msta 1-04 newsletter
TRANSCRIPT
Maine Science
Newsletter of the Maine Science Teachers AssociationVisit us at www.mainescienceteachers.org
January 2004
Dear MSTA Members,
It’s hard to believe it was over a decade ago that I served as MSTA President, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) District II Director, and Executive Board member of NSTA. First as a middle school, and former high school science teacher, and today as my present position as a Science Specialist for the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, supporting teachers and school systems in
President’s Letter While the past decade has brought many changes to science education, one constant remains- involvement in professional science teaching associations, such as MSTA and NSTA, is a sure pathway to defining and refining professionalism in science education. I trace back much of my own personal and professional growth in science education to my early involvement with MSTA and NSTA. Recognizing the importance of professional association involvement, I have pledged to
achieving high levels of science teaching and learning. I am indeed honored to represent and serve Maine’s science educators once again at the state and NSTA level. Having worked as both a classroom science teacher and one who works to support science teachers at all levels, I hope to use my experiences in the broader field of science education to continue to enable MSTA to be the leading science teacher association in Maine, representing all grade levels and science disciplines.
As we begin a new year, I’d like to thank Past-President, Nancy Chesley, for her tireless commitment to Maine’s science teaching community. Through Nancy’s leadership, MSTA has continued to be the vanguard of K-12 science education in Maine, adding new emphases such as science and language literacy. In addition, theselfless contributions of the MSTA Board members have enabled MSTA to continue to provide an outstanding annual conference, connecting Maine science teachers to people, programs, practices,
and policies that affect educators at all levels of teaching. These are tireless volunteers who maintain MSTA’s programs and get the work done for the benefit of all of us. My deep respect and thanks go out to all of you.
focus my term as President on encouraging and expanding opportunities for MSTA members to become involved in various leadership roles through MSTA.
Professional association involvement allows educators to take on voluntary leadership roles to help provide increased access to science education opportunities for colleagues, provide a statewide “science educator voice”, influence the direction of policy, and support a connected network of science educators throughout the state. Becoming an active member of the MSTA Executive Board, and standing and ad hoc committees not only provides
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Inside this issue:
MSTA Conference Update ……....pp 2 - 3NSTA and Other National News.. .pp 4-5Professional Development……… pp 5-16Opportunities & Resources……...pp 9,13-16MSTA Awards Program…………. .pp 17-18MSTA Membership Form…………pp 19
an altruistic opportunity to serve others, but also increases teachers’ own understanding of the multiple facets of the science teaching profession, which also results in tangible benefits for their own schools and classrooms. Please consider volunteering to serve on an MSTA committee or serving a term as a Board member. How does one find out about these opportunities? Be sure to check the MSTA website at www.mainescienceteachers.org or subscribe to the Maine Science Listserv at http://list.terc.edu/mailman/listinfo/maine_science.
The latter is the best way to stay up to date on science education news and opportunities in Maine. I will be using the listserv to keep members connected between newsletters, so please be sure you are subscribed.
In January the MSTA Executive Board will be holding a retreat to identify what MSTA can to do to maintain and support its unique niche in Maine science education. What can MSTA do for science teachers to support existing initiatives or provides new opportunities for members? If you have ideas to propose, or would like to be involved in a committee, regional representation, or become a Board member, please contact me at [email protected]. As always, I am honored to represent you and will actively work to help you blaze your own trail, road, or superhighway to becoming a better teacher and leader in science education.
Best wishes for your continued success,
PagePage KeeleyMSTA President
FROM THE EDITORS: We would like to invite you to send suggestions for websites, professional books and/or student books for publication in our future newsletters. Please list the title and author or web address and write your review in 25 words or less. We will publish as many as possible, so please check future issues if you do not see your submission. Nancy Chesley [email protected] Laurette Darling [email protected]
Maine Science Teachers AssociationFall Conference Highlights
October 10, 2003 - Gardiner Area HS
The MSTA Fall Conference 2003 was a huge success, attended by several hundred educators, presenters, and exhibitors. Two featured speakers were scheduled to address two distinct audiences. Marlene Thier, author of The New Science Literacy, spoke to K-8 teachers on the connection between literacy skills and science. She also presented at two separate sessions, and held a book signing during lunch before heading back to California.Annette deCharon, Bigelow Laboratory’s Director of Outreach, spoke to high school teachers about how relationships among educators and research scientists can help us better understand the Gulf of Maine‘s unique environment.
During opening remarks, the Philip Marcoux Award was presented to Lisa Kane, Department of Environmental Protection. The Louis Lambert Award was presented to Phil Downes, science teacher at the Messalonskeee Middle School. A minigrant was awarded to Mary Dunn, and 8th grade teacher from the Hall-Dale Middle School for her project, “Energy, Electricity, and the Environment.”
Attendees selected from over 70 presentations in strands that included Science and Literacy, Oceanography, Assessment, Physical Science, Inquiry, Professional Development, Standards-Based Curriculum, NASA, Environmental Education, Technology, Integrated Curriculum, and Labs of the Future. Both buffet lunches and bag lunches were offered so attendees could choose to attend sessions and visit exhibitors during the two lunch session. A new feature was added to this year’s conference: a Poster Session, designed to offer educators an additional option for sharing successful projects with their colleagues.
MSTA wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the students and staff at Gardiner Area High School for their hospitality.
