawn Cameron dawn.cameron@state. mn.us

Middle School Science Teaching License Action At the August 13th Board of Teaching (BOT) meeting, the board passed the following motion.

To allow a teacher licensed in Earth and Space Science for grades 9-12 who has an additional science license that includes 7th and 8th grade to deliver Earth and Space Science courses in grade 7 or 8.

It was anticipated that the board would take action that would apply to all courses at the middle school level, however BOT determined that action would require rulemaking, a long and along with a broader review of science licensure issues. Thank you to the 192 responses to the survey that was distributed to MnSTA members this summer. 82% of respondents favored action similar to that passed by the BOT. About 60% of respondents provided comments on a range of licensure issues and those comments will be helpful for future discussions.

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useful information to communicate to your audiences.

Information can be found at http://www.mncompass. org/education/stem.php. If you are on Twitter follow #STEMCompass.

Events and Workshops School Garden 101, Tuesday evenings in October, various locations This October school staff will work to tie garden learning to the classroom, and harvest to the cafeteria. Gain continuing education hours while you connect to other schools and build your skill set.

This course is for groups of school staff to: build understanding of basic gardening principles, connect gardening principles to school activities and curricula, and support the creation and maintenance of school gardens with ideas and planning time. Register For details contact Susan DeBlieck, deblieck@umn.edu, 320-203-6105

Bell Museum Preview, October 3, UM Minneapolis Educators are invited to the Bell Museum of Naturel History at the University of Minnesota east bank campus to learn about the 2013-14 education programs and enjoy a sneak peek at Audubon and the Art of Birds. The free event and reception is Thursday October 3, 5:30 – 8:30 pm. To register call 612-6269660.

Space Junk 3D Preview, October 3, Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley There is a free educator preview of a new on October 3, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Don Kessler, NASA’s space junk expert, will speak at the event. Check out

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Opportunities-Department of Education the event for details and to register. http://newsletter.

STEM Learning Event, Oct 10, St. Paul

>Shocking Discoveries in Electricity This conference is free and the program description is available at Education Minnesota http://www.educationminnesota.org.

Be part of the studio audience for a Minnesota Channel Making Connections event “Career and Technical Education Pathways to STEM Disciplines,” It is designed to provide viewers with an understanding of what high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs look like, how they can be better utilized in Minnesota and more broadly in the Midwest, and how rigorous science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content is being integrated into these CTE opportunities to guide students into STEM-focused careers.

Participants will have an opportunity to interact with nationally renowned researchers and practitioners. The event is 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Twin Cities Public Television studios in downtown St. Paul.

Registration: http://registration.airprojects.org/RELEvent/register.aspx

Elementary Engineering Conference, Nov. 19, St. Paul

Minnesota Vision and Innovations: To the Moon, Mars & ?, Oct. 11, Ft. Snelling

and ideas for integrating engineering into their science, mathematics, and other content area classroom experiences. Early bird rates expire on 10/18.

Registration and more information https://www. theworks.org

The Minnesotan who advised President Kennedy to put a man on the moon and led the Apollo program, Bob Gilruth was born in Nashwauk, Minnesota on October 8, 1913. He graduated from high school in Duluth and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

AirSpace Minnesota honors the centennial of Bob Gilruth’s birth by welcoming Dr. Harrison “Jack” Schmitt - astronaut, pilot, geologist, academic, businessman and U.S. Senator - the only scientist and last of 12 men to step onto the Moon. The luncheon event is October 11th, 11:30 – 1:30 at the Boy Scout Base Camp at Ft. Snelling. There is an educator discount rate of $50. Information and registration. vents.r20.

Education Minnesota Conference, October 17, St. Paul, There will be four sessions sponsored by MnSTA at the annual Education Minnesota Conference at the RiverCenter in St. Paul. >It’s Not Magic, It’s Science: Hands-on Sci ence for Teachers >Messages for Minnesota from the Next Generation Science Standards >Teaching Engineering Concepts and Skills – Beyond ActivityMania

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The E4 Conference is a full-day professional development conference on November 19th at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul with an engaging keynote speaker, Yvonne Ng. “If you ask most practicing engineers about where they learned to do what they do, they answer that they have been doing engineering since they were kids.” Start the day with Yvonne you with her experiences that have led her to a career as an engineer.

