February 7th, 2010 Bob
The National Association of Biology Teachers invites nominations for Oklahoma’s Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for 2010.
All biology/life science instructors (grades 7-12) with at least three years teaching experience in public, private, or parochial schools are eligible and self-nominations are invited. NABT membership is not a requirement for consideration; however, a major portion of each nominee’s career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology and/or life science. Unsuccessful candidates may be re-nominated in subsequent years. Colleagues, administrators, students, the teacher candidates themselves, or anyone competent to judge the candidate’s teaching effectiveness can nominate a teacher to receive the award. Candidates will complete a form summarizing their professional experience, academic background, and educational philosophy and provide four recommendations from colleagues, students, etc. The criteria for the award include teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in school and the community, inventiveness, initiative, and student-teacher relationship. Winners receive a special gift from Pearson, a microscope from Leica Microsystems, Inc., a one year complimentary membership in NABT plus certificates and a pin from NABT. In addition, recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony at the annual NABT National Professional Development Conference (to be held November 3-6, in Minneapolis ).
Please send the name and address of your nominee (including phone number and e-mail) to Kay Gamble, 1115 East 15th St., Ada, OK 74820 or by e-mail to kaygamble@gmail.com. Go to the Oklahoma OBTA wiki at http://obtaoklahoma.wikispaces.com/ E-mail nominations will be acknowledged by a reply. You may also nominate someone by using the nomination form available at www.nabt.org. The deadline for nominations is March 5, 2010.
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February 3rd, 2010 Bob
A new, revised edition of “Safety is Elementary” is now available. This guide book addresses a comprehensive range of topics in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand and easy-to-adopt way. The guide is a valuable resource to elementary school teachers, with a special focus on safety in science education.
A sample of the nearly 100 topics included is as follows: Animals, Batteries, Chemicals, Disposal, Eye Protection, Field Trips, Glassware, Hazardous Chemicals, Indicators, Labeling, MSDS Sheets, Demonstrations, Plants, Solutions, Storage, Thermometers and Electricity.
The revised second edition “Safety is Elementary” includes 14 appendices. The appendices cover a diverse range of topics such as: A Safety Checklist, Acidity/Alkalinity for some Common Substances, Animals in the Classroom, Common Chemicals, Poisonous Plants, Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations,
Sample Material Safety Data Sheets, Safety Equipment Vendors, Sample Rules Agreement, Safety Quiz and Preparing Chemical Solutions. Useful internet references are now found throughout with an appendix dedicated to these sites.
A key focus of this second edition has been to include only information pertinent to grades K-6. Many A-Z topics have been edited, and new topics added. With the advent of science assessment fostered by No Child Left Behind Federal Legislation (2001 and amendments), hands-on, inquiry-based science for all students at the elementary level has been necessitated. This has amplified the need for safer instructional practices. The guide will inform you about safer practices to make your teaching of science a more enjoyable and meaningful experience for all of your students.
Additionally, major publishers are in the process of revising their K-6 science materials to be centered on active student participation in laboratories. The guide goes a long way in helping make such science education safer so that students have a positive attitude to science as they advance to higher grades.
The authors Dr. Ken Roy, Dr. Peter Markow and Dr. James Kaufman draw on their considerable knowledge base and work experience as can be seen from their credentials. Dr. Ken Roy is Director of Environmental Health & Safety for Glastonbury (Connecticut) Public Schools, Chair of the NSTA Safety Advisory Board, authorized OSHA Instructor, and author/columnist for national and international safety publications. He also writes the monthly science safety column found in each NSTA publication. Dr. Peter Markow is a Professor of Chemistry and Science Education at Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut. Dr.Kaufman is the Founder and Director of the Laboratory Safety Institute and is internationally known for promoting science safety at all educational levels.
The book can be purchased (price $27.95) by calling the Laboratory Safety Institute at 508-647-1900 or emailing Sales@LabSafetyInstitute.org . Review copies of this guide are available upon request.
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February 2nd, 2010 Bob
On November 23rd, 2009 President Obama announced National Lab Day as part of the Administration’s Educate to Innovate campaign. National Lab Day (NLD) is an effort to bring more authentic, hands-on, discovery-based lab experiences to students.
This year’s National Lab Day will culminate in a series of events and activities at the local, regional and national level during the first week of May 2010. But it is more than just a day. It is a nationwide movement to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in our schools. It is teachers working with community volunteers and communities rallying around teachers and scientists and other STEM professionals donating their time and expertise to our schools. National Lab Day seeks to foster partnerships between teachers, schools, STEM professionals, volunteers, federal agencies, and professional organizations that will continue long after the first National Lab Day.
NLD Partners
National Lab Day is a partnership between federal agencies, foundations, professional societies, and other STEM-related organizations. The National Science Teachers Association is a founding partner of NLD. The National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy are among the federal agencies providing support and expertise. The Jack D. Hidary, Bill and Melinda Gates and the MacArthur Foundations are joining with industry to finance the effort.
