ScienceLiteracyMaine http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com Most recent posts at ScienceLiteracyMaine posterous.com Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:56:21 -0800 EdCamp Maine http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/edcamp-maine http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/edcamp-maine If you want to experience another UnConference…you're in luck! Waynflete is hosting an Education UnConference. Check out: http://edcampme.wikispaces.com/ for details and to register.

Gayle Bodge
Science Learning Specialist
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
http://www.gmri.org

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]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:44:57 -0800 Re-Cap of the Day http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/re-cap-of-the-day http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/re-cap-of-the-day Hello UnConference-ers!

Justine, Susan, and I wrote an entry for the GMRI blog about the Unconference. Check it out at: http://blog.gmri.org/?p=204
Here's hoping for more days like this one in the New Year!

Happy Holidays!
Gayle

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]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:28:56 -0800 Is Maine ready to answer the call and can it support the Framework? http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/is-maine-ready-to-answer-the-call-and-can-it http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/is-maine-ready-to-answer-the-call-and-can-it
Science Adapters Wanted.pdf Download this file

The most recent Science magazine edition features an editorial by Science editor-in-chief and distinguished scientist and educator, Dr. Bruce Alberts, about creating a new 15-month national program to prepare and certify PhD-trained scientists to assist K12 science curriculum development.

Alberts states:
"I would like to challenge a group of the relevant experts—teachers, principals, superintendents, education researchers, scientists, policy-makers, and experienced science curriculum specialists from school systems—to create a 15-month program aimed at preparing and certifying outstanding Ph.D. scientists as “science curriculum specialists” whom U.S. school districts would want to hire. These individuals would need to be competitively selected, provided with prestigious fellowships to cover their living expenses, and networked to each other and to the scientific and engineering communities. The goal is to produce large numbers of school system administrators with “science in their souls,” passionate people skilled at working inside the system to connect it to the very best resources available for helping science teachers to inspire their students."

Does his rallying cry resonate with you and how might such a goal be achieved effectively to support our nations teachers?

What core components would need to be incorporated into the scientists' training (classroom teaching time, state standards and assessment, etc.)?

Is Maine positioned to help pioneer a scientist training program in support of the recently released Framework?

Please contribute thoughts and concerns by commenting here and get in touch (mnthomps@fas.harvard.edu) if you are inspired by the idea.

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]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:09:14 -0800 Our schedule board takes shape! http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/our-schedule-board-takes-shape http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/our-schedule-board-takes-shape
Unconference_012

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]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:13:32 -0800 Cambridge Science Festival Call for Abstracts http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/cambridge-science-festival-call-for-abstracts http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/cambridge-science-festival-call-for-abstracts Attend the Cambridge Science Festival this spring April 20-29 or sign-up to participate and host an event!

See the call for abstracts here: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:19600.10901976785/rid:814e18b30678f16c2f7fb3116d3a63ea
If you miss the deadline (Dec 6), don't hesitate to submit a slightly tardy application.

Contact Ben Wiehe (wiehe@mit.edu) Manager of the Science Festival Alliance (http://sciencefestivals.org/) if you are interested in starting a science festival in Maine!

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]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:50:34 -0800 Systems Resources http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/systems-resources http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/systems-resources If you're interested in learning more about or incorporating systems into your curriculum here are a few resources:

Donella Meadow's Thinking in Systems: http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Systems-Donella-H-Meadows/dp/1603580557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323096623&sr=8-1
This book is a great read for you. It will give you a new perspective on pretty much everything!

Linda Booth Sweeny http://lindaboothsweeney.net/ is the author of several books that illustrate systems for learners of all ages through popular children's stories, native folklore, and games.