Awesome breakout sessions will focus on the why, what, and how of teaching elementary engineering. Some examples: Using Picture Books to Facilitate STEM Learning, Kindergarten Engineering, Lego Robotics, and Engineering in Native

Geology Lectures, University of Minnesota The Geological Society of Minnesota offers free public lectures on local and national geology topics about twice per month. These are given by local experts and delivered at the amateur geologist level of technicality. The topics and calendar are posted at the Society Website http:// www.gsmn.org

Teaching Argument and Information Text, Oct. 28, Brooklyn Park This practical workshop will outline clearcut strategies for instruction in reading and writing the kinds of informational an argument texts that are critical to success in school, career and life. Mn Council of Teachers of English is inviting science teachers to participate in this workshop led by Jeff Wilhelm. Information and registration http://www. mcte.org

Teacher and School Awards and Opportunities Green Ribbon Schools Award This award from the US Department of Education honors public and private schools and school districts that are exemplary in all three of

MnSTA Newsletter

Opportunities-Department of Education the following areas: >Reducing environmental impact >Improving health and wellness >Providing effective environmental edu cation the school, local recognition, and an invitation to the national ceremony in Washington, DC. Applying for the award provides an opportunity to analyze energy and water usage, waste reduction and transportation. Schools review the strategies that promote healthy practices by students and teachers. In addition, teachers examine their curriculum for instruction in environmental concepts, skills and careers. In the process members from various sectors of the school community collaborate to improve their efforts toward sustainability.

Information about the program is at the Green Ribbon Schools website. For the application and local details, go to the MDE Green Ribbon Schools webpage http://www.mcte.org, or contact John.C.Olson@state.mn.us.

Presidential Awards The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

tensive knowledge and experience in the classroom to education program and/or education policy efforts.

For information http://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/

Student Awards, Competitions and Programs Real World Design Challenge The Real World Design Challenge is an annual aviation design competition for teams of high school students. The Challenge is FREE for students and teachers. Each teacher that signs up a team will receive professional engineering software as well as access to mentors from industry, government, and academia.

Teams can register http://www.realworlddesignchallenge.org. The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teacher/coach should complete the registration form.

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision ExploraVision is a competition that encourages K-12 students to create and explore a vision of a future technology by combining their imaginations with the tools of science. Teams of two to four stuogies as the basis for designing innovative technologies that could exist in 20 years. Students compete for

local and nation recognition, a reception at the White House and $10,000. This award is often a springboard to state and national leadership in the profession. This year K-6 teachers are eligible.

The nomination and application forms will soon be available at the PAEMST website https://www. paemst.org.

MnSTA Teacher Awards Each year the Minnesota Science Teachers Association recognizes an elementary and a secondary teacher who demonstrate teaching excellence and submit a classroom project the want to implement. The award provides $1000 toward materials needed for the project. Information is at the MnSTA Awards page http://mnsta.org/awards. html.

Einstein Fellows The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program provides a unique professional development opportunity for accomplished ogy, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend eleven months working in a Federal agency

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Opportunities-Department of Education up to $240,000 in savings bonds for college and cool gifts from Toshiba. First- and second-place teams also receive an expenses-paid trip with their families, mentor and coach to Washington, D.C. for a gala awards weekend in June 2014. For information visit the competition website http://www.exploravision. org.

eCYBERMISSION eCYBERMISSION is a free, online collaborative learning competition for students in grades six through nine offered by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program. The competition challenges students to think about real-world applications of STEM by working in teams to identify a problem Students compete for state, regional and national awards, with potential winning of up to $8,000 in U.S. savings bonds. Students registered by November 1st will receive a Free STEM Research Kit. All registered teachers will receive an eCYBERMISSION Starter Kit, which includes lessons, resources and tools available to introduce the competition in the classroom. Information and Registration http://www. ecybermission.com

America’s Home Energy Education Challenge America’s Home Energy Education Challenge (AHEEC) is a national student competition, created to help families save money by saving energy at home. AHEEC engages students in elementary and middle schools to make smarter energy choices that reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels and put money back in their parents’ pockets. This initiative aims active role in how their families use energy, and help families across the country reduce their energy bills.

