RI Science Professional Development and Student Opportunity

Bulletin
March 20, 2015
This bulletin will be sent on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. If you would like to share an event, quality resource, or other
opportunity, please follow the directions for doing so at the bottom of the newsletter.
To SUBSCRIBE send an email to Peter.Mclaren@ride.ri.gov with SUBSCRIBE RISCI-MSHS in the Subject Line

Go To RIScienceTeachers - https://riscienceteachers.wikispaces.com/ for PDF copy of past issues

Upcoming
Deadlines

New In This
Bulletin

P.D. for
Teachers

Student
Opportunities

Job
Opportunities

Teacher
Resources

News

NGSS News

Reminders:
American Meteorological Society/US
Navy/NOAA Project Maury: Application
deadline March 20th
Dept. of Energy Seeks Educators for Spring
2015 BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge
Apply by March 20th
Judges Needed for RI Science and Engineering
Fair March 21st
Library of Congress Accepting Summer Teacher
Institute Applications: Primary Sources in
Science Apply by March 24th
The Geological Society of America
Northeastern Section Meeting: March 23-25
Registration Now Open
Foster an Innovator: New Science Challenge for
Internet of Things (IoT) Submissions Due March
25th
New In This Bulletin
Flying WILD Teacher Workshop Saturday, March 28th (Elementary Middle)
Teacher in Residence Program at the Museum of Science, Boston: July 6- August 6, 2015
Apply by April 7th (Middle - High School Teachers)
Massachusetts Society for Medical Research (MSMR) 24th Annual Student Essay,
Poster or Webpage Competition Enter by May 9th (Grades 7-8 & Grades 9-12)
NECAP Science Test Coordinator Training Workshops Scheduled for April 14th and 15th
Chemistry of Smell Institute at the Boston Museum of Science - July 29 -30,2015
Job Opportunities:
2 FT Substitute Positions Available @ North Smithfield (RI) High School Positions Start April 6th & 27th

Short-Term Chemistry and General Science Substitute Position North Smithfield High School, North Smithfield,
RI North Smithfield High School is seeking candidates to fill a short term substitute position in Chemistry and general
th
science. The term begins April 6 and extends to the end of the school year.
Short-Term Biology and General Science Substitute Position North Smithfield High School, North Smithfield, RI
North Smithfield High School is seeking candidates to fill a short term substitute position in Biology and general
science. Applicants must hold a current certificate in the areas of Biology and general science. The term begins April
th
27 and extends to the end of the school year.

Interested applicants should send their resumes through www.schoolspring.com . Questions should be directed to Robert
Mezzanotte, Principal at rmezzanotte@nsps.us

Staff Needed for STEM Day Camps RI

STEM Day Camps is looking for staff for two one-week sessions in July, from the 6th through the 17th at Bryant University in
Smithfield.
STEM Day Camps RI is a co-ed Day Camp program for children in grades 3 through 5. STEM Day Camps is part of a national
pilot program being offered in 10 cities across the country this summer with a curriculum developed by Drs. Trent Nichols and
April McMillan from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Staff should be able to:

Serve both weeks 7/6 through 7/17, M-F, 8:30AM 4:30PM

Complete an application and background check

Attend a training session in June, Date TBD

Be comfortable working with children in grades 3 through 5

Have a passion for Science and hands-on learning

Teachers will receive compensation of $650 per week

Interested? Send a resume to Marc Cardin at marc.cardin@scouting.org or visit www.stemdaycamps.org

STEM News:
Wis. high school operates manufacturing company
A manufacturing shop operated by a Wisconsin high school provides custom-made products for area businesses and residents
while offering students hands-on learning opportunities. Students, who take required welding and machinery classes, apply for
one of 16 available positions with a resume, cover letter and examples of their work. WEAU-TV (Eau Claire, Wis.) (3/16)

Neil deGrasse Tysons new Nat Geo show debuts April 20 (GeekWire)
Neil deGrasse Tysons new late-night series StarTalk debuts on the National Geographic channel on April 20. According to
Variety, the new series has a slew of guests signed on including Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, biologist Richard
Dawkins, retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, producer Norman Lear, film director Christopher Nolan and Star Trek
actor George Takei.. [and] Bill Nye the Science Guy is slated to make weekly appearances. According to the release, local sex
advice hero Dan Savage and media mogul Arianna Huffington are also set to appear. Read more

How Do STEM Schools Work?

Outlier Research & Evaluation at the University of Chicago was awarded a $1.8 million grant from the National Science
Foundation (NSF) to study the landscape of inclusive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) high schools
across the United States. The final study findings were recently released. Questions addressed are: What defines a STEM
school? What do STEM schools do? How do STEM schools work? Where is the STEM in S.T.E.M.? The website has an
interactive grid of the common components of the STEM schools studied. Explore the report.

