Contra Costa County Office of Education

                     
                  August 2015

STEAM Masthead
Featured Sections
Next Generation Science Standards
Teacher Opportunities and Professional Development
Classroom Grants
Classroom Resources and Websites
Student and Family Opportunities
Join Our Mailing List
STEAM News and Events 



Greetings! 


Welcome to 2015-2016 school year.  Whether you are looking for professional learning opportunities or classroom activities to engage students in STEAM, this edition of CCCOE's STEAM Enews is filled with resources. Take a pledge to engage your students in a STEAM project, a maker experience or an integrated unit this semester.
 
Visit our website to view resources, link to standards and stay up-to-date with events. Feel free to contact Hilary Dito with questions, comments and thoughts about integrating STEAM into your classroom.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

California Standards in Science 
Educators are currently transitioning to California Standards in Science, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
 
Learn more about the NGSS, take steps to shift your science instruction and stay connected to the CA Science Framework development process. To receive the latest information on the NGSS, join California's Department of Education's NGSS mailing list. Send a blank email to join-ngss@mlist.cde.ca.gov. 
Attend California's 2nd series of NGSS Rollout trainings: Awareness to Transition
Explore the next steps in the journey toward NGSS Implementation. This is a collaborative effort that includes the California Department of Education, California Science Project, California Science Teachers Association, Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee, and the K-12 Alliance/WestEd.
Districts are encouraged to bring a team of 4-6 educators including an administrator, high school science teacher, middle school science teacher, elementary teacher and other district science leaders.
Bay Area trainings will be held at:
 
  • CSUEB, Hayward: September 15-16, 2015
  • Santa Clara County Office of Education, San Jose: November 9-10, 2015
Visit the website for more information or to register.
2015 California Science Education Conference
This year's California Science Education Conference sessions will focus on NGSS 3-Dimensional Learning, Technology integration, Literacy and Math integration, and more.

The conference will be held in Sacramento, October 2-4. For more info, visit their website.
NGSS Evidence Statement
The Evidence Statements are intended to identify clear, measurable components that align to Performance Expectations in the NGSS. Download evidence statements for K-5, 6-8, and high school.
Teacher Opportunities and Professional Development
2015 California STEM Symposium: Designing Our Future
Registration is now open for Designing Our Future. The CA STEM Symposium brings together thousands of educators, program providers, business leaders and philanthropic representatives to engage in STEM education, sharing best practices for program implementation and development. Strands include STEM and Arts; Leadership in STEM; Diversity, Girls, and Inclusion in STEM; and STEM Learning Across Disciplines.
 
The conference will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, October 29-30. For more info, visit their website 

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 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, 2015
Exploratorium's Institute for Inquiry
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 take place October 19-23 or December 7-11. 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.    
Exploratorium - Free Visits for Teacher
California Teachers can visit the San Francisco Exploratorium at no charge. (But be sure to request your free admission here.) Check out the exhibits and see how you can inspire your students in STEAM.  
Champion Creativity: An Online Professional Learning Community

Crayola and Edweb have partnered to develop The Power of Art-Infused Education for leaders and classroom teachers. The on-line PLC offers webinars, resources and forums to encourage art-integration in K-12 classrooms. Join now and see how art is an integral part of the classroom experience.
PEAK 
PEAK is a standards-based education program that teaches the science of energy and empowers students to become smart energy managers through hands-on lab and action activities! Participating teachers receive professional development, curriculum correlated to 3rd-7th grade standards across disciplines, a toolkit of materials for hands-on science labs (worth over $300!), and ongoing implementation support at no cost! 

