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E-Blast January 10, 2008
In this E-Blast
- Leadership
- Building a Presence - New Date for National e-Blast
- MDE Science
- K-12 Science
- Two Job Opportunities
- New Teaching Materials Available for Free from NASA
- Early Registration Deadline for NSTA Boston is February 8
- Does Your School Demonstrate Excellence in Math or Science?
- MSTA Registration Now Open
- World Wetlands Day
- Michigan Joint Education Conference Presenters Needed
- Problem-Based Learning Project for Teachers - Summer PD
- Teacher's Environmental School Conference - Higgins Lake Winter Weekend
- Free Online Astronomy Workshop
- The Great Lakes ROCK Free Workshop
- High School Science
- Middle and High School Science
- Elementary and Middle School Science
- Elementary Science
- December Contest Winners
- January Contest
- Tools and Resources
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Here are your science education resources and announcements for January 10, 2008 provided by Building a Presence for Science. These science education highlights are emailed to Key Leaders, Points of Contact and State Partners. Please forward them on to other science educators in your school. If you have questions or comments, please forward them to:
David Bydlowski
Michigan Coordinator - Building a Presence
bydlowd@resa.net
http://nsta.org/bap
http://www.msta-mich.org/bap
or
Sue Campbell
MSTA Representative
sue@ucia2.com
http://www.msta-mich.org
1. Leadership
"No institution can possibly survive if it needs geniuses or supermen to manage it. It must be organized in such a way as to be able to get along under a leadership composed of average human beings."
Peter Drucker
Thank you to Herm Boatin, Science Consultant and Adjunct Professor of Biology at University of Michigan-Dearborn, for contributing this leadership quote.
Building a Presence - New Date for National e-Blast
Happy New Year! There has been a change in the date that the National BaP e-Blasts are being sent out. They are now being emailed on the 4th Thursday of the month instead of the 3rd Thursday of the month. Our Michigan e-blasts will continue to be emailed on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
MDE Science
MEAP Data, 2008 Science MEAP Dates and Secondary Course Credit Assessment Updates
Beginning with release of Fall 2007 MEAP results, OEAA will release only 50 percent of the operational items from the MEAP rather than the 100 percent previously released (to allow for completely separate initial and make-up versions of each MEAP assessment). Items not released will be replaced in the released item booklets with descriptors that identify in a general way what was tested.
It was announced that the MEAP testing date for science will be Thursday, October 23, 2008. This will apply to 5th and 8th grade students. The make-up date for the test will be Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Schools MUST administer subjects on dates specified. Schools are NOT authorized to deviate from this schedule unless prior written approval is obtained from Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability. Accommodated administrations may occur any day from the first specified day of testing for that assessment (Math, ELA part 1, ELA part 2, Science, or Social Studies) to the final make-up testing date.
This is a reminder that MEAP and the Secondary Credit Assessment System (SCAS) will be conducting stand-alone pilot tests January 14 - 23, 2008. MEAP will be piloting items in Grades 3 - 9 for English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. SCAS will be piloting items in high schools for English 9, algebra I, geometry and biology. Schools were selected to participate in the pilot testing using a randomized sampling approach, which ensures that the samples represent the demographics of the State. MEAP coordinators, principals and superintendents were notified if they were chosen to participate in the pilot testing. About half of Michigan's school districts had at least one classroom selected for participation. Although the participating schools will not receive any feedback on how their students performed on the pilot test, they will be given first priority to attend the field reviews that will take place in Escanaba (March 3), Harrison (March 4), Grand Rapids (March 5) and Lansing (March 7). The participants in the field reviews will have an opportunity to review and comment on the pilot items and pilot tests, under secure conditions (i.e., with their written assurance that they will not divulge any information about specific passages and/or items outside of the review). An application form will be posted to the MEAP web page within the next few weeks providing educators an opportunity to sign up for these field reviews. Attendance at each of the review sites will be limited to 30 persons per content area (English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies).
MDE Regional Rollouts, Including Science
The Michigan Department of Education will be holding regional rollouts on the following topics: K-7 Science; MMC Science Companion Documents; Online Experience; Social Studies (K-12); Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts; and World Languages.
