July - Louisiana Science Teachers Association

LASER
Louisiana Science Teachers Association
July 2009
President’s Message from Charlotte Bihm
Greetings LSTA Members,
We are quickly approaching the end of what has been an eventful summer for
many of our members. There are several events to be reported since our last
issue.
Professional Development Events
Many of our members have been involved in exciting professional development
opportunities this summer, including such local events as WETSHOP, BTNEP
Teacher Trainings, and Math Science Partnership projects. You will enjoy
reading about several in this issue of the LASER.
LA Standards/Benchmarks Revisions
The Louisiana Department of Education has reported that Superintendent Pastorek has signed a memo
of understanding to form a consortium with 49 other states to develop common standards. Several LSTA
members have been serving on state committees revising the current science standards/benchmarks. Though
work of some committees may be temporarily placed on hold, we understand that the work that has been
done thus far by state committees will assist in future evaluation of the forthcoming common standards. More
information is provided in this issue.
Conference Planning Continues
Our LATM/LSTA Joint Conference Chairs Jan Graff and Jean Ware have been working tirelessly with a team
of LATM and LSTA members planning for the November 2009 Joint Conference in Shreveport. Make plans to
attend now. There will be exciting sessions, an exhibit showcase, a special exploration at Sci-Port, and many
other events that you won’t want to miss. We would like to remind you that LSTA has travel grants available to
a limited number of qualifying members to minimize the cost of conference attendance. Visit our web site to
download your application today.
Quality Science and Math
An outstanding way to prepare for the coming school year would be to develop your QSM grant application.
The website http://www.seasystem.net/cgi-bin/qsm/ is open now! Regular classroom teachers of K-12 math
and science in public schools may write and submit their proposals for non-consumable instructional materials.
This year proposals must be submitted by September 18th but why wait until after school starts when you can
do it now.
I wish you a restful remainder of summer and a successful start of the 2009-2010 academic year.
LSTA Board and Regional Representatives
Members of the LSTA
Executive Board
Charlotte Bihm
President
Crb3739@slp.k12.la.us
Paul Johnson
Past President/Membership
pjohnson@tpsd.org
Shannon LaFont
Vice President
slafont@lafourche.k12.la.us
Michelle Brand-Buchanan
Secretary
buchananm@rapides.k12.la.us
Jean May-Brett
Treasurer
jean.may-brett@la.gov
Jan Graff
Awards Coordinator
jlgraff@bellsouth.net
Brenda Nixon
Special Projects Coordinator
bnixon@lsu.edu
Paul Johnson
Membership
pjohnson@tpsd.org
Jean May-Brett
NSTA Liaison/BaP Coordinator
jean.may-brett@la.gov
Pateece Davis
Exhibit Co-Chair
Gpdavis-hardy@caddo.k12.la.us
Dru Foret
Administrative Assistant
dforet@tpsd.org
Andrea Walker
LSTA Web Master
andrea_walker@nops.k12.la.us
Jennifer Williams
Region 1 Representative
Jwilliams@newmanschool.org
Jan Mistich
Region 2 Representative
Janiece.Mistich@stpsb.org
Michelle Morvant
Region 3 Representative
mmorvant.tes@lafourche.k12.la.us
Debra Carroll
Region 4 Representative
debracarroll@bellsouth.net
Tina Savoie
Region 5 Representative
tina_savoie@camsch.org
Tera Robinson-LaPrarie
Region 6 Representative
robinsont@rapides.k12.la.us
Sue Ottesen
Region 7 Representative
sue.ottesen@bossierschools.org
Shavonne Gardner-Price
Region 8 Representative
sprice9455@aol.com
Ann Wilson
La Science Program Coordinator
ann.wilson@la.gov
Jessica Schexnayder
LASER Editor
jsche15@lsu.edu
Mitch Robinson
Historian
jmr2424@slp.k12.la.us
Joyce Tate
Parliamentarian
joyce.tate@mcschools.net
Announcements
• Proposals are now being accepted for the November 2-4 joint math and science conference in Shreveport.
The program committee has set up an online submission process. Go to the LSTA website: http://lsta.info for a
link to the submission site. The link is on the right side of the home page.
