Science Curriculum Resources

Level 1 Professional Development on the New Montana Science Content Standards and Performance Descriptors.

The Office of Public Instruction is working in collaboration with the Montana

Educational Service Areas to provide Montana science teachers with professional development that focuses on the new Montana Science Content Standards and Performance Descriptors. These workshops will provide educators with an introduction and orientation to the revised science standards. The workshops are referred to as Level 1 because they are the first step in a long-term plan of professional development opportunities focused on the science standards and their implementation in the classroom.

Workshop facilitators are needed in order to have this professional

development opportunity available to the many science educators within the state. If you are interested in being trained to become a Level 1 workshop facilitator please contact the regional service area nearest to you. Contact information is located underneath the region map. If you are interested in having a level 1 workshop for science teachers K-12 in your school or district please contact the appropriate regional education service area or Katie Burke, Science Curriculum Specialist, kburke@mt.gov or (406)444-3557.

Western Montana CSPD (WM-CSPD):

Nancy Marks

nmarks@mcps.k12.mt.us

(406) 728-2400

Ext 1088

Montana North Central Education Service Region (MNCESR):

Diana Knudson

diana@gtccmt.org

(406) 788-2962

Southern Montana Alliance for Resources and Traing (SMART):

Bobbie Larson

blarson@msubillings.edu

(406) 657-2908

SAFETY IN THE SCIENCE CLASSROOM

SAFTEY RESOURCES FROM THE COUNCIL OF STATE SCIENCE SUPERVISORS CS3 has assembled links to key resources to support safety in the science classroom. The link below will take you the council's website on safety. http://www.csss-science.org/safety.shtml

SCIENCE COMPETITIONS

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SCIENCE BOWL: REGISTER FOR MONTANA-WYOMING REGIONAL SCIENCE BOWL COMPETITION

Middle School Science Bowl: February 6, 2009 (Academic competition)

                                                 February 7, 2009 (Fuel Cell Car Race)

Big Sky Regional Science Bowl (High School):  February 7, 2009

All events are held at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center

For more information, contact Cheryl Jones  (406) 247-7424 or jones@wapa.gov or visit the regional websites:

Middle school http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nmsb/Regional_Sites/MT_and_WY.htm

High school http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nsb/states/montana.htm

National Science Bowl website http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nsb/index.html

SIEMENS WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD CHALLENGE

Finding solutions to a growing number of issues related to sustainability has become a fervent cause for many citizens and organizations across the United States.  To help educate, empower and engage students, educators and communities to become "agents of change," the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) are launching the only national K-12 sustainability education initiative aligned to education standards and uniquely tailored to match students' growing comprehension abilities.  The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge encourages student teams from sixth through eighth grade, under the mentorship of a teacher or adult supervisor, to identify an environmental issue in their community, research the issue using scientific investigation, and create a replicable green solution. The application deadline is March 15, 2009.

Teams can register for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge at http://www.wecanchange.com

To access additional information about this announcement, visit http://www.wecanchange.com/media-room

2009 TOSHIBA/NSTA EXPLORAVISION AWARDS SEEKS APPLICANTS

The Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision Awards Program, one of the world's largest K-12 science and technology competitions, is now accepting entries for its 2009 competition. For the past 16 years, the ExploraVision program has provided an opportunity for students to envision a better future and has given educators a valuable tool for helping motivate their students to excel in science. Many teachers use this program as part of their science and technology curriculum.

In the 2008 competition, for instance, winning teams proposed future technologies that ranged from renewable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics to a device that could remove carbon dioxide from car exhaust. For their projects, student teams in 2008 researched existing technologies to conceptualize future advancements in the fields of nanotechnology, bio-plastics, genetic engineering, GPS satellite systems, and more. Up to $240,000 in savings bonds will be awarded this year to student winners whose innovative ideas combine imagination with the tools of science. Toshiba laptop computers for schools and other prizes for students, teachers, and mentors will also be presented.

The deadline for the 2009 competition is January 28, 2009.

 For more information or an application for 2009, visit www.exploravision.org.

FELLOWSHIPS & GRANTS FOR SCIENCE EDUCATORS

EINSTEIN FELLOWSHIP-APPLICATION OPEN NOW!

The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship is a paid fellowship for K-12 math, science, and technology teachers. Einstein Fellows spend a school year in Washington, DC serving in a federal agency or on Capitol Hill. You may serve your Fellowship with Congress or one of several government agencies such as the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

To be considered for an Einstein Fellowship for the 2009-2010 school year, apply and submit three letters of recommendation online by January 13, 2009.

Apply online at https://applicationlink.labworks.org/applicationlink/default.htm 

For more information about the Einstein Fellows program visit www.trianglecoalition.org/ein.htm or contact Liz Burck at burckl@triangle-coalition.org.

ARMADA Project- Research and Mentoring Experiences for Teachers

The University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs is now accepting applications for the ARMADA Project- Research and Mentoring Experiences for Teachers.  The ARMADA Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, provides K-12 teachers an opportunity to actively participate in ocean, polar, and environmental science research and peer mentoring.
Selected Master Teachers (with five or more years teaching experience) are paired with leading scientists and participate in shipboard, field, or laboratory research.  Research experiences will take place during the summer, although there may be opportunities during the school year.  Upon completion of their research experience, Master Teachers develop ways to bring the fruits of their research experiences, including scientific data, methodologies, and technology into their classrooms.  They share their experiences by mentoring new teachers in their school district and by presenting their results at the National Science Teachers Association National Conventions. See www.armadaproject.org for more information on past research experiences.

Application deadline is February 9, 2009

For more information about teacher qualifications, responsibilities, and to download an application see the ARMADA Project website www.armadaproject.org or contact Andrea Kecskes at 401-874-6211 or armada@gso.uri.edu. 

VERNIER/NSTA:INNOVATIVE USE OF DATA-COLLECTION TECHNOLOGY
The Vernier Software & Technology/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Tech Award recognizes innovative use of data-collection technology with a computer, graphing calculator, or handheld device in the science classroom. Maximum award: $3,000 -- $1,000 in cash for the teacher, $1,000 in Vernier Products, and up to $1,000 toward expenses to attend the 2009 NSTA National Conference on Science Education, Mar. 19-22, 2009. Eligibility: current teachers of science from kindergarten through college. Deadline: Nov. 30, 2008. Visit http://vernier.com/grants/nsta.html for more information.

TOYOTA TAPESTRY GRANTS FOR SCIENCE TEACHERS Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and NSTA are pleased to announce the 19th annual Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program. This year Toyota will award $550,000 in grants to K-12 teachers of science. A total of 50 large grants of up to $10,000 each, along with 20-30 mini-grants of up to $2,500 each, will be awarded. Categories include environmental science, integrating literacy and science, and physical science. Toyota has awarded 986 grants totaling over $8 million in this premiere nationwide grant program.

For further information and to begin the application process online, please visit the Toyota TAPESTRY website. The online applications are now available! Remember that all 50 large grant winners receive an all-expenses paid trip to the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans! The deadline for submission of online entries is Jan. 21, 2009.

Questions, Comments and Assistance, Contact:

Katie Burke, Science Curriculum Specialist
406-444-3557