During the morning breakout session, 9:45 - 11:45, there will be a session on the K-7 Science Expectations. During the afternoon breakout session, 1:00 - 3:00, there will be a session on the High School Companion Documents for Science, Math and ELA. Sessions may vary, depending on the host site. To register, please register online with the host ISD. For additional information, please contact Joni Lindeman at:
517.373.4213
LindemanJ@michigan.gov
January 18, 2008 -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Kent ISD - http://www.kentisd.org/hub
January 30, 2008 -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saginaw ISD - http://www.sisd.cc
February 4, 2008 / February 5, 2008 -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. Clair County RESA - http://www.sccresa.org
February 22, 2008 -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo RESA - http://www.kresa.org
March 4, 2008 -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wayne RESA - http://www.resa.net
The rollout will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Dearborn.
March 28, 2008 -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ingham ISD - http://www.inghamisd.org
K-12 Science
Two Job Opportunities
The Michigan Science Teachers Association, MSTA, is looking for a part time Executive Director. For full details, please visit:
http://www.msta-mich.org/ExecutiveDirector-121407.pdf
The deadline to apply is January 14, 2008.
The Air Zoo in Kalamazoo
http://www.airzoo.org
seeks an experienced science educator to be responsible for delivering hands-on, educational experiences - including school programs, spring/summer camp programs, overnight programs and special event presentations. This is a part-time position - hours will vary by season. Bachelor's degree in science or education required. Teaching/public performance experience preferred. Send resume and cover letter by January 25, 2008 to: Tamra Stafford, Human Resources Department, Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI, 49002 or via e-mail to tstafford@airzoo.org.
New Teaching Materials Available for Free from NASA
Lunar Nautics: Designing a Mission to Live and Work on the Moon Educator Guide -- Grades 6-8
This unit features 40 activities that challenge students to assume the roles of workers at Lunar Nautics Space Systems, Inc., a fictional aerospace company specializing in mission management, lunar habitat and exploration design, and scientific research. The guide includes information to teach the basics on Newton?s Laws of Motion, rocket design, microgravity, and the moon. Students design, test and analyze a model lunar lander, a robot, and a soda bottle rocket. They also build edible models, a solar oven to cook hot dogs, and a microgravity sled while underwater. Educators can use this guide in a variety of formats such as week- long day camps, after-school programs, a classroom unit or as supporting curriculum. It is available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Lunar_Nautics_Designing_a_Mission.html
Extra-Credit Problems in Space Science -- Grades 7-9
These activities comprise a series of 20 practical math applications in space science. Students looking for additional challenges in math and physical science are encouraged to use these as potential extra credit problems. The problems are authentic glimpses of modern engineering issues that arise in designing satellites to work in space. Each word problem has background information providing insight into the basic phenomena of the sun-Earth system, specifically space weather. The one-page assignments are accompanied by one-page teachers guides with answer keys. It is available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Extra-Credit_Problems_in_Space_Science.html
Additional Video Learning Clips Added
More than 50 educational video clips have been added to the Videos section of the NASA Educational Materials site. Educational video clips are short segments about aeronautics, Earth science, space science, space exploration and other NASA-related topics. Designed for students in grades K-12, these short videos are ideal for supplementing teaching ideas in the classroom. Use the Find Teaching Materials tool at the link below to select Video Learning Clips and the appropriate grade level. The link is:
http://search.nasa.gov/search/edFilterSearch.jsp?empty=true
Early Registration Deadline for NSTA in Boston is February 8, 2008
Treat yourself to an educational escape in Boston at NSTA's 56th National Conference on Science Education, "Science: Bridge to the Future." Register by February 8, 2008 at the most affordable rates! Listen to keynote speaker Barbara Morgan's (invited) fascinating history as an elementary school teacher and astronaut logging more than 305 hours in space. Take advantage of ready-to-use lesson plans developed by experts and handed out to attendees at Integrating Mathematics and Science Using Robotics, Connecting STEM with Community and Classroom, and Encouraging Technology and Hands-On Science, to name just a few workshops planned. Enter to win the Ultimate Science Classroom (one for each grade band) provided and equipped for 30 students by top exhibitors. Don't miss your chance to improve upon your professional development skills through entertaining workshops, events and networking. Consider an ice cream social to meet your peers, a field trip to historic Boston's Northeastern University's Marine Science Center, or taking one of 11 in depth "Institutes" that are focused and content-driven (The Outdoor Classroom: A Natural Path to Science and Literacy is an example). Listen to a presentation, So What Does Darwin Have to Do with Evolution Anyway? to better teach your students evolutionary concepts held today. Visit:
http://www.nsta.org/boston
for information on the wide variety of activities and career-building events for science educators.
