Frozen Fractals & Phenomena
Welcome to 2023 friends and with this new year, I have a new confession. Sometimes, I want to be like Elsa. I mean, in addition to the epic braid and kickin' wardrobe, she had the potential to be the preeminent phenomena female- not only does she know when to "let it go" ( high quality formative assessment at it's best) she also is willing to go boldly "into the unknown" and trust that things are going as they should. There's something special in knowing that a pattern emerges in frozen bubbles, and in way we approach this work. For anyone who knows me, my passion for the cross cutting concepts is unwavering and while the patterns may be the first thing we notice... there is a quite a bit of energy there as well. We have been in a pattern for some time now and I am excited to share some new energy and opportunities for the start of 2023. Please watch the video below and consider joining us in unpacking the standards and setting the stage for greater student success in 2023 than ever before! I sincerely look forward to the "next right thing" with this amazing community all all the cool things we have "in summer".
-Meg
Updates
comps and unpacking video.mp4This opportunity is a VOLUNTEER position however professional development points may be awarded.
Meetings for this work are anticipated to begin in February of 2023.
Work is anticpated to consist of approximately 2 hours per week and monthly zoom meetings (approximately an additional 2 hours.
Teams will be organized by grade bands and team members will be notified early February of selection.
Interest / Registration Link: (LINK)
This opportunity is a VOLUNTEER position however professional development points may be awarded.
The timeframe for this work will begin in late February of 2023. Participants will be asked to attend a 4-hour virtual training prior to being assigned to a team.
Interest / Registration Link: (LINK)
Upcoming Professional Development
Collaboration Meetings
Science Curriculum Leaders Collaboration
January 20th , 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)Science Teacher Collaboration,
January 21st, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)
NOTE: Special PD Sessions
Supporting Struggling Readers in Secondary Science Classes
Monday, January 16, 2023⋅9:00 – 10:30am
Register Here: (LINK)
Elementary Science- Using Cross Cutting Concepts
as tools for Discovery
Monday, January 16, 2023⋅11:00am – 12:00pm
Registration Here: (LINK)
Science PD: Standards 101- A review of the basics K-12
Monday, January 16, 2023⋅1:30 – 3:00pm
Registration Here: (LINK)
Regional Professional Development Communities
Along with our KSDE Science Teacher Leader Team we are VERY excited to be offering quarterly regional professional development meetings. Each meeting will consist of a morning of typical professional development followed by an afternoon to workshop. The cost for each event is $35. College credit and PD certificants are available.
Session Descriptions (Click to expand details)
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.
Region 1 (Registration)
K-State Olathe
(Click for Location)
8:30-3:30
Quarter 3 - February 20th, Register Here: LINK
Region 2 (Registration)
Smoky Hill Education Service Center
(Click for Location)
8:30-3:30
Quarter 3 - February 20th, Register Here: LINK
Region 3 (Registration)
Fort Scott Community College
(Click for Location)
8:30-3:30
Quarter 3 - February 20th, Register Here: LINK
Region 4 (Registration)
ESSDACK Regional Service Center
(Click for Location)
8:30-3:30
Quarter 3 - February 20th, Register Here: LINK
Region 5 (Registration)
Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center (NKESC)
(Click for Location)
8:30-3:30
Quarter 3 - February 20th, Register Here: LINK
Region 6 (Registration)
Southwest Plains Regional Service Center
(Click for Location)
8:30-3:30 pm
Quarter 3 - February 20th, Register Here: (LINK)
Differentiation Discussion
This year KSDE Science has been conducting regional PLCs around the routines for sense-making. The first step is an anchoring phenomenon to ground students' sense of wonder.
STEM Teaching Tool #28 is a great "bite-sized" support on how a team might go about selecting anchors aligned to the standards. Haven't made the shift to phenomenon based instruction yet? It still matters to you. As you may be aware, Artificial Intellegence (AI) is becoming more of hot topic than ever before and as we, as educators, think about how to respond to another new technology. Grounding practice in sense-making may just hold the key to making sense of our natural world as well as engaging students in authentic responses and thinking.