NGSS News:
How Will Science Education Change With NGSS?
A comparison chart detailing how science education will shift as a result of the implications of the vision of the Framework for
K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. Click HERE to download a pdf.

NGSS Teaching Channel Videos Now Available

We're excited to announce that four NGSS videos are now available online through the Teaching Channel. Achieve and
Teaching Channel collaborated to produce videos that present an overview of key innovations in the Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS) and a deeper dive into each of the NGSS' three dimensions.
The videos are intended to help educators become familiar with the three dimensions of the NGSS and how they will benefit
students. For more information, check out this blog post written by NGSS Writing Team Leader Brett Moulding.
The four video topics are:

Next Generation Science Standards: A Vision for K-12 Science Education

Crosscutting Concepts

Science and Engineering Practices

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Teacher Resources:
NASA Water Cycle Lessons- http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/lesson-plans/earth-wheel-lesson-plan
This is the first of three lessons that have been developed to teach students about Earths water cycle, the
importance of freshwater resources, and how NASA studies water in Earths systems.

Reviewed Resources for Climate Science - http://cleanet.org/clean/educational_resources/index.html

The CLEAN Collection is a hand-picked and rigorously reviewed collection of educational resources aligned with the
Climate Literacy and Energy Literacy frameworks. The review process engages scientists and educators in vetting
each resource for scientific accuracy, pedagogic effectiveness and useability.

Nat. Geo. Video: Drones Sacrificed for Spectacular Volcano Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFIWWM0Iv-U&feature=youtu.be
Video technology and science converge on an active volcano in Vanuatu, where explorer Sam Cossman operated
camera-mounted drones to capture high-definition images of the spectacular yet dangerous Marum Crater.
Cossman and his team piloted the drones over the 7.5-mile-wide (12-kilometer) caldera while confronting toxic gases
and boiling lava. Although two drones succumbed to the harsh environment, the team was able to bring back video
and photos that will help scientists learn more about the volcano and the life around it.

BBC: Take an Interactive Journey to the Center of the Earth http://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/story/20150306-journey-to-the-centre-of-earth/index.html

Here is a clever little "what is how deep?" to the center of the earth. Just toggle down and see what it is like

APP OF THE WEEK - Shadow Puppet EDU

What its like: Using Shadow Puppet Edu, students can create video slideshows, adding their own narration and text.
Videos can be up to 30 minutes long and can include up to 100 images, free for classroom use. A video tutorial
demonstrates how to make a video, and several sample videos are included as well. To create a new video, students
tap the Create New icon and choose their images from the several resources included: the camera roll, other app
libraries on the device, The Library of Congress, Maps, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The British Library, NASA,
and NOAA, as well as from Web searches that can be done within the app.
Price: Free
Grades: 2-5
Pros: Ideas galore are included in-app, with more resources available online.
Cons: Editing is possible but is a bit trickier than creating.
Bottom line: Easy-to-use free tool is a must-have for elementary classrooms, just keep an eye on sharing and
privacy.

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

American Meteorological Society/US Navy/NOAA Project Maury: Application deadline March 20th
Summer Workshop for Precollege Teachers of Oceanographic Topics July 12 - 24, 2015 United States Naval
Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. The Maury Project is a two-week teacher professional development workshop
designed for precollege teachers and supervisors of science who teach, or supervise the teaching of, units with
significant oceanography content. http://bit.ly/1wJrsz8

Dept. of Energy Seeks Educators for Spring 2015 BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Apply by
March 20th
The Department of Energy recognizes the importance of engaging and educating young people now to ensure the
U.S has a variety of energy choices, as well as energy leaders, in the future. To do so, the Bioenergy Technologies
Office has created a technology-rich, relevant challenge to engage high school students in learning about bioenergy
benefits and challenges. We are recruiting at least 20 educators from across the United States to participate in the
Spring 2015 BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge pilot, which culminates the week of Earth Day. Please could you
share this invitation with your network of educators to assist in these education efforts and increasing energy literacy
in your state.
Please find the information for the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge below:

Link to a page on our website about the competition:

http://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/infographic-challenge

100 word description on the competition:

The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is hosting the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge
to engage 9th12th grade students in learning about bioenergy and educating their peers. In this

challenge, student teams research, interpret, apply, and then design an infographic that
responds to one of four bioenergy topics. Selected infographics are promoted nationally on the
BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Map and via social media. Visit the BioenergizeME
Infographic Challenge for more information!
To sign up or ask questions, email BioenergizeME@ee.doe.gov with the following information:

Educators Name

Educators Email

School or Organization Name

School or Organization Location (City, State, and Zip Code)

th
Infographics must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on March 20 , and the National Bioenergy Social Media
Campaign will take place from April 13 23.