• Remember that the LASER will become an electronic only copy following the joint LSTA/LATM Conference in
Shreveport this Fall. Don’t miss out on your copy – take a minute to verify your email.
Changes can be made using the form on the back page of this issue of the LASER, or by filling out the membership form located on the LSTA web site at http://www.lsta.info/membership.htm.
Send completed form to:
Paul Johnson, Terrebonne Parish School Board, P.O. Box 5097, Houma, LA 70361
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
Congrats
NABT – Louisiana Outstanding Biology Teacher 2009
Linda Messina of St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge was named the 2009 Outstanding Biology
Teacher for the state of Louisiana by the National Association of Biology Teachers. This honor, given annually
since 1961 by NABT in conjunction with Prentice Hall and Leica, identifies a teacher from each of the United
States, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces who has made valuable contributions to the
profession and to his/her students. Criteria for the award include teaching ability, experience, inventiveness,
initiative, inherent teaching strengths, and cooperativeness in the school and community.
Mrs. Messina has been a teacher at St. Joseph’s Academy for the past fourteen years and also
serves as Science Fair Coordinator and Science Club Moderator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medical
Technology from LSU. Volunteer service as a member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge initially sparked
her interest in becoming a teacher and she returned to LSU to obtain her teaching certification.
In her 14 years at St. Joseph’s Academy, Messina has helped in the development of many programs
that have allowed her students to become active stewards of the local community and environment. One
such program, in conjunction with LSU, is the Coastal Roots Seedling Nursery Program in which students
establish wetland seedling nurseries capable of producing native wetland plants for use in habitat restoration.
Her students plant and grow seedlings which they later transplant in fragile coastal Louisiana environments.
Since she helped pilot the program in 1999, it has grown to include 36 participating schools from 10 parishes.
Other initiatives for which her students have been involved include the wetlands stewardship project at Alligator
Bayou and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s Water Watch Program. She started and mentors a
Science Club which was recently given the Outstanding Peer Education Award for its outstanding leadership
and ongoing involvement in Ocean Commotion, a science exhibition held annually at LSU. Her students are
regularly selected to present research papers at the Louisiana Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
Mrs. Messina has also served as an instructor for LSU summer Forensic Science Camp.
Messina is a member of the National Association of Biology Teachers, the National Science Teacher
Association, and the National Golden Key Honor Society. She teaches Biology I and Environmental Science.
Her approach to biological science is creative and motivating, using student-centered activities, interesting
demonstrations and analogies, and student-directed investigations that create real-world experiences for her
students. She utilizes local professionals as guest speakers to present information to her students from a wide
range of differing opinions.
“Linda’s classroom projects, outreach efforts and educational undertakings demonstrate her passion for
providing her students with as many unique learning opportunities as possible,” said Lori Harper, a member of
the science faculty at St. Joseph’s Academy. “Thanks to her incomparable classroom gifts, Linda’s students
love to learn.” Sheri Gillio, assistant principal of academics at SJA, added, “She challenges the students every
day by giving them opportunities to question and extend their knowledge through extensive research on topics
relevant to biology.”
Mrs. Messina, and other OBTA recipients, will be recognized at the NABT convention in Denver
in November. She will receive a certificate and pin, a precision pair of binoculars from Prentice Hall, a
microscope from Leica Microsystems, Inc., and a year’s membership in NABT.
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
2009 LSTA/LATM Conference Hotel Information
Hilton
$99.00 Single and Double
Code LMA
www.shreveport.hilton.com
Tel: 1-318-698-0900 Fax: 1-318-698-0515
Holiday Inn
$79.00 all rooms
No code assigned indicate conference
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel
Tel: 1-318-222-7717 Fax: 1-318-221-5951
Sam’s Town
$65.00 all rooms
No code assigned indicate conference
http://www.samstownshreveport.com/ or http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel LSTA Travel Grant Award Description
LSTA is awarding up to 10 travel grants for $300 each to offset the expense of attending its annual
institute. The money can be used to cover institute registration, short course registration, lodging, meals,
parking, or travel. Grant applicants will be notified of their status at least one month prior to the institute. The
money will be awarded at the conclusion of the institute. Awardees must attend the institute through the
conclusion of the final program.
