Temperate
All I wanted to do was touch a banana slug. There was something about a massive creature that I had never seen and that would not hurt me, that also captivated me. As we hiked through the Olympic peninsula there was a moment where I felt like I had stepped into another world. I looked up at the liverworts, mosses and Lichen and realized very quickly that I had no idea what I was looking at. The longer we walked in search of the elusive waterfall the more questions and excitement emerged in my soul. There was peace, there was quiet, there was curiosity. I hope you all had a wonderful summer and that you are excited to be back. The start of the year energy is unlike anything else in this world, and I am so excited about the enthusiasm each of you are bringing to your classroom. Please take a moment to read the safety reminders and remember it's important to connect. I'm hoping that these newsletters are still helpful and if there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. I truly appreciate everything you do.
-Meg
SAFETY FIRST! It is really important.
While in a classroom last week I found a bottle of mercury. Let me correct that, I found a broken bottle containing mercury set in a beaker. I know you likely don't think you have any but now is a good time to triple check. Go through that random cabinet in the back prep hall that hasn't been touched for years. Ask yourself when the last time you double checked expiration dates on anything from Flinn or Carolina? Now is also a good time to review your lab safety procedures and expectations as a team.
Consider using pre-school PD time to discuss.
When do we require students to wear goggles and how do we clean them in between use?
What are our real deal breakers when it comes to safety (Hair back? Gum? Closed toed shoes?) and how do we communicate them consistently with students?
How are we ensuring that all students are safe in our spaces each and every day?
Upcoming Professional Development
Collaboration Meetings
Science Curriculum Leaders Collaboration
August 15th, 4pm (NEW Zoom Registration Link)Science Teacher Collaboration,
August 16th, 4pm (NEW Zoom Registration Link)
Elementary Science Series!
Bring your favorite thematic unit and walk away with strong strategies on how to connect it to your grade level science standards. No Cost- PD points available.
Bring your favorite thematic unit and walk away with strong strategies on how to connect it to your grade level science standards. No Cost- PD points available.
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade, Tuesday August 22nd, 4:30-5:30 pm
(Register Here: LINK)3rd Grade - 5th Grade, Thursday, August 24th, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
(Register Here: LINK)
Save the Dates!
Regional PLCs will be back for 2023-2024! While we are not ready to share exact details we encourage you to save the dates for a great PLC near you! Additional details and registration next month!
Regional PLCs will be back for 2023-2024! While we are not ready to share exact details we encourage you to save the dates for a great PLC near you! Additional details and registration next month!
*September 27 * November 8 *February 21 *April 10
Book Study- Copies Available
The Kansas Department of Education Science team is excited to be hosting a fall book study with the text, "Ambitious Science Teaching" by Windschitl, Thompson and Braaten THURSDAYS at 4:30 pm this fall! Limited complimentary copies are available and will be mailed out on a first come basis. This book walks readers through some of the important shifts in our science standards and provides applicable, ready to use strategies for leveraging student driven instruction at any grade level. Topics include how to leverage student talk and sense making, making thinking visible through models and supporting students in making and modifying claims.
Professional Development points are available and College credit is available at an additional cost.
Email mrichard@ksde.org to learn more or register now below.
Chemistry / Physical Science Reviewers Needed
The Kansas Department of Education Science team has been hard at work piloting a new KSDE Science Unpacking Tool. The aim is to unpack the standards at the state level and to provide increased clarity and coherence around standards alignment. At this time, we are seeking 5-10 Chemistry and Physical Science teachers from across the state who would be interested in reviewing the work and providing feedback. This opportunity will come with a small stipend and will require reviewers to travel to Topeka on October 13th (travel and meals will be included in stipend considerations). Interested? Please email mrichard@ksde.org a copy of your recent resume, teaching load and brief statement of interest.
Elementary Science Specific
The U.S. Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program is looking for peer reviewers for August and September. EIR grants support 1) innovative pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education projects that have the potential to increase student achievement, particularly among high-need students; and 2) the expansion (or scaling) of education practices that have evidence of effectiveness. For the application review this summer/fall, EIR is seeking peer reviewers who have direct and significant preK–12 education experience in one or more of the following content areas: STEM, SEL, educator recruitment, evaluation, rural education, diverse educator workforce, and other innovative education practices.
Reviewers are paid $500 per application. (Individuals involved in any fiscal year 2023 EIR application may not serve as a reviewer.)
Learn more here: (LINK)
Promote active science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning among K–8 English Language Learners (ELLs) and all students with two teaching strategies from the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). The strategies—Interactive Graphic Organizer and Mix and Match—can be incorporated into any unit of study and support the development of academic language, critical-thinking skills, and meaningful science conversation. With the Interactive Graphic Organizer strategy, students and teachers jointly create the organizer to record thinking and develop understandings on a given topic. In the Mix and Match cooperative learning strategy, students develop understanding by matching pairs of topic-related cards. After the teacher distributes cards to the class, students look for a classmate with a card to complete a pair (e.g., Find a living thing/Duck, Find a nonliving thing that living things need to survive/Water, and so on). As students search for their card match, they discuss their reasoning for what makes the pair, deepening topic understandings along the way.
Visit the SSEC website to watch a video of a teacher modeling these strategies as part of an exploration of a Riverbank Ecosystem with elementary students. Teachers can also download the mix-and-match cards used in this lesson. Learn more here: (LINK)
Secondary Science Specific
The U.S. Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program is looking for peer reviewers for August and September. EIR grants support 1) innovative pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education projects that have the potential to increase student achievement, particularly among high-need students; and 2) the expansion (or scaling) of education practices that have evidence of effectiveness. For the application review this summer/fall, EIR is seeking peer reviewers who have direct and significant preK–12 education experience in one or more of the following content areas: STEM, SEL, educator recruitment, evaluation, rural education, diverse educator workforce, and other innovative education practices.
