RI Science Professional Development and Student Opportunity Bulletin

December 20, 2013

This bulletin will be sent on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. If you would like to share an event, quality resource, or other opportunity, please follow the directions for doing so at the bottom of the newsletter. To SUBSCRIBE send an email to Peter.Mclaren@ride.ri.gov with SUBSCRIBE RISCI-MSHS in the Subject Line

Go To RIScienceTeachers - https://riscienceteachers.wikispaces.com/ for PDF copy of past issues

New In This Bulletin NGSS News News Web Sites Job Opportunities Prof. Development Student Opportunities

We wish you all a very Happy Holiday season and a safe and restful vacation! The RISCI-MSHS Bulletin will resume on January 3rd New In This Bulletin:
RIDE.RI.NET Email Accounts Will No Longer Be Valid After January 1st Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching Apply by January 10th 2014 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment Seeks Nominations Of Your Students Sophomores and Juniors (Class of 2015 & 16) Job Opportunities:

Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island is seeking applicants for the position of Education Program Assistant
Job Description: The Educational Program Assistant will play an important role in assisting the development, building and sales of onboard programs and partnerships. The ship is scheduled for completion this spring and the next 6 months are critical in creating and establishing relationships with educational institutes. OHPRI will begin programs this summer with seven 1-week summer camps, the Education Program Assistant will be responsible for assisting with the sales, marketing and administrative work to fill these weeks. This will involve visiting schools and attending camp/college fairs, networking with youth organizations, presenting at public events, and increasing public awareness of the organization and ship. How to apply: Applicants should send resumes and references with a cover letter to: Jessica Wurzbacher - jess@ohpri.org Director of Operations and Education 29 Touro St, Newport, RI. 02840

News:
2 Rhode Island Educators to be Honored by President Obama As Outstanding Math and Science Teachers
WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama named 102 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This years awardees represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Department of Defense Education Activity. The educators will receive their awards at a Washington, DC, event in the coming year. Rhode Island is proudly represented by Clare

Ornburn of Ashaway Elementary School in Hopkinton who won the award in science and Regina Kilday of Metcalf Elementary School in Exeter who was selected in mathematics. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. The 2012 awardees named today teach kindergarten through 6th grade. Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also are invited to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and the Administration. Nominations for the 2014 PAEMST are open through April 1, 2014. For more information about PAEMST, please visit www.paemst.org.

RIDE.RI.NET Email Accounts Will No Longer Be Valid After January 1st

OSHEAN, after consultation and agreement with RIDE (RI Dept. of Education), is announcing that it will be shutting down ride.ri.net e-mail and dialup Internet services effective January 1, 2014. OSHEAN has determined that a majority of users of ride.ri.net e-mail have migrated to an internal mail system within their individual organizations (Google Apps, Office 365, Exchange etc.). Most active accounts of the mail system are setup to forward to another account (internal mail system) or are being used as personal e-mail. If you are still using ride.ri.net mail as your primary mail system, there are several free and low cost solutions available, such as Google Apps for Education or Office 365 for Education for schools; for individual users there are multiple options including outlook.com, gmail.com that are available free of charge. OSHEAN will also be retiring the ride.ri.net dialup Internet service at the same time. There are a very small number of active users of this system, and the volume of usage does not justify the cost of keeping this legacy service running. THIS LISTSERV and all current lists will not be affected by this change still remain active. RISCI-MSHS and other lists will not be affected by this change. Cox and Verizon both have home Internet service available at a reasonable cost, which can more than likely be bundled into existing Phone and TV service contracts for users that are still using RINET service to connect to the Internet from home. Below are links to Google Apps for Education and Office 365 for education. http://www.google.com/enterprise/apps/education/ https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/academic/ If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact OSHEAN network support at netsupport@oshean.org.

How can schools better engage students in science?

