The following district directors have submitted news items for NCSTA members:
Not sure which district you are in? Check out the district map at the bottom of this page.
News from District 1
Director: Tammy Lee
The College of Education at East Carolina University in partnership with Go-Science will offer Summer Science Camps for students in 2nd-8th grade. Camps range from life science, earth/environmental science, engineering, and telescope making. For more information visit our website www.ecu.edu/educ/msed/summersciencecamp/ or contact the Director of the East Carolina University Summer Science Camp, Tammy D. Lee at leeta@ecu.edu
The Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education at ECU will be offering the following face-to-face summer programs: SITE Geometry, SITE Advanced Functions and Modeling, Science for Elementary Teachers (Grades 3-5), Making Connections-Big Ideas in Science (K-8), and Technology for Teachers. Independent projects available statewide include: EarthCaching-North Carolina’s Wild Places, X Marks the Spot-A Summer Treasure Hunt with Technology, Lights-Camera-Action, Reading and Thinking about Science, and Coastal Processes and Conflicts-North Carolina’s Outer Banks. You may access more details as well as application forms at the Center website: www.coe.ecu.edu/csmte.
Congratulations to the following schools won top awards at the ECU Regional Science Olympiad. Many of the coaches of these teams are NCSTA members.
Division B
1st Northeast Elementary School
2nd Bath Middle School
3rd AG Cox Middle School
4th Moyock Middle School
Division C
1st Washington High School
2nd South Central High School
3rd J H Rose High School
Buxton Middle School Students is named NC finalist in the Siemans "We Can Change the World Challenge"
Students Evan Haas, Ashley Hodges and Kailee Pieno along with their teacher, Tracy Shisler, of Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies in Buxton, N.C. have been named North Carolina’s state finalist team in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Stewards of the Pamlico Sound’s winning project focused on creating an artificial oyster reef to help restore the oyster population. The national competition encouraged middle school students across the United States to team up and “go green” by creating and implementing environmental change in their local communities. Stewards of the Pamlico Sound is one of 22 state finalist teams, from which two national winning teams and one grand prize-winning team will be chosen and announced on May 18, 2009 at www.wecanchange.com. National prizes include once-in-a-lifetime discovery adventure trips with a TV personality, an appearance on Discovery’s Planet Green TV Network and savings bonds.
News
From District 5Director: Mark Case
District 5 has been very busy this year! Our professionals have some exciting news to share from their various schools!
Kenan Fellows Recipients
The Kenan Fellows Program for Curriculum and Leadership Development at N.C. State selected two science teachers from Guilford County Schools for its fellows class of 2011. Aebeyo Abraha, a chemistry teacher from Smith High School and Kathleen Eckersley, a chemistry teacher from High Point Central, will engage in two-year fellowships to develop innovative curricula for use in N.C. classrooms.
Partnership with NCSU Science House
Guilford County Schools has partnered with the NCSU Science House in an effort to provide inquiry training to high school science teachers in the county. The Science House Presents Sustained STEM Support, GCS teachers will receive training and support in the classroom as they implement inquiry-based science.
Rebecca Hite has been elected to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Science Leadership Association. The NCSLA provides opportunities for science educators at all levels to exchange ideas and information, promotes the cause of quality science instruction and influences the creation of policies and legislation. Rebecca teaches Biology and AP Human Geography and is the Burton Stuart Chair for Math and Science at Chapel Hill High School. Rebecca also learned that she has been selected to serve as a Science Ambassador for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) this summer.
Alan Snow was selected to receive a 2008-2009 Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant from the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF). Project name: Outdoor Classroom
The $4,100 grant involves landscaping an area with local NC trees and flowers, adding tables and benches, and installing plants for butterflies for outdoor learning in a K-5 elementary school.
