May 2013 STATellite

7/28/2019 May 2013 STATellite

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Contents

1

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Legislative Update Summer Leadership Institute

CAST 2013

Teaching Future Teachers

NanoSpace News

Earth Space TEKs ...and much more!

Volume 57, Number 2 May 2013

Inside:

TheOfcial Newsletter of the Science Teachers Association of Texas


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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

22

2

About UsWe are STAT, the Science Teachers Association of Texas.

STAT is commied to the enhancement of the teaching of science in Texas at all levelsand in all science disciplines.

For STAT Position Statements, go to: http://www.statweb.org/positions

STAT is:o A statewide organization of elementary, middle level, and high school

teachers, college educators, supervisors of science, and others dedicated tomaintaining the highest levels of science and education in our schools.

o A chapter of the National Science Teachers Associationo Visit the NSTA site

STAT seeks to:o Serve as a unied voice for the science teachers of the state.o Keep science teachers and other members informed about current trends in

science education.o Provide opportunities for members to examine techonology, curriculum,

materials, and services.o Inform members of local, state and national meetings, conferences, seminars

and workshops related to sciences.

o Cooperate with other science oriented organizations and teacher associationsin the promotion of teaching of science.

History:STAT, Science Teachers Association of Texas, was formally organized in 1957 duringthe 4th Annual Conference for the Advancement of Science & Mathematics Teaching(CASMT). STAT membership is now more than 7,000 strong!
http://www.statweb.org/positionshttp://www.nsta.org/http://www.nsta.org/http://www.statweb.org/positions


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Contents

3

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

3

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas EnvirothonPeer-Review of Digital Education

Teaching Future Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST Facebook ContestCAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Standing Commiees

Elected Ocers

Appointed Positions

Aliate CongressTexas State Board of Education

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

4

JulySummer Leadership InstituteJuly 7-9Galveston, TX

National Congress on ScienceEducation (NCSE)

July 17-20San Juan, Puerto Rico

AugustCAST Registration OpensAugust 15

Award Applications Due

August 15

SeptemberRegion XIX Mini-CASTSeptember 28El Paso, TX

November

CAST 2013November 7-9Houston, TX

4

GET CONNECTED!
https://www.facebook.com/CASTour2013http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Science-Teachers-Association-Texas-CAST-4922134/abouthttps://twitter.com/CASTour2013


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Contents

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

A Message from President Kamas

5

I can hardly contain my excite-ment! With CAST Tour 2013:Appetite for Instruction Keepthe Bunsens Burnin in full

planning mode, Summer Lead-ership Institute just around thecorner, and another rewardingschool year coming to an end,there is plenty to be excitedabout. As my time as STAT

President winds down, I feel a sense of pride asI reect on the work we have accomplished.

I began my term as President with a message

about change and a vision to make STAT morethan three days a year. Although we have yet torealize the full evolution, change and develop-ment are in progress. The Strategic Plan now inplace will serve as a beacon to guide decision-making for STAT and will be a uid documentthat changes with the needs of STAT members.

Our rst endeavor outside of CAST was thehugely successful Legislative Day at the Capi-tol. Participants had the opportunity to speakto elected representatives and their aides, learnabout the bills introduced in the 83rd legislativesession, and meet new colleagues and friends.STATs advocacy at the Capitol and the StateBoard of Education allows us to remain ambas-sadors for science education. Although therehave been some negative consequences result-ing from legislative decisions, we made enor-

mous strides thanks to our Legislative Com-miee Chair, Dr. Sandra West and many otherswho supported our eorts. Chuck Hempstead,STATs Executive Director, has also spent many

days at the Capitol this session. I can tell yourst-hand that the days are long, but reward-ing. The lessons I learned in government classcannot compare to watching and interacting

with government in action. I look forward tocontinuing my service on STATs LegislativeCommiee.

The evolution further unfolds as we gear up forour rst ever, family-friendly Summer Leader-ship Institute in Galveston. The sessions andexcursions will be impressive. If you haventregistered yet, what are you waiting for? Joinus for the need to know from STAT leaders

across the state. Start the 2013-2014 school yearwith a refreshed perspective and some lastingmemories.