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MSTA Grants and AwardsPresented at the MSTA Fall 2003
Conference
MSTA Grant ProgramRecipient: Mary Dunn, Hall-Dale Middle
School
Each year the Maine Science Teachers Association, through the MSTA Grants and Awards Program, has the opportunity to fund classroom projects. MSTA supports projects that show innovative approaches to engaging students in inquiry-based experiences that are aligned with national standards and the State of Maine Learning Results. This year Mary Dunn, an eighth grade teacher at Hall-Dale Middle School in Farmingdale, has been awarded $500.00 in funding for her innovative project entitled “Energy, Electricity, and the Environment.” Mary’s project proposes a year-long study that integrates laptop technology to raise the awareness of students, their families, and colleagues at Hall-Dale about issues surrounding global warming and energy consumption.
Mary’s project reflects her commitment to excellence in teaching and dedication to Maine’s students. The Maine Science Teachers Association appreciates the opportunity she has provided for it to help enhance the educational experiences of her students.
The grant award was presented to Mary at the Maine Science Teachers Fall Conference, Science and Literacy: Tools for Life” on October 10th, 2003 at Gardiner Area High School.
MSTA Awards Program
Each year MSTA honors two outstanding educators with the presentations of the Philip Marcoux Award and the Louis Lambert Award. These awards were created in memory of two gifted educators who inspired Maine students to achieving their best in science.
The Philip Marcoux Award was presented to Lisa Kane of the Department of Environmental Protection. Lisa started as a natural resource educator in 1988 and has been instrumental in the development of the Maine Wildlife Park, which attracts over 85,000 visitors each year. She runs Project Wild workshops that explain how to teach Maine kids about their natural resources. 3,000
teachers have attended these workshops.
She runs school programs at the Maine Wildlife Park, the Arboretum, and at Swan Island. These programs have 3,000 school kids attend each year. Lisa led the development of the Mammals of Maine poster and other educational materials and is currently working with New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept. on a web magazine for children.
The Louis Lambert Award was presented to Phil Downes, who teaches sixth grade science at Messalonskee Middle School. Phil has been a classroom teacher for 30 years and has taught in MSAD 47 since 1978. He taught at the James Bean School, Grades. 5 and 6, from 1978-2002 and was also been the Elementary Science Resource Teacher there since 1992. Before that, he taught 5th grade at the Jefferson Village School from 1973-1978.
Phil has been a Maine Presidential Award Winner in 1994 and 1995. In 1994, Phil was awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award, and in 1995, Phil received the American Radio Relay League Professional Educator Award.
In addition to his classroom teaching, Phil was the advisor for the Bean School Amateur Radio Club, 1990-2003. He attended the two-week NASA Educational Workshop for Elementary Science Teachers at Kennedy Space Center where he watched the launch and landing of the Shuttle Endeavor in 1993. His students made radio contact with space shuttle mission STS-60, the Discovery, in 1994 and played host to Astronaut Ron Sega, a crew member aboard the Discovery STS-60 mission. In 1996, Phil’s students presented the Gaia Crossroads Project, using satellite imagery in the classroom, to NASA Administrator Dan Goldin and Congressman John Baldacci. Phil attended a week long NASA Earth Systems Science Workshop at Goddard Space Center in 1998.
Phil is a graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and received an M.ED from UMO.
MSTA is extremely proud to have the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of two such outstanding individuals. Nomination forms and criteria for the 2004 awards are included at the end of this newsletter. Please consider nominating one of your colleagues for the 2004 Philip Marcoux Award or the 2004 Louis Lambert Award.
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Please note the date of MSTA’s Fall 2004 Conference: Friday, October 8th
at Gardiner Area High School in Gardiner, ME.
We hope you will join us.
Includes Professional Development, Grants, Awards, and Student Involvement Information
National Science Teachers Association Fall Conference
Dallas, TexasMarch 31 - April 3, 2004
Call for Presenters
Share your good ideas with teaching colleagues - be a presenter at the upcoming NSTA Convention. Online submission of session proposals for NSTA’s 2005 national convention will opened October 2003.
Visit the NSTA website (www.nsta.org/conventions) and select “Presenting at Conventions” to find out how you can be part of the dialogue.
NSTA Submission Deadline: April 15, 2004
NSTA GRANTS, AWARDS, AND PROGRAMS
NSTA and its sponsors recognize and reward exemplary teachers with cash, trips, workshops, computers, science program materials and more. Opportunities to receive professional and personal recognition are at your fingertips. Applications and information about the award workshop, nd grant programs are available on NSTA’ s website (www.nsta.org./programs). You may also call the fax on demand system at 1-800-400-6782.
Samples of these programs are highlighted below:
Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors AwardsThe Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program challenges students to use creativity and imagination along with science, technology, and mechanical ability to invent or modify a tool. This competition began in 1996. Students must work independently to conceive and design their tool inventions. The student, with guidance from a teacher-advisor, parent, or significant adult, will design and build a tool. The tool must perform a practical function, including (but not limited to) tools that mend, make life easier or safer in some way, entertain, or solve an everyday problem.
Delta Education Awards for Excellence in Inquiry-based Science TeachingNEW! The Delta Education Awards for Excellence in Inquiry-based Science Teaching will recognize and honor three (3) full-time PreK-12 teachers of science who successfully use inquiry-based science to enhance teaching and learning in their classroom.
Estes Rocketry / Space Foundation Educator AwardThis award is given to an elementary, middle level or high school classroom science teacher (grades 4-12) who has demonstrated excellence in a space science program. Entries must show innovative, exemplary, and effective teaching strategies and approaches combined with a curriculum that employs the use of model rockets. Entries must show evidence of enhanced student achievement in mathematics, science, and/or technology and must demonstrate that the program can be replicated and used as a model in other schools.
ExploraVision AwardsExploraVision is a competition for students of all interest, skill, and ability levels in grades K-12. Entrants must be United States or Canadian citizens or legal residents, living within the United States, U.S. Territories, or Canada. The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to combine their imaginations with the tools of science to create and explore a vision of a future technology.
