ASTA News!
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5-18-09 -->The end of the
school year issue is here - grab yours before it disappears into the
summer fun volume
35 of Science
Bytes.
4-28-09 -->Looking closer toward the end of the school year - grab
this week's volume 34 of
Science Bytes.
4-20-09 -->Sunny skies have us looking forward so take a forward
look at this week's volume
33 of Science Bytes.
4-14-09 -->Warmer weather and puddles -it must be spring so spring
for this week's volume
32 of Science
Bytes.
4-7-09 -->Like chocolate bunnies and 'mallow chicks - this week's volume
31 of Science
Bytes is sweet!!
3-30-09 -->Full of warmth and sunlight - this week's volume
30 of Science Bytes will wake you!
3-24-09 -->Loaded with springy energy - this week's volume
29 of Science Bytes will energize you!
3-17-09 -->Like a vase of roses loaded with of fragrance - this week's volume
28 of Science Bytes will make you smile!
3-2-09 -->Like a fresh chocolate chip cookie loaded with terrific bits
of science - this week's volume
27 of Science Bytes!
2-23-09 -->Chock full of wonder- read a bit of this week's volume
26 of Science Bytes!
2-16-09 -->It's loaded with goodies - take a
bite of this week's volume
25 of Science Bytes!
2-9-09 -->Smaller but more savory - take a bite of
this week's volume
24 of Science Bytes!
2-2-09 -->Even though Phil says another 6 weeks is
coming you can take a bite outof that with this week's volume
23 of Science Bytes!
1-26-09 -->start the lunacy - launch your week with volume
22 of Science Bytes!
1-19-09 -->ready to rock - start your week with volume
21 of Science Bytes!
1-12-09 -->finished up just right for you - start the week with volume
20 of Science Bytes!
1-5-09 -->hmmmm warm and fresh for the new year -
start the year with volume
19 of Science Bytes!
12-16-08 -->ah .. the smell of holly and fresh Science
Bytes - start the holiday season with
volume
18 of Science Bytes!
12-8-08 -->ah .. the gift of wonder - you can start with volume
17 of Science Bytes!
12-2-08 -->ah .. the season of wonder - start yours off with volume
16 of Science Bytes!
11-24-08 --> take an early snack and gobble up volume
15 of Science Bytes!
11-17-08 --> mai oui - par excellence! it's volume
14 of Science Bytes!
11-10-08 --> fantastic, excellent for perusal it's volume
13 of Science Bytes!
11-3-08 --> mmmmm, great reading it's volume
12 of Science Bytes!
10-28-08 --> hot from the oven, it's volume
11 of Science Bytes!
10-21-08 --> newly minted it's volume
10 of Science Bytes!
10-14-08 --> freshly picked it's volume
9 of Science Bytes!
10-7-08 --> fresh from the presses it's volume
8 of Science Bytes!
9-29-08 --> reach out and grab volume
7 of Science Bytes!
9-22-08 --> open your eyes and grab volume
6 of Science Bytes!
9-15-08 --> now you can take a look at volume
5 of Science Bytes!
9-11-08 --> it's time to check out volume
4 of Science Bytes!
9-2-08 --> and now there's volume
3 of Science Bytes!
8-25-08 --> and here's volume
2 of Science Bytes!
8-20-08 --> Starting off the 2008-2009 school year, here's volume
1 of Science Bytes!
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2009 Alaska Math Science Conference
Dates: October 14-17, 2009
Location: Juneau, Alaska - Juneau Douglas
High School
Cost: $100 early registration
Conference Hotel: Westmark Baranof (907)
586-2660
https://www.regonline.com/AKMathScience
Registration and presenter forms for the 2009 Alaska Math Science Conference are available online at https://www.regonline.com/AKMathScience
The Baranof Hotel is the conference hotel and reservations may be made using the code ALMA 101209, at www.westmarkhotels.com or by calling 1-800-544-0970. Reservations for the $99/night rate must be booked by September 13.
Alaska Airlines is offering a 10% discount off any published fare (excluding Hot Deals) between Juneau, Alaska and any intra-Alaska, Alaska Airlines city. Use e-certificate code ECCMA0994 in the Flights Quick Search box. Or by calling the Alaska Airlines Group and Meetings Desk at 1-800-445-4435, or your travel agent and reference ID number CMA0994.
Conference Co-Chairs Linda Frame
and Bev Smith are filling committee positions and are interested
in communicating with potential presenters, especially those that
may have topics directly related to the theme “Inquiry – The Bridge to Understanding.” E-mail
Linda Frame at linda_frame@jsd.k12.ak.us if
you are interested in volunteering or presenting at the conference.
