March 30th, 2012 Bob
This summer, middle and high school students can experience life on a college campus while exploring the exciting and varied fields of math and science at the free 2012 Summer Academies in Math, Science and Technology.
The free academies, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, are open to upcoming eighth through 12th graders. Each academy explores the latest trends in math, science and technology by using fun, hands-on activities and innovative software as students experiment both in the classroom and outdoors. Many academies also include field trips to some of the state’s top companies, science facilities and museums.
The academies are being offered at 18 of Oklahoma’s college and university campuses in May, June and July. Twenty-nine different academies will be offered statewide and last from four days to two weeks. Some academies require students to live in the campus residence halls, while others require that students travel to and from campus each day.
“Since 1990, Summer Academies have provided thousands of Oklahoma middle and high school students the opportunity to experience the college campus environment while exploring new and exciting career options,” Chancellor Glen D. Johnson said. “This program offers young people the chance to study with top professors and explore hands-on learning that exceeds anything they’ve encountered in a traditional classroom. After attending our Summer Academies, students are more likely to attend college and hopefully have a broader perspective about the value of a college education.”
More than 17,000 Oklahoma students have attended Summer Academies since 1990. Seventy-three percent of Summer Academies students go to college immediately after high school, compared to 56 percent of all students. While in college, Summer Academies students are more academically prepared than their peers, requiring one-third fewer remedial courses than all other students. More than 80 percent of Summer Academies students earn at least a bachelor’s degree, compared with 22 percent of all Oklahomans.
Applications are now being accepted for the academies, and many have deadlines. Because the academies are free and enrollment is limited, students are encouraged to apply early. To qualify, students need to be entering eighth through 12th grade this fall. Officials emphasize the academies are not exclusive to top students but instead are designed to give all students an opportunity to increase their interest and confidence in math, science and technology and, ultimately, expand their career and educational aspirations.
Academy descriptions and contact information are available at www.okhighered.org/summer-academies. Students can also get information from their school counselors or by calling (800) 858-1840.
Academies offered this summer include:
Cameron University, Lawton
- Science Detective Summer Academy, May 28-June 3 (Grades 8-10)
- NanoExplorers: A High School Summer Science Academy, June 10-22 (Grades 9-11)
East Central University, Ada
- Explorations in Computer Science and Robotics, June 18-22 (Grades 8-11)
- Coding Theory, Risk Analysis and Other Mathematical Pursuits, June 11-15 (Grades 10-12)
Langston University, Langston
- An Intensive Academy in Math, Science, and Technology for Grades 10-12, June 3-17 (Grades 10-12)
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Miami
- Exceptional Direction United in Culture, Academics, Technology, and Excitement in Medical Education (E.D.U.C.A.T.E. M.E.), June 25-29 (Grades 8-9)
- Valuing Traditions: Applying Indigenous Stewardship in Ecology, June 18-23 (Grades 8-12)
Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow
- Get Green for Blue: Outdoor Investigations to Connect Water to You, June 11-15 (Grades 8-10)
- Science at the Zoo, June 18-22 (Grades 8-10)
Northern Oklahoma College, Enid
- CSI: Northern Summer Academy, July 9-12 (Grades 9-12)
Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva
- Exploring the Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction, June 10-16 (Grades 9-10)
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
- Exploring Quantitative Analysis: A Basic Introduction, June 3-16 (Grades 9-10)
- Camp T.U.R.F. – Tomorrow’s Undergraduates Realizing the Future, June 17-29 (Grades 9-10)
- Fired Up About Research Science and Engineering, July 22-27 (Grades 10-12)
- Smart Cars Summer Academy, July 15-20 (Grades 11-12)
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa
- Mysteries of Biomedical Science, June 25-29 (Grade 10)
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa
- A Hands-On Program in Mathematics and Science, June 11-15 (Grades 8-9)
Seminole State College
- Peek Into Engineering, July 29-Aug. 3 (Grades 9-12)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant
- Take Flight – Aviation/Science Camp 2012, June 18-22 (Grades 8-9)
Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford
- SSMA: Summer Science and Mathematics Academy at SWOSU, July 16-27 (Grades 11-12)
Tulsa Community College
