Delta Sierra Science Project Newsletter
August 2019
SJCOE STEM Programs

Registration is now open for the CA NGSS Statewide Rollout - Environmental Literacy
 



Thank you for subscribing to the Delta Sierra Science Newsletter, a publication of the San Joaquin County Office of Education and the Delta Sierra Science Project.   The state roll out of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) continues in 2019-20 throughout the state of California as the transition progresses towards the full implementation of the science standards and assessments supported by the newly adopted California Science Framework.

Please contact our SJCOE STEM Programs office if you have any questions or concerns at 209.468.4880 and visit our website at http://www.sjcoescience.org/

Sincerely,
SJCOE STEM Programs
San Joaquin County Office of Education 


Featured this month -  click on links:


SJCOE Tech Summit 2019

Digital Block Party
September 14, 2019

We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker for the 2019 SJCOE Tech Summit is Travis Allen, the president and founder of the iSchool Initiative, a growing organization devoted to helping schools embrace technology and create a positive culture of lifelong learning.
The iSchool Initiative is also known for providing Escape the Bus to schools across the United States. An escape room on wheels, the bus challenges educators to flex their critical-thinking, communication, collaboration, and creative skills while learning about educational strategies and technology they could put to use in the classroom. Escape the Bus will be available as breakout sessions throughout the day at the Tech Summit. Session space is limited.
Travis Allen is quickly becoming one of the most influential leaders of the emerging digital learning movement. A young visionary promoting technology and, he created a viral YouTube video on revolutionizing education in America through the use of mobile technology while he was still in high school. He founded the iSchool Initiative as a college student and has presented in over 45 states and 11 countries, allowing him to reach an audience of more than 300,000 people.
Visit our website for more information including registration.

CA NGSS Statewide Rollout - Environmental Literacy
September 30 - October 1 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education

The California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Statewide Rollout: Environmental Literacy is a two-day professional learning geared toward grade K-12 academic coaches, administrators, curriculum leads, and teacher leaders. Participants will experience grade appropriate learning sequences with an environmental literacy focus and examples of local environmental phenomena. A variety of community-based partners will feature resources that use the environment as a context for supporting student learning and CA NGSS implementation. It is recommended that districts send teams of four to six, which include at least one administrator

We are also sponsoring a "Poems for the Environment" competition for students in grades 6-12. Two students, one from middle school and one from high school will be selected to perform their poem at day 1 of the NGSS Roll Out. Please contact Bret States at bstates@sjcoe.net for more information and to submit student entries. 

   STEM Teacher Professional Development and Announ cements




SJCOESTEMPDSJCOE STEM Programs Professional Learning 



CCESSA Region 6 Administrator Workshop to Support NGSS Implementation Series
Come learn how to build shared language around the existing data for science instruction; deepen understanding of support for a site vision of equity in science; and, reflect on how science supports the goals of your site. This is a 5 module series alternating locations between the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the San Joaquin County Office of Education. 
Flyer

Module 1 at Stanislaus County Office of Education, August 29, 9am to noon 
Module 2 at San Joaquin County Office of Education, October 23, 9am to noon
Registration and Additional Information

Module 3 at Stanislaus County Office of Education, January 9, 9am to noon
Registration and Additional Information

Module 4 at San Joaquin County Office of Education, February 19, 9am to noon
Registration and Additional Information

Module 5 at Stanislaus County Office of Education, March 12, 9am to noon
Registration and Additional Information


NGSS 5E High School Physics Collaborative Planning Workshop
September 3, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information


NGSS 5E High School Chemistry Collaborative Planning Workshop
September 12, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information


SJCOE Tech Summit 2019
Digital Block Party
September 14, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
The SJCOE Tech Summit is where teachers, administrators, curriculum leaders, and IT staff members come together to learn how to incorporate more technology in the classroom. 
The theme of the Fourth Annual Tech Summit is "Digital Block Party," which puts a focus on building educational communities. Tech is a tool that helps students work together in the classroom, allows educators to collaborate with one another, and connects students to the world around them. Together we can learn how to build safe educational communities through knowledge of powerful technology and how to be a responsible digital citizen.
The summit will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the San Joaquin County Office of Education's Wentworth Education Center, 2707 Transworld Dr., Stockton, CA 95206.
We hope you can make it. It won't be a party without you.Visit our website for additional information.

