sign in sign up
<<
Home , Columba (constellation)

@ USC Aiken

USC Aiken . 471 University Pkwy . Aiken, SC 29801 . 803-641-3313 . http://rpsec.usca.edu/

Celebrate the Holiday Season in the

Winter 2011-2012 DuPont Planetarium! In This Issue: Join us for a delightful show about the season that holds Tis the Season and some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. Spring Break Camps ‘Tis the Season traces the development of many endearing Page 1 holiday customs and how they light up our lives during the Student Programs darkest time of the year. The show explains the science Page 2 behind the winter solstice and Earth’s seasons, and it ex- Future City and plores possible astronomical explanations for the of Traveling Science Bethlehem. Page 3 Masters Program, ‘Tis the Season is one of our most popular, longest run- Ruth Patrick Award and ning shows. Many families come back year after year to Toys for Tots rediscover the Christmas spirit through this holiday tradi- Page 4 tion. Make your reservations soon for public showings of Planetarium ‘Tis the Season on any of the dates below: Page 5 December 3, 10, 12 at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Adopt an Animal Page 6 December 17, 19, 26 at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Galactic Guardians You may also schedule a private showing of ‘Tis the Season (or Page 7 any other planetarium program) by calling 641-3313. SEED and R. Alexander Award Page 8 Science Fair and STEP Page 9 RUTH PATRICK SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER Science Store and Camp Invention Page 10 d scov ry camps Aprili 2-6 e grades K-5 SPRING BREAK 2012

For more information visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/springbreak

Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 2

K-12 Student Programs This year a record number of K-12 students will visit the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with their teachers. The RPSEC Student Programs staff has developed several new programs this year in response to teacher requests. New programs include Under the Sea, Method to the Madness, Journey to the Center of an Atom, Kinesthetic Astronomy, Two Small Pieces of Glass, and Worlds in Motion. The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center currently offers 52 hands-on, in- quiry-based programs. All of our programs are aligned with South Carolina and Georgia academic standards, and many of our programs are interdisciplinary. Our Student Programs website includes program descriptions, standards cor- relations, and related Traveling Science and Mathematics Kits that support and extend each lesson. These kits contain excellent post-visit activities and are available, free of charge, for checkout. To reserve a kit, go to http:// rpsec.usca.edu/travelingscience/ or call (803) 641-3683. The deadline has passed for reservation requests for the 2011-2012 school year. Once again, we received many more requests than we will be able to serve, and our schedule is now full. We are unable to schedule additional programs at this time, but will be happy to place your request on a waiting list in the event of a cancellation. To download a reservation request form, please go to http://rpsec.usca.edu/student/. Grant from Wells Fargo Enables Student Visits Thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo, every eighth grade student from Aiken Middle School visited the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center for a series of hands-on programs in September 2011. The grant paid for RPSEC program fees and transportation for 591 student vis- its. The visits featured hands-on, inquiry-based programs aligned with eighth grade earth science, physical science, and mathematics standards. The students enjoyed visiting the planetarium for the “Mission to Mars” show. Launch videos propelled them from Earth; then they zoomed through space and watched a NASA animation of a rover landing on Mars. They were able to view Mars from Earth, from the Hubble telescope, from Voyager, from space- craft still orbiting Mars, and from the cameras of the rovers on the surface of Mars. They compared surface features, landforms and rock types on Mars with Earth’s geology and viewed the Martian night sky using NASA images and our Digistar projector. The program concluded with a look at the night sky and some of the stories behind the . During the “Are You Dense?” class, the students investigated density as they predicted, measured, and ordered the masses of Earth materials including mineral samples, water, sand, and iron filings. They worked in teams to take measurements, collect data, and graph the relationship between a substance’s volume and mass. The students also had an opportunity to examine properties of miner- als, use a field guide, and handle museum quality mineral specimens; then they identified 10 unknown minerals using a dichotomous key in the “Minerals, Ores, and Fossil Fuels” program. Valuable products made from earth resources were discussed throughout the class. Many thanks to Judith Goodwin from the USCA Advancement Of- fice and to Melissa Kidd, the eighth grade science teacher at Aiken Middle School, for helping us make this experience possible! RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 3

