Delta Sierra Science Project Newsletter
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| Registration is now open our Summer STEM Camps! Sessions are designed for students in grades 2-12 and are offered in a wide variety of topics including coding, robotics, bioengineering, virtual and augmented reality, outdoor education and more. Register today. |
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Thank you for subscribing to the Delta Sierra Science Newsletter, a publication of the San Joaquin County Office of Education and the Delta Sierra Science Project.
The state roll out of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) continues in 2019-20 throughout the state of California as the transition progresses towards the full implementation of the science standards and assessments supported by the newly adopted California Science Framework.
Please contact our SJCOE STEM Programs office if you have any questions or concerns at 209.468.4880 and visit our website at http://www.sjcoescience.org/
Sincerely,
San Joaquin County Office of Education
Featured this month -
click on links:
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STAY CONNECTED
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STEM Teacher Professional Development and Announ
cements
 SJCOE STEM Programs Professional Learning
CCESSA Region 6 Administrator Workshop to Support NGSS Implementation Series
Come learn how to build shared language around the existing data for science instruction; deepen understanding of support for a site vision of equity in science; and, reflect on how science supports the goals of your site. This is a 5 module series alternating locations between the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the San Joaquin County Office of Education.
NGSS 5E High School Physics Collaborative Planning Workshop
January 28, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms. Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information
NGSS 5E K-5 Collaborative Planning Workshop
January 29, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms. Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice while integrating Common Core Math and ELA.
Registration and Additional Information
NGSS 5E Middle School Collaborative Planning Workshop (2nd Offering)
January 30, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms. Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information
NGSS 5E High School Chemistry Collaborative Planning Workshop (2nd Offering)
February 11, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms. Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons, storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information
Building Toward the CAST (How do you design a 2D and 3D assessment?) Grades 6-12
February 25, 2020, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Come learn how to best utilize the resources for the California Science Test (CAST) including training, practice tests, rubrics and scoring guides. Participants will also experience a performance task and collaboratively work toward creating classroom NGSS assessments to better prepare our students and to inform instruction. This will be 1/2 day workshop.
Registration and Additional Information
Tech in Teaching
February 25, 2020 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Often in Education people think about what a technology is, rather than what they need students to be able to do. We will cover lots of ways to have tech support student learning. Tech in Teaching is a PD to cover useful technologies for teachers, from media usage to augmented reality.
Registration and Additional Information
NGSS 5E High School Biology Collaborative Planning Internal Workshop (2nd Offering)
February 26, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
NGSS curriculum resources are often challenging to navigate and develop into an appropriate scope and sequence for classrooms. Let SJCOE STEM Programs facilitate this process in a collaborative workshop with other area educators. We will explore NGSS resources and work alongside other grade-like educators to further develop 5E lessons,
storylines and units that can be immediately implemented into practice.
Registration and Additional Information
Engineering with 3D Printing
March 21, 2020, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
3D printing is a constantly expanding technology, from prototyping small electronic inventions, to building concrete structures. Students can learn engineering using 3D printers in the classroom. Join us to experience an engineering lesson and learn how to use 3D printers.
Registration and Additional Information
Make and Take Electrophoresis, Grades 6-8
April 30, 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Come and experience how electrophoresis can be used to address CA NGSS Performance Expectations and make a class set of equipment that will allow you to continue this activity in your classroom for years to come! Kit assembly will serve a class of 35 working in pairs.
Registration and Additional Information
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STEM Opportunities and Resources for Teachers
Online Environmental Literacy Conference
 January 22, 2020
Hosted by: The California Regional Environmental Education Community Network
The California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network is hosting its first online Environmental Literacy Conference on Wednesday January 22, 2020, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. This online conference will operate through Zoom Meeting links and include sessions sharing resources from a variety of projects that have worked to integrate state academic content standards, environmental literacy, and outdoor learning experiences into lessons with students or teacher training opportunities. The CREEC Network is a program of the California Department of Education (CDE).
Flyer
Exploratorium 
The Exploratorium believes that learning is joyful and lifelong. By creating inquiry-based experience and tools that spark wonder; offer hands-on experiences; and encourage questions, explorations, and individual discovery, they're transforming the way people learn. Learning this way empowers people to figure things out for themselves-about science, but also about any topic, claim or idea.