Does Your School Demonstrate Excellence in Math or Science?
The yearly Intel Schools of Distinction Awards recognize U.S. schools that implement innovative, replicable programs that inspire their students and lead to positive educational outcomes in the areas of math and science.
Two categories: Math and Science
18 Finalists: 3 each in grade group: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12
6 Winners
1 Star Innovator for 2008 (one school selected from the 6 winners)
Winners receive $10,000 each from the Intel Foundation and more than $100,000 in products and services from the program award sponsors. The Star Innovator for 2008 receives an additional $15,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation as well as additional services and products from the award sponsors. Apply now for the Intel Schools of Distinction Awards before February 14, 2008! For more information, please visit:
http://www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction/application.htm
MSTA Registration Now Open!
Send MSTA your early-bird registration by January 18, 2008 and you could be a winner of one of many prizes, plus, you will get the early registration rates! Discounted hotel reservations are also now available. Early registration closes February 18, 2008. In order to receive the Early Registration rates, your registration must be faxed, postmarked, or done on-line by February 18, 2008. After February 18, 2008, registration must be done on-site at the conference and will be subject to the late registration fees. On-line registration will not be available after February 18, 2008. For registration information, please visit:
http://msta-mich.org/
World Wetlands Day
On February 2nd, 1971, nations of the world came together to sign The Convention on Wetlands (also known as the Ramsar Convention, named after the city in which it was signed), which provides the support for nations for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are now over 150 countries that are part of the Ramsar Convention, with over 1500 wetlands designated and protected as "wetlands of international importance." There are currently 22 Wetlands of International Importance in the United States. Scattered throughout the nation from Hawaii to New Jersey, these important wetlands represent the rich diversity of habitats from salt marshes that fringe the eastern and southern coasts to prairie potholes which dot the mid-west landscape. Another major goal of the Convention is to promote education and awareness of wetlands close to home and around the world. For more information, please visit:
http://www.ramsar.org/wwd/wwd_index.htm
Michigan Joint Education Conference Presenters Needed
The Michigan Joint Education Conference, Making Integrated Education Work for Everyone: Bringing It All Together will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - - Holt High School, Holt MI
Do you have a lesson plan that is integrated? Consider sharing your information with other educators who are looking for integrated sessions. Just go to: http://mijec.org and fill out the speaker form and fax it in. The deadline to submit speaker proposals is January 15, 2008.
The purpose of the Michigan Joint Educational Conference is to establish widespread use of highly relevant integrated curriculum and instruction in Michigan schools. The sponsoring organizations are: Michigan Council for Social Studies (MCSS), Michigan Council for the Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM), the Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA), and the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL), Michigan Association of Middle School Educators (MAMSE). This conference is being done in cooperation with the Michigan Business Education Association, the Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network, and the Michigan Department of Education.
Problem-Based Learning Project for Teachers - Summer PD
You are invited to join the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Project for Teachers this summer! Now in its third year of creating teams that tackle the complexities of teaching science, PBL PT offers an extraordinary program focused around your needs as a science teacher. PBL PT challenges teachers to investigate real-world science content through authentic problems and teaching dilemmas. It will deepen your own science understanding as you discover innovative ways to improve your students' science content knowledge. As a participant, you will also develop a unit with assessments aligned to the new science Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs). In addition to the summer workshop, you may choose to become part of a teacher team with a year-long focus on the study of the problematic components of science teaching. Stipends and CEUs are available to participants who complete the program. For more information, please visit:
http://pbl.educ.msu.edu/
or contact Jan Eberhardt at eberhar3@msu.edu or Diane Baclawski at baclaws2@msu.edu or call 517-355-1708 ext 104.
