May 20th, 2013 Bob
American Honda Foundation
More than 25 Years of Changing Lives – One Dream at a Time
Overview
Since 1984, more than $27 million have been awarded to organizations serving approximately 115 million people in virtually every state in the U.S.
AHF was established by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., to commemorate its 25th anniversary in the United States and to show its appreciation of America’s support through the years. It is Honda’s desire that in every community in which it does business society will want Honda to exist.
Mission Statement
Help meet the needs of American society in the areas of youth and scientific education by awarding grants to nonprofits, while strategically assisting communities in deriving long-term benefits.
Guidelines
The American Honda Foundation engages in grant making that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. We support youth education with a specific focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment. When considering the American Honda Foundation as a potential funding source, please note the following:
Eligible Organizations:
Nonprofit charitable organizations classified as a 501(c) (3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service, or a public school district, private/public elementary and secondary schools as listed by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
To be considered for funding organizations MUST have two years of audited financial statements examined by an independent CPA for the purpose of expressing an opinion if gross revenue is $500,000 or more. If gross revenue is less than $500,000, and the organization does not have audits, it may submit two years of financial statements accompanied by an independent CPA’s review report instead.
Geographic Scope:
National
Funding Priority:
Youth education, specifically in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the environment, job training and literacy
Other Important Information:
- Organizations may only submit one request in a 12-month period. This includes colleges and universities with several departments/outreach programs
- The grant range is from $20,000 to $75,000 over a one-year period
- Proposals should be submitted online. Click here to start the online process
- No faxed applications will be accepted
- Support materials such as annual reports, pamphlets/brochures, newsletters, articles, DVDs, etc. should be mailed to the following address: American Honda Foundation
- 1919 Torrance Blvd.
- Mailstop: 100-1W-5A
- Torrance, CA 90501-2746
- ahf@ahm.honda.com
Our grant-making schedule is as follows:
Deadline for Submission Anticipated Board Review Anticipated Grants Awarded
February 1 April May 1
May 1 July August 1
August 1 October November 1
November 1 January February 1
- Should the deadline for submission of applications fall on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), the deadline will be extended to the following Monday.
Apply Online
To determine if your program/project meets the qualifications for consideration, the online application process begins with an Eligibility Quiz. Click here to start the quiz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grant Awards
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2012
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2011
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2010
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2009
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2008
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2007
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2006
List of Grant Awards — Fiscal Year 2005
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May 7th, 2013 Bob
You’ve Got Mail: Session Proposal Notifications
The review process is over, and NABT is proud to once again feature hundreds of sessions and special workshops at the NABT Professional Development Conference. For four days, biology and life science educators will be discussing challenges and developing solutions. Share your curriculum and problem sets as examples. Have questions about standards and assessments ready. Whether you are a presenter or a participant, be prepared to learn from a community of master educators. Know that you will interact, engage, and enjoy this time with your colleagues!
May 31st is the deadline for Early Bird Registration. Make sure to take advantage of discounts on registration and accommodations by registering BEFORE you leave your classroom at 2013 Conference Registration. Special workshop, field trip and meal function tickets will be coming soon.
Please note: Session acceptance letters were sent by email last week, and all presenters should know the status of their sessions at this time. Acceptance notifications for special workshops will be sent by May 15th. All conference presenters must register by May 31st to have their sessions included in the program. Please contact NABT at conference@nabt.org if you have not received your notice.
NABT Call for Proposals:
Biology Education Research Symposium
All researchers from 4-year, 2-year and K-12 areas are welcome.
The NABT Four-Year College & University Section’s Biology Education Research Committee invites you to submit a proposal to present your research in biology education at the 2013 NABT Professional Development Conference. This is a refereed session and all papers will go through double blind review. Reviews will be guided by the following criteria:
- Subject/Problem: Is there a clear focus, rationale, model, theory, or philosophy upon which the proposal is based?
- Design or Procedure: Are the methodology, procedure, design, and organization appropriate?
- Analyses and Findings: Do the syntheses of ideas or data analyses and findings appear to be appropriate and complete? Do the conclusions drawn follow from the data?
- Contribution: Do the conclusions contribute valuable insights into the teaching/learning of biology?
- General Interest: Does the presentation promise to be of general interest to NABT members?
The format will be a traditional presentation for papers by individual or co-authors lasting 15 minutes each with an additional five – ten minutes for questions.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
In email text please include: Names of author(s) with organization affiliation (University, College, School System), Title of Submission, Abstract (up to 200 words to be used in program if selected), Contact information for notification.
Submit a WORD document of the proposal as an attachment (maximum five pages including references). Please write the title at the top of each page in caps. The body of the proposal should address the criteria as used in the review process: 1) subject/problem; 2) the design/procedure; 3) Analysis and Findings; 4) Contribution; and 5) General Interest. Proposals should be word-processed using a 12 font, single-spaced, with 1” margins format. Please DO NOT include author identifiers in this document. These WORD documents will be made into a PDF by the Chair of the research committee prior to submitting to the reviewers to ensure a blind review process.