<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Three of the Vega Science Trust’s resources
a) A set of 14 short young scientist’s video careers profiles (Snapshots). These short award winning programmes were funded by the HEFCE widening participation team, produced by the BBC, were first shownon BBC2 and now stream from the Vega Science Trust's website at http://www.vega.org.uk/video/series/10. They each give an insight intowhat it is really like to work as a young scientist in order to encourage the up-take of careers in science.
This series is linked to from some school resource sites and from the UK Government's Connexion's careers website. We hope to promote the programmes with the aim of applying for further funding to make more science career profiles so any links and advice would be much appreciated.
Two other educational resources that are proving useful for schools and teachers' are:
b) A set of short popular instructional science mini-films
http://www.vega.org.uk/video/subseries/27 explaining such things as
how
to generate electricity from wind-power, how to make a battery from
a potato, what are Bucky Balls? (c60), nanotubes and fullerenes?
c) A very popular series for primary school teachers explaining in a sereis of short videos http://www.vega.org.uk/video/subseries/30 solids, liquids and gases.
Vega is a registered educational charity working to promote science. With thanks for your consideration.
Kind regards,
Gill Watson
CEO
Vega Science Trust
http://www.vega.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1273 678726
<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Facebook and NASA
NASA has a Facebook page designed for students in grades 9-12 and higher
education. The page is updated daily, excluding weekends and holidays.
It features information for students regarding competitions, feature
articles, podcasts, videos and more. Information is also posted
to update students on opportunities that have an upcoming deadline,
when the space shuttle is preparing for a launch or a landing,
and other significant NASA events.
Facebook members can join http://www.nasa.gov or visit: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=34760681199
<<<<<>>>>>
Travel the World with Earth Expeditions!
Our organization, Project Dragonfly at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, would
like to post an announcement on Alaska
Science Teachers Association's "Professional Development" webpage and/or
in the Newsletter about a professional development
opportunity for formal and informal educators from all disciplines and from anywhere
in the United States to connect, learn about
conservation, and receive graduate credit through Earth Expeditions while studying
abroad. Here is the text for our announcement:
Applications are due January 28 for Field Expeditions tuition-free graduate courses
from Miami University's Project
Dragonfly and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
Field Expeditions offers extraordinary tuition-free professional development
opportunities for formal and informal educators
to engage in inquiry and investigate conservation action in Belize, Costa Rica,
Trinidad, Mongolia, Thailand, Kenya and Namibia.
Participants can be located anywhere in the United States to participate in this
program!
New this year is the Global Field Program, a Miami U. master's degree offered
entirely through Field Expeditions experiences
worldwide with coursework on web-based learning communities. To learn more and
to apply, please visit: http://www.EarthExpeditions.org
Thank you,
Christina Funk
popecl@muohio.edu
Project Dragonfly
<<<<<>>>>>
NASA Explore! Ice Worlds is just for you!
Do you want to learn more about Earth’s remote polar regions? And bring
icy activities into the children’s and family programs
you offer? Explore! Ice Worlds is a suite of hands-on inquiry
activities designed to be used with children ages 8 to 13 in celebration
of the
International Polar Year. Developed by the Lunar and Planetary Institute
and funded by NASA, the activities are designed for the
informal learning environment, including libraries, after-school programs,
and museums – and they work well in elementary to middle
school classrooms, too! All activities are tied to National Science
Education Standards, and all use inexpensive materials that are easy
to find. Children will learn while having fun! Check out the activities
at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/ice/activities/ .
Free Web Cast Training! If you are an educator interested in joining
us for free web cast training for Explore! Ice Worlds, please
register with Katy Buckaloo (buckaloo@lpi.usra.edu /
281-486-2106).
<<<<<>>>>>
Join a FREE NSTA Web Seminar
The seminars are 90-minute, live experiences that allow the participants
to interact with national experts, scientists, engineers, and
fellow colleagues. Check out the topics and register today. Registration
is free to NSTA members and nonmembers! The following is
a list of the remaining 2008-2009 Web Seminars.
# (1/08) Science Careers...
# (1/15) Force and Motion...
# (1/20) From Galileo to Today...
# (1/22) Picture-Perfect Science...
<<<<<>>>>>
SPRING MINIGRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
Applications for 2009 ASTA Spring Minigrants are now available. At least two minigrants, up to $500, may be awarded to selected applicants. The awards this fall will be split, with at least one grant being awarded to support a classroom project and a second grant being awarded for professional travel. Grants are only awarded to ASTA members. Application forms for each type of grant are attached to this newsletter and are also available on the ASTA website. Applications must be postmarked or sent electronically by February 16, 2009 and should be sent to Joan Sargent, P. O. Box 80730, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708 or to jsargent@gci.net.