2008 Application Information - DEADLINE for Applications is MARCH 1, 2008.
If you are interested in applying to the 2008-09 PBL Project, the web page provides program information and a brochure and application! Prospective participants may apply for one of two options:
1. Professional Working Conference (PWC) ONLY! June 18-20, June 23-26, 2008. This session focuses on deepening teachers' science content knowledge and developing unit plans. Stipends of $575 and science resources will be provided to participants in this option.
or
2. PWC PLUS the Focus on Practice (FOP), dates above and June 30-July 2, 2008 AND monthly meetings throughout the academic year. Participants in this option will take part in the PWC, plus three additional days in which they will develop questions about their own teaching practice to be studied during the following school year. Teachers will also start working with a "learning community" that will meet monthly during the school year to analyze evidence from their teaching. Teachers who choose this option will receive a stipend of $750 in addition to the PWC stipend. The FOP stipend will include $250 for the summer FOP, and an additional $500 after completing the school year FOP work.
Teacher's Environmental School Conference - Higgins Lake Winter Weekend
Please plan on attending the TES (Teacher's Environmental School) conference for Environmental Science teachers, General Science teachers, Naturalists, and anyone simply interested in the environment. The conference will take place at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center at Higgins Lake from February 8-10, 2008. For more information, please contact Tom Hughes at graywolf48192@yahoo.com or visit the conference website address at
http://www.teacherweb.com/MI/TES/conference/gallery1.stm
Free Online Astronomy Workshop
Apply now for Astronomy from the Ground Up's next FREE online workshop for science, nature center and museum educators! Thanks to support from the National Science Foundation, the workshop is completely free for participating educators. Offered by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in collaboration with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory,and the Association of Science- Technology Centers, training is through e-mail, videochat, and telephone. Participants get a free toolkit, learn fun techniques for presenting astronomy and interpreting current events, and become part of the growing Astronomy from the Ground Up community, with access to ongoing resources and support. The next online course is scheduled for February 21 - March 13. Contact: afgu@astrosociety.org or apply online at http://astrosociety.org/afgu/distance.html
The Great Lakes ROCK Free Workshop
COSEE Great Lakes presents a free on-line workshop from January 27-February 8, focusing on the geology of the lake basin and its relevance to the lakes themselves and the life of the region. Six presentations by experts will be offered over the workshop period, and the scientists will be available to answer questions related to their topics. Converse with the scientists and educators, collect and contribute teaching resources, share experiences, and expand your understanding of Great Lakes geoscience. Graduate credit is available.
This asynchronous program with video streamed presentations is produced through the College of Exploration and sponsored by NSF and NOAA. Register any time for free at:
http://coexploration.org/coseegreatlakes/
While you're waiting for the new workshop, your registration will allow you to look in on last year's archives to explore "What's so great about the Great Lakes?"
High School Science
At 71, Physics Professor is a Web Star
Walter H. G. Lewin, 71, a physics professor, has long had a cult following at M.I.T. And he has now emerged as an international Internet guru, thanks to the global classroom the institute created to spread knowledge through cyberspace. Professor Lewin's videotaped physics lectures, free online on the OpenCourseWare of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have won him devotees across the country and beyond who stuff his e-mail in-box with praise. To learn more about Professor Lewin, please visit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/education/19physics.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Middle and High School Science
NSTA Share-A-Thon Presenters Wanted for Regional Conferences
The High School and Middle Level Committees are looking for Share-A-Thon presenters for the 2008 Fall NSTA Regional Conferences (Cincinnati: December 4-6, Charlotte: October 30 - November 1, and Portland: November 20-22) plus for the 2009 National Conference in New Orleans: March 19-22.
For the Share-A-Thon, each presenter is responsible for standing in front of the group and giving a 5-8 minute overview of their lesson or unit and answering any questions. Then the next presenter will have their turn. At the end of all presentations, copies of CDs are passed out to the attendees. The CD lowers the amount of papers for everyone involved.