Deadline for receipt of grant applications is September 30, 2009. The LSTA Awards Coordinator will select
a committee of science leaders from throughout the state to score the applications. Order of receipt or
geographic location will not necessarily be considered in the awarding of the travel grants. Qualifications and regulations for grant eligibility are as follows:
1. Applicants must be LSTA members on or before August 1, 2009.
2. Awardees are expected to attend the full institute and take maximum advantage of the sessions.
3. Awardees are expected to use information and skills gained at the conference to improve their teaching
skills and classroom instruction.
4. Awardees are not eligible to reapply for the travel grant for the next three Annual LSTA Institutes.
5. Awardees who decline to attend the 2009 Annual LSTA Institute cannot apply the money to other institutes
or transfer it to another individual. 6. Awardees who decline to attend the 2009 Annual LSTA Institute and who have not given a minimum notice
of two weeks to the LSTA Awards Coordinator are not eligible to reapply for the travel grant for the next three
Annual LSTA Institutes.
7. LSTA Officers, Board Members, or Travel Grant Committee Members are not eligible for the grant.
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
The original completed grant application http://www.lsta.info/travelgrant.htm and four (4) copies should be
postmarked by September 30, 2009. Questions can be e-mailed to Jan Graff jlgraff@bellsouth.net . Mailed completed application to:
Jan Graff, Awards Coordinator
Louisiana Science Teachers Association
10111 Norris Ferry Road
Shreveport, LA 71106
Outstanding Science Teacher Award
The Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards are presented by the LSTA Association to one science teacher at each level (elementary, middle and secondary) who has demonstrated exemplary science
teaching. This may include performance in the development/use of instructional materials, design/implementation of curriculum, and/or fostering school-based instructional programs in science for longer than five
years. Criteria for eligibility for the competition and procedures are described below. Composition of Award
The Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards consists of a $400 cash award to be used in the
teacher’s classroom or to defray expenses to a regional or national science teachers convention, an award
plaque, one ticket to the LSTA awards banquet, a complimentary one-year membership in LSTA and publication in the LASER of a report describing the awardee’s work.
Rules and Procedures
1. The Applicant must be a full-time science teacher or full-time classroom teacher, with all the responsibilities of such a position, with at least 5 years classroom experience. Categories are as follows: Elementary (grades preschool – 4), Middle (grades 5 – 8), and Secondary (grades 9 – 12).
2. Applicant must be an LSTA member in good standing and a member of LSTA for a minimum of 3 years. This can be verified by contacting the LSTA membership chairperson.
3. The Applicant should prepare a description of his/her exemplary science technique(s), innovations,
and/or program(s). This description should not to exceed five (5) pages typed, double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11”
paper in type size no smaller than 10 font. The exemplary teaching described must be the entrant’s original
work but can be based on existing instructional materials. In addition, the applicant should provide a resume that includes formal education, participation in professional organizations, activities related to his/her
role as an educator; and other pertinent information and a minimum of one digital picture of the teacher involved in an educational setting. The digital photograph(s) may be submitted with the application packet or
e-mailed to jlgraff@bellsouth.net. Supplemental sample documents are encouraged; however, do not submit videos, CD’s or other multi-media materials other than the required digital photograph(s). 4. The Applicant must provide 3 to 5 letters of support from individuals who are familiar with and can corroborate the exemplary science teaching of the applicant. 5. Submit one (1) original and four (4) copies of the application form (http://lsta.info/awards.htm) and all
supporting documents in one envelope to: Jan Graff, 10111 Norris Ferry Road, Shreveport, LA 71106.
Failure to follow rules precisely will result in disqualification. DEADLINE:
Deadline for entries to be postmarked by September 30, 2009. Final judging is by a committee of science
educators selected by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association. LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
LSTA Regional News
F Region II News from Jan Mistich F
Well, it may be summer….but the learning hasn’t
stopped for Region II Science teachers. They are
taking advantage of some of the summer institutes
to sharpen their skills and increase their knowledge
about science matters.
an Elementary and a High School project and
Washington Parish’s Elementary project with Sandy
Morgan. The Tangipahoa group recently traveled to
Shreveport where they had a great program at SciPort.
