E-Blast 1 April 2013
Please forward this E-Blast on to your colleagues and friends. If you have questions or
comments, please contact Jean May-Brett, (jam05@bellsouth.net) Louisiana State Coordinator,
LSTA/NSTA Science Matters Network
Information on the items shown below can be found below the list.
1. Join the Worldwide GLOBE at Night 2013 Campaign
2. National Environmental Education Week April 14-20
3. EPA Earth Day Website
4. Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge: Deadline April 23
5. ISS EarthKAM Spring 2013 Mission: April 23-26, 2013
6. Red Stick Robotics celebrates National Robotics Week with a Free Open House
7. The Jefferson Awards for Public Service: Youth Service Challenge: Deadline April 30
8. Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers: Application deadline April 30
9. Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Award: Deadline May 1
10. Nautilus Patch Design Contest: Deadline May 1
11. Samsung Grant Competition: Application deadline May 1
12. Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes Enter daily through May 3
13. State Farm Youth Advisory Board Service-Learning Grants: Deadline May 3
14. Earth Day Photo Contest: Deadline May 10, 2013
15. Nat’l Park Service & Nat’l Geographic BioBlitz at Jean Lafitte Park and Preserve May 17-18
16. Teachers & Students Encouraged to Participate in Endangered Species Day (May 17)
17. Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest: Deadline June 10
18. NSTA New Science Teacher Academy Deadline August 1
19. NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation resources and tools
20. LA state wide K-12 ESRI license available for 24/7 use by schools and your groups
21. 2013 National Marine Educators Conference July 22-26, 2013; Mobile, AL
22. NESTA offers access to the Windows to the Universe website
23. Great Math Resource - National Science Digital Library
24. Welcome to “Secret Life,” NOVA’s
25. Interested in information from the LDOE on future Assessments?
26. UNEP Year Book 2013: Emerging Issues in our Global Environment
27. BirdSleuth K-12
28. Plant the Seeds of Learning: The Science of Gardening Collection
29. Chemistry: It’s Worth Watching, The Catalyst Film Series Women in Chemistry
30. ReActions from the American Nuclear Society has gone online in 2013
31. April is Mathematics Awareness Month: Resources from NEED
32. The Council of the Great City Schools Parent Roadmaps CCSS resources
33. A new issue of the Universe in the Classroom
1. Join the Worldwide GLOBE at Night 2013 Campaign
Starry night skies have given us poetry, art, music and the wonder to explore. A bright night sky
(aka light pollution) affects energy consumption, health and wildlife too. Spend a few minutes to
help scientists by measuring the brightness of your night sky. Join the GLOBE at Night citizenscience campaign (www.globeatnight.org).
During five select sets of dates in 2013, children and adults match the appearance of a
constellation (Orion or Leo in the northern hemisphere, and Orion and Crux in the southern
hemisphere) with seven star charts of progressively fainter stars
(www.globeatnight.org/observe_magnitude_orion.html). Participants then submit their choice of
star chart at www.globeatnight.org/webapp/ with their date, time and location. This can be done
by computer (after the measurement) or by smart phone or pad (during the measurement).
From these data an interactive map of all worldwide observations is created
(www.globeatnight.org/map/). Through GLOBE at Night, students, teachers, parents and
community members are amassing a data set from which they can explore the nature of light
pollution. The remaining GLOBE at Night campaigns in 2013 are: March 31 - April 9, and April
29 - May 8. Make a difference and join the GLOBE at Night campaign.
2. National EE Week
National Environmental Education Week 2013, April 14-20, 2013, is dedicated to increasing the
environmental knowledge of K-12 students. Check out the extensive resources and curricula
library. Register for the webinar, 21st Century Tools for Environmental Learning in the
Community, April 3, 2013. Watch the video and download the Educator Toolkit for Using
Technology to Connect Students & the Environment.
http://www.eeweek.org/
3. EPA Earth Day Website
Earth Day, April 22, is quickly approaching. Check out EPA's Earth Day website for lesson
plans and more. Check out the Environment in a Day photo project, Pick 5 for the Environment,
and more. http://www.epa.gov/earthday/
4. 2013 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Encourage your students in grades
5-8 to create a 1-2 minute video showcasing their great idea to solve a real world problem.
