Princeton University is offering STEM professional learning at our QUEST 2020 summer institute for K-12 STEM teachers. 

QUEST includes weather, math, lead in drinking water, current science research and the impact of wild fires, teachers focus on understanding current scientific phenomenon and mathematics problems.

QUEST builds K-12 teachers' knowledge of science and math content and practices through laboratory experiments and field experiences. Quest is co-taught by current Princeton University researchers and teachers at Princeton University July 6-9 and in the field July 27-30, 2020.

 https://teacherprep.princeton.edu/quest2020

Registration before 4/3/20 is $50/person/day.

The science standards are up for review and that public comment is vital in the process.

The NJDOE is required to review and revise, as appropriate, academic standards every five years.  The science standards went to the state board with no changes, as recommended by the review committee. Last month, the Commissioner directed all of the content areas to enhance the presence of Climate Change in the academic standards. We were able to accommodate the directive with very few amendments to the science standards. I have attached a document that identifies all of the changes.

The amended NJSLS-S can be viewed here.

Please send feedback regarding the Draft 2020 NJSLS–S to science@doe.nj.gov. Public comment closes on March 30, 2020.

The NJDOE will hold public comment sessions on:

• February 24 at Warren County Technical School;
• March 4 at the NJDOE, 100 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey; and
• March 10 at Camden County College.

NJ School of Conservation Teaching Scholar Program: Biodiversity Field Methods

June 28- July 2, 2020

COST: FREE Scholarships will be funded by National Geographic and Montclair State University. Scholarships include all meals, on-site lodging and educational resources.

This five-day summer professional development workshop for middle school teachers will focus on an extended hands-on experience in assessing ecosystem biodiversity. Teachers will work alongside academic researchers and professional scientists to identify flora and fauna in the forest, stream and lake ecosystems in and around the NJ School of Conservation (NJSOC) within Stokes State Forest. Teachers will learn field methods and improve their content knowledge in biology, ecology, and environmental science.

Teachers will contribute to a NJSOC Bioblitz event scheduled to coincide with the workshop, allowing teachers to utilize the concept and curriculum materials for National Geographic’s and iNaturalists’s Bioblitz program. The concluding activity will be for the workshop participants to translate their newly developed skills to their classroom, school and local community by creating a lesson or unit plan that applies workshop learning. Full workshop description can be found HERE. Deadline to apply: April 1, 2020.

HIGH SCHOOL STEM

GRANT PROGRAM

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS 

The Foundation for Health Advancement provides grants to encourage and support innovative STEM projects in high schools throughout New Jersey.  We are looking to fund projects that increase students' knowledge and hands-on experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.  

Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded for innovative projects that bring new, exciting experiences to students which may motivate them to pursue STEM majors and careers. 

​STEM faculty members and high school STEM clubs supported by faculty members at public or private schools in New Jersey are eligible to apply.  See Guidelines and Application link below for all of the details. 

​Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on February 1, 2020.  Projects must be implemented by June 30, 2021.

For more information, please visit: https://www.foundationforhealthadvancement.org/high-school-stem-grant-program

The World Science Festival, City of Science event will return to Fairleigh Dickinson University's Hackensack campus on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

We are looking for: Science faculty, teachers, and students and scientists who can sign up to be a Science Ambassador to explain exhibits.

College and high school students and science enthusiasts who can Volunteer to help run the event smoothly. This is a great opportunity to earn community service hours and learn how to communicate science.

Saturday, March 21: City of Science NEW JERSEY at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Hackensack campus-- SIGN UP HERE!

Request from Michael Heinz, NJ Department of Education Science Coordinator. Responses requested ASAP from High School Science teachers.

If you were give flexibility to build courses based on student interest, identity, culture, and community, what would those course titles be? The design specification to the courses would include that a) the courses would need to ensure that all kids engage in authentic and engaging learning tasks and b) would allow all kids to demonstrate proficiency with all of the NJSLS-S (grades 9-12).

Please respond directly to Michael.Heinz@doe.nj.gov

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 cohort of Real World Science! Please pass this on to teachers in your network.

The Real World Science Summer Teacher Seminar brings 28 teachers who will be teaching science to 5^th-8^th graders in the following school year to our museum for a weeklong training experience. Two of the spots are reserved for Louisiana teachers, and teachers from public and public charter schools are accepted. We are particularly looking for teachers with 2-10 years of experience who are excited to improve their practice of science teaching. The teachers learn best practices in science teaching and 3D instruction while being introduced to the Real World Science curriculum. It includes a trip to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory in Livingston, LA, and a field day doing water quality studies at City Park and Lake Pontchartrain. Teachers are reimbursed for flight expenses, and the museum provides hotel accommodations and most meals.

This year’s cohort will join us in New Orleans from July 12th-18th 2020.

Applications are accepted from January 6th 2020 through March 13th 2020.

Apply here (https://nationalww2museum.submittable.com/submit/155881/real-world-science-summer-teacher-seminar-2020)

For more information, email realworldscience@nationalww2museum.org

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) in the U.S. is now accepting applications to sail as an as Onboard Outreach Officer on the JOIDES Resolution for 2 upcoming expeditions: 

• Expedition 391 Walvis Ridge Hotspot (December 5, 2020 - February 4, 2021)
• 392 Agulhas Plateau Cretaceous Climate (February 4, 2021 - April 6, 2021).

Sail on board the ship, be a part of a 30-member science party, conduct live ship-to-shore events to classrooms around the world, and come up with creative educational/outreach products! We welcome applications from classroom teachers, informal science educators, artists, videographers, writers, social media experts, and any who can make a good case for themselves. Selected applicants will have an opportunity to learn shipboard science alongside the expedition’s science party and translate the exciting science happenings to the general audience. Successful applicants will be creative, flexible, friendly, and hardworking. Some geoscience background is helpful. All expenses for U.S. Onboard Outreach Officers for travel to and from ports of call, and a $10,000 stipend are paid by the U.S. Science Support Program for IODP.

Onboard Outreach Officers are selected through a competitive application and interview process. The selected individual(s) will also be flown to a 3-day training session prior to their expedition. Non-U.S. applicants will be directed to their country IODP office but are still encouraged to apply.

To apply, you will need to complete the application through our on-line application portal. During the application process, you will be asked to rank the expeditions in which you are interested. Our application has the following components:

• A completed application form
• An up-to-date C.V.
• A recommendation letter
• Contact information for 2 additional references
• A one-page proposal for what projects you would like to do while on-board
• Answers to 3 short essay questions
• A letter of support from your administrator, if needed

 Application deadline is February 10, 2020.

 For more information, visit http://joidesresolution.org/onboard-outreach-officer/