STATs new Social Media Commiee is provid-ing yet another avenue for members to networkand learn from one another. Our Social MediaCommiee, led by Monica Ibaez, is teemingwith talent. A copious amount of contests andopportunities are coming your way! I am proudto announce our rst-ever Twier Chat. Begin-ning next Tuesday, May 28th and every Tues-day thereafter from 8:00 - 9:00 PM, join STATas we Tweet about issues important to you,our members. To assist with this exciting op-portunity to extend our learning beyond CAST,please take the brief interest survey here: Twit-ter Chat Survey

Stay informed: Connect with, Follow, and Likeus on our social media pages.CAST Tour 2013 is sure to be a Rockin goodtime as we return to Houston with some nice
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FH7VS5Ghttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FH7VS5Ghttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FH7VS5Ghttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FH7VS5G


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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

6

additions. The sessions and eld trips are beerthan ever and of course, you wont want to missthe Thursday evening reception!

Be sure to stay in touch over the summer for thelatest with CAST planning and STAT AwardNominations. Start thinking about how you ora colleague has made contributions to STAT, sci-ence education in your school, district, informalinstitute, or university and get your nominationmaterials ready. Recognition by your peers atCAST is a prestigious honor.

The year ahead will have changes and chal-lenges that only educators can adapt to and

conquer. Regardless of legislation, new policies,or assessments, what we deem most importantare the students and for those reasons alone, wepersevere!

Thank you for allowing me to serve you. I havethoroughly enjoyed the last year. My new roleas Immediate Past President is sure to be just asexciting as the last two years of the STAT presi-dency triad!Good energy!

Sharon KamasSTAT President

6

Foundations of Physics - Second Edition

Foundations of Physics, is a friendly,readable, conceptual approach to

physics that is accessible to everystudent. This program includessuccessful STAAR strategies anda focus on mathematics forconceptualized physics.

Physics, A First Course - Second Edition

Physics A First Course, is an idealapproach to physics at the

introductory, conceptual level. Thisprogram uses an inquiry-based

approach. Students discoverscience concepts by investigatingwith hands-on equipment.

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[email protected]

ExperiencingPhysicsIntegrated Teaching Solutions from

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Student textbooks and Investigation manuals

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t . :


7/26

Contents

7

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts


8/26

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

8

Envirothon is a nationwide contest for high school students that pit some of the best and brightestagainst each other in the arena of environmental science. Really, it is an international event since Cana-dian teams compete as well.

Envirothon started as a local event in Pennsylvania in 1979 that steadily grew in popularity until 1988when it became a national event involving teams from several states. In 1992, Canon came on board asthe ocial corporate sponsor which accelerated the growth of the program. Texas joined the growingnumber of participating states in 2001 with the rst Texas Envirothon competition that was held at Ste-phen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Texas has hosted a state-wide competition and sent the

winning team to the national competition every year since.

Envirothon is North Americas largest and most academically challenging high school environmentalcompetition. The goal of Envirothon is to enhance students environmental literacy and enable them tomake informed decisions regarding the environment.

Envirothon is a TEAM competition. Through several months of study, teams of ve students preparethemselves for testing in wildlife biology, forestry, aquatics, soil science, and a current environmentalissue. At Envirothon, teams must work together to answer knowledge-based questions in outdoor eld-

testing stations and also apply that knowledge to solve real-life problems.At the state competition, students will:

participate in seminars led by natural resource professionals;

create solutions to real-life problems and present them to a panel of experts; and

compete at outdoor eld-testing stations in the areas of wildlife biology, forestry, aquatics,soil science, and a current environmental issue.

Winning teams from each state earn an expenses-paid trip to the Canon Envirothon to compete for schol-arships totaling $25,000.

The 2013 Texas champion team is from the Academy of Science and Technology from the Woodlands.They will go on to represent our state at the national contest at Montana State University in August.

Texas Envirothon averages around 14 teams annually. For a state the size of Texas, that is not very manyat all. We are actively seeking schools, teachers, students, and even parents that are interested in geinginvolved with our program. For students interested in environmental science, this is a wonderful way toenhance and further their education.