Gustav Ohaus Award for Innovations in Science TeachingThis award encourages and honors a science teacher who has developed an innovative program in one of the following areas: new curriculum design, instructional methods or techniques, unique organization, administrative patterns, new approach to laboratory activities, or other enhanced learning activity for students.
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Toyota Tapestry Grants for Science Teachers
A partnership of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., INC., and the National Science Teachers Association, the Toyota TAPESTRY Program offers grants to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in the school and/or school district. The deadline for receipt of proposals is January 16, 2004.
View the new and improved website:www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry
2004 TOSHIBA / NSTA ExploraVision Awards
ExploraVision is a competition for students of all interest, skill, and ability levels in Grades K-12. The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to combine their imaginations with the tools of science to create and explore a vision of a future technology. Entries must be received by February 3, 2004.
For more information, call 1-800-EXPLOR-9 or visit the ExploraVision Web Site at
www.exploravision.org or send email to
Biography of David White, our NSTA Representative
David White is currently the Science Assessment Coordinator for the Vermont Department of Education. He is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of the statewide science assessment program, Vermont-PASS. David Co-Directs the development of Vermont’s Grade Level Expectations in Science and the development and implementation of local comprehensive science assessment systems. He is the National Science Teachers Association District II Director for Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
David is a former Senior Research Associate with WestEd. He has also served as a science and mathematics resource teacher and science curriculum coordinator. Prior to that, he spent 15 years as a classroom science teacher. David has been involved in a number of projects related to standards based curriculum, instruction, and assessment including the development of the National Science Education Standards (Working Group on National Assessment Standards) and the AAAS Project 2061 Science Assessment Analysis Program.
Professional Development
We received the following from Joan Sanders, who has been a wonderful source for information about NASA programs for teachers. Joan writes: “Probably the most visible opportunity is the International Space Station Educators' Conference the first week in February (February 5-7). The following website provides details: http://spacecenter.org/iss2.html
Joan also contributed the following… Want a new challenge for your students? The Digital Learning Network is an international distance learning initiative that integrates the use of a video teleconference, web site, and educator's guide. The project uses Problem-Based Learning to introduce students in grades K-12 to NASA research and missions. The video teleconferences (or web streaming) and web site provides students with the opportunity to learn subject matter and develop problem-solving skills while engaged in real-world problems. Register online at http://learningoutpost.jsc.nasa.gov or call us at (281) 244-7325.
The Nation’s First Online Graduate Science Program for Middle and High School Educators
University of Maryland
The need for qualified science educators in America has never been more critical. The online Master of Life Sciences degree provides current and aspiring science educators with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the classroom and advance professionally.
To learn more about this program, visit www.e-learning.umd.edu
By e-mail: [email protected]
By phone: 1-877-989-SPOC or 301-314-3572
By fax: 301-314-1282
By person or by mail:Mitchell Building, First FloorUniversity of MarylandCollege Park, MD 20742
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National Teachers Enhancement NetworkNTEN
Created by Montana State University - Bozeman and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NTEN is a program that delivers quality teaching resources and professional development opportunities through the Internet directly to elementary and secondary teachers every fall, spring, and summer semesters. The online courses are designed to help teachers improve and enhance their understanding of of science content in a variety of disciplines.
For a list of course offerings & registration:http://www.scienceteacher.org/courses.htm
Find more information at http://www.scienceteacher.org
Jason Academy
Innovative professional learning solutions for math and science educators are available online from the Jason Academy. Successfully develop science and math content knowledge and improve teaching strategies through 5-week courses in physical, life, and earth sciences, math, and pedagogy.
For more information, visitwww.jason.org
NASA Explorer Schools
Become a NASA Explorer School and partner with NASA to bring exciting and unique opportunities to educators, administrators, students and families. The 2004 program will focus on NASA content at Grades 4-9.
For detailed information and the program application (due January, 30, 2004), visit:
http://explorerschools.nasa.gov
ARMADA Project- Summer Research Experiences for Teachers
An exciting new experience for teachers
The University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs is now accepting applications for Year 2 of the ARMADA Project-Research and Mentoring Experiences for Teachers. The ARMADA Project provides K-12 teachers an opportunity to actively participate in ocean science research and peer mentoring.
Twelve Master Teachers (with five or more years of teaching experience) will spend one to three weeks during the summer participating in ocean science research around the globe. Past research experiences include studying the impact of human activity on dusky dolphins in New Zealand, assisting with testing new technologies used in deep water excavation of ancient shipwrecks in the Black Sea, water circulation studies in the Norwegian Sea, and a variety of ecosystem monitoring projects in the Bay of Fundy, Narragansett Bay, Gulf of Maine and the Block Island Sound.
Master Teachers will then develop ways to bring the fruits of their research experiences, including scientific data, methodologies, and technology into their classrooms. They share their experience by mentoring new teachers in their school district and by presenting their results at National Science Teachers Association National Conventions.
For more information about teacher qualifications, responsibilities, and to download an application see the ARMADA Project web site: www.armadaproject.org or contact the ARMADA Project at 401-874-6211 or [email protected]
The Governor’s Academy -- Cohort 2: Science and Mathematics Education Leadership
On an extremely chilly day in December, the Cohort 2 of the Governor’s Academy met together for the first time at the Samoset in Rockland. After a successful two years with the first cohort of trained teacher leaders in science, MMSA’s Page Keeley and Cheryl Rose, began a new journey with the Science and Math Cohort. The twenty-one educators hail from Berwick to Houlton and are elementary, middle, and high school teachers, as well as resource teachers.
Three intensive days were filled with goals for the academy and an introduction to the national standards in math and science, as well as the Project 2061 tools. The highlight was working with Soren Wheeler, the author of the Atlas of Science Literacy.
