Free Videos Bring Real-World STEM to the Classroom
A new free online resource called Spark 101 features interactive videos made by industry professionals on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics. Teachers can use these brief (about 10 minutes long) videos to engage students in solving real-world problems during one or two class periods. The content is directly connected to national curriculum from the College Board’s Advanced Placement, the National Academy Foundation, and Project Lead the Way, making it easy for teachers to integrate the videos in their classrooms. The videos have a three-segment format, with pauses for student dialogue.
Spark 101’s partners are employers from business, government, academic, and nonprofit sectors, who create and contribute videos highlighting real-world applications of STEM coursework. These partners include Lockheed Martin, NASA, Proctor and Gamble, PepsiCo, Deloitte, and the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to helping teachers bridge the gap from the classroom to the workforce, the videos are intended to inspire students to consider STEM careers.
While the website is free to all teachers nationwide, some regions are using Spark 101 locally to serve targeted student populations. For information on upcoming educator or industry training webinars, e-mail Spark101@114th.org.
Visit NSTA’s Freebies for Science Teachers website for other free teaching resources.
Start Your Summer PD with Free NSTA Web Seminars
Log on for a free NSTA web seminar in June and get a jump start on your summer professional learning. You can find out about creating a digital professional portfolio, discover strategies for implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and get tips for implementing STEM lessons with an exciting NASA connection.
- June 10: Using a Portfolio to Document Your Professional Learning
- June 11: NGSS Crosscutting Concepts: Systems and System Models
- June 12: NASA Explorer Schools: Engineering Design Process: On The Moon Educator Guide
- June 19: NASA Explorer Schools: Applying the Next Generation Science Standards, Middle School Engineering Design to Newton’s Laws of Motion
- June 20: NASA Explorer Schools: Engineering Design: Forces and Motion—The Great Boomerang Challenge
Get details on these web seminars, view the full calendar of upcoming programs, and register in the NSTA Learning Center.
Professional Development from NSTA for New Science Teachers
Plan for the next school year before the summer has begun. New science teachers can take advantage of NSTA’s finest offer—cost free, yearlong professional development for those educators during their most vulnerable career years, their second through fifth year of teaching. The New Science Teacher Academy, a career-enhancing program for middle and high school science teachers in their second through fifth year of teaching provides mentoring with unique support and resources intending to heighten teaching skills and content knowledge, and ease the often difficult initial years as a novice teacher. Hundreds of teachers will be chosen to participate in the 2013–2014 Academy and take advantage of cost-free, consistent online professional development activities along with face-to-face educational experiences. A simple application is all it takes. Middle and high school principals should consider making this a top priority for their newest science teachers.
The Academy provides each teacher with:
- A discipline-specific mentor for the entire year
- Web-based content development courses and other resources
- Membership with full benefits in the NSTA
- 2014 National Conference on Science Education attendance including air travel, lodging, meals, and registration fees.
To find out more about the Academy and how to apply for a scholarship, visit www.nsta.org/academy. The application deadline is August 1.