If you're a teacher, parent, after-school educator, or professional developer, there are lots of unique resources for you.
California Academy Of Sciences Resources for Educators 
Information on professional development, field trips, videos, lessons plans and many more educator resources!
(877)227-3311
Next Generation Science Lesson Plans and Ideas | BetterLesson 
Easy and effective science lesson plans across all grades including Earth and space sciences, and engineering with free resources from world-class teachers.
NGSS 3D Assessment Implementation Modules
The CA NGSS 3D Assessment Implementation Modules website is designed to provide teachers with assessment resources that support high-quality 3-dimensional learning for formative and summative purposes. The
website resources for analyzing, modifying and creating assessment items include:
- Unpacking the Performance Expectation Module
- 3D Assessment Analysis Module
- 3D Development/Modification Module
- NGSS Assessment Database
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Reference Resources
Forestry Institute for Teachers
Sierra Outdoor School, Sonora, CA 
June 21-27, 2020
Fire and Water: From the Sierras to the Ocean, learn how forestry resiliency keeps water clean for humans and wildlife.
Learn from professionals and build your own content knowledge through relevant and local topics:
Archaeology, Fire and Fuels, Entomology, Silviculture, Soils, Wildlife, Hydrology, Ecology and Resource Management.
NASA Teacher Resources
JPL Education:
Flyers:
American Chemical Society - Chemical Lab Safety Series for High School:
New & an outstanding set of 6 videos addressing high school lab safety issues including safety mindset, SDSs, Dress for lab, preparing for emergencies and RAMP strategies. Check it out:
Video Links
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STEM Opportunities for Teachers and Students
STEAM Fair 2020
February 21-26, 2020
We've put more STEAM in the Science Fair! Here is what's new for the 2020 San Joaquin County, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) Fair:
- New exhibition categories in science fiction writing, Rube Goldberg machines, robotics and reverse engineering.
- All students will present their project and share it with STEAM professionals.
- Hands-on scientific experiences and exhibits will be open to the public.
- Plus, the same great California state-qualifying science and engineering competition.
See our website for important deadlines and registration links.
SJCOE STEM Summer Camps 2020
Registration is now open for the 2020 Summe
 r Camps for students! Camps are available for students in grades 2-12 and run in June and July in a wide variety of STEM topics including:
- Microscopy
- Biotechnology
- Robotics
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Programming
- Outdoor Education
NorCal Science Festival
Saturday, February 2, 2020
The NorCal Science Festival Committee is a joint effort by the Tokay High School STEAM Team and the Lodi High School STEAM team. The first NorCal Science Festival was started in 2015 by a group of Tokay High students led by Julie Fukunaga and their mentor teacher Sandra Starr, with a mission to celebrate the fun in science and increase interest in STEAM fields of study for all ages. Since then, the response to the festival has been massive, growing to over 3,000 participants in 2019. Many companies and individuals come to the NorCal Science Festival from all across the state and beyond to share their hands-on STEAM activities, advertise their products, as well as foster interest in STEAM career paths.
If you are interested in participating, please contact us as soon as possible to reserve a space. If you would like more information, please check out our website at
www.norcalsciencefestival.org
or give our advisor Mrs. Starr a call at: (209) 747-8045
California Coastal Commission
45 Fremont Street, Ste 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 597-5888
Student Video Contest with Free Curriculum Resources from Population Education
This opportunity is available to all middle and high school students worldwide, and the deadline for submission is February 27, 2020. Participating educators receive free curriculum resource from Population Education, and up to $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to over 80 student winners.
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Environmental Education
Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center
The Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center is a regional center for STEM and environmental exploration. It sits on over 200 acres of land nestled in a large meander of the San Joaquin River in Manteca, California. Several m
iles of hiking trails, seasonal ponds, oak woodlands, a meadow, over 80 acres of wild riparian forest, various picnic areas, a working farm, and the shores of the mighty San Joaquin River are a few highlights of this special place. Please visit our
website
for more information.
MEANDER field trips, Grades 3-5
The San Joaquin County Office of Education has field trip opportunities for students in grades 3-5. Field Trip cost: $300 for a class of no more than 32 students. We can accommodate up to three classes of students at a time for this field trip. To schedule your field trip, please register here.
