NCSTA

We hope your school year is off to an excellent start!

NCSTA is working hard to bring you the best PDI ever as we return to the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Join us for over 200 sessions and tour our exhibit hall to visit our fantastic vendors who support us each year with their displays. We look forward to seeing you there!

Science is all around you. Enjoy it!

Cindy Bullard

CindyBullard0@gmail.com

Join your fellow science educators at the 46th NCSTA PDI on October 20-21st at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Gather valuable information from our variety of sessions and exhibits that you can take back to your classrooms. Enjoy networking opportunities that are a part of our yearly gathering.

Visit the 2016 NCSTA Professional Development Institute page to register.

In conjunction with our "traditional" PDI, we are offering a one-day workshop especially designed to show K-6 classroom teachers best practices for strengthening literacy skills through the use of STEM activities. Our workshop presenters will exhibit strategies that are immediately transferable to the classroom. All workshop presenters are asked to make their complete presentations available to teachers. For our agenda, list of trainers, and list of topics visit the “About the Literacy Workshop” page or see the About the Literacy Workshop section below.

Please scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to learn about the nominees for our NCSTA 2016 Elections.

Carrie Jones
President, NCSTA

WORKSHOP - “STEM - The Key to Conquering Literacy”

October 20-21

Koury Convention Center-Greensboro, NC

Join us to participate in classroom activities and demonstrations designed to improve the literacy skills of students in grades K-5. Some of the best educators in the state will be sharing classroom ideas and activities that work.

Go to the North Carolina Science Teachers Association website today and register for this great opportunity. Visit: www.ncsta.org or click here

AGENDA

Thursday, October 20 – (8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.)

Participants may choose from over 100 sessions that include such topics as:

Improving Student Literacy with Engaging Non-Fiction Science Texts

Using Literature to Understand Motion Graphs

Vocabulary Out of the Box

STEM Literacy: Strategies for Making Complex Text Meaningful

The Value of Sharing Claim-Evidence-Reasoning through Writing

Active Learning and Literacy in Science: Dynamic Word Walls

Attend our Awards Ceremony and Reception at the end of the day.

Friday, October 21 – (8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.)

Highly successful elementary teachers, Angela Adams, Nathan Stack and Erica Caine, will share activities in these areas of literacy. (Lunch will be provided.)

Teaching Science Vocabulary Using Trade Books

Text Features in Trade Books to Teach Science Literacy

Speaking/Listening/Arguing Like a Scientist

Assessing Conceptual Understanding

Science Note-booking to Improve Literacy Skills

All participants who compete the workshop will receive 1.2 units of renewal credit and a copy of Dr. Christine Royce’s book “Teaching Science through Trade Books”. ($40.00 value)

The STEM-Literacy Workshop activities are designed to help teachers improve the performance of their students in the following ways:

Integrate knowledge and ideas in informational text with various levels of complexity;

Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text;

Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text;

Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text;

Strengthen foundational skills of word recognition, fluency and meaning;

Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information;

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research;

Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details;

Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically);

Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented;

Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic;

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade-level reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Use context (e.g., cause/effect relationships and comparisons in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase;

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

If you are a PDI presenter, please remember to check in at the presenters table in the registration area.

Do you need a Principal Letter to help explain why you should attend PDI? Please email Cindy Bullard at cindybullard0@gmail.com to receive a pdf of our principal letter.

Ask your PTSA to support your attendance at the NCSTA 2016 Professional Development Institute. Please mail Cindy Bullard at cindybullard0@gmail.com to receive a pdf of this form, asking your PTSA to sponsor you.

Submitted by Fred Beyer

Stay up-to-date with the latest research in earth sciences!

Research articles, abstracts, maps, photographs, student investigations, and North Carolina field sites. Click here to subscribe.

The Kenan Fellows Program is accepting submissions for the second issue of its Journal of Interdisciplinary Teacher Leadership. The peer-reviewed journal publishes original scholarly work bi-annually on research, best practices, professional learning, and leadership in K-12 education.

The journal reviews submissions online. For submission guidelines and/or to submit and article click here. Please send questions to the managing editor, Amneris Solano at asolano@ncsu.edu.