Tim Martin just recently returned from an international scientific research expedition in the Siberian Arctic. Tim am an Earth Science teacher in Greensboro NC and was selected to accompany a major international scientific research expedition to the Siberian Arctic. He spent the last month on the expedition to Lake El'gygytgyn in the Chukotka province of Russia. This was part of the National Science Foundation sponsored Polar TREC program that places teachers with scientists to encourage and engage young students in science.
Lake El'gygytgyn (Lake E) was formed 3.6 million years ago by an asteroid impact. Since the impact, lake sediments have recorded the longest undisturbed record of climate anywhere in the continental Arctic regions. The goal of the expedition was to drill this lake sediment and retrieve core samples to study both the climate record as well as the impact rocks of the crater.
While on the expedition Tim was able to work with the science team and communicate with my own students as well as others across the US and around the world through videos, a journal, photo-gallery, and interactive blog. Since getting home, Tim's students have been among the first "scientists" to discuss and examine results from this expedition. It has been a treat to see young minds explore scientific questions that have yet to be studied by the professionals.
More info can be found at: www.polartrec.com/geologic-climate-research-in-siberia
News
From District 8
Director: Teresa Cowan
SPRING has definitely SPRUNG. It is upon us. Can you believe we are only weeks away from the close of the 2008-2009 school year. I know everyone is counting the days until…. EOG’s and EOC’s, and do not forget the end of the year mayhem.
WORDS OF ADVICE: wrap your arms around it, hold on tight, and enjoy the ride that we lovingly call “the end of the year.”
Have a great summer; keep in touch; see you in Greensboro for the NCSTA fall conference.
Now for the news:
District 8 Drive-In
March 14, 2009….A date to remember. The date of the 2nd annual Drive-in Workshop for the western end of the state. District 7 & 8 hosted a workshop at C.D. Owen MS in Swannanoa.
I would like to thank the presenters (Dr. Kevin Moorhead – UNCA, Ashley Featherstone – WNCAir, Michelle Benigno – Science House, and Dan Clere – WNC Nature Center). Thanks also go out to the Nature Center for donations that were made.
The participants from District 8 had an incredible learning experience. The topic “From the Ground Up” literally offered teachers the opportunity to experience content and techniques for studying soil, water, air, and flora/fauna.
Great workshop sessions, delicious snacks, professionalism among participants, and lunch in Swannanoa combined for an awesome experience. Check out the photos on-line. Watch for future Drive-In workshops. Don’t miss out.
Science Olympiad News
District 8 Science Olympiad winners at the April event held at UNCA. The event includes 11 middle school teams and 8 high school teams. Thanks to UNCA for an amazing job, once again.
Division B winners: Evergreen Charter (1st), North Buncombe (2nd), AC Reynolds MS (3rd) and Polk County MS (4th).
Division C winners: AC Reynolds HS (1st), Polk County HS (2nd),
Carolina Day (3rd) and Ashe County (4th).These teams represented our region at the state tournament hosted by NC State University. Evergreen Charter Community School came away as 9th in the state and AC Reynolds HS came away as 17th in the state. Congratulations for representing us well.
Check out SCIENCE OLYMPIAD for your students. It is a tremendous vehicle to teach and engage students. Go to http://soinc.org/ for more information.
For Your Information
GREEN SCIENCE and NC’s Future for a Sustainable World: Sounds like an action packed PDI. Nov. 19-20, 2009 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. It is coming soon. Register early, be involved, come network and revitalize yourself. The PDI is still accepting presenters.
Speaking of the website….nomination time is here. Go on-line and nominate a colleague for a district award or office if appropriate. PS: Check out the grants, scholarships, awards, etc. that NCSTA has to offer.
Check the NCSTA and the NSTA websites for information on upcoming events, “freebies”, and news.
Remember to contact me with news, celebrations, workshops, and questions. Try to recruit a new member. Share with them all the association has to offer. PS: RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP. NCSTA needs you.
Current Issue | Archives | NCSTA
The Science
Reflector
Newsletter of the North Carolina Science Teachers Association
P.O. Box 33478, Raleigh, NC 27636
Elizabeth Snoke Harris, Editor