Send your completed proposal document to NABTresearch@gmail.com with 2013 NABT Research Proposal in the subject heading. Members of the Research Committee will send copies of your document without names and affiliation to at least two reviewers. After review, committee members will select proposals with the highest scores for acceptance in the 2013 NABT Professional Conference Research Symposium.
The proposal submission deadline is midnight on June 15, 2013. Blind review will take place in June with final selection by June 30, 2013. Submitters will be notified of acceptance or denial in early July. All presenters are required to register for the conference and provide an electronic manuscript for distribution through the Proceedings. More information and proceedings from past symposia can be found at 2013 NABT Research Symposium.
Participate In Endangered Species Day On May 17th
The 8th annual national Endangered Species Day on May 17 offers biology, ecology, general science and other teachers an ideal opportunity to educate students about the importance of protecting threatened and endangered plant and animal species. In addition to classroom discussions, there are several ways they can participate in Endangered Species Day, such as:
- Plan a school-wide Endangered Species Day fair with exhibits.
- Arrange a special display in the school library.
- Invite a local expert to speak to the school/class.
- Work with a community/environmental group on a habitat restoration project.
- Attend an event at a local zoo, aquarium, botanic garden or other location.
Depending on your school schedule, you can plan events earlier in May, on Endangered Species Day (5/17) itself, or that weekend. Once a specific activity is planned, the class can register it on the Endangered Species Day website at www.endangeredspeciesday.org.
There are appropriate resources and other support items for your event. Be sure to check out the new and updated materials in the Endangered Species Day Toolkit on the website, including event planning tips, stickers, bookmarks, fliers, banners, passports, coloring/activity sheets (many of which can be downloaded and printed) and more. The website also features a Teacher Resource Center/Teacher Forum.
For additional information, contact David Robinson, Endangered Species Day Director: drobinson@stopextinction.org.
Got Lactase? New HHMI Short Film Released
Human babies drink milk; it’s the food especially provided for them by their mothers. Various cultures have also added the milk of other mammals to their diet and adults think nothing of downing a glass of cows’ milk. But worldwide, only a third of adults can actually digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture tells the fascinating story of how people living in pastoralist societies evolved the ability to digest milk —a compelling example of the co-evolution of human genes and culture.
In this short film, you follow human geneticist Spencer Wells, Director of the Genographic Project of the National Geographic Society, as he tracks down the genetic changes associated with the ability to digest lactose as adults, tracing the origin of the trait to less than 10,000 years ago, a time when some human populations started domesticating animals, including goats, sheep, and cows. Combining genetics, chemistry, and anthropology, this story provides a compelling example of the co-evolution of human genes and human culture.
Watch the film online or order the DVD: The Making of the Fittest Vol. 2. You can also download the film guides for classroom discussion ideas, a student quiz, and teacher tips.
Free College Planning Website For Your Students
It’s graduation time and your students are thinking about the next phase of their education. Make sure they know about My College Options, the largest college and career planning community in the country. With over 94% of high schools and over 70% of high school students participating, this FREE website highlights thousands of colleges and universities that offer a wide range of post-secondary opportunities and resources for students to explore.
Registration with My College Options provides students with their personal online college and career planning profile, where their needs, talents and interests are instantly matched with colleges and universities across the nation. In addition to providing a vital link for students to the colleges that meet their needs, benefits and resources include test preparation, scholarship matching, and expert advice on the college planning process.
My College Options offers resources for parents, educators and counselors as well. Parents can learn about the transition from high school to college, research and be involved in the college selection process, and find essential information on the daunting task of paying for college. Counselors and educators can review the college matches for their students, compare their unique high school report to state and national statistics, and access our comprehensive college and career planning resource center.
For more information, please visit www.mycollegeoptions.org.
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May 3rd, 2013 Bob
We are excited to announce a field-test opportunity for teachers of 6th through 8th grade life science!
BSCS is developing a curriculum supplement titled Allergies and Scientific Inquiry for middle school students (Ed note: Could there possibly be a more topical subject for study by Oklahoma students than this? sniff) .
Supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the supplement will be composed of five lessons focusing on food allergies, including their diagnosis and management. The lessons will be accessed through a dedicated website.
Field–test teachers are critical in helping us design and improve programs like Allergies and Scientific Inquiry. Teachers like you are key partners in the development process by helping us test what will benefit future teachers and their students.
