STAM Presents - Scuba Science!!NEW!
February 19th, 2010
For Grade 8-12 Science Teachers
Seven Oaks Pool
Cost: $75 STAM member/$100 non-STAM member
Limit: 30 participants
During this workshop participants will learn to scuba dive, then
participate in a variety of inquiry activities developed around
curriculum topics such as density, buoyancy, refraction, gas laws
(pressure, Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law), and Kinematics on land and
in water. Concepts will be developed through constructivist theory,
model building and making connections among the macroscopic,
microscopic, symbolic and human condition. Different ways to
gather evidence of learning will be explored: portfolios, computer
simulations, videos, lab outlines and developing test questions
using Treagust’s method.
For registration information click "STAM Scuba PD"
Monarch Teacher Network - 2010
InformationNEW!
With the technological age upon us and
at times consuming us, children today have less and less direct
contact with their natural surroundings. This is happening at the same
time that our planet is experiencing alarming changes in our climate,
loss of biodiversity and irreversible environmental damage. Children
need more opportunities to make connections to the world around them.
"Teaching and Learning with
Monarch Butterflies" is a workshop developed by Monarch Teacher
Network which facilitates making these important connections. MTN is a
growing network of Canadian, American and Mexican educators from many
grade levels, content areas and backgrounds who are bringing the story
of the Monarch Butterfly to children, schools and communities.
"Teaching and Learning with
Monarch Butterflies" is an intensive two-day workshop that
combines hands-on activities, lectures, videos, make-and-take
activities, aboriginal connections, opportunities to share, and
strategies to build a school/community butterfly garden. These
activities and the countless resources supplied at the workshop
provide the participants with the knowledge, experience and confidence
to use Monarchs Butterflies as a tool to make connections to all
curriculum areas (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Science, Art,
Technology and more).
Since the migratory journey of the
monarch passes through three countries; Canada, the United States and
Mexico, monarchs have become a symbol that connects learning about the
past, present and future of North America, its people and the land
that sustains us all.
Begin your exciting journey into
learning and teaching using the Monarch Butterfly! MTN will be holding
its fifth Manitoba workshop in Winnipeg, July 21-23, at Prince Edward
School, 649 Brazier Street, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm (to 12:30 p.m. on the
23rd).
For more information, click on "Monarch
Teacher Network"
Arctic
Climate Change - Youth Forum 2010NEW!
On
February 5th, 2010, in partnership with the Winnipeg Symphony
Orchestra, Fort Whyte Alive, Climate Change Connections, and the
Canadian Forces, ‘Schools on Board’ and Kelvin High School will
co-host the third Arctic Climate Change Youth Forum, in conjunction
with the IPY-CFL Gala event planned as the opening night of the
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s New Music Festival. This event will be
held at the Fort Whyte Alive outdoor education center in Winnipeg.
The aim of the forum is to introduce high school
students (grade 9-12) and teachers to the sciences behind Arctic
climate change research and engage youth in the discussions on the
role of science in policy and decision making. This year our forum
will integrate the theme of music and science in recognition of the
Artist on Board program of the IPY-CFL program and the outcomes
produced by this initiative.
For more information and registration, please
visit the website:
www.wsd1.org/kevin/accyf
National
Bioscience Educators/Student ConferenceNEW!
Princess
Street Campus, Red River College
Winnipeg,
Manitoba
February
16-18, 2010
MindSet, in partnership with
Bioscience Education Canada and Red River College, is hosting the
fourth National Bioscience Educators Conference at the Princess Street
Campus, Red River College in Winnipeg, Feb. 16-18. A student
conference will be held at the same time for 50-60 high school
students interested in careers in biotechnology and life science.
Educators need to be more aware of the
possibilities of biotechnology. The Financial Post reported that
“biotechnology will be to the 21st century what the automobile and
computer were to the 20th century.” Solutions to
many of the critical issues of the next 50 years – hunger, disease,
energy, sustainability - may be within the realm of biotech.
Manitoba, with its agricultural base, is well-positioned to make
important contributions to these areas. With this will come
economic growth and employment for Manitobans who have the skill and
knowledge related to biotech.
