Adding Pieces of Flare
I was recently sitting with dear educator friends talking about HS-ESS1-1 and the conversation about flares was fantastic! Seeing solar flares ejecting particles towards earth and creating auroras have long been something on my bucket list and a sense of wonder for people around the world. I found myself slipping into thinking about the beauty of the science and the curiosity of winter skies until... my friend reminded us that the solar flares we all enjoy streaking against our skies are essentially space toots. In its most basic form, the standard is looking at modeling inputs, outputs and 'releases' throughout the sun's life cycle and the framing made me lose it in laughter!
I hope that whether you take a deep dive into standards or take moments to engage with the phenomena of the season you have a wonderful winter break and find great joy! Please let me know if there are things I can be doing to support you and please know how much I greatly appreciate you.
-Meg
Annual Needs & Feedback Survey
Annual Survey: https://forms.gle/qaDfg8xTUgoEmztm6
Updated Support Documents
As mentioned above, KSDE is working to provide support and guidance around the four fundamentals. To support the districts in working towards improving their standards alignment we are excited to share three new guidance documents. Remember that these documents are intended to be guidance and NOT to be directive.
The first document focuses on the upcoming shifts in graduation requirements and potential high school science scopes and sequences: (LINK)
The second document is intended to support conversations across middle schools and provides a potential middle school science scope and sequence: (LINK)
The third document is intended to support conversations across elementary science. The intent of this document is to provide guidance considering themes and units that could scaffold in a meaningful way for both a balanced implementation and assessment system. Districts are encouraged to exercise their local control. (LINK)
Upcoming Professional Development
Collaboration Meetings
New Teacher / Preservice Teacher Collaboration
December 6th, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)Science Curriculum Leaders Collaboration
December 19th, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)Science Teacher Collaboration,
December 20th, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)
Regional Professional Development
Science Assessment - Meaningful Feedback to Fuel Instruction
In this module, we will look at unit coherence and how we can provide meaningful feedback to guide students' sensemaking in science. We will look at specific tasks in science that allow strong formative assessment practices to inform next steps in units.
The cost for each event is $35 paid to the host service center.
Elementary Science Specific
Monterey Bay Aquarium’s multimedia online course for grades 3–6 introduces students to different types of scientists and what they do. Students learn what scientists do (ask questions, work with models, investigate, analyze and interpret data, use math, explain and design, argue based on evidence, and more) and conduct hands-on activities practicing key science skills, such as observation, data collection, and scientific illustration. The course also presents information about different kinds of scientists (e.g., zoologist, marine ecologist) and provides activities that teach students what it might be like if they had a career in that field. The course concludes with a reflection activity in which students produce a creative project (digital book, song, game, stop-motion video, etc.) that summarizes what they learned. Learn more here: (LINK)
The workshop, taking place during July 14–20, 2024, is open to K–12 educators: classroom teachers, building master teachers, curriculum specialists, and administrators. This year’s topic is “World War II, Women, and STEM.” Educators will gain a deeper understanding of World War II and will be able to implement the use of the STEM Innovations Curriculum (Little Engineers, Real World Science, and STEM Corps Live!) into their own classrooms. This includes learning about the role women played in STEM during the war. Educators also will gain pedagogical tools and strategies to not only strengthen their teaching of STEM subjects, but also to integrate literacy practices and social studies into science investigations with students.
Participants will spend time in whole-group sessions as well as in cohorts based on the grade band in which they teach (Little Engineers K–4, Real World Science 5–8, STEM Corps Live! 9–12). They will have time to explore the Museum’s galleries and to take field trips to support STEM/WWII learning. Free time can be spent exploring the city of New Orleans.
Participants will receive
Arranged airfare or a reimbursement for travel, if within driving distance;
Transportation from and to the airport, if flying, or paid parking, if driving;
Double-occupancy rooming at The Higgins Hotel (across the street from the Museum);
All breakfasts, lunches, and two dinners;
Two excursions/field trips; and
Curriculum, books, and materials.