Judges Needed for RI Science and Engineering Fair March 21st

Please consider serving as a judge for the Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday, March 21,
2015. On this day hundreds of students in grades 6-12 from across Rhode Island will gather at CCRI in Warwick to
exhibit their science projects. These students have devoted many hours of work to their research and analysis and to
the presentation of their results. They are excited to have been selected to represent their schools at the statewide
science and engineering fair, and they are enthusiastic about science. Participation in the science fair should be a
memorable positive experience for these students that will influence them to study science further and perhaps
continue to a career in this field. In order to provide such a positive and enriching experience for the participants, we
need a large number of judges who are themselves enthusiastic and knowledgeable about science.
Registration for judges can be completed online. Please go to the website listed below, complete the form and click
Submit Registration. You will receive an acknowledgement that your registration has been recorded. Please
select categories that best fit your scientific background and training. Go to http://www.ric.edu/risef to sign up.
If you have friends or coworkers who are qualified and might be interested in judging, we would appreciate it if you
could forward this message to them and encourage them to participate. As in the past, we will email you detailed
directions to CCRI and information about specific times, etc. about a week before the fair, but you should plan to
arrive at about 11:30 and stay for most of the afternoon.
For more information please contact Elaine Magyar at emagyar@ric.edu or by phone at 401-456-9747

Library of Congress Accepting Summer Teacher Institute Applications: Primary Sources in Science
Apply by March 24th
The application for the Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute for Primary Sources in Science is now
available. This week-long professional development opportunity, taking place July 2024, 2015, is designed for K12
educators who teach science or collaborate with science teachers. In the Science Institute, participants will explore
the benefits of using historical primary sources in the science classroom, particularly around the nature of science,
the practices of scientists, and the relationship between science and society. Participants will build skills in teaching
effectively with photographs, manuscripts, drawings, maps, and other formats from the Library's collections.

The Geological Society of America Northeastern Section Meeting: March 23-25 Registration Now Open
The GSA Northeastern Section is celebrating its Golden Anniversary in 2015, and to do so it is returning to the OmniMount Washington Resort by popular demand. The resorts graceful atmosphere, magnificent scenery, and cordial
staff will again furnish an extraordinary venue in which to share this special occasion. As those who attended the
section meeting in 2013 already know, the venue is unlike any other, and with this, the 2015 meeting is again shaping
up to be an informative, unusual, and not-to-be-missed occasion for professionals and students alike.
Abstract submissions are invited that highlight novel and unique pedagogical practices in geoscience courses. We
invite contributions that include techniques promoting a deeper understanding of geoscience concepts. These
techniques may vary in geoscience content, format (online or traditional), and audience.
Abstract submission deadline: 11:59 PM, Central Time, 9 December 2014 Details at:
https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2015NE/cfp.epl
Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions: Jennifer (jhanselman@westfield.ma.edu)

NEW!!! Flying WILD Teacher Workshop Saturday, March 28th (Elementary Middle)
Flying WILD Teacher Workshop

Saturday, March 28, 2015;

9:30 am 3:00 pm
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol; FEE: $25.00/person
Flying WILD is a national curriculum that introduces students to bird conservation through activities focused on birds
and their habitats. While geared towards middle school students, elementary teachers will find activities that can be
adapted for their use. Included is basic bird information and easy ways to engage students in citizens science
projects. Participants will receive the national curriculum guide and additional resources from Audubon.
Recommended for elementary to middle school teachers.
Click here to register - http://asri.doubleknot.com/event/flying-wild-teacher-workshop/1645349

University of Notre Dame Center for STEM: STEM Teaching Program Seeking Applications Apply by
March 31st
Early-career middle school teachers of STEM disciplines are invited to apply for a new, fully funded professional
development program offered through the Notre Dame Center for STEM Education. The Trustey Family STEM
Teaching Fellows program is recruiting highly motivated applicants for the initiative, with a March 31 deadline. Those
selected will build their instructional, assessment, and leadership abilities while living in residence at the University of
Notre Dame for three consecutive summer institutestwo weeks every summer. They must continue to teachand
to learn from master teachers and national expertsat their schools during two academic years.

Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST): Deadline March 31st

OEST awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the precollege level." Any teacher or other K-12 educator who covers a significant amount of earth science content with
their students is eligible. http://nagt.org/nagt/awards/oest-nom.html
The deadline for submitting nominees is March 31, 2015. Nominations are made online at
http://nagt.org/nagt/awards/oest-nom.html. Submit the completed document before March 31, 2015. Use OESTA
in the subject line of the message and attach the requested information. Selection of the regional awardees will be
made by NAGT in the spring.

