Join us this summer for an agriculture professional development opportunity! KFAC will host a professional development workshop for educators July 26-27! From Lab to Classroom is a two-day, in-person workshop focused on helping educators gain the knowledge and tools they will need to implement science research and practices regarding crop improvement and biotechnology into their classrooms.

Sign up now, only 24 spots are available! $800 Educator Stipends are now available for those who attend!

Register: https://ksagclassroom.org/happenings/pro_workshop/

EdReports is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower educators with independent, credible, evidence-rich information about instructional materials to ensure students have what they need to be college and career-ready. They are accepting applications for reviewers for inaugural high school science review beginning in early April 2022.

Who is EdReports looking for? EdReports is a by educator, for educator organization. Currently, classroom educators, district specialists, state specialists, non-formal educators, retired educators, and those pursuing advanced science education degrees participate in reviews. The profile of a science reviewer includes expertise in the Next Generation Science Standards and a commitment to quality instructional materials.

What can I expect if selected to be a reviewer? EdReports plans to review five biology NGSS programs in the inaugural review. If selected, you will sit on a team of five reviewers who will be examining one set of materials with the support of EdReports’ science team. Reviewers can expect the following:

• New teams will begin with an in-depth training in April

• Each reviewer spends about 5-10 hours per week throughout the process, including attending a one-hour virtual call with their team

• A second event may be scheduled approximately halfway through the review to continue calibration and to provide cross-review team support for the inaugural high school reviews

• Reviews are expected to be completed late 2022

• Reviewers receive a host of benefits including more than 25 hours of professional development, a stipend per series reviewed ranging from $1,750 - $2,500 depending on the role you play on a review team, opportunities to learn with national experts in the field, and much more.

How do I apply? Visit EdReports’ website to learn more about becoming a reviewer and complete an application or apply now [HERE]. Once you apply, an application task will be sent requesting demonstration of your NGSS knowledge. Following receipt of the application task, EdReports will schedule a 30-minute interview to learn more about you and share more about the upcoming review.

Teachers, even if you are too far to bring students on a field trip to Yellowstone, we can help you use the world’s first national park to bring science, math, and social studies to life!

Classrooms can connect with a Yellowstone National Park ranger to learn more about geology (geysers, hot springs, volcanoes), ecology (wildlife, predator/prey, fire, habitats, adaptations), or cultural history, and the National Park Service mission of preservation. Your class can learn about careers by interviewing a park ranger or solve a geography challenge to determine where the park ranger works by participating in a “Mystery” meeting. We work with teachers to offer a 20-40 minute live program that meets your needs.

If you have a group of ten or more youth and want to participate, you will need a computer, tablet, or device with webcam, internet connection, and access to a video conference platform.

To schedule a Yellowstone distance learning program, contact us with information about your group and a proposed date and time (converted to MOUNTAIN Time). MOUNTAIN Time is two hours behind Eastern, one hour behind Central, and one hour ahead of Pacific.

Yellowstone rangers have much to share with students around the U.S. and world and look forward to connecting with your class.

Learn more here: (Link)

• May 2 - May 27 Project WET & Project WILD Aquatic eeCourse $50 ~ approximately 3 hrs per week ~ receive WET and WILD Aquatic

• Jun 6 - Jun 24 Leopold Education Project eeCourse $50 ~ approximately 4 hrs per week ~ receive LEP

• Jun 6 - Jun 24 Growing Up WILD & PLT Early Childhood eeCourse $50 ~ approximately 4 hrs per week ~ receive GUW & PLT Early Childhood

Questions? Contact Ashlyn Kite-Hartwich at akite@kacee.org 785-889-4384

Click HERE to register and for more details on each eeCourse and eeCredential

The National STEM Scholar Program is Seeking middle school science teachers who:

• enjoy the creativity in teaching

• are eager to share ideas with colleagues

• are excited about networking with peers from across the U.S.

• would like financial and academic support for great ideas

The National STEM Scholar Program works to inspire the creativity and passion of middle school science teachers, ten of whom will be selected for this prestigious program. The next set of Scholars will be hosted by The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science and The Center for Gifted Studies from May 29 - June 4, 2022 at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Scholars will engage in hands-on, minds-on science activities; connect with speakers and thought leaders in STEM education; learn with skilled science educators; and develop a creative Challenge Project for classroom implementation. Each Scholar will receive a Chromebook and funding for Challenge Project supplies and materials.

National STEM Scholars will share midpoint progress with their colleagues while attending the National Science Teachers Association annual meeting in April 2023. Mentoring will be provided throughout the year by Western Kentucky University faculty.

All expenses, including travel costs, materials, mentoring and Challenge Project supplies will be covered by a grant from the National Stem Cell Foundation.

If you have questions, please call 270-745-6323 or email gifted@wku.edu.

Learn more and apply at: wku.edu/gifted/nss

The Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center (PAROC) is built on the shores of ESU's King Lake. With three laboratories, a large flexible-use outreach classroom and live animal exhibits featuring aquatic species native to our region, this facility allows you to get hands-on research experience at the undergraduate level. In addition, the Neosho River and a variety of outdoor learning spaces can be easily accessed via the Dale Griener Nature Trail that winds through the ESU Campus Woods.

Learn more and apply at: https://www.esuvirtualtour.com/paroc

6th-12th Grade Rural Educators

Check out this opportunity for your STEMM classes and students! Add to your STEMM curriculum by bringing a group of STEMM professionals out to your school or class to speak and interact with your students. They will get to listen to a “day in the life” of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math & Medical professionals, hear about their educational paths, get hands on with objects from those fields and be able to get individualized education/career advice from the speakers. Mentoring & job shadowing opportunities are also available through our group along with other STEMM resources.

This is a completely free resource provided by STEMM FIRE! STEMM FIRE is an organization made up of STEMM professionals from all over Kansas, volunteering their time to support and encourage rural and small town students. Special effort is made to highlight local STEMM job opportunities and encourage students to consider future work in rural areas. Please reach out with any questions or to see how your school or organization can get involved at director@stemmfire.org. Learn more at www.stemmfire.org.