Participating schools and organizations compete for more than $50,000 in prizes. Information and registration http://www.homeenergychallenge.org.

Shell Science Lab Challenge The Shell Science Lab Challenge, sponsored

by Shell Oil Company and administered by NSTA, encourages teachers (grades 6-12) in the U.S. and Canada, who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources, to share their approaches for a chance to win up to $93,000 in prizes, including a grand prize school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000. For more information

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about the Challenge or to download an application, http://www.nsta.org/shellsciencelab/

The DuPont Challenge© Science Essay Competition The DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition is a student competition that invites seventh through 12th grade students to write a 700 to 1,000word science essay in one of the four categories: Together, we can feed the world.

Together, we can build a secure energy future. Together, we can protect people and the environment.

Together, we can be innovative anywhere.

The competition offers young students the opportunity to explore science, develop new skills and Students can win savings bonds up to $5,000, and a trip to Walt Disney World and to the Kennedy Space Center. Along with the trips with their students, teachers can also win $500 grants. To learn more about the competition, check out the website http:// thechallenge.dupont.com.

MDE Contacts: John Olson, Science Content Specialist, john.c.olson@state.mn.us Dawn Cameron, Science Assessment Specialist, dawn.cameron@state.mn.us Jim Wood, Science Assessment Specialist, jim.wood@state.mn.us Doug Paulson, STEM Integration Specialist, doug. paulson@state.mn.us MDE Website: http://education.state.mn.us .

Send submissions for the Science Update to John Olson Other Minnesota Connections: Minn. Science Teachers Association http://www. mnsta.org Mn Frameworks for Science and Mathematics Standards http://scimathmn.org/stemtc Connections between schools and businesses http://www.getstemmn.com Environmental Education resources http:// www.seek.state.mn.us Minnesota Academy of Science: http://www.seek. state.mn.us

Celebrate Conservation Through the Arts The Junior Duck Stamp is produced by conservation efforts of young people while supporting environmental education programs in the United States.

The stamp design is selected from a national art con-

MnSTA Newsletter

Opportunities test administered by the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program. The national standardbased curriculum is designed to spark youth interest in habitat conservation through science, art, math, and technology, which gives students an opportunity to create a design for a Junior Duck Stamp. It stresses wildlife observation, nature journaling, photography, enjoying and exploring the outside world, and investigating the treasures of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Art Educators Jumpstart your artists today with the hands-on free curriculum available at http:// www. fws.gov/juniorduck/curriculum.html. Additional resources available for loan including an education trunk, literature connections, and Minnesota academic standards correlations. To reserve contact Mara Koenig, mara_koenig@fws.gov or 952/858-0710.

Entries for the Minnesota Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest must be postmarked by March 15, 2014 and mailed to: Mara Koenig Minnesota Coordinator, Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 3815 American Blvd East Bloomington, MN 55425

NanoSpace Offers Teachers Fun, Interactive Games Designed to Increase Science Literacy World-renowned professors and scientists from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, creators of The Molecularium® Project (www.molecularium. com), have launched NanoSpace (http://nanospace. molecularium.com), a website designed to teach kids about the nanoscale world of atoms and molecules. ment park offers them fun activities and games that they can incorporate in the classroom. visit the Guide to NanoSpace: www.molecularium. com/educators.html. Here are just a few tips on how to incorporate NanoSpace activities in your classroom. Additional discovery-based lessons may also be downloaded from the website’s Educator Resources tab. remember the Periodic Table of Elements with the Periodic Memory game, a concentration style match them to their location on the Periodic Table in a race against the clock. Divide your class into teams and see how far each team gets.

