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kansas association of teachers of science

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  • 11 Jan 2022 11:28 AM | Anonymous

    KATS board members have been asked to set aside time on Jan 22 to attend the virtual meeting which will focus on planning the annual spring meeting of the KATS organization.   Meeting details are available on the "Board Resources" tab of the web site.  

    All KATS members are encouraged to communicate your ideas and questions to board members in the next few days to increase the productivity of the meeting.   Board members are listed on the "About Us" tab of the web site.  

    --Randy Brull, webmaster

  • 11 Jan 2022 11:14 AM | Anonymous

    Click here (Link) to read the entire January edition of the KSDE Science newsletter, or find some high lights below...

    Newsletter Headlines  

      • Collaboration Meetings 

        •  
      • Administration / Leaders Lunch Book Study
      • The Instructional Leader's Guide to Implementing K-8 Science Practices    
      • This book study is targeted for those who support educators in their implementation of K-8 Science. The book includes a review of the NGSS standards, strategies for supervision, observation, feedback and professional development.

         

        Meetings will take place via zoom on Thursdays in February from 12-1 CST. Registration will be confirmed with a link to access materials. (Registration Link)

     

    • K-8 Teacher Book Study
    • What's Your Evidence? Engaging K-8 Students in Construction Explanations in Science
    • Join other educators in this study around the implementation of K-8 Science. The book includes a review of the NGSS standards, strategies for classroom discussion and using evidence to support student claims.
    •  
    • Meetings will take place via zoom on Thursdays in February & Early March from 7-8pm CST. Registration will be confirmed with a link to access materials.
    • (Registration Link)
    •  

    Click here (Link) to read the entire January edition of the KSDE Science newsletter.

     


  • 05 Nov 2021 10:17 AM | Anonymous

    Paid Professional Development for Math and Science Teachers! 

     

    Want to expand your knowledge of engineering and NGSS teaching strategies? 

     

    And get paid for it, too? 

     

    Now’s your chance.  The University of Kansas is offering an exciting summer program for high school science and mathematics instructors to learn about engineering design and how to incorporate these concepts into your classes. 

      

    We invite talented teachers from diverse backgrounds to participate in this 6-week summer program.  Educators of all science and math subjects for grades 9 to 12 are encouraged to apply, especially pairs of teachers from the same school teaching different subjects. 

     

    Participants will work in teams to do real-world, water-themed research in engineering labs at KU.  And, they will translate that research into lesson materials to take back to their classrooms. 

      

    Your students will thank you!  All participants will receive supplies to support their new curricula offerings to enhance student learning and raise student awareness of career paths in STEM.  

      

    Click here to learn more  

     

    Application deadline:  January 31, 2022 

     

    Program dates:  June 13 - July 22, 2022 (July 4 off) 

     

    Benefits:  $8,000 for the six-week summer program PLUS supplies to implement new lesson materials in your classroom.  Housing is available for a limited  number of participants. 

     

    Funding for this program is provided by the National Science Foundation.   

     

    What are other teachers saying about the program? 

    See videos about the RET program on our website.

     

     

     

     

    ------ 

     

    Have questions? Contact: 

    Tess Seuferling

    Interim Education Coordinatortseuf@ku.edu    

    The University of Kansas Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC) 

     

    What is CEBC? 

    You can make a world of difference by changing how chemicals are manufactured.  This is why CEBC was created:   to  invent cleaner, safer, renewable, energy-efficient chemical processes that protect the planet and human health.  To make sure innovations move from lab to marketplace, CEBC partners with chemical companies—to date, 22 total. Learn more at: www.cebc.ku.edu 


  • 03 Nov 2021 5:32 PM | Anonymous

    Included in this month’s science newsletter (Link) are

    Collaboration Meetings 

    Professional Development Opportunities

    • To CERs and Beyond- Arguing from Evidence in the Secondary Classroom
      November18th at 4 pm (Registration Link)

    • Test Talk! Let's Talk About the Fifth Grade Science Assessment 
      November 22nd at 4:30 pm (Registration Link


    Did you know monthly PD sessions are recorded? Find recordings here: (Link)


    Body Venture Thematic Unit 

     

    Join KSDE STEM, Health and Child Nutrition & Wellness in a professional development centered around elementary science, nutrition and fitness. The virtual Body Venture opportunity will be paired with FREE lessons and kits (as supply allows) that can easily be tailored towards elementary classrooms that want to eat smart and play hard.

    Help science come alive in your classroom with the living body as it's guide!