On Thursday, September 24, PEAK will be offering a special in-service training hosted by the CCCOE. Space is limited! Register immediately if interested in attending. Visit PEAK for more information, or contact Audrey Knox at 510-444-5060, ext. 15.
Bird Sleuth Teacher Workshop at Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Want to connect your students to nature while getting them outside? Lindsay Wildlife Experience in conjunction with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is offering the BirdSleuth K-12 Program free to classroom teachers. The workshop will be held at Lindsey Wildlife Experience on October 22, 2015, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Attendees will receive a free Pennington bird feeder, bird seed coupons, student handouts, and Feathered Friends activities. Pre-registration required.
Classroom Grants
Dow Chemical Company Community Advisory Panel (CAP) Grant Program
The DOW CAP Grant Program is accepting on-line applications until September 17. Eligible applicants must represent community non-profit organizations, schools, municipalities, or county governmental agencies/departments that have identified science, education or environmental projects that will enhance the quality of life within East Contra Costa County. Grants range from $2,500 to $5,000. For more information and to apply, visit their website.
Air Force Association Educator Grants
The Educator Grant program promotes aerospace education activities in K-12 classrooms. Awards of up to $250 are available to encourage innovative lesson development. Funds can be used to purchase kits, materials and software. 

Applications are due November 18.  For more information and to apply visit their website.
Safeway Foundation Grants
Safeway funds grant applications for communities where stores are located. Grants should focus on Safeway's priorities, including education.  Grants are accepted throughout the year. Typical grants are between $2,500 - $10,000  For more information and to apply visit their website.
Classroom Resources and Websites
San Francisco Opera Arts Resources in Action (ARIA) program
Take advantage of San Francisco Opera's ARIA program. Their innovative programs offers opportunities for students to integrate opera with core learning. Programs span K-16 grade levels. Scholarships are available for programs. For more information, visit their website.
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Education Programs

San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra offers free educational programs for students in grades 6-12. Bring your students to a concert or have musicians come to you. For more information and to apply for tickets visit their website. 
MoMA Art Lab

MoMA Art Lab is a free iPad app that allows students to design artwork and share with communities. Have your students begin creating today.
Chabot-to-Go
Can't make it to Chabot Space and Science Center? Have them come to you! Chabot-to-Go provides hands-on science experiences, science shows and portable planetariums for PreSchool through 12th grade students. 2015-2016 Classes include Bee Blast, Tapping the Wind, and Atmosphere in Balance. For information, visit their website. 
Building STEAM with Dia!
Dia, a national initiative emphasizing literacy for all children, provides Building STEAM with Dia book lists, book club toolkits, and resources for birth through 8th grade. Check out the free Webcast, Building STEAM with Dia: The Whys and Hows to Getting Started 
for more information.
Soft Circuits Curriculum
Introduce your students to the concept of electronic textiles while learning about electric circuits. Need resources? Check out Emily Lovell's Getting Hands-on with Soft Circuits: A Workshop Facilitators' Guide. Students can make wearable electronics, a classroom quilt, and more.
learnXdesign
Looking for STEAM activities? Launched by a consortium of science centers, learnXdesign offers design based learning resources. Find the perfect activity for STEAM family night, Design Days and more.
Student and Family Opportunities
California Coastal Cleanup Day

Join thousands of other Californians on September 19 and help clean up our beaches and waterways. For information on how to participate, visit their website.
Bay Area Science Festival
More than 200 science, technology, and engineering organizations from across the Bay Area will present the fun and excitement of science, through hands-on and interactive exhibits, science-themed performances and demonstrations, and family-oriented entertainment.  

The Bay Area Science Festival will also be hosting Discovery Days events. CSU East Bay, October 24; Sonoma County Fairgrounds, October 24; and at AT&T Park in San Francisco on November 7. For more information, visit their website.
San Francisco STEAM Carnival
Are you a dreamer? Inventor? Someone who challenges the impossible? Save the Date for the San Francisco STEAM Carnival. Come play on Pier 49, at AT&T Park. The carnival will be in town from November 6-8, 2015. Early bird tickets go on sale September 21, 2015. Learn more at the STEAM Carnival website. 
The Connectory 
The Connectory is the go to place for families to discover local STEM opportunities for the children in their lives and for program providers to find partners with which to collaborate. Search for STEM programs throughout the Bay Area. 

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 that 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

 

CCCOE Logo

 

Associate Superintendent, Pamela Comfort, Ed.D.

925-942-3358


 

STEAM Coordinator, Hilary Haugen Dito

925-942-3396


 

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