STEM-Teaching-Tool-28-Qualities-of-Anchor-Phenomena.pdf
Elementary Science Specific
This activity from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History helps K–8 students practice the skill of recording observations. The activity includes a digital field book template to use or copy, as well as additional information about the evolution of the use of field books in science and tips for maximizing students’ observation skills in the field. For example, teachers can jump start students’ thinking with the activity’s provided Guiding Questions to Encourage Observations and Discussion. Learn more here: (LINK).
Education Development Center’s (EDC) Oceans of Data Institute (ODI) has created a web page with data activities, data sets, lessons, and resources for K–16 classrooms, sorted by grade level. The page, Resources for Educators Using Data in the Classroom, is updated yearly. Resource highlights include National Science Foundation–funded projects such as TERC Inquiry Project (grades 3–5), which has investigations in which students work with data to explore volume, scale, and other topics, and Real World, Real Science curriculum modules (grades 5–6), in which students use authentic NASA and NOAA data to study the effects of the Earth’s changing climate on the animals and plants of Maine's diverse habitats.
The Common Online Data Analysis Program (grades 6–12) is an online, open-source data analysis platform featuring activities to engage students in visualizing and interpreting data and making evidence-based claims from the data. EDC Earth Science (grades 9–12), a yearlong Earth science course, builds students’ critical data-using skills through data-intensive investigations set in real-world contexts. Ocean Tracks learning modules (grades 9–16) offer investigations mirroring those currently being conducted by researchers studying the effects of climate and human activities on top predators in ocean ecosystems. The website also contains a section of data resources designated specifically for Teachers’ Reference, providing resources and curricular strategies to facilitate teaching students how to work with large, complex data sets. 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.
Secondary Science Specific
Taking place May 28–June 3, 2023, at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the program seeks to inspire the creativity and passion of middle school science teachers. Ten teachers will be chosen to attend. Scholars will share midpoint progress with their colleagues while attending the NSTA national conference in April 2024. Mentoring will be provided throughout the year by Western Kentucky University faculty. All expenses, including travel costs, materials, mentoring, and supplies will be covered by a grant from the National Stem Cell Foundation.
Applicants must be teachers from the United States who teach science classes a majority of the day in grades 6, 7, and/or 8 and have at least two years of previous experience teaching science. (Deadline February 1, 2023). Learn more here (LINK).
Seed Libraries Network of Berkeley, California, will hold a free virtual event, themed “Seeding the Future,” on February 11, 2023, at 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Sessions of interest to science teachers include Seed Libraries in School, How to Save Seeds, Seed Gardens, and three sessions on seeds and climate adaptation. This event will not only provide an opportunity to learn, but also a chance to connect with other seed savers and seed librarians to strengthen and deepen networks.
In the School Seed Libraries session, learn how you can inspire youth through seed saving and how to create a seed library in your school. Take away some standards-based activities for your classroom. This session is co-presented by middle school science teacher Rebecca Newburn, co-founder of Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library and organizer of the Seed Library Network, and Lexi Fickenscher, who runs the seed library at Montessori School of Denver. For more information, e-mail seedlibraries@gmail.com.
Education Development Center’s (EDC) Oceans of Data Institute (ODI) has created a web page with data activities, data sets, lessons, and resources for K–16 classrooms, sorted by grade level. The page, Resources for Educators Using Data in the Classroom, is updated yearly. Resource highlights include National Science Foundation–funded projects such as TERC Inquiry Project (grades 3–5), which has investigations in which students work with data to explore volume, scale, and other topics, and Real World, Real Science curriculum modules (grades 5–6), in which students use authentic NASA and NOAA data to study the effects of the Earth’s changing climate on the animals and plants of Maine's diverse habitats.
The Common Online Data Analysis Program (grades 6–12) is an online, open-source data analysis platform featuring activities to engage students in visualizing and interpreting data and making evidence-based claims from the data. EDC Earth Science (grades 9–12), a yearlong Earth science course, builds students’ critical data-using skills through data-intensive investigations set in real-world contexts. Ocean Tracks learning modules (grades 9–16) offer investigations mirroring those currently being conducted by researchers studying the effects of climate and human activities on top predators in ocean ecosystems. The website also contains a section of data resources designated specifically for Teachers’ Reference, providing resources and curricular strategies to facilitate teaching students how to work with large, complex data sets. Learn more here: (LINK)
KATS Corner (Kansas Association of Teachers of Science)
KATS is seeking award nominations for exceptional science teachers for the “Regional Excellence Award”. To nominate, please email past-president@kats.org with your nominee’s name, and a short description of why they are deserving of this award.
