Carrying Capacity
Carrying Capacity
Embedded Files
Whether taking a moment to tiptoe or having them brought home by my husband; tulips are just beautiful to me. I love the way they point their little heads towards the sun and I love looking at images life the one I have here where there are rows and rows of them just longing for... something. Yet, here is my question... have any of you ever planted them like this? I am a rule follower by nature and the packages always say to plant them x deep and y apart so who planted these and how did they grow despite the warning on the package? Don't get me wrong, I feel very lucky to have the tulips I have but, something in me just wonders.
Fourth quarter is a funny time in the school year. Our students are practically next graders, and we are trying to get in those last moments of a difference with them. It's such a challenge because we know what we are supposed to do and yet the twitterpated buzz of spring is something else. So here is my takeaway for you this month, you are almost there, you’ve planted the seeds of curiosity, you’ve nurtured through the winter months and here we are in spring. I will never know if I've done enough but year after year those tulips come back in full bloom. They point their little heads towards the sun. They help in the ecosystem of my yard. Is my garden or former classroom exactly like the package? Nope. Yet I guarantee you one thing friends, "the seeds you sow matter more than you know". Enjoy the last full month, we are almost there.
-Meg
Upcoming Professional Development
Upcoming Professional Development
Collaboration Meetings
Collaboration Meetings
Science Curriculum Leaders Collaboration
April 18th , 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)Science Teacher Collaboration,
April 19th, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)
KSDE Summer Academies
KSDE Summer Academies
Register Now for"The Art of Teaching: Instructional Artistry"
Register Now for"The Art of Teaching: Instructional Artistry"
June 12-13: Buhler, KS June 15-16: Colby, KS
July 10-11: Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS July 13-14: Atchison, KS
Register at: https://events.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=704
NAEP Science Assessment Framework
NAEP Science Assessment Framework
Please consider providing feedback during your PLCs or any additional time.
This project will directly impact all of us.
The Governing Board is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the NAEP Science Assessment Framework, which was last updated in 2005. Any updates will be implemented for the 2028 administration of the NAEP Science Assessment.
As part of the process, a working draft of the recommended updates is made available for public review and feedback prior to review, revision, and final approval from the Governing Board. Input from NAEP’s diverse range of stakeholders is an essential part of the process to update NAEP assessment frameworks.
The public comment period is from March 13 to April 17. The Governing Board values constructive feedback from all NAEP stakeholders and seeks to gather a wide range of perspectives as part of the public comment period.
To be considered by the Steering and Development panels, all feedback must be submitted through this formal submission process. All feedback must be received via the form by April 17, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Click the link (LINK) to access the draft document.
Read through the Guiding Questions and the full draft.
Take notes and organize your feedback.
Respond to the Guiding Questions on the feedback form (LINK).
PLEASE consider providing feedback on this critical work.
Elementary Science Specific
Elementary Science Specific
Playing with magnets is one of the first bits of science most children discover. That's because magnets are easy to use, safe, and fun. They're also quite surprising. This 2- day elementary/middle school teacher workshop will provide activities you can use with students to help them understand a mysterious phenomenon.
All workshop supplies will be provided
Held at Fort Hays State University
Limited to first 24 registrants
No Housing must be arranged and paid by participant
Optional 2 credit hour – Paid by Participant $160.00
Registration fee $100 (refundable until April 21, 2023)
Deadline to register April 21, 2023
Teachers may be eligible for ESSER funding support from their districts
For more information, please contact: Earl Legleiter, 785-628-4561, eflegleiter@fhsu.edu or learn more here (LINK)
Are you interested in providing your students with interactive STEM lessons provided by NASA? The NASA Ames Exploration Encounter (AEE) is now open for the Spring 2023 semester. Facilitated by a NASA STEM Education Specialist, AEE is a free, one-hour interactive program for classes of grades 1–6 students to experience science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in action. Teachers and students are invited to join AEE virtually or in person at its Mountain View, California, location for a two-hour program. Learn more here: (LINK)
Secondary Science Specific
Secondary Science Specific
Open Source (Free) Aligned High School Units Released
Open Source (Free) Aligned High School Units Released
Three high school units have recieved the Achieve badge for high quality allignment and design. Learn more about each unit below;
Science Discipline: Chemistry, Thermodynamics in Earth's Systems (LINK)
Science Discipline: Physics, Energy Flow from Earth's Systems (LINK)
Science Discipline: Biology, Ecosystems and Dynamics (LINK)
Please let me know if you have questions regarding these resources or the approach utilized in instruction.