BioBlitz field trips, Grades 6-12
Students will work in small groups to identify and record the predominant species at the Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center. Students will hike, use maps, data sheets and iPads to contribute their observations to the iNaturalist app and help build a data base of the local species.
Field Trip cost: $300 for a class of no more than 32 students. We can accommodate up to two classes of students at a time for this field trip.
Please register here.
Volunteer at Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center
Are you passionate about nature? Would you like to share your love for the outdoors with elementary school students? Volunteers will help run science activities, hike to the San Joaquin River, work with student groups in grades 3 - 5. Please register
here
Please email Kristine Stepping for more information regarding programs at Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center : [email protected]
Cal Water H2O Challenge
Classroom ChallengeA FREE classroom competition teaching kids about caring for water. For more information please go here.
Online Environmental Literacy Conference
January 22, 2020
Hosted by: The California Regional Environmental Education Community Network
The California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network is hosting its first online Environmental Literacy Conference on Wednesday January 22, 2020, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. This online conference will operate through Zoom Meeting links and include sessions sharing resources from a variety of projects that have worked to integrate state academic content standards, environmental literacy, and outdoor learning experiences into lessons with students or teacher training opportunities. The CREEC Network is a program of the California Department of Education (CDE). Flyer.
Teachers College of San Joaquin is launching its new M.Ed. Program concentration: Environmental Literacy!
The Environmental Literacy M.Ed. coursework examines the close intersections between peoples, societies, and natural systems, and how to relate within those systems in a humble, sustainable matter. Educators learn to develop integrated curricula and learning opportunities that nurture K-12 students' understanding of the natural world outside the classroom, expand critical thinking skills, and prepare engaged citizens. Graduates have expertise in developing, implementing, and sustaining capacity building plans for Environmental Literacy programs within an organization, such as a school district.
More Information
San Joaquin Earth Day Supports Environmental Science Education in the Classroom
San Joaquin Earth Day Mini Grant
Each year the Earth Day Committee sets aside funds to provide area teachers with a mini grant. The funding for these grants have been contributed in memory of Fran Abbott, a water education teacher and a leader in the environmental community. Awarded grants are to be used by the teacher to develop environmental education activities in the classroom with a demonstration project as an outcome. Each grantee then presents their class or school project at our annual Earth Day event. Earth Day 2020 is April 26th at Victory Park in Stockton, California.
This year we are awarding up to $250.00 per classroom and are encouraging teams of grade-level or cross age teachers to team up and work together on projects that are focused on Climate Change. Each teacher on the team could be granted up to $250.00.
Deadline for applications is February 20th. 2020. Please apply here.
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FabLab
The SJCOE FabLab is a state of the art maker space. Students come for field trips or a series of field trips and learn to engineer using circuits, 3D printers, hand tools, laser cutters and more. Students address NGSS Engineering Design standards through fun activities like engineering a bridge to test and destroy, or building a robot to complete simple task. There are field trip options for grades K-12. If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or just have questions
please contact Stephen Callahan:
[email protected]
, (209) 468-9247 or visit our website.
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Interested in a TOPS STEM Program at your school?
Teaching Opportunities for Partners in Science (TOPS) is a program that places individuals with a background in STEM at your school where they teach hands-on lessons. Each volunteer spends about 8 hours per month at a specific school site where together with a teacher they help provide interactive, hands-on science and engineering lessons. If you are interested in having the program at your school or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Lissa Gilmore:
[email protected] or 209-468-4880 for more information.
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SJCOE STEM Kits
SJCOE STEM Programs offers a variety of STEM kits including:
Arduinos, GEMS, Makey Makeys, Math, Science and Beyond to name a few. Please reserve kits utilizing the online reservation request system:
Reserve a Kit
The rental fees range from $20 - $25 and may be checked out for up to one month at a time based on demand.
Kits are on a 1st come - 1st served basis, please call 209.468.4880 to check availability or you can use the above "Reserve a Kit" link. The resource check-out agreement must be signed by both the administrator and the educator prior to pick up. Please download the form
here
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About Us
San Joaquin County Office of Education STEM Programs is the
CCSESA Region 6 Science Lead and the Co-Director of the Delta Sierra Science Project, a California Subject Matter Project. Thank you for reading our newsletter.
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