If you have every considered presenting, but have been worried about taking a whole hour, the High School or Middle Level Shares are a great way to "try out" presenting. If you are interested, please contact:
Susan German, Middle Level Director, at sgerman@hallsville.org
or Jean Tushie, High School Director, at jtushie@comcast.net
DuPont Student Science Contest
NSTA is pleased to announce it is collaborating with Dupont for The DuPont Challenge 2008 Science Essay Competition. The DuPont Challenge, now in its 22nd year, gives students the opportunity to write a 700- to 1,000-word essay discussing a scientific discovery, theory, event, or technological application that has captured their interest. The range of possible essay topics is as broad as science itself. Essays are judged based on ideas and content; mechanics and conventions; organization; style and creativity; and originality.
Students from grades 7-12 are eligible to take part in the Challenge, and essays are evaluated in two divisions: Junior Division (grades 7, 8, and 9) and Senior Division (grades 10, 11, and 12). DuPont and its collaborating partners are offering cash prizes totaling more than $25,000. The competition attracted more than 10,000 entries in 2007. All entries for the 2008 contest must be received by Jan. 28, 2008.
For more information, visit: http://www.thechallenge.dupont.com
Volvo Adventure Program Contest
Arranged in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) the Volvo Adventure Award rewards young people who run their own environmental projects. They are now looking for the 2008 winners - and the deadline of 31st January 2008 is approaching. If you know of any groups of 13-16 year olds working on an environmental project please refer them to this opportunity to register and enter their project. Details can be found at: http://www.volvoadventure.org/int_homepage.aspx
By registering, these students will have the opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the final competition in Sweden and the chance of a financial reward that could make it possible to run, improve or enhance their project. For young people it could be an adventure that offers a chance to make new friends all over the world and attract international attention and recognition for their project.
DNA Essay Contest
The American Society of Human Genetics Announces the 3rd Annual DNA Day Essay Contest open to Middle and High School Students. Visit
http://genednet.org/pages/k12_dnaday08.shtml
for complete information. Teachers of first place winners receive $2,000 to purchase classroom equipment! This year there are separate contests for middle and high school students. The questions are as follows:
MIDDLE SCHOOL (7th & 8th Graders):
1. Why is it important for us to discover the patterns of genotypic and phenotypic similarity and difference in living things and why should we understand the theories that describe the importance of genetic diversity for species and ecosystems?
2. Why is it important for us to learn about our family health history? What can our family health/medical history tell us? What doesn't it tell us?
HIGH SCHOOL (9th through 12th Graders):
1. Discuss the practical implications that genetics research is playing in our lives today. Discuss where it might lead us in the next 10 years.
2. If you could be a human genetics researcher, what would you study and why?
Winning students in both contests receive:
First Place Winners: $350.00
Second Place Winners: $250.00
Third Place Winners: $150.00
Essay submission deadline is March 17, 2008 at 5:00 PM EST.
Elementary and Middle School Science
MEECS Training at MSTA Conference
There are Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS) unit trainings scheduled prior to the Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) annual conference. Trainings will be held on each of the five MEECS units: Ecosystems & Biodiversity, Land Use, Water Quality, Energy Resources, and Air Quality. For more information on MEECS, please visit
http://www.michigan.gov/deq-meecs
The trainings will take place on Thursday, March 6, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 111 N. Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. Teachers and non-formal educators are welcome to enroll. To register, please visit the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Website at:
http://www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops
and click on Upcoming Workshops. The cost is $30 SB-CEU credits will be available for those interested.
Elementary Science
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Nominate outstanding teachers for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This award honors exemplary K-12 mathematics and science teachers for their contributions to improving teaching and learning. This year elementary teachers are invited to apply (secondary teachers will be honored next year). The application deadline is May 1, 2008. For information about the online nomination and application, visit:
http://www.paemst.org or e-mail info@paemst.org
December Contest Winners
Congratulations to our BaP December Contest Winners. The following people won a 2 GB flashdrive. They are:
- Gary Dewey - North Shore Christian Middle School, Holland
- Laura Bate - Arno Elementary, Allen Park
- Peter Youngblood - Trenton High School, Trenton
- Monica Single - Washtenaw Christian Academy, Ann Arbor
- Matthew Landry - Sparta High School, Sparta
- Marsha Green - MAISD Regional Mathematics and Science Center, Muskegon
- Kay McBain - Chippewa Valley High School, Clinton Township
- Andrew Hudson - Louise Peacock Elementary, Corunna
- Alvin Essenburg - Byron Center Christian School, Byron Center
- Two others, whose names have been misplaced.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Hopefully you may be a winner in the next contest.
