Spectacles of Spectacles
Spectacles of Spectacles
Embedded Files
When I walked into work this morning the cold wind whipped my ruddy cheeks, reminding me that winter was on its way. Time, the wind, and so much more has flown this fall and yet there is so much important work to be done. If you attended the KSDE annual conference, you know that KSDE will be focusing our work on the four fundamentals; 1. Structured Literacy, 2. High Quality Instruction, 3. Standards Alignment, and 4. Balanced Assessment Systems. Some changes are coming and I am excited about the opportunity to gain clarity about how we can move forward to better support each other in improving opportunities, outcomes, and effect for and on our students.
In full transparency, structured literacy was the fundamental that I struggled with the most. Having a secondary background, I have never taught a student to read and will NEVER pretend to be a qualified reading teacher, nor do I ever wish that for you if it is not desired. Yet, I have thought a lot about our students, and I have thought a lot about the ones sitting in our spaces that want to scale the peak of their academic journey and yet face limitations. I recently put my thinking into action and have been engaging in LETRS training provided by the state to support best practices in literacy instruction. It has been astounding how many patterns exist between the work we do in our science system and in other discipline areas. At the end of the day, it is seeing the whole picture and the whole student as they engage in learning. For me, as a self-proclaimed cross cutting concept fan girl, it is all about the structure and function of what we do as educators. There are things we can do to support our students on whatever trail this life takes them and the energy we put into this work matters. So, as we get ready to celebrate this season of thanks and I get ready to see the "spectacles" in Arches National Park, I hope you will celebrate some new clarity and coherence. We climb together, and the view is pretty amazing!
I am truly thankful for you and the work you are doing for Kansas students.
-Meg
Updated Support Documents
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
Upcoming Professional Development
Collaboration Meetings
Collaboration Meetings
New Teacher / Preservice Teacher Collaboration
November 1st, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)Science Curriculum Leaders Collaboration
November 14th, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)
NOTE DIFFERENT DATE DUE TO HOLIDAY WEEK!Science Teacher Collaboration,
November 15th, 4pm (Zoom Registration Link)
Regional Professional Development
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 Summit
Elementary Science Summit
Join KSDE Teacher Leaders and Andover USD for a day centered around your favorite elementary thematic units! Attendees will examine best practices for elementary science & take deep dives to best match up standards. Bring current your current materials to celebrate standards alignment & science engagement for elementary!
Register at: https://forms.gle/z9duvESKQgjM8L
Questions? Email Meg Richard at mrichard@ksde.org
Elementary Science Specific
Elementary Science Specific
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 students’ development of academic language, critical-thinking skills, and meaningful science conversation.
With the Interactive Graphic Organizer, students and teachers jointly create the organizer to record thinking and develop understandings on a given topic. With the Mix and Match cooperative learning strategy, students develop understanding by creating pairs of topic-related cards. After distributing a card to every student in the class, students move about the room looking for a classmate with a card that creates a pair with their own (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 matches, they discuss their reasoning for what makes the pair and deepen topic understandings along the way.
Visit the SSEC website to watch a video of a teacher modeling these strategies as part of a lesson exploring riverbank ecosystems with elementary students. The mix-and-match cards used in the video lesson are also available to download. 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
Secondary Science Specific
Vernier Science Education seeks innovative high school science, math, and STEM teachers to apply for the first cohort of its newly formed Vernier Trendsetters Community. This professional learning community will help teachers grow in their leadership and knowledge of modern, relevant STEM instruction. As Trendsetters, STEM educators will have the opportunity to collaborate and share best practices, while continuing to learn new ways to engage students with data-collection technology. Trendsetter Community members will have the opportunity to participate in and provide professional development, collaborate on content with Vernier, provide feedback on programming and upcoming products, attend exclusive events at conferences, and more. In addition, community members could be featured nationally for their implementation of data-collection technology and become eligible to receive financial support to attend and present at conferences.
Applicants must have graduated from a higher education institution and have a bachelor’s degree in teaching, education, science, mathematics, and/or engineering; be state/federally certified in teaching science and/or mathematics; be a current teacher and have at least five years of instructional experience in science, mathematics, and/or engineering within a classroom setting; have knowledge and instructional experience in implementing the NGSS or state standards; and have a clear and in-depth understanding of current Vernier technology, including the Go Direct® family of sensors and Vernier Graphical Analysis® software.
Applications for the first Trendsetters Community cohort will be accepted through November 30, and the first cohort members will be announced by January 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis, and the full program will launch in fall 2024. 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)
Support Sessions
Support Sessions
Dimension 1 & 2, November 7 at 4:30 pm:
https://ksde.zoom.us/j/82609102600?from=addon
Dimension 3 & 4, November 28 at 4:30 pm:
https://ksde.zoom.us/j/89033977654?from=addon
Dimension 5 & Q/A, December 5 at 4:30 pm:
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983. The President may recognize a total of 110 exemplary teachers each year. The award recognizes those teachers that have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas.
Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation's teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Why Apply?
Recipients of the award receive the following:
A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
An all-expenses paid trip to a recognition event, which includes an award ceremony.
A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
An opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation.
Nominate a K-6 Teacher or Apply Today at : https://paemst.nsf.gov/nomination/nominate
Join the Kansas Association of Biology Teachers for their Annual Fall Conference!
Join the Kansas Association of Biology Teachers for their Annual Fall Conference!
We will have a Friday night social 7pm on November 17th at the Ellinwood, KS “Saloon.” Snacks are provided and drinks are available for purchase.
Conference details
Date: Saturday, November 18
Location: Quivira Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center in Stafford, KS
Times and Topics: Full description
Additional Opportunities
Additional Opportunities
From Outside of KSDE
From Outside of KSDE
Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship
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
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
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
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
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
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