- MASH Camp: Connecting Math and Science to Health Careers, Session I: June 18-22, Session II: June 25-29 (Grades 10-12)
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond
- Discovering Chemistry, Session I: June 11-14, Session II: June 18-21 (Grades 9-11)
University of Oklahoma, Norman
- Sky High: An Exploration of Aeronautics from the Basics and Beyond, July 16-27 (Grades 8-9)
- Field Studies in Multidisciplinary Biology, Session I: June 30-July 13, Session II: July 16-27 (Grades 9-12)
- Going Green: Partnering Five Architecture Disciplines, June 24-29 (Grades 11-12)
- Bridges to College Math, Science and Engineering, Session I: July 15-20, Session II: July 22-27 (Grades 11-12)
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
- Exploring Math and Science Academy (EMSA), June 4-15 (Grade 9)
The University of Tulsa
- Technology Education and Collaborative (TEC) – A Summer Technology Academy for Eighth- and Ninth-Grade Students, July 9-14 (Grades 8-9)
Summer Engineering Academy at The University of Tulsa for Precollege Students, June 25-29 (Grades 8-11)
For more detailed descriptions of each Academy, see the previous OSTA posting at: http://www.oklahomascienceteachersassociation.org/?p=3653
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March 30th, 2012 Bob
(from NCSE)
OPPOSITION TO OKLAHOMA’S ANTISCIENCE BILL
As Oklahoma’s House Bill 1551 is under consideration in a state senate committee, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Association of Biology Teachers, and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers have all expressed their opposition to the bill, which would, if enacted, encourage teachers to present the “scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses” of ”controversial” topics such as “biological evolution” and “global warming.”
In his March 21, 2012, letter, the AAAS’s chief executive officer Alan I. Leshner expressed his concerns with the bill, writing, “There is virtually no scientific controversy among the overwhelming majority of researchers on the core facts of global warming and evolution,” and adding, “asserting that there are significant scientific controversies about the overall nature of these concepts when there are none will only confuse students, not enlighten them.”
In his March 24, 2012, letter, Donald P. French—who serves both as president of the NABT and as Professor of Zoology at Oklahoma State University—observed, “the wording of this legislation clearly allows non-scientific explanations for topics such as evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning to be introduced into the science classroom,” and explained, “A concept like biological evolution should not be misrepresented as controversial or needing of critical evaluation.”
And in her March 27, 2012, letter, Elizabeth Wright, the president of the NAGT, expressed her organization’s concerns with the bill, writing that “the scientific theory of evolution should be taught to students of all grade levels as a unifying concept without distraction of non-scientific or anti-scientific influence” and reiterating NAGT’s acceptance of the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and its commitment to “intensive public education, increased awareness, and action” on the issue of climate change.
House Bill 1551 passed the House of Representatives on a 56-12 vote on March 15, 2012. Explaining his opposition to such bills in the Oklahoman (March 16, 2012), Douglas W. Mock, the George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the University of Oklahoma’s Department of Zoology, wrote, “Wrapped in the deceptive language of promoting critical thinking, they aim to get the nose of a malodorous camel (pseudoscience) inside the tent of science. This camel has tried before, many times, and been rebuffed—for good reason.”
For information on Oklahoma’s House Bill 1551, visit: http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1551
For the letters from the AAAS, the NABT, and the NAGT (all PDF), visit:
http://www.aaas.org/programs/centers/pe/news_svc/media/2012/ok_hb_1551_senate_edu_march_2012.pdf
http://ncse.com/webfm_send/1768
http://ncse.com/webfm_send/1769
For Mock’s column in the Oklahoman, visit:
http://newsok.com/two-bills-in-oklahoma-legislature-promote-nonscience-agenda/article/3657912
And for NCSE’s previous coverage of events in Oklahoma, visit:
http://ncse.com/news/oklahoma
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March 27th, 2012 Bob
Just before spring break the Oklahoma State Department of Education announced plans to restructure the textbook adoption cycle. Science textbook adoption will be switched with Social Studies and as a result will be delayed yet another year beyond what has already been a two year delay due to budget shortfalls. The reason given for the revised schedule is to allow time to revise the state science standards, even though they were revised and made Common Core State Standards complient this past summer on a schedule set by Oklahoma statute.