Before the 2008-2009 school year even ended, 6th
grade science teachers at Mandeville Middle School
were looking to next year. Ellen Marino and other 6th
grade science teachers at Mandeville Middle School
in St. Tammany Parish, attended the Project Need
Program in Baton Rouge, held recently in May.
Laurie Horton and Mary Rudh, both from East Baton
Rouge Parish Schools and Sharon Leger, from
St. Tammany Parish Schools, will be attending the
COSSEE Summer Institute.
Jill Saia and 60 EBR teachers will be participating in
the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in
New Orleans in July. Jan Mistich, from St. Tammany
Parish, will be attending the American Geological
Institute’s K-5 Geoscience Summer Leadership
Institute in Houston, Texan, with Michelle Morvant,
from Region 3. Christy Paulsell will be hosting a
Project Learning Tree training for teachers in St.
Tammany Parish at their summer institute in July,
called Energy and Society.
MSPs in Region two include projects in Central
under Julie Nall, EBR with Kerry Rogers and
Janie Braud, Livingston directed by Vickie Hinson
Leader, Tangipahoa with CC Lanier running both
If you, too, are participating in some newsworthy
activity this summer, please take a minute to share
it with everyone. You can send your news to
janmistich1@yahoo.com.
F Region III News from Michelle Morvant F
Fletcher Technical and Community College had a
busy evening March 24, as it hosted “Women: Taking
the Lead to Save the Planet” and an Art Salvage
Workshop. Students explored things they could do
in their lives that could have a positive effect on the
environment. Karen Fisher-Brasher, from the DEQ
and Susan Testroet-Bergeron with BTNEP, spoke
to students about individual choices and personal
commitments they could make for changing their
immediate environment. Following the presentations
students rolled up their sleeves and got busy as they
participated in a recycled art seminar.
May was an exciting
month for inquiring
minds as Thibodaux
Elementary
Kindergarteners
participated in an up
close and personal
encounter with insects
at the New Orleans
Audubon Insectarium. They explored insects of the
underground, insects as a culinary delight, insects
as they changed through metamorphosis, and
they walked along with fluttering butterflies. This
experience served as a culmination to classroom
activities as they explored insects first hand.
BTNEP will be busy this summer offering teacher
workshops to enhance classroom lessons. July 21- 22
- WETMAAP Training for False River: Participants will
learn about geography, geology, and wetland issues
in the False Rive area of Louisiana. This workshop
offers educators the opportunity to learn the science
and socials studies information that student can use
during scientific inquiry based lessons. Lessons also
give an applied overview of the BTE and its dynamic
issues. Visit BTNEP Website at: http://educators.
btnep.org for more details.
Share your great experiences with others! Drop me a
line at: mahmorv@yahoo.com
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
F Region IV News from Debra Carroll F
Vermilion Parish Science teachers present their
program at the National level. Three teams of science
teachers from Vermilion parish conducted workshops
at the National Science Teachers’ convention (NSTA),
which took place March 19 - 22 in New Orleans.
The presenters actively engaged their session participants in experiments requiring group communication,
problem solving, higher order thinking, and measurement skills using a variety of digital equipment as well
as measuring tape, pH paper, and a stopwatch. The
results of the experiments were recorded via tables,
charts, graphs, and written explanations. Participants
in the national audience received copies of other lessons they could choose to incorporate as digital learning and therefore were encouraged to bring home
these ideas and activities ready for classroom use.
to model some of their future program development
upon their Vermilion Parish model. These teachers and the Vermilion parish school
system as a whole are very much thankful to Chevron who covered all expenses of presenters and the
acquisition of all equipment in each K - 12 public
school of Vermilion Parish. Equipment was purchased via the Energy for Learning Grant addressing
the needs our community after Hurricane Rita.
Roland Pautz is congratulated on his years of
service to science education in Vermilion Parish as he
retires. LSTA wishes him great success in his future
endeavors.
All three Vermilion Parish team’s presentations were
received with gratitude and praise. Participants asked
to keep in contact by email with the presenters and
F Region V News from Tina Savoie
I’m sending a happy vacation wish for region V. There is a lot of opportunity for professional development
this summer. I hope you are able to participate in some of them. In Cameron Parish, we have teachers
participating in summer classes to finish master degrees as well as taking a cruise on the Intracoastal
Waterway. I’m sure there is plenty you would like to tell our state about, so please email me with your news at
tina_savoie@camsch.org. In the subject line include “Laser News”. Have a wonderful summer.