This group has made a two-year commitment to leadership training. Upon “graduation” from the Governor’s Academy, these dedicated educators will work in their school districts as Math or Science Teacher Leaders.
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Healthy Water, Healthy People and Project WET
Portland Water District and Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering with Maryann McGarry, state coordinator, to bring you two workshops: Healthy Water, Healthy People and Project WET.
Healthy Water, Healthy People - an innovative water quality education program sponsored by Project WET <http://www.projectwet.org> and the Hach Scientific Foundation, offers hands on activity guides, testing kits, training, and much more. Healthy Water, Healthy People is for anyone interested in learning and teaching about contemporary water quality education topics.
Project WET trainings are engaging, hands-on learning experiences, where educators of all disciplines receive the latest Project WET materials, learn to teach water education activities and walk away inspired.
Healthy Water Healthy People is scheduled for Friday, Jan 30, 2004 from 9-3 at PWD's Nixon Training Facility in Portland.
Project WET is scheduled for Friday March 19, 2004- from 9-3, also at the PWD facility in Portland.
The fee for either workshop is $20.00. Participants will receive the teacher's Guide.
To register, or for more information contact:Lynne Richard at 207-774-5961 ext.3324 ([email protected]) or Mary Gilbertson at 207-856-2777 ([email protected]).
Seminars on Sciencewith the American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of natural History bridges the worlds of science and education through Seminars on Science, online professional development courses. Each six-week course brings K-12 educators a range of scientific backgrounds into the Museum collections, labs, and exhibitions.
Find out more at:www.amnh.org/seminarsonscience
LAD Local Assessment Development
FIELD TESTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS GRADES 5-12
Enhance your assessment knowledge, become familiar with resources and tools that can contribute to your districts’ local assessment system, and play a part in a statewide project.
Field Testing Phase of LADThe collection of LAD assessments will be field tested during the school year. Assessments in English/Language Arts, Health & Physical Education, Social Studies, Mathematics and Science & Technology will be included in the field test.In order to fulfill the requirements of the field testing guidelines we are currently seeking teachers to field test the following science tasks:Grade Level
Content Area
Task Region Scoring Date
K-2 ScienceHaving What They Need
#2July 13th
3-4 ScienceEnergy Everywhere
#2March 17th
Critter Classification
#2July 14th
Comparing Soils
#1July 14tht
5-8 Science Plant Life #1 July 15th
Public Lands #2 July 15th
Life in the Ecosystem
#2 July 15th
9-12 Science Temperatures Rising
#2 March 19th
Region identification:Region #1: Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot Region #2: Washington, Hancock, Waldo, Knox
Please check out the LAD tasks at www.mainelad.org. If one of the tasks listed above would fit into your curriculum between now and the corresponding scoring date AND your school is located in the identified region, please contact Debra McIntyre at [email protected] for 5-12th grade field testing or Beth ByersSmall at [email protected] for K-4th grade field testing.
Hey 4-8 Grade Teachers - Let's celebrate the return of Spring to Maine!
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Help us welcome in Spring of 2004 with the fifth year of the Jeepers Peepers Spring Watch! You and your class can have fun reporting and tracking the progress of spring in Maine with other classes around the state.
Those of us living here in Maine have a sense of the 'rite' of winter’s passage into spring. Yet we sometimes take for granted the "routine" of spring. Flocks of robins return hopping all over our lawns in search of a meal. The spring peeper chirps on warm, wet spring nights. And as we look around this landscape, we see the leaves of sugar maples first emerging and yellow dandelions sprinkled across fields, telling us other plants and flowers will soon follow in their glory. But did you know that some of these spring changes may be occurring earlier each year as global warming changes the Earth's climate?
Your class can sign up to help track the arrival of robins, and the emergence of spring peepers, dandelions, and sugar maple buds in this year's Spring Watch. Students are also encouraged to participate in the Earth Day Essay Contest, which will focus on the ongoing concern of global climate change.
How can your class participate in welcoming Spring with Maine DEP?
To sign up or get more information about the Spring Watch project or the
Earth Day Essay Contest, jump on to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/doceducation/jeep
ers/index.htm.
You may also contact Jeepers Peepers 2004 Coordinators: Jeremy Dubois at
(207) 287-4855 or [email protected] and Carol Haskins at
(207)287-7663 or [email protected] laptoppers are coming! Are you ready?
Thomas College Institute is offering a graduate level summer course from June 21 to June 25 on how to use Microsoft Excel in mathematics and science. Students will learn how the application can be used at the high school level to both introduce mathematical concepts and to complement traditional pedagogical elements. The models have a wide scope ranging from the mathematics of linear functions to problems in multidimensional optimization such as those encountered in curve fitting and elementary calculus. Use of the application allows students of all ability levels to learn the fundamentals of structured problem solving while developing skills that not only enhance their ability to think logically, but also provide them with knowledge valued in the workplace. It should also be noted that use of spreadsheets is increasing at the college level as demonstrated at this year’s International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics held in Rosemont, Illinois.
The course will demonstrate how the package is used by practitioners in modeling real systems, but will focus on providing opportunities for participants to acquire those skills necessary for successful use of spreadsheets in mathematics and science classrooms. A full set of reference materials will be provided.
Details on course content and registration information can be found at http://www.thomas.edu/TCI.
"Mainelearns.org Connects MLTI Educators and Resources
The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) has developed a dynamic and fully searchable one-stop site for information and resources related to the MLTI at http://www.mainelearns.org This is the place to go to check schedules of upcoming Content Area Meetings, or to find resources and opportunities that may be of special interest to MLTI educators. Please visit the site, and if you have questions or there are resources you would like to see added, please don't hesitate to use the form-based contact tools that are available. Also, if the MLTI has allowed you to engage yourself and your students in new ways of teaching and learning science, please share your story using the simple contribution form. The world iswatching Maine. We know there is so much to tell, and we would love to hear your stories."
