TRC In the News 2013
Submit TRC News Here: The Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching is an award-winning statewide network of sixty-five P-16 partnerships that provide sustained and high intensity professional development to P-12 teachers of science and mathematics across the state. This web page will be used to highlight national, state, and regional news that is published featuring the Texas Regional Collaboratives program as well as news that features our members. Submit items to be posted to [email protected].
CAST Elementary STEM Spectacular
Over fifty educators hosted table presentations at the first ever Elementary STEM Spectacular held on Friday, November 8, 2013 during CAST. Dr. Mary Hobbs, Coordinator for Science Initiatives with the Texas Regional Collaboratives (TRC) and one of the organizers of the event, estimated that around 350 people attended the nearly two hour long event.
Sponsored by the Texas Council of Elementary Science (TCES), the STEM Spectacular was modeled after the Elementary Extravaganza held annually during NSTA. Both were designed as opportunities for educators to share effective hands-on science activities with their peers. Attendees simply walked up to a hosted table and an informal conversation ensued. Presenter Ellen Harris noted, "I really think the participants liked the format and I so enjoyed meeting with people at a table, just a few at a time. Please sign me up for next year. Loved it!"
Color-coded t-shirts provided direction to grade specific activities. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten presenters were wearing bright pink t-shirts, Grades 1 and 2 presenters wore green t-shirts, etc. Activities ranged from Acorns Galore! to Squishy Circuits.
Attendees and presenters alike were enthusiastic in their praise of the event. Michelle Sedberry, TRC Project Director of the Region 17 ESC Science Collaborative wrote, "I brought 75 handouts and I was out in less than 30 minutes! Amazing. We had a blast and would be excited to present again next year. I had MANY people say we should have a secondary showcase as well."
The TRC would like to thank all the presenters and attendees for making this event a great success.
The Science of Racing
Dr. Frazier Wilson gives welcome and thanks the teachers for attending the training.
October 4th was the date that brought over eighty science and mathematics teachers together to study the science of racing. The training event was sponsored by Shell, which joined forces with the TRC and the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED). The training was a unique learning opportunity for the teachers in conjunction with the Shell Pennzoil Grand Prix.
Participants conducted hands-on activities that included examining polymers, distinguishing the difference between engines, motors and generators and how they work, and comparing fuels (gas vs. ethanol) with molecular models. Mathematics teachers had the opportunity to discuss how they can use these activities and support the science.
Teachers participated in hands-on activities.
The morning began with registration and a continental breakfast followed by remarks from a Shell leaded, Dr. Frazier Wilson. Breakout sessions were provided and participants completed three hands-on activities. After lunch the participants were taken to the Reliant Center where they built engines and visited dozens of interactive and educational displays, including an experiential area presented by Shell. Lastly, the participants attended the Grand Prix qualifying races.
Teachers build engines—time's up!
The training was very successful and the TRC is committed to providing more professional development training through the Shell-TRC Partnership.
At the races.
National Energy Conference for Educators
The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project hosted a conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico July 14-18, 2013 for one hundred plus educators that are passionate about energy education. Attendees came from many states, including Texas and some represented the TRC.
This conference provided educators with the most up-to-date information on all aspects of energy including the science of energy, sources of energy, transportation, electricity, and environmental and economic impacts.
Groups of teachers worked on different aspects of energy sources.
Each participant received a NEED Science of Energy Kit, a class-set of NEED Energy Infobooks, access to all NEED Curriculum Guides, and supplemental resources.
Dr. Kamil Jbeily, TRC Executive Director, attended part of the conference and worked in groups with the teachers.
Dr. Jbeily was very impressed with the NEED Project and how it unites the energy companies, agencies, and other public/private organizations together to bring balanced energy programs to our schools while also focusing on strong, sustained professional development.
The partners in the energy industry supported the participants and their attendance to the conference. Sponsorship included providing registration fees, speakers, travel expenses, and curriculum materials to participants. Shell sponsored several teachers from Texas. We are very excited and motivated with our experience and want to thank Shell for sponsoring us.
From left to right- Amanda Perez and Leticia Olivarez, Laredo, TX; Susan Nelson, Brookville, KS; Donna Christy and Beth Muyskens, Cypress, TX and Marsha Willis, Austin, TX.
For more information about the NEED Conference, please contact Marsha Willis at [email protected].
TRC Partner, Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, Launches Trailblazer II
Since 1976, the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) has sought to engage and encourage minority students to pursue college and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). More than 25,000 students become aware of careers in STEM through TAME programs every year.
In 2012, the Texas Regional Collaboratives (TRC) and TAME worked together on a Shell funded grant and hosted Math and Science Family Nights in the Houston area. The TAME Trailblazer was at each event, providing interactive exhibits aimed at promoting STEM activities to our Texas students.
On June 6, 2013, TAME launched its new Trailblazer II at a special ceremony at the 3M Austin Innovation Center. The new Trailblazer is loaded with five exhibits focused on: space, energy, weather, aerodynamics and biotechnology. In each exhibit are hands-on activities appropriate for third to eighth grade students, encouraging them to focus on math and science and ultimately consider a career in STEM.
During the next decade, the two interactive science-on-wheels Trailblazer units will reach more than 200,000 students and travel more than 300,000 miles visiting schools throughout Texas. The Trailblazer I has reached more than 90,000 participants in the past decade, with participation mirroring the demographic makeup of Texas schools.
The TRC is proud to work with TAME and we will continue to provide Math and Science Family Nights to different areas in Texas and highlight the new Trailblazer II.
From the Sea to the Shore: Connecting Classrooms to Scientific Research Expeditions (A Live Ship to Shore Video broadcast)
In a first for the TRC Annual Meeting, participants in this featured session will connect live ship-to-shore with a research expedition led by the International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) in Southern Alaska and their Education Officer, Alison Mote. Alison is a TXESS Revolution, EarthLabs Teacher Leader, and a Project Lead the Way teacher for The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas. Alison is very excited to be part of Expedition 341 to Southern Alaska because it combines so many of her favorite things: earth science, cutting edge research, and exploring new and exciting territories. The best part is that she will be able to share her experiences on board the JOIDES Resolution with session attendees.
The expedition will explore the relationship between global climate change, tectonics, glacial advance and retreat cycles, paleo-ocean circulation and productivity, and the Earth's changing magnetic field in the Gulf of Alaska. A diverse team of scientists on board the JOIDES Resolution will investigate these interactions among the Earth's systems in Southern Alaska to reveal information about the Earth's past and provide valuable information for predicting future changes on our planet.
Participants will learn how they can become involved in following this and other IODP expeditions. Our expedition education program will focus on promoting sea-going research and the science goals of this expedition through the JR's education web portal, live ship-to-shore events, and much more!
Learn more about the TRC Nineteenth Annual Meeting.
TRC Teacher Selected as Liaison for Space Program
College Station's Regional Science Collaborative at Texas A&M, under the direction of Dr. Carolyn Schroeder, is proud to announce that eighth-grade science teacher, Stephanie Hanover, has been named to the 2013 Space Foundation Teacher Liaison Program, which is intended to advance space-related endeavors in her classroom. Ms. Hanover teaches at Davilla Middle School in Bryan, Texas. She was one of twenty educators from thirteen different states to be selected for this program, and the only one from Texas to be chosen.
The TRC and her Regional Collaborative are very excited for Ms. Hanover and look forward to working with her and getting spaced out. For more information about the Space Foundation and Stephanie Hanover, please see the full article on theeagle.com.
Photo credit: Stuart Villanueva/ The Eagle
