Miami University’s Project Dragonfly is accepting applications for 2024 Earth Expeditions graduate courses that offer extraordinary experiences at global field sites in 15 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. http://EarthExpeditions.MiamiOH.edu

Earth Expeditions can build toward the Global Field Program (GFP), a master's degree that combines summer field courses worldwide with web learning communities so that students can complete the GFP master's part-time from anywhere in the United States or abroad. Applications are now being accepted until January 28. Courses begin in May 2024. http://GFP.MiamiOH.edu

Project Dragonfly also offers the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) master's degree that combines web instruction from Miami University with face-to-face experiential learning and field study through several AIP sites in the U.S. Applications for Miami's 2024 cohorts are being now being accepted until February 28, with place-based experiences provided at zoos and botanical gardens in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, New York, San Diego, and St. Louis. http://AIP.MiamiOH.edu

Graduate tuition for all programs is greatly reduced because of support from Miami University. NEW for 2024 Applicants: To help make a Miami education more accessible and affordable, the Miami University Graduate School will waive the $50 application fee for those who attend an Information Session preceding the fee payment step of the application process. https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-studies/project-dragonfly/highlights-and-digital-media/informational-webinars.html

Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits, and graduate programs worldwide. Project Dragonfly is based in the biology department at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Established as a state university in 1809, Miami is one of the eight original Public Ivies and has a distinguished record of excellence in research and teaching in science and science education.

Applications for the Science Performance Assessment Ambassador Training Now Being Accepted

DESE is looking for districts to identify one or more Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) Performance Assessment (SPA) Ambassadors to support educators and students within their district and familiarize them with STE assessment practices in support of deeper learning. During the train-the-trainer program, participants will be introduced to the new grades 5 and 8 MCAS STE performance assessment tasks from the 2021 and 2022 pilots, explore the instructional practices underpinning the new tasks, explore local-level classroom performance tasks, and cover strategies to analyze student work.

Please see information about the SPA Ambassador role and responsibilities and how to apply; the application deadline is Friday, October 13, 2023. 

To learn more about the SPA Ambassador program, contact Corrine Steever at corrine.m.steever@mass.gov. 

Online Graduate Course from Population Education 

Earn 3 graduate-level ED or SCED credits this fall (or 45 PD clock hours) while deepening your knowledge of how to teach population topics through the lens of science and social studies. The course is designed for teachers of grades 6-12, you'll collaborate and discuss learning strategies, receive a wealth of materials, and develop lessons for classroom use. Course topics include global development, human quality of life, natural resource use, and sustainability. View more information about the course here including how to register for the upcoming 8-week fall semester starting on October 10th. 

Wade Institute for Science Education

2023 Mass STEM Week: STEM Design Challenge

Engineering Design Challenge: Animal Adaptations and Bioengineering

Join the Wade Institute for Science Education and our collaborating partners, the Lloyd Center for the Environment and Buttonwood Park Zoo, for our 2023 STEM Challenge! “Engineering Design Challenge: Animal Adaptations and Bioengineering,” will engage students in grades 5-8 in a unique experience that integrates science and engineering concepts in a series of inquiry-based investigations that lead up to a student-driven Challenge. Students will be divided into small teams and presented with a scenario that asks them as a team of engineers to design a prosthetic device for an injured animal to help it survive. Teachers will choose from two scenarios – one for terrestrial wildlife and one for marine animals. 

Students will be given the following Challenge:

Your team of engineers specializes in creating prosthetics for injured animals. You have been hired by a local organization that provides this service and need to create a prototype for the injured animal.

Teachers will choose one of these two scenarios:

Terrestrial Wildlife: A Wildlife Biologist has discovered an (animal) in the local (habitat) that has a deformation that is affecting its ability to survive. The Biologist has asked your team of engineers to create a prosthetic to help (insert animal) survive in the wild. Your Challenge is to create a prototype of the prosthetic you will use to help (animal) survive. (Examples of deformations may include an eagle whose beak is damaged, an elephant with a deformed leg, an owl missing a wing, a mountain goat missing a hoof, or a squirrel with no tail.)