Parents say they want schools to focus their curricula on more science -- an area in which they say schools are lacking -- and are pushing for more engaging lessons, according to a recent poll by National Public Radio, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health. Minnesota teacher Mary Colson, who helped write the Next Generation Science Standards, said fewer science topics should be taught but lessons should be deeper, a process that can be chaotic for the classroom but makes science real and interesting to students. National Public Radio (12/17)

NGSS News:

Panel Recommends New Breed of Assessments for Science Learning (Ed Week)
By Catherine Gewertz on December 17, 2013 11:01 AM

Laying out a new vision for science assessments, a panel of the National Research Council Tuesday proposed that states design testing systems that integrate several key types of science learning, and blend classroom-based assessments with state-level "monitoring" tests and gauges of students' "opportunity to learn." The proposal, detailed in a 256-page report, offers an expert panel's ideas on how testing should change to fully reflect the Next Generation Science Standards adopted by eight states so far. The picture it paints departs markedly from current assessment practice, which tilts heavily toward students' knowledge of science facts, and typically takes place in one large-scale statewide exam each spring. Instead, to gauge student learning, the panel recommends that states obtain feedback from three sources. One is ongoing, classroom-based, or "formative," assessments, which would draw students into building and refining scientific models, generating and analyzing data, and creating oral and written arguments about what they're learning. These could take the form of curricular units, student-work portfolios, tasks drawn from a district's bank of items, or other activities. One example of classroom-based assessment mentioned in the report shows how a teacher might ask 6th grade students to build models of air particles, and then lead them in discussion so she can ascertain what they did and didn'tunderstand about the scientific practices used to build them. Another shows how a 5th grade teacher could oversee an extended unit on biodiversity in the schoolyard, guiding students as they gather data, analyze it, and build arguments to interpret it. The second source of information would be state-level "monitoring" tests that would be aimed at measuring how well students have learned the material over the course of a year, and that could be used to meet states' accountability needs. The expert panel suggests that while these tests would include multiple-choice and short-essay items, they should lean as heavily as possible on performance tasksor, at the very least, "multicomponent tasks." The panel urges states to consider using a matrix-sampling design for parts of their tests, in which group-level results are drawn from students taking portions, rather than the entirety, of the test. Finally, the panel says states should collect school-level information about resources that affect students' chances "to learn science in the ways laid out in the [NRC] framework and the [new science standards]," such as access to good instructional materials, the level of teachers' subject-matter expertise, and instructional approaches that allow students "of varying cultural and linguistic backgrounds" to access the material. The NRC framework is a document developed by a team of experts that was designed to help guide the development of the Next Generation Science Standards. The three dimensions of the new science standards"core ideas" of the sciences, the "practices" scientists use to do their work, and "cross-cutting concepts" that connect the science disciplinesshould all be integrated into curriculum and instruction, but also into science assessment, the panel says. 'Thorough Rethinking' of Assessment Needed

The NRC report notes that the framework underlying the new science standards "proposed a dramatic rethinking of science education," and "established goals that cannot be achieved through tinkering," so "a thorough rethinking" of assessment is required as well. "Measuring the learning described in the NGSS will require assessments that are significantly different from those in current use," the report says. "It will not be feasible to assess all of the performance expectations for a given grade level during a single assessment occasion," the report cautions. "Students will need multipleand variedassessment opportunities to demonstrate their competence on the performance expectations for a given grade level." Putting such a new assessment system into practice will take time, and should start from the "bottom up," with the classroom-based assessments, rather than from the "top down," with the state-level tests, the report says. States must pay particular attention to professional development as they think about creating these new approaches to testing, it says. The report was written by a panel of 17 national assessment and science experts drawn largely from universities, along with a few from the private sector and from state or local education agencies. It was co-chaired by James W. Pellegrino of the University of Illinois-Chicago and Mark R. Wilson of the University of California at Berkeley. In a series of meetings, the panel drew on input from science-instruction and assessment experts in state departments of education; leaders of PARCC and Smarter Balanced, the two federally-funded assessment consortia; and assessment organizations including WestEd, the College Board, and the National Assessment Government Board, which administers NAEP. Funding for the report was provided by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which also supports Education Week's coverage of "deeper learning"; the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation; and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Summary Report of the K12 Center's NGSS Science Assessment Symposium Available
The K-12 Center has made available the summary report (PDF) written by Rodger Bybee, a well-known leader in the field of science education and a member of the writing team of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) of our Science Assessment Symposium held September 2425. At the symposium, we explored the measurement challenges and opportunities within the NGSS with leading measurement and practice experts. The summary report provides useful information for the educational policy and practice community, without resorting to excessive use of technical terminology. For interested assessment and measurement colleagues, the research papers presented at the symposium are available on our website, along with videos of the panel discussions. We look forward to hearing your feedback as we strive to serve as a catalyst and resource for the improvement of measurement and data systems to enhance student achievement. For more information and communication tools regarding the work of the six assessment consortia and the development of next generation assessments, visit our website at www.k12center.org

D.C. Adopts Common Science Standards (EdWeek)

The reach of the Next Generation Science Standards got a little wider yesterday as the District of Columbia's board of education voted 8-0 to adopt them. D.C. joins eight states that have formally embraced the K-12 standards since they were finalized in April.