There are a limited number of field-test spaces available for the Allergies project. Prior to field testing, selected middle school life science teachers will participate in a webinar that describes the project and introduces teachers to the five lessons. Teachers will receive a stipend after completing the field-test process
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April 22nd, 2013 Bob
For those of you looking for professional development and graduate credit, registration is open for Seminars on Science from the American Museum of Natural History. Each six-week course is fully online and can be taken for up to 4 graduate credits each. You can sign up now at amnh.org/learn.
Courses include: Earth: Inside and Out; Climate Change; Evolution; The Solar System, and more. Since the courses are online, there is no need to come to the museum at any time (though we’d love to have you if you’re in the area!). All of our courses are led by both an experienced classroom teacher and a Ph.D. research scientist.
The next 2013 session runs from May 27th to July 7th.
Sign up today and receive $50 off your registration cost!
For more information about the program, check out Seminars on Science at our website: amnh.org/learn.
If you have any questions, send us an email at semadmin@amnh.org, or call us at 800-649-6715.
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April 19th, 2013 Bob
Join The DNA Day Celebration
On April 25th, National DNA Day will commemorate the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 (10 years ago) and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953 (60 years ago). Don’t let these important anniversaries go unnoticed!
Partners like the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), American Society for Human Genetics (ASHG), Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Learn.Genetics and many more have created free resources and organized events to help students, teachers, and the public learn about genetics.
NHGRI will partner with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History to celebrate National DNA Day on April 19, 2013. This unique day will allow students and teachers to learn more about genetics and genomics. The DNA Day celebration will include a morning of engaging scientific presentations and panel discussions with some of the nation’s leading historians, scientists, geneticists and physicians that will emphasize the wide breadth of careers within genomics and genetics. Participating groups will also have the opportunity to visit various exhibits at the museum and partake in activities that will be a part of the Smithsonian NHGRI Genome Exhibition that will open in June 2013.
Share Your Earth Day & DNA Day Resources On The NABT ecosystem
Are you looking for some Earth Day or DNA Day teaching resources? Are you looking to share some Earth Day or DNA Day resources with other teachers? The NABT ecosystem Resources Section is building a list of teacher recommended websites, videos, articles, and tools. Like all ecosystems, this network supports a diverse population of producers and consumers. The more resources that are posted, the faster the ecosystem will become one of your go-to sites for classrooms materials, professional development opportunities, and colleague-to-colleague interactions.
The NABT ecosystem is free to join and open to all biology teachers. Start connecting today at http://www.nabt.org/ecosystem.
After Earth: Free Resources & Scholarship Opportunity From Dr. Joe Levine
Global change is arguably the most important single scientific issue facing our species in the 21st century – and is also arguably the most difficult subject for biology teachers to address. It’s almost impossible to explain to students why changes in global systems are important if they don’t understand how those systems work. And those systems are fiendishly complicated. Harness the energy of After Earth, the upcoming science-fiction film starring Will and Jaden Smith, to engage students in the science of global change, mass extinction, and biodiversity.
Dr. Joe Levine (of Miller/Levine: Biology), has curated a new website, scouring the web, picking and choosing from a vast array of scientific information and images to create manageable and engaging lessons on the basics of global change. Found at http://www.lifeafterearthscience.com, the site offers free downloadable lesson plans on interdisciplinary topics including guided web research and writing activities. Striking images and mesmerizing animations based on satellite data bring core concepts to life on Earth Day … and throughout the school year.
Teachers can also apply for After Earth Scholarships to attend Dr. Levine’s Inquiry in Rainforests Course at the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica July 9-24, 2013. Scholarships for the course will cover tuition and estimated airfare for participants except for transportation to and from airports. The course scholarship page can be found at OTS Scholarships. The application deadline is May 3, 2013 and awards will be announced in mid-May.
Trip Of Interest: Evolution in Oklahoma & Texas
“The Oklahoma Evolution Road Trip”, sponsored by Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education and the Oklahoma Academy of Sciences, will take you on an exploration of Oklahoma and Texas, where strong support for creationism is contrasted with stunning evidence of evolution. Join Dr. Stanley Rice, Professor of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Gordon Eggleton, Professor Emeritus of Physical Sciences, both at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, from Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 2 on trips to fossils and dinosaur footprints in Oklahoma and north Texas, informational visits to two creationist museums, and discussion about evolution and education.
Registrations are now being accepted and the cost is $350 ($400 for a private room). All participants will be housed at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on the shores of beautiful Lake Texoma, and registration includes accommodations, transportation, and most meals. With sufficient enrollment and donations, partial refunds may be available, especially for pre-college teachers, who will receive a certificate of professional development.
More information is available at http://www.ou.edu/uobs/evolution.html. Please register by May 1, 2013.
If you are interested in making a contribution to help offset the costs for pre-college teachers, please contact Stanley Rice at srice@se.edu. Contributions are tax-deductible.
