May 2013 – Vol. 25 No. 9

News and Events in Region 2 – Summer Is Here!

by Eric Lewis

While summer has been on for nearly a month already, I am just starting to have a chance to relax.  I’m excited that I’ll be doing some science research over the next few weeks on the Nautilus.  In my role as Educator-at-Sea, I’ll be a part of the Corps of Explorers (scientists, teachers, shipmen, students, etc.) that will be investigating everything beneath the surface of the Southern Black Sea!  Be sure to see what we find by visiting Nautilus Live. (Click here for information on how interact with me and ask questions while I am at sea.)

As a part of my summer activities, I have been taking the time to reflect on science education and our role as teachers. I encourage you to read and comment on my editorial Summer Reflections.

I hope that you take the opportunity to attend the CA Science Education Conference in San Jose this year.  And, please let me know if there are things that you’d like to add to our Region’s offerings.  Don’t forget to encourage your colleagues to join CSTA.  I’m hoping that we’ll have the opportunity to grow our organization and expand to meet your needs and your colleague’s needs.  To that end, please feel free to email me directly so that I can represent your questions and concerns with the CSTA board as a whole.

Click here to view the event calendar full of great events in our region!

Eric Lewis, lewise2@sfusd.edu

Eris Lewis is high school area science support in the San Francisco Unified School District LEAD office and is CSTA region 2 director.

 

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Written by Eric Lewis

Eric Lewis

Eris Lewis is high school area science support in the San Francisco Unified School District LEAD office and is CSTA region 2 director.

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NGSS and the Primary Classroom

by Michelle French

Since the public reviews of the Next Generation Science Standards have come to a close, like many primary teachers, I’ve been wondering what science will look like in kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms.  Learn More…

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Written by Michelle French

Michelle French

Michelle French is a fourth-grade teacher at Wilson Elementary School in Tulare and is CSTA’s primary director.

What is it April Explanation

Photo_April_SmallIt is a photo of:

“SOL Grotto, 2012. 1368 glass tubes, paint. Fabrication: Matarozzi Pelsinger, Rael San Fratello Architects. SOL Grotto is a contemporary take on a grotto or Throeau’s cabin – a spartan retreat that is a space of solitude and close to nature – where one is presented with a mediated experience of water, coolness and light. The SOL Grotto also explores Solyndra’s role as a company S#@t Out of Luck. 1,368 of the 24 million high tech glass tubes destined to be destroyed as a casualty of their bankruptcy, are used in the installation. The tube’s original role as a light concentrating element is extended to transmit cool air into the space via the Venturi effect, to amplify sounds from the adjacent waterfall via the vibrations of the tubes cantilevering over the creek, and to create distorted views of the garden. The form of the electric blue array evokes Plato’s Allegory of the Cave where shadows, light and sounds can call reality into question.”

http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/whatsnew/NaturalDiscourse/artists.shtml

Responses from Readers:

Peter A’Hearn:  Rush hour in little blue circle land.

Full image:

Photo_of_the_Month

 

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Written by California Science Teachers Association

California Science Teachers Association

CSTA represents science educators statewide—in every science discipline at every grade level, Kindergarten through University.

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CSTA Member Katherine Schenkelberg Awarded 2013 Vernier/NSTA Technology Award

by Valerie Joyner

Congratulations to CSTA member and STEM Educator,  Katherine Schenkelberg, of West High School, in Torrance, CA! Katherine was recently awarded one of the 2013 Vernier/NSTA Technology Awards. An appointed panel of experts selected her for her innovative use of data-collection technology.  “The use of data-collection technology in the classroom helps foster students’ interest in STEM education and provides them with engaging, hands-on opportunities for scientific investigation,” said David Vernier, co-founder of Vernier and a former physics teacher. “For ten years Vernier and NSTA have recognized innovative STEM educators through this award and this year’s winners are no exception – their projects and programs truly utilize the power of data-collection technology as part of the teaching and learning process.” Learn More…

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Written by Valerie Joyner

Valerie Joyner

Valerie Joyner is a retired elementary science educator and is CSTA’s Region 1 Director.

Election for CSTA’s Board of Directors 2013-2015 Now In Progress

by Tim Williamson

Members of the California Science Teachers Association are now in the process of voting for qualified CSTA members to fill the seven openings on the CSTA Board of Directors for the 2013-2015 term.

The election is being conducted electronically and opened for voting on April 16, 2013. Voting will close on May 16, 2013.  All CSTA members were sent links to the online ballot. Members for whom we do not have current email addresses or who request a paper ballot have been mailed a ballot and candidate statements. Learn More…

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Written by Tim Williamson

Tim Williamson

Tim Williamson is a science methods instructor at CSU Long Beach and is past-president of CSTA.

Blend, Baby Blend

Video courtesy of Infinite Thinking Machine www.infinitethinking.org 

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Written by California Science Teachers Association

California Science Teachers Association

CSTA represents science educators statewide—in every science discipline at every grade level, Kindergarten through University.

Author’s Website