January Contest
This month we have four wonderful gifts to give away. Prizes include:
- Book - Teacher at Sea
- Sally Ride Book Series - Totally Amazing Careers in Science
- Sally Ride Book Series - Earth, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and Sun
- Sally Ride Assorted Books
To win one of these prizes, send an email to:
David Bydlowski
bydlowd@resa.net
State Coordinator for Building a Presence
You MUST INCLUDE your name AND mailing address AND your school name/district.
You may only enter once and only one entry per email address. Respondents 5, 20, 35, and 50 will receive a prize. We will post all of the winners in our next E-Blast. Good luck to you and thank you for being part of the Building a Presence Network.
Tools and Resources
Free ACT Prep:
http://www.mivhs.org/content.cfm?id=667
Archived Michigan BaP e-Blasts:
http://msta-mich.org/bap
Grants:
http://sciguides.nsta.org/internet/grants.aspx
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html
http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/grants/index.html
High School Companion Documents:
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_38684_28760-171474--,00.html
High School Science Expectations:
http://mi.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-42814---,00.html
K-6 Inquiry PD Resources:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI
K-7 Science Content Expectations:
http://mi.gov/documents/mde/Complete_Science_GLCE_12-12-07_218314_7.pdf
K-7 Science Content Expectations Podcasts:
iTunes Music Store then search for K-7.
K-12 Online Science Assessment Tool:
http://www.macombschools.org/scienceassessment
Internet Resources Correlated to the MCF and the MMC:
http://www.svsu.edu/mathsci-center/uploads/science
Michigan Merit High School Graduation Requirements FAQ for Science:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/faq15_178607_7.pdf
Science Music 24/7 on the Internet:
http://live365.com/stations/trappedinlab
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- January 11, 2008: Deadline to register for the Sustainable Energy Workshop for Science Teachers to be held at Kettering College. To register, call Virginia Hill, 810-762-9873.
- January 13, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. For more information, please visit: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/scied/Einstein/about.htm
- January 14, 2008: Deadline to apply to become MSTA Executive Director. For more information, please visit: http://www.msta-mich.org/ExecutiveDirector-121407.pdf
- January 15, 2008: Deadline to submit a presenter proposal for the Michigan Joint Education Conference. For more information, please visit: http://mijec.org/
- January 18, 2008: MDE Regional Rollout to be held at the Kent ISD. To register, please visit: http://www.kentisd.org/hub
- January 25, 2008: Deadline to apply for the science education job position at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. For more information, please visit: http://www.airzoo.org/
- January 28, 2008: Michigan's New Content Expectations for K-7 Science Conference at the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University. To register, please visit: http://ed-web3.educ.msu.edu/outreach/k12out/
- January 28, 2008: Deadline for middle and high school students to write essays for the DuPont Challenge 2008 Science Essay Contest. For more information, please visit: http://www.thechallenge.dupont.com
- January 29, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards. For more information, please visit: http://www.exploravision.org/
- January 30, 2008: MDE Regional Rollout to be held at the Saginaw ISD. To register, please visit: http://www.sisd.cc
- January 31, 2008: Deadline to apply to become a NASA Explorer School. For more information, please visit: http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes/menuitem.d601ef1f9fdc2c2d7010ea1051008a0c/
- January 31, 2008: Deadline for the Volvo Adventure Program for Students Ages 13-16 to Share Their Environmental Projects. For more information, please visit: http://www.volvoadventure.org/int_homepage.aspx
- February 2, 2008: World Wetlands Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.ramsar.org/wwd/wwd_index.htm
- February 4, 2008: Deadline for teachers to apply for the ARMADA Project Research opportunity. For more information, please visit: http://www.armadaproject.org
- February 4, 2008 / February 5, 2008: MDE Regional Rollout to be held at the St. Clair County RESA. To register, please visit: http://www.sccresa.org
- February 8, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Walter P. Chrysler Closing the Technology Gap in Education Awards. For more information, please visit: http://www.chryslerteacherawards.com/
- February 8, 2008: Deadline to apply for the American Meteorological Society's Scholarships and Fellowships. For more information, please visit: http://www.ametsoc.org/amsstudentinfo/scholfeldocs/index.html
