Let's celebrate Dr. Jane Goodall!

It's April 3, and Dr. Goodall is celebrating her 86th birthday!  I have posted about her before, but this year is special.  A few months ago on a quick trip home to Texas, I was able to visit the Grapevine High School Ecology Center, which we originally built during my senior year of '88-'89.  The dedicated teachers recently assigned to the Center have great things planned to restore the space to the primary purpose of outdoor, experiential learning. 

During my trip, I was able to locate, scan, and share most of the original pictures and documents from our work in the early years of the project.  These can now be accessed by the current set of students who will continue our efforts.

I am grateful for the influence of my parents who made it possible for me to meet Dr. Goodall in 1985.   After the tireless work of my mentor teacher, Sherri Steward, we were honored to have Dr. Goodall dedicate the Ecology Center in 1989.  She returned to support our school again in 1992 when the students were ready to celebrate an expansion. 

Dr. Goodall is a global influence today, even as she remains safely isolated at her home in England during the COVID 19 pandemic.  She remains active, passionate, and driven in much the same way that led her to Africa in the 1960s to change the world!

Seek out the people that have made a difference in the world.  They are real, and sometimes you get to meet them!   Sometimes they are the heroes in your own community.  Reach out, say thank you, and commit to making your little corner of the world a better place too!

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/science/jane-goodall-coronavirus.html

All this talk about Vaccines!

When I returned to the college Biology classroom about 12 years ago, I went searching for reliable and thorough online teaching resources.  I found Goldie's Room!  Mr. Goldberg is a high school teacher based in New York and his website was and still is AWESOME.   So when I realized last week that my own kids have probably not heard all the stories about the heroes that discovered how to combat infectious diseases by developing vaccines, I knew Goldie's Room would have some great resources.  I have been using his Video Archives for years, especially because it's a great collection of Bill Nye videos.

So check out his class notes and lecture sets and videos...I  recommend them to any student in advanced life science classes.

If you scroll down to the video titled Vaccinations, Bill Nye will explain the work of Edward Jenners in the late 1700s when he discovered an effective therapy for Smallpox.  Vaccines save lives, and I am grateful for the countless researchers who are working around the clock to find solutions to the COVID 19 Coronavirus.

http://www.goldiesroom.org/

And if you want to watch all the Greatest Discoveries episodes, they are available on YouTube and divided by scientific categories.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpZlbSosECWWChD7sK-BkIGLfUfRnqcsI

NASA Space Place Newsletter

Since the rain is complicating our chance to see the Venus transit this afternoon, I had to check another favorite resource of mine, the NASA Space Place Newsletter.  Turns out it is World Environment Day.  I am linking you to the site that archives all the newsletters since it is a great collection of ideas for teachers and families.

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/educator-newsletter/

CSI Science Camp in Burley is in less than 2 weeks, so register your kids today!  It is going to be out of this world!

Idaho Earth Tracks Summer Workshop Schedule

Here is the link to all the great workshops being offered this summer through PLT, Project Wild, and Project Wet.  I have always learned cool things by attending these workshops, and I still consider PLT part of my family!  Check them out!

http://www.idahoforests.org/news.htm

AMAZING PD Opportunity for Secondary Science Teachers

Many of you use the Genetics Learning Center website, one of my favorite online resources.  The Univ of Utah has a companion site just for teachers, at teach.genetics.utah.edu.  Each summer they offer a workshop in SLC, and it  looks like a GREAT program!  I am tempted to move one of my science camps just so I would be available to attend in case I am accepted into the program, but I am sharing the announcement hoping someone else can go also.  You will receive 3 credits and a $500 stipend.  Please apply!  The topic is The Neurosciences of our Senses.

http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/institutes/2012/

Climate Change Lesson plans for Teachers

This looks like a great resource for educators, and I like the fact that the materials have been prepared by multiple agencies.  Climate science needs to be understood by everyone, so that we can make informed policy decisions based on science and not opinion.

http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators

Last week, a study was released that showed how much different groups of Americans "trust" science content.  There was a direct connection between a person's opinion about climate change and their trust in ALL science.  It was a sobering look at how powerful one issue can polarize an entire population.  Let's stick with science on this one.
http://desne.ws/H9tlRv

Here is an older article (2010) from Scientific American with some great graphics!
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=in-science-we-trust-poll

Time to Register for iSTEM!!