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April 15th, 2013 Bob
Oklahoma Youth Forestry Camp provides students, ages 13 – 15, the opportunity to
experience the forestry and wildlife professions, learn about Oklahoma’s natural
resources and build an awareness of environmental components.
Explore Oklahoma’s natural resources with professionals from across the state!
Hands on activities including forest management, stream ecology, fire management,
wildlife management, urban forestry, and how they all work together.
Of course, there is time for swimming, hiking, and outdoor recreation!
Camp Tuition: $175 per camper
For more information, please contact our camp staff at
okforest@ag.ok.gov or (405) 522-6158.
2013 Camper Application
2013 Counselor / Adult Staff Application
Scholarship Form
Sample Schedule
VISIT OUR CAMP PAGE ON 
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April 5th, 2013 Bob
A NEW PEW POLL ON GLOBAL WARMING
A new poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press asked about global warming and its causes. A press release summarizes, “The survey … finds that 69% say there is solid evidence that the average temperature on earth has been getting warmer over the past few decades. That is little changed from last October (67%), but up 12 points since October 2009. At the same time, however, the percentage of Americans who say that global warming is a very serious problem has slipped six points, from 39% to 33%, since last October. Current opinions about whether global warming is a very serious problem are similar to those in 2009 and 2010.”
Asked, “From what you’ve read and heard, is there solid evidence that the average temperature on earth has been getting warmer over the past few decades, or not?” 69% of respondents said yes, 27% said no, 1% said that the evidence was mixed, and 4% said that they didn’t know or refused to answer the question. The Pew Research Center asked the same question at intervals from June 2006 onward; acceptance of global warming was at its highest in July 2006, with 79% of respondents answering that there is solid evidence for it, and at its lowest in February/March 2011, with 58% answering that there is solid evidence for it.
Of the 69% who said yes, 42% agreed that the warming was mostly because of human activity such as burning fossil fuels, 23% agreed that it was mostly because of natural patterns in the earth’s environment, and 4% said that they didn’t know or refused to answer the question. The Pew Research Center asked the same question at intervals from June 2006 onward; acceptance of the human cause of global warming was at its highest in July 2006, with 50% of respondents attributing global warming mostly to human activity, and at its lowest in October 2010, with 34% attributing global warming mostly to human activity.
Asked, “In your view, is global warming a very serious problem, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not a problem?” 33% of respondents said that it was very serious, 32% said that it is somewhat serious, 13% said that it not too serious, 20% said that it not a problem, and 2% said that they didn’t know or refused to answer the question. In past polls, the greatest percentage of respondents regarding global warming as a very serious problem was 47%, in April/May 2009, and the lowest percentage was 32%, in October 2010. A majority of respondents have always regarded global warming as somewhat or very serious.
The press release commented, “There has been a sizable partisan gap in views about whether there is solid evidence of global warming since the Pew Research Center began asking this question in 2006. In the current survey, almost twice as many Democrats (87%) as Republicans (44%) say there is solid evidence that the average temperature on earth has been rising. Further, Democrats are three times as likely as Republicans to say that human activity is mostly causing global warming (57% vs. 19%).” There was a similar gap with regard to the seriousness of global warming: 48% of Democrats regarded it as very serious but only 19% of Republicans agreed.
According to the Pew Research Center, “The analysis in this report is based on telephone interviews conducted March 13-17, 2013, among a national sample of 1,501 adults, 18 years of age or older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (750 respondents were interviewed on a landline telephone, and 751 were interviewed on a cell phone, including 385 who had no landline telephone). The survey was conducted by Abt SRBI.” The sample was weighted using demographic considerations and to match current “current patterns of telephone status and relative usage of landline and cell phones.” The sample error for the total sample was +/ 2.9%.
For the press release, visit:
http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/02/keystone-xl-pipeline-draws-broad-support/
For the complete report and the topline questionnaire (PDF), visit:
http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-pdf/4-2-13%20Keystone%20Pipeline%20and%20Global%20Warming%20Release.pdf
http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-questionnaires/4-2-13%20topline%20for%20release.pdf
And for NCSE’s collection of polls and surveys on climate change, visit:
http://ncse.com/polls/polls-climate-change
POLLING REPUBLICANS ON CLIMATE CHANGE
A new report from the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication and the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication suggests that a slim majority of Republicans accept that climate change is happening. The researchers surveyed 726 adults who recently identified themselves as Republicans or Republican-leaning independent voters.
When presented with a definition of climate change as “the idea that the world’s average temperature has been increasing over the past 150 years, may be increasing more in the future, and that other aspects of the world’s climate may change as a result,” and asked “Do you think that climate change is happening,” 52% answered yes, 26% answered no, and 22% answered don’t know.