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TEACHERS, HOMESCHOOLERS, SCOUT LEADERS!
The Pine Tree State Arboretum is pleased to offer the following educational programs weekdays during the winter months:
NEW!! WINTER SCIENCE SERIES for Homeschool Students in grades 4 to 815 students max., 4 Tuesdays, 10:00 am to Noon, starting January 13. Topics include: Winter Survival, Animal Tracks & Signs, Plants in Winter, and All About Snow. Each 2 hour class includes both an indoor and an outdoor component. Students will learn about each topic through hands-on activities, discussion, and observation. A field notebook (provided) will be used for notes, sketches, and data collection. Weather permitting; the arboretum’s snowshoes will be used for the outdoor trips. Cost for the series is $25/student (add’l children, same family, $20). Students must pre-register by January 6, 2004.
The following 2 outdoor programs can be scheduled Mon, Wed or Fri mornings, weather permitting. Cost is $2.50/person - $35 group minimum. Programs last for approximately 1.5 hours.
NATURE IN WINTER at the ARBORETUM - The natural world is not entirely frozen and dormant in winter. Come explore nature in winter at the Arboretum. In this program, we will look for tracks and signs of wildlife, learn to identify trees without their leaves, and find out how plants and animals survive the harsh winter in Maine. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Limit: 18 students.
SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE - Explore the Arboretum on snowshoes! In this program, we will learn all about snowshoes and how to use them. When we're ready, we'll take a snowshoe hike to discover nature in winter. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Limit: 18 students (we have 18 pairs of snowshoes available; if you own some, please bring them along).
Call 621-0031 (EMAIL: [email protected]) for more information or to schedule a program.
Programs begin at the Viles Visitors Center, 153 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine. The Pine Tree State Arboretum is an independent, non-profit, membership organization. We look forward to seeing you at the arboretum this winter!
SOUTHERN MAINE CHILDREN’S WATER FESTIVAL
Attention 5th and 6th grade teachers in Southern Maine: It's time for applications!! The Southern Maine Children's Water Festival will be held on Friday May 21, 2004 at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham.
At this one-day event up to 900 students and their teachers have the opportunity to participate in hands-on water-related activities. The day is filled with great learning opportunities including lessons taught by scientists from organizations such as Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, Maine Audubon, and the Chewonki Foundation to name just a few of the presenters, an exhibit hall, entertainment, and a water-focused quiz show entitled Dripial Pursuit.
There is no charge to attend the Festival; in fact we fundraise so that we can offer each attending school up to $100 to help defray the costs of bussing students to Gorham.
Learn more about the festival and download an application by following this link (the application will be posted by 1/5/04): http://www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/docteacher/cwf/index.htm
Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday January 20th. We will review the applications the last week of January and notify accepted schools by January 30th.
Cassini Literacy Program
The Cassini Education Outreach, its partners, and participating elementary teachers will be releasing the Cassini Literacy Program in January, 2004 at this site:http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/edu-k4.cfmfor anyone to download. Please visit this site for information about an exciting NASA initiative designed to enhance the literacy skills of elementary children.
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Hurricane Team Work
by Dr. Tony Phillips
On a gray breezy day last month thousands of people got in their cars and reluctantly left home. U.S. east coast highways were thick with traffic. Schools were closed. Businesses shut down.
Perfect!
When powerful Hurricane Isabel arrived some 38 hours later nearly everyone in the storm's path had fled to safety.
Days later Vice Admiral Lautenbacher, in a briefing to President Bush, praised the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA): "Without NOAA's excellent track forecasts, hurricane Isabel's toll on lives and property would have been even more devastating. This is NOAA's first year of providing 5-day forecasts-and the 5-day forecast for Isabel was as good as our 2-day forecasts have been over the last decade."
Many people in NOAA played a role. A team of pilots, for instance, flew Gulfstream-IV High Altitude Surveillance jets right up to the approaching hurricane, logging 25,000 miles in the days before landfall. Their jets deployed devices called dropsondes-little weather stations that fall toward the sea, measuring pressure, humidity, temperature and wind velocity as they plummet. The data were radioed back to the aircraft and transmitted to forecasters on shore.
While two Gulfstream-IV crews flew night and day around the storm, a NOAA satellite named GOES-EAST monitored Isabel from above. (GOES is short for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite.)
From an orbit 22,300 miles above the Atlantic Ocean, GOES-EAST had a unique view. "It could see the entire hurricane at once," says Ron Gird of NOAA. "Scientists used infrared
spectrometers onboard the satellite to estimate the height of the storm clouds, their temperature and water content. GOES can also measure the temperature of the ocean surface-the source of power for hurricanes."
Constant streams of data from GOES and the Gulfstream aircraft were fed to supercomputers at NOAA's Environmental Modeling Center in Maryland where sophisticated programs, developed over the years by meteorologists and programmers, calculated the storm's most likely path.
Supercomputers. Satellites. Jet airplanes. Scientists. Programmers. Pilots. It took a big team using a lot of tools to predict where Isabel would go-accurately and with time to spare.
Says Vice Admiral Lautenbacher: "I hope everyone at NOAA shares the pride of being part of a team effort that so effectively warned the public of impending danger and enabled citizens to take action to protect themselves and their loved ones."
Well done, indeed.
To learn more about the GOES, see www.oso.noaa.gov/goes/ . For kids, the SciJinks Weather Laboratory at scijinks.nasa.gov has lots of fun activities and fascinating facts about the wild world of weather.This article was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Delta Institute of Natural History
Some of you may be relatively familiar with the Delta Institute of Natural History, and for others the information in this article will be completely new. The following provides an overview of the Institute.
