The UC Davis C-STEM Center will be holding the conference on November 7-9. This year's theme is Igniting Genius and Lighting the Spark for All. 

Specifically designed for pre-service K-12 teachers, this workshop will engage participants in inquiry-based teaching methods for presenting earth and space science content and NASA developed education resources useful in the classroom. This professional-development opportunity includes a general introduction to basic concepts in astronomy, including the pedagogy of conducting hands-on activities, which emphasize science practices in the context of the Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards, and connections to the Common Core Standards.

This free workshop will be held on Saturday, November 15, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., at the College of San Mateo. Those who are interested may register at this website. 

The Contra Costa County Office of Education presents the San Francisco-Bay Area Common Core State Standards Summit, titled: Strengthening The Core.

The Summit will be held at the Concord Crowne Plaza Hotel, October 28-29. Visit their Web page for details and registration.

NSTA offers 19 different awards that recognize teachers for their development and implementation of unique-science programs and curricula, outstanding leadership and dedication to the profession. The NSTA awards offer recognition and a multitude of prizes for educators. Prizes include cash awards and grants, school supplies and materials, and trips to the national conferences.

For more information or to download an application, visit the NSTA Teacher Awards Program website. The submission deadline for most of the awards is November 30.

Applications are now available for Fundamentals of Inquiry: Examining Scientific Practices and the Next Generation Science Standards at the San Francisco Exploratorium. The institute will be offered October 20-24 or December 8-12. Participants will explore ways to develop an inquiry- based approach to teaching that aligns with NGSS. 

For more information and to apply visit their website. 

Take time to explore mathematics and teaching for understanding. Keynote Speakers include: Tony DeRose, Pixar Animation Studios, Dr. Jo Boaler, Stanford University, and Phil Daro, Common Core Co-author.

This program will be held December 5-7, in Pacific Grove, CA. For more information and to register visit their website.

The 2014 NSTA Area Conference in Long Beach, in collaboration with CSTA will be held December 4-6. Join science educators to engage in the following conference strands: NGSS Implementation, Science: The Gateway to Common Core State Standards, and STEM Classrooms; Anytime/Anyplace/Anywhere. CSTA members may register for the NSTA membership price. For more information and to register visit their website.

Materials include the traditional program poster and school-year-activity calendar, as well as materials from distinguished program partners such as NASA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, Esri, and professional geoscientific societies. Earth Science Week 2014 will be celebrated October 12-18. To learn more, please visit the AGI website

This multi-institutional collaborative venture is developing the next generation of open-access E-texts to improve STEM education at all levels of higher learning. The texts are being written and re-written by students and faculty members resulting in an online resource for students and teachers. STEMWikis include the BioWiki, the StatWiki, the PhysWiki, the ChemWiki and the MathWiki.

The Contra Costa County 2015 Science and Engineering Fair will be held March, at Los Medanos College, in Pittsburg. The application process begins now. Projects needing prior approval are due on October 31, 2014.

The CCCSEF Organizing committee is also recruiting for judges and members for the Scientific Review Committee. If you are interested, you may go to the Contra Costa Science Fair website. Please mark your calendar today for 2015's Science Fair judging day.