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: Colleen Karl
It was refreshing to see such great representation from District One at the NCSTA Professional Development Institute this past November in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Orrin Pilkey and Dr. Stan Riggs treated science educators from across the state to dynamic talks about coastal erosion in North Carolina and around the world. Dr. Riggs featured slides of the Chowan River erosion after Hurricane Isabel that struck a chord of familiarity with all of us who live in Northeastern North Carolina. It seems that lessons from natural events can serve to connect our students to the larger view of understanding conceptual science.
One of the highlights of the Professional Development Institute is recognizing the outstanding science professional educators we have in our state at the awards banquet. This year, District One is very pleased that Samantha Dassler Barlow was the recipient of the District Outstanding Science Teacher award. “Sam” thoroughly enjoys guiding her middle school students as they progress though inquiry-based curriculum and learning to think more abstractly. Samantha shares her excitement and energy about teaching with all those around her, and always looks for the best opportunities to bring to her students. Congratulations, Samantha!
Several of our Northeast counties have expressed interest in developing Envirothon teams for their high school and middle schools. For our region, early regional competition is held in New Bern at Cool Springs Environmental Education Center in preparation for the state competition on April 28th and 29th. The Envirothon, this year, has a new voluntary component that includes a community involvement project. If you currently work with students in community learning programs, this new focus may be interesting to you and your students. Email Steve Bennett at Steve.Bennett@ncmail.netor visit the Envirothon website for more information at http://www.enr.state.nc.us/DSWC/pages/envirothon.html.
News from Dr. Linda James at East Carolina University includes the March 4th date for the regional Science Fair Competition on campus. Contact Dr. Linda James at JAMESL@MAIL.ECU.EDU for more information and for an application packet as the deadline for registration to this event is very soon. The Center for Science, Math and Technology Education at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-educ/csmte/ has an extensive list of courses featured at their 2006 AP summer institute conduced at East Carolina University. And from the Northeast, community education projects are under development in Perquimans, Chowan, Tyrrell, Bertie, Hertford and Martin counties with support from The Science House, the Northeast RESA and the Rural School and Community Trust.
The NCSTA Board is very interested in building strong connections to our schools and communities. We will be renewing old contacts and making new friends this spring through letters and phone calls this spring.
Keep up the good work and the dedication to quality education that you share for the students of Northeastern North Carolina
News
from District 2
Director: Barbara Stroud
Congratulations to the new National Board Certified teachers in District 2:
Onslow County: Myron Beaty, Helen Fanning, and Leigh Bizzell
Carteret County: James Butler
New Hanover County: Angel Cavender and Suzanne Sexton
Wayne County: Susan Randolph
North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, under the leadership of Suzanne Ward (the Bright Ideas Education Grant coordinator) have awarded $540,000 in grants to teachers across the state. Many teachers in District 2 received Bright Idea Grants. In Carteret County, Miriam Sutton’s grant is entitled, “Ecosystems by the Gallon”. Her students at Newport Middle will study freshwater, brackish and saltwater aquariums and record their observation of the local ecosystem.
“South American Adventure” is the title of Susan Willis’ grant. Her students at Newport Middle will be focusing on the loss of species in the rain forests and by the end of the project the students will have created a butterfly garden.
Also in Carteret County, Sue Sippel at Morehead City Middle and Barbara Waters at East Carteret High received BIG for their science programs.
In Brunswick County, Gail Thomas at Evelyn Wray Smith Village School, Rita Moffett at Shallotte Middle, and Jason Ping at North Brunswick High also received BIG for their schools.
In Duplin County, Kelli Hargrove, Monica Rivenbark, Lynn Wood, Pamela Murray, Kim Brown, Patty Abraczinskas, and Janet Stark at Wallace Elementary received their BIG for their project entitled “Growing Green Thumbs.”
In Pender County, Donald Ward at Pender High School entitled his grant “Uncovering Science Via Inquiry Labs.”