PURPOSEThe purpose of the Delta Institute of Natural History is to provide courses, trips, and presentations covering a variety of natural history topics that are: EUR conducted by instructors who respect their students and are accessible to them, EUR based on the latest research and up-to-date taxonomy, and EUR affordable in both time and money.
SETTINGThe Delta Institute is located in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, (35 miles north of Portland, 20 miles south of Augusta (Maine's capital), and 15 miles east of Lewiston) on 29 acres that include hardwood, softwood, and mixed stands, as well as forested and graminoid wetlands. In addition to naturally occurring plants, there are gardens whose focus will increasingly be on native plants. The Institute is convenient to the ocean (30 min.), L. L. Bean (30 min.), the western mountains of Maine (approx. 2 hrs.), and many other popular places in Maine.
BUILDINGSThe Delta Institute is housed in two buildings. The education building contains a 23' by 35' lecture/lab space equipped with five boom-arm dissecting scopes and a digital projector. At one end of the room, a 4' by 8' white board enables instructors to illustrate their points, and a > corkboard provides space for more illustrative material. At the opposite end is a reference library for use by students and instructors. A bookstore is available to program participants and is open to others by appointment. The Institute maintains an herbarium of vascular plants from New England and maritime Canada, and gardens and natural areas provide living material for study. The second building is a 7-room house that can accommodate 6 people overnight and serves as the center for meals and informal gatherings.
PROGRAMSThe Institute will offer one-day courses, weekend courses, multiple-weekend and multiple-day courses (for example, a course occupying 3 not necessarily consecutive Fridays), field trips, slide programs, and workshops. Also, programs can be specially designed to meet a group¹s needs. Programs for 2004 are being developed and will be posted to http://www.vfthomas.com/deltahome.htm as they are confirmed.
SCIENTIFIC COLLECTIONSAlthough the Institute will eventually house a variety of natural history collections--many boxes of shells, rocks, minerals, and fossils are currently in storage--the initial focus, because of already scheduled courses, is on vascular plants of northeastern North America. Severalprivate collections that have been promised plus the results of many collecting trips this past summer form the core of the growing herbarium. Several persons have expressed an interest in volunteering in the herbarium. A workday (actually a "work several hours") is being planned.
LIBRARYThe current collection contains printed, digital, and video material about plants (bryophytes and tracheophytes), fungi and lichens, and animals (nothing yet on kingdoms Protoctista or Monera), plus geology, astronomy, ecology, and to quote a passage from The King and I, "etc., etc., etc.".Although material from this library will not circulate, individuals who wish to visit the library are encouraged to do so. In just the past two or three months, several persons have donated books, journals, and reprints to the Institute library. Their generosity is greatly appreciated.
GARDENSA variety of gardens contains an assortment of mostly non-native plants, some or many of which will be kept because of their teaching value. There are four projects to be completed by then end of 2004. First is to finish removing plants that are more or less invasive into the
natural areas of the Institute's property and replace them with native species. Second is to add native plants to the perimeter of the open space behind the house. Third is to develop a new native-plant garden along the front of the Institute's education building. Fourth is to continue expanding a small pool in the open area behind the house. This will become a teaching area for wetland and aquatic plants and a habitat for amphibians. Two spotted salamanders were observed nearby a few weeks ago.
VOLUNTEERSIndividuals or small groups of volunteers are welcome to help with the scientific collections, library, and gardens. This winter the focus will be the scientific collections and library. Work in the gardens will have to wait until spring, but some design work can be accomplished this winter.
VISITORSVisitors are always welcome, but please e-mail or call beforehand to be sure that someone will be here to show you around.
I welcome any questions, comments, suggestions, etc., and can be reached by e-mail, telephone, or letter.
Thomas F. ViningDelta Institute of Natural HistoryV. F. Thomas Co.219 Dead River RoadBowdoin, ME 04287207-266-5748 = 207-BOOKS-4-Uhttp://www.vfthomas.com
MARINE EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Newfound Harbor Marine Institute is a marine and environmental education program for students 4th grade through college located on Big Pine Key, in the Lower Florida Keys, 120 miles southwest of Miami. Our facility is accessible by air with airports located in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Key West. This Marine Education Workshop will offer the opportunity to study a variety of subjects. Unique sub-tropical program sites include: Soft and Hard
Corals, Mangrove Islands, Sponge and Seagrass Beds, Goniolithon Shoals and Labs, and the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. All educators, naturalists, and others with an interest in the marine environment are invited:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2004
FRIDAY, 8 PM – MONDAY, 2PMCOST: $200.00/PERSON
Registration includes three nights lodging, eight meals (Saturday breakfast through Monday lunch), lectures, field trips and snorkel gear.
If you are interested, please contact us toll free at: 1-877-732-2267 or visit our website at: www.nhmi.org
Understanding Models in Earth & Space Science – MMSA Online Course
There is still time to enroll in the Online Course: Understanding Models in Earth & Space Science. Models help science students at every level make sense of the world and are an integral part of Standard L-Communications in Maine’s Learning Results. This online 5 week book seminar will discuss how model building in earth and space science can help students assemble fragmented knowledge about concepts and relationships into larger, more clearly understood constructs. The seminar will familiarize you with models used in teaching and learning including analogies and metaphors, physical models mathematical models, and computer models. Connections will be made to the Learning Results and National Standards. Participants may choose to complete a project to be shared with outers for additional contact hours. All participants will receive a copy of the book Understanding Models in Earth and Space Science
The course, lead by Page Keely, offers 25+ PD hours and is limited to an enrollment of 30 participants. The fee for this online course is $55.00. For more information, contact Brianne Van Den Bossche
Are Science Teachers Unwitting Threats to Maine Lakes?