F Region VI News from Tera Robinson-LaPrarie F
Angela Capello of the LA Wildlife and Fisheries will
be conducting the annual WETSHOP for Louisiana
teachers. The program allows twenty teachers
throughout the state to participate and familiarize
themselves with the state’s land loss issues and
the importance of our wetland ecosystems. The
workshop is filled with field trips, guest speakers, and
instructional time for participants to gain hands-on
knowledge about these vital ecosystems.
Michelle Buchanan and Marilyn Long, of Pineville
Junior High School, are attending a two-week
long Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Workshop
in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Pineville will be
implementing PLTW’s engineering curriculum within
their math and science classes. PLTW’s curriculum
challenges and engages students through hands-
on activities. The two teachers will combine math,
science, and engineering to help students use their
inquisitive minds to solve everyday issues.
Soil Research Scientist, Dr. Andy Scott of the
U.S. Forestry Service spent a day with Alexandria
Middle Magnet School’s eighth grade students. Dr.
Scott discussed usages of soil, soil types, and soil
classification with the students. The students learned
how to use the National Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) website to identify soil types located
in the Alexandria area. As a follow-up activity to Dr.
Scott’s visit, students used the NRCS soil maps to
locate their homes and identify the soil type within
their yards. One of the students wrote in his journal,
“I did not know there was so much to know about soil!
Dr. Scott really made soil an interesting topic to learn
about.”
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
Tracy Kuhnell and Tera LaPrarie of Alexandria
Middle Magnet School will be attending the Formal
and Informal Environmental Education workshop
in Mississippi. The workshop is sponsored by the
Gulf of Mexico Governors’ Alliance-Environmental
Protection Agency. The workshop is held to inform
teachers along the Gulf Coast about the vital habitats
within the area. Participants will spend a week at
the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory attending daily
field trips to various aquatic habitats, followed by
instructional time at which classroom lessons and
projects will be discussed and produced. Along with
the workshop, participating schools will be given two
classroom visitations by scientists during the 20092010 school year and 25 students will enjoy a visit to
the Research Laboratory.
F Region VII News from Sue OttesenF
On Monday, April 20, 2009, the American Physiology
Society (APS) provided a Physiology workshop
for Life Science Teachers and Students held in
conjunction with the Experimental Biology Conference
held in New Orleans, LA. Teachers and students
listened to a keynote address on Sled Dog Physiology
by Dr. Michael S. Davis of Oklahoma State
University, then
participated in a
panel discussion
and guided
tour of posters
and exhibits at
the convention
center. The
afternoon
concluded with
a teacher inservice and
student workshops. The teacher in-service session
focused on “Junkyard Digestion” – a hands-on inquiry
lab led by APS Mentor Instructors Robert Manriquez
(Stanley High School, Logansport, LA), Tonya Smith
and APS K-12 Program Director Mel Limson. The
student workshop focused on a hands-on inquiry
lab relating to the Physiology of Fitness. High
school teachers and students from around the state
attended.
Academic Incentive Grant winners for Science
in Bossier Parish are Lori Gore from Legacy
Elementary, Charlene Cooper from Rusheon Middle
School, and Dorothy Campbell from Plain Dealing
Middle School. Each has been awarded $1000 for
hands- on inquiry science activities. Congratulations!
Sue Ottesen, Eighth Grade Teacher at Butler
Educational Complex in Bossier City, will be
one of two Louisiana teachers sponsored by the
Louisiana Space Consortium to attend the LiftOff
Summer Institute by the NASA’s Texas Space Grant
Consortium, held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
The theme of Liftoff 2009 is Celestial Travelers!
Topics will include: how the universe began, how did
we get here, and where we are going?
Congratulations to Jan Graff and Pateece DavisHardy from Caddo Parish Schools and Cathy
Williamson from Sci-Port. For the second year in a
row they have successfully applied for grant funding
from the La Office of Environmental Education to
provide workshops for science educators in the area.
Watch here for more information on the workshops
they will offer to local teachers during the 2009-10
school year.