For more information about Envirothon and how to begin your team, please visit:

hp://www.texasenvirothon.org

Texas Envirothon by John Boyee

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http://www.texasenvirothon.org/http://www.texasenvirothon.org/


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Contents

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Houghton Miin Harcourt is pleased to

announce our Texas programs submitted

for Proclamation 2014:

TexasGoMath!K8(English,printanddigital)

TexasGoMath!K5(Spanish,printanddigital)

SaxonMathforTexasK5(English,print)

SaxonMathforTexasK5(Spanish,print)

TexasScienceFusionK8(English,printanddigital)TexasScienceFusionK5(Spanish,printanddigital)

TexasBiology912(printanddigital)

TexasModernChemistry912(printanddigital)

WorldofChemistry,TexasEdition912(print)

TexasPhysics912(printanddigital)

TexasEnvironmental912Science(printanddigital)

For product overviews and a list of bid components

submitted to the state:

All math programs: hmhco.com/tx-math All science programs:hmhco.com/tx-science

Thank you for exploring our programs. We look forward to working with you!

Houghton Miin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. 04/13 RR_MS75120


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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

10

Free, Veed Online Climate and Energy Teaching Resources - Grades 6 - 16

Help students become literate with topics surrounding climate and energy using the

CLEAN (Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network) collection, which oers the fol-

lowing resources and support:

1. The CLEAN search engine directs you to annotations and links for 500+ veed, online

activities, videos, and visualizations on climate and energy for grades 6 - 16. These re-

sources have been hand-picked and peer-reviewed by scientists and educators for accuracyand classroom eectiveness.

2. The CLEAN site provides guidance on teaching climate and energy science using a set of

essential principles to frame the science and inform teaching strategies. Learn more about

these scientic principles, why they are important and challenging to teach, strategies for

teaching age groups, and get directed to relevant activities, videos, and visualizations for

each principle.

3. Join the vibrant CLEAN Network with updates on educational policies and science, dis-

cussions with experts, conference & workshop announcements, and weekly telecons.

Share this resource with colleagues and students, and bookmark it for yourself!cleanet.org

Click here to read this article

Peer-Review of Digital Educational Resources

10
http://cleanet.org/index.htmlhttp://cleanet.org/clean/literacy/climate_lit.htmlhttp://cleanet.org/clean/literacy/energy_lit.htmlhttp://www.cleanet.org/http://www.statweb.org/nagt-jge%20org_doi_pdf_10%205408_12-324.pdfhttp://www.statweb.org/nagt-jge%20org_doi_pdf_10%205408_12-324.pdfhttp://www.cleanet.org/http://cleanet.org/clean/literacy/energy_lit.htmlhttp://cleanet.org/clean/literacy/climate_lit.htmlhttp://cleanet.org/index.html


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Contents

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Running Head: Teaching Future 4-8 Science/Mathematics Teachers

Teaching future 4-8 science and mathematics teachers in Texas: Reections on my rst year

Dr. Tori Hollas, Assistant Professor, Sam Houston State University

As a rst year tenure-track faculty member at a mid-sized state university in Northeast Texas, Iwas terried of the fact that I would be responsible for the care and upbringing of future Texas middleschool science and mathematics teachers. I felt a powerful burden had been placed on my shouldersknowing that our state is in dire need of well-prepared (qualied) middle level science and mathematicsteachers. I fell into the role with trepidation; but soon realized I had a passion for preparing these futureteachers. I embraced my role and took on the challenge of working to ensure my teacher candidates

have the necessary knowledge and skills to be good and eective in their classrooms throughout Texas.

Each year we graduate about 100 future 4-8 math/science certied teacher candidates at my in-stitution. The Methods block for middle level education students consists of about eight weeks in theclassroom and ve weeks in the eld (nearby school districts) with a qualied mentor teacher. My mainresponsibility is to best prepare future science/mathematics teachers seeking 4-8 certication. I learned alot from the experience and, unfortunately, it wasnt all good.

Our future middle school teachers are not as prepared as they need to be to teach math or science.

They know the content fairly well; however, they do not have a rm grasp on what is required in todaysclassroom. As future science and mathematics teachers they need to have a complete understandingof the rigor and relevance of the 2010 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the Career and CollegeReadiness Standards as a frame of reference for developing a successful classroom environment. Pro-ciency in science and math must be improved upon during the secondary years to be successful in termsof college and career readiness. Four out of every ten college students take remedial courses in college,meaning they are ill-prepared high school graduates (US Dept of Education, 2010). This 40% does notinclude those that never enroll in college. This is the face of current classrooms in Texas. Our teachersvision of education in their classroom, however, is strikingly dierent. They believe their classroom willbe full of students like them, fully engaged, driven, middle-class, college bound students.

