NABT Conference Proposals Due March 15th
March 15th is quickly approaching and so is the deadline to submit proposals for the 2013 Professional Development Conference. We know you have some great ideas and strategies to share with your colleagues, and you know there is no better audience than at the NABT Conference. Over 150 biology and life science education sessions will be featured from November 20-23 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Will your session be among them? Biology education is heading in some exciting directions, and the NABT Professional Development Committee is encouraging session proposals focused on the Next Generation Science Standards, the AP Biology course, and Vision & Change. The committee is also particularly interested in workshop sessions designed to help educators develop new and rework current assessments to reflect the implementation of these initiatives. All proposals must be submitted online at http://www.nabt.org/submissions/nabt2013 by Friday, March 15th to be considered. Only regular sessions will be accepted at this site. All special workshop proposals are being accepted at 2013 Special Workshops. Proposals will be reviewed by the NABT Professional Development Committee and acceptance confirmations will be emailed to primary presenters by April 30, 2013. Please contact NABT at conference@nabt.org or (888) 501-NABT x105 with any questions related to the 2013 NABT Conference.
Help NABT Bring Biology Day To NSTA Area Conferences
NABT is proud to once again offer a full day of biology and life science sessions at the 2013 NSTA Area Conferences. Proposals are being accepted for NABT Biology Day and we invite you to submit online at http://www.nabt.org/websites/institution/index.php?p=654. NSTA Area Conferences will be held in:
• Portland, OR: October 24 – 26 (NABT Biology Day October 25th) • Charlotte, NC: November 7 -9 (NABT Biology Day November 8th) • Denver, CO: December 12 -14 (NABT Biology Day December 13th)
All presenters must register for the NSTA Area Conference they will be attending. Only proposals submitted directly to NABT will be considered for Biology Day. NABT Biology Day proposals must be submitted by 5pm Eastern on February 25th to be considered. Please contact Jacki Reeves-Pepin at jreevespepin@nabt.org or (888) 501-NABT x 102 with questions.
Regional Workshop Opportunity: Scientific Explanations
The Colorado Biology Teachers Association (CBTA), with help from Team Colorado of the AP Biology Leadership Academy, will host a full day workshop designed for middle and high school teachers. This event will be held on March 2nd at Broomfield High School in Broomfield, Colorado. Program participants will explore strategies and techniques for helping students formulate questions, analyze data, evaluate evidence and write a scientific explanation. They will conduct lab investigations, and use an “explanation tool” and assessment rubrics to learn how to seamlessly scaffold these ideas into their instruction. Free resources will also be available! The cost is $10 and anyone is welcome to attend. Light continental breakfast and lunch is included in the cost. CDE Recertification Certificate of Attendance will be provided, and 0.5 Adams State College Graduate Credit is available for an additional fee. Space is limited and please visit CBTA/AP Bio Academy Workshop to register. The NABT/BSCS AP Biology Leadership Academy is made possible with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pearson Foundation and Richard Petritz Foundation.
Nominations Now Open For PAEMST
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. A number of NABT members have been recognized with this award. You know great teachers (including yourself), so please nominate them! Recipients of the award receive the following:
- A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
- A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
- A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
In addition to recognizing outstanding teaching in mathematics or science (including computer science), the program provides teachers with an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. This growing network of award-winning teachers serves as a vital resource for improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and keeping America globally competitive. The 2013 Presidential Awards will honor mathematics and science teachers working in grades 7-12. Nominations can be made online at https://www.paemst.org/nomination/nominate until April 1, 2013.
HHMI Releases EarthViewer
What did Earth’s continents and oceans look like 250 million years ago, or 1 billion years ago? Can we say anything about Earth’s climate as far back as our planet’s origin? Now your fingertips can scroll through Earth history for the last 4.5 billion years! The HHMI EarthViewer App is like a time machine for exploring the deep history of planet Earth. And because it’s from HHMI, you know this tool is based on the latest scientific research. Follow a favorite location, be it Greenland, New York City, or your school, as it makes an incredible journey throughout Earth’s history. Layer views of shifting continents with data such as atmospheric composition, temperature, biodiversity, day length, and solar luminosity. Features include:
- Data and continental reconstructions dating back billions of years
- Climate and carbon dioxide data for the last 100 years
- The ability to manipulate the globe and zoom to any location
- Track the location of modern cities back over 500 million years
- In depth features on major geological and biological events in Earth history
- Clickable details on geologic eons, eras, and periods
- Automated play modes
- An extensive reference list
- Suggestions for classroom use
- Tutorial videos
EarthViewer is available a free download from the Apple App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/jo/app/earthviewer/id590208430
Eric Lander Offers Free Intro Bio Course On edX
Eric Lander, one of the leaders of the Human Genome Project, is hosting an introductory biology course on edX, the not-for-profit online learning initiative founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 7.00x – The Secret of Life will let you explore the mysteries of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology and genomics, and rational medicine. Although this course has been designed exclusively for edX, the course content reflects the topics Lander has taught in the MIT introductory biology courses for many years. Students will complete this course in 12 weeks. At the center of each week is a series of lecture sequences that are supported by interactive video tutorials and interspersed exercises or problems. Additionally, students will work on a homework assignment or exam each week. The course will conclude with a comprehensive final exam. The course is not just for the traditional students, but also educators and scientists who work in the biomedical/health care professions who need a refresher on the most cutting edge biology and genetics. The only prerequisite is a desire to learn. Enrollment for this free edX course is available at https://www.edx.org/courses/MITx/7.00x/2013_Spring/about. The course starts on March 5th.