South Carolina and Georgia Schools Participate in the 2011-2012 South Carolina Regional Future City Competition The mission of the National Engineers Week Future City Competi- tion is to provide a fun and exciting educational engineering pro- gram for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. This program combines a stimulating engineering challenge with a hands-on application as students present their vision of a city of the fu- ture. Participating Schools Aiken Area Home Educators Edgewood Middle School Aiken Middle School Felton Laboratory School Alcorn Middle School Jefferson Davis Academy Ashley Hall JET Middle School Banks Trail Middle School Kennedy Middle School Blackville Hilda Jr. High LBC Middle School Bluffton Middle School Merriwether Middle School Blythewood Middle School New Ellenton Middle School Bryson Middle School North Augusta Middle School Carver-Edisto Middle School Palmetto Middle School Chapin Middle School Paul Knox Middle School E. L. Wright Middle School St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School W.A. Perry School of Aerospace The SC Regional Future City Competition is sponsored by the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and Savannah River Site Education Outreach Programs. For more information visit http://futurecity.org/

FREE Teacher Resources and Visiting Scientists Available The Traveling Science and Mathematics Demonstrations Program has over 300 science and math kits available for use in the classroom. Supplement your curriculum with na- tionally recognized and state adopted exemplary materials. Kits have been correlated to SC state standards. Many kits contain children’s literature so that you can integrate your science and language arts lessons.

In addition to these resources, you can request a visiting Scientists with Traveling Re- sources and Neat Demonstrations (STRAND) volunteer for classroom presentations.

For more information please visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/travelingscience/ or call us at 803-641-3683. RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 4

Masters Degree in Educational Foundational Core Courses (6 hours) AERM/EDRM 700 – Introduction to Technology Research in Education Earn Your USCA Degree Online AEET/EDET 709 – Applications of Learning Do you enjoy using your computer? Do Principles others ask you how to do something on Design Courses (15 hours) their computers? Do you enjoy showing AEET/EDET 603 – Design and Development Tools I to others something new on your com- AEET/EDET 703 – Design and Development Tools II puter? Have you considered getting a AEET/EDET 722 – Instructional Design and Assessment masters degree? Then maybe it is time AEET/EDET 755 – Design and Evaluation of Information Access and Delivery for you to consider the Masters of AEET/EDET 793 – Advanced Instructional Design and Education in Educational Technology Development (MEd Tech). The MEd Tech program at University of South Technology Core Courses (12 hours) Carolina Aiken (USCA) and the University of South Caroli- AEET/EDET 650 – Internship in Educational Technology na (USC) Columbia is accepting applications for enrollment. AEET/EDET 735 – Technological Applications for Diverse For more information visit http://edtech.usca.edu/. Populations AEET/EDET 746 – Management of Technology Resources The focus of the program is to develop capabilities essential AEET/EDET 780 – Seminar in Educational Technology to the effective design, evaluation, and delivery of technol- ogy-based instruction and training (e.g., software develop- Electives (3 hours chosen from the following courses) AEET/EDET 652 – Design and Evaluation of Games and ment, multimedia development, assistive technology modifi- Simulations cations, web-based development, and distance learning) in AETE 731 – Instructional and Informational order to (1) prepare educators to assume leadership roles Applications of Technology or in the integration of educational technology into the school EDTE 731 – Integration of Technology and curriculum, and (2) to provide graduate-level instructional op- Instruction portunities for several populations (e.g., classroom teachers, SLIS 706 – Introduction to Information corporate trainers, educational software developers) that need Technologies to acquire both technological competencies and understanding of TSTM 790 – Advanced Study in Technology sound instructional design principles and techniques. Support/Training Management Anyone interested in enrolling in this program should contact Karen Morris at 803-641-3489. Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award Presented to Debra Rood

The 2010-2011 Spirit of Ruth Patrick Award was presented to Deb- ra Rood at the Aiken County School Board meeting in October. Debra is a teacher at New Ellenton Middle School, where she strives to help her students understand abstract science con- cepts and make connections between the science they study in school and the real world.