When asked “To what degree do you agree with the Republican Party’s position on the issue of climate change?” 9% of respondents strongly agreed, 25% moderately agreed, 34% neither agreed nor disagreed, 6% moderately disagreed, and 4% strongly agreed. The Republican party’s position on climate change was not specified in the poll question. The sample for the survey was drawn from adults who identified themselves as Republicans or Republican-leaning in previous Climate Change in the American Mind surveys. The average margin of sampling error was +/- 4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Demographics were weighted with data from the most recent Current Population Survey.
For the report (PDF), visit:
http://environment.yale.edu/climate/files/Republican_Views_on_Climate_Change.pdf
And for NCSE’s collection of polls and surveys on climate change, visit:
http://ncse.com/polls/polls-climate-change
WILL CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL INHERIT THE WIND?
NCSE’s Josh Rosenau contributed “Will Climate Change Denial Inherit the Wind?” to Mobilizing Ideas, the blog of the Center for the Study of Social Movements at the University of Notre Dame. “The persistence of the creationist movement is a remarkable example of the power of social movements, and provides a valuable lesson for students of other anti-science movements,” he argued. After reviewing the strategies that have enabled creationism to flourish, he suggested, “A similar dynamic may be forming around the science of climate change as well, and social movement theory will play a key role in understanding that battle—and perhaps in sparing climate science from being doomed, like evolution, to be used as a shibboleth for political factions.” “Just as the creationist movement’s persistence grew out of its success in linking religious identity with creationist belief, there is a danger that climate change denial could establish itself as a permanent feature of American politics if denialist beliefs establish themselves as core parts of the conservative identity,” Rosenau observed, citing the shifts with regard to climate change of nationally prominent Republican politicians through the dozen years of the twenty-first century. But there are, he added, encouraging signs that “the climate change denial movement may not be able to fully merge with movement conservatism, averting the danger that climate change denial would join creationism as a permanent feature of the American sociopolitical landscape.”
For Rosenau’s essay, visit:
http://mobilizingideas.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/will-climate-change-denial-inherit-the-wind/
Thanks for reading. And don’t forget to visit NCSE’s website—http://ncse.com—where you can always find the latest news on evolution and climate education and threats to them.
Glenn Branch
Deputy Director
National Center for Science Education, Inc.
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March 29th, 2013 Bob
Registration Extended For BioQUEST
Summer Workshop
Looking for an exciting summer workshop? The BioQUEST Summer Workshop offers participants an opportunity to explore new tools, resources and pedagogies with peers and develop materials for the classroom. The 2013 summer workshop combines the best of the BioQUEST experience with an opportunity to attend the HHMI Quantitative Biology Conference.
The HHMI Quantitative Biology Conference offers a choice of ten working sessions from introductory statistics to gaming. Featured speakers include David Asai from HHMI, and Lou Gross from NIMBioS. BioQUEST participants will then have an opportunity to develop new materials for the classroom or to work on funding proposals using resources supporting quantitative reasoning, biological data, problem based approaches, and global STEM connections.
Ten Years After Using Data in the Classroom:
Problem Based Approaches with Data, Tools, Simulations, and Games
June 10-15, 2013
Emory University, Atlanta GA
Workshop Fees: The $475 fee covers registration, housing, and all meals during the workshop. On campus housing in a new dorm with individual rooms is provided for all participants from Sunday arrival through Saturday departure.
The deadline for application has been extended to April 12th. To apply, visit http://bioquest.org/bq2013-registration/.
Previous workshop participants have included biology, math, physics, and other STEM faculty, so bring a colleague!
Latest HHMI Holiday Lectures Available On DVD
Get ready to celebrate Earth Day with a new holiday lectures DVD from HHMI. Changing Planet: Past, Present, Future, HHMI’s 2012 Holiday Lectures on Science, featuring Andrew Knoll, Naomi Oreskes, and Daniel Schrag, discussing the history of life on Earth and present-day concerns about climate change, is now available for pre-order in the HHMI online catalog. Visit www.BioInteractive.org and click on the blue “Order” button to reserve your free DVD copy today. The lectures are also available by streaming, on-demand f rom the BioInteractive website.
Einstein Fellows Announced
The Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education has announced the 27 STEM educators who have been selected for the 2013-2014 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program. Selected educators will serve in Washington, D.C. for 11 months beginning September 1, 2013 at sponsoring federal agencies which include the Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Einstein Fellows provide practical classroom insight in guiding education programs and policies, especially those related to STEM education.
Founded in 1990, the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program is a paid fellowship for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educators with demonstrated excellence in teaching. Fellowships aim to increase understanding, communication, and cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of the government and the STEM education community.
The 2013-2014 Einstein Fellows were selected through a rigorous application and interview process from a competitive, nationwide pool of nearly 200 applicants. Of the 27 fellows in the 2013-2014 cohort, five are returning fellows invited to serve for a second year in their sponsoring agencies.
