Science

Darwin Day

If you are interested in organizing a Darwin Day celebration please go to: http://darwinday.org/englishL/assistevent/index.html
for event ideas and guidelines.

If you already have plans for a Darwin Day please go to: http://darwinday.org/NEWlang/regevent/index.php
to register and advertise your event. Darwin Day is February 12, 2009.

ScienceBuilder Now Online

Very soon, teachers and students of grades 2-6 will be receiving an exciting free resource to use in their schools. This resource will provide science vocabulary help for students in grades 2-6 by providing the definition of various science words, oral presentation of the words, electronic review tests, and best of all it is aligned to the grade level expectations. Although some words are concepts not found in Michigan's GLCE and some words are not aligned to the MEAP assessable vocabulary, this resource should be a handy tool for all students and teachers.

It will be provided on CD and online. The free resource is called, Science Builder. Shortly, a CD will be mailed to every principal, of a grade 3-5 building. The CD may be copied and shared with teachers and students. CD’s will also be sent to Michigan Math and Science Centers (http://mscenters.org). This resource is provided, free of charge, through the Michigan Department of Education.

If you would like to view this resource online, please visit: http://www.sciencebuilder.com/michigan.php

username: michigan (case sensitive)

password: science (case sensitive)

est membership, you will be denied.

The Michigan Mineralogical Society has announced their 64th Annual Detroit Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show to be held from October 10 – 12 at the South Macomb Community College Expo Center, Building P. The show kicks off National Earth Science Week, which is October 12 – 18. For more information, please visit their website at: http://www.michmin.org/show/index.html

Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education Present Core Kids Website

The scientists and staff of WMU Geosciences Department’s Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) are anxious to share their geology and earth science resources with teachers, students and parents. CoreKids helps students, teachers and the public to understand more about the earth, its processes and its natural resources. You can find the Core Kids website at: http://www.wmich.edu/corekids

Saturday Morning Physics Returns

September marks the return of Saturday Morning Physics. Physics is a fundamental science and provides the foundations for solving both cosmic mysteries and practical problems. In 1995, the University of Michigan Department of Physics began sharing some of the latest ideas in the field with the public in the Saturday Morning Physics lecture series. Designed for general audiences, the lectures are an opportunity to hear physicists discuss their work in easy-to-understand, non-technical terms. The multimedia presentations include hands-on demonstrations of the principles discussed, along with slides, video, and computer simulations. The Saturday Morning Physics series is sponsored by the University of Michigan Department of Physics and is supported in part by donations from the public.

The series begins on September 13 and ends on November 15. The first session will feature a panel discussion of Complicite’s "A Disappearing Number." The session runs from 10:00 – 11:30. If you would like more information on this exciting physics series, please visit: http://www.saturdaymorningphysics.org

MEECS Fall Training

Fall training sessions have been announced for three of the five units of the Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS). These sessions are unique. Teachers and educators can either attend a half-day session to learn that specific unit of the curriculum and receive classroom materials, or, they can attend a full-day session to prepare them to be MEECS Trainers and facilitate training for other teacher workshops.

The trainings will take place at the Neithercut Woodland Lodge, near Clare, Michigan. The dates are: Saturday, October 18—Air Quality Saturday, November 1—Ecosystems and Biodiversity Saturday, November 15—Water Quality The cost is $30 for the morning workshop and $50 for the full day facilitator workshop. For more information, please contact Pat Perry at: perry1pj@cmich.edu or 989-774-4387.

TRAC Program Content Reviewers Needed

The TRAC Program (Transportation and Civil Engineering) uses math, science and social studies to introduce students from grades 7-12 to careers in civil engineering and transportation. Moreover, there have been some modifications to the state GLCEs, so they are looking for content experts to review the TRAC Teaching Modules and realign them to reflect the updated GLCEs. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated and would re-enforce the strengths of the TRAC program for the benefit of Michigan students. If you are interested, please contact:

Benjmain Shelton
Office of Business Development
MDOT
(248) 835-2182
sheltonb3@michigan.gov