2013 CHANCE Panama Program Now Open
Work side-by-side Smithsonian Researchers in the Tropical Ecosystems of Panama and help save endangered sea turtles! The 2013 CHANCE program consists of two courses, Global Climate Change: Sustainability of Select Tropical and Aquatic Ecosystems (online, March 21 – May 31, 2013) and A Field Course in Panama (June 28 – July 14, 2013), which work together to promote environmental literacy on the topics of biodiversity, sustainability, and global climate change. Through online instruction during part the spring semester, all participants will engage in learning opportunities and lessons which will enhance their knowledge in the biodiversity of the ecosystems to be explored (jungles, mangroves, sea grasses, and coral reefs), the science behind global climate change, historic events that surround the Panama canal and the creation of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), and the indigenous people of Panama. The field practicum will provide real-world research and conservation experiences (lasting two and one-half weeks) at STRI research facilities, which focus on the effects of global climate change on ecosystem biodiversity and dynamics. A highlight of this trip will be working with nesting leatherback and green sea turtles so as to help sustain these endangered animals. Teachers seeking graduate credits or CEU hours or simply an enriching professional development field program without paying tuition credits (only program costs are due), please apply! For more information contact Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin at jxm57@psu.edu and visit the 2013 CHANCE Panama website at http://www.chance.psu.edu/fieldcourses/panama2013/index.html. NABT is a proud sponsor of the CHANCE Program.
Teachers Invited To Bay Institute In Rhode Island
Save The Bay’s Bay Institute For Experiential Learning brings together formal and informal educators from around the country for four days of innovative professional development programming set in one of the nation’s most distinct and rich environments. Join leading ocean scientists and educators for a curriculum focused on human history and ecological change that combines exciting on-the-water and shoreline field experiences with traditional coursework to enhance participants’ content knowledge in marine studies, climate science, environmental sustainability, and related disciplines. Participants explore the Narragansett Bay watershed and learn about ongoing advocacy efforts – all while gaining valuable insight into their own local ecosystems. The Bay Institute will be held from Tuesday, June 25th to Friday, June 28th at Save The Bay “Green” Center at Fields Point in Providence, Rhode Island This year’s theme is “Human History and Ecological Change: How has human history influenced the natural history of your place? How to make sustainable decisions that lead to a healthier future.” The registration price is $500 and includes a “Welcome dinner” on Monday June 24th, bagged lunches on all four days of workshop, “Finale dinner” on Thursday, June 27, 2013 and pick-up and drop-off by boat from the hotel. Space is very limited, so register soon. Visit http://www.savebay.org/bayinstitute for more information and complete registration instructions.
The Sun-Earth Days webcast is a month away and we have added some new ways to participate.
The live webcast for Sun-Earth Day 2013 from Wallops is scheduled for Friday, March 22 at 1 pm; follow the updates on the rotating banner on the home page: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov
Get Involved: Two Flickr Groups have been added: one for AA certificate Challenge and general image uploads, and another for the Anime Contest
- Anime contest: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2013/solarmax/contest.php
- Amateur Astronomer Certificate Challenge: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2013/getinvolved/aa.php
- Social Media Connections: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2013/solarmax/socialmedia.php
Celebrate Sun-Earth Days: Solar Max, Storm Warning
Annual Equinox Celebration: March 22, 2013
“Sun-Earth Day is comprised of a series of programs and events that occur throughout the year culminating with a celebration on or near the Spring Equinox. Each year we wrap a fresh new thematic approach around Sun-Earth science while highlighting Heliophysics scientists, their missions, and research.”
This year’s theme is ‘Solar Max – Storm Warning!’ We will prepare you to explore the violent nature of our Sun at the peak of solar activity and share discoveries that come from NASA’s heliophysics missions during this exciting period.
This website will continue to be populated with the latest information about our upcoming programs, background resources, and sample activities. Be sure to join our social media network for the latest information and images
Other celestial events to observe will include:
- 1/3 – 1/4: Quadrantids Meteor Shower.
- 3/20: March Equinox
- 4/21 – 4/22: Lyrids Meteor Shower.
- 4/25: Partial Lunar Eclipse.
- 4/28: Saturn at Opposition.
- 5/5 – 5/6: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower.
- 5/10: Annular Solar Eclipse.
- 5/25: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
- 5/28: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.
- View more upcoming events!
Sun-Earth Days Resources:
In collaboration with partners that include science centers and museums around the world, Heliophysics missions, NASA Edge, NASA Educator Resource Centers, professional Societies, Amateur Astronomers and others, we produce webcasts, other multi-media, and print resources for use by school and informal educators nation-wide and internationally. We provide training and professional development to K-12 educators, museum personnel, amateur astronomers, Girl Scout leaders, etc., so they can implement their own outreach programs taking advantage of our resources. A coordinated approach promotes multiple programs occurring each year under a common theme.
This year we will answer the following questions: Solar Max effects on all technology and humans
- What would happen if there was another super storm?
- What happens on other planets?
- How much advance warning is there for a storm from the sun?
- What would happen on the Moon/Mars?
- What can we learn from the Aurora?
- Where can aurora be seen?-Other planets?