TEA Science Communications January 24, 2019

Science Communications

Texas Education Agency

January 24, 2019

Please do not respond to this e-mail. This is a one-way communication.

Greetings, Science Bulletin Members.

Topics included in the bulletin:

• National Youth Science Camp Applications
• Presidential Awards Nominations and Applications
• ELPS Survey
• ELPS Review Work Group Application

Additional information is included as a courtesy to educators.

• IMCC National Minerals Education Awards
• Open OutDoors/Every Kid in a Park Program
• Space Exploration Educators Conference
• RGV 2nd Annual STEM Education Conference
• 2019 South Texas STEM Summit
• Out in Space, Down to Earth STEM Educator Conference

************************************************************************************************

National Youth Science Camp Applications

Two talented graduating seniors will be selected to represent Texas at the 2019 National Youth Science Camp (NYSC). Student delegates attend the STEM and outdoor adventure program at no charge. Travel is included. The students also visit Washington, D.C.

Applications are currently open. Applications will close on February 28, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. EST.

The 2019 NYSC will be held from June 27 to July 20, 2019. Only students who can attend the entire session should plan to apply.

Additional information is available at https://nysf.smapply.io/.

Presidential Awards Nominations and Applications

The 2018-2019 nomination window for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program is open. Teachers of grades 7-12 mathematics and science are encouraged to sign up to apply. High school teachers who teach a career and technical education (CTE) or technology applications course that can satisfy a mathematics or science graduation credit may apply under the appropriate category. The PAEMST awards are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The 2018-2019 nomination window will close on March 1, 2019. The application window will be open until May 1, 2019. Teachers may sign up to apply or be nominated for the award at www.paemst.org. If you know great teachers, encourage them to join this prestigious network of professionals. In Texas, eligible teachers who submit a completed application by May 1, 2019 will receive 25 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours.

For questions, contact Jo Ann Bilderback, Liz Baker, or Luis Salinas at tx_paemst@tea.texas.gov or 512-463-9581.

ELPS Survey

The State Board of Education (SBOE) will soon begin its process for the review and revision of the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS). As part of the SBOE's review process, TEA is surveying educators regarding their opinions about the current ELPS. The results of the survey will inform work group recommendations to the SBOE for revisions to the ELPS.

To provide feedback, please submit the ELPS Survey available at https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b3GZdOKVhJfatHD. The survey is scheduled to close February 11, 2019.

ELPS Review Work Group Application

The SBOE's process for the review and revision of the ELPS calls for multiple, separate work groups to make recommendations to the SBOE for revisions to the current standards. SBOE members nominate individuals to serve on these review work groups.

Educators and other individuals are invited to apply to serve on ELPS review and revision work groups. Applications will be submitted to SBOE members for review throughout the process. Individuals selected will be asked to serve on one or more work groups. Work groups will convene in Austin for a minimum of one face-to-face meeting. Additional meetings may be conducted via webinar.

The application to serve on a work group is available on the ELPS Review webpage at https://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Curriculum_Standards/TEKS_Texas_Essential_Knowledge_and_Skills_(TEKS)_Review/English_Language_Proficiency_Standards_Review/

Additional information is included as a courtesy to educators.

 

************************************************************************************************

IMCC National Minerals Education Awards

The Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) sponsors two annual national minerals education awards to recognize the efforts of those who educate others about the use of minerals and the issues associated with mining, particularly from an environmental perspective, and those who have undertaken special outreach programs to inform the public about mining. There are two awards that are presented each year.

Mining Awareness Educator Award

This award will be presented to a(n) individual school teacher or school from an IMCC member state that has achieved excellence in one or more of the following categories:

• Provided educational outreach in an innovative manner that increases the level of understanding in the classroom and community about mining and its impacts
• Promoted environmental stewardship while enhancing the understanding of issues associated with mining and natural resource development
• Created unique educational materials or curriculum demonstrating the production and/or use of minerals and associated environmental protection

These criteria may be met through classroom and/or out-of-classroom (i.e. field trips, mine tours, etc.) activities. This award will consist of a plaque or a framed award certificate and a $500 gift certificate for classroom resource materials.

Public Outreach Award

This award will be presented to an industry, environmental, citizen or other group, and/or to a state government body, and/or an individual (other than a school teacher). This award will consist of an engraved plaque recognizing the winner.

 

A person or organization may self-nominate or may be nominated by someone else. The deadline for submissions is February 1 of each year.

 

For further information contact Brittany Mills at IMCC by phone at 703.709.8654, or by email at: bmills@imcc.isa.us.

 

Open OutDoors/Every Kid in a Park Program - Houston (OOK/EKIP Houston)

OOK/EKIP is the opportunity to educate students outdoors. OOK/EKIP provides field trip transportation reimbursement for field trips taken by Title I, 4^th grade classes to Greater Houston Area outdoor spaces. Teachers can book a field trip with one of many national, state, and local park partners who provide a variety of curriculum-based natural, cultural, and historical field trips correlated with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Transportation funds are made available through a grant from the National Park Foundation for the 2018-2019 academic school year.

Additional information is available at https://www.hereinhouston.org/ekiphouston/.

Space Exploration Educators Conference

Educators may experience three days of complete immersion into an out-of-this-world adventure at the Space Exploration Educator's Conference. This conference is for kindergarten to 12^th grades. Space Center Houston strives to use space to teach across the curriculum. The activities presented can be used for science, language arts, math, history, and more.

The conference will take place in Houston, TX on February 7-9, 2019.

Additional information is available at Space Exploration Educators Conference.

RGV 2nd Annual STEM Education Conference

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is one of the largest Hispanic serving institutions in the United States with an enrollment of 29,000 and an 89% Hispanic student population. This conference is for anyone involved in P-16 STEM education, including higher education and P-12 faculty, administrators, students, and other key stakeholders.

The conference will take place in McAllen, TX on February 8-9, 2019.

Additional information is available at RGV 2nd Annual STEM Education Conference.

2019 South Texas STEM Summit

The STEM Center of South Texas invites educators to South Padre Island for the 4th Annual STEM Summit of South Texas February 21-­22, 2019, at the Isla Grand Beach Resort. The conference theme: "STEM is COMING" is modeled after the popular television series "Game of Thrones."

The conference will take place in South Padre Island, TX on February 21-22, 2019.

Additional information is available at 2019 South Texas STEM Summit

Out in Space, Down to Earth STEM Educator Conference

Join the the Scobee Education Center for the 25th annual Out in Space, Down to Earth STEM Educator Conference on March 2, 2019. There will be hands-on workshops and planetarium shows for pre-service teachers and educators of students in pre-K to grade 12. Attendees will earn six CPEs.

The conference will take place in San Antonio, TX on March 2, 2019.

Additional information is available at Out in Space, Down to Earth STEM Educator Conference.

************************************************************************************************

 

Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.

Science Team Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division irene.pickhardt@tea.texas.gov

Phone: 512-463-9581