OK, open up your calendar…
Now, turn (or scroll) to November 2, 2013…
Pencil in (or type) “OSTA FALL STAFF DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, UCO”
There you go. Now you can plan around that date and make sure you are able to attend the largest and best science staff development conference in Oklahoma.
Details to come!
VISION 2020 2nd Annual Summer Conference is hosted by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
This July event downtown Oklahoma City offers learning opportunities, professional development and training for everyone from the engaged parent, the classroom teacher, counselor, librarian, technology instructor, treasurer, central office personnel, principal, school board member, district superintendent, and others.
Attendee Registration (no charge) includes all professional development sessions at the conference.
Dates of Note
| Session Request for Proposals (request here) | February 4, 2013 – March 25, 2013 |
| Attendee Registration (register here) | March 1, 2013 |
| Conference | July 9-11, 2013 |
Vision 2020 Summer Conference 2013 will be held in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 9 through Thursday, July 11, 2013.
Tentative Programs Schedule Draft
Below you will find the preliminary schedule outline.
| Tuesday, July 9, 2013 | |||||
| 9:00 - 10:30a.m. | General Sessions | ||||
| 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Exhibit Hall Open | ||||
| 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Exhibit Hall Option | ||||
| 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch | ||||
| 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Parent Power Night | ||||
| Wednesday, July 10, 2013 | |||||
| 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. | Early Bird Sessions | ||||
| 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. | General Sessions | ||||
| 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open | ||||
| 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Exhibit Hall Option | ||||
| 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch | ||||
| 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| Thursday, July 11, 2013 | |||||
| 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. | Early Bird Sessions | ||||
| 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. | General Sessions | ||||
| 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open | ||||
| 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Exhibit Hall Option | ||||
| 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch | ||||
| 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
| 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | ||||
The Center for Research in STEM Teaching and Learning will host an Earth Science Education Stakeholders’ Summit on February 15, 2013 at the College of Education, Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The summit’s theme is “An Education Solution for the Earth and Space Science Workforce of Tomorrow.”
The Earth and space sciences are the most underrepresented fields of all STEM areas. Oklahoma has an immediate and growing workforce need for individuals educated in the geosciences. However, many of Oklahoma’s students are underexposed to Earth and space science content.
The goals of this meeting are to:
Share this information with your colleagues who also hold a stake in the Earth and Space science education of Oklahomans.
Questions can be directed to Toni Ivey, assistant professor in science education, at toni.ivey@okstate.edu
This event is supported through a National Science Foundation Geoscience Education Grant NO. GEO-1034987
The OSTA Fall Staff Development Conference starts today with the OSTA Awards Reception at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
The reception starts at 6:30 in the Nautilus Room inside Aquaticus. Entry is through the Zoo Education Building. Get details about the reception, the honoree’s, and maps, click here.
The Fall Conference “Saving the World Through Science”, begins with Registration at 8 AM. Keynote Speaker Vanessa Westbrook begins her address at 8:45. Don’t Be Late! You don’t want to miss her remarks.
This conference truly has a rich and diverse set of professional development offerings. We made much of the two half-day Institutes on the schedule, but there is so much more. NGSS, HHMI, CCSS, SEPUP, AP, OESE, KISS and many more workshops with lots of initials…
And do not forget to bring your checkbook for the OSTA Silent Auction benefiting the OSTA Awards to student researchers at the State Science Fair.
And do not forget to vote for OSTA Board of Directors and the revisions to the OSTA Constitution.
Download the conference program here.
Download a map of the UCO campus here.
Register today for the OSTA Fall Conference and you can still get lunch… As well as an outstanding array of workshops, presentations, and events.
What will you do? Download the conference program here.
Where will you go? Download a map of the UCO campus here.
What’s happenin’ Friday night? You can still register to attend to OSTA Awards Reception at the OKC Zoo. Click the registration link above and indicate you will attend when you register (it’s free thanks to the generosity of Pearson and the OKC Zoo) or you can add the event through the registration gateway.
You don’t want to miss this…
The current OSTA Constitution call for annual election of officers to be conducted each fall at the annual staff development conference (the proposed constitutional revisions will, if approved, allow such voting to occur on-line).
The OSTA Nominating Committee has recommended the following candidates for election to the Board of Directors:
Vice-President/President-Elect
____Joyce Cheatham (Pawnee Middle School)
BS Secondary Science, OSU, MS Curriculum and Instruction, OSU, Teacher of the Year, Pawnee Public Schools. OSTA/NSTA member, Current Middle School Director for OSTA, Attended the 2012 NSTA Congress.