National Marine Educators Association's Marine Education Award Complete Application Due April
1st
National Marine Educators Association's Marine Education Award is presented for outstanding work and
leadership in any aspect of marine education. A complete nomination form, along with any recommendation letters
and all other supporting materials, must be received on or before April 1, 2015. All award recipients will receive a
one-year NMEA membership and an engraved award. For more information and a nomination form, go to
http://www.marine-ed.org/?page=awards.

Outstanding Biology Teacher Award Nominations for 2015: Deadline for nomination April 1 st
The National Association of Biology Teachers invites nominations for the Rhode Island Outstanding Biology Teacher
Award for 2015. All biology/life science instructors (grades 7-12) with at least three years teaching experience in
public, private, or parochial schools are eligible. The criteria for the award include teaching ability and experience,
co-operation and involvement in school and the community, inventiveness, initiative, professionalism, and studentteacher relationship. The winner will be honored at the awards ceremony at the NABT conference on November 14,
2015 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Classroom Student Investigations at Arkansas State University Apply by April 10th

CSI: Classroom Student Investigations Do you like using science to solve mysteries? So do we! CSI: Classroom
Student Investigations is an excellent professional development opportunity for science teachers. Forensic cases will
be developed in which teachers and students will engage in inquiry-based activities to solve the cases. A wide variety
of science fields (life, chemical, physical, and technology) will be included in this program. All cases will incorporate
real-world activities and teachers will be given information how to adapt to their own classrooms. The workshop
will take place June 15-26, 2015 (preference will be given to grades 7-10, but others will be considered as space
allows), and a limited amount of travel support may be available. Teachers will receive room/board and up to $2000
stipend for successful completion of summer and academic year activities. Workshop is held on the campus of
Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR. Youll have the weekend free to explore the area- go shopping, go to
movies or out to eat, travel to Memphis (about an hour away) or explore the many outdoor activities in the Natural
State http://www.arkansas.com/. For more information and application forms, see our website
http://altweb.astate.edu/csiscience

Enter Your Students for the Robot Block Party on April 11th

Are your students learning with robots or related technology during the school day or after school? Exhibit their
creations and projects at the Robot Block Party on April 11, 2015. A partnership between Rhode Island Students of
the Future and the Humanity Centered Robotics Initiative at Brown University, the Robot Block Party is a community
outreach event that showcases the cool robotics projects and programs happening in Rhode Island. Participants
include Hasbros Animatronics Lab, Yushin America, igus, inc., 3D Printing Providence, Brown University, RISD, URI,
Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, Providence Childrens Museum and dozens of K-12 schools
including Providence Career and Technical School, Mt. Pleasant High School, Lincoln School, Nathan Bishop Middle
School, Wheeler School, Martin Middle School, Riverside Middle School, Pier Middle School and more.
Be part of the Robot Block Party on April 11, 2015!
To Register go to http://www.risf.net/robot-block-party/registering-for-the-robot-block-party/
For more information go to RISF/Robot Block Party Website
G+ Photo Gallery of the Robot Block Party 2014
Rhode Island Students of the Future is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that inspires young people
to explore science, technology, engineering, math and manufacturing through youth robotics. We provide
infrastructure for hands-on, inquiry based STEM outreach programs including FIRST LEGO League.
The Humanity Centered Robotics Initiative is a group of Brown University faculty, students, and affiliates dedicated
to robotics as a means to tackle the problems the world faces today. Beyond pursuing the goal of technological
advancement, we want to ensure that these advancements are applicable and beneficial economically and socially.
We are working across many disciplines to document the societal needs and applications of human-robot interaction
research as well as the ethical, legal, and economic questions that will arise with its development. Our research
ultimately aims to help create and understand robots that coexist harmoniously with humans.

NEW!!! NECAP Science Test Coordinator Training Workshops Scheduled for April 14th and 15th
To help prepare district and school test coordinators for the NECAP Science test (May 4 to May 29), workshops have
been scheduled for the following dates and times (Note: Both cover the same material, so there is no need to attend
both workshops.):

April 14, at the Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms St., Providence 02904 (1 3:00 p.m.)

April 15, at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 2081 Post Rd., Warwick 02886 (9 11:00 a.m.)
Registration for workshops can be done online by going to http://iregister.measuredprogress.org, selecting New
England Common Assessment Program from the drop-down menu, clicking Enter and selecting a workshop, and
then following the online directions. On-site, in-person registration will also be available on the day of each
workshop 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
Workshop attendance is strongly encouraged, as the latest information on NECAP testing policies and procedures as
well as information about test security will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Kevon TuckerSeeley (kevon.tucker-seeley@ride.ri.gov, or 222-8494).