Best wishes to Jack Freeman, the Caddo Parish
Secondary Science Supervisor, who will be retiring
this summer. Jack has been an outstanding advocate
for improving science education not only in Caddo
but throughout the state. Hopefully he’ll drop by
to say hello to his science friends during the joint
conference here in Shreveport in November. Thanks
Jack!
REMINDER! Next LASER Deadline, Saturday, September 6th!
Contact your Regional Representative with your good news!
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
F Region VIII News from Shavonne Gardner-Price F
Congratulations to Chris Campbell, Simsboro High
School, for being named the Regional Teacher of
the Year and representing Region VIII in the state
competition. Cathi Cox, Lincoln Parish Schools,
celebrated the funding of a $1.4 million dollar NASA
grant that will bring an engineering-infused physics
class to the STEM magnet at Ruston High School
next year, a project provided in partnership with Dr.
Heath Tims and Louisiana Tech University. Missy Wooley, Ruston High School, guided a sixstudent team to a second place finish at Tech’s
second annual Cyber Discovery Camp. The team
won gold medals in the cyber-themed Treasure Hunt
and netted $750 for the STEM program that will
expand to include forensics, marine science, and the
new physics class next year. After a spectacular first year of Science Olympiad
within her STEM Seed program, Stacy Campbell,
I. A. Lewis School, will attend a week’s training at
the national Science Olympiad institute in Phoenix,
AZ. Cathi worked on a state-level committee to begin
preparations for professional development specific
to the Comprehensive Curriculum and has partnered
with Dr. David Mills at Louisiana Tech for a new
GK-12 grant proposal that will provide a research
academy within the Ruston High STEM magnet next
year. Dr. Bill Deese, Louisiana Tech University, is serving
as an instructor for math science partnership project
in Ouachita and providing science professional
development on the Tech campus this summer
Missy Wooley
and the Ruston
High School team
brought home
second place
honors and $750
for the school’s
STEM magnet
during Louisiana
Tech University’s
second annual
Cyber Discovery
Camp.
Resources for Understanding and Teaching Evolution (Part 2 of 3)
Developed by Patsye Peebles, 2008 LSTA Claudia Fowler Distinguished Service Awardee
The next important Berkeley site is Understanding Evolution for Teachers at
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evohome.html . It is an incredible site full of resources. I recommend
the whole site, but especially “Overcoming Roadblocks” at http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/Roadblocks/index.shtml , “Misconceptions about evolution and teaching evolution” at http://evolution.berkeley.
edu/evosite/misconceps/index.shtml . and “How to avoid potential pitfalls” at http://evolution.berkeley.
edu/evosite/footshooting/index.shtml .
The final Berkeley site is valuable for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to better understand the
facts. It is “Understanding Evolution” at http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/home.php
* The September issue of the LASER will present part three of this series “Further Resources”
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
Carnegie Corporation Issues Report on Transforming Mathematics and Science Education
“Excellent mathematics and science learning for all American students will be possible only if we ‘do school
differently’ in ways that place math and science more squarely at the center of the educational enterprise.” This
is the conclusion of the Carnegie Corporation of New York two year commission study released last week in
Washington, DC. The Commission study and subsequent report calls for transformative change and calls on
stakeholders to establish new common standards in math and science, improve math and science teaching,
and redesign schools to deliver math and science learning more effectively. Speakers at the launch of the
report included Arne Duncan, U.S. Education Secretary; Harold Varmus, Chair of the Presidential Council
of Advisors on Science and Technology; Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri and former North Carolina
Governor James Hunt; and representatives from AFT, the Gates Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce. Recommendations made by the Commission include:
•
Mobilize the nation to improve math and science education for all students
•
Place mathematics and science at the center of school innovation, improvement, and accountability
efforts
•
Establish common math and science standards that are fewer, clearer, and higher and that stimulate
and guide instructional improvement and galvanize the nation to pursue meaningful math and science
learning for all Americans.
•
Develop sophisticated assessments and accountability mechanisms that, along with common
standards, stimulate and guide instructional improvement and innovation in mathematics and science.
•
Increase the supply of well prepared teachers of mathematics and science at all grade levels by
improving teacher preparation and recruitment.
