How to celebrate Earth Science Week

I have some great events scheduled this week throughout the Magic Valley, so tonight I will post a few ideas to celebrate Earth Science.  On Tuesday, teachers and students can participate in "No Child Left Inside" Day.  Go outdoors and look at rocks, erosion, water, and anything else that can give us clues about the Earth.  On Wednesday, it is National Fossil Day, sponsored by the National Park Service.  For more ideas about activities, go to nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday
On Friday, we can focus on Chemistry and the Earth....a great idea since it is the International Year of Chemistry.  (chemistry2011.org)

Have a great week in all that you do.  I will share my adventures each day...I promise to bring back lots of pictures of STEM in Action!

Shoshone Falls, TF, Idaho

Earth Science Week

More news from ISTA...October 9-14 is Earth Science Week sponsored by the American Geological Institute.  All attendees were given a big packet of info about Earth Science, and I will highlight a few of the special days next week. 

But today I will just mention the contests associated with the topic of "Our Ever-Changing Earth."  For students in grades K-5, there is a drawing contest.  For students 6-9, there is an essay contest, and for everyone there is a photo contest.  Check out their website for details and look for a few more ideas next week.
http://www.earthsciweek.org/

In Idaho, we have a lot of geology to appreciate and enjoy.  I attended a workshop yesterday about Bats in Idaho, and I was reminded how critical our bats are for pest control and pollination.  So if you find a great cave...respect the BATS!

SNOW DAY in Idaho Falls at the ISTA Conference

What a fun day I had in IF with great teachers, presenters, and friends.  The workshops were very interesting, and I really like meeting new people that share my passion for STEM education.  I was not prepared for the snowstorm, but it was sure lovely to look at.  Not fun to drive in.

Big ideas for me were the iSTEM Conference that is coming again this summer...the Conference will fill up quickly so I will keep you posted.  Also  the ISAS program that I posted about yesterday...what a great opportunity for HS Juniors.  Thank you teachers who are taking advantage of this conference.  See you again tomorrow!

Teachers doing an engineering challenge in the iSTEM workshop

Teachers working on their Black Box design during my presentation.

So much SNOW!

Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program

YAY!  I have a Junior!  We just printed off the application!

Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars (ISAS) is a competitive program that allows high school juniors to take an engaging online NASA-developed course on Space Exploration through Idaho Digital Learning that teaches a broad range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills aligned with Idaho Content Standards. Based on their course performance, students will be invited to participate in a week- long summer academy at Boise State University and NASA Ames Research Center in California.

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/media_center/current_releases_docs/ISAS%203rd%20Year%20Applications%20Now%20Available%20September%2022%202011.pdf

Deadline to apply is December 5, 2011. 

All things ID Dept of Ed are shared on their blog...educationidaho.blogspot.com

World Space Week

I did not know this...what a great excuse to watch October Sky again!

The Space Age began on Oct. 4, 1957, with the launch of Sputnik 1. To commemorate this event, World Space Week will be celebrated on Oct. 4-10, 2011. During World Space Week, teachers are encouraged to use space-themed activities in the classroom. Educational materials can be found on the World Space Week website, and teachers can enter classroom events into the global calendar.

Education

www.worldspaceweek.org

UN-declared World Space Week, October 4-10 annually, is the largest space event in the world and the ideal time for teachers to use space in the classroom to excite students about learning. Please click below for more information. An Invitation to Participate is a...

 

http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/

International Night of the Moon

It must be October, because the nights are colder and popular topics include the moon, harvest, mythical creatures, and mazes.  CSI is a great place to enjoy the season, and Saturday night is no exception.  Before you attend the presentation at the Herrett Center, take the family to the Corn Maze...best deal out there at $1!  Ages 6 an under are free.  The maze opens at 5 PM each night.

Shane Ridley Stevens, who sometimes goes by his Indian name, ‘Good Bear,’ will be featured at the International Observe the Moon night starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Herrett Center for Arts and Science on the College of Southern Idaho campus.

Stevens has entertained and educated audiences of all ages for more than 20 years, often addressing the misconceptions and stereotypes of America’s indigenous people. He uses storytelling, music, and dance in his presentations. His performance for the event is titled ‘Indigenous Stories of How the Moon Came To Be.’ It will start at 7:30 p.m. in the Herrett Center’s Rick Allen Room, after which the monthly star party will begin in and around the Centennial Observatory.

The entire event is free and open to the public.

Youth Pheasant Hunt

Today my son participated in the Mini-Cassia Youth Pheasant Hunt that was sponsored by ID Fish and Game.  What an awesome day!  Thanks to F & G, Bill Millenkamp Hunting Preserve, and all the volunteers who took the time to teach these lucky kids all about pheasant biology, skeet shooting, and hunting etiquette.  The landowner really cares about having healthy habitat for his birds, and it was good to see the interaction between landowners and state agencies.  This event was free for the kids to go, and we will definitely look forward to this again next year.  

The landowner had a full nursery for pheaseants, bobwhite quail, and chuckers.  So cool!  In any given year, he might release 6000 birds, and harvest about 800.  So he has a great community for his birds.

An important point that the Fish and Game officer made to the group was that in terms of habitat restoration and education efforts, the hunting groups have really made an impact.  Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation...they play an important part in management plans.  It was an interesting day for me.