Science and math teaching needs to improve during students secondary school years in order forstudents to be successful after high school and then career or college. Teachers need to facilitate obser-vations, predictions, theories, analytical procedures and practices, and mathematical procedures andmethods to promote science and math readiness. These extremely important components are the respon-sibility of todays classroom teachers in all grades. After a decade long emphasis on standardized tests,our teacher candidates are very uncomfortable with inquiry experience and often struggle developinginquiry based content because they dont have the experience themselves. They can, however, tell youeverything you need to know about how to teach to prepare for high stakes testing.

One science classroom I observed involved students learning the moon phases. The most interestingthing about this particular lesson is that it more or less mirrored the moon phases lesson I learned my-self over thirty years ago in middle school. It was based on a district pre-packaged science lab, a moonphase model, and an instructor notebook. Students were led through the moon phases by the teacher

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

12

Running Head: Teaching Future 4-8 Science/Mathematics Teachers

with opportunities to ask questions and then complete a quick worksheet at the end of the lesson. Themain dierence between my moon phase lesson experience over three decades ago and the lesson oftoday was the time spent addressing moon phases. I remember spending several days learning aboutmoon phases. not one class period (i.e. 45 minutes). Todays classroom teachers seem to simply cov-er topics in 45 minute segments with lile aention to whether or not students truly understand theconcepts being addressed. I try to teach my science/mathematics teacher candidates that we shouldmore concerned with covering less so that students can uncover more. The math classroom is no dif-ferent. Teacher candidates have been schooled extensively about moving away from worksheet-basedassignments; but have lile experience in alternative methods of teaching. They themselves learned via

worksheets; they are therefore teaching the way they learned. One signicant and noticeable changeis math teachers of today really arent worksheeting the kids to death anymore. Worksheets werethe standard for many years, and the push for something more looks to have been successful. Teach-ers know that worksheets day in and day out are not engaging and do not produce good results. Buta new phenomenon has emerged in many classrooms, and it seems to be that teachers are implement-ing lessons that are hands-on; but the product appears to be the same each day. In one classroom Iobserved recently, students were learning ordered pairs on a coordinate plane and my student (alongwith the guidance of her mentor teacher) had planned a wonderful lesson full of inquiry (on paper)and a foldable. What I did not know was that the students did a foldable every day. The students hada journal and each day they came in, picked up their journals, and began preparing for their foldable

lesson of the day. In fact, the students actually said, No please, not another foldable! The teacherkept the journals in the classroom so students wouldnt lose them, and they were tightly packed withliterally dozens and dozens of foldables that had been glue stuck to the pages. Foldables really are nota bad thing. Depending on how you use them, teachers can facilitate their creation and really make aconcept stick, but if you do the same thing day in and day out, students will get tired of it.

Just as students do, teachers get stuck in a rut. We must prepare our teacher candidates to vary theirinstructional practices to avoid this inevitable teaching rut. Planning a new lesson day after day isdicult; we certainly acknowledge that. And when teachers nd something good, and hands-on, and

inquiry-based, they have a tendency to hang on to it. I know I was that way. I can still quote you theroutine I used in my rst few years of teaching.

Warm up/Aendance

Check homework

Explain new lesson on overhead

Practice a few problems independently

Assign independent practice

Click here to read the full article

12
http://statweb.org/Teaching_Future_Teachers.pdfhttp://statweb.org/Teaching_Future_Teachers.pdf


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Contents

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

NanoSpace Answers Call to Improve Science Literacy

CONTACT:Candice Warltier at 773-991-1210;

[email protected]

RPI scientists unveil the Molecularium Projects newest web-basedproduction for kids, parents and teachers

Troy, NY As the nation continues to identify gaps in STEM education and science literacy, one initia-tive is puing a powerful solution directly into the hands of kids, parents and teachers: the Moleculari-um Project. And its latest addition, NanoSpace (www.molecularium.com), ignites curiosity through itsscientic online theme park for children in 5th through 8th grades.