Middle School Division Director
___ Jessica Hornberger (Agra Middle School)
Holds a degree from Oklahoma State University in secondary education with focus in biology.
College Division Director
___ Tim Laubach (OU)
Assistant Professor of Education. University of Oklahoma Department of instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. PhD, 2005, University of Oklahoma
___ Saeed Sarani (State Regents)
Curriculum Director with Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. PhD, December 2012, University of Oklahoma
District Two Representative– NW Region (West of I35, North of I40)
____ Bethany Lorenz (Putnam City North High School)
NBCT, Putnam City District teacher of the year 2012, NABT Outstanding Biology Teacher Award recepient 2012, OSTA Board 2010-2012. BS, OSU
____ Connie Ward (Piedmont Middle School)
BS, Central State University, Middle School of Piedmont Teacher of the Year 2002-03, 2009-10 Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma Yukon Lodge Teacher for Today 2010
District Four Representative – SE Region (East of I35, South of I40)
____ Kay Gamble (Ada High School)
BS, UCO; MEd, ECU; MS, Washington University. NBCT. National Association of Biology Teachers OBTA. OSTA District 4 Representative, OBTA Director for Oklahoma, Advisor for the Only NABT BioClub in Oklahoma
District Six – Any OSTA member who teaches in the area within Oklahoma City Public schools boundaries, including private and parochial teachers.
____ Natalie Bowman (Northwest Classen High School)
Current OSTA District 6 Representative
You can vote for these candidates as well as vote to approve the the proposed revision to the OSTA Constitution and By-Laws at the OSTA Fall Conference NEXT SATURDAY! Have you registered? It’s not yet too late.
It’s time to check your schedule and finalize plans to be in attendance at the 2012 OSTA Fall Conference
First and foremost, this is the best science staff development conference you will find in Oklahoma this year. Second, the conference agenda brings together some of the most relevant topics for science teachers that you will find anywhere at any time.
Want to learn about the Next Generation Science Standards? Learn about it here, from Vanessa Westbrook, one of the NGSS writers!
How about Forensic Science? At Saving the World Through Science you can learn from professors who teach the top Forensic Science school in the country at UCO!
Wondering about how to work with students in studying glocal Climate change? Learn from climate scientists who are actively engage in climate research at the University of Oklahoma!
Need to know how scientists determine the age of ancient artifact through radiometric dating? Learn about the techniques and process from a scientist that does the work himself!
Trying to implement the Common Core State Standards ELA guidelines for science, social studies and technical fields into your course work? See how science graduate students at OU utilize these same recommendations as tools to develop effective communication and writing skills in the science research they produce.
Need more information of the AP Biology redesign, yep, we got that too!
Look at the OSTA Conference Agenda below. From keynote address to one hour sessions, to two half-day institutes, OSTA’s Saving the World Through Science promises to be a full day of fantastics learning experiences that will reap dividends for you and your students.
Don’t forget the OSTA Awards Reception at the Zoo on Friday evening at 6:30 PM. Help honor the recipients of the Annual OSTA Awards and mingle with science education leaders from around the state and nation! Sign up when you register. Thanks to generous contributions from the OKC Zoo and Pearson, the Awards reception is now FREE! Details are found here.
Click the link to register for the 2012 OSTA Fall Conference. The special pre-conference rate has been extended until November 8th!
The 2012 Awards winners will be honored at a special reception to be held the evening before the OSTA Fall Conference. The award winners, nominated by members and selected by the OSTA Awards Committee will receive their recognition at 6:30 pm, Friday, November 9th in the Nautilus Room inside Aquaticus at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Entry is through the OKC Zoo Education Building on the East side of the Zoo’s main parking lot. From there you can take the short walk to Aquaticus. (Get a Zoo Map HERE) (Get a Google Map TO the Zoo HERE)
Due to a generous contribution from Pearson and other considerations from the Oklahoma City Zoo, this event is now FREE!. But you still need to register so we can properly prepare for the festivities.
It you have not yet registered for the conference, the reduced, pre-conference registration rate is still in effect through November 9th. Just indicate your attendance when you complete the registration. If you have already registered, but now which to attend this event, you can enter the OSTA on-line conference registration system, enter your information, and indicate you are paying by check (even though you are not), and make a note in the space provided for check or purchase order information.