    Join us for a kick-off on Tuesday October 12th at 4 pm to learn more OR register for a training today

    The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program is pleased to announce that nominations and applications for the 2021–2022 application cycle are open. Please consider nominating a teacher for this prestigious honor. The nomination deadline is January 7, 2022, and the application deadline is February 6, 2022. To nominate a teacher visit: https://www.paemst.org/nomination/nominate

     

     

    And much more!

     

    Thank you so much for all you do,

                                  Meg & Stephen

     

     

     

     

    Logo Kansas State Department of Education; 900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 102; Topeka, Kansas 66612-1212

    Meg Richard, NBCT, PAEMST 19'

    Education Program Manager - K-12 STEM Education

    Career, Standards and Assessment Services

    (785) 296-8108

    mrichard@ksde.org

    www.ksde.org

     

    Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.


  • 13 Oct 2021 9:11 PM | Anonymous

    Robotics competitions are exciting, popular & an excellent tool to get students involved, hands-on, with core STEM areas like electronics & programming. Explore curriculum-based, robotics competition solutions. Register Now 

     

    Standards-Focused, Curriculum-Based Robotic Competitions
    Learn how teachers can use the fischertechnik Education Robotics Competition set to introduce the topic of robotics to the classroom, or to create a meaningful and education focused afterschool activity. This webinar is recommended for any teacher looking to start a robotics competition at the school level, and also those looking to have students participate at the national or international level. 

    Robotics Competitions with fischertechnik Education
    Date: October 21st (Thursday)
    Time: 3 - 4 PM Eastern

     Sign Up Now 

    Register Now
     

    Exploring and Understanding Technology
    fischertechnik Education is used by thousands of schools in the United States. Offerings available with comprehensive, standard-based curriculum specifically developed to address the most current academic standards. Each program was created by noted STEM educator, Tom White, to align with a variety of recognized standards. 

    These curricula meet the following standards:

    • College & Career Readiness Standards: Math, Science, Reading & Writing
    • NSES Content Standards
    • Standards for Technological Literacy
    • ISTE Standards
    • Next Generation Science Standards
     
    Studica and fischertechnik Education

    Studica, Inc. | 2326 Lockport Road | Sanborn, New York 14132
    www.studica.com
    This is a commercial message.
    No longer wish to receive these messages? Unsubscribe.


  • 13 Oct 2021 8:58 PM | Anonymous

    I have a few things that can be shared with KATS teachers: KAS Educator Grant Extension, Patch Design Contest for NASA CubeSat Mission, Space Exploration Activities Research.

     

    The Kansas Academy of Science is extending the deadline for their new K-12 Educator Grant. This grant is meant to provide means to purchase materials needed for a classroom scientific project or lesson. The new deadline for submission is November 15. Multiple grants are available. Check out the website for more info and the submission form: http://www.kansasacademyscience.org/educator-grant.html.

     

    Wichita State University and Ad Astra Kansas Foundation are partnering to present a CubeSat Mission Patch Contest for an upcoming NASA space mission to study solar neutrinos and particles. This contest is open to students in grades 6-12. Submission deadline is November 12. The entry form, which includes patch design requirements, is available on the Ad Astra website: http://adastra-ks.org/.

     

    Teachers and classrooms are needed to continue a grant that is investigating students’ interest in space science through a series of activities. These activities are designed for middle school classrooms, but other grades are welcomed to participate if the teacher feels they fit with their curriculum. Stipends are available for teachers (if allowed by the district) and to help cover materials costs. For more information and to view the activities, contact Jill Fisher (jill.fisher@wichita.edu). Resources from the related teacher workshop last July are available on the WSU website: https://bit.ly/3iYXUQj.

     

    Thank you for sharing!

     

    Jill Fisher

    LAS Community Outreach Coordinator

    Wichita State University

    1845 Fairmount Street

    Wichita, KS 67260

     


  • 13 Oct 2021 7:48 PM | Anonymous

    Second Annual Art Auction...Wendell G Mohling Foundation

    Fundraiser

    The Wendell G Mohling Foundation is hosting the second annual

    Art Auction Fundraiser, November 6, 2021, will be held at The

    Barn at Kill Creek Rd., 9200 Kill Creek Rd., DeSoto, KS. All

    proceeds benefit the Foundation, whose mission is to support

    science education in Kansas by awarding an annual scholarship to

    a K-12 Kansas Science teacher to use in attending a National

    Science Teaching Association conference.

    Bidder registration and item viewing begins at 2pm. Auction

    begins at 3:00. Approximately 25 items of original or limited

    edition art will be offered, including: watercolor, oil, acrylic,

    photography, textiles, jewelry, turned wood, wood carvings and

    collectible prints. Our New limited quantity collectible wine glass,

    commemorating the Wendell G Mohling Foundation will be

    showcased and offered for sale at this event. Wine by Davenport

    Orchard and Winery.