MIT BLOSSOMS Lesson Design Contest for RI Teachers Apply by April 15th
Teacher Lesson Design Contest! Two winners! $1000 Honorarium to Winners
Rhode Island Science Teachers! Make your best lesson & teach it to the World! New BLOSSOMS (Blended
Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies) lessons to be videoed this summer.
Who is eligible:
Any Rhode Island high school science teacher. Teams are welcome!.
Whats the process?
(1) By April 15, email us your 200word Concept Brief for a BLOSSOMS lesson, emphasizing NGSS concepts
and activities. Email the concept brief to Elizabeth Murray at emurray@mit.edu
(2) May 15: Semi-finalists provide a detailed outline of their BLOSSOMS lesson.
(3) Saturday June 13: Finalists will join us in Providence for a BLOSSOMS Workshop and dry runs of Segment
#1 of your designed BLOSSOMS lesson.

Our judges will select two winners or winning teams.

Each winner or winning team will receive an honorarium of $1,000.

Final steps leading to videoing lesson will be arranged.

Lesson to be videotaped in July by MIT crew.

(4) August: BLOSSOMS lesson posted on MIT web site, education for the world!
What is BLOSSOMS:
The BLOSSOMS Project is sponsored at MIT by LINC (Learning International Networks Consortium), a global
consortium of educators interested in using distance and e-learning technologies to increase access to quality
education worldwide. BLOSSOMS is an Open Educational Resource, a web-based collection of materials offered
freely and openly for re-use in teaching, learning and research. OERs such as BLOSSOMS help make education a
right rather than a privilege by providing schools around the world with access to quality educational tools.
BLOSSOMS is a collection of 50-minute video lessons designed for viewing in brief segments to engage the class in
an active, goal-oriented exercise. Students in the classroom setting watch a segment of a BLOSSOMS video, no
segment lasting longer than about 5 minutes. Then after each segment, the in-class teacher would facilitate the
students through an active learning exercise building from the video segment. The BLOSSOMS Video Library
contains over 100 math and science lessons, all freely available to teachers as streaming video and Internet
downloads and as DVDs and videotapes.
Check out BLOSSOMS here: http://blossoms.mit.edu
Helpful guidelines for designing a BLOSSOMS lesson: http://blossoms.mit.edu/videos/create_your_video

Stockholm Junior Water Prize: Entry deadline April 15th

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is a youth award for a water-related science project. High school students submit
their research papers online. As a first step, state winners and their science teachers win a trip to the U.S.
competition in Virginia. http://www.wef.org/sjwp/

Dorothy Stout Professional Development Grants to Earth Science Educators: Deadline April 15 th
The National Association of Geoscience Teachers awards grants to K-12 teachers and faculty and students at twoyear colleges. The grants support professional growth in, or classroom teaching of, Earth science. Grants of $750 will
be made annually in three categories. Community college faculty, K-12 teachers who teach one or more Earth
science courses, and community college students actively pursuing a career in the Earth sciences are encouraged to
apply for these awards. http://nagt.org/nagt/awards/stout.html#apply

McCarthey Dressman Academic Enrichment Grants: Application deadline April 15th

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation partners with individuals to expand educational opportunities for
Americas youth that inspire students by nurturing their curiosity about the world and their place in it. Funding
includes Academic Enrichment Grants, Teacher Development Grants, and Student Teaching Scholarships.
http://www.mccartheydressman.org/

Enter the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) Earth Day Challenge Enter by April 17th
Calling all K8 educators! The Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) is holding its second annual Earth Day
Challenge video contest for K8 classes. The Earth Day Challenge encourages students to explore the impact of
chemistry on their world. Participants will create videos identifying and explaining a chemistry-related concept and
sharing how people use this concept in real life to address an environmental issue. The school of the educator who
submits the winning entry will receive $1,000 for the school's science education programs, as well as a
commemorative plaque. The winning educator will receive a $200 gift card to the Discovery Channel Store.

VOYA Unsung Heroes K-12 Class Project Awards: Deadline April 30th
VOYA Unsung Heroes Program's Class Project Awards
Each year, one hundred K-12 educators are selected to receive awards of $2,000 each to help fund their innovative
class projects. Of the one hundred finalists, three will be selected for additional financial awards. All awards must be
used to further the projects within the school or school system. Apply by visiting
https://unsungheroes.scholarshipamerica.org/

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Nominations Open
Nominate by April 1st, 2015
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest honor the
United States government bestows for K12 mathematics and science teaching. Up to 108 teachers may be
recognized each year. Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the President, a trip for two to
Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events, and a $10,000 award from the National Science
Foundation (NSF). PAEMST's most recent cohort of awardees even had the opportunity to meet with President
Barack Obama.

