Delta Sierra Science Project Newsletter
May 2020
SJCOE STEM Programs

Nominations are being accepted for the North Central Valley STEM Student and Teacher of the Year Awards. The deadline is May 30, 2020



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:


   STEM Teacher Professional Development and Announ cements




SJCOESTEMPDSJCOE STEM Programs Professional Learning 



Region 6 STEM Distance Learning Tools
Monday, 5/26 1:00 - 2:30 P.M.

Are you looking to build your distance learning toolbox? Join the Region 6 STEM Team Distance Learning workshops as we a tackle difference online tool each week. Free Weekly workshops include highlighting a single online tool with built-in opportunities for discussion, collaboration and reflection. 
Some of the topics include:
  • Screen Casting
  • Edpuzzle
  • Flipgrid 
  • Science Journal
  • and more are being added!
SJCOE Tech Summit 
SJCOE Tech Summit, 2020

September 12, 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

The SJCOE Tech Summit is an annual event where teachers, administrators, curriculum leaders, and IT staff members come together to learn how to incorporate more technology into the classroom. 

Looking for new ways to use technology to bring more art into the classroom? Does your math class need a technology boost? Or are you just learning the basics of education technology and need help getting started? With this year's "Pick Your Path" theme, you'll be able to pick from several Tech Summit pathways to focus your learning as you explore new ways to use technology to prepare students for their futures. Or mix and match from different pathways when building your schedule. It's up to you. Join us, and let's all work together toward becoming the future-ready  educators that our students need us to be to put them on the right path.


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Regional STEM Opportunities and Resources for Teachers





Exploratorium
The Exploratorium believes that learning is joyful and lifelong. By creating inquiry-based experience and tools that spark wonder; offer hands-on experiences; and encourage questions, explorations, and individual discovery, they're transforming the way people learn. Learning this way empowers people to figure things out for themselves-about science, but also about any topic, claim or idea.

If you're a teacher, parent, after-school educator, or professional developer, there are lots of unique resources for you.





California Academy Of Sciences Resources for Educators
Information on professional development, field trips, videos, lessons plans and many more educator resources!
(877)227-3311




Next Generation Science Lesson Plans and Ideas | BetterLesson
Easy and effective science lesson plans across all grades including Earth and space sciences, and engineering with free resources from world-class teachers.





NGSS 3D Assessment Implementation Modules
The CA NGSS 3D Assessment Implementation Modules website is designed to provide teachers with assessment resources that support high-quality 3-dimensional learning for formative and summative purposes. The website resources for analyzing, modifying and creating assessment items include:
  • Unpacking the Performance Expectation Module
  • 3D Assessment Analysis Module
  • 3D Development/Modification Module
  • NGSS Assessment Database
  • Reference Resources


Forestry Institute for Teachers
Sierra Outdoor School, Sonora, CA
June 21-27, 2020

UPDATE APRIL 8:  2020 FIT IS CANCELLED.  WITH CONSIDERABLE REGRET IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT WE SHOULD CANCEL GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY AND CHALLENGES BROUGHT BY COVID-19 THIS SEEMS THE BEST DECISION.

Fire and Water: From the Sierras to the Ocean, learn how forestry resiliency keeps water clean for humans and wildlife. 

Learn from professionals and build your own content knowledge through relevant and local topics:
Archaeology, Fire and Fuels, Entomology, Silviculture, Soils, Wildlife, Hydrology, Ecology and Resource Management. 
Registration fee prior to March 15 is only $25 and $200 stipend available upon completion and lesson implementation. Visit www.forestryinstitue.org or contact Dan Webster for more information [email protected]



Nanoscience Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers
June 29-July 2, 2020
Stanford University

In light of COVID-10 and shelter in place restrictions, we plan to host the teacher workshop remotely
The nano@stanford is holding a four day Nanoscience Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers (NanoSIMST).  
Selected teachers will learn the underlying physical concepts in nanotechnology and nanoscience in simple terms. This unique learning experience can enrich your current courses through both deepening content understanding and instructional practices. 



NASA Teacher Resources
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STEMforStudentsSTEM Opportunities for Teachers and Students

2020 North Central Valley STEM Center Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the following teacher and student awards:
If you know of a worthy student or teacher nominee, please download and fill out or forward the attached application(s) to the appropriate person to do so. The applications deadline has been extended to May  30.
  