Congratulations to all for a job well done.
In Wayne County, Wayne Memorial Hospital hosted its 1st annual Healthcare Career fair. East Carolina University, Wayne Community College, Sampson Community College, and Johnston Community College were among the participants. High school and middle school science students from across the area attended. In order to promote healthcare opportunities for students, Wayne Memorial will have a Health Careers Connection Summer Camp in June and July.
Many of the schools are getting ready for the various competitions in the second half of the school year. Wayne County Public Schools announces it will host a countywide Science Fair and Science Olympiad for all middle schools at Eastern Wayne High School, on Saturday, March 11. There will be teams of students competing in about 25 events. The winning team will participate in the Regional Science Olympiad to be held at Lenoir Community College (Lenoir County) Saturday, March 18.
On Saturday, February 11, the school system will host the Wayne County Science Fair for students who’ve competed and won local science fairs held at their individual schools. Wayne County Science Fair K-2 winners will receive trophies. Students 3-12 who win will compete in the regional competition at UNC-Wilmington on Saturday, March 4.
At Morehead Middle, Carteret County, Mrs. Rebeccah Haines “Dolphin Team Science” is getting prepared for the upcoming Envirothon. The picture show students studying the streambeds and catching macroinvertebrates.
Good luck to all in your upcoming competitions!
News
From District 3
Director: Mike Talley
See Mike's article on the Wake County Biology Study.
News
From District 5
Director: Darlene Ryan
District V proudly recognized an elementary, middle, and high school teacher for Outstanding District Science Teacher at NCSTA Professional Development Institute. Meg Millard, Frank Porter Graham Elementary, and Ruben Giral, McDougle Middle School teach in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Keri Randolph teaches in Chatham County at Northwood High School. Ms. Randolph has also been recognized as the Chatham County Teacher of the Year and is a finalist for the North Carolina Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Pat Shane, former NCSTA President, former NCSLA President and NCSLA Executive Secretary, was presented with the Vi Hunsucker Award for outstanding service. Dr. Shane is the Associate Director of the Center for Math and Science Education at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has been a mentor, teacher, and friend to many educators across the state and nation. We are proud that she is from our district and has been recognized for her many contributions.
There are two new science contact persons in District V. In Randolph County, Ana Floyd is the K-8 Science Lead Teacher. Orange County has named Bruce Middleton as the Math/Science Coordinator. We welcome these individuals to their positions of leadership and encourage persons in their districts to contact them for support.
The Center for Math and Science Education at UNC-Chapel Hill announces the application period for the Masters in Education for Experienced Teachers Cohort Program with a science concentration. Applicants must have completed at least three years of successful teaching. The application deadline is April 1, but early application is strongly recommended. Visit the UNC-CH CMSE website (http://www.unc.edu/depts/cmse/) for more information about this masters degree opportunity.
Woody, the Weatherhog (groundhog), at the Greensboro Natural Science Center will share his meteorological expertise on February 2. In addition, the Natural Science Center will hold a “Seafest” on February 18. There will be many hands-on experiences provided for visitors with marine animals.
Morehead Planetarium is hosting a seminar on the misconceptions in Astronomy. Research has shown this to be an area of study where individuals fail to understand basic concepts. The seminar will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 9-12. Admission is $12 for Planetarium members and students and $18 for non-members. Visit the Morehead Planetarium website for more information and other exciting events (http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/index.cfm).
The Carnivore Preservation Trust in Pittsboro (Chatham County) is in need of 2-way radios to communicate on the grounds. This is an easy way to support a conservation agency. The CPT conducts tours of the facility on weekends. Check their website for information about CPT and the tours (http://www.cptigers.org/).
News
From District 6
Director: Debbie Michael
Happy New year to everyone! I hope the second half of the year is going smoothly for everyone!
Congratulations go to Stephanie Jacobs and Dina Baxter: Recipient of the Lincoln County Public Education Foundation Grant. It was titled Lincolnton Medical School. Good luck and have fun!