Sold under aliases or simply outright, banned invasive plants can be found in a classroom
near you!
By Paul Gregory
If it looks like Elodea and it’s sold as Elodea, it must be Elodea, right?
Wrong. It could be one of Maine’s eleven most unwanted aquatic plants, banned because of its threat to inland waters.
A recent survey of biological supply companies and on-line aquatic plant vendors found it was remarkably easy to purchase many of the aquatic plants listed by Maine officials as invasive. (See “Maine’s Eleven Most Unwanted.”) Of the 35 on-line businesses searched, 32 sold at least one banned plant.
According to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection which conducted this survey, the plant most commonly available in biological kits was Egeria densa, most recently known as Brazilian Elodea.
This one plant comes with many pseudonyms. Among them are Anacharis,
Anacharis densa, Anacharis canadensis gigantea, Elodea densa, Brazilian waterweed, Common waterweed and Leafy elodea and…yes, simply Elodea.
Other invasive plants have covert identities too. (See “What’s in a name?”)Whether sold outright as Brazilian Elodea, under an alternative moniker or misidentified as Elodea canadensis (a plant that’s native—and legal—in Maine), there’s no national law to prevent its sale. Maine does have such laws, however. And they are expensive if an individual is found possessing, selling, transporting, cultivating or distributing an invasive plant within the Pine Tree state.
In other words, buyer beware! Insist on verifying the plant’s full scientific name before placing your order.
And at year’s end, make sure all classroom plants are disposed of properly in the garbage or a sealed container. Do not permit students to take plants home or release plants into the wild.
For more information avoiding the purchase of invasive species, contact Maine Department of Environmental Protection Invasive Species Program at (207) 287-3901 or visit www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/topic/invasives/invlist.htm. Or to blend this headline issue with your curriculum, check out these two textbooks on the NSTA website: Invasion Ecology: Student Edition and Global Environmental Change: Introduced Species.
--Paul Gregory is an Environmental Specialist with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Maine’s Eleven Most Unwanted Plants. Maine prohibits importation, sale, propagation and transport of these species (Common name precedes scientific name):
Variable-leaf Milfoil(Myriophyllum heterophyllum)Hydrilla(Hydrilla verticillata)Eurasian Milfoil(Myriophyllum spicatum)Parrot Feather(Myriophyllum aquaticum)Curly-leaved Pondweed(Potamogeton crispus)Water Chestnut(Trapa Natans)
Fanwort(Cabomba caroliniana)Brazilian Elodea(Egeria densa)Yellow Floating Heart(Nymphoides peltata)European Naiad(Najas minor)European Frogbit(Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)
What’s in a name? Alien aliases found in many online plant catalogues. All belong on Maine’s list of Most Unwanted Plants. The Correct Scientific name precedes correct Common
name followed by pseudonyms.)
Cabomba caroliniana (Fanwort)Carolina fanwort
Egeria densa (Brazilian elodea)
Anacharis
Anacharis densa
Anacharis canadensis gigantea
ElodeaElodea densaElodea canadensis giganteaBrazilian waterweedCommon waterweedLeafy elodea
Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrilla) Water thyme
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (Frogbit) European Frogbit
Myriophyllum aquaticum (Parrot feather) Brazilian WatermilfoilMyriophyllum proserpinacoidesMyriophyllum aquatica
Myriophyllum heterophyllum (Variable-leaf watermilfoil)
Two-leaf watermilfoil Myriophyllum sp. (or spp.)Myriophyllum pinnatum
Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil)
Spiked watermilfoilMyriophyllum sp. (or spp.)
Najas minor (European naiad) Brittle water-nymph
Audubon's SEABIRD EDUCATION PROGRAM
(PROJECT PUFFIN)has
MINI-GRANTS available for teachers this school year
who would like hands-on seabird lessons brought to their classroom!
If you are studying: Maine, seabirds, the ocean, ecology, food webs, birds, puffins, local research projects, adaptations, restoration, history, conservation, how to be a scientist, bird watching, . . . this may be a great way to enhance your lessons.
Seabird Sue will bring information straight from the puffin's beak to you, as well as fun activities to make the learning real.
We can offer matching funds, or sometimes more for schools in need. Cost is $70/class, with discounts of 20% for two, or 25% for three or more, plus mileage from Bremen. FMI please call, write, or email [email protected] .
Susan Schubel, Outreach EducatorAudubon, Project PuffinSeabird Education Program10 Audubon Rd.Bremen, ME 04551(207)529-2722Dear Colleagues,
Professional Development Workshops
Environmental Learning Institute and Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation is fielding professional development workshops in Quintana Roo, Belize, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska. These summer 2004 workshops are offering intermediate-secondary science educators opportunities to learn more about inquiry-based science education philosophy, pedagogy and praxis and global environmental change while learning about a threatened North American ecosystem of global significance. Each course has a dual tract structure in biology and geology allowing the participant to specialize in their discipline of interest. Geology and biology faculty supervise all courses. We invite applications from appropriate pre-service & in-service teachers, education and environment graduate student, science
education professors (teacher of teachers) and science education professionals (e.g. park, museum and outdoor center affiliated).
The workshops are possible due to the support of the Environmental Learning Institute www.environmentallearning.org), Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology Masters in Science Teaching Program and the Colorado School of Mines Teacher Enhancement Program.
For more information about these professional development opportunities please visit the Environmental Learning Institute TORCH websitehttp://www.environmentallearning.org/2004_TORCH_index.htm or [email protected] and graduate science credits available. We can arrange for you to talk with previous participants. Partial course fee fellowships available.