The science standards were developed by 26 lead state partners in collaboration with several national organizations. Key tenets of the standards include providing a greater emphasis on depth over breadth in science education and asking students to apply their learning through the practices of scientific inquiry and engineering design. The adoption landscape has been quiet for a couple of months now, with the last action coming when Washington state adopted them in early October. The seven other adopting states include California, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The action by the D.C. school board comes the same week that an expert panel assembled by the National Research Council issued a detailed, 256-page report on how science testing should change to reflect the Next Generation Science Standards.

November Webinar: Science Assessments: Innovations in the Next Generation of Science Assessments Archived Webinar Available
On November 18 the Alliance for Excellent Education conducted a webinar designed to: Highlight options states may want to consider as they begin to design systems of science assessments that incorporate the types of complex skills and applications called for in the NGSS; and describe initial steps states are taking toward implementation of the NGSS. Presenters included Stephen Pruitt of Achieve, Karen Kidwell of the Kentucky Department of Education and Kathleen Scalise of the University of Oregon. The Alliance for Excellence in Education and The K 12 Center at ETS co-hosted the webinar. The video and presentation materials are now available online.
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NGSS One Pagers

NSTA offers a tremendous collection of resources designed to help provide more information for the NGSS. Three Dimensions of NGSS (Color | B&W) This three page pdf document provides general information of each of the three dimensions of the NGSS specifically the science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and the crosscutting concepts. A Look at the Next Generation Science Standards (Color | B&W) This two page pdf document provides a detailed look at the architecture of the NGSS standards. Venn Diagram of the Practices in Science, Math, and ELA (Color | B&W) This pdf shows how the practices of the NGSS, CCSS-Math, and CCSS ELA intersect and support each other. Matrix of Disciplinary Core Ideas in the NGSS Here you will find a complete matrix of the disciplinary core ideas of the NGSS by domain

RIDEs NGSS Page

Find easy access to the NGSS standards, information on RIs participation as a Lead State, the Framework, and other resources Recorded Link for RIDEs Webinar Next Generation Science Standards Rhode Islands Implementation Plan originally webcast on September 17 can be found under the Resources section of the RIDE NGSS page along with a PDF of the PPT.
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Science Web Sites Worth Exploring:

Common Core Resources for Literacy in Science Grades 6-12 Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, & Technical Subjects http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy
Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects Standards can be accessed by clicking on the pull down menu on the left hand side of the screen

Curriculum and Instruction Resources for Literacy in Science on the RIDE web Site
http://www.ride.ri.gov/InstructionAssessment/Science/CurriculumInstructionResou rces.aspx
Here you will find CCSS aligned tasks and resources to go deeper into the understanding of the CCSS Standards for Literacy in Science.

Transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and to PARCC http://www.ride.ri.gov/InstructionAssessment/TransitiontotheCCSSandPARCC.aspx
This page contains recent updates, key information, and quality resources for educators and the public to support our state's education system in its transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the PARCC Assessment for ELA/literacy and mathematics.

Understanding Science How Science Really Works http://undsci.berkeley.edu/about.php

The mission of Understanding Science is to provide a fun, accessible, and free resource that accurately communicates what science is and how it really works. The process of science is exciting, but standard explanations often miss its dynamic nature. Science affects us all everyday, but people often feel cut off from science. Science is an intensely human endeavor, but many portrayals gloss over the passion, curiosity, and even rivalries and pitfalls that characterize all human ventures. Understanding Science gives users an inside look at the general principles, methods, and motivations that underlie all of science.

NGWA Offers Sprinkling of Ground Water Education http://www.groundwateradventurers.org

Besides advancing the expertise of ground water professionals, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) is dedicated to furthering ground water awareness and protection. NGWA offers short courses on ground water, several conferences each year, an annual ground water expo, and ground water webinars. Check out Ground Water Adventures, a web site providing activities for young people in grade bands K -3, 4-8, and 9-12. Find fun facts about ground water, quizzes, and other information. Also featured are classroom experiments, an online ground water newsletter, pictures, and stories. For more information, visit http://www.groundwateradventurers.org. To learn about NGWA, see http://www.ngwa.org.