(Deadline January 29, 2024) Learn more here: (LINK)
Students in two categories—ages 5–17 and 18+—are invited to create posters for this year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics.” Students will design an iconic poster that expresses why we need to say no to plastics. The competition has three categories:
Human Health and Plastics
Oceans and Plastics
Fast Fashion and Plastics
A panel of judges, consisting of EARTHDAY.ORG Board members, will choose two posters to champion the cause of Planet vs. Plastics. Six finalists may have their artwork posted on the EARTHDAY.ORG website and social media accounts. (Deadline January 22, 2024) Learn more here: (LINK)
Nonprofits and schools where ALDI stores are located can apply for these grants to support children through education, arts, athletics, or addressing food insecurity locally. Grant requests can range from $250 to $5,000. Applications are due by December 15. Learn more here: (LINK)
Secondary Science Specific
Middle school teachers (grades 5–8) will spend two weeks (July 8–19) in Washington, D.C., working with education and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) experts to explore the connections between informal STEAM education and authentic learning. Teachers will participate at no charge, and most expenses will be paid by the museum. Through hands-on activities, museum tours, visits to other museums, group work, and expertise from museum educators and content experts, teachers will use aerospace science, history, and technology to shape their ideas about authentic learning and bring informal education techniques into their classrooms.
The application deadline is January 15, 2024. Participants will remain with the program for two summers, returning to Washington, D.C., in year two to reconnect, develop their practice, and mentor the newest class of Teacher Innovators.
Learn more here: (LINK)
The workshop, taking place during July 14–20, 2024, is open to K–12 educators: classroom teachers, building master teachers, curriculum specialists, and administrators. This year’s topic is “World War II, Women, and STEM.” Educators will gain a deeper understanding of World War II and will be able to implement the use of the STEM Innovations Curriculum (Little Engineers, Real World Science, and STEM Corps Live!) into their own classrooms. This includes learning about the role women played in STEM during the war. Educators also will gain pedagogical tools and strategies to not only strengthen their teaching of STEM subjects, but also to integrate literacy practices and social studies into science investigations with students.
Participants will spend time in whole-group sessions as well as in cohorts based on the grade band in which they teach (Little Engineers K–4, Real World Science 5–8, STEM Corps Live! 9–12). They will have time to explore the Museum’s galleries and to take field trips to support STEM/WWII learning. Free time can be spent exploring the city of New Orleans.
Participants will receive
Arranged airfare or a reimbursement for travel, if within driving distance;
Transportation from and to the airport, if flying, or paid parking, if driving;
Double-occupancy rooming at The Higgins Hotel (across the street from the Museum);
All breakfasts, lunches, and two dinners;
Two excursions/field trips; and
Curriculum, books, and materials.
(Deadline January 29, 2024) Learn more here: (LINK)
This grant supports school and youth educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life for youth and their communities. In early 2024, 50 organizations will be awarded $500 in funding and a collection of gardening supplies for their youth garden program. Any organization in the United States or U.S. Territories planning a new or improving an existing garden program that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 0 and 18 may apply. Organizations must support, work with, or serve communities with a majority of individuals who are under-resourced (systematically denied resources and opportunities based on race, gender, ethnicity, income level, abilities, geographic location, etc., or currently experiencing hardship such as a natural disaster, etc.). Organizations also must have received less than $10,000 in grants for the garden program during 2022 and 2023 combined. (Deadline December 15). Learn more here: (LINK)
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship is a professional development opportunity for preK–12 educators. Exemplary educators are selected to travel aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ voyages for a field-based experience, exploring destinations like Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, or Southeast Alaska. Fellows will transfer their onboard experience into new ways to teach students, engage colleagues, and bring new geographic awareness into their learning environments and communities. To qualify, applicants must
be a current preK–12 classroom teacher or information educator from the 50 U.S. states, Canada, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Department of Defense Activity schools;
have plans to return to a classroom or teaching environment the year following their assigned expedition and demonstrate the ability to incorporate what they learn into their teaching; and
have a proven dedication to geographic education in their teaching field and show promise of continued active engagement in the future.
Fellows represent an array of grade levels and subject areas including STEM, social studies, second-language programs, and art. (Deadline January 7, 2024) Learn more here: (LINK)
Nonprofits and schools where ALDI stores are located can apply for these grants to support children through education, arts, athletics, or addressing food insecurity locally. Grant requests can range from $250 to $5,000. Applications are due by December 15. Learn more here: (LINK)
Additional Opportunities
From Outside of KSDE
Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship is a professional development opportunity for pre-K–12 educators.