Videos will not be judged on production skills and may be recorded on cell phones or basic
digital cameras. Ten national finalists will go on to work with 3M scientists to bring their
innovative ideas to life and compete for $25,000! Enter now at:
http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/registrations/enterNow.cfm
All video entries must be submitted online no later than April 23, 2013.
5. ISS EarthKAM Spring 2013 Mission – April 23-26, 2013 https://earthkam.ucsd.edu/
NASA invites students to use a camera on the International Space Station to take photographs
of erosion on Earth and then talk with an astronaut about what they learned. Middle school
educators are invited to join NASA for the International Space Station EarthKAM Mission taking
place April 23-26, 2013. This exciting opportunity allows students to take pictures of Earth from
a digital camera aboard the space station. This EarthKAM mission will feature the EarthKAM
Erosion Challenge. Students can request images of locations on Earth that have undergone
weathering and/or erosion. At the conclusion of the mission, classroom groups can submit a
paragraph describing how the image shows these characteristics. The top five entries will be
invited to a live video conference with a NASA astronaut at the NASA Johnson Space Center in
Houston, TX. Participation is free. Registration is required before the mission. Any teacher can
register for the mission challenge – it’s free and it’s open to U.S. and international participants.
More information is available on the EarthKAM website.
The top 5 schools will be invited to a DLN event with an astronaut in which they will share
their images and discuss what they learned about erosion. If you haven’t visited the EarthKAM
website recently – check it out!
6. Red Stick Robotics celebrates National Robotics with a Free Open House
When: Saturday, April 27, 2013, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: LSU College of Engineering
Patrick F. Taylor Hall - North Courtyard
Nicholson Drive Extension, Baton Rouge
Come see Louisiana “Roboticists” showcase their robots.
National Robotics Week: http://www.nationalroboticsweek.org/
7. The Jefferson Awards for Public Service: Youth Service Challenge Deadline: April 30The
Jefferson Awards wants to help tell the country about the incredible service projects youth are
doing. By entering your project on the Youth Service Challenge website, your group could gain
local and national recognition, earn awards & cash prizes, or even a trip to Washington DC to
be recognized at the Jefferson Awards National Gala! Enter your project in 3 simple steps on
the website: 1. Sign up; 2. Tell us about your project; 3. Upload your results (photos, videos,
etc.). It's simple and free! Be sure to enter before the deadline of April 30, 2013.
You are changing the world! We want to tell the country! http://bit.ly/X9i0ps
8. Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers (Apply by April 30; July 29-Aug. 3,
San Francisco, Calif.)
The Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers (ASSET) experience consists of
presentations by leading astrobiology researchers from the SETI Institute, NASA, and the
California Academy of Sciences. Participants will receive the Voyaged Through Time
curriculum, and all expenses are covered by grant funds. Three graduate credits are available
for a reasonable tuition fee. Two person teams or single applicants are accepted. For more
information and to apply, visit http://bit.ly/15KmZSA.
9. Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Award
The Turnaround Management Association and the John William Butler Foundation honor
exceptional teachers who have changed the outcome of students' lives and the communities in
which they live with the Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Awards. The deadline for
applications is May 1, 2013. Scroll down to the teacher award.
http://www.turnaround.org/about/awards.asp
10. Nautilus Patch Design Contest The deadline for submission is May 1, 2013.
The Ocean Exploration Trust offers the Nautilus Patch Design Contest for youth ages 6-14.
Design a patch worn by Dr. Robert Ballard's Corps of Exploration aboard Nautilus as they sail
the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea this summer and fall.
http://www.oceanexplorationtrust.com/#!nautilus-patch-contest/c1m6z
11. Samsung Grant Competition The deadline for application is May 1, 2013.
Samsung asks teachers to design a lesson plan, in 100 words or less, using the Samsung
SAMCAM 760 document camera. See the website for details.
http://www.samsunggrants.com/
12. Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes
In the Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes from Discovery Education and partners, two schools
will each win a grand prize package. Public and private school employees are eligible to enter
the sweepstakes once a day through May 3, 2013.