Congratulations to all of the 2013-2014 Fellows , and to NABT’s Kathy Hoppe, who will serve at the NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG).
Participants Sought For STEM Attitudes Study
Kimberly Howard, Ph.D. and Amy Wendt, Ph.D., current faculty members at the Boston University and University of Wisconsin – Madison are seeking your participation in a research study focusing on teachers’ attitudes and beliefs about science, technology, engineering, and math. If you currently teach in the elementary, middle, or high school level(s), you are eligible to participate in this study.
They are asking you to be a part of a study that examines the relationship between math and science learning and interest in math, science, and engineering careers. This project may help identify strategies for increasing middle school students’ engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematic courses and activities. This study will take no longer than 20 minutes to complete and will be comprised of a self-report survey. Participation is completely voluntary and all responses will remain confidential.
You may ask questions about the study at any time. If you have questions about the study you may contact Kimberly Howard, Ph.D. at (617) 353-3378 or Amy Wendt, Ph.D. at (608) 262-8407. If you have questions about your rights as research participants you may contact the Education Research IRB at (608) 262-9710, edirb@education.wisc.edu. Once again, your participation in this study is voluntary. If you do not want to be a part of or withdraw from the study it will not negatively affect you in any way.
If you wish to participate, please click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/UW-NATB
This research study has been approved by the University of Wisconsin – Madison Institutional Review Board. We appreciate your time and consideration. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact the researchers.
2013 International Student Carbon Footprint Challenge
![ISCFC_invite_Feb2012[1]](http://www.oklahomascienceteachersassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ISCFC_invite_Feb20121.jpg)
You and your students are invited to participate in the April/May 2013 International Student Carbon Footprint Challenge (ISCFC). This innovative program [part of the Inquiry-to-Insight (I2I) climate education project of Stanford University and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden] fosters communication among students across the globe and can spark visionary solutions to global environmental problems using an innovative social learning network.
In the ISCFC, secondary school students first measure the impact of their transportation, home energy, food, and personal purchase choices using our student-oriented carbon footprint calculator, with results calibrated for every country in the world. ISCFC teachers then share class data with classes around the globe and use the social learning network to engage students in meaningful and in-depth international conversations about carbon footprints and possible solutions to shared environmental problems.
As students scrutinize their own carbon production they look for ways to minimize their impact. All of the tools in the ISCFC are always free to access on the web.
You can try out the footprint calculator at http://footprint.stanford.edu/calculate.html
More information about the Einztein social learning network and the ISCFC discussions there can be found at the ISCFC website: http://footprint.stanford.edu.
The next session of the ISCFC will begin the week of April 29, and if this date coordinates well with your curriculum, we invite you to join the ISCFC, and ask you to please let organizers know no later than April 15 by filling out the online ISCFC participation form.
This is just a sample of the news and information available to members of the National Association of Biology Teachers. Develop your professional expertise and expand the opportunities for yourself and your students. Join today at NABT.org
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March 14th, 2013 Bob
We are seeking applicants for our BioBlitz! Organizer in Training program. If you are interested in learning how to hold a BioBlitz! in your home town, neighborhood, school, or local park, please check out the information and application form posted on the BioBlitz! Oklahoma website.
If you participate, you receive a travel stipend and free lodging for the BioBlitz! weekend in October. You will also receive a travel stipend to the trainer workshop and a fun kit of BioBlitz! tools. Formal educators may earn up to 21 hours of professional development.
Application deadline is April 1st.
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for BioBlitz! 2013 on October 11-13 at Camp Simpson in south-central Oklahoma.
Enjoy the springy weather!
Priscilla
BioBlitz! is a project of the Oklahoma Biological Survey and the University of Oklahoma.
For more information contact the BioBlitz! Committee at prill@ou.edu or 405-325-7658.
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February 21st, 2013 Bob
NABT Conference Proposals Due March 15th
March 15th is quickly approaching and so is the deadline to submit proposals for the 2013 Professional Development Conference. We know you have some great ideas and strategies to share with your colleagues, and you know there is no better audience than at the NABT Conference. Over 150 biology and life science education sessions will be featured from November 20-23 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Will your session be among them?
Biology education is heading in some exciting directions, and the NABT Professional Development Committee is encouraging session proposals focused on the Next Generation Science Standards, the AP Biology course, and Vision & Change. The committee is also particularly interested in workshop sessions designed to help educators develop new and rework current assessments to reflect the implementation of these initiatives.
All proposals must be submitted online at http://www.nabt.org/submissions/nabt2013 by Friday, March 15th to be considered. Only regular sessions will be accepted at this site. All special workshop proposals are being accepted at 2013 Special Workshops.
Proposals will be reviewed by the NABT Professional Development Committee and acceptance confirmations will be emailed to primary presenters by April 30, 2013. Please contact NABT at conference@nabt.org or (888) 501-NABT x105 with any questions related to the 2013 NABT Conference.
