District News

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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: Karen Dawkins

Greetings from District 1

Colleen Karl from the Science House’s Satellite Office in Chowan County shares news of an upcoming conference on Place-Based Education for Northeastern North Carolina. This conference will showcase outstanding examples of Place-Based Learning from around the United States, including several ongoing community projects from our local area. The dates of the conference are November 8th and 9th, 2007 and the location is the Kermit E. White Graduate Center on the campus of Elizabeth City State University. More information is on the website below. Registration for the community and school teams will be available in mid-August at the same website. http://www.science-house.org/pblconf/fall07.html

The CSMTE at ECU received a QUEST grant from UNC General Administration (Big Ideas in Science) to conduct a field-based course for teachers in grades 4-8 from Beaufort, Pamlico, and Hyde Counties. These teachers will present a session at the NCSTA Professional Development Institute and some will participate in the Share-a-Thon. The project included a week of field work with Dr. Stan Riggs and Ms. Dorothea Ames from ECU—as well as development of curriculum units with help from Master Teacher, Leigh Apple. Upcoming events include a weekend field trip to the Outer Banks in October, curriculum work during the school year, and an additional week of field-based activities during the summer of 2008.

In the photo (left) Dorothea Ames (ECU) and Deena Warwick (Chocowinity Primary School) gather samples from the bottom of South Creek in Aurora (Big Ideas in Science).

Middle school science teachers from eastern NC attended a summer institute at South Central HS in Pitt County taught by Ann Scarborough (Pitt County) and Betty Dean and sponsored by NC DPI.

Phyllis Rumpp (Washington) and Cynthia Adams (Greenville) developed a curriculum module (Life Systems) to be incorporated into the Statewide Institute for Teaching Excellence offered by the NC Mathematics and Science Education Network.

News from District 2
Director: Barbara Stroud

Was that a blink of a summer? I don’t know when I have had a summer so short but packed with activities. It seems good to be back at school just to rest and maybe slow down just a tad. Across the education spectrum, writing is being emphasized in all areas of the curriculum. Therefore, for the past two years, my students have been writing in journals. Sometimes it is an answer to a question posed in class, and other times, it is just their own thoughts, feelings or observations about the world around them. Last June a year ago I wanted to document what I did during the time away from school just as my students had been doing and so I decided the best way to accomplish this was to keep a journal of my own. The reason I started this was to make sure I didn’t “waste” my time doing “useless” things like relaxing. So, I started my first journal. As I wrote my daily accomplishments and reflections I realized I was on a personal journey of growth that helped me see a bigger picture. It was amazing the twists and turns this journaling took on and then I experienced a personal tragedy and the journaling became my outlet for frustration and pain. I have started my 7th journal this summer and I never intend to stop. This summer I filled an entire book with my adventures.

My first adventure started in Townsend, Tennessee at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute. This workshop was one of the very best and if you have not participated in one, please go on line and visit the web site (www.gsmit.org). Melia Allen from Eastern Wayne HS (Wayne County) also participated. During the workshop we listened to enthusiastic speakers and then had hands on activities to emphasize what we had learned. I also participated in the 5th annual NIA (National Institute of Aerospace) and NASA workshop. The first week was held in Hampton Virginia and the second week at NCSU, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC A&T. The first week’s topics were astronomy, robotics, atmospheric science, engineering, microgravity, and geospatial technologies. The second week involved designing plans to implement this training in the classroom. It was a great experience for earth science teachers.

Joyce Thorpe (Eastern Wayne High School) attended “Teaching About Kinematics,” sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Physics Teachers Regional Association (AAPT/PTRA). Each participant kept an active on-going daily journal to help organize the material as the institute progressed. Ready to use lesson plans were given to the beginning physical science teachers. Teachers used probes, computers and other technology to collect and analyze their data.

The next workshop Ms. Thorpe attended was “Physics Based Fun With Science”(Science House) for beginning physics and physical science teachers. The activities presented were a collection of science demonstrations and experiments to create high interest and excitement in students while teaching basic science concepts.