Fall 2013

about different types of microscopes and magnivirtual optical, electron and atomic probe microscopes to zoom in and investigate a wide range insects to grains of pollen and nanotubes.

Demonstrate and reinforce the connection between molecular structures and formulas with Build’em, an interactive molecular building in the class to clearly illustrate how their chemical and structural formulas represent their structure and how their atoms are arranged. Rotating molecules in any direction as you build makes this a very useful tool for demonstrations. Have students build all of the molecules on their own in class or as homework.

“NanoSpace provides educators with interactive activities and games to supplement what they are teaching in the classroom,” Richard W. Siegel, Ph.D., Director of the Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center.” “When learning is fun, it increases a child’s capacity to absorb and retain knowledge,” he added. how NanoSpace engages students and improves their ability to comprehend the information. “I found “NanoSpace - Molecules to the Max” to be both educational and entertaining. It introduced my 4th graders to the world of atoms and molecules through kid friendly characters; Oxy, Hydra, and Mel, the molecularium computer,” stated Laurie Brennan, a 4th grade science teacher from Lester Grove School, part of the Downers Grove District 58 in Illinois. She added, “The website is visually appealing to kids and uses 25 games in a concepts such as atoms, molecules, polymers and DNA at a level kids can understand. It’s a great resource and my students loved the website!”

A recent report by the President’s Council on Science and Technology estimates approximately 8.5 million STEM job openings will be available over the next decade. The Molecularium® Project and its NanoSpace program are graduates during this time period who will not be

11

Opportunities science resources are designed to supplement scarce school-based curricula and teach children through enjoyable interactions. The activities in NanoSpace teach and reinforce the National Science Education Standards, just as do all other Molecularium® Project programs. In addition to the Teachers Guides, which outline measurable goals related to these standards, free educator resources for the Molecularium® Project include lesson plans for grades K-4 and 5-8, crossword puzzles, songs, quizzes, printable posters, and more.

Research has proven that students retain more thorough knowledge of a concept through interactive learning. Independent analysts quizzed students before and after seeing Molecularium animations, and found that the core concepts were of correct answers for younger audiences more than doubled.

STA teacher award, she proposed a peace garden for Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School as her project for the $1000 fund supplied by the Medtronic Foundation.

In her application she quoted the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” as her approach to the project. She used the funds to develop publicity and document the progress as she rallied contributions of time, materials and equipment from the community. The father of another teacher at her school donated design expertise, middle school students made artistic stepping stones, football players helped with planting, and elementary students spread mulch. There were committees that involved parents and community members for publicity, fundraising and the important aspect of maintenance planning.

The garden is designed to be an outdoor classroom with activities written to correlate with science, art and other standards at multiple grade level. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 30th students had their initial learning experiences via a scavenger hunt that included making observations and measurements of the plants in the garden.

Arts Integration Teacher Workshops Arts Integration Teacher Workshops presented by the Perpich Center for Arts EducaAt the ribbon tion cutting ceremony, students Join us for an exciting workshop to at Kasson-Manexplore arts integration as a powerful way to torville Elemenincrease student learning and help build student tary School were involved in a engagement. These workshops will kick off two scavenger hunt new arts integration professional development that included initiatives offered by the Perpich Center for Arts the process of inquiry, making Education. observations and More info for all teachers in Northeast taking measureMN interested in arts integration: ments of the plants in the http://artsintegration.perpich.mn.gov/news/northgarden. east-minnesota-arts-integration-workshops More info for secondary teachers across the state interested in arts-integrated courses: MnCOSE 2014 is Coming! http://artsintegration.perpich.mn.gov/news/ Do you have the 2014 Minnesota Conference perpich-arts-integration-secondary-course-develon Science Education on your Professional Developopment-workshops Nominate a teacher for the Medtronic Foundation Science Teaching Award. Information and applications can be found at http://mnsta.org/Nomination_ Form.html.

Sheri Furst was the recipient of the 2013 teaching award. For about 20 years, she dreamed of having a garden for the school where she taught.

When the opportunity came to apply for the Mn12

your school district to secure your funds. Our registration system is ready for you!