Since 2006 this prestigious award has been presented annually to a K-12 educator who has demonstrated a keen interest in math- ematics and science and has been effective in providing meaning- ful learning for K-12 students. This award recognizes a teacher in the CSRA who demonstrates a passion for teaching and infusing a love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and the USCA Classified Em- ployee Assembly have again joined together to support the Annual Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program.

USCA faculty, staff, and students as well as local residents are encouraged to bring in a new, unwrapped toy to the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center during regular business hours. The deadline for donations is De- cember 14th. RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 5

lanetarium Public Show Schedule Schedule for Public Planetarium Shows December 2011 – August 2012

Dates Show Names Show Times ‘Tis the Season

2011 December 3, 10, 12 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. ‘Tis the Season

2011 December 17, 19, 23, 26 *Ancient Sky Lore 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00 p.m. Digistar “Laser” Fantasy 7:00 p.m. 2012 January 7, 14, 21, 28 Follow the Drinking Gourd 8:00 p.m.

2012 February 4, 11, 18, 25 Mission to Mars 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.

2012 March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 To the Moon and Beyond 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. (Mars at Opposition on 3/3) (40th anniversary Apollo 16) 2012 April 7, 14, 21, 28 Two Small Pieces Of Glass 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Earth & Sky Night 4/28 More Than Meets the Eye 8:00 p.m. 2012 May 5, 12, 19, 26 * Solar System Adventure 9:00 p.m.

2012 June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 In My Backyard 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. Digistar “Laser” Fantasy 8:00 p.m. 2012 July 7, 14, 21, 28 Follow the Drinking Gourd 9:00 p.m. Digistar Virtual Journey 8:00 p.m. 2012 August 4, 11, 18, 25 * New shows at the DuPont Planetarium 9:00 p.m. Special Events

Spring Earth & Sky Night and National Astronomy Day: April 28, 2012 Descriptions Transit of of Venus: New June Shows 5, 2012 Ancient Sky : Lore

In this live show, the presenter points out constellations and while sharing enchanting tales involving heroes and maidens, herdsmen and a harp, real and imaginary animals. Solar Star stories System from Adventure : ancient cultures come to life on the planetarium dome!

Become a Planet Specialist, Math Expert or Flight Engineer while your planetarium “spaceship” takes you on an educational adventure past the Sun, Moon and planets of our Solar System. General We Shows need you to have Digistar a successful mission! Shows Adults $4.50 • Seniors $3.50 Adults $5.50 • Seniors $4.50 4K - 12th Grade $2.50 4K - 12th Grade $3.50 USCA Staff / Students $1.00 For more information please visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/ RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 6

Thank You to Our 2011 Adopt an Animal Sponsors! The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is grateful for the sup- port of the following 2011 Adopt an Animal sponsors: • Barred Owl- ADOPTED by Eugene and Anne Sawyer • American Alligator- ADOPTED by Preston Tiffany • Corn Snake- ADOPTED by the Bernard Family • Albino Corn Snake- ADOPTED by Tristan Davis • Box Turtle- ADOPTED by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Perrine • Snapping Turtle- ADOPTED by Mr. and Mrs. James M. Ferrell • Painted Turtle- ADOPTED by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Perrine • Red-Eared Slider Turtle- ADOPTED by Anna Flaherty • Barking Tree Frog- ADOPTED by Drs. Carol and Bob Botsch • Tiger Salamander- ADOPTED by Robert Flaherty

Adopt an Animal Program 2012

The RPSEC is looking for sponsors to help support the cost of feeding and caring for the ani- mals used in our K-12 educational programs for one year beginning in January 2012. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, please contact Deborah McMurtrie at DeborahMc@ USCA.edu or (803) 641-2834. BIRDS Barred Owl (Strix varia) Non-releasable male, Raleigh ...... $500 Eastern Screech Owl (megascops asio) red phase male, Winston ...... $300 Eastern Screech Owl (megascops asio) grey phase female, Salem ...... $300