Smithsonian Education Digs Into Earths Soil - http://forces.si.edu/soils

Smithsonian Education offers a fascinating exploration of Earths soil with its Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibition. For information, videos, expert instruction, and activity sheets, visit http://forces.si.edu/soils. For example, a Root Words word-search sheet combines science and language arts with insights into the origins of related scientific terms. Download a PDF at http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/families/point_click/activitysheets.html.

NOAA Teaches Teachers About Oceans, Atmosphere http://www.education.noaa.gov/teachers1.html

The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) promotes education about oceanic and atmospheric science. On NOAAs education site at http://www.education.noaa.gov/teachers1.html youll find lesson plans, interactive activities, educational games, videos, images, scholarships, career opportunities, and detailed

information on weather, climate change, oceans, and satellites. Also, look for information on NOAAs Teacher at Sea program, which allows a K-16 teacher to serve aboard a NOAA ship as a researcher. For archived resources geared toward students, including games and scholarship and career information, go to http://www.education.noaa.gov/students.html.

NSF Offers Online Climate Change Resources http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/climate?govDel=USNSF_51

For Earth science teachers and students searching for the latest, most up-to-date information on climate change, the National Science Foundation (NSF) now offers a useful web site. Our planets climate affects - and is affected by the sky, land, ice, sea, life, and people found on it. To understand the entire story of climate change, according to the site, we must study all of the natural and human systems that contribute to and interact with Earths climate system. Go to http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/climate?govDel=USNSF_51 to find an NSF report summarizing the current state of knowledge about climate change, as well as resources dealing with related news, discoveries, statistics, and publications. In addition to online offerings, NOAAs Office of Education conducts teacher development workshops throughou t the year to help improve oceanic and atmospheric literacy among science teachers. To find out where a workshop is being held near you, see http://www.oesd.noaa.gov.

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Exploring the Overlap between Literacy in Science and the Practice of Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information: Workshop Materials Available
The National Research Council (NRC) workshop on Exploring the Overlap between Literacy in Science and the th th Practice of Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information will be conducted on December 9 and 10 . The two-day workshop will featuring invited presentations and discussion that will: 1. explore the intersections and overlap between the Literacy in Science portions of the CCSS for ELA and Practice 8 in the NRC's framework related to "obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information" including consideration of the unique characteristics of communication in science; 2. consider the complementary roles of English/language arts teachers and science teachers as well as the unique challenges and approaches for different grade levels and articulate the knowledge and skills teachers need to support students in developing competence in reading and communicating in science; 3. consider design options for science and ELA curricula and courses that provide aligned support for students to develop competencies in reading and communicating in science; 4. discuss the role of district and school administrators in guiding implementation of science and ELA to help ensure alignment. Background readings and commissioned papers for the workshop can be found on the BOSE website

RIDE Seeks SLO and SOO Samples From RI Educators Samples Accepted Until 12-31-13
The Office of Educator Quality is issuing an All Call for Teacher, Building Administrato r, and Support Professional SLOs and SOOs from SY2013-14. They will be used to produce additional samples to illustrate possible approaches and best practices. Samples from all content areas and grade levels are welcomed and need not be perfect or represent the best samples in a school or district. Furthermore, all identifying information such as names of schools, teachers, and students will be redacted. Samples can st be submitted through email in Word or PDF files until December 31 to SLOsamples@ride.ri.gov. We thank you in advance as we know that we will all benefit from sharing our thinking and learning from one another. For more information contact: Laura Jackson (formerly Laura Kacewicz)

Assessment Specialist RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 401.222.8993 Laura.jackson@ride.ri.gov

AP Biology Leadership Academy Now Accepting Applications! Apply by January 1, 2014

We invite you to apply for the next cohort of the BSCS/NABT AP Biology Leadership Academy. This popular and highly acclaimed Academy is only available to 40 biology teachers a year who are ready to become leaders in biology education. The goal of the Academy is to develop a new generation of leaders in biology education. Not only will participants understand more about the AP Biology Curriculum Framework, they will be able to design and teach a course that exemplifies the framework. We have designed the Academy to be a specialized professional development experience for you as an AP teacher. The Academy is designed to help you stop, reconsider, and rejuvenate your ideas about teaching and learning biology, while also preparing you to lead others in this process. Apply here to be a part of Cohort 3 of the AP Biology Leadership Academy.

