Elementary Science

STEM Bootcamp for K-8 Administrators & Teams

On June 18^th @ the KSU Center, we will be hosting a STEM Boot Camp for elementary & middle school administrators and members of their local school STEM committees. The bootcamp will provide school STEM teams with an opportunity to learn what STEM is all about. Here are a few of the sessions that will be  offered:

• Keynote on STEM Essentials from Dr. JoAnn Vasquez, author of STEM Lesson
       Essentials
• Detailed look into STEM School Certification from the GA DOE
• Sample elementary STEM professional development modules
• Opportunity to experience STEM lessons for K-2, 3-5, & 6-8
• Suggestions to build stakeholder buy-in
• STEM Resources for the classroom
• A detailed look into Henderson Mill’s journey toward becoming a GA STEM Certified school
• STEM Competition Opportunities
• Funding Ideas & Support
• What does the "T" in STEM look like in the classroom?

  Attendees will receive a CD with all presentations, sample lessons, multiple days of complete PD modules, a copy of "STEM Lesson Essentials" by Dr. Vasquez, and more!

Cost is $15 per participant and includes lunch. Please make checks payable to the CCSD Science Department. 

Sign up online by May 31^st at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054BA4AD229-cobb1

 

Mableton, Mt. Bethel & Clarkdale Receive New Gardens

The Captain Planet Foundation along with volunteers from Turner Enterprizes installed new outdoor learning gardens at Mableton ES. 

Clarkdale ES received a Regions of Georgia garden install with support from Clarkdale teachers (Lisa Whitfield & Elizabeth Jefferson) and families and Captain Planet staff.  Special Thanks to Kyla Zaro-Moore, with the Captain Planet Foundation for her coordination of the projects. Enjoy these short videos of their efforts! 

Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

 

Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

Mt. Bethel ES received a new pollinator garden & new raised beds.  Thanks to the Captain Planet Foundation and volunteers from PowerPlan and Mt. Bethel ES staff members. 

Make a video of your own at Animoto.

Q & A about the new Science Standards

Q -

"A friend said that 'they' just released the new common core standards for science.  Is this true?"

A -

No, we do not have common core science content standards.  There are common core literacy standards for science in grades 6-12, but these are not content standards.  We do have new Next Generation Science Standards, Next Gen or NGSS for short.  These were released on April 9, 2013. 

Q-

I heard that we're implementing the new Next Gen science standards next year.  Is this true?  

A -

The state of Georgia is looking to formally adopt the NGSS this winter.  We aren't planning on rolling them out  until 2015.  We will be spending the next couple of years training, building capacity, and preparing for the roll out of the new standards.  It will be a big exciting change and we want to make sure we get it right.  But for now, we will continue with the GPS.

Q -

My friend said that some of the concepts, like space or fossils, have changed grade levels in the new NGSS.  Do we need to shift resources to the new grade levels over the summer?

A -

Yes, in the new NGSS, some of the concepts have shifted grade levels.  A committee of Georgia educators will be meeting over the summer to determine if we would like to make any changes to the NGSS.  These changes could include moving concepts back to certain grade levels.  The rational for doing this would have to be strong, but it could happen. Links to review the NGSS are posted below.  If you're curious and want to look ahead, feel free. 

If you have strong feelings about any of the proposed changes, please let me know.  I'm on the committee and will be willing to share your feedback.  Not sure what's changing?  Well take a look at the standards online using the following links. 

NGSS Webiste - http://www.nextgenscience.org/

NGSS Support from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

 

Bottom line - We will be teaching the existing GPS for the next couple of years at least. 

Celebrate GA STEM Day on May 3rd!

Visit http://www.tagedonline.org/event/georgia-stem-day for more details!

GA State ESO Volunteers Needed

We need volunteers at the State Elementary Science Olympiad (ESO).  These events are extremely exciting for our elementary students ages 8-12.  Your assistance is needed to help in a variety of ways.  We will need some volunteers to help run events, act as runners, guide students, help with t-shirt sales, etc.   We will need your support from 8:00-2:00.  The date of the event is May 18, 2013 at Kennesaw State University in the Connvocation Center upstairs.  We will be giving all volunteers a cool volunteer t-shirt, breakfast, and lunch.  

If you have any questions feel free to contact:

Dawn Hudson, dhudson@paulding.k12.ga.us
Sally Creel, sally.creel@cobbk12.org

Volunteer online @ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEFabU92QllWakF5ODNZNTdUUkl2WFE6MA#gid=0 

Atlanta Falcon Cam

In addition to the wonderful Eagle Cam, there is now an Atlanta Falcon Cam!  You can access it at either site below.  So far there are four eggs.  Maybe they will be Easter babies!

http://www.ustream.tv/GeorgiaWildlife

http://www.georgiawildlife.com/FalconCam

Exploring Forestry & Wildlife in GA Workshop

The Georgia Forestry Foundation is pleased to announce its 9th annual Teacher Conservation Workshop: ‘Exploring Forestry and Wildlife in Georgia’, to be held June 17-21, 2013.