•
Improve professional learning for all teachers, with an eye toward revolutionizing math and science
teaching.
•
Upgrade human capital management throughout the US schools and school systems toward ensuring
an effective teacher for every student, regardless of socio-economic background.
•
Build high expectations for student achievement in mathematics and science into school and classroom
culture and operations as a pathway to college and careers.
•
Enhance systemic capacity to support strong schools and act strategically to turn around or replace
ineffective schools.
•
Tap a wider array of resources to increase educational assets and expand research and development
capacity.
Louisiana Envirothon 2009
Ten teams from around Louisiana competed in the 2009 Louisiana
Envirothon. The competition was held at Cade Farm, the University
of Louisiana at Lafayette’s model sustainable agricultural complex
on April 25. The first place team was Audubon Zoo, with Comeaux
High taking second and Beau Chene FFA in third place. The teams
competed for a chance to go to the North American Envirothon
competition at the University of South Carolina, Asheville in August.
The Louisiana competition is centered on testing categories;
soils, forestry, current issue, wildlife and aquatics. The teams also participate in an oral presentation on an
environmental problem. The Envirothon is open to teams from grades 6 to 12. More information can be located
at www.deq.louisiana.gov/envirothon.
10
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
Educational Opportunities
Quality Science & Math Grant Program 2009-2010
** Deadline September 18, 2009 **
The Quality Science & Mathematics Grant Program(QSM) was established by R.S. 17:371-1 of the Louisiana
Legislature in the summer of 1992 for the purpose of providing materials and equipment to MATHEMATICS
and SCIENCE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS. The QSM program has funds to award approximately $162,000
in grants to eligible classroom teachers for the 2009-2010 school year. Grants for approved materials and
equipment will be awarded on a competitive basis to individual classroom teachers to use in providing
standards-based instruction to help meet state accountability goals. Applicants must show that their proposals
will enhance the quality of instruction for regular education students who are enrolled in mathematics or
science classes. Proposal must be submitted no later than Friday, September 18, 2009.
* Only full-time classroom teachers assigned to teach mathematics or science in the K-12 regular education
program in public schools are eligible to submit proposals. Go to http://www.seasystem.net/cgi-bin/qsm/ for the
full guidelines and regulations.
PLC Summer Institute
In August, NSTA is offering a summer institute on Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s). They are one
type of teacher-led PD that supports collaborative learning among teachers within a school with a focus on
student learning needs. Combined with this institute is a book commissioned through NSTA Press on PLC’s
in Science titled “Professional Learning Communities for Science Teaching- Lessons from Research and
Practice”. The editors of this book, Susan Mundry and Kathy Stiles, will be featured presenters at the institute
along with some of the chapter authors. Information about the PLC conference can be found on the NSTA web
site at: http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2009/summerinstitute.aspx?lid=tnav
National Science Foundation Releases Science Nation, a Video Series
The National Science Foundation (NSF) today released the first in a series of video programs called Science
Nation, which examine breakthroughs and the possibilities for new discoveries about our planet, our universe
and ourselves. The video series is being created for NSF by former senior science producers at CNN, including
Peter Dykstra and Kate Tobin. Each program features a two-minute and five-minute version. Episodes will
be released every Monday and will be featured on http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/
index.jsp
NASA’s Space Place Now on Facebook
For those of you with Facebook pages, we just created a page for NASA’s Space Place Web site, http://spaceplace.nasa.gov. The Space Place an extensive, content-rich Web site for upper elementary age kids, their
teachers, parents, and anyone else who likes a simple, readable, fun presentation of a wide range of space
and Earth science and technology topics. Most of the site is great for kids to explore on their own, with interactive games, hands-on projects, and fun facts. But it also has lots of stuff for teachers. Teachers especially
appreciate the bi-monthly Space Place Newsletter for educators, which has lots of suggestions for how to use
the resources of this Web site in the classroom. See the “Teacher’s Corner” at http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/
educators.
LASER, July 2009
www.lsta.info
11
PRESORT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BATON ROUGE, LA
PERMIT NO 243
Paul Johnson
Terrebonne Parish School Board
P.O. Box 5097
Houma, LA 70361
Inside News:
• 2009 Joint Conference Hotel Info
• Regional News
• Opportunities and Resources
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