Marine Wildlife: A local Marine Biologist has discovered an (animal) that has a deformation that is affecting its ability to survive. The (animal) is currently at the local aquarium. The Biologist has asked your team of engineers to create a prosthetic to help (animal) survive in the wild so that it can be released back into the wild. Your Challenge is to create a prototype of the prosthetic you will use to help (animal) survive. (Examples of deformations may include a dolphin missing a tail, a sea turtle missing a flipper or with a broken shell, a duck with a damaged beak, or a penguin missing a foot.)

The Challenge includes:

• Optional Pre-Challenge Professional Learning Workshops:
  
  

• • In-person Workshop: Saturday, September 30th, 2023 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET), Buttonwood Park Zoo, New Bedford, MA
    
    

  • Virtual Workshop: Thursday, September 21st AND Thursday, September 28th, 2023 (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET)

• The Curriculum Guide includes information and materials that will assist participants in designing and creating the prototype prosthetic.
  
  

• A materials kit for implementing the challenge in your classroom (MA schools only).
  
  

• A Student Work showcase 

Participation is FREE! Elementary and high schools are welcome to participate.

Help your students rise to the MA STEM Week theme “See Yourself in STEM” as they use their STEM skills and creativity to meet the Challenge! Register today at www.wadeinstitutema.org!

The Massachusetts STEM Week is sponsored by the Executive Office of Education and the MA STEM Advisory Council. Our STEM Challenge is funded by a grant from the MA STEM Advisory Council.

Connecting Science and Literacy in the Elementary Classroom

A 3-day professional learning opportunity for grades 3-5 educators

Is science instruction interdisciplinary in your elementary classroom? Integrate science into your literacy lessons and include literacy practices in your science investigations! Explore the intersection of science and literacy with the Wade Institute for Science Education and our collaborating partner the Hitchcock Center for the Environment during a three-day professional learning institute. Engage in phenomena-based science instruction exploring animal behavior, such as the amazing world of squirrels. Read, write, talk and most importantly “do science!” Plus, receive a tool kit of four books for your classroom!

 

Registration Information

Dates: July 17th - 19th, 2023 (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM ET)

Collaborating Partner and Location: Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst, MA

Cost: $350 per participant; team discounts available for teachers from the same school

Credit: PDPs are provided; 2 graduate credits available for an additional fee

Register online: www.wadeinstitutema.org

Download the flier

Looking for fun, meaningful PD for your pre-service science educators? Schedule a free workshop with Population Education (PopEd)! The PopEd program has been producing teaching resources for over 40 years and offering professional development workshops that allow educators to experience the many hands-on, inquiry-based activities that have become part of tens of thousands of teachers’ K-12 classrooms. In both online and in-person workshops, pre-service students participate in lessons that explore a range of environmental topics. Educators walk-away inspired to teach about eco-issues, and with over 40 standards-aligned and classroom-ready lessons that will make it easy to bring environmental topics to life! To schedule an online or in-person workshop, click here. 

Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair’s 2023 Science Fair Ready Network

While the Fair is the showcase that celebrates a project's completion, MSEF is much more than the State Fair event. Anyone can be on this journey regardless of how far you go and MSEF is here to support students and teachers every step of the way. Let us know that you're on board and sign-up below to be a part of MSEF's 2023 Science Fair Ready Network.

https://form.jotform.com/MSSEF/2023network

You will receive

• periodic newsletters with timely information and reminder
• exclusive opportunities for classroom resources
• free or discounted professional development
• mentor connections and feedback
• opportunities to learn from other teachers about best practices
• check-ins from MSEF staff and volunteers
• resources for project inspirations and student mentors 
   

MSEF is here to help from the first step of your journey to your last.

There is no cost to be a Network member. You can sign up with no obligation to participate in the fair events and you can remove yourself from the list at any time.