Please send information to me for the newsletter because everyone needs to be heard and recognized. If you have experienced a phenomenal workshop during the summer or during the year, share this with us. Also please put on your calendar the PD in Greensboro in November. Hope to see you there!

News from District 3
Director: Carrie Jones

I hope you all had a relaxing summer vacation and were prepared to start the new school year. I spent six weeks with Kenan Fellows, attended the National AAPT conference in Greensboro, participated in a National Conference for STEM at NC State, collaborated through the fall NCSTA conference planning retreat, taught two sections of online Physical Science, worked on my dissertation, and did some Science EOG reviewing before getting back to the daily grind ;) But I love every minute of it! Some reasons I like the new school year are: the chance for me to revise and add new things to my Earth Science curriculum…the chance to share new learning experiences with Freshmen…and as always I get to meet new teachers. I hope to see you all at the Fall PDI in November! Please come and introduce yourself at the Share-a-thons.

Some of my favorite sources for Fall happenings in or near District 3:

News From District 5
Director: Keri Randolph

Chatham County
Chatham Education Foundation was awarded a $20,000 grant from Progress Energy for the 2007-08 school year. The grant funds will be used to align science curricula in grades 6-12 and encourage collaboration among science teachers in the district. Through funding provided by the grant, Curriculum Topic Study workshops will be conducted throughout the school year. The grant was conceived and sponsored by Donna Melpolder who serves as science curriculum resource teacher for the district, and Keri Randolph, science teacher at Northwood High School in Pittsboro. In addition, Embarq funded a portion of the grant that provides money for grants that teachers may use to purchase science supplies for their classrooms.

Guilford County
Don’t forget about the NCSTA Professional Development Institute, “Earth: A Good Planet is Hard to Find,” scheduled for November 14-16 at the Koury Center in Greensboro. Don’t miss the great speakers, share-a-thon sessions full of lesson plans, workshops, vendors, and much more! Go to http://www.ncsta.org/institute/index.html for more information. Hope to see you there!

Orange County
For 24 hours in September 2007 — beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 and ending at 6 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 — local families will join scientists and natural historians to inventory animal and plant life at Mason Farm Biological Reserve. The inventory, called a BioBlitz, will allow researchers to assess the biodiversity of the reserve, part of the North Carolina Botanical Gardens (NCBG). The BioBlitz is a joint project of NCBG and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, and participation is free. The 24-hour span is divided into smaller segments of time, so participants can register for one or several segments of the BioBlitz. Teams of participants will work with scientists to collect data about the living organisms that live in the reserve. They’ll learn to use professional research tools and techniques as they identify and count the species they find. http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=news_item&id=413

Forsyth County
An exhibit entitled, “Stem Cells and You,” is now open at SciWorks in Winston-Salem. The exhibit addresses the science behind stem cells, their uses in medicine and research, as well as a section that allows visitors to add their opinions to the debate on stem cell research. The exhibit runs through the end of the year. More information on this exhibit and other happenings at SciWorks: http://www.sciworks.org/calendar.htm

News From District 6
Director: Debbie Michael

Wow!! Where did the summer go? By now everyone is back in school and I hope that everyone has a great start to the new year. This will be my last column in the Reflector as I have served my two terms. Someone new will take my place. I have enjoyed serving you as District 6 Director and I hope that I will continue to promote science education throughout the state. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you.

My summer was spent recover ring from knee replacement surgery and small toe amputation. I was not able to go to many workshops, but was able to go to the last weekend of “The Heart of Teaching” at NCCAT. If you have not been to NCCAT, please look at their website - http://www.nccat.org/news.html and select a workshop to attend. It is fabulous!!! “The Heart of Teaching” workshop - I highly recommend!

