NABT Launches The ecosystem
ec·o·sys·tem noun: the complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit. NABT ecosystem noun: a complex community of biology teachers interacting through a digital interface. NABT is proud to release the NABT ecosystem. Designed to support the biology teacher community, the NABT ecosystem offers NABT’ers and non-members alike new ways to learn from and share with their colleagues. A number of different features in the NABT ecosystem will soon make it your go to resource. All biology teachers are welcome to join the ecosystem by visiting http://www.nabt.org/ecosystem/ to create a password or login. Features include:
- Resources: Do you know of a great, free resource you want to share? Post a link to it in the Resources Section. The more Resources that are posted, the more you can help and be helped by the ecosystem.
- Events: Looking for something local? Looking for something national? Highlighted conferences and workshops are posted for your quick review.
- Members Like Me: You are not alone. Easily find members in your area or in similar professional settings and contact them using ecosystem email (so your privacy and theirs is maintained).
- NABT Workspaces: Sometimes you just need to talk. With groups focused on different topics being frequently added, you’ll soon find a place where you belong.
Like all ecosystems, this network depends on a diverse population of producers and consumers. You are encouraged to be both. Start connecting today at NABT ecosystem.
March 15th Means Deadlines, Deadlines, Deadlines
March 15th is a date laden in history, meaning it should be easy to remember when you’re thinking about NABT. But there is nothing wrong with a few reminders about what is due on that Friday. The 2013 NABT Professional Development Conference promises to be a conference to remember, and not just because this event will celebrate the 75th anniversary of NABT. We’ll feature another year of outstanding speakers, sessions, and workshops. Will we be featuring yours? Make sure your proposal is submitted by Friday, March 15th at http://www.nabt.org/submissions/nabt2013. Over 150 educators have been nominated for NABT Awards and Friday, March 15 is the deadline for most of those nominees to submit completed application packages. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be recognized for your contributions to biology and life science education. Questions can be sent to awards2013@nabt.org. If you have received an NABT award in the past, please do your part to make sure another teacher is honored in the future. It’s not too late to make your award nominations online. But wait, there’s more. NABT is still looking for a few good members to serve as leaders in 2014. Nominate a friend, colleague, or a complete stranger for an NABT leadership position by Friday, March 15. Remember, Friday, March 15th all conference session proposals, awards applications, and leader nomination are due!
Reminder: NABT Webinar On Using Sustainability Concepts
NABT is one of the organizations supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education entitled Sustainability Improves Student Learning to help provide interdisciplinary resources and opportunities that relate to sustainability concepts. As a result, NABT will be offering a free one-hour webinar that will help you update your courses and introduce your students to the “Big Questions” that relate to real-world issues such as energy, air and water quality, and climate change. This session will discuss strategies for connecting those real-world issues to the concepts of sustainability while still teaching your course content. This method will help students learn important biological concepts while providing them with opportunities to analyze and implement choices that can help solve societal problems. Join us on March 21st at 4pm EST for this free one-hour webinar. Space is limited, so register today by visiting https://aacu.webex.com/aacu/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=662077895.
NCSE Names 2013 Friends of Darwin
The National Center of Science Education (NCSE) has recently announced the winners of the Friend of Darwin Award for 2013 and we join in congratulating these three “friends” of biology teachers everywhere. As teachers know all too well, it is a challenge to be both entertaining and scientifically accurate, but Baba Brinkman does just that with his Rap Guide to Evolution. His videos have become a must-see resource for students and teachers alike. Dr. Jay Labov, Senior Advisor for Education and Communication for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Research Council and NABT Member, is known for his tireless promotion of evolution education and was the leading force behind the NAS’s pivotal Science, Evolution, and Creationism booklet. Jay is often found lending his expertise to programs focused on all aspects of K-12 and undergraduate science education, and frequently coordinates/contributes to programs involving NABT. ”Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution,” and Dr. Sean B. Carroll has been “enlightening” the public for almost 20 years with his column in the New York Times, his best selling books, “What Darwin Never Knew” NOVA program, and exceptional resources from HHMI. As both a scientist and a storyteller, Sean makes evolution education accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Congratulations again to all three 2013 Friend of Darwin Award Recipients!