Developed by world-renowned professors and scientists from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Nano-Space is a virtual scientic amusement park for the Molecularium characters and their cartooniverse.Highly technical information is transformed into fun, simple and free games, activities and animations.The familiar characters Oxy, Hydra and Mel from the giant-screen animated adventure Molecules to theMax! and the digital dome feature Riding Snowakes are transformed into game characters in Nano-Space.

This newest experience, created by the Molecularium Project, is unveiled as a quiet crisis continuesto unfold in our national science education and workforce development systems. The National ScienceFoundation estimates that 80 percent of the jobs created in the next decade will require some mastery ofSTEM, while current trends point toward a signicant gap in qualied professionals. This reinforces theneed for childrens basic understanding of science and its principles.

The innovators behind the project Richard W. Siegel, director of the Institutes Nanotechnology Center;Shekhar Garde, head of Rensselaers Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; and LindaSchadler, professor of materials science and engineering joined forces with a highly recognized team ofartists, animators and web developers to build the virtual theme park and its aractions, where chil-dren learn through active participation, exploration and play.

Science literacy in every capacity has never before been so important to our nation, said Richard W.Siegel, Ph.D., Director of the Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center. We realize that not every kid wants tobe a scientist, but learning the basics of science involving molecules and atoms - is critical to the careersthat will be available in the next decade, especially as the U.S. continues to fall behind. When learning is

fun, it increases a childs capacity to absorb and retain knowledge. Thats why we are excited to unveilNanoSpace. Kids are interacting, exploring and having a great time while learning about atoms and mol-ecules, and they are not even realizing theyre learning!, he added.

As visitors enter the NanoSpace cartooniverse, sounds of children playing and people

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mailto:cwarltier%40communication-strategies.com?subject=http://www.molecularium.com/http://www.molecularium.com/http://www.molecularium.com/mailto:cwarltier%40communication-strategies.com?subject=mailto:cwarltier%40communication-strategies.com?subject=


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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

14

laughing ll the speakers. Visitors can choose from more than 25 games and activities inthe amusement park, and learn from Mel, the Molecularium computer, in ve new color-ful short animations. As visitors work their way through the games and succeed, theirpersonalized icon changes to a dierent element, and progresses on the Periodic Table.

Kids can discover the atomic and molecular breakdown of common elements and com-pounds such as menthol, and propane and how they are useful. They can take a ridein a nanotube elevator to explore the dierent forms of pure carbon, and learn the Peri-odic Table of elements through a fun, animated memory-style game (but timing is every-

thing the clock is ticking). The arcade is full of retro-futuristic games, where visitors canaim at electrons to build the electronic structure of an atom, or re atoms to build targetmolecules and reveal how certain atoms bond to each other while others bounce o.

Standards and Measurements

A recent report from the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology es-timates approximately 8.5 million STEM job openings will be available over the next de-cade. But during that same period, there will be a projected shortage of one million quali-ed graduates. The Molecularium Project and its NanoSpace program are helping to llthis gap by supplementing scarce school-based curricula and teaching children throughenjoyable interactions. The activities in NanoSpace teach and reinforce the National Sci-ence Education Standards, just as do all other Molecularium Project programs. In addi-tion to the Teachers Guides, which outline measurable goals related to these standards,free educator resources for the Molecularium Project include lesson plans for grades K-4and 5-8, crossword puzzles, songs, quizzes, printable posters, and more.

Research has proven that students retain more thorough knowledge of a concept throughinteractive learning. Independent analysts quizzed students before and after seeing Mo-lecularium animations, and found that the core concepts were rmly grasped by youngaudiences. The percentage of correct answers for younger audiences more than doubled.

About The Molecularium Project

The Molecularium Project is the agship outreach and education eort of RensselaerPolytechnic Institutes Nanotechnology Center. Its mission is to expand science literacyand awareness, and to excite audiences of all ages to explore and understand the molecu-lar nature of the world around them. This is done through compelling stories, experientiallearning and unprecedented visualizations in immersive and interactive media. For more

information on the Molecularium Project, visit www.molecularium.com.