Be sure to see the exhibit Body Worlds at Discovery Place. I toured the exhibit this week and it is awesome! You will see individual organs and whole body plastinates. What a great way to view human anatomy. http://www.discoveryplace.org/bodyworlds/home/body_worlds-home.php

Catawba Science Center in Hickory is adding on to its museum. A new digital theater/planetarium will open on October 15. Seating for 65 is available. New ocean touch tanks and aquariums are part of the addition. This museum is a great resource for teachers and students. http://www.catawbascience.org/

The Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education at UNCC is offering workshops for environmental education certification. Check out their website for details - http://education.uncc.edu/cmste/

This is how some teachers spent their summer vacation:

From July 26-August 7th, Brett Moyer, a science teacher at Providence Day School, traveled to Tanzania in east Africa. His goal was to gather information to allow him to offer a field course for PDS students during the summer of 2008. Prior to the trip, he identified an organization, Global Explorers that offers international immersion experiences for high school students. During the trip, he shadowed a school group that was involved in the Global Explorers' Tanzania program. He was impressed. Global Explorers offers a rich curriculum that emphasizes science, culture, service, and leadership. Some of the highlights were seeing the wildlife of the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater (Elephants, Giraffe, Lions, Ostrich, Hippos, etc.), spending several days paired with Tanzanian students involved in an ecology program, and visiting a Masai tribe.

Joe Mahler and John Makous, physics teachers at Providence Day School, instructed a three week workshop at UNC-Charlotte for physics teachers to learn the modeling method for teaching physics. Participants who attended the workshop included teachers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district, as well as one teacher from California and one from Mexico.

During the three weeks, teachers were exposed to what the modeling method is and how it is implemented in teaching mechanics. Topics covered included kinematics, forces and Newton’s laws, momentum, and energy. Each teacher experienced the modeling method both as a student and as a teacher. As students, the participants acquired and analyzed experimental data, from which models were developed. As teachers, the participants were trained to implement Socratic questioning to the “students” to help develop and deploy pertinent models used to explain the concepts involved. The instructors are hopeful that this modeling workshop will be the first of many physics modeling workshops at UNC-Charlotte.

Please make plans to attend to NCSTA Professional Development Institute November 14-16. There are many resources available for teachers and the sessions are very seful. Plan now to attend!

I am in the process of planning a “Drive-IN” work shop for district 6. Please let me know if you can help with this event. Look for more details on the NCSTA website and at the PDI.

Thanks again for allowing me to serve you these past two years. It has been an honor and I have been enriched by this experience.

News From District 7
Director: Elizabeth Bustle

I’m pleased to wish you a successful school year. I want to extend a special, early invitation to the November 15-16 NCSTA Professional Development Institute in Greensboro at the Koury Convention Center. Please mark your calendars today; registration forms will arrive in your school or home mailboxes shortly. You can also renew your membership when you register.

The theme of this year’s institute is “Earth: A Good Planet is Hard to Find,” and it will feature another slate of wonderful classes, vendors, and featured speaker Bill McArthur Jr., NASA Astronaut and Aerospace Engineer.

However, I am seeking some help from the current district members prior to November 15.

District 7 has only two nominees for Outstanding District Science Teachers. Any outstanding elementary, middle, or secondary level teacher from the district may be nominated by going to the www.ncsta.org website and click on the AWARDS link on the left side of the homepage. After clicking on the Outstanding District Science Teacher Award link, you will be asked to complete information about your nominee and write a brief online letter. Two other colleagues of the nominee should also be asked to complete online letters. Nominations should be completed before October 5 (new deadline). We desperately need nominees from all three grade levels and I know there are many outstanding science teachers in our area.

NCSTA is also hoping to update their website to make it more user friendly. If you have a few minutes (I know they are hard to spare), please feel free to take a brief survey on the www.ncsta.org website by clicking on the upcoming “Update Website Survey” link on the homepage.

Final note: State Science Fair coordinator, Judy Day, is seeking a representative from one of the district 7 universities, colleges, or community colleges to serve on the planning board for the district and state science fair competitions. The college or university would also serve as the host site for the district science fair in March 2008. If any member is interested or willing to suggest a representative, please email me or Judy Day (judy_day@ncsu.edu) for more information.