NEW!!! Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching Apply by January 10th
With less than a month left to apply, now is the time to go online and view a new webcast about the prestigious Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. The free, two-minute webcast provides an overview of the competition. To view the webcast, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/webcasts/EdRoy2013.html. To enter the 2014 competition, applications must be postmarked by January 10, 2014. The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and a travel grant of $1,000 to attend the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Annual Conference in April 2014 in Boston to accept the award. To learn more, U.S. teachers should visit http://www.agiweb.org/education/awards/ed-roy. U.K. teachers should visit http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/education.

SAVE THE DATE STEM to STEAM thru Synergy: Bridging Morphology, Biomimicry, Sustainability and Synergetics, Fourth Biennial Design Science Symposium - 31 January 2014 2 February 2014
31 January 2014 2 February 2014 Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI Presenters: John Maeda, President, Rhode Island School of Design Dennis Bartels, Executive Director, San Francisco Exploratorium Donald E. Ingber, Founding Director, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University Chris Zelov, Filmmaker & Project Director, Knossus Project Thomas T. K. Zung, Architect, Buckminster Fuller, Sadao, and Zung Richard Bresnahan, Artist in Residence, St. Johns University Eric Goetz, CTO, Goetz Composites STEAM: integrative, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary studies working together with the result being greater than individual parts (synergy) - The study of a structure's interconnected parts (morphology) leading to inspiration

through nature (biomimicry) producing harmony, fulfilling the social, economic and environmental requirements of present and future generations (sustainability) results in cooperation for an enhanced effect (synergetics) and supports interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary study of multiple disciplines Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics. Co-sponsors: Synergetics Collaborative Inc. (SNEC) Edna Lawrence Nature Lab at RISD Information contact: John Belt - designprobe@gmail.com, Peter Dean - pdean@risd.edu, or CJ Fearnley - cjf@synergeticscollaborative.org

EPA's Environmental Education Teacher Awards Application Period Now Open - Deadline: February 28, 2014 (K-12)
The Environmental Protection Agency is welcoming applications from public school teachers (K-12) for the third annual Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Education. The award recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers and their local education agencies nationwide for excellence in integrating environmental education into their lessons and connecting students with their communities and the natural world. Winners will receive $2,000 to support their professional development in environmental education and each winner's school will also receive a $2,000 award to help fund environmental education activities and programs that support the teacher. For more information, visit: http://www2.epa.gov/education/presidential-innovation-award-environmentaleducators[www2.epa.gov] For questions, please contact: bowman.jennifer@epa.gov

Presidential Award For Excellence In Mathematics And Science Teaching (PAEMST) Nominations Now Open Nominations Due April 1, 2014 (Grades 7-12 Teachers)
Are you or do you know an outstanding secondary (grades K-6 ) mathematics and science teachers (including computer science) that you should be recognized for their talents? The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest honor that a kindergarten through 12 grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. What better way to acknowledge excellence of our colleagues than to nominate the teachers who exemplify their profession. The process to nominate teachers is a simple one. Simply go to the PAEMST website at www.paemst.org and fill in the on-line form. Once the nomination is submitted the nominated teacher will then be notified and provided information about the application process. The following are eligibility criteria for nominees. Candidates must: Teach mathematics or science at the K -6 grade level in a public or private school. Hold at least a Bachelors degree from an accredited institution. Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and teach K-12 students at least 50% of the time. Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2013-14 academic school year. Teach in one of the 50 states or the four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Education Activity schools; and the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
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Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category. Rhode Island has many wonderful teachers, and those you nominate could be state or national Presidential Awardees for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science for 2014. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 222-8454 or by email at peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov. Thank you for your continued support for mathematics and science education.