The conference features keynote
sessions, tours, labs and concurrent sessions, designed to provide
information and skills for immediate classroom application.
Entertaining, but useful, activities for the conferences include the
“BioOlympics” and “Dinner and a Movie.” Speakers from
across Canada have been confirmed. There is an opportunity for
teachers to present their own biotech work as part of the teacher “round
tables.”
This conference is for chemistry,
physics, biology and general science educators at the high school,
middle school and elementary school levels. In addition with
bioscience being involved in a 1/3 of the world’s economy,
bioscience has a place in other subject areas such as human ecology
(functional foods), industrial arts (bio-composites), agriculture, new
media and information and communications technology (video games,
bioinformatics) and career development. Bioethics fit into many
parts of the curriculum.
Cost of the educator conference is
$100.00. Cost for the student conference will be $10.00 and complete
information for it will be available soon.
For immediate information, please contact Norman Lee, Conference
Co-chair, 204-269-3383 or nlee35@shaw.ca.
For Information and registration, click on "BIOSCIENCE
CONFERENCE"
MB's
STAR DOME - 2010 Pricing InformationNEW!
Now you can
let your students experience the latest generation of
planetarium shows right in your own school. Star Dome mobile
planetarium is an amazing multimedia experience that sets up right in
a normal school gymnasium. The most visible component is a large
inflatable dome large enough to accommodate an entire classroom.
The real magic, however, happens at the centre of the dome. The
latest in digital planetarium projector technology creates a virtual universe
so real that sometimes it actually feels like you are flying though space
visiting star clusters, planets and other amazing wonders of our universe.
Storytelling is a large part of the experience, especially for the younger grades.
In shows like “Star Stories” we share folklore and stories from many cultures.
We try to see the sky not only through modern eyes but also try to gain an
understanding of what the sky meant to ancient cultures.
Star Dome is a large structure and requires a large indoor space to set up in.
The room must measure at least 20 feet by 20 feet and have a ceiling height
of at least 12 feet. The capacity of the dome is about 30 people. It takes about
an hour to set up the dome so we arrive about an hour before the first show is
scheduled to begin in order to set up. We offer a variety of different shows to
choose from and each class can choose its own show.
Form more information click "STAR DOME"
MSSS
- Invent an Alien CompetitionNEW!
Invent an Alien will again take place with the MSSS science fair to be
held at the end of April. This year the aliens will come from
Jupiter's moon Europa. This is a water ice covered moon
and just as recently as last week National Geographic posted an
article mentioning that there is far more oxygen there than expected
and they speculate there could even be species of fish living under
the ice.
Contact Tina Hellmuth for additional details: thellmuth@mts.net
National Geographic Online Article Link
NSERC - CRYSTAL Announcement
Attention:
Math and Science Teachers
Math and Science teachers are
invited to a day of professional learning and networking with fellow
educators who share an interest in improving educational outcomes
among students in mathematics and sciences. There is no
registration fee and all workshop sessions take place at the
University of Manitoba on Friday, February 19th. Registration is
first come - first serve. Please register early to ensure your
spot.
Workshop session information and registration process can be found by
clicking on CRYSTAL
February Workshop.
Red Wigglers -
Vermicomposting Information
Red Wriggler Haven offers
fun, interactive and educational Vermicomposting Programs for the
Classroom, Lunchtime programs, Science clubs, and other Groups.
Students enjoy learning how to set up and care for a classroom
composter, discover the wonders of the lives of worms, and develop an
understanding of the science involved in composting and
vermicomposting. Our workshops will have you and your students excited
about the value of composting and the wonderful work that worms do.
For more information on
sessions - click "Vermicomposting"
CRYSTAL Chemistry PD
for 2010
The Centre for Research, Youth, Science Teaching and
Learning (CRYSTAL) will be again holding three professional
development days for teachers of chemistry in early 2010. These are
the final chemistry sessions to be hosted by CRYSTAL.
The dates and topics for the sessions are hosted by schools in the
following school divisions Brandon: January 11, February 15
&
March 8 (Acids & Bases, Atomic Structure, Investigative Chemistry,
Assessment); River East Transcona School Division: January 12,
February 16 & March 9 (Acids & Bases, Assessment); and St
James-Assiniboia at St James Academy: January 14, February 11 and
March 11 (Acids & Bases, Atomic Structure, Investigative
Chemistry, Assessment).