- February 8, 2008: Early Bird Registration Deadline for the NSTA Conference in Boston. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsta.org/boston
- February 8-10, 2008: Teachers Environmental School Conference at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center at Higgins Lake. For more information, please visit: http://www.teacherweb.com/MI/TES/conference/gallery1.stm
- February 12-16, 2008: Fundamentals of Inquiry Workshop for Professional Developers at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA. For more information, please visit: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ifi/workshops/attend
- February 14, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Intel Schools of Distinction Award. For more information, please visit: http://www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction/application.htm
- February 15, 2008: Entry deadline for the Annual Environmental Poetry and Art contest. For entry information, please visit: http://riverofwords.composing.org/
- February 18, 2008: Online registration and Early Registration Deadline for the MSTA Conference. For more information, please visit: http://msta-mich.org/
- February 22, 2008: MDE Regional Rollout to be held at the Kalamazoo RESA. To register, please visit: http://www.kresa.org
- February 28, 2008: Deadline for the Eco-Hero Award program for students aged 8-16. For more information, please visit: http://www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/ecoheroawards.html
- March 1, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Problem-Based Learning Project for Teachers Summer Professional Development. For more information, please visit: http://pbl.educ.msu.edu/
- March 4, 2008: MDE Regional Rollout to be held at the Doubletree Hotel Dearborn. To register, please visit: http://www.resa.net
- March 6-8, 2008: MSTA Annual Conference in Lansing, MI. For more information, please visit: http://msta-mich.org
- March 7, 2008: Deadline to apply for the Michigan Forestry Educator of the Year Award. For more information, please contact Ada Takacs at: takacsa@michigan.gov
- March 10, 2008: Deadline to register for the NSELA Professional Development Institute: Leading Professional Development in Science Education on March 26 in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit: http://www.nsela.org/calendar/calendar1.html
- March 14, 2008: National Pi Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.piacrossamerica.org/
- March 14, 2008: Deadline to become an EARTH HERO (ages 12-17). For more information, please visit: http://www.earth-heroes.org
- March 17, 2008: Deadline to enter the National DNA Day Contest for Middle and High School Students. For more information, please visit: http://www.genednet.org/pages/k12_dnaday08.shtml
- March 27-30, 2008: NSTA National Convention in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit: http://nsta.org/conferences
- March 28, 2008: MDE Regional Rollout to be held at the Ingham ISD. To register, please visit: http://www.inghamisd.org
- April 4, 2008: Deadline to apply for the 2008 Thacher Scholars Award for secondary school students. For more information, please visit: http://www.strategies.org/ThacherScholars
- April 13-19, 2008: National Environmental Education Week. For more information, please visit: http://dev.eeweek.org/
- April 22, 2008: Earth Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.earthday.net/earthday2008.aspx
- April 25, 2008: National DNA Day. For more information, please visit: http://www.genome.gov/dnaday
- April 25, 2008: Michigan High School Math and Science Symposium to be held at the GVSU Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, please visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/rmsc/index.cfm?id=8A9198AF-A3E3-6DED-E79756D505F95C17
- May 1, 2008: Deadline for Elementary Teachers to apply for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Award. For more information, please visit: http://www.paemst.org/controllers/home.cfc?method=view
- June 25, 2008: Curriculum Integration Conference to be held at Holt High School. Registration information will be available soon.
- July 1, 2008: Deadline to apply to become an astronaut. For more information, please visit: http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/recruit.html
- July 14-18, 2008: CSI Lawrence Tech Forensics Workshop. For more information, please visit: http://www.ltu.edu/arts_sciences/master_science_ed/forensic.asp
- October 23, 2008: Science MEAP Test for 5th and 8th Grade Students in Michigan.
- October 28, 2008: Science MEAP Test Make-Up for 5th and 8th Grade Students in Michigan.
- February 12, 2009: Charles Darwin Bicentennial Day. For more information, please visit: http://darwinday.org/englishL/assistevent/index.html
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