2014 AAAS Science Education Workshops on NGSS Various Dates Two different professional development experiences and several dates to choose from make 2014 the year to attend an AAAS Science Education workshop! NEW for 2014! Understanding and Using Next Generation Science Learning Goals February 1011, July 1011, and October 2021, 2014 Are you responsible for implementing Next Generation Science Standards in your classroom, school, or district? Then join us for a professional development workshop that will give you the tools, strategies, and support you need to put NGSS into action. Drawing on Project 2061s expertise in standards-based teaching and learning, youll gain new insights into the science practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts that make up the NGSS performance expectations and how they can be used to improve curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Developing and Using Assessments Aligned to Science Learning Goals May 2830 and October 810, 2014 This popular three-day workshop gives you access to Project 2061s science assessment experience and expertise based on more than a decade of research and development. Designed for teachers, researchers, and assessment specialists, youll take a hands-on approach to using Project 2061s criteria and procedures for developing effective assessment items that are carefully aligned to science learning goals, including those in the Next Generation Science Standards. Youll also explore the AAAS Science Assessment website and its online testing feature; data on students misconceptions; and AAASs bank of some 700 high-quality test items for middle and high school physical, life, and earth sciences. Here are just a few of the many positive comments weve received from past workshop participants: I liked the critiquing process. While I realize there are no perfect items, I hope that we can improve the items we have, and that we will write better items. The workshop helped me gain understanding and skills that will help me in my work. I would definitely recommend this workshop to my colleagues. The people were the best part of the workshop, and focusing on learning goals, misconceptions, analyzing good items and answers! The workshop leader did an excellent job. The experience of trying to work through the process of learning goals, misconceptions, boundaries, necessity, comprehensibility was invaluable. I think the free question repository is awesome! *** All workshops are held at AAAS Headquarters in Washington, DC. To find out more about the workshops, our discounted Early-Bird rates, and scholarships or to register, go to Project2061.org/workshops and click on one of the workshops.

Attendance is limited, so please return your registration form as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Goldstein at bgoldste@aaas.org. UMASS NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014 SUMMER INSTITUTE Apply by April 1st, 2014 (MS & HS)
Monday to Friday, July 7 - July 11, 2014 at UMass Amherst Funded by the National Science Foundation Sponsored by the STEM Education Institute and the Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing Middle and High School Science, Math, and Technology Teachers $75/day stipends ($375 total), materials, parking, some meals Housing (new air conditioned dorms) for those outside the commuting radius 3 graduate physics credits available at reduced cost; free PDP's (Professional Development Points) Ongoing partnerships with UMass Faculty Nanotechnology deals with materials on the scale of nanometers. A nanometer is one-millionth of a millimeter, or about 10 atomic diameters. Such materials can have surprising and useful behaviors and properties. Applications of this rapidly growing field include regenerative medicine, fabrics and construction materials of unprecedented strength, ultra-high performance computers and data storage, more efficient solar photovoltaic cells, and much more. Activity in this field cuts across the traditional disciplinary boundaries, and involves chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. The UMass Nanotechnology Summer Institute will explore the basic science and engineering concepts of this exciting new field, and will illustrate how they may be integrated into the usual math, science and technology courses in middle schools and high schools. The content and pedagogy will be aligned with the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Framework. During the institute, participants will begin to develop curriculum units for their own classes. They will implement these in the fall and report on their progress and results online. Three graduate credits will be available for the institute and curriculum unit; the cost will be $300 plus a $45 registration fee. PDP's will be available at no cost. Application process: An application form and additional information are available at www.umassk12.net/nano. Teachers should also prepare a narrative statement of how they intend to use the institute materials in their classroom, and include in their application package a recent resume and a letter of support from their school principal or superintendent. The application package can be submitted by email, fax, or US mail. Applications are due April 1, 2014. Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis.

Science Enrichment/Challenge Opportunities for Students

28th Annual DuPont Challenge Kicks Off Competition Year Apply by January 31, 2014 (Students Grades 7 12)
Year 28 of the DuPont Challengea national writing competition for middle and high school studentskicked off last week and will begin accepting entries November 15. The DuPont Challenge calls on students in grades 712 from the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories to research, think critically, and write an essay that provides innovative ideas on the world's most pressing challenges, or demonstrates the application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to our daily lives. This year, the Challenge encourages students to consider how science and innovation can be used to meet the needs of the 21st century for food, energy, and protection. Students should address one of the four following categories in a 700- to 1,000-word essay: Together, we can feed the world.

Together, we can build a secure energy future. Together, we can protect people and the environment. Together, we can be innovative anywhere. Students and sponsoring teacher prizes include savings bonds, teaching grants, exciting trips, and much more. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2014. For more information, including official rules, entry forms, and details on awards, please visit the Challenge website.