The sessions will focus on the teaching of some of the more difficult
conceptual areas of each of these grade level curricula in accordance
with the intentions of the new chemistry curricula. The professional
development will be facilitated by Dr. Brian Lewthwaite, a professor
in science education at the University of Manitoba and George Bush,
Senior Writer for the new Manitoba Chemistry Curriculum. Teachers are
encouraged to come to all three days of the professional development.
These professional development days are financially supported by
CRYSTAL which covers the registration and food costs, but substitute
costs are the responsibility of each attendee. Also be aware of the
chemistry resources have been developed by CRYSTAL participants and
facilitators and are posted at:
http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/crystal/chemistry.html
If you are interested in attending any of these days please
complete the following form and return to Brian Lewthwaite at fax
204-474-7550 as soon as possible. If you have questions, email: Brian_Lewthwaite@umanitoba.ca
National Microbiology Lab -
Resource
Information regarding Manitoba's National Microbiology Lab can
be found at either:
www.nml-lnm.gc.ca
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
Perimeter Institute
for Theoretical Physics
Website now contains
short vignettes and full-length presentations of interest.
Alice & Bob in Wonderland - Sixty second chalk cartoons pose some
really big science questions that help spark discussion, imagination
and inquiry.
Quantum to Cosmos Festival Video on Demand - Full length talk and
panel discussions bring all of the Q2C events to your desktop.
Form more information, visit the Perimeter's website:
www.perimeterinstitute.ca
Discovery! Science
Library
Excellent Resource for All Science Courses Grades
6-10, plus Earth/Space for Grades 11-12 Complete 15-unit Science
Library Available Now for Online Preview
We are pleased to announce that Discover! Science Library is now
available online for preview! You and your members are welcome to
visit:
URL: http://discover.scienceschoolhouse.com/
UserID: ASTCA
Password: ASTCA
(Note: UserID and Password are case sensitive.)
RESOURCES available on the Home Page: descriptive flyer, curriculum
correlations, comprehensive 53-page Tables of Contents, navigation
instructions, pricing.
EOA Scientific/ScienceSchoolHouse has developed the Discover!
Science Library, a 15-unit software library that satisfies all
pan-Canadian curriculum outcomes for middle school science, all
outcomes for high school earth and space science, and most outcomes
for high school general science. Over 200,000 CDs of EOA software have
been sold throughout North America in the last 10 years as both
recommended and supplementary resources. Most recently, in 2008 the
Discover! Science Library was approved as a Recommended resource in
British Columbia.
The Library has 107 chapters (90 main chapters, 17 appendices) 1100
illustrated lessons most lessons in 2 text levels, with fully narrated
main chapter text 100 interactive exercises 350 video clips 15
approximately 30-minute video documentaries quizzes in each main
chapter for students taken from 1800-question Test Banks that are
available to teachers a unique 3D Virtual Lab for physical science
This resource is available in CD (15 CDs) or DVD (15 units on 1 DVD)
format; school single, lab pack of 5 or network/site license. Online
subscriptions available with network license. Discounts are available
for volume purchases.
Discover! Science Library's sister products, Astronomy Explorer,
Geology Explorer, Oceans Explorer and Weather Explorer, are listed
with the Manitoba Text Book Bureau. These titles are identical to the
Discover! Science Library Astronomy, Geology, Oceans and Weather units
(3 units in each topic), except that due to space restrictions on the
CDs themselves, the Astronomy, Geology, Oceans and Weather Explorer
CDs have one text level and the ~30 minute video documentaries are not
included.
MTBB listings: Search: Science / 6-12 / keywords EOA Scientific.
Also available in Lab Packs of 5 CDs and network/site license. http://www.mtbb.mb.ca/catalogue/en/
Manitoba Model
Forest Resource
Please visit the following website for
information regarding valuable science resources in your classroom.
Suitable from Early Years to Senior Years.
Manitoba
Model Forest Link
Triops Resource
NEW
LINK!