REPTILES: CROCODILIANS American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) female, hatched 2009, Caroline ..$250 American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) male, hatched 2009, Tex ...... $250 REPTILES: SNAKES Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) ...... $100 Grey Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) ...... $100 Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata)...... $100 Albino Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) ...... $100 REPTILES: TURTLES Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) ...... $75 Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) ...... $75 Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) ...... $75 Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) ...... $75 Red-Eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) ...... $75 Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta scripta) ...... $75 AMPHIBIANS Barking Tree Frog (Hyla gratiosa) ...... $50 Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) ...... $50 Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolora) ...... $50 Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)) ...... $50 Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris) ...... $50 Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) ...... $50 Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) ...... $50 RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 7

Become a Galactic Guardian for 2012 How would you like to adopt a celestial object and be its Galactic Guard- ian for a year? There are a number of celestial objects that need a car- ing person, family or group to look out for their best interests over the next year. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to support pro- gramming at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center with your tax- deductible donation. For more information, please call the main office at 803-641-3313 or email [email protected].

$400 level: 34. the Southern Cross $50 level: 1. Sun 35. the Swan, Northern Other Constellations: 2. Moon Cross 70. 3. Milky Way 36. the Dragon 71. the Sea Monster Planets: 37. 72. Columba the Dove 4. Mercury 38. the Harp 73. Corona the Crown 5. Venus 39. the Hunter 74. the Crow 6. Earth 40. the Flying Horse 75. the Dolphin 7. Mars 41. the Hero 76. the Hare 8. Jupiter 42. , Big Dipper 77. the Unicorn 9. Saturn 43. , Little Dipper 78. the Arrow 10. Uranus 11. Neptune $75 level: Stars and Star Clusters: 12. Pluto (Dwarf $399.99) and Nebulae: 79. Albireo, a double star 44. Cat’s Eye Nebula, NGC 6543 80. Beehive cluster $150 level: 45. Cat’s Paw, NGC 6914 81. Alcor & Mizor, double stars Zodiac Constellations: 46. Crab Nebula, M1 82. Hercules 13. 47. Dumbbell Nebula, M27 83. Pleiades, the Seven Sisters 14. 48. Flame Nebula, NGC 2024 84. Polaris, the North Star 15. 49. Helix Nebula. NGC 7293 16. 50. Horsehead Nebula B33, Brightest Stars: 17. Sagittarius IC434 85. Aldebaran 18. 51. Horseshoe Nebula, M17 86. Altair 19. 52. Lagoon Nebula, M8 87. Antares 20. 53. Orion Nebula, M42 88. Arcturus 21. 54. Owl Nebula, M97 89. Betelguese 22. 55. Pillars of Creation (M16) 90. Capella 23. 56. Ring Nebula, M57 91. Castor 24. 57. Rosette Nebula, NGC 2237 92. Deneb 25. 58. Seagull Nebula, IC2177 93. Fomalhaut 59. Stellar Spire (M16) 94. Pollux $100 level: 60. Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070 95. Procyon 61. Trifid Nebula, M20 Special Constellations: 96. Regulus 62. Andromeda , M31 97. Rigel 26. Andromeda the Princess 63. Black Eye Galaxy, M64 98. Sirius 27. Aquilla the Eagle 64. “Cigar” Galaxy, M82 99. Spica 28. the Charioteer 65. Pinwheel Galaxy, M101 100. 29. Bootes the Herdsman 66. Sombrero Galaxy, M104 30. the Big Dog 67. Sunflower Galaxy, M63 31. the Little Dog 68. Tadpole Galaxy, UGC 10214 32. Cassiopeia the Queen 69. Whirlpool Galaxy, M51 33. the King RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 8

26th Annual Science Education Enrichment Day (SEED) All Time Attendance RECORD

The 26th Annual SEED offered the community over 55 science and mathematics related exhib- its and activities hosted by business, industry and school organizations. Visitors had the chance to make their own paper, build straw towers, make slime, learn about satellite communications, in- teract with Ft. Gordon soldiers and much more. Students also had the chance to test their skills with SEED trivia, completing math puzzles and exploring other thought-provoking exhib- its. Over 3300 people attended this year’s event.