NASAs REEL Science Video Communication Contest For Students Apply by February 21, 2014 (High School Students)
About the Contest NASA Earth Science missions are kicking off a new video contest engaging high school age students to produce a video communicating NASA Earth Science to younger students. Students are consuming over 10 hours of media a day and video is increasingly important to communicate and inform about science. NASA is looking for talented High School students to create videos that engage students in Earth Science. Winners will have their videos posted on NASA's website. They will also get the opportunity to be a NASA Producer working with NASA scientists and communication experts in July 2014 to produce an Earth Science feature video. Who can enter? The contest is open to residents of the United States ages 13 to 18 on or before October 14, 2013. Submissions can be by individuals or teams. What is the subject of the video? Produce a two-minute video for a middle school audience that communicates one of the following science concepts: 1. How Ice Impacts Climate and Climate Impacts Ice 2. Forest Fire Effects on Air Quality 3. Water of the Water Planet How do I submit? 1. Create a video explaining one of the science topics. Be sure to use NASA components including audio clips, animations, visualizations, or satellite images. 2. Upload your video to YouTube and tag with "NASAREELscience2014"by 11:59pm EST on February 21, 2014. 3. Within 72 hours you will receive a comment on your video that your video has been submitted. 4. Finalists will be selected by March 31, 2014. Finalists will be required to send their video file to NASA along with a supplied contest Submission Release Form by 11:59pm EST on April 15, 2014. 5. Winners will be announced April 30, 2014 on our website. When is the deadline? Videos must be uploaded and tagged with "NASAREELscience2014" on YouTube by 11:59pm EST February 21, 2014. How will the videos be judged? NASA producers, communications experts, and scientists will be judging the videos for science accuracy, creativity, use of NASA data, and video quality. Videos that are inaudible, blurry, or contain resources (other than NASA imagery) that are not original will be immediately disqualified. (See contest guidelines for more details.) How will finalists be notified? Finalists will receive a comment on their YouTube video by March 31, 2014. Check YouTube after March 31st to see if you have been selected. Finalists will have 15 days to submit their video file and waiver via email to NASA. Videos with waivers not received by 11:59pm EST April 15th will be disqualified. What are the prizes? Winning videos will be announced on April 30, 2014 and posted on the NASA website. Winners will get the opportunity to work remotely with NASA producers and communications experts on a current NASA Earth Science Story in July 2014. Participation will include access to NASA personnel through webinars and online communication tools (e.g., Skype). Final produced stories will be posted on a NASA website and have the chance of being highlighted on www.nasa.gov. See contest guidelines for required release forms. For more information go to: http://reelscience.gsfc.nasa.gov/ * Check out the Winning Videos from 2012!

High School Seniors Sought For National Youth Science Camp Honors Apply by March

1, 2014
As part of the 2014 National Youth Science Foundation (NYSC) two Rhode Island high school seniors will receive a full scholarship to exchange ideas with scientists and other professionals from the academic and corporate worlds. The nearly month-long experience includes lectures and hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation; overnight camping trips into the Monogahela National Forest; and a visit to Washington D.C. The selected delegates must not only demonstrate academic achievement in science, but also show potential for thoughtful scientific leadership. The NYSC experience is offered at no cost to its participants, so that selected delegates may attend regardless of their financial status. Contributions to the NYSC allow delegates to participate in this once in a lifetime experience. Educational and recreational programming, as well as meals, lodging, and round-trip air passage on scheduled airlines are provided free of charge. Delegates arrive in Charleston, West Virginia, on Friday, June 27, and depart on Sunday, July 20, 2014. The NYSC is held near Bartow in the eastern mountains of West Virginia, within the Monongahela National Forest. Application forms are available on the NYSC website at www.nysc.org and must be submitted directly to Rhode Island selection coordinator at the following address: Peter McLaren Rhode Island Department of Education 255 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02903 (work) 401-222-8454 (fax) 401-222-3605 Peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 1, 2013. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Peter McLaren at 401-222-8454 or peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov
nnifer

2014 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest Deadline March 15th, 2014 (K-12)
This year is the 9th year of Endangered Species Day (May 16, 2014) and the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (signed on Dec. 28, 1973). The 2014 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest provides students with an opportunity to learn about endangered species and express their knowledge and support through artwork. The contest is organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Coalition, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the International Child Art Foundation. Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest March 15, 2014 submission deadline Art Contest guidelines, entry form and teacher instructions here Young people in grades K-12, as well as those in homeschools and youth programs, can submit their artwork of threatened and endangered species. Their submissions must be postmarked by March 15, 2014. The grand prize and grade category winners of the 2013 contest were chosen by a panel of artists, photographers and wildlife experts. View the 2013 winning entries here. DETAILS about Contest Background, Teacher/School Registration, Eligibility, Subject Matter, Resources, Judging and Prizes found here: http://www.endangered.org/campaigns/endangered-species-day/saving-endangered-species-youth-art-contest/