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This year, OSTA will honor the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board with the Jack Renner Award, the highest honor we can give to an organization, community leader, or educator. Jack was an outstanding national leader in science education during his tenure at the University of Oklahoma and OSTA reserves this award for the outstanding Oklahomans and Oklahoma organizations that have made significant impact on science education in this state.
The OERB began its student education efforts with the launch of its one-of-a-kind energy curriculum called Fossils to Fuel, geared toward third through sixth grade students. Since then, the OERB has added seven other curricula for kindergarten through high school students. The OERB reaches more than 100,000 students annually through its energy education efforts. The organization also uses funds to provide supplies for teachers to implement the OERB curricula in their classrooms, pay for student field trip admission and transportation costs and fund teacher workshop trainings.
Since 2005, an additional $1.5 million has funded academic scholarships for students at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa. The OERB awards up to $500,000 in scholarships each year. From curricula to teacher training, the OERB believes in empowering the students in this state. At a time when Oklahoma school budgets are at their tightest, the OERB is answering the call, providing supplies, resources and field trips.
The OERB has spent millions funding education programs in the state of Oklahoma. Educating our children begins by arming our teachers with the right tools. OERB has eight programs that include Little Bits for kindergarten through second grade students, Fossils to Fuel 1 and 2 for elementary school students, Petro Active for middle school students and Core Energy (four programs in one) for high school students. Since 1996, the organization has spent $20 million funding student education efforts throughout the state of Oklahoma.
We will also honor Dr. Robbie McCarty with the Outstanding College/University Educator Award. Dr. McCarty chose research by trade and entered the world of teaching to provide students quality science education unlike the experience of her children at that time. She has taught science at all levels from middle school to college and also has experience in rural as well as urban schools. Dr. McCarty is an active advocate for teacher professional development and gives of herself endlessly to help teachers better there teaching as well as writing grants to supply their classrooms to ensure quality science education. Dr. McCarty was public school teacher and a member of the OSTA Board of Directors for many years before earning her Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and ultimately assuming a faculty position at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
For many years she has been instrumental in presenting a series of Gear Up Workshops for teachers of science from all across Oklahoma. This series included a basic level workshop as well as an advanced and professional level for returning participants. She has also been an instrumental unit in the MSP (Math Science Partnership) workshops that have been presented in southwest Oklahoma at Altus, Clinton, and also SWOSU. In addition she has been an advocate in helping teachers write and receive grants as well as being an evaluator for several statewide MSP projects.
Dr. McCarty is officially retiring from her work at SWOSU as an Associate Profession in the Chemistry Department and will be continuing to teach as an Adjunct Professor in the Areas of Science Education and Chemistry.
Peggy Alexander will receive the Outstanding High School Teacher Award. Now teaching in Owasso, Peggy served as treasurer on the OSTA board for 5 years. She serves as Science Department Chair and as the ”unofficial” vertical team coordinator. She was an OSDE master teacher and made science presentations at the SDE regional meetings (about formative assessment and inquiry activities) and also at OSTA, representing Tulsa Community College’s Biotechnology department. She has been active in the Tulsa Community College Biotech program and serves as the point of contact for teachers in my area for teachers that want to check out Biotech equipment from TCC. She has served as a mentor for freshmen Bio majors at Northeastern as part of the “Bridge” project and attended the evolution workshop at OU Bio Station and shared lessons with colleagues.
Peggy is always looking for, and responding to, the positive in everything her students and colleagues do! She try to help with whatever science related things they get excited about and works to continuously update her teaching through the use of research proven techniques. Besides inquiry and constructivism methods, she use Paige Keeley’s formative assessments, and utilized the Marzano techniques she learned at a special two day workshop at NSTA Atlanta.
The Outstanding Middle School Teacher Award will be presented to Codee Becknel, who teachers at Longfellow Middle School in Norman. Codee a very innovative science teacher who is willing to take instructional “risks” in her classroom. She applies her experiences from multiple professional development activities to her classroom. Her students continually ask investigatable questions and then design activities to gather and analyze data to gather evidence that address their questions. Looking around her classroom you see evidence of differentiation for her students. She has provided a pictorial labeling system for her science materials and a word wall to assist her ELL and IEP students. She has provided global, verbal students with a question “parking lot” so they can record their “what if” questions without getting the current discussion off track. Codee’s innovations make her a great science teacher!
Professional development is an important part of Codee’s life as a teacher. She is constantly attending PD workshops to enable her to better reach ALL students in her classroom. Codee has attended the Putnam City/ OU/ Norman Public Schools Math Science Partnership Program for the past four years. This program provides teachers with a research experience in engineering, life science, or earth science for 1/2 the day and a pedagogy experience involving inquiry and integration, assessment, differentiation, and teacher leadership in the afternoon. She has been a part of the CREST institute at the University of Oklahoma. She participates in the district GET FIT conference.