The PAEMST program is pleased to announce that the 20142015 nomination period for grades 712 mathematics
and science (including computer science) teachers is now open! Please consider nominating a talented teacher using
the PAEMST website today. Applications open November 1, 2014. The nomination deadline is April 1, 2015, and the
application deadline is May 1, 2015.

National Marine Educators Association's Marine Education Award Apply by April 1st
The award is presented for outstanding work and leadership in any aspect of marine education at the local, regional,
or national level. It can be awarded to a member or a non-member of NMEA, for current or past accomplishments.
Documentation describing the nominee's career accomplishments in marine education, such as national and/or
regional impact, leadership, programs, etc., should be detailed in nomination package.
A complete nomination form, along with any recommendation letters and all other supporting materials, must be
received by the awards committee chair on or before April 1. All award recipients will receive a one-year NMEA
membership and an engraved award.

UMass Nanotechnology 2015 Summer Institute Apply by April 1st

Monday to Friday, July 13 - July 17, 2015 at UMass Amherst

Funded by the National Science Foundation
Sponsored by the STEM Education Institute and the Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing
Middle and High School Science, Math, and Technology Teachers
$75/day stipends ($375 total), materials, parking, some meals
Housing (new air conditioned dorms) for those outside the commuting radius
3 graduate physics credits available at reduced cost; free PDP's(Professional Development Points)
Ongoing partnerships with UMass Faculty

Nanotechnology deals with materials on the scale of nanometers. A nanometer is one-millionth of a millimeter, or
about 10 atomic diameters. Such materials can have surprising and useful behaviors and properties. Applications of
this rapidly growing field include regenerative medicine, fabrics and construction materials of unprecedented
strength, ultra-high performance computers and data storage, more efficient solar photovoltaic cells, and much
more.
Activity in this field cuts across the traditional disciplinary boundaries, and involves chemistry, physics, biology, and
engineering.
The UMass Nanotechnology Summer Institute will explore the basic science and engineering concepts of this
exciting new field, and will illustrate how they may be integrated into the usual math, science and technology
courses in middle schools and high schools. The content and pedagogy will be aligned with the Massachusetts
Science and Technology/Engineering Framework.
During the institute, participants will begin to develop curriculum units for their own classes. They will implement
these in the fall and report on their progress and results online. Three graduate credits will be available for the
institute and curriculum unit; the cost will be $300 plus a $45 registration fee. PDP's will be available at no cost.
Application process: An application form and additional information are available at www.umassk12.net/nano.
Teachers should also prepare a narrative statement of how they intend to use the institute materials in their
classroom, and include in their application package a recent resume and a letter of support from their school
principal or superintendent. The application package can be submitted by email, fax, or US mail. Applications are
due April 1, 2013. Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis.

NEW!!! Teacher in Residence Program at the Museum of Science, Boston: July 6- August 6, 2015
Apply by April 7th (Middle - High School Teachers)
We are happy to announce a summer opportunity for a middle or high school teacher in the Teacher-in-Residence
program at the Museum of Science, Boston.
The Teacher-in-Residence program is a unique professional development model in which teachers spend five weeks
immersed in an authentic museum project. During the program, teachers collaborate on a relevant museum project,
participate in a weekly seminar, and work on an independent investigation of their choice.

This summer, the museum is seeking teachers to support several museum projects. These projects include
supporting STEM education for early learners in our exhibits and traveling programs, and developing resources for
our Hall of Human Life and upcoming The Science Behind Pixar exhibits.
This program will run Monday, July 6 Thursday, August 6, 2015. Participants will receive a $3,000 stipend and
Professional Development Points upon completion of program requirements. This position will be filled by a
competitive application which will end on April 7, 2015. For more details about available positions, and to apply,
please visit: http://www.mos.org/teacher-in-residence

Apply for the TOMODACHI Toshiba Science and Leadership Academy for High Students and Teachers
Apply by May 4th
The TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy is an annual one-week, cross-cultural science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) exchange and leadership program for 16 high school students and eight
teachers from Japan and the United States In August, program participants from both countries will collaborate in
Tokyo to design a disaster-resilient, smart community of the future. With counsel from Toshiba engineers and a visit
to the Toshiba Smart Community building, the students and teachers will work in teams to develop proposed
solutions to problems using learning experiences that are central to the NGSS and the engineering design process.
Learn more.