Follow the link to read the announcement for the Summer Institute.  Registration opens March 1 and you need to sign up this week.  The website also has the strand descriptions, which are the classes you can sign up to take.  You stay in the same class all week.

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/teachers/docs/letters/2012%20i-STEM%20Announcement%20Letter.pdf

IdEEA Conference next weekend in Boise

I have just confirmed my plans to attend the Idaho Environmental Educators Assoc Conference in Boise.  The theme is "Natural Partners: Environmental Education and Green STEM" and the workshops, field trips, and other activities look great!  I am very excited to here from state leaders in EE and STEM programs.  It is not too late to sign up, although the fees have risen.  Teachers can also pay for 2 PD credits as well.
http://www.idahoee.org/conferenceagenda.htm

The Science of Valentine's Day

This is a week late, but I wanted to post just the same so you have these ideas.  I am a poor man's Steve Spangler, since he sells products and workshops for hundreds of dollars a pop.  But I do love his blog because he shares experiments...hoping you will go to his website to buy the materials.  Many of his experiments can be replicated with household materials, and that's what I do.

Last week, I helped with my 1st grader's Valentine's Party.  Of course, I did a science station.  Of course, I colored carnations for the kids.  And I do have some of these hand boilers...and I will buy the friction pens as soon as I find some.  I will have to make a call for liquid nitrogen!  :)  So thanks Steve...you really are bringing science to the masses.  Someday I hope to be able to afford one of your workshops!  The cruise one sounds fun!

The Science of Valentine’s Day – Love Potions, Love Meters and Hidden Messages

Updated: Idaho iSTEM Institute Video and General Information

This year, Integration meets Innovation at 4 regional iSTEM Institutes.  CSI will be hosting the week-long conference in June this year, and registration opens soon...look on the State Dept of Ed website by March 1.  They expect the conferences to fill within a few days, so if you teach in any of the STEM fields, check the dates and plan on an amazing week with serious "swag" for teachers!!  My experience last year was one of my first posts on this blog, so check that for more information on what to expect.

I just got the list of classes that teachers can sign up for...so email me if you want to know!!!  Be ready to register on March 1...don't wait even a few days...because the conference will fill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNYQiGqvB58

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/istem/teachers/events.htm

UPDATED: Cassia Science Fair Links

Science Fair season is here in the Mini-Cassia area.  I will publish a series of posts focused on helping students, parents, and teachers with the projects that are being assigned at a number of elementary schools.

OK...all you need is sciencebuddies.org to get some ideas.  There are places on that site for parents, teachers, and even students to explore.  For older students, you can "Ask an Expert" and get advice from practicing scientists.  Awesome!
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

Another favorite site is coolscience.org, and when you go there, they have another great resource available.  More links!
http://www.rntobsn.net/resources/great-science-links-for-kids/

Another favorite...ZOOM on PBS kids  http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/

There are almost too many places to search for ideas, so my advice is to follow the packet that will be passed out to students, and choose a topic that they love.  Then look for ideas.  Remember the goal is to have fun learning something new by doing an experiment.  Science fair projects are NOT reports, but the more you know about your topic, the better your experiment will be.  Good luck!!

Free Smithsonian Water Webinars

The Snake River is the lifeblood of Southern Idaho, so this Webinar Series will be a great fit for my Environmental Science curriculum, as well as all the presentations I do for the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

FREE webinar series: "Water Matters," the topic of the 2012 Shout environmental education program.

Talk with Smithsonian scientists and experts sharing their scientific, historical and artistic perspectives on this critical natural resource. Webinars will be broadcast from the Smithsonian's Washington, D.C., complex as well as its field research centers. Get lesson plans, hands-on activities and project ideas and help your students earn recognition for their exploration through a digital Smithsonian Badges program. Connect with other teachers and students and take action to preserve our environment.

Participate on your own or with your students. Join the teacher preview sessions to get tips and ideas before the webinars, which run Feb. 7-8, March 26-27, and May 16-17.

Give your students a voice in environmental issues. Sign up to participate today!

Shout is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution, Microsoft Partners in Learning, and TakingITGlobal. More at www.shoutlearning.org.

