Quarter 2

Title: Science Regional PLCs- 2nd Quarter, Navigating Science Shifts and Supporting Students

Description: During this regional PLC, together we will offer a look into how to navigate and change lessons with the "navigation routine" from our standards. This will help participants to see how the Science and Engineering Practices can be used to assess student understandings and build future curiosity. The morning will provide a scaffold for this approach and the afternoon will provide support for implementation in specific classrooms with collaboration from those in attendance.

Quarter 3

Title: Science Regional PLCs- 3rd Quarter, Investigating Routines and Rigor for Science

Description: During this regional PLC, together we will introduce participants to the investigation routine from our standards framework and walk through how it can help to determine appropriate rigor for our students. The morning will provide a scaffold for this approach and the afternoon will provide support for implementation in specific classrooms with collaboration from those in attendance.

Freebies for Science and STEM Teachers: Elementary

A Tiger’s Tale: Biodiversity Trivia Game

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and WeAreTeachers have created a lesson plan and trivia game about wild tigers and their vital role in protecting biodiversity. Targeted for grades 3–5, the lesson plan engages students in exploring materials from a tiger toolkit—which includes a classroom PowerPoint Presentation, educator guide, downloadable posters, and student activity sheets—to discover facts about tigers and why they matter, and what threats they face. The resources discuss what WWF is doing to help tigers and the forests where they live and suggest action steps that students can take to help protect them. After their tiger research, students can test their new knowledge with a PowerPoint slide trivia game and coordinating activity sheets (e.g., Tiger Word puzzle, Identifying Tiger Stripes Challenge, Tiger Range Maze, and more). Learn more here: (LINK)

The Genius of Play and STEAM

November 8, 2022, 9:00 AM Pacific / 12:00 PM Eastern

Play can be an effective tool to help kids build STEAM skills. In Collaboration with The Toy Association, learn about free resources available through The Genius of Play initiative, which provides parents, caregivers, and educators with research, expert advice, and ready-to-use ideas and activities to engage kids of all ages in fun and skill-building play. Participants will be empowered with hands-on information and tools ready for immediate application in your program. Learn more here: (LINK)

Kansas Science and Engineering Fair

While the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have implemented 8 Science and Engineering Practices; we know that there is still merit in students (especially elementary students) going through opportunities to discuss and conduct scietific thinking. Did you know that Kansas has a Science and Engineering Fair that happens every spring? Science fairs are a great opportunity to promote cross curricular learning as students write their reports and practice their speaking and learning skills. It is also a GREAT opportunity to build their elementary IPS portfolios. Learn more about the Kansas fair here (Link) and please reach out if I can help with this in any way.

ORISE Season of STEM Activity Plan Competition

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants your help to provide STEM activity plans for students that can be completed at home during the holidays. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM activity plan that incorporates household items for an opportunity to win supplies to start or enhance your own classroom makerspace! Three teachers will be awarded a classroom makerspace filled with maker tools and supplies. (Deadline November 30) Prizes include

• Ozobot Evo Coding Robots

• LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor

• Makerspace Tools and Supplies: construction paper, Origami paper, cardboard sheets, glue, hot glue gun, utility knives, wire cutters, modeling clay with tools, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, sequins, feathers, toy wheels, duct tape, ribbon, and more

Learn more here: (Lin

Call for Applications - CERN Summer Program

In summer 2023, CERN will offer again two residential programs for high-school science teachers from all around the world! The HST2023 programme will take place from 2-15 July 2023 and the ITW2023 programme will take place from 6-19 August 2023! Learn more here: (LINK)

Register Your Middle or High School for ChemClub for the 2022-2023 School Year!

The ChemClub program is an AACT member benefit that provides students with a unique opportunity to experience chemistry beyond the classroom. We are delighted to announce the pilot to extend ChemClub programs to middle schools for the 2022-2023 school year! AACT has supported ChemClub in many new opportunities! This year, ChemClub offered its first-ever scholarship to graduating high school participants pursuing a chemistry career. Teachers can also apply for grants for their chemistry classroom, such as the ChemClub Community Activities Grant and the ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant.

Applications for the 2022-2023 school year are now open! As a reminder, you must sign-up and re-register each year in order to be a chartered club and participate in ChemClub-related opportunities. Registration is open until November 1. All clubs that register by July 1 will receive a package of ChemClub goodies at their school mailing address! To remain a chartered school with ChemClub, teachers are required to maintain an active AACT membership and must re-register each year as a ChemClub. Learn move here: (LINK)