Thank you to our Platinum and Presenting Sponsors!

Everitt Named the Dr. Robert Alexander Outstanding Administrator of the Year

Dr. Elizabeth Everitt, Superintendent of Aiken County Schools, received the Dr. Robert E. Alexander Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award at the October Aiken County School Board meeting. The award is named after the retired USC Aiken chan- cellor and is presented to a school administrator who promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics educa- tion. Dr. Everitt has championed the importance of partnering within and across schools, with the community and with post- secondary colleagues to increase student achievement for all students. Everitt states that by sharing our expertise, resources and passion in science, math and technology, we can help our students be prepared for the workforce and college. RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 9 CSRA Science and Engineering Fair Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, in partnership with the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, once again proudly sponsors the Savannah River Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The 2012 event will take place at USCA on Saturday, March 10, 2012. First place winning projects by 4th through 12th graders from Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) public, private and home schools are invited to enter. Projects are judged for scientific reasoning, creative ability, thor- oughness, technical skill and clarity. As in the past, judging will be performed by scientific, engineering and other technical professionals from SRS, SREL, USCA and the surrounding community. The science fair promotes students’ interest by providing public recognition of outstanding work and by giving stu- dents the opportunity to interact with community scientists. Lots of great prizes will be given dur- ing the awards ceremony. For additional informa- tion, contact Kim Mitchell, SRS Education Outreach Programs, at [email protected] or 803-952- 8782. Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Territory: The Georgia counties of Columbia, Burke, Richmond, Lin- coln, Wilkes, Jefferson, Taliaferro, Warren, McDuffie, Eman- uel, Jenkins, and Glascock The South Carolina counties of Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Saluda, Hampton, Bamberg, and McCormick

Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP)

The Science and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP) is a co- operative effort between Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Silver Bluff Audubon Center, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Cen- ter. Two field trip locations for STEP include the Savannah River Site and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center. At each location, STEP students utilize classroom and outdoor laboratories to conduct scientific inves- tigations on topics such as water and soil ecology, wildlife, forestry, archaeology, navigation and more. For program information please visit the STEP website @ http://rpsec.usca.edu/step/. NOTE: To visit the Savannah River Site, there are specific procedures that must be followed two weeks prior to your visit for badging purposes. RPSEC Spectrum Infusing the Love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Page 10

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

June 18-22, 2012

presents... http://www.campinvention.org/ The Camp Invention program is a weeklong Looking for that summer experience in perfect holiday gift? creativity led by local Visit the Science Store @ the educators that provides Ruth Patrick Science educational enrichment Education Center. through exciting, The science store is open during public shows at the DuPont Planetarium. The store is also hands-on activities. open for visiting groups. Please call 803-641-3313 to make arrangements to visit the store.

The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center Newsletter is a publication of the RPSEC for our patrons. The In partnership with: RPSEC housed at the University of South Carolina Aiken encompasses the Center of Excellence in Edu- cational Technology (CEET), DuPont Planetarium, RPSEC Student Programs, RPSEC Professional Develop- ment, Travelingww SciencewDBNQJOWFOUJPOPSHs and Mathematics Demonstrations Program800. (TSMDP),968. the 4Science332 and Technology Enrichment Program (STEP), and Center of Excellence in Middle-level Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teach- ing (CE- MIST). If you have any information that would be beneficial to the audience of this newsletter, or if you wouldbe added to the mailing list, please contact John Hutchens, Editor, at 803-641-3474 or via email to [email protected]. Deadline for submission in the next newsletter is March 2, 2012.

United States Patent and Trademark Office