MSTA CurriculumCenter: Curriculum Center

CDC's Science Ambassador Program

The Science Ambassador Program is a professional development program, in which selected middle and high school science teachers work with CDC scientists to develop science lesson plans on public health topics that meet National Science Education Standards. Selected teachers come to CDC for in an intensive workshop led by CDC scientists (Workshop I: June 12-16, 2006, Workshop II: July 17-21, 2006). The workshop features a variety of sessions on public health topics, including presentations on folic acid and birth defects, epidemiology, surveillance, Alzheimer's disease, and genetics. Teachers will work with one another and with CDC to create two exemplary lesson plans based on topics presented at the workshop. Once these lesson plans have been reviewed and published on the CDC and other educational Web sites, teachers will implement and evaluate them in the classroom.

Because you have a connection with science teachers and coordinators throughout your state, I would like to work with you to provide information to science teachers in your state who might be interested in this program. Here are some ideas:

• The 2006 Science Ambassador application is attached - please share with teachers in your state as well as any other interested colleagues.
• I would be happy to provide you with a short blurb about the program to post on your Web site, listserv, or in a newsletter.

We feel this is a great opportunity for science teachers to work closely with CDC scientists to bring new and innovative science materials back to science classroom's in your state. An application is attached and is due to CDC by March 1, 2006. This is a competitive program, so please help us bring this information to teachers in your state early! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Science Ambassador Program at 404-498-4080 or scienceambassador@cdc.gov or you can visit our Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/ScienceAmbassador.htm.

For more information, please contact:
Monica Montano
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Research Team
1600 Clifton Road NE, MS E-86
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 404-498-3867
Fax: 404-498-3550
Email: mon3@cdc.gov

Timeline to Develop Content Expectations

The Michigan Department of Education has released the time line for the high school, middle school and elementary science expectations curriculum work. The time line also states the decision on grade level and grade span at elementary and middle school levels. Please share this information with your colleagues.

• Proposed Science Content Expectations Timeline
• MDE Science Website

Position Papers

SCIWEB

Science investigations for classrooms, based on the Michigan Science Benchmarks. Created to continue the MEAP tradition of conducting classroom investigations.

Use these investigations to pose meaningful problems - stimulate questioning - develop data collecting skills - and teach important content through inquiry. Each investigation contains background information, detailed procedures, and student pages.

Please send any comments for improving these investigations to Theron Blakeslee, Jackson County Intermediate School District. Also, do you have a favorite investigation to contribute to this site? Put it in this format, and send to Theron Blakeslee as an e-mail attachment.

For a complete description of the format, purpose, and background of these investigations, see the MSTA Journal Article "Science Investigations" from Fall 2003.

Elementary

• Earth and Water - How Earth materials interact with water (grades 4 or 5) Word Doc PDF
• Block Busters - Force, motion and friction (grades 4 or 5) Word Doc PDF
• Bird Building - Animal adaptations (grades 3-5) Word Doc PDF

Middle School

• Wondering About Water - Dew and condensation Word Doc PDF
• Maps and Me - Using maps to identify landforms and sources of water Word Doc PDF
• Rolling On - Inherited vs. acquired traits Word Doc PDF
• Exercise and Body Systems Word Doc PDF
• Reflections on Reflection - How light interacts with surfaces Word Doc PDF