Future STEM Teachers: Apply Today For AFCEA Scholarship
The AFCEA Educational Foundation is offering over 50 scholarships of $5,000 each to students actively pursuing an undergraduate degree, graduate degree or credential/licensure for the purpose of teaching STEM subjects at a U.S. middle or secondary school. The scholarships are made possible by generous contributions from Booz Allen Hamilton, Terremark (A Verizon Company), AFCEA International and several AFCEA Regional Chapters. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent). Undergraduate candidates must be currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university and majoring in secondary education or a STEM field for the purpose of teaching STEM subjects in a U.S. middle or secondary school. Undergraduate applications will be accepted from current sophomores, juniors and seniors. Graduate-level candidates must be currently enrolled in at least two semester-equivalent classes at an accredited U.S. college or university. Credential and licensure students must have completed a bachelor’s degree in a STEM major. In addition to the $5,000 scholarship, each graduating AFCEA STEM Scholar can receive a $1,000 AFCEA Science Teaching Tool grant each year for three years, provided they remain teaching a STEM subject. These grants can be used to fund hardware and software, other classroom tools, field trips, STEM-focused clubs and other activities. Last year, 69 $5,000 scholarships were awarded and 52 graduate teachers began receiving the $1,000 teaching grants.Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Interested candidates, teachers and mentors can get more information and access the online application at http://stem.afcea.org. The application deadline is April 1, 2013, and scholarships will be awarded in August.
2012 NSSME Report Now Available
The recently released report on the 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education details the results of a survey of 7,752 science and mathematics teachers in schools across the United States. Areas addressed include: teacher backgrounds and beliefs, teachers as professionals, science and mathematics courses, instructional objectives and activities, instructional resources, and factors affecting instruction. NABT was an endorsing organization for the survey, and we encourage you to download the report at http://www.horizon-research.com/2012nssme/research-products/reports/technical-report/
Announcing USASEF Mascot Contest
Are you a talented artist that loves science? The USA Science & Engineering Festival is looking for a mascot and they need YOUR help to design the new face of the largest celebration of science and engineering! Organizers are looking for a mascot design that captures the spirit of the USA Science & Engineering Festival! The mascot will transcend a love of all things STEM and will be something or someone that will excite others about the mission of the Festival! That mission is to re-invigorate the interest of our nation’s youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by producing and presenting the most compelling, exciting, educational and entertaining science festival in the United States. How it works- you send us your design and the USASEF team will make the mascot come alive! You can create your mascot design in whatever medium you would like – draw, paint, design using a program, but all submissions must be uploaded as a JPG or PDF. The mascot will be used to promote the USA Science & Engineering Festival and will also appear at the 3rd USA Science & Engineering Festival! Your design could be seen by over a million people! Guidelines for USA Science & Engineering Mascot Design include:
- Appealing to both children and adults
- Exciting, eye catching and memorable (Examples: Sid the Science Kid, Mrs. Frizzle, Count from Sesame Street)
- Design must be fun!
- Friendly looking and something/someone that will get Festival attendees pumped up about STEM
- Mascot must represent something/someone that both children and adults will understand (at least 2nd grade science level)
- Design must be your own work
- USA Science & Engineering Festival reserves the right to alter the mascot design
- Please include a Mascot name with your design
- Mascot Deadline will be April 1, 2013 11:59 PM PST
The winning design will receive the following prizes from the USA Science & Engineering Sponsors to help keep your dream of designing alive:
- A $500 Visa Gift Card for you to use to purchase whatever you need to keep designing! (Gift card will be in USD)
- Your name will be featured on the website as the winning designer of the USA Science & Engineering Mascot!
- Your name and your winning design will be featured in the USASEF monthly newsletter that is delivered to over 60,000 science fans!
- Your design will be featured on marketing materials AND will be brought to life at the 3rd Festival Expo!
- The new USA Science & Engineering Mascot will be seen by over 100,000 people on social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and the USASEF Science Blog!
Submissions are due on April 1, 2013 11:59 PM PST. Find our more by visiting USA Science & Engineering Festival Mascot Contest.