At any time, please feel free to send me any announcements you would like to share with all NCSTA members or district members concerning upcoming events, professional development opportunities, teaching ideas, or accomplishments. Again, have a wonderful school year and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

News From District 8
Director: Teresa Cowan

September already? No. I cannot even believe that the majority of District 8 has been in school for over two weeks. It never ceases to amaze me how “time flies when you are having fun.” I hope and pray that you are all doing just that “HAVING FUN.” If not, try my approach: “Life is too short, enjoy every moment of it with or without the participation of others.” And we all know that the participation of our students is so varied. We, the gifted science professionals (HA, HA) are therefore the masters of their happiness as well as ours.

Enough with Philosophy 101; what is going on in District 8?

Updates:

  • Nominations for awards: Thanks for coming through. We have nominations for all awards. It is super to see fellow colleagues honoring each other for jobs well done. Thanks again and CONGRATULATIONS to the nominees. But, of course, they will be recognized and surprised in November.

  • Speaking of November:  The PDI is going to be awesome. Presenters are scheduled, guests have set itineraries, and the only thing missing is you. Do not miss the fun, fellowship, and, of course, the educational opportunities. Make your reservations for November 15-16th, 2007. Bring a friend. Check out the NCSTA webpage for more information.

  • “Volunteers” needed: During a session at the PDI, there will once again be a grade level type “share-a-thon.” I am looking for persons that intend to go to the PDI and are willing to bring handouts of one fool-proof science lesson to share with colleagues. The sharers simply provide a handout of the lesson and maybe a simple demonstration or example while teachers travel around the room gathering handouts. Sharers will receive copies of ALL lessons presented during the session. Think about it. Contact me if interested.

  • COMING SOON: District Drive-In workshops. I am planning a spring workshop for our district. It is still in the planning stage so suggestions are encouraged. Content, location, etc. are all things that I would love some input upon. Please send me some of your thoughts.

FYI: Things to share.

  • Check out this website for awesome discounts and freebies: http://www.NebraskaScientific.com.Include this promotional code – "A7-SPECIAL" - with your order.  Fall offer good through Saturday, December 22, 2007, 12:07 AM CST!  

  • Check out this website for an exciting “world wide weather” opportunity: www.aamlearning.org. Check it out quickly; there is a September 15th deadline.

  • Check out this website for amazing astronomy related workshop opportunities and student field experiences: http://www.pari.edu/programs/teachers/smiley/fall.

  • Flowing your way: Project WET & Watersheds Educator Workshop
    September 11th, 2007, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Newfound Community Center, Leicester
    Lunch will be at the church across from the Community Center
    Fee: Donation to church for lunch
    Credit: 1 CEU/EEU
    To register, call Laurie at 828-250-4785 or Gail at 828-452-2741, ext. 3

  • From Linda Walker at Cane Creek Middle School:
    Twice yearly, the Cane Creek Middle School eighth grade students visit their feeder elementary school's kindergarten class. The first semester visit coincides with the unit on electricity. Each 8th grader becomes an expert on making basic circuit boards. With this new found skill and the necessary equipment, the 8th grader goes to the kindergarten class and helps the students make a board. The 8th grade students each bring in stickers to use on the boards and help the kindergarten student to write a matching word. It is truly amazing to watch some of the huge 8th grade bodies working to find comfort at kindergarten tables with kindergarten chairs - but the best moment is when you see the transformation when the mean, gruff, don't care 8th grader is confronted with the eyes of expectation from a Kindergartener. The second semester trip is based on the AIMS Mini Olympic Plan. The 8th graders go and help the kindergarteners learn measurement techniques. The 8th grader “coach” assists the kindergarten “competitor” to through a straw javelin, a cotton ball shot put, sponge squeeze, etc. Each event has a score and the 8th graders have an awards ceremony at which every kindergartener gets acknowledged!! These two days are a favorite time!!

Have a great fall. Keep in contact. I hope to see many faces from District 8 at the PDI in Greensboro.

 

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The Science Reflector
Newsletter of the North Carolina Science Teachers Association
P.O. Box 33478, Raleigh, NC 27636
Elizabeth Snoke Harris, Editor