Submitted by Linda M. Stroud, Ph.D., NRCC-CHO

So often, I hear the remark, “I go over the safety rules, safety equipment and give the safety test the first two weeks of school.” If you want to protect your students and yourself, you will teach safety all year. It will be an integral part of your course. Safety will be discussed in each pre-lab; be part of each lab report; be tested, and be in your lesson plan. In the event of an incident, you have your lesson plan, tests, lab reports to support you.

Each time I teach a CHO training seminar, I learn something from fellow colleagues. This year at Edenton-Chowan Public Schools, John A. Holmes High School, I saw the problem of flushing the shower-eyewash solved. Dumping such volumes of water weekly on the floor is not a pleasant experience that many of us relish. ANSI 358.1-2009 requires.

Note how the pipe is connected to the shower/eyewash drain to drain the water down the floor drain. If there is not a drain in the floor, we will have to devise a method of collecting the water at the end the flexible pipe. Be sure you are also washing the filters in the eyewashes each week by unscrewing the caps and rinsing the sponge filters to get the salt deposits removed.

Have a wonderful and safe year. Remember Science IS-INQUIRY…Safely.®

2016 NOBCChE National STEM Weekend

Raleigh, NC – November 10-12

As a native of North Carolina and proud chemist, STEM educator and researcher, I am proud to invite you to attend the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE’s) 43rd Annual Meeting, November 8-11th, 2016, at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Each year, the Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for STEM students and professionals to learn about next generation technologies while developing personal and professional connections. The Annual Meeting is also a time to celebrate the past and present achievements of NOBCChE members. We believe that NOBCChE embodies the future of STEM, therefore as move into a future riddled with scientific, political, and economic challenges, it is our responsibility to cultivate the next generation of STEM leaders who will solve those grand challenges. With that, the theme for NOBCChE 2016 is:

"Paradigm Shift: Cultivating STEM Leadership to Solve Grand Challenges”

During the week, we will have technical areas in all areas of chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, and forensic sciences. We will also have comprehensive student development and professional development sessions for undergraduates, graduate students, post-docs, and professionals in STEM. We will conclude the week’s events with our K-12 STEM programming which is free and open to the public to enjoy.

The National STEM Weekend Events are:

Science Bowl

Overview: Students compete as teams of four players in a double elimination quiz bowl. What makes this competition unique is that at least twenty percent of the questions are about African-American inventors, scientists and engineers. Students compete in Junior (6th – 8th grades) and Senior (9th - 12th grades) divisions. Top Two Teams will return for finals on Sunday, November 13.

Day/Time:

Thursday, November 10, 2 pm – 8:00 pm.

Finals will be held on Friday, November 11, 10 am – 4 pm.

Audience:

Middle and High school students, Capacity: 24 4-person teams

Coordinator: Mr. Steven Thomas at sdthomas25gmail.com

Science Fair

Overview: The Science Fair is a poster competition in which students present an individual completed research project. Each contestant in the Science Fair must demonstrate their ability to conduct a research project by: submitting an abstract of 150 words or less on an independent research project in the physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, or biological sciences; presenting the results of the research in a poster format, including answering questions from judges; and submitting a written report during the poster presentation. First, second, and third place trophies are awarded in each division. (Middle and High School) Projects previously submitted to other fairs will be accepted.

Day/Time:

Thursday, November 1, 10 am – 12 pm

Audience:

Middle and High school students from, Capacity: 100 students

Coordinator: Mr. Steven Thomas at sdthomas25gmail.com

STEM Festival

Overview: The STEM Festival features hands-on activities for students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Areas include:

· Robotics, coding, computer science

· Lasers and spectroscopy

· Everyday chemistry

· Food and agricultural science

· Biotechnology

Day/Time:

Saturday, November 12

10 am – 3 pm

Audience:

Middle and High school science teachers

Capacity: 30 teachers per track

Coordinator: Dr. Racquel Jemison at racq.jemison@gmail.com

Teachers’ Workshop

Overview: The Teachers’ Workshop offers separate, all-day tracks for middle and high school teachers. The workshop will provide you with new experiments, strategies and techniques. You will have the opportunity to network with your colleagues and you will leave energized and inspired! Teachers will receive a certificate and 4 hours of professional development credit with district approval.

