Thanks to everyone who made it out to Rock Springs for KATS Kamp 2018! It was an amazing time with lots of stuff never before seen at KATS Kamp.

If you attended, please complete the reflection survey at http://bit.ly/KATS-survey in a timely fashion. Submissions will close this month.

Also, A DEADLINE IS APPROACHING!

Seed to STEM summer workshop applications deadline is tomorrow, April 24^th.  If you are a middle school or high school science teacher or know of a teacher who may be interested please encourage them to submit an application today for one of our summer workshops.  There are labs for all science teachers such as Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, etc. With a middle school and high school track, every teacher will practice 14 labs that they can use in the classroom PLUS walk away with $500 worth of lab equipment and continued support.  AND all is FREE!  Only expense to the teacher is the transportation to get to the workshop. Graduate credit is also available at the cost of the teacher. To learn more and apply visit https://kscorn.com/6-12-training/

Highlights:                       See complete Newsletter here.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Proclamation by the Governor 

• In case you were wondering... a list of Nobel Prize winners in science with Kansas connections

• KU Martian spacecraft design wins AIAA award

• AAKF fosters STEM at Engineeering Expo

• NIAC award targets solar interior

• Send your name to the Sun

• WSU is tops in aerospace engineering

• Astronaut Scott Kelly in Hutchinson

• Interstellar R & D

The KATS Kamp Program is here! Try this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_wWrT3-HOLC1fw6q7UkZYumaR8z7GqRT/view?usp=sharing

Register now, if you have not done so already.

KATS has a new idea, but we need your help to test it out!

What if most of the KATS Kamp attendees brought a small gadget, phenomenon, experiment, design, or image to show off? Experienced teachers showing classic ideas to new teachers; new teachers showing never-before-seen ideas to the experienced teachers. And everything in between.

Everyone will have about a one meter by one meter square area on a table to show off one science idea. Example: a Think Tube next to some printed off instructions/investigations.

We will leave our ideas on the table all day Saturday (7am to 7pm) allowing others to touch, read, or examine the diverse ideas. What could you bring?

See you April 20th - 22nd!

 2018 Kansas Excellence in Math and Science Teaching Conference: STEAM Powered

The best math and science teachers in the state will come together to review, refresh and retool current math and science practices and inspire educators to provide a  “STEAM Powered” classroom to their classrooms.

 

I am excited to announce a great opportunity for professional learning for this summer that will help you to really use the implementation of the Kansas Standards for Mathematics as an opportunity to advance instruction in your classroom, building, and district!  The mornings will include guest speakers from KATS, KATM, and others and chances to learn from expert math and science teachers in Kansas--including those that have been a part of innovative Math and Science Partnership grants in Kansas.  

 

This will be a great opportunity to be inspired and learn from others, but it's the afternoons that I think will really be fantastic.  During the afternoons each day, grade-banded groups will be digging deep into content.

 

Below are the fantastic afternoon sessions we will be offering in science:

SCIENCE ELEMENTARY SESSION

Many educators have heard a lot about phenomena, but what exactly are they, and how is using phenomena different from how educators teach science already?

This workshop is designed to introduce K-5 science educators to the process of selecting phenomena to anchor classroom units and assessments in order to support students’ three-dimensional science learning. This session will help participants explore what phenomena are, then engage with a process that has been developed and tested for selecting good phenomena to anchor a unit and help create three-dimensional classroom assessment tasks. Looking at classroom assessments will help us keep the end in mind so we are able to choose relevant phenomena keeping us from simply making the phenomena a hook instead of the anchor. The approaches learned in this workshop can be used with any curricula, at any grade level, and across all subjects of science.

 

SCIENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Many educators have heard a lot about phenomena, but what exactly are they, and how is using phenomena different from how educators teach science already?

This workshop is designed to introduce 6-8 science educators to the process of selecting phenomena to anchor classroom units and assessments in order to support students’ three-dimensional science learning. This session will help participants explore what phenomena are, then engage with a process that has been developed and tested for selecting good phenomena to anchor a unit and help create three-dimensional classroom assessment tasks. Looking at classroom assessments will help us keep the end in mind so we are able to choose relevant phenomena keeping us from simply making the phenomena a hook instead of the anchor. The approaches learned in this workshop can be used with any curricula, at any grade level, and across all subjects of science.

 

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SESSION

Many educators have heard a lot about phenomena, but what exactly are they, and how is using phenomena different from how educators teach science already?

This workshop is designed to introduce 9-12 science educators to the process of selecting phenomena to anchor classroom units and assessments in order to support students’ three-dimensional science learning. This session will help participants explore what phenomena are, then engage with a process that has been developed and tested for selecting good phenomena to anchor a unit and help create three-dimensional classroom assessment tasks. Looking at classroom assessments will help us keep the end in mind so we are able to choose relevant phenomena keeping us from simply making the phenomena a hook instead of the anchor. The approaches learned in this workshop can be used with any curricula, at any grade level, and across all subjects of science.

 Registration Open

The 2018 Kansas Excellence in Math and Science Teaching Conference scheduled for June 18-19 will be held at Newman University, 3100 McCormick St, Wichita, KS 67213.  