Reviewers are paid $500 per application. (Individuals involved in any fiscal year 2023 EIR application may not serve as a reviewer.)
Learn more here: (LINK)
The Coleopterists Society, an international organization of professionals and hobbyists interested in the study of beetles, has a program to recognize young people in grades 7–12 studying beetles. The society provides up to $1,200 each year for the Youth Incentive Award Program. The Junior (grades 7–9) award is a monetary grant of $400, and the Senior (grades 10–12) award is $800. In addition, award recipients will each receive a one-year subscription to the society’s journal, The Coleopterists Bulletin. Applications are due by November 1.
The award was created to provide encouragement and assistance to young beetle enthusiasts; promote the study of beetles as a rewarding lifelong avocation or career; provide opportunities for young people to develop important life skills, such as leadership, cooperation, communication, planning and conducting a scientific study, grant writing and managing funds; and provide some financial support to enrich activities or projects.
A Youth Incentive Award Committee from the Coleopterists Society will evaluate the applications and will select up to two winners annually. The selection committee invites proposals for topics such as field collecting trips to conduct beetle species inventories or diversity studies; attending workshops or visiting entomology or natural history museums for special training and projects on beetles; studying aspects of beetle biology; and more. The proposed activities or projects will be evaluated on their degree of creativity, educational benefit to the applicant, scientific merit, feasibility, and budgetary planning. Each applicant is strongly encouraged to find an adult advisor (teacher, youth group leader, parent, etc.) to provide guidance in proposal development, but the proposal must be written by the applicant. The Coleopterists Society can also assist in establishing contacts between youth and professional coleopterists.
Learn more here: (LINK)
If you have an innovative idea for improving STEM learning in your classroom, and your idea involves project-based learning with measurable outcomes, you can apply for a Toshiba America Foundation grant of less than $5,000 by September 1. Toshiba aims to encourage teachers to innovate, try a new idea, or explore a different approach to teaching STEM and to make STEM subjects fun for students to learn.
Learn more here: (LINK)
Differentiation Discussion
As you are likely aware, the "Science of Reading" and "Structured Literacy" are increasingly important topics in education around the country. This increase in focus might cause one to wonder, what role do, or should, science teachers play in this important work? A couple of considerations; the rope is not a ladder, and it is critical that the components are all addressed equitably. Building background knowledge and allowing students access to the language structures of rich science vocabulary are important components that can be found in high quality science instruction at any level, but the explicit inclusion or reading and writing in science is also important.
Challenge: Have students engage in reading informational text and writing a minimum of one academic sentence each week. Tag #KSSci to share ideas with the Kansas Science community.
Plan Ahead - April 8
"The Great American Eclipse" is set to take place on April 8, 2024. While Kansas is not in the path of totality, there will likely be a substantial partial eclipse over most of the state and districts seeking to take advantage of viewing will want to be mindful to plan ahead. Learn more about this event here: https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/april-8-2024
Keep in touch via Facebook: Wendell G Mohling Foundation.
Website: wendellmohlingfoundation.com
Email: mohlingfoundation@gmail.com.
Phone: 785-764-9625, Carol Mohling
Wendell G. Mohling Foundation -
NSTA Scholarship
NSTA Scholarship
Are you a K-12 Kansas teacher who currently teaches science? Would you like the opportunity to apply for funds so that you could experience attending a National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conference on Science Education this year? In 2006, the Wendell G. Mohling Foundation began selecting a teacher each year, to receive a $1000.00 scholarship award to attend a NSTA conference of their choice. The application deadline is September 24, 2023, so you still have plenty of time to complete and send in your application.
The application with requirements can be downloaded by going to the foundation website at www.wendellmohlingfoundation.com and click on “Apply” at the top of the page. This year there will be 2 national NSTA conferences to choose from: October 25-28, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri, and March 20-23, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.
Questions? Contact Kay Neill, Foundation Chair at neill1703@gmail.com or by phone at 1-620-342-4677.
NSTA Kansas City October 2023
The National Science Teaching Association is hosting their national conference in Kansas City this October. Talk to your district to see if ESSR or Title 2A funds might be available to this exciting opportunity!
Learn more here: (LINK)
Kansas Association of Biology Teachers (KABT)
Kansas Association of Biology Teachers (KABT) has exciting events coming up. You do not need to be a member to participate (but they are super fun and you should consider joining for $15):
Saturday, November 18 – The fall conference will be held at Quivera Wildlife Refuge in Stafford, KS. Speaker applications are currently being accepted (see QR Code or https://forms.gle/jXHUGye3kxMitZEy8). Conference topics typically span a wide range of teaching life sciences. If you choose to drive up the night before, we have a block of bed & breakfasts set aside in Ellinwood, KS – including the historic jail! Spend the night in jail with Bio Colleagues and learn new stuff! More information to come or email kel@tuel.us to be notified as details become available. Conference registration will be $15 which covers the cost of lunch. First year teachers and pre-service teachers are free to attend!
Additional Opportunities
From Outside of KSDE
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.
Pilot Game Opportunity- Ogallala
The Kansas Geological Survey is developing educational materials related to the aquifers of Kansas. This includes videos, activities, and a board game we're calling "Ogallala!" The activities are for a middle school audience and above. If you are interested in trying out the board game to your classes or receive the other educational activities, contact Andy Connolly at andrewco@ku.edu. The board game is a print-and-play so no purchase or extra materials needed.