Stay Connected:
Twitter: twitter.com/shoutlearning
Facebook: facebook.com/shoutlearning

Big Miracle Movie...trip down memory lane...

In the same week, 2 movies have been released that took place in 1988-89, my Senior Year of High School. (See ABC Space Camp Post) This story brings back great memories of the Biology classroom where I LIVED!  My mentor, Sherri Steward-Ganz, would tell us about the whales each day in class (I was her aide by that time).  We were busy building an Ecology Center that year, but I have pictures of these whales in my yearbook...she drew them of course.  Teachers have such influence over their students, and I try each day to share my passion with my students that Sherri shared with me.  Sadly, I have lost track of my friend.  Where are you?  I have so much to tell you!  Until then, my readers can read a little about your adventures...

http://www.everybodyloveswhales.com/

http://www.unt.edu/northtexan/archives/f03/taste.htm

Updated: ABC/Hallmark Movie Sunday night about an inspiring teacher and Space Camp!

I still dream of going to Space Camp.  This movie is tomorrow night, Sunday the 29th, on ABC, and I am so glad I found out about it; A Smile as Big as the Moon.  And I noticed last night that the moon is actually a crescent shape right now...interesting!  As part of the show, there is a sweepstakes and the grand prize is a family trip to Space Camp.  So please don't enter...I want to go!  But enjoy the show!

http://www.hhofsweepstakes.com/

{My satellite feed was spotty last night, so I am looking forward to watching it again on the Hallmark Channel starting next week.  I did enjoy the program, and it only made me want to go to Space Camp even more.  It was also fun to see this true story occurred during my Senior Year....like another movie that is coming out this week...I will blog about that in a few days!}

Free Booklets and Posters for Secondary Science Teachers

I have used this site for great free publications for several years.  My favorites are Inside the Cell, The New Genetics, and The Structures of Life.  The pictures are great, and the examples are current.  I order a class set of these once a year, and give them to my students as a resource.  If they turn them back to me at the end of the semester, then I give them a little extra credit.  The booklets last longer that way, but the students can keep them if they want.  Another good point is that the text and images are not copyrighted, so I can search their image gallery for amazing pictures like the one below, and use them in note sets or powerpoints. 
 
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/

New Semester is HERE!

As I start classes today, I am ready for a fresh start.  I am slowly trying to incorporate new technology into my classroom.  I am using iClickers this semester, and I might even change my online interface to chapter modules instead of categories, so that all my links and materials are in one place for each chapter. 

Every teacher has favorite resources and activities, and my list gets longer every semester.  But I am ready to share a great site...bozemanscience.com.  This great teacher, Paul Andersen, teaches science in Montana, and was recognized as Teacher of the Year from that state.  His science podcasts are succinct and easy to follow for the students.  But I am enjoying his video logs that he posts directed at teachers and others.  This particular vlog is a summary of his year as Teacher of the Year;  what he learned and enjoyed and realized about the experience.  I think it is a great message for teachers of all subjects, and he is a great resource for science teachers and students throughout the world.  Enjoy!  If only my blog had 12,000 hits a week!  WOW!!!

http://www.bozemanscience.com/journal/2011/11/8/my-year-as-teacher-of-the-year.html

DuPont Challenge Science Essay Contest

Submissions for this Essay Contest are due Jan 31.  This is for students in 7-12 grades.  I found this by reading through the NSTA Calendar from a Sept blog post.  I am still amazed at the countless grants, contests, and opportunities available to STEM teachers.  I strongly encourage all of us to take advantage of the money available to help our students, build up our classrooms, and get involved in national activities.  You miss 100% of the shots you don't take!

http://thechallenge.dupont.com/

Boise State University Science Competition Day - Feb 4th

This looks awesome!  I am going to find out more about this event, and try to get some Mini-Cassia teachers and students on board!  HS Teachers, please check this out for you and your students!!  See you in Boise on February 4th!!  The deadline to register as a team or as individuals is Jan 27. 

http://coas.boisestate.edu/scicomday/description/

Tweets for Science Teachers

This fun list may just get me to tweet after all...I got this link from my NASA online class that I am taking.  Enjoy!

http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/11/20-top-tweeters-for-science-teachers/

It's an excellent collection of science teachers who tweet.  I only followed @drwetzel and now I have a bevy.