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STEAM News and Events
Greetings!
Dr. Joseph A. Ovick, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, announced the launch of "Full STEAM Ahead!" This is an exciting initiative that will bring to the forefront science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Dr. Ovick stated: "If our children are going to succeed as responsible adults in a knowledge-based economy and a global neighborhood, STEAM is vitally important for their benefit and the benefit of our nation. With the support of government at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as support and endorsements from our business community and the regional arts, we collectively as educators in Contra Costa County will bring forward new and exciting opportunities to better prepare our young people for a world we cannot even imagine."
Dr. Ovick adds that we will be mirroring campus clusters of science, technology engineering, the arts, and mathematics with industry clusters within Contra Costa County and beyond. "Today, our students' backyard is the world, and we want to ensure that they are responsible and accountable ambassadors of the U.S. and all that we stand for...so please join us - full STEAM ahead!"
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STEAM Colloquium
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CCCOE STEAM Colloquium
Full STEAM Ahead is the title of this The 2nd Annual CCCOE STEAM Colloquium. This forum provides an outstanding opportunity for participants to discuss and share best practices in STEAM. Attendees will include educators, business leaders, and community organizations. The colloquium will include breakout sessions and a keynote speaker. Full STEAM Ahead will be held on February 2, at the Hilton Concord, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. More info to come!
For sponsorship opportunities or to submit a presentation proposal, please contact Hilary Dito at (925) 942-3396.
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Teacher Events, Curriculum, and Professional Development
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Science Lab
KQED Education, in partnership with Lindsay Wildlife Museum and the CCCOE is pleased to present a free professional learning opportunity specifically for Contra Costa County K-3 educators who are interested in learning how to incorporate digital media tools, such as video and audio, to strengthen science instruction. Participants must attend all seven classes, held in January and February, at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and the CCCOE.
For info: Contact Nancy Yamamoto at (415) 553-2282. Applications must be in by January 6
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CCCOE PEAK Training
Promoting Energy Action & Knowledge (PEAK) is an award-winning standards-based energy education program for 3rd-7th-grade students. Through hands-on activities, students learn about the science of energy and are inspired to take action to create a more sustainable world. The program will be held at the CCCOE, on June 18.
For more information, contact Audrey Knox or visit PEAK'S website.
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Teacher Research Academy
The Biotechnology Research Academy at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is now accepting registration for summer 2012. Teachers who complete the Teacher Research Academy in Biotechnology participate in hands-on instruction using DNA Extraction, Gel Electrophoresis, and more.
To register, go to their website.
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The American Vacuum Society (AVS)
AVS provides free classroom science sessions. This no-cost set of classroom experiments and demonstrations of vacuum science is available for grades K-3 (35-40 minutes), 4-8 (45-50 minutes) and 9-12 (55 - 90 minutes).
Contact David Web for more information, or visit their website.
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The MOUSE Squad of California
The nonprofit, MOUSE Squad of California, enables students of upper elementary through high school to learn 21st century information, technology, communication, leadership, and problem solving skills, while providing tech support services to their schools.
For more information, visit their website.
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The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program
This fellowship program provides a unique professional development opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working in a federal agency or in a U.S. congressional office, bringing their extensive knowledge and experience in the classroom to education program and/or education policy efforts.
Applications are due January 5.
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Science Teacher Workshop
The Healthcare and Science Pipeline Initiative (HASPI) and Health Workforce Initiative (HWI) will be hosting two Bay Area Collaboration Day workshops for middle school and high school science teachers and ROP instructors: (1) Marriott Hotel & Resorts, Burlingame, February 29, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (2) Crowne Plaza, Concord, March 1, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Substitute teacher reimbursements are available for participating in the event.
For more information and RSVPs, contact Kim Brooks at (619) 379-2789, or available on their website.
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Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
Teachers can now view the public-use lessons collected as part of the TIMSS video studies. The free videos are intended to spark discussion about teaching practices in different countries. Fifty-three full-length videos of eighth-grade mathematics and science lessons from seven countries are available. Each lesson includes English-translation subtitles, a searchable transcript, and teacher-resource materials. Educators can share their comments on the site's discussion forum.