May 15th is Endangered Species Day

May 15, 2015 is the 10th annual, national Endangered Species Day, offering teachers an ideal opportunity to
educate students about the importance of protecting threatened and endangered species. To find out more and
participate, go to http://www.endangered.org/campaigns/endangered-species-day/

Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) 2015 Annual Meeting: May 31- June 4
We wanted to let you and your community of students and teachers know about this exciting opportunity for high
school students and teachers to participate in the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) 2015 Annual Meeting. Please
help spread the word!
Our own New England Chapter is hosting the SWS Annual Meeting at the RI Convention Center in Providence,
Rhode Island from May 31 June 4, 2015. The meeting is themed Changing Climate. Changing Wetlands.
We have a new, at cost, registration rate for high school teachers and students. High school teachers and students
will be able to register (on the meeting website) for a day pass to the SWS 2015 Annual Meeting for $40. Please note
that this discounted rate does not apply to the field trips due to limited availability of attendance and costs
associated with transportation and other related expenses.
The meeting website is: http://swsannualmeeting.org/
We hope to see you there!! This is a unique opportunity for our science community! For more information contact,
Antonio F. Federici, by phone at (860) 287-6725

SAVE THE DATES - 2015 Annual Conference of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) in
Newport , RI: June 29 July 2, 2015
SouthEastern New England Marine Educators (SENEME; http://seneme.org) is proud to be the host of the 2015
Annual Conference of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA). The conference will be held June 29
through July 2 at the Newport Marriott, located in the center of downtown, historic, Newport, Rhode Island.
This event will be filled with a variety of sessions and plenaries led by dynamic speakers versed in the latest trends in
marine science and education (including STEM education and the Next Generation Science Standards). Unique,
regional field trips will include explorations of local flora and fauna, tours of historic mansions, learning about the
sailing tradition of Newport, and much more!
The NMEA Annual Conference is attended by formal and informal educators, scientists, and students from across
the U.S. and around the globe. Conference participants include those from public and private institutions,
aquariums, for profit and nonprofit organizations, as well as local and federal government agencies. Attendees can
choose the days they would like to attend participate in the conference for one day to concentrate on one session

track, or attend the entire event and absorb the full scope of information presented during conference lectures,
workshops, and other experiential learning opportunities in the Newport area.
Please mark your calendars and join SENEME in Newport, RI, June 29 to July 2, 2015! Stay tuned for future
conference updates- more information about the 2015 NMEA Conference can be found online at the NMEA website:
http://marine-ed.site-ym.com/general/custom.asp?page=NMEA_2015

NEW!!! Chemistry of Smell Institute at the Boston Museum of Science - July 29 -30, 2015
Join Museum educators for a two-day institute exploring the latest research related to our sense of smell and the
amazing ways it can help inform our understanding of the world around us.
During this workshop, we'll explore the interplay between chemistry and biology in our olfactory system: how
molecular properties of chemicals determine what we smell, and how odorants play a pivotal role in navigation at the
cellular and molecular levels. Experience several different activities at our new interactive Smell Bar to learn about
odorants and ourselves. Finally, we'll delve into current research that continues to refine our understanding of the
chemistry and biology of smell and holds important implications for our daily lives.
For more information about this workshop, and to apply, please visit http://www.mos.org/professionaldevelopment/chemistry-of-smell-two-day-institute

Student Competitions and Grant Opportunities

Foster an Innovator: New Science Challenge for Internet of Things (IoT) Submissions Due March 25th
The IoT World Forum (IoTWF) Young Women's Innovation Grand Challenge is a global innovation challenge open to
young women between the ages of 1318 to come up with innovative uses for Internet of Things technologies.
With the advance of the Internet of Things, there will be an increased need for a STEM-ready workforce. The Young
Women's Innovation Grand Challenge seeks to foster girls' interest in STEM as they grow to join the increasing ranks
of women who are becoming entrepreneurs, innovators and executives.
Entrants will be asked to submit original ideas based on new opportunities and technologies that better people's
lives or increase efficiencies in the areas of education, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, retail, transportation, or
smart cities. Entrants will be judged on originality, creativity, and feasibility of the solution.
The IoTWF Young Women's Challenge will run through March 25. Visit http://cs.co/iotgirls.

The Next MacGyver Enter by April 17th

The U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of
Engineering (USC Viterbi), in collaboration with The MacGyver Foundation and Lee Zlotoff (creator of the TV series
MacGyver), today announced the launch of a worldwide crowdsourcing competition called "The Next MacGyver."
The contest was launched at a press event in Washington, D.C., hosted by "TODAY Show" digital lifestyle expert
Mario Armstrong. Sponsored by the United Engineering Foundation, the project is seeking ideas for a scripted
television show featuring a female engineer character in a leading role. The goal of the competition is to create a
historic TV series that inspires young people, especially women, to pursue careers in engineering. Five winners will
each receive $5,000 and have the rare opportunity to be paired with top Hollywood producers, who will mentor them
to develop the female character and an engaging pilot script. Ultimately, the finalists will work to develop viable
concept packages for pitching to a network or distributor. The Next MacGyver" competition deadline for entry is
April 17, 2015. Initial idea submissions will be roughly one page of content to include a proposed title and genre, short
description of the show, breakdown of lead characters, and ideas for episodes beyond the pilot. A panel of judges
from engineering, entertainment, and academia will select 12 contestants to further develop their ideas and pitch
them to another panel of judges at a live event this summer. Five finalists will be selected at that time, and pilot
scripts will be completed by the end of this year. More details about the contest and rules for entering can be found
at www.thenextmacgyver.com

