RI Science Professional Development and Student Opportunity

Bulletin
April 6, 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:
RISTA Professional Development
Opportunity: Mapping Local Community
Data Register by April 6th
SENEDIA To Host a Defense Education
Forum To Identify National Security Job
Opportunities and Career Pathways in RI
April 7th
Teacher in Residence Program at the
Museum of Science, Boston: July 6- August
6, 2015 Apply by April 7th (Middle - High
School Teachers)
New In This Bulletin

Nominate a High School Student to the

Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) at
Rockefeller University Nominations and
Applications due April 15th
NSTA Virtual Conference on STEM- Saturday,
April 25th
Student Spaceflight Experiments Program:
Mission 9 to the International Space Station
Inquire by April 30th
Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology for High School Students Registration
Opens May 1st
American Museum of Natural History Seminars in Science Online Courses Register by May
11th
Hurricanes: Science and Society To Offer Hurricane Preparedness Webinar for 5th grade
classes Must Pre-Register by Tuesday, May 26th
Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) and Wonders of Wetlands (WOW!) Project WET Professional
Development Opportunity: July 10-12, 2015 Apply by June 1st
Educators Invited to First Global Ocean Science Education Workshop at URI-GSO Register
by June 5th
Ocean Science Exploration Camp at URI-GSO April and August

Job Opportunities:
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:
SENEDIA: More Women in STEM Careers Needed to Meet National Security Challenges
MIDDLETOWN, RI - The Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) released a statement today citing
the disproportionately small percentage of women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
careers and encouraging more young women to take up these critical fields of study. [read more]

Tips to help schools secure ed-tech grants

Experts and school leaders profiled in this article share seven strategies to help schools secure grants for educational
technology. Strategies include starting with a compelling story, focusing on students and partnering with others. Read More .
T.H.E. Journal (3/26)

NGSS News:
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.

New K-12 science standards emphasize hands-on learning

In 2013, the California State Board of Education approved new science standards for K through 12 classes. They're
called the Next Generation Science Standards and put a stronger emphasis on actually doing science rather than just
memorizing facts. It represents a huge shift for teachers and many schools have yet to make the transition. They
have until around 2017 at the earliest to do so, but a handful of districts are already giving the new standards a trial
run and sharing what they learn with the rest of the state. Read more

West Milford schools set sights on new science standards

With new state science standards on the horizon for 2017, the local school district is preparing to place a new
emphasis on teaching both content and skills.
"It's not what you know. It's what you can do with that knowledge," West Milford's K-12 Supervisor of Science Eric
Siegal said. "We want students to model what scientists do every day: that is, gather information, analyze data,
present that data, argue."
"It's not enough to, let's say, know the phases of the moon but to understand what's happening in the solar system
that causes those shadows to appear," he added. "Students that demonstrate understanding can do, build, design,
create, and model."Read more

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:
Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Educational Resources http://www.volvooceanracenewport.com/en/education-program.html
APP OF THE WEEK - Mars Gen One: Argubot Academy
Whats It Like? Mars Gen One: Argubot Academy is a slick, clever role-playing game that follows new cadet Zodiac
Flynn through the first days of this earthlings life in a colony on Mars. Zodiac is the first native Earthling to join the
Argubot Academy, a training facility otherwise populated by people born in the Mars colony of Bracket City. Zodiacs
task is to learn the art of using argubots, the special robots that can be armed with argument cores and then engage
in special argument duels. Zodiacs task is to use argubots to explore a series of missions that grapple with key issues
facing the Martian colonists.
Price: Free
Grades: 6-8
Pros: Compelling visuals, feisty characters, and intriguing missions make for a rich learning experience.
Cons: Some features are still in development, and the app can have some battery life and stability issues.
Bottom line: A visually appealing, pedagogically sound exploration of what makes a valid argument

Types of Rocks Interactive - http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/types.html

Discover rock secrets through these activities. Create a rock collection as you learn about the three main types of
rock, find out how to tell the different rock types apart, and see how rocks change from one type into another!