Teachers of Physics Resources, Assessments, and Techniques In collaboration with AAPT sections in SD, MN, NE, KS
Teachers of Physics Resources, Assessments, and Techniques In collaboration with AAPT sections in SD, MN, NE, KS
When: Saturday, April 15, 2023 9:00 AM to noon Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Where: Zoom, but feel free to have local “phun parties.” Zoom link: https://sdstate.zoom.us/j/99186725955
Contact Larry.Browning@sdstate.edu if you have questions
TIME (CDT) SPEAKER LINKS
9:00 TO 9:30 AM Speed of Sound Challenge (all) Speed of Sound Challenge.xlsx
9:30 TO 9:45 AM Steve Wignall https://ncmn.unl.edu/outreach-education
9:45 TO 10:00 AM Kevin Lee http://astro.unl.edu/
10:00 TO 10:30 AM Marie Lopez del Puerto https://www.compadre.org/PICUP/
10:30 TO 11:00 AM Sebastian Staacks https://phyphox.org/
11:00 TO 11:30 AM David Vernier https://www.vernier.com/
11:30 TO NOON Craig Berg https://www.seemeteach.com/
The National MagLab is seeking participants for this summer’s Research Experience for Teachers (RET). This year’s program will help accepted applicants to learn how to incorporate MagLab research subject areas into their STEM lessons and curriculum. The program consists of a one-week MagLab experience, July 10-14, in Tallahassee, Florida for science content. This will be supplemented with weekly online meetings with pedagogical experts and scientists and engineers through the fall semester. The goal of the program is for educators to update their lesson plan/curriculum to utilize in their classrooms during the 2023-2024 school year. Each teacher accepted by the program receives a $3,600 stipend paid at the conclusion of the program. The deadline to apply is April 8.
Learn more here: (LINK)
STEM-Teaching-Tool-92-Nature-Journaling.pdfDifferentiation Discussion
Differentiation Discussion
Spring provides unique and timely opportunities to get outside. While in some discipline areas of science there may be barriers (e.g. High School Chemistry) there is substantial power in providing students access to perfecting their use of crosscutting concepts while applying them in different contexts. In STEM Teaching Tool 92 the focus is on "Nature Journaling" but I would encourage you to expand the common view of nature and consider where we might see science in our surroundings and encourage students to do so. Below are the questions from the tool, consider sharing some answers using #KSSci.
What is unique about the places where we live? Where can you find environmental phenomena in places that might be overlooked or unexpected?
What phenomena can you bring into the classroom (or in closer proximity to students) when outdoor sites are limited?
How can each student use their journal in a way that is useful to them and deepens their understanding and caring? How can teachers support that exploration through words, pictures/diagrams, and numbers?
Read all of STEM Teaching Tool 92 here: (LINK)
KATS Kamp
KATS Kamp
The Kansas Association of Teachers of Science annual conference "KATS KAMP" will be on April 22, 2023 at Wichita State University's Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex located at 5015 E. 29th Street N.
Are you doing something awesome in your classrom? Consider submitting a proposal! Are you looking for ways to connect with other science teachers around the state and get great ideas? Register today!
Register at: https://kats.org/events
Are you interested in taking on a leadership role at KATS?
If you have interest in gaining more information about the positions or KATS organizational structure please join the following link on April 13th at 4 pm, or by request at an alternate time:
(LINK) Meeting ID: 632 957 7001 Passcode: Nr08Lt
If you have any interest in taking a position on the board, or know of a past regional representative who would be interested, please take a look at this form: https://forms.gle/4rVcJLQYDGiyy6Vc7
Wendell G. Mohling Foundation Auction
Wendell G. Mohling Foundation Auction
The Wendell G. Mohling Foundation will be hosting its annual Silent Auction at KATS Kamp in Wichita on Saturday, April 22. The auction will be open from 10:00am-2:00pm. All proceeds benefit The Mohling Foundation. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded a K-12 Kansas science teacher $1000 to use to attend an NSTA conference of their choice. The award is named in honor of Wendell G. Mohling, a Kansas high school biology and student naturalist teacher, who was also president of KATS and NSTA. As always, there are a variety of items to bid on, including a 2 night stay in an Alaskan Cabin, wood bowls by Mike Erickson, jewelry from Carol Mohling, an engraved brick to honor a special teacher with their name engraved on it to be placed on the Wall of Fame in the National Teachers Hall of Fame Museum, and Betsy Betros’ “Butterfly Identification Book”. A special painting, “Springhill Lake” from award winning artist, Irene Schomacker, will be a new addition to this year’s sale. Her paintings have been selected and displayed for the last 3 years in the Symphony in the Flint Hills Gallery.