<<<<<>>>>>
If YOU haven't looked at the great resources in SEON then it's time that you did! Take a look at http://www.uaf.edu/outreach/clearinghouse/
<<<<<>>>>>
The Earth Portal is pleased to announce that the Advanced Placement Environmental Science course developed by the University of California College Prep initiative is now available through the Encyclopedia of Earth website.
See: http://www.eoearth.org/article/AP_Environmental_Science_Online_Course
Based on curriculum developed for California schools, the online course covers all material outlined by the College Board. It includes 25 chapters on topics ranging from energy flows to environmental laws and regulations, and the chapters may be used independently or sequentially as a full course. In addition, the chapters can serve as resources for teachers and students in other science courses at the high school or undergraduate level.
The Encyclopedia of Earth (EoE) is a free resource written by experts as a means of providing accurate and understandable scientific information on environmental issues to the public. The EoE is one component of the Earth Portal, which also include the Earth Forum, presenting blogs by scientists, and Earth News, featuring the latest environmental news from around the globe. The National Council for Science and the Environment in Washington, DC serves as secretariat for the Earth Portal, and the editorial staff of the Encyclopedia of Earth is based at Boston University.
For more information visit www.eoearth.org and www.earthportal.org.
<<<<<>>>>>
Darwin Day is February 12, 2009
Darwin Day is a global celebration of science, evolution and humanity
on the birthday anniversary of Charles Darwin. The Darwin Day
Celebration is now administered by the Institute for Humanist
Studies. They are very excited because February 12, 2009 is the
bicentenary of Darwin's birth. They will assist groups throughout
the world with their plans and events to m!ark this day. Their
staff has worked feverishly to redesign and upgrade the Darwin
Day website and it's now live! Check it out: http://darwinday.org
<<<<<>>>>>
NASA INVITES STUDENTS TO NAME NEW MARS ROVER
Entries Due: Jan. 25, 2009
NASA, in cooperation with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures' movie
WALL-E from Pixar Animation Studios, will conduct a naming contest
for its car-sized Mars Science Laboratory rover that is scheduled for
launch in 2009. The contest is open to students 5 to 18 years old who
attend a U.S. school and are enrolled in the current academic year.
To enter the contest, students will submit essays explaining why their
suggested name for the rover should be chosen. In March 2009, the public
will have an opportunity to rank nine finalist names via the Internet
as additional input for judges to consider during the selection process.
NASA will announce the winning rover name in April 2009.
http://marsrovername.jpl.nasa.gov
<<<<<>>>>>
This is a great website!
Understanding How Science Works http://undsci.berkeley.edu/index.php
<<<<<>>>>>
Anyone can be a scientist, no matter
the challenges that may stand in the way. That's the message NASA
communicates through its Earth Explorers and Space Science Explorers
series, both of which appear on the NASA Web site. In an effort
to show that a science career is a worthy and attainable goal,
both series profile real-life scientists, young and old, with
a variety of backgrounds and interests. Most articles are presented
in three different versions according to reading level -one for
grades 9–12 and up, one for grades
5–8, and one for grades K–4.
Earth Explorers
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/features/F_Meet_the_Next_Earth%20_Explorers.html
Space Science Explorers
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/features/F_Meet_the_Next_Space%20_Science_Explorers.html
<<<<<>>>>>
NASA LAUNCHES IYA 2009 WEB SITE
In 1609, an Italian scientist named Galileo Galilei became the first
known person to study the stars and space through a telescope. To celebrate
the 400-year anniversary of Galileo's historic gaze into the night
sky, 2009 has been proclaimed the International Year of Astronomy by
the International Astronomical Union and the United Nations. NASA's
newly launched IYA Web site highlights news, events, resources and
mission discoveries related to the IYA. Read more about the Web site
on the NASA portal.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/nasa-launches-iya-09-web-site.html
<<<<<>>>>>
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY – START
GETTING READY FOR 2009
Get ready for IYA 2009 by checking out multimedia resources that feature
NASA's space science research. Bookmark the NASA IYA 2009 portal at
http://astronomy2009.nasa.gov to discover a growing collection of resources,
including:
Sky-Spy-Safari: An interactive planisphere that explores celestial
objects, and how NASA telescopes work.
Ask an Astrophysicist specializing in cosmic-ray, gamma-ray, and X-ray
astrophysics, and other satellite based astronomical observations.
Science @ NASA Feature Stories Podcast Helping the public understand
how exciting NASA research is and to help NASA scientists fulfill their
outreach responsibilities.