Please visit the following websites for
information regarding incorporating triops in your classroom.
Suitable from Early Years to Senior Years.
Triops
Website Link
Triops
Website Link - Space Farm Eco System Information Site
Iron Science
Teacher Competition
The 3rd Annual Iron Science competition
is now open for entries. This exciting science teachers event
involves a team of four competing locally and than nationally to be
crowned Canada's Iron Science winners!
For details of the event, click Iron
Science.
Website: www.ironscience.ca
STAM Journal (V.50
n.1)
The December Issue of the Science Teachers Association Journal is now
available online.
Journal V.50 n.2:
click
here.
Journal V.50 n.1: click
here
Journal V.49 n.2: click
here.
All journals will be published electronically and not mailed out in
efforts to reduce paper waste.
Manitoba Science Academy
Manitoba Science Academy The Manitoba Science Academy (MSA) is a
non-profit charitable organization searching for 20 top high school
students planning a career in engineering and scientific research.
This year's projects include studies on: neuromuscular effects of
diabetes, Lake Sturgeon studies, wind power efficiency, bacteria in
clay deposits near nuclear waste, geophysics exploration, modeling of
finite electrical devices and Lake Winnipeg research. The summer
program runs from June 29 to August 8, 2009. We have 10 complete
sponsorships, 7 partial sponsorships and we offer very generous
bursaries to our new students. Please have students apply ASAP as
sponsorships are given out on a first come basis. Students will
benefit because they: work on real scientific research with real
scientists students, earn two Grade 12 credits, experience unique
recreation and activities, and make great friendships and important
contacts, and come back as tutors at $15/hr if they enter post
secondary education. We can send out our updated project lists and are
willing to come out and present "So you want to be a
Scientist"
Please contact Jerry Kozak @ jkozakmsa@mts.net
Website: msawhiteshell.com
Crocodile Clips News
In 2009, we're planning to replace our popular
simulators Crocodile Physics and Crocodile Chemistry with new titles
in our Yenka range.
Yenka is a new generation of educational tools,
based around a powerful modelling engine, which lets you use and edit
the rich, interactive content from our extensive online database - or
even create your own lessons from scratch.
Also, with Yenka we offer free upgrades until
2012 and free home-use.
We're running some special offers for schools,
open both to schools which already have our software, and to those
which don't. For more details, please visit: http://www.crocodile-clips.com/en/Science/
Engineers without
Boarders Outreach Program
Sarah Takaki, School Outreach program
coordinator at Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a Canadian charitable
organization dedicated to promoting human development through access
to appropriate technology, has contacted STAM with the following
information.
The School Outreach program offers science and development-themed
workshops for students in grades 6-12 across the country. We offer
three different workshops – one on water issues, one on agriculture
and food issues, and one on energy issues, each connecting to the
Manitoba curriculum. The workshops apply scientific principles to
real-world applications, such as friction to rice-husking. Each
workshop includes a hands-on activity in which students have the
opportunity to construct and use simple technology to address
challenges faced by people living in developing communities. To date,
we have reached over 75,000 students and have received positive
feedback from teachers and educators. One teacher said “I presented
the subject of the workshop and the impacts on the students to the
pedagogical director of the school. He was very impressed and he would
love to host more EWB on other subjects for other grades.”
Contact Information
Sarah Takaki, School Outreach Program Coordinator
Email: sarahtakaki@ewb.ca
Tel:
416-481-3696 ext. 227
Fax:
416-352-5360
www.ewb.ca
I.O.A.
and University of Manitoba Grant
The Imperial Oil Academy
for the Learning of Mathematics, Science and Technology (IOA) at the
University of Manitoba has just published its annual call for one-year
research project funding applications. Research projects may receive
of up to $15,000 of support. Details on the funding conditions and
application procedure can be found on the IOA website at:
www.umanitoba.ca/education/ioacademy
Science
& Technology for Canadians
Science.gc.ca
is dedicated to helping Canadians find valuable science and technology
information from the Government of Canada. With all its resources
hand-picked and individually evaluated, Science.gc.ca
is the one-stop portal for trusted, Canadian science and technology
information.
Last update: January
28, 2010