NanoSpace Answers Call to Improve Science Literacy (Contd)

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http://www.molecularium.com/http://www.molecularium.com/http://www.molecularium.com/


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Contents

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts
https://www.facebook.com/CASTour2013


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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

16

Click Here

for More Info

Earlybird Registration:

$120

Click Here toView the Agenda
http://statweb.org/casthttp://statweb.org/casthttp://statweb.org/CAST2013Agenda_r.pdfhttp://statweb.org/CAST2013Agenda_r.pdfhttp://statweb.org/CAST2013Agenda_r.pdfhttp://statweb.org/CAST2013Agenda_r.pdfhttp://statweb.org/cast


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Contents

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Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Legislative Update

by Lisa FelskeScience Specialist

Harris County Department of Education

HB5 (text of nal enrolled bill at:hp://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB00005F.htm)

The Conference Commiee report on HB 5 passed both chambers on Sunday, May 26 with a unanimousvote.

Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, the High School Foundation Curriculum would include:

4 credits in English (English I, II, and III required) 3 credits in Science (one must be Biology; IPC is permissible) 3 credits in Math (one must be Algebra I and one must be Geometry) 3 credits in Social Studies (one credit in US History, 1/2 credit in Government, 1/2 credit in

Economics and 1 credit in World Geography OR World History is required)

2 credits in the same language other than English (computer programming will apply)SBOE must establish rules for students who fail year 1 and are unlikely to complete year 2

1 credit in ne arts (can satisfy credit with a community-based program aligned with theFine Arts TEKs not oered by the district; can be taken o campus and outside the school day)

1 credit in PE (can satisfy credit with a program not oered by the district; can be taken ocampus and outside the school day)

5 elective credits

Endorsements: Students must follow Foundation Curriculum plan plus obtain additional credits inendorsement areas

Distinguished: 4 credits in Math (one must be Algebra II)4 credits in ScienceThe curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement (STEM, Business andIndustry, Public Service, Art and Humanities or Multidisciplinary Studies)

All endorsements require 4 years of Math and 4 years of Science. Algebra II is not required unless a stu-dent wants to earn a distinguished level of achievement.District must oer at least one endorsement, and if they can only oer one, it must be Multidisciplinary

Studies.

Click here to read the rest of this article
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB00005F.htmhttp://statweb.org/Final-Legislative-Update.pdfhttp://statweb.org/Final-Legislative-Update.pdfhttp://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB00005F.htm


18/26

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

18

We invite you to bring your friends and family to Galveston andjoin us for quality education with built in relaxation time!

Register your family members and guests, both adults and children, to join you for lunch on Mon-day, followed by several scientic eld trips, including a visit to the Ocean Star Museum and aboat ride along the harbor. Bring your family down for this event and enjoy discounted roomrates, coupons to local hot spots and welcome goodie bags provided by the City of Galveston.

Register by May 31st, 2013 to receive discounted registration rates: Only $120 for Attendees, $45for Adult Guests (16 and over) and $30 for children (Under 16)!

Sunday July 7

6:00pm - 8:00pm - Welcome Dinner

Monday, July 8

7:30am - 8:30am - Breakfast and General Session8:45am - 10:15am - Education Breakout 110:30am - 12:00pm - Education Breakout12:00pm - 12:45pm - Luncheon

Tuesday, July 9

7:30am - 8:30am - Breakfast and General Session8:45am - 10:15am - Education Breakout 110:30am - 12:00pm - Education Breakout 2

Breakout Topics Include:

Breaking the Code: Deconstructing the TEKS

Show me the Money: The ABCs of Grantwriting

Delivering Professional Development to Peers

Creative Coaching that Creates Sustainable Change: Proto-cols That Work

Legislative Review, How the Latest Session Will Impactyour Career

Science Lab Safety

Register Now!(click here)
http://www.cvent.com/events/stat-summer-leadership-institute/event-summary-a3198d1a34974cdea38d850bc105ba5d.aspxhttp://www.cvent.com/events/stat-summer-leadership-institute/event-summary-a3198d1a34974cdea38d850bc105ba5d.aspxhttp://www.cvent.com/events/stat-summer-leadership-institute/event-summary-a3198d1a34974cdea38d850bc105ba5d.aspx


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Contents

19

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Earth Space TEKSDr. Rebecca Dodge from Midwestern State University has developed TEKS resources with links to teachHS Earth and Space, these links are also appropriate for Environmental Systems and 8th grade Science.

