First Tuesday Science Update October, 2018

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/02/2018 11:20 AM EDT

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Tuesday, October 2, 2018

K-12 Science

K-12 STANDARDS, CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

Earth Science Week 2018 Coming Soon: Get Ready!

Now is the time to make plans for Earth Science Week, taking place October 14-20, 2018. The 21st annual Earth Science Week will celebrate the theme "Earth as Inspiration" with a wide range of exciting activities, programs, and resources. All are designed to promote awareness of the special role of creativity, innovation, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills in the geosciences.

Pitch in to teach young people about Earth system science by conducting activities described on the Earth Science Week Website. For more ideas, see recommendations online.

This year's event is shaping up to reach even more people than last year's audience of over 50 million. For the past 21 years, AGI has organized Earth Science Week to foster public and professional awareness of the status of Earth Science in education and society. To learn more, visit the event website.

Upcoming Conferences

The North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators (NCAEE), founded in fall 2005, is the only professional organization in North Carolina—and one of two in the nation—established expressly to advocate for and serve elementary educators and elementary level children. Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin will provide an update from DPI and the State Board of Education. For more information click here: Elementary School Conference.

The North Carolina Science Leadership Association will hold its meeting in Charlotte on November 28, 2018. Click on the NCSLA link for information about this conference.

The National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) will hold its area conference in Charlotte, North Carolina from November 29-December 1, 2018.

A Framework for K-12 Science Education Webinar Series

Over the course of the school year, NCDPI Science Consultants will host a professional learning webinar series based on A Framework for K-12 Science Education (Framework). The first webinar will be on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 3:30-4:30.

This webinar will focus on the Framework and how it relates to North Carolina's Science Essential Standards. Registration information will be provided in the coming weeks!

You can download a free PDF copy of the Framework by clicking on the image of the book cover on the right.

NCDPI Science Wiki will be going away soon...

In September's First Tuesday Science Update an announcement was made that the NCDPI Science Wiki will soon be going away. It is strongly recommended that you access any documents on this wiki and download any resources you feel are valuable.

You can sign up for the various Listservs NCDPI has available from NC Public Schools homepage. Click on the "Sign up for Updates" icon on the left side of the screen.

Welcome Our New 6-12 Science Consultant!

Gavin Fradel

Gavin brings an abundance of knowledge and experience to the section. Having taught 14 years in Person and Wake Counties, he created and implemented science curricula for the science classroom. Gavin has served as a team leader, a mentor for beginning science teachers, and a basketball coach. Gavin holds an undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education and a Masters in Science Education from East Carolina University. Gavin is honored to serve North Carolina school districts and students in his new role as an NCDPI 6-12 Science Consultant.