Enjoy!
Gayle

Gayle Bodge
Science Learning Specialist
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
http://www.gmri.org

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]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:38:25 -0800 Upcoming conference application DUE Jan 31: New England Workshop on Science and Social Change http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/upcoming-conference-application-due-jan-31-ne http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/upcoming-conference-application-due-jan-31-ne New England Workshop on Science and Social Change
Spring 2012 Workshop 1

"Open Spaces for Scientific and Social Change II: Support for Translation"

Location: Woods Hole MA, USA
Dates May 12 (Sat, 9am)-15 (Tues, 2pm), 2012 (arriving Friday evening)

Organizer & Lead Facilitator: Peter J. Taylor, University of Massachusetts Boston, Science in a Changing World graduate track, http://www.stv.umb.edu/SICW.html

Commentators on the spread of innovations have noted the challenge of moving beyond the enthusiasm of early adopters--Innovations have to be translated so that they address the pragmatic and particular concerns of other potential adopters. What does this mean for the "open spaces" workshop format that has evolved in NewSSC? (The term open spaces refers here to an arena that is separate from but keeps in view two other realms: Critical interpretation of the directions taken by scientific and technological research and application; and Participation in social movements so as to influence those directions.) With a view to exploring how to support translations beyond NewSSC, applications are sought from teachers and researchers (including graduate students) who are interested in facilitating discussion, reflection, avid learning, and clarifying one's identity and affinities in relation to scientific and social change. The workshop activities will, as they have in the past, build on what the particular participants contribute and will employ a range of tools and processes for individual reflection and group interaction. What is different this time is that the focus is on each participant building plans to translate the tools and processes into their own settings, plans that will undoubtedly include how to create communities of practice to support such efforts. Newcomers and return participants are welcome.....

For more details, http://www.stv.umb.edu/newssc12a.html

Registration is on a sliding scale--$125 (for those with low incomes and lack of travel support) up to $300 (for those with a decent income and institutional/grant support). Registration covers meal costs. Accommodation, at a local, moderately priced motel is extra.
The funding available to help get people to the workshop is modest, but we have managed to subsidize travel and accommodation in past years according to need (which favors graduate students and independent scholars, but does not count out those with regular positions but no travel budgets).

Applications due 31 Jan. 2012
For more details, see http://www.stv.umb.edu/newsscarrange.html

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]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:04:00 -0800 Thank you GMRI http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/thank-you-gmri http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/thank-you-gmri

What a terrific day of the "meeting of the minds". I enjoyed meeting everyone and was so impressed by the diversity and knowledge of the group. It's wonderfu to know that such a pool of talent exists locally. The food was yummy and the spaces were perfect for sharing. Thank you Justine and Gayle for organizing the day. It was a great success. I hope we can do it again.

#scilitme

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1966795/AliceBarr.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sOjl22RsFq1 Alice Barr alicebarr Alice Barr Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:11:00 -0800 K-12 Science Ed Framework and Next Gen Sci Standards http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/k-12-science-ed-framework-and-next-gen-sci-st-78480 http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/k-12-science-ed-framework-and-next-gen-sci-st-78480

What a GREAT unconference! Here is a link to the SciTechFramework Blog where you will find resources related to the National Academy report A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. http://scitechframework.wordpress.com/

Anita

Anita Bernhardt
Science & Technology Specialist
Maine Department of Education23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

P: (207)624-6835
F: (207)624-6821
C: (207)215-0713
anita.bernhardt@maine.gov
http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/scitech/index.html
MDOE SciTech Framework Blog http://scitechframework.wordpress.com/
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching - www.paemst.org

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]]> Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:04:00 -0800 Mr. Fish! http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/mr-fish http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/mr-fish

Wishing I was in 4th grade at Fish camp! He's engaging, exciting and full of information.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1670693/the_cabbage_frog.JPG http://posterous.com/users/cO5j7YI46j1vY Diana dallensjhs Diana Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:02:51 -0800 Social networking to improve writing in science http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/social-networking-to-improve-writing-in-scien http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/social-networking-to-improve-writing-in-scien Here are a couple of links to the Ning and the associated resources.