Please see the attached TEKS correlations for the High School Earth and Space Science course. Links toa series of readings are provided to help teachers integrate satellite imagery and other geospatial tech-nologies into their teaching for multiple TEKS. Dr. Dodges goal for Earth Observation Day this year is toconnect Texas teachers with these resources and to begin building a foundation for developing activities

for next years Earth Observation Day. Dr. Dodge would also like to share two other links in hopes thatteachers will visit these sites to nd more resources:

Remote Sensing tutorials

http://www.americaview.org/k-12-earth-observation-day#quicktabs_11%3D2

TexasView web site with resource links

http://www.texasview.org/

Click here to view the research

19

Grades 612

Sally Dudley

800-237-1371 [email protected]

Grades K5

Verne Isbell

[email protected]

For more information contact:

If you want the TEKSon their minds,

put CPO and FOSS

in their hands.Thanks to the hundreds of teache rs who par tic ipated in our

CAST 2012 workshops. Its obvious that there are plenty

of excellent, dedicated science teachers in Texas! Add our

engaging, TEKS-aligned K12 science programs to the mix and

theres no limit to the success your students will experience!
http://www.americaview.org/k-12-earth-observation-day#quicktabs_11%3D2http://www.texasview.org/http://statweb.org/Earth_Space_TEKS.pdfhttp://statweb.org/Earth_Space_TEKS.pdfhttp://www.texasview.org/http://www.americaview.org/k-12-earth-observation-day#quicktabs_11%3D2


20/26

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Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

20

Meet LabQuest2The most powerful, connected, and versatiledata-collection device available for biology education

Our Vernier LabQuest 2 interface puts scientic data-collection

technology into your students hands and is compatible withyour existing Vernier sensors and software. Explore science in thelab and in the eld with full-color clarity, touch-screen ease, and

breakthrough, versatile technology. Features include:

High-resolution touch screen Perfect for both eld studies and laboratory experiments High-contrast screen setting makes it easy to see the screen

while outdoors and in bright light Wireless connectivity for mobile devices Built-in GPS facilitates mapping data in Google Maps or ArcGIS

through Logger Pro

Go to www.v.cm/labqust2 for complete detailsand to nd free workshops in your neighborhood.

OL$329

Looking for Pad n oiLe

eie oLion?

Collect, view, analyze, and annotatesensor data from a LabQuest 2 on

an iPad

, AndroidTM

tablet, or othermobile device that has a supportedweb browser. www.v.cm/css

Read the reviews atwww.v.cm/labq2-vws

Vernier Software & Technology | www.vernier.com | Toll Free: 888-837-6437

20


21/26

Contents

21

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts


22/26

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Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

22

Awards CommieeChair Ross Ann Hill

[email protected]

CommieeChair Patsy Magee

[email protected]

Legal/LegislativeAairs Commiee

Chair Sandra [email protected]

CAST CommieeChair Sharon Kamas

[email protected]

Membership CommieeChair Donald Burken

[email protected]

Archives CommieeChair Karen [email protected]

22

Policy & Procedures CommieeChair Donald Burken

[email protected]

STAT Standing Commiees
mailto:rahill%40idalouisd.net%0D?subject=mailto:pmagee%40beaumont.k12.tx.u?subject=http://c/Users/derek/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfmailto:skamas%40crosbyisd.org%0D?subject=http://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfmailto:skamas%40crosbyisd.org%0D?subject=http://c/Users/derek/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfmailto:pmagee%40beaumont.k12.tx.u?subject=mailto:rahill%40idalouisd.net%0D?subject=


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Contents

23

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

23

STAT

Oce

Mailing Address:5750 Balcones Dr.,

Ste 201Austin, TX 78731

Phone:(512) 491-6685

Fax:(512) 873-7423

[email protected]

AppointedPositions

TEA Representative:Irene Pickhardt

Curriculum Division: Science

(512) [email protected]

STATellite Submissions:(512) [email protected]

23

ElectedOcers

Executive Director:Chuck Hempstead(512) [email protected]

Assistant Executive Director:Lauren Swetland(512) [email protected]

CAST Exhibits Manager &

Advertising Manager:Frank Butcher(281) [email protected]

President:Sharon Kamas(281)-604-7000

[email protected]