You must be present to pay for and pick up the item(s) you win between 2:30-3:00pm after the auction closes. As usual, you are encouraged to “bid high and bid often”. There will also be a direct sales table where you can purchase Kim Poor Space Prints. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. However, a 4% transaction fee for credit card purchases is charged to cover The Foundation’s fee.
Keep in touch via : Facebook: Wendell G Mohling Foundation. Website: wendellmohlingfoundation.com Email: mohlingfoundation@gmail.com. 785-764-9625 Carol Mohling
NSTA Kansas City- October 2023
NSTA Kansas City- October 2023
NSTA is currently looking for presentation proposal AND presentation proposal reviewers. Reviewing is an easy way to be involved in the organization and evaluate the types of presentation being brought to us this fall. Please consider submitting a proposal of the the amazing things you are doing in your classrooms.
NEW to NSTA is the opportunity to present a poster session. Consider having your students submit a poster session of the amazing ways they have done 3D sensemaking in your spaces!
FREE Web Seminar • Teacher Tip Tuesday: Reviewing a Proposal for NSTA Conferences.
Join us on May 2, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET (LINK)
Additional Opportunities
Additional Opportunities
From Outside of KSDE
From Outside of KSDE
An Evening with Astronaut Ellen Ochoa (In Person)
An Evening with Astronaut Ellen Ochoa (In Person)
Ellen Ochoa—inventor, astronaut, and space center director—is a pioneer like no other. She made history as the first Latina to go to space, blazing a trail for other marginalized kids who dream of the stars. There were few minorities in leadership when she joined NASA—so she changed that, becoming the first Hispanic and second female director of the Johnson Space Center.
Dr. Ochoa earned a bachelor's degree in physics from San Diego State University and a master's degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Prior to her selection as an astronaut in 1990, she was a research engineer at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Ames Research Center, where she investigated optical systems for performing information processing. She is a co-inventor on three patents and author of several technical papers. She flew in space four times aboard the Space Shuttle, logging nearly 1,000 hours in orbit.
The lecture will be in person at the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, Missouri.
Registration will open March 9, 2023.
Visit here for additional details: (LINK)
Help Identify High-Quality Instructional Materials with EdReports
Help Identify High-Quality Instructional Materials with EdReports
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 now accepting applications for reviewers for reviews of K-12 science instructional materials starting in April 2023. Apply now to engage in deep professional learning on the Next Generation Science Standards with a national network of skilled educators.
Learn more about EdReports here and apply to become a reviewer here.
The Ecology School in Maine (Stipend)
The Ecology School in Maine (Stipend)
Join The Ecology School in Maine this July for an engaging and inspiring professional development opportunity. Teachers will be challenged to explore water’s connection to human systems and its impacts on the environment. Immersed in field-based ecology lessons, attendees will have opportunities to network and collaborate with colleagues from schools around the country to reimagine their teaching to include outdoor learning, place-based experiences, and community partners.
Offered in two cohorts: July 17 - 20 and July 27 - 30, 2023.
**The Institute is free for teachers, and attendees will receive a $250 stipend and be reimbursed for most travel.**
Click here to learn more & apply to attend this special weekend for educators.
USPTO National Summer Teacher Institute (St. Louis)
USPTO National Summer Teacher Institute (St. Louis)
Taking place in St. Louis, Missouri, from July 16 to 21, the United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) is a multi-day professional development training opportunity for K-12 educators to learn about intellectual property and the educational resources the USPTO offers to engage students in authentic, real-world projects and problem-based learning in STEM and across all fields of study.
If selected, your flight and lodging are covered for the duration of the program for teachers residing more than 50 miles from the NSTI venue in St. Louis, MO. Teachers who reside less than 50 miles from the venue will receive all the benefits of the program aside from travel and lodging support. Federal travel rules apply.
Learn more about NSTI and how to apply at www.uspto.gov/TeacherInstitute.
STEAM Flier 2023.docx.pdfOpen Sci Ed Summer Workshops 2023.pdfModeling Workshop 2023.pdfOpps Summer Workshop 2023 Magnetism.pdf2023 LEAPES Flier.pdf
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