The teacher of the year award recipient will receive $1,000 and the CTE and STEM students of the year will each receive $500. 





SJCOE STEM Summer Camps 2020
Update: Due to the COVID-19 Crisis the 2020 Summer Camps for students have been cancelled.
We look forward to providing more opportunities in the future. 
Camps are available for students in grades 2-12 and run in June and July in a wide variety of STEM topics including:
  • Microscopy
  • Biotechnology
  • Robotics
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Programming
  • Outdoor Education


Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
University Relations & Science Education 
Teacher Research Academies
Summer Program 2020 

The Teacher Research Academy (TRA) offers middle school, high school, and community college faculty unique professional development experiences at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Update: In light of the COVID-19 and shelter in place restrictions, the LLNL TRA program will be virtual.
Contact: 
Joanna Albala, PhD
Manager, Science Education Program
[email protected]

Register online:
education.llnl.gov
flyer 

LLNL Distance Learning

The sensors that are part of almost every mobile phone provide a great opportunity to improve students' experiences with physics. Making measurements with high-quality sensors enables them to engage in science and engineering practices as they learn core disciplinary ideas. 
LLNL Distance Learning is a series of presentations outlining a wide range of experiments that are well-aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. These were being developed for the classroom, but many can be done by students in their own homes. Some have been successfully piloted in high school physics classes. Presentation titles below are available to download by visiting LLNL Distance Learning. Send feedback or questions to Dr. Dave Rakestraw at  [email protected] .

A Foundation for Understanding Waves
Exploring Frictional Forces
Exploring Magnetic Fields in the World Around You
Measuring the Pressure Around Us
Mechanical Waves and Sound (Part 2)
Moment of Inertia
The Physics of Rotational Motion
The Science of Collisions


STEAM Fair 2021
Information about the STEAM Fair 2021 will be posted in August 2020.  If you have any further questions, contact Lissa Gilmore at [email protected]



Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center 

The Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center is a regional center for STEM and environmental exploration. It sits on over 200 acres of land nestled in a large meander of the San Joaquin River in Manteca, California. Several m iles of hiking trails, seasonal ponds, oak woodlands, a meadow, over 80 acres of wild riparian forest, various picnic areas, a working farm, and the shores of the mighty San Joaquin River are a few highlights of this special place. Please visit our website for more information.

"Let's Play outside" Summer Camps 
Update:   Due to the COVID-19 crisis, all of the summer camps offered by SJCOE STEM Programs have been cancelled. Anyone that has already paid will be refunded. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.  We look forward to providing more opportunities in the future.
These day camp are hosted at Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center (   29442 Airport Way, Manteca). Students in grades 4 - 7 will participate in science activities, art, nature hikes, archery, fishing, and other recreational activities. We make science fun! We offer four sessions in June and July. Camps run  Monday - Thursday 9:00-2:00 PM  The cost is  $250 per camper, lunch included. 

MEANDER field trips, Grades 3-5
The San Joaquin County Office of Education has field trip opportunities for students in grades 3-5. Field Trip cost: $300 for a class of no more than 32 students. We can accommodate up to three classes of students at a time for this field trip. For more information, please contact [email protected]

BioBlitz field trips, Grades 6-12
Students will work in small groups to identify and record the predominant species at the Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center. Students will hike, use maps, data sheets and iPads to contribute their observations to the iNaturalist app and help build a data base of the local species.
Field Trip cost: $300 for a class of no more than 32 students. We can accommodate up to two classes of students at a time for this field trip. For more information, please contact [email protected]

Volunteer at Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center
Are you passionate about nature? Would you like to share your  love for the outdoors with elementary school students? Volunteers will help run science activities, hike to the San Joaquin River, work with student groups in grades 3 - 5. Please register here

Please email Kristine Stepping for more information regarding programs at Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center : [email protected]


Environmental Literacy

California Environmental  Literacy Initiative 
The California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI), led by Ten Strands, works statewide with guidance from a leadership council to create systems change in support of environmental literacy with a focus on access, equity, and cultural relevance for all students. Learn more.


Online Resources to teach climate change in K-12 classroom:
              

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: 
[email protected] , (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: [email protected] or 209-468-4880 for more information. 


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.  

 


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