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April 2016 STEM Center Newsletter We Have a Facebook Page! Like Us!

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April 2016 STEM Center Newsletter We Have a Facebook Page! Like Us! Thank you for supporting The STEM Center of Excellence at The Citadel! April 2016 STEM Center Newsletter We have a Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/stemcitadel Like Us! IN THIS EDITION: - Happy Earth Day! - April 22nd - DNA Day - April 25th - STEM/STEAM Summer Camps - Teacher Professional Development Opportunities - STEM/STEAM Things to Do & Updates Happy Earth Day! - Resources and Events Tree Toolkit: Lessons and Educator Resources for Teaching About Trees https://www.neefusa.org/nature/land/tree-toolkit Trees are vital to the health of not only all forest ecosystems, but the health of the entire planet. They provide oxygen, filter pollutants, and offer shade on a hot summer day, just to name a few of the many ways humans benefit from the presence of trees. During EE Week, take a second to learn more about everything trees do for us. Online Activity: Earth Day Scavenger Hunt http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2016/04/01/online-activity-earth-day- scavenger-hunt Send your students on an online scavenger hunt to learn about Earth Day and ways we Send your students on an online scavenger hunt to learn about Earth Day and ways we can all help protect the environment. The websites included in the hunt are filled with facts that will engage your students as they practice their reading, information gathering and search skills. The thrill of the hunt will lead them through compelling information about our planet and the ways we can all make a difference. REPURPOSING TO CREATE ECO-HEROS! At Richland Recycles Day Education Event on Friday, May 13, our goal is to teach three hundred fourth and fifth graders how to be Environmental Heroes. We hope to let the students decorate their own Eco Hero Capes using markers and old t-shirts. If you have any old t-shirts in good condition, would like to help cut old t-shirts into capes, or would like to participate with the event itself in May, email Jane Hiller by clicking here. Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!" FROM NSTA Ecosystem Change Paul Andersen (Bozeman Science YouTube Educator) explains how ecosystems change over time. He starts by explaining how global climate change will impacts ecosystems around the planet. He then discusses how continental drift created climatic changes that impacted mammal species. He finishes with a brief discussion of how local meteorological changes can impact local ecosystems. Watch and learn! Archived Online Discussion From Science Friday: Bringing Climate Science Into the Classroom Science Friday brought together a lively web panel recently to discuss challenges and approaches to teaching climate change science in the classroom. Led by passionate educators who are committed to best practices in climate education, they highlighted innovative strategies for bringing climate data into the classroom, ideas for integrating climate science into existing curricula, and best-in-class resources for teaching climate change.Watch the archived version here. Earth Day: Lesson Plans, Reading Lists, and Classroom Ideas Earth Day is right around the corner, and this year, the theme is "Trees for the Earth." Are you planning to incorporate the annual event in your classroom? If so, this Edutopia collection is just what you need. DNA Day - April 25th The National Human Genome Research Institute(NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is celebrating the fourteenth annual National DNA Day thisyear. National DNA Daycommemorates the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, andthe discovery of DNA's double helix in 1953. NHGRI began celebrating this day annually onApril 25th after the 108th Congress passed concurrent resolutions in2003 designating it as “National DNA Day”. Thereare many National DNA Day events scheduled in locations throughout the country,but NHGRI’s goal is to make a celebration accessible to anyone interested inparticipating, so they are still seeking to add more events to their map. Ifthere are no events in your area, consider starting your own. Their websiteprovides free resources tohelp you launch you own DNA Day campaign in your community. The kit includesNational DNA Day logos, PowerPoint slides, nametags, sample press releases, andother materials to help make your event a success. For teachers and students interested in National DNA Dayactivities and resources, an extensive page of genetics educational resourcesis available on the genome.gov/DNADay website. The Get Activity Ideas page provides short explanations about each resource and issupported by a filter button for finding specific resources of interest(ranging from interactive web modules to standards-aligned lesson plans for theclassroom). NHGRI will hold The Genome: Unlocking Life's Code Pinterest Challenge for the secondyear, inviting teachers to work with their classrooms to arrange Pinterestboards that focus on the theme of emerging genomic technologies. National