NGSS 5E Middle School Collaborative Planning Workshop
September 18, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information



Digitarium (Formerly known as Starlab)
September 19th (1st offering) and September 20th (2nd offering) at SJCOE, 4-7pm
Would you like to be able to bring the stars and planets to your students right at your own school?  Now you can!  The portable, digital planetarium brings a life like experience to your students while at the same time reinforces NGSS Standards.
Contact Vanessa Reynoso Mercado, vreynosomercado@sjcoe.net   for more information.
September 19th  R egistration


CA NGSS Statewide Rollout - Environmental Literacy
September 30 - October 1 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education
The California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Statewide Rollout: Environmental Literacy is a two-day professional learning geared toward grade K-12 academic coaches, administrators, curriculum leads, and teacher leaders. Participants will experience grade appropriate learning sequences with an environmental literacy focus and examples of local environmental phenomena. A variety of community-based partners will feature resources that use the environment as a context for supporting student learning and CA NGSS implementation. It is recommended that districts send teams of four to six, which include at least one administrator
Flyer including Registration Information


Making Sense of SCIENCE - Next Generation Science Implementation: Systems Course for 
K-5
October 8-9, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
This 2-day Making Sense of SCIENCE (MSS) course provides opportunities for teachers to engage in adult-level, inquiry-based, multi-dimensional science learning guided by next generation pedagogy, to analyze their learning experiences and common student challenges in science, and to strategize for implementing this type of next generation science learning in their classrooms. 
Registration and Additional Information





NGSS 5E High School Biology Collaborative Planning Workshop
October 10, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information



Formative Scaffolding NGSS Assessment, Grades 6-12
October 22, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Participants will learn how to add meaningful scaffolds and supports to existing assessments to better prepare students for formative, NGSS, 2 and 3 dimensional learning and performance tasks. 
Registration and Additional Information

Make and Take Electrophoresis, Grades 6-8
November 19, 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Come and experience how electrophoresis can be used to address CA NGSS Performance Expectations and make a class set of equipment that will allow you to continue this activity in your classroom for years to come!  Kit assembly will serve a class of 35 working in pairs. 
Registration and Additional Information


NGSS 5E High School Physics Collaborative Planning Workshop
January 28, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information


NGSS 5E K-5 Collaborative Planning Workshop
January 29, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice while integrating Common Core Math and ELA.
Registration and Additional Information


NGSS 5E Middle School Collaborative Planning Workshop (2nd Offering)
January 30, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information


NGSS 5E High School Chemistry Collaborative Planning Workshop (2nd Offering)
February 11, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms.  Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information


Building Toward the CAST (How do you design a 2D and 3D assessment?) Grades 6-12
February 25, 2020, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Come learn how to best utilize the resources for the California Science Test (CAST) including training, practice tests, rubrics and scoring guides. Participants will also experience a performance task and collaboratively work toward creating classroom NGSS assessments to better prepare our students and to inform instruction. This will be 1/2 day workshop. 
Registration and Additional Information


Tech in Teaching
February 25, 2020 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Often in Education people think about what a technology is, rather than what they need students to be able to do. We will cover lots of ways to have tech support student learning. Tech in Teaching is a PD to cover useful technologies for teachers, from media usage to augmented reality.
Registration and Additional Information


NGSS 5E High School Biology Collaborative Planning Internal Workshop (2nd Offering)
February 26, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms. Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons,
storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information


Engineering with 3D Printing
March 21, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
3D printing is a constantly expanding technology, from prototyping small electronic inventions, to building concrete structures.   Students can learn engineering using 3D printers in the classroom. Join us to experience an engineering lesson and learn how to use 3D printers.
Registration and Additional Information
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STEM Opportunities and Resources for Teachers



California Environmental
Phenomena Summit
October 3-4, 2019
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz, CA

Spend two days collaborating with a local science expert and other educators from the region. Learn about local, environmentally-focused phenomena. Deepen your understanding of Phenomena and the Environmental Principles and Concepts. Contribute to a resource that will be shared with other CA teachers who are looking to get started with phenomena-based NGSS lessons.



NASA Teacher Resources

JPL Education: 
Mars InSight Mission: 
Flyers:


American Chemical Society -  Chemical Lab Safety Series for High School:
New & an outstanding set of 6 videos addressing high school lab safety issues including safety mindset, SDSs, Dress for lab, preparing for emergencies and RAMP strategies. Check it out:

Video Links

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STEMforStudentsSTEM Opportunities for Teachers and Students

Poems for the Environment 
In conjunction with CA NGSS Statewide Rollout - Environmental Literacy, we are sponsoring a student poetry competition. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to apply. Two students, one from middle school and one from high school will be selected to perform their poem at day 1 of the NGSS Roll Out. Please contact Bret States at  bstates@sjcoe.net for more information and to submit student entries. 