    This auction is a live auction. In addition we will also have a

    direct sale table with a few choice items which you can purchase

    without bidding.

    For additional information, visit our website:

    wendellmohlingfoundation.com. In addition, see Facebook event

    to view auction items:

    https://www.facebook.com/events/1039152509901912

    To contact the Foundation, mohlingfoundation@gmail.com or 

    785-764-9625

    --from Carol Mohling


  • 13 Oct 2021 10:37 AM | Anonymous

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Now accepting applications for 2022

     

    OXFORD, Ohio (Sept. 1, 2021) – Miami University’s Project Dragonfly is accepting applications now through early 2022 for graduate courses and master's degrees that offer extraordinary experiences through zoos and botanical gardens in the United States and in 15 countries throughout the world. http://ProjectDragonfly.MiamiOH.edu


    Earth Expeditions are study abroad courses that take place online and in Africa, Australia, Asia and the Americas. Earth Expeditions courses can be taken as stand-alone graduate credit, or they can build toward the Global Field Program (GFP) master's degree. The GFP combines summer field courses worldwide with web learning communities, and students can complete the GFP master's part-time from anywhere in the United States or abroad. http://EarthExpeditions.MiamiOH.eduhttp://GFP.MiamiOH.edu


    Project Dragonfly also offers the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) master's degree that combines web instruction from Miami University with experiential learning and field study through AIP Master Institutions in the U.S. Applications for Miami's 2022 cohorts are being accepted now with place-based experiences provided through Master Institutions in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Jacksonville, New York, San Diego, Seattle and St. Louis. http://AIP.MiamiOH.edu

    Graduate tuition for all programs is greatly reduced because of support from Miami University.


    COVID-19 Info and Curricular Innovation

    Spencer C. Pate

    Curricular Support Assistant

    Project Dragonfly, Miami University

    Oxford, Ohio 45056

    patesc@miamioh.edu

    http://EarthExpeditions.MiamiOH.edu



  • 13 Oct 2021 10:04 AM | Anonymous

    Ad Astra Kansas Galaxy Forum--“ARTEMIS and BEYOND” event scheduled for October 24

    The theme of the annual Ad Astra Galaxy Forum on Saturday, October 24, at the Cosmosphere  will be The Artemis Program--NASA's plan to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024.  A hybrid event, it will include both in-person and virtual presentations. The Forum will feature an overview of NASA's program by Artemis-connected speaker and native Kansan Michael Staab; also, a closer look at our only natural satellite, plus an update on the next rock on our space exploration bucket list—Mars. And more.

    Information flyer

    Speaker bios

    Teacher information

    The event will be 1-2:30 at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. Attendance can be either in-person or virtual. Due to social and mask requirements, in-person seating is limited and registration is needed. Do so at  contact@adastra-ks.org.   If you would like to attend virtually, it will be LIVE on our Ad Astra Kansas Foundation Facebook page. No registration needed.

    Sponsored by the 501c3 Ad Astra Kansas Foundation to promote science education in Kansas.

     



    Jeanette Steinert
    Ad Astra Kansas Foundation
    316-722-3503
    jeanettesteinert@att.net
    www.adastra-ks.org



  • 13 Oct 2021 9:45 AM | Anonymous

    Good afternoon,

    We hope this finds you well. We are pleased to share the October newsletters from the KSDE STEM team.

    A link to each content area’s newsletter may be accessed here (Link) and I have included some science highlights below.

     

    Science-

    Included in this month’s science newsletter (Link) are

    ·         Professional Development Opportunities

    o    Modeling in Secondary Science
    October 11th at 4 pm (Registration Link)

    o    FALL into Phenomena with a Great Book! (Thematic Elementary Science)
    FREE BOOKS for first 10 participants
    October 21st at 4:30 pm (Registration Link)

    o    A Thematic Unit Adventure with Body Venture (4th grade)
    Join KSDE STEM, Health and Child Nutrition & Wellness in a professional development centered around elementary science, nutrition and fitness. The virtual Body Venture opportunity will be paired with FREE lessons and kits (as supply allows) that can easily be tailored towards elementary classrooms that want to eat smart and play hard.
    Help science come alive in your classroom with the living body as it's guide!

    Join us for a kick-off on Tuesday October 12th at 4 pm to learn more OR register for a training today
    November 5th from 8-noon, (REGISTRATION LINK)
    November 10th from 12:30 - 4:30 (repeat) (REGISTRATION LINK)

    KSDE Stem Team


KATS emails:  


Emails for all officers can be found at CONTACT US.



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