<<<<<>>>>>
CALCULATOR-CONTROLLED ROBOTS: HANDS-ON MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE DISCOVERY
EDUCATOR GUIDE GRADES 6-9
This guide provides activities for using calculator-controlled robots
over the course of one semester. Students create programs in TI BASIC
to run Norland Research calculator robots. Missions are built sequentially
on the knowledge of previous activities. The first missions have step-by-step
programming instructions that gradually lead students to create their
own programs in later missions. Students use and apply math and science
concepts to direct their robots through a variety of challenges.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Calculator-Controlled_Robots.html
<<<<<>>>>>
Toyota Tapestry Grants for Science Teachers
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) are pleased to announce the 19th annual Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program. This year Toyota will award $550,000 in grants to K-12 teachers of science. A total of 50 large grants of up to $10,000 each, along with 20-30 mini-grants of up to $2,500 each, will be awarded. Categories include environmental science, integrating literacy and science, and physical science. Toyota has awarded 986 grants totaling over $8 million in this premiere nationwide grant program.
For further information and to begin the application process online,
please visit the Toyota TAPESTRY website, http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/ The online applications are now available. All 50 large grant winners
receive an all-expenses paid trip to the NSTA National Conference on
Science Education in ! New Orle ans. The deadline for submission of
online entries is Jan. 21, 2009.
<<<<<>>>>>
NASA to Students: Plant Ozone Bioindicator Gardens
NASA is launching a new website to help students plant ozone monitoring
and bioindicator gardens at their schools or in their backyards. The
website expands on the May activity - "Plant an Ozone Monitoring
Garden" - of the Earth Science Activity Calendar for the 2008-09
school year, featured in this year's Earth Science Week Toolkit.
NASA encourages teachers to bookmark the site and visit often. This
fall you'll find background information on ozone-induced plant injury,
training in identifying ozone injury to specific plants, activities
and links for getting involved, and learning resources for educators
and citizen scientists.
The site is designed to help young people discover the importance of
understanding ozone in the Earth's atmosphere and in their own backyards.
As the site develops, you'll have the opportunity to share data with
NASA - and eventually with students and researchers worldwide as part
of the larger GLOBE project. Visit http://ozonegarden.larc.nasa.gov/index.html
to learn more.
<<<<<>>>>>
AGI Website Monitors 'Pulse' Of Earth Science Education
Worried about the weak heartbeat of education in your schools? You
can check The Pulse of Earth Science Education, AGI's website that
monitors Earth science education trends nationwide. The site, new last
year, offers detailed, up-to-date information on the status of geoscience
education in every state, as well as guidance for advocates.
For each state, AGI provides the most recent available data on:
* teacher certification requirements and numbers teaching related subjects;
* relevant courses that middle and high school students must take;
* K-12 enrollment levels in Earth science and related subjects;
* coverage of Earth science within state science standards;
* state assessment of students in Earth science;
* textbooks adopted and relevance of relevance to Earth science; and
* contact information for state education agencies.
The website, at http://www.agiweb.org/education/statusreports, features
findings that many find surprising. Find out whether your state is
one of the many where Earth science is included in education standards,
but fails to carry through to curriculum requirements or high school
exit exams. The site also offers an Advocacy Guide with recommendations
for taking action within your state and local school systems.
The information presented is based on available data collected from
numerous sources. Viewers are invited to help update information by
contacting AGI at aeb@agiweb.org.
<<<<<>>>>>
Hello! My name is Sara Dobie, Public Relations,
Sylvan Dell Publishing. Sylvan Dell Publishing is on a mission
to create picture books that excite children’s imaginations,
are artistically spectacular and have educational value. We have
a special interest in bringing science and math to children through
quality literature. I wanted to contact your newsletter to update
you on our most recent effort to spread our mission nationwide!
Have you heard anything about the Sylvan Dell Educational Resource Grant? The grant is for a free, one-year site license, providing unlimited access to all 35 Sylvan Dell eBooks, featuring flipviewer technology with selectable English and Spanish text and audio. The license can be used on all school computers and may be placed on secure school websites, enabling students and their families to log in and have access from their homes.
Grants will be awarded to one elementary school per district and are open to every district in the United States. To facilitate submission, individual schools may submit the grant application directly. When more than one school from a single district applies, Sylvan Dell will ask the district contact to make the selection. In addition, the first 25 private schools to apply from each state will receive the grant.
An easy online grant application is available at: www.SylvanDellPublishing.com/ResourceGrant.htm.
Take a look if you get a chance! You can also browse through our thirty-five
titles, many of which are specifically targeted to support science
curriculum in elementary education. Would this be of interest to your
newsletter? We would love to get the word out to your educators, state
wide. Thanks so much for your time! Let me know if I can be of any
help or if you require additional information.
Best Regards,
Sara Dobie
Public Relations
Sylvan Dell Publishing
976 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Suite 3
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-971-6722 (off), 877-958-2600 (toll free)
843-216-3804(fax)
SaraDobie@SylvanDellPublishing.com
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