DNA Day isofficially celebrated every year on April 25. As part of the celebration, NHGRIis leading the following National DNA Day activities: April 18-22 and 25:NHGRI is organizing an “Ask Me Anything" (AMA) series in collaborationwith ASHG and pgEd. This AMA series will feature prominent geneticistsanswering questions in the reddit science community forum"/r/Science". April 25, 11am:NHGRI will host a National DNA Day Twitter Chat with the hashtag #DNADay16.This moderated discussion will focus on genomics/genetics topics related tocareer paths, technology development, and education. April 25, 3pm:NHGRI will host Eric Spana, Ph.D., from Duke University for the inaugural NationalDNA Day Lecture for NHGRI staff and the public (through live telecast). Thetopic of Dr. Spana’s lecture is transmission genetics, as seen through the lensof Harry Potter and the genetics of wizardry. Visit the Celebrate with NHGRIpage for details regarding these events and more. If you are planning an event, NHGRI would love to hear from you. Pleasecontact [email protected] if you would like your event featured on our website or foradvice about holding an event. 2016 MINDSTORMS Robotics Camp at The Citadel This summer, take part in an innovative robotics camp in order to advance your engineering, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills! This week-long day camp is designed to be fun, engaging, and hands-on. Led by qualified educators, this exciting program is being offered for students entering grades 7 and 8 (currently in grades 6 & 7). We thank Boeing for helping to make the Robotics Camp program possible. More information: https://sites.google.com/site/mindstorm2016/ Dates: June 13 - 17, 2016 Time: 9:00AM - 12:00PM Location: The Citadel, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC Cost: $ 200.00 (includes take-home kit and camp t-shirt!) A limited number of fee waivers are available. Please contact us for more info. Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RoboticsCampReg2016 Deadline: May 31, 2016 STEAM SUMMER CAMPS ENGAGING CREATIVE MINDS has teamed with The Citadel to offer 3 week-long summer camps for middle schoolers. DESCRIPTION: SummerSTEAM Institute is designed for creative and energetic students in grades 6th- 8thwho want to spend their summer engaged in unique learning experiences thatfoster creativity to solve real world challenges alongside local artists,cultural organizations, and professionals in the fields of science, technology,engineering, and mathematics. No two weeks are the same! More information: https://steam.engagingcreativeminds.org/ PRICING: $175per week for 3 or more weeks. Or $200 per week for 2 or less weeks. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks included daily for all STEAM students. DATES FOR SUMMER STEAM INSTITUTE AT THECITADEL: Week1 (June 6-10) “Forensic Science” Week2 (June 13-17) “Medieval Warfare” Week3 (June 20-24) “Cyber Security” PLEASE CALL 843-277-2016 TOREGISTER! If youhave any questions about registration or STEAM, please contact us at843.277.2016 or email us at [email protected]. TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Workshop: Seed Balls for Butterflies April 14, 2016 4:00-5:30pm A.C. Moore Elementary School, Media Center 333 Etiwan Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205 Register by RSVP to Jane Hiller at [email protected] or (803) 779-0608. Cost: Free to EEASC members; $5 for non-EEASC members http://eeasc.org/resources/Documents/EEASC%20SEED%20Flyer.pdf Teachers and environmental educators are invited to participate in a make-and-take workshop featuring seed balls for butterflies. Seed balls are a combination of clay, soil, and seeds that provide an easy and fun way to reseed the landscape. We will be using milkweed seeds to create habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. We are excited to have Dr. Arlene Marturano, USC Center for Science Education, share her recipe for seed balls. Also learn about A.C. Moore's award- winning environmental projects and tour their school garden with Green Team Coordinator Mrs. Nancy Frick. This event is sponsored by EEASC, the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, and SC Green Steps Schools. BECOME A PART OF THE 2016 REAL WORLD SCIENCE COHORT!Twenty-eight middle school science teachers across the country will learn how to use hands-on activities connected to historical events and sotires, and with reading resources! Spend a week in New Orleans, with travel reimbursed, housing paid, and most meals covered, while learning about how necessity creates innovation. Learn more here. TEACHERS TOUR! Join the SC Forestry Commission for a Teachers Tour that will show you what it takes to keep our state's forests great! Over the course of seven days, you will learn the impact of forest's on South Carolina's environment, economy, and quality of life. Check out their flyer for more information. BEACHES ARE BEST FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT! This summer we will be hosting a number of different educational opportunities for environmental educators in South Carolina.
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