http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/wawl/
13. State Farm Youth Advisory Board Service-Learning Grants Deadline: May 3
If you are involved with an organization or school and have a great idea for a service-learning
project to impact student achievement in YOUR community, apply for a State Farm Youth
Advisory Board Service-Learning Grant. The grants range in size from $25,000-$100,000, and
must address the root cause of one of the following issue areas: access to higher education /
closing the achievement gap, financial literacy (and economic inclusion), community safety and
natural disaster preparedness, social health & wellness issues, and environmental
responsibility. http://bit.ly/XWGHX3
14. Earth Day Photo Contest The deadline for entry is May 10, 2013.
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is holding an Earth Day Photo Contest for
students in grades 5-8. From April 22-29, 2013 students should take a photograph of
something that is changing in their local environment, then submit the photo and explanation.
http://strategies.org/education/student-contests/photo-contest/
15. Nat’l Park Service & Nat’l Geographic BioBlitz at Jean Lafitte Park and Preserve May 17-18
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in New Orleans, LA is the host for the
BioBlitz 2013 and BioDiversity Festival organized by the National Park Service and National
Geographic Society. We are still in need of scientists and expert naturalists to assist with
activities and educational programs for over 1000 students.
The event will take place at the park's Barataria Preserve in Marrero, LA. Online
registration is open and funding for bus transport for schools that support is available.
Here are the BioBlitz 2013 contact names and numbers for Jean Lafitte National Historical
Park and Preserve:
Dr. Julie Whitbeck, Park Ecologist, julie_whitbeck@nps.gov; 504-589-3882, ext 118
Stacy Lafayette, Park Education Ranger, stacy_lafayette@nps.gov, 504-689-3690, ext 25
Joe Llewellyn, Park Assistant Superintendent, joe_llewellyn@nps.gov, 504-589-3882, ext 40
Barataria Preserve BioBlitz page: http://www.nps.gov/jela/bioblitz-2013-at-jean-lafitte.htm
National Geographic Society BioBlitz page:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/projects/bioblitz/
16. Teachers & Students Encouraged to Participate in Endangered Species Day May 17
The 8th annual national Endangered Species Day on May 17 offers biology, ecology, general
science and other teachers an ideal opportunity to educate students about the importance of
protecting threatened and endangered plant and animal species. In addition to classroom
discussions, there are several ways they can participate in Endangered Species Day, such as:
*Plan a school-wide Endangered Species Day fair with exhibits.
*Arrange a special display in the school library.
*Invite a local expert to speak to the school/class.
*Work with a community/environmental group on a habitat restoration project.
*Attend an event at a local zoo, aquarium, botanic garden or other location.
Depending on your school schedule, you can plan events earlier in May, on Endangered
Species Day (5/17) itself, or that weekend. Once a specific activity is planned, the class can
register it on the Endangered Species Day website (www.endangeredspeciesday.org). We want
to provide all appropriate resources and other support for your event. Be sure to check out the
new and updated materials in the Endangered Species Day Toolkit on the website, including
event planning tips, stickers, bookmarks, fliers, banner, passport, coloring/activity sheets (many
of which can be downloaded and printed) and more. The website also features a Teacher
Resource Center/Teacher Forum.
For additional information, contact David Robinson, Endangered Species Day Director:
drobinson@stopextinction.org
17. Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Contest Entries must be received by June 10, 2013.
This contest strives to unite generations by combining their creative forces to describe a corner
of their world that inspires a "sense of wonder." This contest encompasses several different art
forms. Entries can be a poem, essay, photo, dance or original song. The submitting team must
be inter-generational - a group of two or more persons that are not the same age.
You can find more information on the EPA's website at:
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/index.htm
18. NSTA offers second- through fifth-year middle and high school science teachers the
opportunity to participate in the New Science Teacher Academy, a yearlong professional
development and mentoring program co-founded with a grant from the Amgen
Foundation. Emphasizing quality science teaching, enhanced teacher confidence, classroom
excellence, and solid content knowledge, participants (Academy Fellows) enjoy top-notch faceto-face and online support and access to comprehensive
educational resources.
Academy Fellow Benefits:
• All-expense-paid (accommodations, airfare, meals, and registration fees) trip to the NSTA
National Conference on Science
Education
• Full membership in the National Science Teachers Association
• Access to facilitated, web-based curriculum devoted to content and classroom pedagogy
• Professional development web seminars conducted by leaders in science education
• E-mentoring from experts in the Fellow’s science discipline and grade level
• Attendance at a Professional Development Institute or a Research Dissemination
Visit www.nsta.org/academy to learn more or to apply by August 1, 2013.