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Student Opportunities, Contests, and Resources
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The 2012 DuPont Challenge© Science Essay Competition
In its 25th year, this competition is one of the foremost student science and technology prize programs in the United States and Canada. The DuPont Challenge© has two primary objectives: to help increase science literacy among students and to motivate them to excel communicating scientific ideas. Students may write a 700- to 1,000-word essay discussing a scientific discovery, theory, event, or technological application that has captured their interest.
Entries are due January 31. For more information, visit their website.
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The 2012 Northern California Western Nevada
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
High school students, teachers, and parents are invited to participate in the Regional Symposium, which will be held March 8-10, hosted by the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey.
Participants will:
- Hear nationally renowned scientists speak on their work
- Visit university, corporate, and government research facilities
- Meet informally with university students and research scientists
- Talk with peers who have the same interests
- Hear research presentations by other students
It is not necessary for a school or family group to have a student presenter to attend and participate in the symposium and all activities!
Lodging, meals, and symposium activities will be provided for all participants for a one time group registration fee of $100. All meals and activities, including the student paper presentations, will be held at the hotel.
If you think you might be interested in participating and/or would like to learn more about the Symposium, please download and submit the Indication of Interest Form.
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Curiosity in the Classroom is a newly launched site designed to serve as an interactive educational tool with a science focus. The site features free lesson plans, videos, and activities aligned to national education standards. Designed for students in grades 6-12, Curiosity in the Classroom expands on the Discovery series, Curiosity. The site, sponsored by Discovery Education and Intel, features career videos, interactive polls and quizzes, a webinar series, and family discussion guides to illustrate concepts from the series, such as artificial intelligence, communications, computers, nanotechnology, and robotics.
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The 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge
The 2012 National STEM Video Game Challenge was launched in partnership with Digital Promise, a new initiative created by President Obama and Congress, which is supported through the Department of Education. The initiative is designed to unlock the promise of breakthrough technologies to transform teaching and learning. Inspired by the Educate to Innovate Campaign, President Obama's initiative to promote a renewed focus on STEM education, the National STEM Video Game Challenge is a multi-year competition whose goal is to motivate interest in STEM learning among America's youth, by tapping into students' natural passion for playing and making video games.
Entrants have until March 12, to submit their ideas and games. For more information, visit the Challenge's website.
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Grants
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The Synopsys Outreach Foundation Green + 1 Challenge
Do you have an idea for a class recycling project? Do you want to teach your students how to compost? Could you save your school money with a plan to save energy? Or, do you have a new idea about a way to help protect the environment? Could $2,000 help make that project a reality?
You're invited to participate in the Synopsys Outreach Foundation Green + 1 Challenge! The non-profit Synopsys Outreach Foundation is awarding 10 grants to California K-8 teachers in the amount of $2,000 each to help them undertake class or school-wide projects intended to have a positive and measurable impact on the environment.
Applying is easy. Once you've developed your project idea, just fill out a short application. The deadline to apply is April 16.
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Events
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Science on Saturday
Science on Saturday is a series of lectures for middle and high school students. Each topic highlights cutting-edge science occurring at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The talks are presented by leading LLNL science researchers supported by master high school science teachers.
Schedule:
February 4 - The Gammy-Ray Spectrometer at Mercury
February 11 - Sleuthing Seismic Signals
February 18 - Space Junk
March 3 - Restoring Sight to the Blind
Admission is free. For locations and details, visit their website.
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Bay Area Environmental Education Resource (BAEER) Fair
Join educators, students, and parents for the 35th Annual BAEER Fair, featuring workshops, classroom materials, and environmental education programs about conservation, wildlife, school gardens, and strategies for fostering environmental awareness.
The BAEER Fair will be held on January 21, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the Marin Civic Center, in San Rafael. Visit the BAEER Fair website for more information.
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The CCCOE STEAM enews is published regularly, highlighting news, events, and resources that enhance STEAM education for all students. If you received the STEAM enews from a colleague, please join our mailing list to continue receiving updates. This publication does not signify the Contra Costa County Office of Education endorses the event or program mentioned.
For more information regarding CCCOE STEAM, please visit our website.
Sincerely,
Hilary Haugen Dito
CCCOE STEAM Coordinator
Associate Superintendent, Pamela Comfort, Ed.D.
925-942-3358
STEAM Coordinator, Hilary Haugen Dito
925-942-3396
Published by the Communications Office of the Contra Costa County Office of Education
Layout/Design, Diane Morrell; Web Developer, Robin Wood;
Writer/Media Relations, Jonathan Lance
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