KATS is seeking individuals with interest in advancing teacher leadership across the state. If you or a colleague has expressed an interest in expanding the impact of their service to students, please contact president@kats.org for opportunities in the KATS organization.
Save the date! KATS Kamp Saturday April 22, 2023 Wichita State University. Stay tuned for the call for presenters!
High Wage STEM Job Poster
The Kansas Labor Market Information Services division has recently released classroom posters as well as an interactive Tableau dashboard to help students learn more about possible careers. Check out the posters here: https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=UbQEi2djXjv4KxAPLIkAnQ==. and the Tableau dashboard here: https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=XR1MJE2Q7Rmn9KjAm0oNxA==.
NSTA Awards
Recognizing Excellence in Science Teaching and Learning
NSTA Awards recognize exceptional individuals for their accomplishments and outstanding work in the science education field.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, more than $100,000 in cash and prizes is available yearly.
We offer 15 award programs, designed for all grade levels, and awards that recognize informal educators, researchers, engineering educators, new teachers and more.
To learn more and apply,visit here
Tumble Media
Teacher Advisory Board
Teacher Advisory Board
STEM Storytelling through Podcasts for Sighted, Blind, and Visually Impaired Students (or SSP for short) is an NSF-funded project involving the use and creation of podcasts in the classroom. We are attempting to broaden participation for blind and visually impaired and sighted upper-elementary students through engaging with podcast technology to tell stories about scientists, including those who are Blind and Visually Impaired. We would like to invite you to consider being a part of our teacher advisory board. Basically, we are looking for a range of teachers (some who work with blind and visually impaired students and some who work with sighted students) who are willing to pilot the use of Tumble Science Podcast for Kids in their classroom, as well as our podcast-creation resources to enhance student engagement in STEM learning.
To learn more and apply, please go to the teacher interest form!
Additional Opportunities
From Outside of KSDE
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)
BioDiversity Inventory Opportunity
Shari Wilson, M.A. has been working on a transdisciplinary curriculum focused on supporting middle and high school students as change agents to increase biocultural diversity on school grounds. I am happy to say that it is nearly ready for review! Teachers, curriculum directors and those without classrooms but who serve middle or high school students, teachers and preservice teachers are invited to participate as reviewers.
Schoobio is Shari's dissertation project for an Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. By taking part in this curriculum, students will explore the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and apply them to their schools, understand the elements of an ecological school ground, take a biodiversity inventory of their school grounds, consider how the nature-culture connection is represented (or could be represented) on their school grounds, design their ideal bioculturally diverse school ground, and present their plan to school or community leaders. The curriculum is aligned to NGSS performance expectations.
Feedback received will be included in dissertation materials but most importantly used to improve the curriculum, which is intended for a global audience.Feel free to share with others who may be interested. For more information and questions, don't hesitate to contact Shari at sharilea51@gmail.com.
Click here to learn more and participate: https://forms.gle/wyMTuWPkUAYeG1e39
Cosmosphere’s LaunchLearning Fellowship Program
Applications are now open for the Cosmosphere’s LaunchLearning Fellowship Program. This unique opportunity is available to K-12 science teachers (including elementary teachers who teach multiple subjects). During our first year of the program, we:
Hosted a teacher-training session with current Kansas astronaut Nick Hague.
Provided a STEM summer camp experience that taught teachers to create an experiment package in their classrooms that will be tested on a rocket.
Provided lessons, activities, and videos for use in the classroom.
Provided classes with chances to meet SR-71 pilots, Shuttle astronaut Dan Tani and Shuttle astronaut John Herrington during educational events at the Cosmosphere.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg. We are looking for teachers in Kansas to join the Fellowship. It doesn’t matter if you are currently a member of the LaunchLearning program.
To find out more information about the LaunchLearning Fellowship, Click HERE.
To apply to be a LaunchLearning Fellow, Click HERE.