One question to be asked is what will be the nature of another revision of PASS so soon after the last? The answer seems to depend upon who you ask as some observers contend the change is to wait on the release of the Next Generation Science Standards, although there is no guarantee that Oklahoma will adopt them, while others believe this delay will result in a re-evaluation of PASS and a re-naming to become the C3 Standards for Science. Either of these changes has potential to have tremendous impact on the instruction and assessment system in the state, resulting in dramatic shifts in the scope and sequence of classes and the type and quality of the assessment systems in use. And remember, the newly approved waiver from NCLB brings those assessment systems in to play during teacher evaluation.
Whatever the outcome for Science Standards in Oklahoma, the fact remains that the currently adopted science instructional materials will have been in use for 9 years before they are to be replaced.
Here is the new timeline:
Oklahoma State Textbook Committee’s
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS SUBJECT CYCLE
(Includes year adopted by committee and effective dates for ordering)
2012 – Social Studies, and PK-5 Social Studies Content Reading
(Effective Dates: July 1, 2013-June 30, 2019)
Social Studies includes: American History, AP U.S. History, Ancient and Medieval History, Black History, Career Exploration, Civics, Conservation of Natural Resources, Current Events, Economics (Social Studies), Geography, Government, AP Government and Politics, International Problems, Modern History, Oklahoma History, Problems of Democracy, Psychology, AP Psychology, Sociology, World History, AP World History, AP European History, and Other Social Studies.
Social Studies Content Reading includes: Reading that promotes Common Core Literacy and provides informational text related to historical people, places, and events; human geographic concepts; economic concepts; citizenship, principals of the American system of government; regional geography, and notable speeches and documents in American and World History.
(Effective Dates – Computer Education/Instructional Technology: July 1, 2013-June 30, 2016) Computer/Technology includes: Introduction to Computers, Computer Literacy, Advanced Programming, Business Computer Applications, Computer Programming I-II, and AP Computer Science, Personal Financial Literacy.
2013 – Science and The Arts, PK-5 Science Content Reading
(Effective Dates – Science: July 1, 2014-June 30, 2020)
Science includes: General Science K-8 or 9-12, Earth Science 7-12, Aeronautics, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Electronics, Environmental Science, Geology, Physical Science, Physics, Physiology, Zoology.
Science Content Reading includes: Science-based reading that promotes Common Core Literacy and provides informational text on varied Science topics.
The Arts (Fine Arts and Music) includes: Art I-IV, AP Art (Studio), Art Appreciation, AP Art History, AP Studio Art Drawing, Arts and Crafts I-IV, Stage Crafts, Humanities, Applied Music, Music Appreciation, Instrumental Music I-IV, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Vocal Music I-IV, other Music and Drama.
2014 – Grades 6-12 Basal Reading and Literature/Language Arts
(Effective Dates: July 1, 2015-June 30, 2021)
Reading and Literature includes: Reading, Literature, AP Literature, American Literature, English Literature I-III, and Debate.
Language Arts includes: Dictionary, Journalism, Speech, Remedial Reading, English as a Second Language, Grammar, Language, Composition, and AP Grammar, Language, and Composition.
2015 – Foreign Languages, Health, Vocational Education and
Computer Education/Instructional Technology
(Effective Dates – Languages, Health, and Vocational Education: July 1, 2016-June 30, 2022)
(Effective Dates – Computer Education/Instructional Technology: July 1, 2016-June 30, 2019)
Computer/Technology includes: Introduction to Computers, Computer and Technology Literacy, Advanced Programming, Business Computer Applications, Computer Programming I-II, AP Computer Science A or AB.