Getting Started
It’s a simple process to join National Lab Day. Teachers register on the National Lab Day website (www.nationallabday.org) and describe the project they want or need in their classroom. Whether its additional lab equipment, personal mentoring from a scientist, a visit to a working lab, technology support, internships, help with a lesson plan, up-to-date career information, help with a science fair project, or just an extra set of hands for a class project, teachers know best what is needed to improve their students’ hands-on learning experiences.
NLD is teacher driven. After posting their projects and requests, teachers will be matched with a list of local volunteers. These volunteers– university STEM students, local scientists, engineers, STEM professionals and other members of the community who have also joined the NLD hub–will form a local community of support, helping the teacher to achieve desired objectives. The NLD website will also connect teachers to the resources, funding opportunities, and information on relevant programs and events that they need. Teachers can also use the site to connect with volunteers, raise funds, and schedule face-to-face meetings and events.
The Role of Volunteers
Volunteers will be able to browse teacher requests and will be automatically notified of any “matches” to teacher requests. Volunteers can respond to specific teacher requests or they can offer general expertise, resources, and/or assistance.
Learn more about National Lab Day at www.nationallabday.org, and join the scores of teachers who have already signed up to bring more hands on learning to their students.
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February 2nd, 2010 Bob
Join a group of enthusiastic faculty members in science and mathematics education to complete a Ph.D. in Professional Education Studies with an Emphasis in Mathematics and Science. Gain experiences such as teaching science or mathematics methods courses; assisting with funded research focused on teacher professional development and improved K-12 student learning in STEM; supervising elementary or secondary science student teachers; and leading professional student organizations.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Three or more years of K-12 classroom teaching experience and a Master’s Degree (evidence of professional service and effective teaching preferred). Female and American Indian candidates are encouraged to apply.
SUPPORT: We have 4-7 positions available. Benefits will include an annual salary of $25,000, tuition remission for 12 graduate credits (each year), and potential eligibility for an additional $5,000 Top Tier Scholarship (each year).
DETAILS: Oklahoma State University, a comprehensive, land-grant institution of higher education with an enrollment of more than 21,000 students, is located in Stillwater (pop. 42,000). The University offers 91 programs of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, 70 master’s programs and 46 doctoral programs. The College of Education is centrally located on OSU’s scenic campus. Our newly-refurbished, state-of-the-art facility provides contemporary offices, classrooms, laboratories, and a distance learning center. Stillwater is approximately 65 miles distant from both the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas.
Learn more about the Oklahoma State University College of Education and make your application to the Graduate School online: http://www.okstate.edu/education/ Note that the PhD admission deadline is March 1, 2010.
TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit a letter of application, current vita, graduate transcripts, and 3 letters of reference to Dr. Julie Thomas, Frank and Carol Morsani Chair, Science Education Research, Oklahoma State University, College of Education, 245 Willard, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-4042. Review of application materials will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.
BEGINNING DATE: Fall classes begin August 15, 2010.
FOR MORE INFO: Download the flier here. Contact Julie Thomas: 405-744-7396 or julie.thomas@okstate.edu
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January 29th, 2010 Bob
(from NCSE Evolution education update: January 29, 2010)
Are you recovered from 2009’s celebrations of the bicentennial of Darwin’s birth and the sesquicentennial of the publication of On the Origin of Species? Good, because less than a month remains before Darwin Day 2010! Colleges and universities, schools, libraries, museums, churches, civic groups, and just plain folks across the country — and the world — are preparing to celebrate Darwin Day, on or around February 12, in honor of the life and work of Charles Darwin. These events provide a marvelous opportunity not only to celebrate Darwin’s birthday but also to engage in public outreach about science, evolution, and the importance of evolution education. NCSE encourages its members and friends to attend, participate in, and even organize Darwin Day events in their own communities. To find a local event, check the websites of local universities and museums and the registry of Darwin Day events maintained by the Darwin Day Celebration website. (And don’t forget to register your own event with the Darwin Day Celebration website!)
And with Darwin Day comes the return of Evolution Weekend! Hundreds of congregations all over the country and around the world are taking part in Evolution Weekend, February 12-14, 2010, by presenting sermons and discussion groups on the compatibility of faith and science.
Michael Zimmerman, the initiator of the project, writes, “Evolution Weekend is an opportunity for serious discussion and reflection on the relationship between religion and science. One important goal is to elevate the quality of the discussion on this critical topic — to move beyond sound bites. A second critical goal is to demonstrate that religious people from many faiths and locations understand that evolution is sound science and poses no problems for their faith.
Finally, as with The Clergy Letter itself, Evolution Weekend makes it clear that those claiming that people must choose between religion and science are creating a false dichotomy.” At last count, 755 congregations in all fifty states (and eleven foreign countries) were scheduled to hold Evolution Weekend events.