Help NABT Bring Biology Day To NSTA Area Conferences
NABT is proud to once again offer a full day of biology and life science sessions at the 2013 NSTA Area Conferences. Proposals are being accepted for NABT Biology Day and we invite you to submit online at http://www.nabt.org/websites/institution/index.php?p=654.
NSTA Area Conferences will be held in:
• Portland, OR: October 24 – 26 (NABT Biology Day October 25th)
• Charlotte, NC: November 7 -9 (NABT Biology Day November 8th)
• Denver, CO: December 12 -14 (NABT Biology Day December 13th)
All presenters must register for the NSTA Area Conference they will be attending. Only proposals submitted directly to NABT will be considered for Biology Day.
NABT Biology Day proposals must be submitted by 5pm Eastern on February 25th to be considered. Please contact Jacki Reeves-Pepin at jreevespepin@nabt.org or (888) 501-NABT x 102 with questions.
Regional Workshop Opportunity:
Scientific Explanations
The Colorado Biology Teachers Association (CBTA), with help from Team Colorado of the AP Biology Leadership Academy, will host a full day workshop designed for middle and high school teachers. This event will be held on March 2nd at Broomfield High School in Broomfield, Colorado.
Program participants will explore strategies and techniques for helping students formulate questions, analyze data, evaluate evidence and write a scientific explanation. They will conduct lab investigations, and use an “explanation tool” and assessment rubrics to learn how to seamlessly scaffold these ideas into their instruction. Free resources will also be available!
The cost is $10 and anyone is welcome to attend. Light continental breakfast and lunch is included in the cost. CDE Recertification Certificate of Attendance will be provided, and 0.5 Adams State College Graduate Credit is available for an additional fee.
Space is limited and please visit CBTA/AP Bio Academy Workshop to register.
The NABT/BSCS AP Biology Leadership Academy is made possible with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pearson Foundation and Richard Petritz Foundation.
Nominations Now Open For PAEMST
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
A number of NABT members have been recognized with this award. You know great teachers (including yourself), so please nominate them!
Recipients of the award receive the following:
- A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
- A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
- A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
In addition to recognizing outstanding teaching in mathematics or science (including computer science), the program provides teachers with an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. This growing network of award-winning teachers serves as a vital resource for improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and keeping America globally competitive.
The 2013 Presidential Awards will honor mathematics and science teachers working in grades 7-12. Nominations can be made online at https://www.paemst.org/nomination/nominate until April 1, 2013.
HHMI Releases EarthViewer
What did Earth’s continents and oceans look like 250 million years ago, or 1 billion years ago? Can we say anything about Earth’s climate as far back as our planet’s origin? Now your fingertips can scroll through Earth history for the last 4.5 billion years!
The HHMI EarthViewer App is like a time machine for exploring the deep history of planet Earth. And because it’s from HHMI, you know this tool is based on the latest scientific research.
Follow a favorite location, be it Greenland, New York City, or your school, as it makes an incredible journey throughout Earth’s history. Layer views of shifting continents with data such as atmospheric composition, temperature, biodiversity, day length, and solar luminosity.
Features include:
- Data and continental reconstructions dating back billions of years
- Climate and carbon dioxide data for the last 100 years
- The ability to manipulate the globe and zoom to any location
- Track the location of modern cities back over 500 million years
- In depth features on major geological and biological events in Earth history
- Clickable details on geologic eons, eras, and periods
- Automated play modes
- An extensive reference list
- Suggestions for classroom use
- Tutorial videos
EarthViewer is available a free download from the Apple App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/jo/app/earthviewer/id590208430
Eric Lander Offers Free Intro Bio Course On edX
Eric Lander, one of the leaders of the Human Genome Project, is hosting an introductory biology course on edX, the not-for-profit online learning initiative founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 7.00x – The Secret of Life will let you explore the mysteries of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology and genomics, and rational medicine.
Although this course has been designed exclusively for edX, the course content reflects the topics Lander has taught in the MIT introductory biology courses for many years. Students will complete this course in 12 weeks. At the center of each week is a series of lecture sequences that are supported by interactive video tutorials and interspersed exercises or problems. Additionally, students will work on a homework assignment or exam each week. The course will conclude with a comprehensive final exam.
The course is not just for the traditional students, but also educators and scientists who work in the biomedical/health care professions who need a refresher on the most cutting edge biology and genetics. The only prerequisite is a desire to learn.
Enrollment for this free edX course is available at https://www.edx.org/courses/MITx/7.00x/2013_Spring/about. The course starts on March 5th.