Next Generation Learning with the Kavli Science in Fiction Video Contest Apply by March 21 (Grades 6-12)
Interplanetary travel, time travel, telepathy, teleportation, brain powered computers, recombinant DNA, bionic limbs, cyborgs, cryonics. Just some of the far-fetched technologies that have been dreamed up over time, while today's scientists might just be discovering ways to make them become real!

Investigate how science is portrayed in TV, films, and games. Find an example using a film, TV show, or video game, then compare to what we can do today with current or emerging technologies. Or tell us what science needs to discover to make it really happen. The more you research, the more you will discover, and you might end up being surprised by what you find out. Make a video (: 30 -: 90) that shares your discoveries and states your case. ENTRY PERIOD: NOV. 1, 2013 - MARCH 21, 2014 Go to Contest Entry Form Contest open to Grades 6-12, International Students and US PRIZES: 1st- $2000 2nd- $750 3rd- $500 People's Choice $250 Additional Prizes include: Software from Wolfram Mathematica Free training at Steve Wolfe's Stunt Ranch in Austin, TX

National Academies of Engineering Engineering For You (E4U) Video Contest Opens November 1 Enter by March 31, 2014 (MS and HS Students)
In celebration of its upcoming 50th anniversary, the National Academy of Engineering launched Engineering for You (E4U), a video contest to highlight the impact that engineering has or will have on society. In the last 50 years, engineering achievements include helping to land astronauts on the moon, creating the Internet, and decoding the human genome. What will engineering create in the next 50 years? Rev up your creativity, pull out your camera or phone, and produce a one to two minute video showing the world how you see engineering enhancing quality of life and serving the needs of society. The video must highlight a period during the years 19642064. The main prize is $25,000, and the contest runs through March 31, 2014.

NEW!!! 2014 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment Seeks Nominations Of Your Students Sophomores and Juniors (Class of 2015 & 16)
Please consider nominating your top students for the 2014 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. http://wsp.gmu.edu/nominations/ George Mason University, along with its partners, National Geographic and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (the National Zoo), are excited to welcome students attending the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) to Washington, D.C. The Summit is a hands-on, interactive program that provides Americas highest achieving high school students with an interest in the environment, conservation and sustainability, and with the desire to explore careers in the fields of environmental science, conservation, policy, law and engineering, with a remarkable opportunity. Students take an active role in the curriculum through exclusive behind-the-scenes explorations of facilities and laboratories of the Smithsonian and National Zoo, and through exclusive field visits, special access to, and activities with, researches, scientists, directors and staff. Students are led in small groups by faculty advisors who are local experts in these fields and have extensive experience in conservation and the environment. The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment is held on George Mason Universitys state-of-the-art campus, enabling attending students to experience life as a typical college student and reside in comfortable, modern, fully air-conditioned dorm rooms with wireless internet connections. Students will receive one college credit for their successful completion of the Summit, with transcripts from George Mason University that can be sent to any college or university where the Delegate seeks admission.

Learn more about the program at http://www.wyse.gmu.edu or contact Richard Friesner at 703-993-5417 or by email at rfriesne@gmu.edu with any questions.

Please note: attachments will not be sent. Most information will be posted online or included here to reduce the size of this message. Thank you.
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If you know of something that you feel is a quality resource, event, or opportunity (e.g., grant), please send a newsletter-ready blurb to peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov containing the following information by 3:00pm on Thursday to be included in the Friday newsletter (subject to RIDE review and approval): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Type (e.g., grant, event, resource) Name / Title of Event / Opportunity Source or Event Sponsor Web site, and/or contact name(s) and email address(es) Description Grade level(s) and/or intended audience Deadline (if applicable) for time-sensitive submissions or event RSVPs

THIS NOTICE IS DISTRIBUTED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. R.I Department of Education does not have any affiliation or responsibility to promote this information. Peter J. McLaren
Science-Technology Specialist Office of Instruction Rhode Island Department of Education 255 Westminster Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903 401-222-8454

peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov @PeterJMcLaren