And...watch our site very soon for some exciting announcements about our conference go to mnsta.org and follow the links to the conference.

MnSTA Newsletter

Minnesota Conference on Science Education-MnCOSE

Have you considered presenting at MnCOSE14?

It is YOU, our membership, that make our conferences great! Present at the conference and receive a discounted registration rate!

More information can be found: http://mnWe hope to see you in Mankato, Minnesota Feb 21-22, 2014!

Fall 2013

Conference Lodging Two great local options are available to you for lodging during the Minnesota Conference on Science Education in Mankato! Plenty of hotel rooms will be available and we welcome you to come and explore our region.

Please be sure to mention the MnSTA Minnesota Conference on Science Education to receive the discounted rate..http://www.mnsta.org/2014_ MnCOSE_Lodging.html. Make your reservations early!

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MnSTA Board Directory

MnSTA Phone# (651)-523-2945

Below, you will find information about your MnSTA Board Members. The listing includes the board memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school (or organization), mailing address, work phone, FAX number, and e-mail address. The board wishes to make itself as accessible as possible for our members. Please feel free to contact your discipline representative, regional representative, or executive board members if you have ideas, concerns, or wish to help with the mission or operation of MnSTA. We are always looking for members who wish to serve MnSTA as Board Members, Non-Board Service Chairs or Members, and as Committee Chairs or Members.

Executive Board: Exec. Secretary President

Ed Hessler

Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave. MS-A1760,

W: 651-523-2945

F: 651-523-3041

e: ehessler01@hamline.edu

Steve Walvig

The Bakken

3537 Zenith Ave. S

W-612-926-3837X202

F: 612-927-7265

St. Paul, MN 55104 Minneapolis, MN 55416

e:walvig@thebakken.org

Past President

Mary Colson W: 218-284-7300

Horizon MS F: 218-284-7333

3601 12th Ave. So. Moorhead, MN 56560 mcolson@moorhead.k12.mn.us

Treasurer

Joe Reymann

Retired

e: joereymann@comcast.net

DOE Science Specialist

John Olson

Dept.of Education

john.c.olson@state.mn.us 651-582-8673

Humboldt Secondary

30 E. Baker St.

Discipline Directors: Biology

Nancy Orr-Johnson W:763-242-4649

Chemistry Earth Science

St. Paul, MN 55107

nancy.orr@spps.org

Carolyn Fruin

Eastview High School

612-801-0384

cfruin65@gmail.com

Kate Rosok

Minneapolis Public Schools

612-280-245

kate.rosok@mpls.k12.mn.us

Elementary/Greater MN Nicole Christofferson-Weston Menahga Public Schools

216 Aspen Ave;

Mehanga, MN 56464

218-564-4141X477

e:nchristofferson@menahga.k12.mn.us

Elementary/Metro

Polly Saatzer W:651-552-0094

Garlough Environmental Magnet 1740 Charlton St. paulette.saatzer@isd197.org

West St. Paul, MN 55118

Higher Ed

Michele Koomen

Gustavus Adolphus College 800 West College Ave.

St. Peter, MN 56082

W507-933-6057

F507-933-6020

mkoomen@gac.edu

Informal Ed

Larry Thomas

SMM

120 W. Kellogg Blvd

Newsletter

Jerry Wenzel

Retired

e: jerrywenzel@brainerd.net

Physics

Paul Lulai

St. Anthony Village High School 3303 33rd Ave

W: 651-221-4507

e: lthomas@smm.org

W:612-964-5374 Private Schools

Webmaster

St. Paul, MN 55102

St. Anthony, MN 55418

plulai@stanthony.12.mn.us

Carolyn Ocampo 612-300-4321

cpfocampo@gmail.com

Eric Koser 507-387-3461 x 322

Mankato West H.S. F: 507-345-1502

1351 S. Riverfront Dr. e: ekoser@chartermi.net

Mankato, MN 56001 W:

Region Representatives: Region 1&2: North

Laurie Arnason

South Point Elementary 1900 13th St. SE

W:218-773-1149

East Grand Forks, MN 56721

larnason@egf.k12.mn.us

Region 1&2: North

Michael Urban

Region 3: Northeast

Elizabeth Kersting-Peterson Piedomont Elementary 2827 Chambersburg Ave. W:218-336-8950 X 2759

Region 4: Westcentral

14

F:218-336-8954

Duluth, MN 55811

supersciencefriday@gmail.com

Vacant

MnSTA Newsletter

Region 5: Northcentral Marie Zettel

Aitkin High School

306 2nd St. SW

W 218-927-2115 X 3313 Region 6: Southcentral Philip Sinner Region 7: Eastcentral

Aitkin, MN 56431

e:mariezettel@yahoo.com Renville County West

301 NE 3rd St. PO Box 338

W320-329-8368

F320-329-8191

psinner@rcw.k12.mn.us

Kari Dombrovski

Talahi Community School 1321 University Dr. SE

W:320-251-7551X5127

F:320-529-4339

Region 8: Southcentral Philip Sinner

Renville, MN 56284 St. Cloud, MN 56304

kari.dombrovski@isd742.org

Renville County West

301 NE 3rd St. PO Box 338

W320-329-8368

F320-329-8191

psinner@rcw.k12.mn.us

Region 9: South

Dana Smith W:507-232-3461X4114

Nicolette Public School 1 Pine St. e: dana.smith@isd507.k12.mn.us

Nicollet, MN 56047

Region 10: Southeast

Sharie Furst

Kasson-Mantorville Elemementary .604 16th St. NE

Kasson, MN 55944

507-319-4781

s.furst@komets.k12.mn.us

Region 11: Metro

Renville, MN 56284

Betsey Stretch

Ancillary Positions: Database

Mark Lex 55416

Benilde-St. Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2501 Hwy 100 S W: 952-927-4176 F: 952-920-8889

Historian/Parlimentarian Fred Riehm

Retired â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;91

NSTA Dist. IX Director

Horizon MS

Mary Colson W: 218-284-7300

Conference Coordinator Jean Tushie

frriehm@centurylink.net 3601 12th Ave. So.

Moorhead, MN 56560

mcolson@moorhead.k12.mn.us Eden Prairie High School

W 952-975-4347

St. Louis Park, MN e: marklex@umn.edu

F 952-975-8020

17185 Valley View Rd Eden Prairie, N 55346

e jtushie@edenpr.org

jtushie@comcast.net

Events Calendar If you have events you want placed on the calendar, send them to the editor - see page 2 for deadlines, address, etc.

Conferences / Workshops MnCOSE Minnesota Conference on Science Education Feb. 21-22, 2014 Verizon Center in Mankato Minnesota Earth Science Teachers Conference Feb. 7, 2014 Plymouth, MN MnCOSE Minnesota Conference on Science Education Feb. 20-21, 2015 Verizon Center in Mankato NSTA National Conference April 3-6 2014 Boston, MA

Fall 2013

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U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 4197

MnSTA Regions

MnSTA Membership Application Form Join the Minnesota Science Teachers Association (MnSTA), the professional organization whose primary goal is the advancement of science education. Mail this form along with your check to: MnSTA, Hamline University MS - A1760, 1536 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104

Home First name

MI

School/Organization Last name

Address

Name Address

City

State

Zip Code

City

State

Phone number (include area code)

Phone number (include area code)

Preferred email address

Fax number (include area code)

Second email address

School district # (enter "P" if private)

New Member

Renewing Member

Rates (Check one): Basic Membership ...................... $25 First Year Teacher ...................... $15 Retired Teacher .......................... $15 Pre-service Student .................... $10 Life Membership: to age 35 ..... $400 age 36-50 ... $300 over 50 ........ $200

Zip Code

Indicate the grade level you work with: level: Elementary (K-6) College/University Middle/Jr. High School (6-9) Informal Ed High School (9-12)

Choose up to three discipline mailing lists: Elementary Earth Science Life Science Physical Science

Biology Chemistry Physics Environmental Science