2004 NATIONAL SCIENCE BOWL®
Science and Math Educators:Once again, an exciting opportunity for high school math and science students is coming up. The University of Southern Maine will host a regional science bowl on February 28, 2004 at Bailey Hall on the Gorham Campus. The region we serve is all of northern New England. The Science Bowl is a tournament-style academic competition that challenges and recognizes students' knowledge of science and mathematics. Last year we had two teams from Maine and we would like to encourage more to come to this year's event. Along with the local trophies and prizes, the winning team from the regional science bowl will win a trip to Washington to compete in the National Science Bowl hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. Winning teams from 61 other regional bowls will be competing at the nationals. The regional bowl coordinators (Bob Kuech and Rob Sanford) are willing to host strategy and practice sessions.
The national competition will be held April 29 - May 3, 2004 at the National 4-H Center in
Chevy Chase, Maryland. Prizes awarded in the past included a trip to the International Science School at the University of Sydney in Australia; as well as trips to Washington State and South Carolina, to participate in hands-on science experiences at Department of Engery facilities. Our last year's winning team also received a one week paid trip to Choco Canyon in Colorado to learn about geology and archeology.
The regional competition is limited to 22 schools. Teams will be selected on a first-come basis. We expect the slots to fill quickly so please register as soon as possible. No schools will be registered after January 28, 2004.
Competition is in the form of a round robin/double-elimination tournament. Teams consist of six people from one high school: five students, one of whom is an alternate; and a coach, usually a science or math teacher. When the teams have been identified, sample questions will be sent to them.
For additional information and a registration form, please contact: Dr. Robert Kuech, [email protected]; Tel. 780-5089: or Dr. Robert Sanford, [email protected]; Tel. 780-5756.
The National Middle Level Science Teachers Association is looking for you! IF you teach students between fourth and ninth grades inclusive …IF you are looking to expand your network of teacher colleagues with whom to share ideas and teaching strategies …
IF you would like to receive the NMLSTA newsletter, the Level Line, four times a year …IF you would like to be eligible for NMLSTA awards and grants …IF you like ice cream socials … Then consider joining the National Middle Level Science Teachers’ Association! NMLSTA meetings are held at NSTA national and regional conventions every year; look for us there! We offer special membership rates for first-year and pre-service teachers, and a reasonable membership fee of $15 per year for more experienced teachers of middle level science! Visit the NMLSTA web site for more information and a membership form, read some sample articles from the Level Line, and consider joining today! http://www.nmlsta.org
Maine Science Teachers Awards Program
The Maine Science Teachers Association is seeking applications for recognition of outstanding science educators in Maine in two categories
Philip Marcoux Award (for a non-formal educator) Louis P. Lambert Award (for a formal educator)
A colleague who is a member of the Maine Science Teachers Association may submit applications for either award on an educator’s behalf. It is not required for the nominee to be a member. Applications are due June 1, 2004. The selection criteria for each award are as follows:
Philip Marcoux AwardThe Philip Marcoux Award is designed to recognize non-formal science education professionals who work outside the formal classroom setting and who:
* makes continuous and enduring contributions to science education;* demonstrates capacity for creating and implementing successful science education-related
activities;* shows creative approaches to improving student achievement in science;* makes a permanent contribution to Maine Science Teachers Association by integrating with
national initiatives, promoting the science education profession, or providing training and resources to other science education professionals.
Louis P. Lambert AwardThe Louis P. Lambert Award is designed to recognize a public or private school teacher who:
* inspires student achievement in science in a caring, compassionate manner;* shows creative approaches in linking student learning to the Science Content Standards of the
Maine State Learning Results and Maine’s Curriculum Framework for Mathematics and Science;
* makes continuous and enduring contributions to science education by integrating with local and state initiatives, promoting science education, and providing training or resources to other science teachers.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Nancy Chesley, MSTA Grants and Awards Program Coordinator at [email protected].
Please complete the following application form to nominate a colleague for one of the 2004 awards.
Maine Science Teachers Association Awards Nomination Form 2004
Nominee’s Name: ____________________________________
Award category: ____________________________________________
Home Address: ______________________________________________
Org./School Name: ___________________________________________
Org./School Address: _________________________________________
Home Phone: ___________________ Work Phone: _________________
Submitted by: ______________________________________________
Relationship to Nominee _____________________________________
How to Apply:
Complete this form and submit it by June 1, 2004 to:
MSTA Nomination Review CommitteeNancy Chesley3 Nancy Drive
Brunswick, ME 04011
Include with your application a narrative essay of no more than two single-spaced typewritten pages which explain how the applicant meets the award criteria.
The Selection Process
All applications are due by June 1, 2004 Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the Nomination Review Committee of the MSTA in August. Final approval of award winners by the MSTA Board will take place in September. All applicants and the winning nominees will be notified immediately following final selection.
Maine Science Teachers Association (MSTA)Membership Registration Form
Name_______________________________________ Date_____________
Address __________________________________________________________
City/Town ____________________________________ County ____________________
State __________ Zip Code ____________ Telephone (home)__________________
School or Organization
Name _______________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
City/Town ____________________________________________________________ County _____________________ State __________ Zip Code _______
Telephone (work) __________________________ Fax # ______________________
Email address: _________________________________
Preferred mailing address (check one): home school/organization
Which best describes your organization (check one): private school public school non-formal other (business or government)
Which best describes your job (check one in each category):Position: teacher student administrator special ed. otherLevel: K-2 3-4 5-8 high school college preservice not applicableAreas: biology chemistry computers earth science physics(check all that apply) environmental science marine science mathematics ! other
The membership fee is $15.00 per year.
Please make checks payable to “MSTA ” Please send this form and payment to:
George Powers41 17th St.
Bangor, ME 04401-3139If you have questions please call George at (207) 942-0616