November 14, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dinner with a Scientist is an evening of inspiration and insight for middle and high school students who may be interested in entering the field of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).  Students will get the rare opportunity to spend 15-20 minutes with four different STEM professionals of their choice.  STEM volunteers will discuss their professions and answer any questions the students may have.
 
For $100, a teacher can bring a group of three students.  Along with spending time with various STEM professionals, the evening will also include a science challenge, appetizers, dinner and dessert.
 
The event will take place on Thursday, November 14th, 2019 from 5-8pm.  It will be held at the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Wentworth Education Center, located at 2707 Transworld Drive in Stockton.  Limited scholarships are available.
Register your team today!

We are also looking for STEM professional volunteers to host a table. Please email Bret States if you know of anyone that would like to participate. 




EnvironmentalEducationEnvironmental Education

Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center
The San Joaquin County Office of Education has field trip opportunities for students in grades 3-5.
For more information please visit our website at 
www.sjcoescience.org
Click here  to download the flyer.

We are accepting reservations for 2019/2020 MEANDER Field trip for 3-5th grade students.


Classroom Aquarium Education
(Salmonids) training with Fish and Wildlife Department: TBD , please check our   website.

Join our session at San Joaquin Expanding your Horizons at University of Pacific on September 21.

Teachers College of San Joaquin is launching its new M.Ed. Program concentration: Environmental Literacy!
Program Description:
The Environmental Literacy M.Ed. coursework examines the close intersections between peoples, societies, and natural systems, and how to relate within those systems in a humble, sustainable matter. Educators learn to develop integrated curricula and learning opportunities that nurture K-12 students' understanding of the natural world outside the classroom, expand critical thinking skills, and prepare engaged citizens. Graduates have expertise in developing, implementing, and sustaining capacity building plans for Environmental Literacy programs within an organization, such as a school district.
More Information

Delta Ecology Institute
Come learn about the environment of floodplains and the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Delta Studies Institute 2019/2020 is scheduled for September 21, October 8 and May 7. Our institute includes:

  • Help your students and future citizens learn more about the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta 
  • Learn about EEI Curriculum
  • Teach Next Gen Science standards using curriculum that focuses on California's most valuable resource
  • $200 Stipend upon completion (please see below)
  • Upon completing all the program requirements one unit of credit available through Teachers College of San Joaquin (additional cost)
Registration is open!


EDCFabLab 

The SJCOE FabLab is a state of the art maker space.  Students come for field trips or a series of field trips and learn to engineer using circuits, 3D printers, hand tools, laser cutters and more. Students address NGSS Engineering Design standards through fun activities like engineering a bridge to test and destroy, or building a robot to complete simple task.  There are field trip options for grades K-12.  If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or just have questions
please contact Stephen Callahan: 
scallahan@sjcoe.net , (209) 468-9247 or visit our website


TOPSInterested in a TOPS STEM Program at your school?
Teaching Opportunities for Partners in Science (TOPS) is a program that places individuals with a background in STEM at your school where they teach hands-on lessons.  Each volunteer spends about 8 hours per month at a specific school site where together with a teacher they help provide interactive, hands-on science and engineering lessons.  If you are interested in having the program at your school or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Lissa Gilmore: lgilmore@sjcoe.net or 209-468-4880 for more information. 


SJCOE STEM Kits
SJCOE STEM Programs offers a variety of STEM kits including:
Arduinos, GEMS, Makey Makeys, Math, Science and Beyond to name a few. Please reserve kits utilizing the online reservation request system:  Reserve a Kit
The rental fees range from $20 - $25 and may be checked out for up to one month at a time based on demand.  Kits are on a 1st come - 1st served basis, please call 209.468.4880 to check availability or you can use the above "Reserve a Kit" link. The resource check-out agreement must be signed by both the administrator and the educator prior to pick up. Please download the form here

About Us

 

San Joaquin County Office of Education STEM Programs is the CCSESA Region 6 Science Lead and the Co-Director of the Delta Sierra Science Project, a California Subject Matter Project. Thank you for reading our newsletter.  

Please visit our website!