Exemplary educators are selected to travel aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ voyages for a life-changing, field-based experience, exploring destinations like Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, or Southeast Alaska. Grosvenor Teacher Fellows will transfer their onboard experience into new ways to teach students, engage colleagues, and bring new geographic awareness into their learning environments and communities.
Applicants must have the following eligibility:
Current pre-K-12 classroom teacher or information educator from the 50 U.S. states, Canada, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Department of Defense Activity schools.
A proven dedication to geographic education in their teaching field and show promise of continued active engagement in the future.
Plans to return to a classroom or teaching environment the year following their assigned expedition and demonstrate the ability to incorporate what they learn into their teaching.
Submit your application today and share with us your teaching and leadership abilities and how this experience will positively impact you, your students, and your teaching environment.
Completed applications must be received in our online system by January 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
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.
KidWind Challenge
The KidWind Challenge, which officially kicked off in 2009, is an annual event that allows students to explore the power of wind by building and testing wind turbines and then competing against other teams in their age division (4th-8th or 9th-12th). Check out the flyer for the event and watch our 3-minute overview video to see what the competition is like.
Sign up for one of our upcoming events and check out the additional resources we've put together. If you have any questions or want to talk more about this, please reach out to us at ksenergyprog@ksu.edu.
KS Regional Science Bowl. Science Bowl
Attention Middle School and High School Science Teachers!
It is time to preregister for KS Regional Science Bowl. Science Bowl will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 at the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Launched in 1991, the National Science Bowl® (NSB) is a highly competitive science education and academic event among teams of high school and middle school students who compete in a fast-paced verbal forum to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. Each team is composed of four students, one alternate student, and a coach. Regional and national events encourage student involvement in math and science activities of importance to the Department of Energy and the Nation.
Regional science bowl championship teams receive an all-expenses paid trip to compete at the national event. High school and middle school teams travel to Washington, D.C. in April. The national events are several days of science activities, sightseeing, and competitions. Teams enjoy the entire science bowl experience and take home many prizes. There are cutting-edge science seminars and hands-on science activities.
Preregistration for KS Regional Science Bowl has already begun! Between PREREGISTRATION approval and December 1, 2023, at 11:59 pm local time, the coach must SUBMIT their Team 1 registration. If the coach does not submit the Team 1 registration BEFORE December 2, the school loses its reserved space.
Rules, forms, and resources including practice questions can be found here. If you can questions about Science Bowl please contact Amy Clement (aclementon@olatheschools.org) at Olathe North HS or the KS/MO Regional Coordinator, Lillian Cooper (lcooper@kcnsc.doe.gov)
World Rabies Day Poster Competetion
The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) at Kansas State University (KSU) and the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment (KDHE) in collaboration with Bavarian Nordic and the One Health Commission Bat Rabies Education Team (BRET) are hosting a poster contest to educate children about rabies prevention in Kansas. We invite K-12 students to participate by designing an eye-catching and informative poster emphasizing ways to prevent rabies. Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease that can be transmitted to people by infected mammals, including skunks and bats.
Wildlife are an integral part of our ecosystem, and serve important roles e.g. bats are responsible for pollination and eating crop-destroying insects. However, people may be unaware of the health risk that wild animals can pose to people and pets through the potential transmission of the rabies virus. Not all wild animals have rabies, but skunks are responsible for most animal cases of rabies in Kansas and bats are the origin of most human rabies cases in the United States.
We need your help to raise awareness about rabies prevention! The goal of our poster contest is to help get the word out about rabies, recognizing the potential for wildlife rabies reservoirs to transmit rabies to humans and pets and that there are ways you can prevent rabies transmission. We invite K-12 students to help in this effort, by designing an eye-catching and informative poster that can serve as an educational resource to help protect people against rabies.
Download our Poster Competition Resource Kit (PDF) to share with teachers and/or students at your school.
To learn more about the competition and PRIZES, please visit: https://ksvdl.org/world-rabies-day/poster-rules.html