For the Darwin Day registry, visit:
http://www.darwinday.org/events/
http://www.darwinday.org/events/register.php
For information about Evolution Weekend, visit:
http://www.evolutionweekend.org/
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January 28th, 2010 Bob
Professional Development Workshop Sponsored by Oklahoma EPSCoR presented by the Oklahoma Museum Network funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation
Fears about climate change and energy security have pushed bioenergy into the global spotlight. For Oklahoma, the development of biofuel is an important step in creating a sustainable energy future. Join us as we explore the sources, production, issues and misconceptions surrounding biofuels. Participate in experiments and hands-on activities designed to encourage students to think like scientists, while making real-life connections. Leave with the knowledge, resources and supplies, as well as the confidence, to use this timely topic to enrich your students’ classroom experience.
A $150 stipend will be provided to teachers for workshop attendance.
Appropriate for 5th – 9th grade teachers.
Date Saturday, February 20, 2009
Time 9 am to 4 pm
Location – Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St Oklahoma City, OK 73111
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Workshop enrollment is limited to 20 participants, with no more than 2 participants from any one school*.
Due to the high demand of OMN workshops, registration will open on Monday, February 1st at 4:00 p.m. CST and close when 20 registrations have been submitted. We will maintain a waiting list to fill any cancellations.
Registration is available online only.
To register, please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bio2010
* LIMIT TWO REGISTRATIONS PER SCHOOL
If there are more than two registrations from one school, we will take the first two based on time submitted. It is possible for more than two from one school to register and receive confirmation. The additional registrants will be notified and the confirmation will be cancelled and filled from the waiting list.
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January 27th, 2010 Bob
Overview: Camp T.U.R.F. is a 2-week, residential academy at Oklahoma State University Stillwater.~ Students will interact with professors and explore a variety of careers in horticulture and landscaping, with hands-on activities at botanical gardens, field research stations, a turfgrass research center, and greenhouses, as well as local museums and special OSU facilities such as the Insect Zoo.~ Helpful sessions about college admission, financial aid, and study skills will be included in the academy.~ Evening and recreational activities are also planned.
Place and Time: Camp T.U.R.F. will be conducted from the evening of Sunday, June 20 to the evening of Friday, July 2, 2010. Selected students will be required to stay the entire length of the academy as a resident student of OSU-Stillwater. Students will be housed in residential suites on campus. The academy is free for students. All expenses (food, transportation during the academy, suites) are paid by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Attendees are only required to provide their own transportation to and from the academy (carpooling information will be available for those who are interested).
Supervision: Male and female counselors will reside in the suites with the academy students. They will be responsible for the participants in the evenings, serving as escorts and chaperones to evening activities. During the day, the project director and professors will accompany the students to all classes and field trips.
Selection criteria: Students must be Oklahoma residents at least 16 years of age by the start date of the academy, and be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school. Applications must be received by April 1, 2010. Selected applicants will be notified by April 30, 2010.
For more information, contact Shelley Mitchell, , 405-744-5755.
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January 21st, 2010 Bob
See attached this month’s JanaGram from OSDE Science Director Jana Rowland. This month’s issue contains items that will require quick action if you are to take advantage of the opportunity. Science Museum Oklahoma has events THIS WEEK and there are a number of grant and awards deadlines that are just around the corner. Don’t delay! Download the the January JanaGram here.
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January 7th, 2010 Bob
Do you know any students who are passionate about science? If yes, will you please invite them to apply to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundations (OMRF) Fleming Scholar Program? Applicants need not have any prior science experience or education. This program grants selected students an opportunity to work side-by-side with real life research scientists for eight weeks this summer. Scholars also get paid and housing is provided for those who qualify. The application deadline is February 1, and forms are available at www.omrf.org/fleming.
Requirements:
Submit application packet by February 1.
Applicants must possess passion for science.
Only high school seniors to juniors in college who are graduates or graduating seniors from an Oklahoma high school may apply.
Information about the program and the flyer can be viewed via the link: http://www.omrf.org/OMRF/News_Releases/Releases/2009/20091228.asp and by contacting Courtney Stevens, SPHR, Senior Human Resources Specialist, OMRF, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
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January 5th, 2010 Bob
Walking beside thousand-year-old burial mounds, flaking raw stone into tools, learning how potsherds tell us about human behavior, and understanding how humans adapt to complex, ever-changing environments our 2010 Summer Institute features all this and more.
The Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse will offer a three-week NEH Summer Institute on July 12–30, 2010. This dynamic learning experience for K-12 teachers will explore how Native Americans and Euro-Americans have adapted to the Upper Mississippi River Valley over the past 13,500 years, and how archaeology leads to an understanding of how human cultures change and adapt through time.
The Institute will feature a one-day excavation experience, field trips to archaeological sites, hands-on laboratory and workshop activities, demonstrations, and classroom activities. Individual projects will help participants tailor the content to their own teaching areas. Participants receive a $2,700 stipend to help offset their expenses.
Application and other information on the Institute is available online at
http://www.uwlax.edu/mvac. The deadline for applications is March 2, 2010.
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