The workshop focuses on conservation topics related to the benefits of forestry, including the cycle of growing trees, utilization of trees for products, and how trees are managed for wildlife habitat.  We will be teaming up with the Georgia Forestry Commission, UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources,  and the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division to host the event at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Conference Center in Mansfield.  Participants will be certified in Project Learning Tree, Project WILD and Project WET upon completion.  3 PLU’s will be available. Our sponsors include many organizations and companies from the forestry and wildlife communities. As the event is underwritten by sponsors, all field trips, lodging, meals and teacher resource kits are included in the $50 registration fee. 

Click here for more information and the application  Or contact Carla Rapp at 478-992-8110; carla@gfagrow.org  OR Rusty Garrison at 770-784-3059; rusty.garrison@dnr.state.ga.us. 

 

Volcano Webcams

While reading the eObservations from GSTA, I visited the Wired Science Blog and while tooling around, I found a site with volcano webcam images!!  How cool is that!  I thought it would be good to share: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/volcano-webcams-of-the-world/

Deborah Kauffman, Science Instructor Murdock Elementary

Summer PD Opportunity w/ Teacher Stipend

Each summer, the Biology Department at Oxford College of Emory University offers a one week teacher workshop, The Oxford Institute for Environmental Education (OIEE). This award winning  workshop will be Sunday June 2 (2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) and Monday June 3 through Friday June 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each day.  Thanks to grant support, the OIEE workshop is free and we are able to give teachers a $200 stipend to help offset travel, etc. In addition, teachers receive a $100 classroom grant and  4 PLU credits.
              
The OIEE is designed to help teachers, regardless of background or grade level, develop their own teaching plans using their school yards for scientific investigation. The Institute is designed to introduce the fundamental concepts of inquiry-based instruction and to provide field and laboratory experiences that can be used by teachers and their students to investigate their schoolyards and other local habitats. Emphasizing “hands-on” learning and field experiences, this workshop helps teachers develop investigation plans specific for their schoolyards. 
 
You may learn more at our website:  http://www.emory.edu/OXFORD/OIEE/index.htm
Pairs of teachers from the same school are encouraged to apply.  Past experience has shown that the support of colleagues assures long-term success in environmental programs.  Review of applications begins April 20, 2013.
 
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

Theodosia Wade
Senior Lecturer of Biology
Oxford College of Emory University
100 Hamill St.
Oxford, GA 30054
770-784-8395

Butterflies are Coming!

Second grade teachers across the district will be receiving butterfly larvae again this year.  The larvae will be delivered to the district in April.  We are asking schools to send a representative to the CCSD Textbook warehouse (6975 Cobb International Blvd. Kennesaw, GA 30152.) to pick up their larvae on April
17, 2013 between 1:00-4:00 PM or April 18, 2013 between 7:15-4:00 PM.  Larvae will be delivered to schools unable to send a representative.  This year we do have a limited number of butterfly habitats to replace old/damaged habitats or for teachers new to second grade.   We need schools to inventory their existing habitats and determine how many they will need.  Please coordinate with your team and visit the link below: http://tinyurl.com/b3tu2c4.  

Bells Ferry's Robotics Team Needs your Vote!

Bells Ferry has two robotics teams.  The Bells Ferry Green team created a product that has not been produced before. It is an adjustable AFO (ankle foot orthotic).  We worked with a local company who helped us to create a mini product.  This is all in the very beginning stages of the concept.  There are many steps to follow.  We are submitting a proposal to the First Lego League Global Innovations Contest.    One part of the competition is outside voting.  The second part is private judging.  The page you see is very limited and does not give you the complete picture of what we have done.  We are asking for your vote.   You can vote more than once!!!

Our Bells Ferry Green team created an adjustable brace for our Senior Solution project this year!  When we started we contacted a local company and they said something like that would be almost impossible.  We went to visit C.H. Martin after the competition and they loved our idea and said it WAS possible!   They loved our idea and created a prototype for our team!   We have submitted our idea to First Lego League Global Innovations.  We need your vote!  It is easy and simple.  Just type in the link on your computer and cast your vote or votes.  Tell your friends and neighbors. 

http://fllinnovationaward.firstlegoleague.org/amazing-brace

• The top three teams are eligible for a $20,000 prize for patenting and production of the idea.
• Five additional teams are eligible for sponsorship from different companies.
• Ten teams could get sponsorship through AARP.
• This is a big deal and one part is the voting.  You can vote as often as you want.

The link is also available on my blog, http://bellsferry.typepad.com/bass/
Thank you in advance for all your support and help!!!  Teresa Bass, 4th grade teacher Bells Ferry ES.