Past President:Ross Ann Hill(806) 892-1900

[email protected]

President-Elect:Donald Burken(713) 723-0273

[email protected]

Treasurer:Terry Ward


Vice President:Lola West


Secretary:Jo Anne Jackson


Members At Large:Kiki Corry

George HademenosMelana Silva

[email protected]@[email protected]
http://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfmailto:president%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:pastpresident%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:presidentelect%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:treasurer%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:vicepresident%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:secretary%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:kiki%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:george%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:melana%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:melana%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:george%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:kiki%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:secretary%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:vicepresident%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:treasurer%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:presidentelect%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:pastpresident%40statweb.org?subject=mailto:president%40statweb.org?subject=http://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://c/Users/laura.HEMPSTEAD/AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdf


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Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

24

ACTAssociated Chemistry

Teachers of Texas

Amiee Modic

[email protected]

ISEAInformal Science

Education Association

Amy Moreland

[email protected]

TABTTexas Association of

Biology Teachers

Mahew [email protected]

TAEETexas Association for

Environmental Education

Lisa [email protected]

TCESTexas Council of

Elementary Science

Deborah [email protected]

TESTATexas Earth Science

Teachers Association

Lexy [email protected]

TMEATexas Marine

Educators Association

Marolyn [email protected]

TSAAPTTexas Section of the

American Association ofPhysics Teachers

Paul [email protected]

TSELATexas Science EducationLeadership Association

Kevin Fisher

[email protected]

24
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Contents

25

Calendar

Presidents Message

Texas Envirothon

Peer-Review of

Digital Education

Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

2525

SBOE District 1 - Martha M. DominquezP.O Box 960543El Paso, Texas 79996(915) 373-3563

SBOE District 2 - Ruben Cortez, Jr.735 Habana St.Brownsville, TX 78526

(956) 639-9171

SBOE District 3- Marisa B. PerezP.O. Box 276406San Antonio, TX 78227(210) 317-4651

SBOE District 4 - Lawrence A. Allen, Jr.2130 Vermillion Oak St.Fresno, Texas 77545(713) 203-1355

SBOE District 5- Ken MercerP.O. Box 781301San Antonio, TX 78278-1301(512) 463-9007

SBOE District 6 - Donna BahorichP.O. Box 79842Houston, TX 79842(832) 303-9091

SBOE District 7- David Bradley2165 North StreetBeaumont, TX 77701

(409) 835-3808

SBOE District 8 - Barbara Cargill61 W. Wedgemere CircleThe Woodlands, TX 77381(512) 463-9007

SBOE District 9 - Thomas RatliP.O. Box 232Mount Pleasant, TX 75456(903) 717-1190

SBOE District 10 - Tom MaynardP.O. Box 2885

Georgetown, Texas 78627(512) 763-2801

(512) 532-9517 fax

SBOE District 11 - Patricia Hardy900 North Elm

Weatherford, TX 76086(817) 598-2968

(817) 598-2833 fax

SBOE District 12 - Geraldine Miller1100 Providence Tower West

5001 Spring Valley RoadDallas, Texas 75244

(972) 419-4000(214) 522-8560 fax

SBOE District 13 - Mavis B. Knight

6108 Red Bird CourtDallas, TX 75232(214) 333-9575

(214) 339-9242 fax

SBOE District 14 - Sue Melton101 Brewster

Waco, TX 76706(254) 749-0415

SBOE District 15 - Marty RowleyP.O. Box 2129

Amarillo, TX 79105

(806) 373-6278(806) 220-2812 fax

Barbara Cargill, ChairBob Craig, Vice Chair

Mary Helen Berlanga, Secretary

Need to nd your state legislators?Search by zip code at:

http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us

25
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Teaching Future

Teachers

NanoSpace

CAST 2013

Legislative Update

Summer Leadership

Institute

Earth Space TEKs

STAT Contacts

Contents

26

Want to be published?E-mail us your leers and articles!

STATellite Due DatesDue dates for publication of articles in The STATellite are:

Submission Deadline Publication DateAugust 1 August 15

December 1 December 15

February 1 February 15

May 1 May 15

Text les or Microsoft Word documents are preferable, but InDesign les

are also acceptable.

A minimum of one picture to accompany each article is required.

E-mail your submissions to:The [email protected]

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