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

RISTA Professional Development Opportunity: Mapping Local Community Data Register by April
6th
Please join RI Science Teachers Association for Mapping Local Community Data
presented by, Peter Stetson, Coventry High School & RI Envirothon President
Where: Winman Junior High School
575 Centerville Rd
Warwick RI 02886
When: April 8, 2015 from 3:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Do your students learn best from hands on activities?
Looking for sources of real data for students to analyze?
Want to find new activities that use NGSS Practices?
Being able to collect local environmental data, display it so that it can be viewed and analyzed is a useful skill for any
scientist. During this workshop you will learn how to collect some local data, enter it into a spreadsheet, import that
spreadsheet into an online mapping website and the share that map with others. Teachers will create an online
public account which they can use with their classes as well as learn how to apply for a free organizational account
that allows teachers and students to conduct sophisticated analysis of the data collected.
Register online by Monday, April 6. By going to: Mapping Local Community Data

SENEDIA To Host a Defense Education Forum To Identify National Security Job Opportunities and
Career Pathways in RI April 7th
Through a grant from the RI Governors Workforce Board, the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance
(SENEDIA) is developing an outreach program to high school and college students and their school administrators,
guidance counselors and teachers to highlight local career opportunities in national security and defense.
Through presentations, our website, and member companies interactions, SENEDIA wants to expose students to a
broader view of these career opportunities in Rhode Island. SENEDIA will introduce students to work shadowing,
mentoring, and internships programs which will give them additional insight into careers in the national security and
defense sector.

SENEDIA will host a Defense Education Forum on April 7, 2015, bringing together Rhode Island high school and
university educators, state leaders and representatives of the states leading defense companies. The event will
identify national security job opportunities and career pathways in the RI. As a follow-up to this forum, school visits
will be scheduled to meet with students.
Event Details
What: Defense Education Forum
Where: East Bay Educational Collaborative, 317 Market Street, Warren, RI
When: April 7, 2015, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm - Feel free to come any time during the identified timeframe.
To RSVP for the event, interested educators and state leaders should send an email to shay@senedia.org.
The Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) is a Rhode Island based 501c(6) organization
formed in 2002 to identify, champion and coordinate initiatives that contribute to the national security of the United
States and the preservation and growth of the regional defense sector. SENEDIAs membership is comprised of defenseoriented organizations representing industry, academia and non-profit interests.

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

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.

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

Nominate a High School Student to the Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) at Rockefeller University
Nominations and Applications due April 15th
Now in its eighth year, this unique program introduces motivated and bright high school students to the wonders of
cutting-edge neuroscience. Our goal is to get kids excited and confident about science and research. Through highly
interactive lectures, activities, and experiments, we will explore how the brain works and how this relates to our daily
lives. SNP is a two-week course (all expenses paid) hosted at the Rockefeller University. The course is challenging,
but a lot of fun. Please visit website (below) to learn more! Each year, they seek motivated, mature, and inquisitive
students, irrespective of previous scholastic achievement or experience with science. They aren't necessarily looking
for "straight A" students; they are looking for distinctive, curious studentswhether they're shy or outgoing. There
are two ways to help find students for SNP:
1. Nominate students
2. Forward this message to teachers, principals, guidance counselors and other educators in your community.
To nominate students, or to learn more about SNP, please visit the website.
th
The deadline for both student nominations and applications is April 15 .

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.

NEW!!! NSTA Virtual Conference on STEM- Saturday, April 25th

STEM programs provide the gateway for students to successful careers in these expanding and dynamic fields. If
your school is looking to start or expand a STEM curriculum, then mark your calendar now for another quality all-day
NSTA virtual conference exclusively on STEM scheduled for Saturday, April 25. From the comfort of your home learn
from content and pedagogical experts and share ideas with colleagues during the live chat discussions. Choose from
strands for teachers and administrators that offer fresh ideas and tried and true methods that work or mix and match
the sessions that will suit your needs. Learn more at the NSTA Learning Center.