2013 CHANCE Panama Program Now Open
Work side-by-side Smithsonian Researchers in the Tropical Ecosystems of Panama and help save endangered sea turtles! The 2013 CHANCE program consists of two courses, Global Climate Change: Sustainability of Select Tropical and Aquatic Ecosystems (online, March 21 – May 31, 2013) and A Field Course in Panama (June 28 – July 14, 2013), which work together to promote environmental literacy on the topics of biodiversity, sustainability, and global climate change.
Through online instruction during part the spring semester, all participants will engage in learning opportunities and lessons which will enhance their knowledge in the biodiversity of the ecosystems to be explored (jungles, mangroves, sea grasses, and coral reefs), the science behind global climate change, historic events that surround the Panama canal and the creation of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), and the indigenous people of Panama. The field practicum will provide real-world research and conservation experiences (lasting two and one-half weeks) at STRI research facilities, which focus on the effects of global climate change on ecosystem biodiversity and dynamics. A highlight of this trip will be working with nesting leatherback and green sea turtles so as to help sustain these endangered animals.
Teachers seeking graduate credits or CEU hours or simply an enriching professional development field program without paying tuition credits (only program costs are due), please apply!
For more information contact Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin at jxm57@psu.edu and visit the 2013 CHANCE Panama website at http://www.chance.psu.edu/fieldcourses/panama2013/index.html.
NABT is a proud sponsor of the CHANCE Program.
Teachers Invited To Bay Institute In Rhode Island
Save The Bay’s Bay Institute For Experiential Learning brings together formal and informal educators from around the country for four days of innovative professional development programming set in one of the nation’s most distinct and rich environments. Join leading ocean scientists and educators for a curriculum focused on human history and ecological change that combines exciting on-the-water and shoreline field experiences with traditional coursework to enhance participants’ content knowledge in marine studies, climate science, environmental sustainability, and related disciplines. Participants explore the Narragansett Bay watershed and learn about ongoing advocacy efforts – all while gaining valuable insight into their own local ecosystems.
The Bay Institute will be held from Tuesday, June 25th to Friday, June 28th at Save The Bay “Green” Center at Fields Point in Providence, Rhode Island This year’s theme is “Human History and Ecological Change: How has human history influenced the natural history of your place? How to make sustainable decisions that lead to a healthier future.”
The registration price is $500 and includes a “Welcome dinner” on Monday June 24th, bagged lunches on all four days of workshop, “Finale dinner” on Thursday, June 27, 2013 and pick-up and drop-off by boat from the hotel. Space is very limited, so register soon.
Visit http://www.savebay.org/bayinstitute for more information and complete registration instructions.
The Sun-Earth Days webcast is a month away and we have added some new ways to participate.
The live webcast for Sun-Earth Day 2013 from Wallops is scheduled for Friday, March 22 at 1 pm; follow the updates on the rotating banner on the home page: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov
Get Involved: Two Flickr Groups have been added: one for AA certificate Challenge and general image uploads, and another for the Anime Contest
Celebrate Sun-Earth Days: Solar Max, Storm Warning
Annual Equinox Celebration: March 22, 2013
“Sun-Earth Day is comprised of a series of programs and events that occur throughout the year culminating with a celebration on or near the Spring Equinox. Each year we wrap a fresh new thematic approach around Sun-Earth science while highlighting Heliophysics scientists, their missions, and research.”
This year’s theme is ‘Solar Max – Storm Warning!’ We will prepare you to explore the violent nature of our Sun at the peak of solar activity and share discoveries that come from NASA’s heliophysics missions during this exciting period.
This website will continue to be populated with the latest information about our upcoming programs, background resources, and sample activities. Be sure to join our social media network for the latest information and images
Other celestial events to observe will include:
- 1/3 – 1/4: Quadrantids Meteor Shower.
- 3/20: March Equinox
- 4/21 – 4/22: Lyrids Meteor Shower.
- 4/25: Partial Lunar Eclipse.
- 4/28: Saturn at Opposition.
- 5/5 – 5/6: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower.
- 5/10: Annular Solar Eclipse.
- 5/25: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
- 5/28: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.
- View more upcoming events!
Sun-Earth Days Resources:
In collaboration with partners that include science centers and museums around the world, Heliophysics missions, NASA Edge, NASA Educator Resource Centers, professional Societies, Amateur Astronomers and others, we produce webcasts, other multi-media, and print resources for use by school and informal educators nation-wide and internationally. We provide training and professional development to K-12 educators, museum personnel, amateur astronomers, Girl Scout leaders, etc., so they can implement their own outreach programs taking advantage of our resources. A coordinated approach promotes multiple programs occurring each year under a common theme.
This year we will answer the following questions:
Solar Max effects on all technology and humans
- What would happen if there was another super storm?
- What happens on other planets?
- How much advance warning is there for a storm from the sun?
- What would happen on the Moon/Mars?
- What can we learn from the Aurora?
- Where can aurora be seen?-Other planets?
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