ITEEAs Childrens Council Offers Paper Engineering Contest for Students of Grades PreK 6 Enter
by April 24th, 2015
ITEEAs Childrens Council is sponsoring a paper engineering contest for all PreK-6 students in the United
States. The contest supports two of the Childrens Councils goals: to promote childrens creativity, ingenuity, and
design-based problem-solving skills and to promote the study of technology and engineering as a vital aspect in

every elementary school. The contest will consist of four divisions: PreK-K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6. Click here for full contest
information. Questions? Email Bob Claymier.

NEW!!! Massachusetts Society for Medical Research (MSMR) 24th Annual Student Essay,
Poster or Webpage Competition Enter by May 9th (Grades 7-8 & Grades 9-12)
Level 1 Competition Grades 7-8
Level 2 Competition Grades 9-12
Awards in Each Level

1st Place - $500

2nd Place - $250

3rd Place - $100

Honorable Mention - Certificate of Merit

Classroom Education Grants for the Teachers or Mentors/Advisors of the winning students

1st Place - $100

2nd Place - $50

3rd Place - $25

All winning and honorable mention students and their parents and teacher are invited to the MSMR Annual Meeting
in late June, where the winning entries will be highlighted.
This Year's Competition Challenge - "That's News!"
The competition reflects MSMRs popular What A Year! science discoverywebsite (www. whatayear.org), that
turns research advances into educational opportunities. Students will create and submit a Poster, Essay or
Webpage exploring a recent research advance at a New England research institution as if you were theWhat A
Year! reporter. Go to the What A Year! website (www.whatayear.org) and read some of the stories in order to
understand the goal of What A Year! to introduce breakthrough science to students.
To Enter
1. Find a research discovery/breakthrough from scientists during 2013 or 2014.
2. Then tell the story of the discovery via an Essay, Poster or Webpage, using a balance of text and graphics,
being sure to include all the required elements (see details in the Student Packet, below). Your specific
audience is teenage science students, so your presentation should be appropriate to them.
There are ideas in the Student Packet on how to find a good story.Topics should not be ones that are already
reported the WHAT A YEAR! website: you should uncover a topic of special interest to you -- an area of biology, a
disease or condition, a specific researcher or research institution, for example.
The Student Packet and Entry Form below will help you find discoveries, plan, create and submit your entry. Please
read them and follow their guidance carefully.
We accept entries only in electronic format. Essays and Posters are submitted as e-mail attachments in standalone
(not web-based) PDF format; webpages will be submitted as links in your submission e-mail. Please read through the
entire. Student Packet for detailed information. Essays and Posters must be individual work; Websites may be
created by individuals or teams of two.
Note: your entry itself must be completely anonymous ... all identifying information must be contained only in the
associated e-mail and Entry Form.

2015 Google Science Fair Submit by May 19th

Science is about observing and experimenting. It's about exploring unanswered questions, solving problems through
curiosity, learning as you go and always trying again. That's the spirit behind the fifth annual Google Science Fair.
Together with LEGO Education, National Geographic, Scientific American, and Virgin Galactic, they are calling on all
young researchers, explorers, builders, technologists, and inventors to try something ambitious. From now through
May 18, students around the world ages 1318 can submit projects online across all scientific fields, from biology to
computer science to anthropology and everything in between. Prizes include $100,000 in scholarships and classroom
grants from Scientific American and Google, a National Geographic Expedition to the Galapagos, an opportunity to
visit LEGO designers at their Denmark headquarters, and the chance to tour Virgin Galactic's new spaceship at their
Mojave Air and Spaceport. This year they're also introducing an award to recognize an Inspiring Educator, as well as a
Community Impact Award honoring a project that addresses an environmental or health challenge.

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If you know of something that you feel is a quality resource, event, or opportunity (e.g., grant), please
send a newsletter-ready blurb to peter.mclaren@ride.ri.gov containing the following information by
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1. Type (e.g., grant, event, resource)
2. Name / Title of Event / Opportunity
3. Source or Event Sponsor
4. Web site, and/or contact name(s) and email address(es)
5. Description
6. Grade level(s) and/or intended audience
7. Deadline (if applicable) for time-sensitive submissions or event RSVPs
THIS NOTICE IS DISTRIBUTED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. R.I Department of
Education does not have any affiliation or responsibility to promote this information.