Coordinator: Mr. Fletcher Daniels at fdaniels19@gmail.com

Day/Time:

Saturday, November 12

9 am – 3 pm

Schedule:

9:00 – 10:00 am – Continental Breakfast

10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Concurrent MS and HS Morning Session

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – lunch on your own

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Concurrent MS and HS Afternoon Session

Audience:

Middle and High school science teachers

Capacity: 30 teachers per track

To learn more about NOBCChE and register for events please go to www.nobcche.org

We are looking forward to you joining us this year!

Dr. Iris R. Wagstaff

2016 NOBCChE National Conference Chair

The election period for NCSTA officers and board members is now open. This year the organization’s membership will vote for the following administrative positions: President Elect (1 year term), Treasurer (2 year term), and District Directors for districts 1, 3, 5, and 6 which are 2 year terms. The individuals who are elected to these positions will serve as the members’ voice in setting the direction for science education in North Carolina, policies for the association, and the planning and implementation of NCSTA activities. To ensure this professional organization considers the unique needs and concerns of its constituency, it is vitally important that each member cast a ballot for the nominees of his or her choice.

Please vote for the president elect, treasurer, and the district director for your respective NCSTA district. Voting will be conducted electronically from now until midnight October 19, 2016. You may also vote via paper ballots at the PDI during the first day of the meeting.

Elections results will be announced the second day of the 2016 PDI. Information regarding the 2016 nominees is below.

Voting Electronically

In order to vote, you must be a current member of NCSTA. Log in to the website: www.ncsta.org . Above your name, you will see the voting option.

Voting by Paper Ballot

Ballots may also be cast manually by current members of NCSTA on the first day of the 2016 PDI, Thursday October 20th, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. To vote by paper ballot, visit the designated voting table which will be located near the registration booth. An NCSTA election official will confirm your active membership and provide you with a paper ballot that aligns with your voting option. Complete the ballot and return it to the elections official.

2016 NCSTA Board Nominees

President Elect

Nominee: Mike Tally
Mike has dedicated his professional career to the promotion of effective science instruction. His work history includes both classroom teaching and administration with experiences at the kindergarten elementary, middle, secondary and collegiate levels. He has spearheaded a wide variety of learning opportunities for numerous North Carolina science teachers and their students, and is particularly recognized for his efforts that encourage science instruction in authentic settings which may be outside of the traditional classroom. He holds a deep appreciation of the natural wonders of the world and frequently travels to some of its most unique natural settings. These trips are not just for his personal pleasure, but also provide a venue for him to generate instructional resources and learning opportunities which focus on environmental science for others. Mike has sustained his membership in NCSTA for many years and served on its Board as the chair of several standing committees. He currently holds the position of District 3 Director. In addition to North Carolina Science Teacher Association, he is currently a member of the following professional organizations; NSTA, NCEE , and the International Focus Group. He is retired as the Ecotours Director and Secondary Science Coordinator for Wake County Schools. Mike lives in Cary, North Carolina.

Treasurer

Nominee: Justin Tillet
As an active member of NCSTA, Justin dedicates his time and efforts to advance all fields of science from kindergarten through the college levels. He recognizes that for students to be successful, science teachers need to engage in activities that provide opportunities to share ideas, collaborate, and focus on effective classroom practice. To facilitate these professional interactions, he has promoted teacher participation in NCSTA sponsored events both within his district and statewide. In recent years, he has assisted in the planning and implementation of several PDIs. Justin currently holds the office of NCSTA Treasurer and he chairs the Finance Committee. He is a faculty member at Jordan Matthews High School where he teaches several science subjects. Justin lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina where he is a member of his community’s Fire and Rescue Squad.