2016 – Mathematics
(Effective Dates: July 1, 2017-June 30, 2023)
Mathematics includes: K-12 Mathematics, Algebra I-III, Analytics, Applied Mathematics I-II, Calculus I-II, Consumer Mathematics, General Mathematics, Geometry, Mathematics Analysis, Mathematics of Finance, Matrix Algebra, Plane Geometry, Pre-algebra, Pre-calculus, Remedial Mathematics, Solid Geometry, Statistics and Probabilities, Trigonometry and AP Mathematics Courses.
2017 – Grades PreK-5 Basal Reading and Literature/Language Arts
(Effective Dates: July 1, 2018-June 30, 2024)
Reading and Language Arts includes: Reading, Phonics, Dictionary, Remedial Reading, English as a Second Language, Grammar, Language, Spelling, and Handwriting.
2018 –Social Studies, Instructional Technology, PreK-5 Social Studies Content Reading
(Effective Dates: July 1, 2019-June 30, 2025)
Social Studies includes: American History, AP U.S. History, Ancient and Medieval History, Black History, Career Exploration, Civics, Conservation of Natural Resources, Current Events, Economics (Social Studies), Geography, Government, AP Government and Politics, International Problems, Modern History, Oklahoma History, Problems of Democracy, Psychology, AP Psychology, Sociology, World History, AP European History, and Other Social Studies.
Social Studies Content Reading includes: Reading that promotes Common Core Literacy and provides informational text related to historical people, places, and events; human geographic concepts; economic concepts; citizenship, principals of the American system of government; regional geography, and notable speeches and documents in American and World History.
(Effective Dates – Computer Education/Instructional Technology: July 1, 2018-June 30, 2021) Computer/Technology includes: Introduction to Computers, Computer Literacy, Advanced Programming, Business Computer Applications, Computer Programming I-II, and AP Computer Science, Personal Financial Literacy. Reading includes: Reading, Dictionary, Remedial Reading, English as a Second Language, Spelling, Handwriting, Grammar, Language.
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March 26th, 2012 Bob
Take a moment to celebrate National Wildlife Week and get outside, take a hike, look for wildlife or give them a hand. At NWF we have a lot of great resources available for the week and beyond. Check out the website and get your own posters, activities, service project ideas and much more… www.nwf.org/nationalwildlifeweek.
Looking for a quick, fun way to celebrate – Grab your phone/camera and head outside – Join NWF’s Mission on Project Noah
QUICK – Before its to late
TWO AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES – LAST CHANCE
Craig Tufts Scholarship essay nominations for students 8-18 are due March 30th. This is a chance to receive an all expense paid trip (food, lodging, flight) for child and chaperone/parent for a once an lifetime adventure in the Rocky Mountains. Enter now for consideration. Www.nwf.org/craigtufts
Big Green Help – Nominations are due March 30th for consideration to receive $25,000 for your school to assist with Greening your School. All it takes is 250 words to describe your project. www.nwf.org/bighelp or email bighelp@nwf.org to receive a nomination form.
Upcoming Events/Webinars – REGISTER NOW
School Greening Webinar Series sponsored by Eco-Schools USA
April 11, 2012: Exploring Biodiversity Globally – STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE – Explore the world of Butterflies in Costa Rica – local experts will discuss their work and how to engage where you live. REGISTER
Wildlife Webinar Series sponsored by Certified Wildlife Habitat
April 18th at 7:00 pm EST – Bats Basics – Celebrate the Year of the Bat – Learn about bats, threats to bats, and how to help these beneficial creatures. REGISTER
May 3rd at 7:00 pm EST - Teach about Bats in your classroom and in the field – This webinar will present activities, resources, and lesson plans to help you teach about bats in your class and in the field REGISTER
May 10th at 7:30 pm EST – Ask a Landscaper – Home Edition – Ask an professional landscaper how you can design, implement and maintain a beautiful garden and still benefit wildlife. Support May as Garden for Wildlife Month www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife – Pre-register by sending email to habitats@nwf.org
May 15 at 7:30 pm EST – Create a garden for Wildlife – Learn the basics of creating a wildlife habitat that will attract a diversity of wildlife where you live, or work. Support May as Garden for Wildlife Month www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife – Pre-register by sending email to habitats@nwf.org
School Ground and School Gardens Webinar Series sponsored by Schoolyard Habitats
April 25th at 4:00 pm EST - Outdoor Gardens = Outdoor Teaching – Learn how you can turn your school garden into a classroom for any subject at any age. Pre-register by sending email to educators@nwf.org
May 9th at 7:30 pm EST – Ask a Landscaper – For Schools or Other Educational Settings – Ask how you can turn your garden into a teaching tool and add beautification to your school. Support May as Garden for Wildlife Month www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife – Pre-register by sending email to educators@nwf.org
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March 25th, 2012 Bob
Greening STEM: The Environment as Insptiration for 21st Century Learning
Increasing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) knowledge and expanding STEM education and career opportunities for students is a national priority. Student achievement in STEM is key to fostering a new wave of innovators who can creatively address complex 21st century challenges.