19. Weather-Ready Nation
NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation is about building community resilience in the face of increasing
vulnerability to extreme weather and water events. The initiative includes improvements in a
wide range of areas to support management of the nation’s water supply, understanding of
climate-related risks, economic productivity, and healthy communities and ecosystems. Check
out the resources available on the Be a Force of Nature webpage, Tools for the Public, and
more. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/
20. LDOE has signed an education site license agreement with ESRI. This Agreement entitles
State to license certain Esri Software, Data, Web Services, and Documentation and to obtain
maintenance to be used only for academic and administrative purposes subject to payment of
an Annual Fee or its equivalent and the terms of this Agreement as specified herein. This
Education Site License Agreement is only available to K–12 Schools (public and private) in the
State of Louisiana.
Educators in Louisiana can incorporate GIS in many different ways and get great benefit, even
starting in their current classes. Anyone can begin exploring in seconds with ArcGIS Online, and
learn the basics in minutes using http://esriurl.com/mappingwithago.
Esri Helps Teachers Map Out Education
Looking for cutting-edge resources focusing on the Earth Science Week 2013 theme of
“Mapping Our World”? Leading the charge to incorporate GIS (geographic information system)
technology and mapping software in Earth science education, Esri is one of the many corporate
partners of Earth Science Week.
GIS technology - which can illuminate features such as local geology, watersheds, and
roads - can require some training before it can be used effectively. That’s why Esri offers
instructor-led training classes as well as “virtual campus” web-based training courses.
Instructor-led classes are held in small groups at Esri’s training facilities worldwide,
where attendees have access to knowledgeable staff and ample time to practice GIS skills.
Virtual campus web-based training courses include software exercises, conceptual material,
and instructional resources. For more information about training, go to
http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm. To learn more about GIS and Esri, see
http://www.esri.com.
21. National Marine Educators Conference July 22-26, 2013; Mobile, AL
http://nmea.disl.org/
Join the Southern Association of Marine Educators (SAME) for NMEA 2013 in beautiful Mobile,
AL at the historic campus of Spring Hill College. Educators who are interested in the study and
enjoyment of the world of water will gather for a week of enrichment, networking, and learning.
Author and journalist, Richard Louv, will serve as the Keynote Speaker for the conference. Fun
and engaging events with delicious Gulf of Mexico seafood, live music, and even a Mardi Gras
style parade are planned to offer conference attendees a unique experience filled with southern
hospitality.
Additionally, the full day field trips planned provide attendees an opportunity to bring new
knowledge back into the classroom through an up close and personal encounter with the Gulf of
Mexico region. Some examples include, exploring Mobile Bay via research vessel, taking a
cooking class in Ocean Springs, and kayaking in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For full details
on the conference visit its website at: http://nmea.disl.org/
22. The National Earth Science Teachers Association (http://www.nestanet.org) offers the
Windows to the Universe website at http://www.windows2universe.org, which includes over
9000 pages of content on Earth and space science at three levels of content, as well as a
wealth of interactives, videos, and classroom activities for students and teachers (visit the
Teacher Resources section of the site, and specifically the Activities section). The website is
free for everyone as are the lesson plans. Educator memberships are available for special
services and access to premium resources, but not required.
23. Great Math Resource - National Science Digital Library
Common Core and Educational Technology
The National Science Digital Library offers an extensive array of math resources and online
tools, all linked to the Common Core. Please share this with colleagues.
24. Welcome to “Secret Life,” NOVA’s Emmy-nominated web series. Watch videos and get to
know dozens of scientists and engineers with surprising secret lives. We’ve already done 32
profiles and we’ll be doing many more in the seasons to come. So we would love to hear all
your ideas for new people to profile. And you can follow us on Facebook so you’ll always know
when new videos premiere.
25. Interested in information from the LDOE on future Assessments? Be sure to check out the
guidance posted at: http://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/assessment-transition/transition-toparcc-memo.pdf?sfvrsn=4
26. UNEP Year Book 2013: Emerging Issues in our Global Environment
The 10th edition of the Year Book series from the United Nations Environment Programme
focuses on rapid change in the Arctic which threaten ecosystems while providing new
development opportunities, including easier access to oil and gas, minerals, and fisheries.