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program: Mission 9 to the International Space Station Inquire by
April 30th

The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education, and
NanoRacks announce Mission 9 to the International Space Station. This STEM education opportunity immerses
grade 5-12 students across a community in an authentic, high visibility research experience, where student teams
design and propose real microgravity experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the International Space Station. The
program nurtures ownership in learning, critical thinking, problem solving, navigation of an interdisciplinary
landscape, and communication skills all reflective of the Next Generation Science Standards, the skills needed by
professional scientists and engineers, and the skills desired by 21st century employers.
Each participating community will be provided a real microgravity research mini-laboratory capable of supporting a
single experiment, and all launch services to fly the experiment to the International Space Station in Spring 2016, and
return is safely to Earth for student harvesting and analysis. A 9-week experiment design competition in each
community, held September through November 2015, and locally engaging typically 300 students, allows student
teams to design and formally propose real experiments vying for their community's reserved mini-lab on Space
Station. A formal 2-step proposal review process, mirroring professional review, will determine the communitys
flight experiment. Content resources for teachers and students support foundational instruction on science in
microgravity and experimental design. Additional programming leverages the experiment design competition to
engage the community, embracing a Learning Community Model for STEM education. This includes a local art and
design competition for a Mission Patch to accompany the flight experiment to Station. SSEP is therefore more
suitably characterized as a community-wide STEAM experience.
TIME CRITICAL: all interested communities are asked to inquire by sending an email to Dr. Jeff Goldstein at
jeffgoldstein@ncesse.org by April 30, 2015; schools and districts need to assess interest with their staff and, if
appropriate, move forward with an Implementation Plan. Communities must be aboard by August 31, 2015, for a 9week experiment design and proposal writing phase from September 7 to November 6, 2015. The flight experiment
will be selected by December 17, 2015. Launch of the Mission 9 to ISS Endeavor experiments payload is expected in
Spring 2016.
NEXT STEP: carefully read the SSEP Home page, which provides an Executive Summary of the Program and the
Mission 9 to ISS Flight Opportunity: http://ssep.ncesse.org
For More Information Contact: Dr. Jeff Goldstein, SSEP Program Director; cell 301-395-0770;
jeffgoldstein@ncesse.org

Ocean Science Exploration Camp at URI-GSO April and August

Do you, or someone you know, have a child between the ages of 11 and 15 who has an interest in ocean science? If
so, sign them up for Ocean Science Exploration Camp!
Ocean Science Exploration Camp is a week-long, hands-on, day camp located at the Inner Space Center (ISC) at
the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (URI/GSO), in Narragansett, RI. The ISC is an
innovative leader, advancing ocean science exploration, research, and education. Through the use of cutting edge
technology, including telepresence, the ISC expands the capacity for scientists to engage in real-time oceanographic
operations and inspires the next generation of ocean explorers. The ISC brings the excitement of ocean discoveries
to onshore audiences worldwide.
There will be two sessions of Ocean Science Exploration Camp. During each session, participants will engage in
hands-on activities, tune into live expeditions at sea, meet scientists, and learn about different career paths.
Vacation Camp (April 20-24, 2015; 9am-3pm daily) will focus on the different disciplines of oceanography. Topics
will range from exploring the ocean food chain and learning about oil spills and ocean acidification to investigating
wave dynamics and exploring buoyancy through mock submarine builds. Cost: $395/camper.
Summer Camp (August 10-14, 2015; 9am-3pm daily) will focus on physical oceanography and will explore basic
oceanographic principles such as density, buoyancy, salinity, and temperature as well as investigate wave dynamics,
ocean currents, tides, and other exciting topics. Campers will go on local field trips, and links to ocean technology will
be made. Cost: $495 per/camper.
To register please visit: http://innerspacecenter.org/explore/ocean-science-exploration-camp

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/

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.

American Museum of Natural History Seminars in Science Online Courses Register by May 11th
Sign up for an online course this summer with Seminars on Science, the American Museum of Natural History's online
professional learning program for educators. Get access to cutting-edge research, rich content, and powerful
classroom resources. Earn graduate credit and save $50 when you register with code SCIENCEMATTERS. Enroll now
at learn.amnh.org.
The six-week online courses co-taught by experienced scientists and educators include Earth: Inside and Out; Climate
Change; The Diversity of Fishes; Evolution; Genetics, Genomics, Genethics; The Solar System, Water and many more.
For more information about the program, check out Seminars on Science at http://www.amnh.org/learn/ or send us
an email at learn@amnh.org or call 800-649-6715.