The environment is a compelling context for teaching STEM as it provides teachers with a diverse range of real-world challenges that engage students in meaningufl, hands-on opportunities to apply and reinforce STEM concepts across multiple subject areas. From calculating planting area and productivity in the school garden, to designing model wind turbines, to tracking invasive species with GPS technology, environmental projects inspire students to apply STEM as they develop innovative solutions to local issues.
Recognizing the role of the environment as an portal for STEM learning, EE Week’s 2012 theme is Greening STEM: The Environment as Inspiration for 21st Century Learning. During the week of April 15-21, 2012, K-12 educators of all disciplines are invited to explore how the environment can motivate students to study STEM across subject areas by taking advantage of:
- Free EE Week planning toolkits with information and grade-appropriate activities that incorporate STEM learning into popular environmental topic areas.
- Two free educator webinars on using the environment as a context for teaching STEM for educators, with school-based project ideas and opportunities for Q&A with experts and educators.
- Discounts, giveaways and special offers from our partners.
Register today by visiting www.eeweek.org/register. Registration is free and easy and, in addition to the benefits above, connects you to a national network of educators dedicated to increasing the environmental knowledge of K-12 students.
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March 24th, 2012 Bob
March 24, 2012
The Honorable John W. Ford
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.,
Oklahoma City, OK
Dear Chairman Ford,
On behalf of our members and the students of Oklahoma, the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) would like to express its opposition to the Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act (HB 1551) currently under consideration. We feel that the wording of this legislation clearly allows non-scientific explanations for topics such as evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning to be introduced into the science classroom.
The language of the bill specifically states that “teaching of some scientific subjects, such as biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning, can cause controversy” and “teachers shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught.” However, the position of NABT and our members is that “biological evolution must be presented in the same way that it is understood within the scientific community: as a well-accepted principle that provides the foundation to understanding the natural world.” A concept like biological evolution should not be misrepresented as controversial or needing of critical evaluation. Instead it should be presented as the unifying theme of biology, supported by experimentation, logical analysis, and evidence-based revision, based on detectable and measurable data.
As an organization dedicated to biology education, NABT is confident that the students of Oklahoma are best served when curriculum reflects current understanding of evolution appropriately and maintains scientific integrity in the science classroom.
In addition to affirming the position of NABT as its President, I also have the honor of representing the state ofOklahoma as Professor of Zoology at Oklahoma State University. As an educator in Oklahoma, I feel I must add that legislation such as HB 1551 serves to undermine rather than promote the efforts of scientists and educators to provide the best education for our students, and will tarnish the reputations of Oklahoma’s scientists and educators who are, or seek to be involved, in discussions of STEM education at the national level. The result will be negative impacts on how Oklahoma is viewed and is represented, and impair the educational and economic development of the state.
We respectfully request that the state reject HB 1551 in support of science education that imparts to students an understanding of science based on the key components of the scientific method and content agreed upon by scientists and professional educators.
Thank you for your consideration,
Donald P. French
President-NABT
Professor of Biology
501 LSW
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
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