Additional focus includes minimizing chemical risks, poaching in Africa, growing urban
environmental challenges, and the accelerating momentum to tackle short-lived climate
pollutants. http://www.unep.org/yearbook/2013/
27. BirdSleuth K-12
The BirdSleuth project helps birds teach students about science. Downloadable lesson plans
are available for drawing upon the Birds-of-Paradise Project website and videos, for
homeschoolers, and more. Be sure to check out the workshops and webinars.
http://www.birdsleuth.org
28. Plant the Seeds of Learning
The Science of Gardening is a collection of interactive graphics and videos produced by the San
Francisco Exploratorium. The Science of Gardening has three basic categories: Feed, Control
and Bloom. In the Feed category, students learn about dirt, compost and seeds. The “garden
variety” interactive, reveals the origins of some common plants, such as corn, squash, onions
and carrots. Students also take a video tour of a garden and learn what is needed to create
good soil. In the Control category, students learn about grafting and hybridizing plants,
practicing biodiversity and growing plants in a greenhouse. They also take a look at a giant
pumpkin competition. And in the Bloom category, students explore pollination and the attraction
of flowers, and they see that a garden can grow just about anywhere when it receives proper
care. http://www.exploratorium.edu/gardening/index.html
29. Chemistry: It’s Worth Watching, The Catalyst Film Series Women in Chemistry
Follow the adventures of eight leading women in chemistry and celebrate the common-element
that catalyzed their journey: a life-changing, chance taking, thrill-seeking love of science. The
film series presents chemistry as a way to positively impact the great environmental, medical,
and technological challenges of our times. View the films, and access accompanying web
resources at: http://chemheritage.org/WomenInChemistry
30. ReActions from the American Nuclear Society has gone online in 2013, To sign up for email
notification of ReActions. http://ReActions.ans.org The newsletter provides educators with news
about applications of nuclear science and technology along with ideas for teaching about these
topics.
31. April is Mathematics Awareness Month: Resources from NEED April is Mathematics Awareness Month (MAM); this year’s theme is the “Mathematics of
Sustainability.” The NEED Project is a proud partner in Mathematics Awareness Month for
2013, and has lent some of our awesome sustainability activities to the challenge. MAM
includes two nationwide initiatives. Sustainability Counts! provides K–16 math educators and
students with a range of model lessons that connect mathematics and sustainability. The
showcase lesson is the Energy Challenge. Your students will learn about the mathematics of
energy use in their school and then develop and implement an action plan to reduce energy
use. The Speakers’ Bureau is a group of mathematicians, scientists, and sustainability
professionals available to speak to school audiences on the sustainability of mathematics. Free
posters and other resources are available. Learn more about the initiative, the sponsors, the
available resources, and sign up for your free poster today! Email mathaware2013@gmail.com
with any questions. Happy calculating!
32. The Council of the Great City Schools published Parent Roadmaps to the Common Core
Standards in English language arts (in both English and Spanish) and mathematics (in
both English and Spanish) for the high school grades.
It has also developed other resources over the last several months to help with the
implementation of the Common Core Standards: two 30-second Public Service
Announcements (one in English and one in Spanish) that tells the public what the Common
Core Standards are; two three-minute videos (one in English and one in Spanish) that explains
the Common Core in a slightly longer form (particularly good for presentations to community
and parent groups); a 45-minute professional development video for central office and schoolbased staff and teachers on the shifts in the Common Core in English language arts and
literacy; a 45-minute professional development video for central office and school-based staff
and teachers on the shifts in the Common Core in mathematics; and resources for adapting
basal texts to the rigor of the Common Core in English language arts and literacy.
33. A new issue of the Universe in the Classroom is now available on the ASP website:
http://m1e.net/c?57484393-ShR5grYRXvfew%4011509395-r4JiKtfPA3UXc
In this edition of Universe in the Classroom, learn about NASA’s NuSTAR mission, and how it is
adding to scientists understanding of black holes, and other high energy phenomena.
Read this issue and access the archive of past articles at: http://m1e.net/c?574843932ah1I2ScM3WLQ%4011509395-cCb0C8GiQW/To