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]]> Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:17:00 -0800 Mini-Boats GPS Adventures - "Educational Passages" http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/mini-boats-gps-adventures-educational-passage http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/mini-boats-gps-adventures-educational-passage See "Winter 2012 Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors" article p. 46. Dick Baldwin does presentations in schools. Can monitor speed, course and conditions. Naval architect designed the boat, now Rockland Vocational School and they are using a mold to create boats that was made by the boat manufacturer Lyman Morse. Connected with Maine Maritime Academy to focus on navigation. Kids went to Maine Maritime to present their boat they have decorated on Maine Maritime Day. The kids present the boat to the Captain to start he journey on the upper deck of a ship. Students are often from GT programs in Middle Schools. Sixteen boats have gone out, four are out right now. Right now some boats are being made. Dick will distribute them in late winter and then the boats go for a few weeks to several months. Anyone in the world can monitor the boats at http:iboattrack.com. Kids can contact a school in Europe if they see that a boat has gone ashore near a school. Some schools have Skyped to talk about the boats. Working with NOAA studying salmon with transmitters as they travel out into the ocean and they want to add data from the little ships to receive the transmissions. These boats will go out in May 2012 to add a scientific data gathering element to this project. Boats that are recovered are reusable. One set of four was released in Puerto Rico in a race to Europe. One made it to Cuba, one Panama, one to Dominican Republic, but none made it to Europe. The program is available through grants as there are so many people involved and supporting the program. Schools are asked to contribute as they can ($300) for electronics.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1673261/CJW.jpg http://posterous.com/users/hckcNX3xTuoxc Cathy Wolinsky cwolinsky Cathy Wolinsky Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:55:35 -0800 NAS report Anita mentioned http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/nas-report-anita-mentioned http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/nas-report-anita-mentioned

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]]> Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:33:14 -0800 Diffusion of Innovations - the Cliff Notes http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/diffusion-of-innovations-the-cliff-notes http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/diffusion-of-innovations-the-cliff-notes
TKG_NewTechAdopt_Primer.pdf Download this file

For anyone interested in more specifics about my discussion of how ideas and innovations spread through a society/group of people, here are some "Cliff Notes" (note that this piece is a bit directed to my consulting clients, but you can get the general idea)...

-- 
Suzanne E. Hamlin
Transformative Knowledge Group
99 Pine Street - Portland, ME 04102
voice: 207.773.0504 mobile: 207.318.7589
google voice: 207.619.0504
shamlin@transformativeknowledge.com

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]]> Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:25:00 -0800 The Maine Crochet Reef http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/the-maine-crochet-reef http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/the-maine-crochet-reef http://www.sciencegallery.com/core-reef-crafters, http://crochetcoralreef.org/about/index.php, http://themainereef.blogspot.com, http://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/classroom_resources/search/curricula.... Art informing science connections.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1673261/CJW.jpg http://posterous.com/users/hckcNX3xTuoxc Cathy Wolinsky cwolinsky Cathy Wolinsky Sat, 03 Dec 2011 06:59:04 -0800 Welcome http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/welcome http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/welcome
Photo


Justine Glynn

Sent from my iPhone


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1663323/bio-photo-25px.jpg http://posterous.com/users/cOrn5HXeAkXJo Justine Glynn justinefg Justine Glynn Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:04:55 -0800 Brief introductory presentation on Unconferencing http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/brief-introductory-presentation-on-unconferen http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/brief-introductory-presentation-on-unconferen
Unconference.pptx Download this file

As you can see, we won’t take long in this session. We’ll briefly explain the process, answer questions, and get started!

Doors open at 8:30 – we start at 9!

See you then,

Justine

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]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:42:56 -0800 The Schedule Board Awaits! http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/the-schedule-board-awaits http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/the-schedule-board-awaits
Photo

From Justine Glynn

See you all bright and early - we start promptly at 9!

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]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:57:20 -0800 See you tomorrow http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/see-you-tomorrow http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/see-you-tomorrow Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow and learning from your experiences (both successes and failures) with efforts to improve science literacy. I am particularly interested in learning more about strategies for improving science literacy and outreach in underserved communities and methods of program evaluation and impact assessment.

I am just returning from a visit to the UK-based charity Sense About Science (http://www.senseaboutscience.org) with some new ideas for ways to impact public discussion of science and encourage involvement of scientists.

I also hope to share an example of an all-volunteer graduate student group focused on science literacy called, Science in the News (http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu), that could be replicated in any community with a core group of individuals with STEM expertise.

Morgan Thompson
PhD Candidate, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard University
Former Co-director and Current Outreach Coordinator, Science in the News (http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu)
mnthomps@fas.harvard.edu

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]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:50:48 -0800 What is an Unconference? http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/what-is-an-unconference http://scienceliteracymaine.posterous.com/what-is-an-unconference

What is an Unconference/Edcamp/BarCamp?

Read a little about the background here: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/about-edcamp-unconference-history

We’ll see you in a couple days!

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