Applications are due by January 4th. If you have questions, please email them to schools@cosmo.org.
MOSAiC Arctic research expedition virtual teacher workshop!
Register for the MOSAiC Arctic research expedition virtual teacher workshop!
Who: MS/HS science teachers, spots are limited
What: FREE virtual PD to engage with the MOSAiC-inspired "Arctic Feedbacks" storyline curriculum
When: Two synchronous meetings with some asynchronous work**
Thursday, Feb. 2nd from 3-5 pm CT, 4-6 pm MT, 5-7 pm CT, 6-8 pm ET
Thursday, Feb. 9th from 3-5 pm CT, 4-6 pm MT, 5-7 pm CT, 6-8 pm ET
**Participants are expected to complete ~6 hours of asynchronous work that they must submit via Google Classroom
Grad Credit options: Participants can choose to receive either a free certificate for 10 PD hours OR purchase 1 credit from the University of Colorado Boulder ($90 fee)
About: The Arctic is currently warming at a rate much faster than the rest of the world which has important implications for the global climate system. In this FREE teacher workshop, participants will engage with curriculum developers from the University of Colorado Boulder and Arctic scientists as they lead you through, "Arctic Feedbacks: Not all warming is equal", a storyline curriculum tied to NGSS Earth's Systems standards in which students explore important science concepts (e.g., Earth's energy budget, greenhouse effect, feedback loops) to model and explain the Arctic amplification phenomenon. Engage with immersive 360° virtual tours, authentic Arctic datasets, PhET simulations. and app-based labs in this interactive online workshop!
Register for the Arctic Feedbacks workshop Today!
Testimonials from past workshop participants
"I want to give my students relevant and up-to-date learning. I want to be able to show the kids that this is something that is really happening in the world today and is something that will affect their future. This curriculum gives me the means to do this."
"I really liked the virtual format of this workshop. It was an opportunity to meet people from different states and countries that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise. The breakout rooms really helped to focus on a portion of the unit and to allow time to talk through the different activities."
"I love the hands-on where we participate as students! Working with other teachers is very valuable."
Questions? Email Jon Griffith at jonathan.griffith@colorado.edu
Skype A Scientist - Robotics with Isabella Vera Sandak-Lewin
Robotics with Isabella Vera Sandak-Lewin
Isabella Sandak-Lewin is a scientist applying her knowledge to create medical technologies for the better health of society. She is currently studying her masters in biotechnology at the University of Cambridge and earned her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from King’s College London. Her research has spanned from designing cheap 3D printable prosthetics, to building robots enabling ultra-precise surgical procedures. More recently, she is working on making nanoparticles that can both diagnose and treat cancer. Her favourite part about being a scientist is the treasure chest of tools and opportunities it provides to make a tangible impact in our world! When she’s not doing research, Izzy loves to make people smile through her dancing – be it performing on stage or having a boogie with friends in her room!
Wednesday December 7th at 1pm Eastern/10am Pacific, we're going to be talking about Robotics!
These sessions are livestreamed Q&As. We'll start by introducing who the scientist is, what they do, and why they like it. Then we focus on your group's questions!
Wind Energy Workshop (Sub Stipend and Kit)
To help prepare new teachers and coaches for the 2023 Kansas KidWind Challenge, the Kansas Energy Program has scheduled the following six wind energy teacher workshops across the state. There is no cost to attend! Each person attending the workshop will receive a substitute stipend (if necessary), reimbursement for mileage to/from the workshop and your school, lunch, and a Vernier KidWind Basic Wind Experiment Kit (valued at $129). Learn more about KidWind with this quick overview video.
KidWind Challenges
Southwest Regional (Dodge City) – Feb 14, 2023 (Tue)
Northwest Regional (Oakley) – Feb 16, 2023 (Thu)
Northeast Regional (Overland Park) – Feb 21, 2023 (Tue)
Southcentral Regional (Hutchinson) – Feb 23, 2023 (Thu)
Northcentral Regional (Manhattan) – Feb 28, 2023 (Tue)
Southeast Regional (Burlington) – Mar 03, 2023 (Fri)
State (Topeka) – Mar 25, 2023 (Sat)