Check out the following site to see workshops at Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology at UNC-Charlotte http://education.uncc.edu/cmste/. Take advantage of these quality programs. They provide excellent staff development for teachers.
Since I haven't receive any other news, I will share what I have been doing. I was awarded a Bright Ideas grant from Rutherford Electric. My grant is Got Wildlife? I will be able to purchase bird feeders, seed, birdhouses, wood duck boxes, and other items to support our outdoor classroom.
I facilitated a presentation at NCSTA on the support document for Earth/Environmental Science curriculum for DPI. I have also been busy editing the honors support document for Earth/Environmental Science.
I have been participating in a workshop at NCCAT called “The Heart of Teaching”. It meets for eight weekends over the course of two years. So far I’ve been to two of the weekends and they have been great! Do check out NCCAT and make time to take advantage of the wonderful staff development opportunities. http://www.nccat.org/
Please let me know of there is anything I can do for you. Please send me your news so that everyone can share in your accomplishments. Wishing you clear skies…
News
From District 8
Director: Teresa Hembree
First and foremost, I moment of introduction. I am Teresa Holt Hembree, your District 8 Director of the NCSTA. I have the privilege and awesome responsibility of stepping into this position following the legendary Kyle Carver from Buncombe County. (Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Kyle and his family following the recent loss of his heroic son.)
I am a sixth grade teacher in Buncombe County at C.D. Owen Middle School where I teach math and science. In my 20 year career in education I have enjoyed science education in the public school setting and in the great outdoors. I have taught in Buncombe County 13 years and I had the opportunity to work as the Fall/Spring Director at YMCA Camp Greenville for three years where teaching took on a whole new look.
I come to you today with the desire to be your pipeline to the district. Please feel free to contact me with questions, celebrations, announcements, and any other information that we would like to share within District 8 and the state.
Congratulations to the 2005 National Board Certified Science Teachers from District 8!!
| Melissa Caldwell | Graham | Science/Early Adolescence |
| Laura Elliott | Transylvania | Science/Early Adolescence |
| Teresa Hembree | Buncombe | Science/Early Adolescence |
| Jenny Russell | Transylvania | Science/Early Adolescence |
| Jennifer Strickland Tate | Rutherford | Science/Early Adolescence |
| John Cantrell | Macon | Science/Adolescence-Young Adult |
| Sara Cathey | Transylvania | Science/Adolescence-Young Adult |
| Ashley Day | Rutherford | Science/Adolescence-Young Adult |
| Jill Francis | Rutherford | Science/Adolescence-Young Adult |
| Larry Hamlin | Buncombe | Science/Adolescence-Young Adult |
| Laura Roberts | Buncombe | Science/Adolescence-Young Adult |
| Stuart Toler | Henderson | Science/Adolescence-Young Adult |
Congratulations to one and all. Please forgiven me and notify me if I have missed anyone.
Dates to remember:
February 9-11, 2006 PEAK E.E. Conference at YMCA Camp Greenville – Check out the website for more information: http://campgreenville.org/
February 18 (snow date: February 25) Regional Science Olympiad Competition at UNCA. Good luck to all competing teams. If you are not involved in this competition check out the website and join in the fun next year: http://soinc.org/
Happy days ahead to all and remember to contact me (teresa.hembree@bcsemail.org) with news, celebrations, workshops, and questions so that we can stay a well informed and active district. Remember to check the NCSTA (http://ncsta.org/) and the NSTA (http://nsta.org/) websites for information on upcoming events, “freebies”, and news. Watch for your membership cards in the mail and remember your membership number is your vehicle to information on the websites.
Current Issue | Archives | NCSTA
The Science
Reflector
Newsletter of the North Carolina Science Teachers Association
PO Box 1783, Salisbury, NC 28145
Elizabeth Snoke Harris, Editor