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/

NEW!!! Hurricanes: Science and Society To Offer Hurricane Preparedness Webinar for 5th grade
classes Must Pre-Register by Tuesday, May 26th
The Hurricanes: Science and Society (HSS; www.hurricanescience.org) is excited to announce that it has again
partnered with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) to
offer hurricane preparedness webinars for 5th grade classes. We hope your 5th grade classes can join us for this
engaging and informative experience!
The purpose of the webinars is to raise awareness about hurricanes in advance of the 2015 North Atlantic
hurricane season. During each free, 1-hour webinar, students will hear from NHC scientists, as well as NOAA
AOC personnel that fly into hurricanes. A presentation on region-specific hurricane science and preparedness will be
given with interactive questions prompting student responses. Classroom questions will also be collected in advance
of the webinar; as many of these questions as possible will be answered by the hurricane scientists. Many videos,
visualizations, graphics, and other media will be included to engage students. Introductory materials and helpful
links will also be supplied to all participating educators.
Schools/classes wanting to participate MUST REGISTER in advance. To register, please go
to: www.hurricanescience.org/webinar
The webinars will be presented by region: Gulf Coast, Southeast, and Northeast Atlantic. Dates for each
webinar are as follows:
Northeast Coast: Tuesday, May 26, 2015, 10:00 am ET
Northeast Coast states include: NJ, PA, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME.
Problems/questions? Please contact Holly Morin (holly_morin@uri.edu; 401-874-6414)

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

Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) and Wonders of Wetlands (WOW!) Project WET Professional
Development Opportunity: July 10-12, 2015 Apply by June 1st
Participate in a combination of three workshops over three days.
th
When:
July 10 12
Where:
Narragansett Bay Research Reserve on Prudence Island, RI
Who:
Ideal for middle and high school teachers; others are welcome to register, including informal
educators.
Hosted by:
Educators from the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve and RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlifes
Aquatics Resource Education program
Receive:
Project WET and WOW curriculum and NOAA educational materials
Learn:
How to integrate estuary science, climate change, and water resources into your classroom.
Free lodging, meals, and workshop materials.
st
Space is limited; email Maureen Dewire at Maureen@nbnerr.org to register by June 1 or visit
www.nbnerr.org/tote.htm for more details.

NEW!!! Educators Invited to First Global Ocean Science Education Workshop at URI-GSO Register
by June 5th
We invite you to participate in the first Global Ocean Science Education Workshop, being held June 26 and 27 at the
University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. Workshop goals include identifying opportunities and
setting a course for international collaborations and establishing a foundation for an international ocean science
education network.
Panelists and plenary speakers from over 15 nations will address international and national ocean science research
and education priorities. Other workshop topics include leveraging ocean research and advanced communication
technologies for ocean science education. The focus is on the ocean science education pipeline from elementary and
secondary education, through undergraduate and graduate education, to public education.
Workshop registration is now open and can be found here (www.regonline.com/gose). In addition, information on
accommodations and the preliminary agenda can be found on the
workshop website (http://www.coexploration.org/gose/). Registration will close on Friday, June 5, and a hotel block
of 50 rooms has been reserved at a reasonable rate. Please be sure to register early if you will need hotel
accommodations.

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

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

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.

Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology for High School Students Registration Opens May
1st
The Siemens Foundation established the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology in 1999. The
Competition is the nation's premiere science research competition for high school students and seeks to promote
excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive research
that improves students' understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future
careers in these disciplines. The Siemens Innovator's Lounge event is now available to view with your classroom of
innovators. The 2015 Siemens Competition will open on May 1, 2015. You can compete as an individual or as a

member of a two or three-person team. Individual projects promote independent research. Team projects foster
collaborative research efforts, as well as individual contributions to the cooperative endeavor. Scholarships for
winning projects range from $1,000 to $100,000.
For more info and to compete, visit the Siemens Competition website.

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.

--------------------------------------------------

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 3:00pm on
Thursday to be included in the Friday newsletter (subject to RIDE review and approval):
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.