Director District 1

Nominee: Brad Woodard
Brad is a proud native of eastern North Carolina and is committed to STEM-based education. He completed his teacher preparatory work at East Carolina University, and has been a member of the Farmville Central High School faculty since 2000. He has taught Physics, Earth Science, Progressive Algebra, Environmental Science, and Physical Science. His instructional duties have ranged from that of the “roaming teacher with science on a cart” to AP classes, to being the contact teacher for seniors enrolled in the Honors Medical Program at the Body School of Medicine. He currently holds the position of Science Department Chair for his school and has served on the Farmville Central’s Faculty Senate and the school’s Improvement Team and Scholarship Committee. Additionally, Brad worked as a mentor teacher for in the Western Governor’s Online Program. Very active in NCSTA Brad has held two Board positions: the History and Records Committee Chair and District 1 Director.

Director District 3

Nominee: Evelyn Baldwin
Evelyn is actively engaged in a variety of NCSTA initiatives and has been well received as a presenter at recent Professional Development Institutes. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina and currently is a staff member at the STEM High School, North Carolina State University. In her current position, she not only teaches secondary sciences, but maintains strong interactions among other educators directing them toward resources, funding options, and peer collaborations.

Nominee: Penny Shumaker Jeffrey
Penny is a faculty member in the Department of STEM Education, College of Education at North Carolina State University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science education. In addition to her instructional duties, she advises several student professional organizations and serves as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for Science Education. Penny is actively involved with NCSTA and encourages pre-service and novice teachers to participate in its offerings. Penny lives in Chatham County.

Director District 5

Nominee: Robin Bulleri
Robin lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She and is very involved in NCSTA, engaging in district activities, as well as, sharing her ideas and strategies as a presenter at recent Professional Development Institutes. Robin currently works as a science teacher in Chapel Hill.

Nominee: Valerie Sellars
Valerie is an active member of NCSTA and is seeking reelection to the Board as the District 5 Director. She is currently the Science Coordinator for Guilford County Schools – Central Region through which she provides engaging professional development and coaching for k-12 science teachers. She lives in Burlington, NC.

Director District 7

Nominee: Sharon Green
Sharon, a Kenan Fellow and National Board Certified Teacher, entered the teaching profession through lateral entry, coming from a background in pharmaceutical research. After teaching for four years in South Carolina, she continued her fifteen year educational career as a high school science teacher in North Carolina. She also taught part time in the Biology Department at the University of South Carolina—Upstate. A resident of Lenoir, North Carolina, Sharon’s current position is in the Biology Department at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. Sharon holds a BS degree in biology from Western Carolina University and a Masters in Biochemistry from University of Tennessee—Knoxville. As an active member in NCSTA, Sharon has served as a presenter at the Professional Development Institutes since 2010. She has received an NCSTA Study Grant and an Innovative Curriculum Grant. In recognition of her classroom practice, Sharon has been the recipient of the NCSTA District 7 Science Teacher of the Year award. Among her many accomplishments, she was also a co-recipient of a "Bright Ideas" grant to develop a vertical, school wide, biofuel project.

Nominee: Lindsay Knippenberg
Lindsay's classroom experience includes teaching science at both elementary and secondary levels. She is recognized for her efforts to facilitate learning for children possessing disabilities. To enhance her expertise in environmental and earth science, and to create relevant instructional materials designed to motivate her students, Lindsay extensively travels. These endeavors allow her opportunities to personally work in some of the world's most unique habitats and participate in various educational field research programs. Lindsay is a North Carolina Science Leadership Fellow and has received several professional awards, including North Carolina Outstanding Earth Science Teacher. Lindsay lives in Morrisville, North Carolina.

Nominee: Jessica Schouweiler
Long time science educator, Jessica Schouweiler, describes herself as dedicated to providing venues for all of North Carolina students to have a strong scientifically-accurate knowledge base. In her current position as an assistant principal and STEM Coordinator, she incorporates research driven initiatives that facilitate school and community collaborations designed to promote effective STEM –based learning experiences for both college and non-college bound students within her district. Jessica resides in Conover, North Carolina.

Please contact me regarding any comments, questions, or submissions to the NCSTA Reflector.

Email: cindybullard0@gmail.com
Website: https://www.ncsta.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/North-Carolina-Science-Teachers-Association-1631225993808082/timeline
Twitter: @ncsta