During these two days of intense professional learning, you will:

·         Network with some of the best math and science teachers in Kansas; Acquire ideas and tools from Kansas math and science education researchers;

·         Dig deep into the standards with strategies to move your classroom, building, and district closer to your vision for math and science education;

·         Take your teaching to the next level.

You are encouraged to attend and extend an invitation to your principals and superintendents to join you at the conference.

Application

KSDE Science Phenomena Based Learning Fellow

Learn While Teaching ProjectA

 

Applications Due: April 25, 2018 by 5:00 pm

Successful Applicants will be notified through email by April 30, 2018

 

Overview

The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) is seeking science educators to participate in a program to develop master teachers for science education. Fifteen Kansas science educators will be selected to participate in this pilot program offering professional development to educators as they implement a high quality unit of instruction embodying the Kansas Curricular Standards for Science.

 

The program will provide both in-person and virtual learning experiences to participants aimed at increasing their ability to understand and implement instruction aligned to standards in a science project based learning instructional format to support KSDE state redesign efforts. For the first year of the program, KSDE is seeking educators who will be teaching 5th, MS-Physical Science, and HS Biology in the 2018-2019 school year.

 

Please consider this great learning opportunity for you and your students. This would also be a great way to help move your district forward in PBL instruction for science embodying our Kansas Curricular Standards for Science and state redesign efforts!

 Application available here.

 

Lizette Burks, Ed.D. Science Education Program Consultant Career Standards & Assessment Services (785) 296-8108 lburks@ksde.org www.ksde.org/science Kansas State Department of Education

 

Health and the Environment – Brought to you in an interactive and informative way!

The Environmental Health Student Portal is one of many databases offered by the National Library of Medicine. This database is special because it offers, both educators and students, a connection to environmental health information through simple text and interactive activities.

The topic areas covered include, air pollution, chemicals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gases and water pollution. Each topic area contains a brief overview, providing basic information, as well as a bonus “Did you know?” fun fact, pertaining to the subject. You can browse the website easily, allowing you to find articles, videos, experiments and projects to share with your students on each topic area mentioned above.

In fact, to easily locate lesson plans and educational activities for your students, you can click on the “For Teachers” tab to the far right of the page on the tool bar. This will redirect you to a page specifically designed for teachers with a variety of resources organized by topic area. Come explore the Environmental Health Student Portal to re-vamp your lesson plans and engage your students today!

To access the "For Teachers" tab directly, click here. 

To access the "Home" page, click here. 

Other Resources:

Tox Town-Environmental Health Concerns and Toxic Chemicals Where You Live, Work, and Play

K-12 Science and Health Education

 

 

Summer Professional Development Opportunities

 

Here are two opportunities Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom will be offering this summer to teachers!

 

KFAC Summer Conference June 5-7, 2018 Wichita, KS   Join us for our third annual summer conference for educators, FFA advisors, education students, volunteers and agriculture enthusiasts.   Click here to learn more and register for the event! KFAC Summer Institute June 19-21, 2018 Olathe, KS   This year's theme is "Plants and Animals have a Place in the Classroom." Join us for this great event where you can also earn continuing education hours.   Click here to learn more and register for the event!

 

See more upcoming events at

www.ksagclassroom.org

This Website is Not Just for Professional Scientists

Looking for a database that will challenge your honors and AP students?  Take a look at our TOXNET database.  We've introduced this website to teachers at the National Science Teachers Association and the National Association of Biology Teachers.  To our surprise, teachers were eager to get back to the class and use it with their students.

So let's start with this one tidbit of information... Not all the information in TOXNET is applicable to the classroom.  Here I will highlight two of the databases that seem most relevant.

ChemIDPlus Advanced - This is one of my favorite websites to share with teachers.  With this site, teachers and students can look at 3D models of various chemical structures.  Teachers can display SIS and TRANS models without the cumbersome ball and stick models you use in the classroom.  With this database you can conduct similarity searches and view toxicity test results. To add an additional level of complexity to your lesson, have students explore the links to scientific journal articles.

Hazardous Substance Data Bank -  Very complex but filled with useful information for those students who demonstrate an ability to work at a collegiate level.  With this website students learn about the toxicology of potentially hazardous chemicals. They will research information on human exposure, environmental fate, chemical and physical properties, and more.  Each section contains a summary section and abstracts to peer reviewed journal articles on the topic area covered.

Webmaster note:  I'm not sure who, exactly, sent this to  us, but it appears to be a government sponsored website for professional scientists offering quality chemical information available at no charge to classroom teachers and students also.  --Randy Brull

Exploration Place Informal Science Outreach & Summer Camp Educators

 This position will work with all ages through museum-based camps and outreach programs. They will perform many duties such as presenting programs for a variety of audience sizes, delivering hands-on activities, facilitating inquiry-based learning, and serving as a program and education resource for visitors and staff. Full time position includes weekends and holidays as required. A valid driver’s license and a good driving record are required.  Demonstrated experience teaching science to groups of children in a dynamic, fun, engaging, high paced environment is highly preferred. Multiple positions available. Bachelor’s degree in education or science is required; advanced degree preferred.  Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Apply online or e-mail resume to Kathleen.frimel@exploration.org. No phone calls please. EOEhttp://exploration.org/employment/employment-application/