Tammy Trumble will be presented with the Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award. Tammy teaches at Washington Elementary School in Norman. Her nominator notes: “As you enter Tammy’s classroom you are struck by the level of engagement of her students. They are actively involved in constructing science concepts through inquiry activities that require the collection of data. Students use this data to negotiate their understanding of science concepts. Moving from observing the students to examining the decor of her classroom you find evidence of preassessment to diagnose student prior knowledge. Moving to another wall you find a song that provides reenforcement for the characteristics of the three types of rocks (integrating multiple intelligences). Tammy has also written grants which provide her students the opportunity to partner with scientists from a local museum to examine the ecology of a local wilderness area.”
Tammy is a member of the NPS Elementary Science Advisory Board. This body is the primary leadership/communication mechanism for the district. Tammy has been instrumental in implementing major science staff development initiatives (such as changing to standards based grading in science) at her site and across the district. Ms. Trumble has been involved in many professional learning activities. She has attended the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Teacher Summer institute. She has taken part in our districts GET FIT conference as a presenter and a participant. Tammy has also been involved in several book studies sponsored by the district. These included Primary Science by Wynne Harlan and Ready, Set, Science.
Sponsored by:
Sam Rhine has crossed the country for 30+ years presenting the latest genetic information for high school students and their teachers. He has also spoken to audiences in Toronto, Montreal, Tokyo, Vienna, Prague, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Nairobi, Kenya.
The student participants at these conferences generally come from Biology and A.P. Biology classes, but many students who have completed their Life Science classes also attend. Students who are college bound, who are in pre-professional tracts or who are Science Olympiads will find the conference to be especially significant. Many teachers bring Honors and Gifted and Talented junior high school students. Every presentation begins with a review of the ‘basics’ so younger students need not worry about being lost all day.
School administrators recognize the day as an educational field trip or a career opportunity day. Students have a unique chance to hear one of the top educators in the country present the most recent genetic information. These conferences attract the most motivated students, and many of those students attend the conference in successive years because the topics change from year to year.
Sam will be the Saturday morning Keynote speaker at National Association of Biology Teachers national convention in Dallas…..November 1 - 4, 2012.
His talk is entitled: “Stem Cells and the Future of Medicine”
Topics for 2012-2013 Conferences:
I. Genetics of Common Human Conditions and their Multifactorial / Polygenicorogins.
A. Most Cytogenetic and Mendelian human conditions are relatively rare
B. This conference will look at the polygenic nature of common conditions:
Height, Weight, Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose Level, IQ, et.al.
C. And common medical conditions with polygenic etiologies:
Hypertension, Obesity, Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, Autism Spectrum, et.al.
D. We will focus on using the data from the Human Genome Project to locate Millions of markers within the genome we can use to find those polygenes and discuss the future use of those markers for personalized medicine.
E. Adult and prenatal screening in the future…..would you want to know?
II. Cloning and Stem Cell Update
A. Reproductive and Therapeutic Cloning Technology
B. Embryonic Stem Cells / Adult Stem Cells / induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
C. Utilization of these cells for: disease modeling, disease therapy screening, cell replacement and regenerative medicine.
D. Use of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue as cellular ‘pharmacies’ to deliver therapeutic trophic factors with no rejection.
E. Cancer Stem Cells – when the founder cell is a stem cell – cancer tumorigenesis and therapy!
Host: Steve Stark & Bob Melton – Putnam City HS Science Department
Cost: $20 (USD) per person (teachers and/or students – includes notes outlining the topics
of the day).
Payment: Due on the day of the program. Payment may be made by cash or check. All checks should be made payable to Sam Rhine, NOT your school or the host school. The teacher-in-charge should collect the appropriate amount and present it at registration on the date of the conference.
You may register between 8:30 and 9:00 on the day of the confernce.
___________________________
Host: Diana Spencer, Ph.D. – Biotechnology Coordinator at TCC-SEC
Cost: $20 (USD) per person (teachers and/or students – includes notes outlining the topics
of the day).
Payment: Due on the day of the program. Payment may be made by cash or check. All checks should be made payable to Sam Rhine, NOT your school or the host school. The teacher-in-charge should collect the appropriate amount and present it at registration on the date of the conference.
You may register between 8:30 and 9:00 on the day of the confernce.
